What Age Is Appropriate For A Stroller?

[DisDarling]

My daughter is 4 and she still fits into her stroller, and loves it! Should I bring it with us on our trip next month? She likes to walk on her own too, and Im not thrilled on having to maneuver it around the parks, but Im thinking if she crashes and is just pooped out, I would rather have her sleep while we get back to the Cabin. Any thoughts??
D.D.

 

[the kabuki]

Bring the stroller! I try to keep them in there as long as they still fit. Disney is tiring for adults, let alone little ones. At the end of the day, I've often wished I could fit into one.

 

[daisylove]

Bring the stroller. My DD is 5 1/2 and never uses a stroller at home but at WDW she is so thankful that she just pops rightin without a complaint about being a big girl. I am thankful because I can keep track of her and get where we need to go after the parks close and she is tired without having a breakdown on her or my part.
I will keep her in one as long as she fits. I have never gotten a remark like others have but even if I do,I do not care, she is my child and this works for my family.

 

[onlyoneforme]

I agree with the above post. We are going this February with my 5 1/2 yr old DD and we will be bringing the stroller. I don't expect her to use it much but it will be there if she wants it, especially when it's late at night and we've been walking all day...you get the picture! And as another plus...we can put our "stuff" in the basket underneath too!

 

[dopeyone]

the stroller is a definite! we will be bringing ours for our 5 yr. old son. also to hold all the stuff we bring to the park and aquire in the park. it is great to have, especially when the little ones start to tire out.

 

[PolyAddict]

Bring the stroller. My DD is 5 1/2 and never uses a stroller at home but at WDW she is so thankful that she just pops rightin without a complaint about being a big girl. I am thankful because I can keep track of her and get where we need to go after the parks close and she is tired without having a breakdown on her or my part.
I will keep her in one as long as she fits. I have never gotten a remark like others have but even if I do,I do not care, she is my child and this works for my family.

Silly question here? What kind of person would ? why your child is in a stroller regardless of their size?

No one knows why they are there, and why should they care?

Do what works best for your family

Michele

 

[bdcp]

My boys were 3 1/2 and almost 6 the first time we went in Nov '89. No stroller and never needed one. They never used one past the age of 3 anyway. We were more tired than they were at the end of the day and that was with no naps. It helps to go during less busy times. It's what they're used to also. I see people with 6 and 7 year olds in strollers at the mall all the time. I didnt' use them there either. They're now 18 and 21 and have never complained about walking anywhere. They also always stayed with us since they knew that was their only choice.

 

[swilphil]

My oldest will be over 4 1/2 on our next trip, and we are bringing a stroller. If you don't find that you need it after the first day in the parks, you can always fold it up and put it in the closet or the trunk of the car. If you are flying, you can check the stroller at the gate of your plane. It's nice to have it to lug your luggage around the airport anyway.

 

[mum4jenn]

Silly question here? What kind of person would ? why your child is in a stroller regardless of their size?

No one knows why they are there, and why should they care?

Do what works best for your family

Michele

Well...I imagine that would be for the parents that get strollers for their children that are WAY to old for one. I have seen kids riding in them that were so big that the parent could hardly push it and that the kid couldnt even fit in it (legs hanging out etc) I know these kids were at least 9 if not older. The last time my dd used a stroller was when she was 6 i think. It was a little hard but she was still taking naps then and it came in habndy when she was tired but did not want to admit it. Out last trip in the spring of 04 she refused to let me get her one and she did quite well. I just had to remember to go at a little slower pace.The strollers are also great for carrying all the packages and stuff!! We used to get a double stroller so one side would be for shopping/backpacks and it bave dd more room to stretch out!!

 

[Del]

Well...we went in March and rented a stroller for dd 4 1/2 at the time. She used it about half the time. We just got back a few weeks ago and she is now 5----no stroller this time. My girls (also dd 8) did great!! NO stroller, no trying to go around people down main st. We took breaks when their little feet and our big feet were tired. But prior to this trip, she would have needed it. Not at home, we've been stroller less for the past few years but at WDW--that's different. Have a blast! Del

 

[goofyandmore]

I definitely would do what is most comfortable for your child and not worry about what others think. I have 3 children and they are all different. The oldest never wanted to be in a stroller past age 3. But my now 11 year old still wanted to rest in the stroller at disney when he was 5 and 6. Now on the other hand, my youngest child, now 7, has disabilities which upon first look you can't tell. Last year at disney, she needed to be in the stroller because otherwise she would run off, fall on the ground and not want to get up, get tired from her low muscle tone, etc. Yes, sometimes it is tough for her legs to fit and maybe some people thought it looked odd, but people should also remember that you never know what is going on with a child so you shouldn't make judgements. My child looks "normal." But she can't speak and has a brain injury from birth. She acts more similar to an autistic child. So, whether it is a tired typically developing 6 year old and a child with "hidden" disabilities, everyone should try to understand that it might be what is best for that particular child. Bring and stroller and enjoy Disney!!

 

[bdcp]

It is a heck of a lot easier to maneuver around without one though.

 

[zurgswife]

I have 4 kids my youngest is 7 ...during our last trip in Dec I brought and used it about 75% of the time....mostly I enjoy it for the basket storage at the bottom....And she is very petite so fits quite well in a stroller...

I'm very sad to announce that it might have been the last trip for the stroller but you can bet for our spring trip...I'm at least going to try to bring it....We also use it in the airport to shuttle all of our luggage....

 

[revrob]

My son turned 8 last week. When we were there in November (9 nights) there was one afternoon/early evening when he actually asked if we could get a stroller. It was late in the week, and we had been going hard all day and still had several hours planned for the evening. He is very small for his age (47" tall, 45 lbs.) and he had no problem fitting into the double stroller that we rented for him. Last year we rented a stroller one night and he actually fell asleep in the thing as we were trying to leave the park.
You know your child. If you feel that it would be beneficial to the overall mood and help your child to have a better time, then go for it!

 

[goofyandmore]

I agree that I find the stroller useful for holding stuff too, especially water bottles and snacks.

 

[PolyAddict]

I definitely would do what is most comfortable for your child and not worry about what others think. I have 3 children and they are all different. The oldest never wanted to be in a stroller past age 3. But my now 11 year old still wanted to rest in the stroller at disney when he was 5 and 6. Now on the other hand, my youngest child, now 7, has disabilities which upon first look you can't tell. Last year at disney, she needed to be in the stroller because otherwise she would run off, fall on the ground and not want to get up, get tired from her low muscle tone, etc. Yes, sometimes it is tough for her legs to fit and maybe some people thought it looked odd, but people should also remember that you never know what is going on with a child so you shouldn't make judgements. My child looks "normal." But she can't speak and has a brain injury from birth. She acts more similar to an autistic child. So, whether it is a tired typically developing 6 year old and a child with "hidden" disabilities, everyone should try to understand that it might be what is best for that particular child. Bring and stroller and enjoy
Disney!!

this is what i am talking about. no matter how big a child, you do not know if they have "special needs". My 11 year old looks "normal" if you don't study her too hard. i am debating what to do on our next trip. She has a congenital spine abnormality and lives with pain in her back and legs. I don't know whether to go the route of a "wheelchair" (she has never been in one) or a double stroller. i do not want her to get any strange looks either way.

Michele

 

[cricket429]

We are going in March and plan on renting one for our 5 1/2 yr old dd. She will probably use it 50% of the time and walk the rest of the time. I agree it depends on your child. I know for a fact our dd would not be able to do all of the walking involved and this will just make it easier.

 

[DisDarling]

Thanks everyone for you input!! Now, where do you park the stroller while on rides? While eating at sit down meals, again, where do you put it? Do you leave everything with it except your purse? With security, do they check everything in the stroller before you go in? Meaning, Im not going to get everything like I want it in the stroller to have them have me pick it all up to go thru it again. If thats the case, Ill keep it all out until we get into the park- your thoughts??
D.D.

 

[mjmcca]

this is what i am talking about. no matter how big a child, you do not know if they have "special needs". My 11 year old looks "normal" if you don't study her too hard. i am debating what to do on our next trip. She has a congenital spine abnormality and lives with pain in her back and legs. I don't know whether to go the route of a "wheelchair" (she has never been in one) or a double stroller. i do not want her to get any strange looks either way.

Michele

Do whatever she is most comfortable with. If she wants to and fits comfortably in the stroller do that.If you can afford if why mot try one of those scooters?

 

[PolyAddict]

Do whatever she is most comfortable with. If she wants to and fits comfortably in the stroller do that.If you can afford if why mot try one of those scooters?

I don't think she is old enough? for a scooter. I thought i read somewhere you have to be eighteen.

Thanks

Michele