What age is too old for a stroller?

[rcmsfeb04]

At work today my coworkers had a huge disagreement around what age is too old for a umbrella stroller at Disney.

I am curious to see what you all think!

Thanks everyone!

 

[idchafee]

last month we had my 7 year old in one for short times. She just got tired, and she kind of twisted her knee pushing my mom up hills (mom is in a wheelchair and she pushes herself on flat surfaces but hills can be a *****).

 

[3_disprincesses]

I guess that would really depend on the child. There's a lot of walking going on and different children have different stamina's. I don't plan on taking my DD5 to WDW again until she is 8 because I don't want to have to deal with the stroller again. If I think she still won't make it, then we will put the trip off again. But if I had younger children that would need the stroller anyway, I would not have a problem with her riding in it as long as she could fit comfortably and safely!

 

[maddiesmom0116]

My DD5 will be in a stroller on out next trip inn September. This is the only time I use a stroller with her and it is simply because I am concerned that her little legs cannot take walking 15 miles in a day. I am going to try to transition her to walking on this trip by walking the day at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, but MK and Epcot are just too big. Maybe on the trip after that I can retire the stroller.

 

[Paula WBA]

The first time we visited WDW was in 1999 and my niece was nearly 6.

She didn't have a stroller at all during the holiday - if she got tired we had a "time out" either in the air conditioned shops or had a cold drink and sat down for a few minutes.

She only got miserable once and that was at Seaworld because the strollers were dolphin shaped. She still didn't have one though

I think that if you take regular breaks then older children don't need to have a stroller if they can walk, although if you have several little ones then I would agree it is more helpful for parents to put them in a stroller. We were lucky that there were 4 adults and only one child.

It is all about knowing your child - we knew if she had a stroller she would be in it for five minutes and then want to get out and walk anyway - she wouldn't have seen much stuck in a stroller.

Saying that though as soon as we got back to the car after the park closed she was asleep before I pulled off the car park

 

[NiniMorris]

I'll add my two cents...it depends on the child. My 8 year old is handicapped and needs the stroller for stamina issues. We don't take an umbrella stroller, but we do rent one at Disney. It is perfect when he has a meltdown and needs that little rest.

My 9 year old would not be caught dead in a stroller...for the past 5 years!

It also serves as our pack mule! Great for carrying all those little things you accumulate during a trip with 2 kids...Disney napkins, Disney plates, maps, etc.

Nini
Nini

 

[noahdove]

Oh, shoot, I was hoping someone would say the age of 60 At the end of some of my days, I would loved to be in a stroller

 

[ancestry]

This really depends on the child and their family. My children haven't been in a stroller since the age of 3 but it doesn't phase me in the least when people with older children use a stroller. Every child has a different limit and some children have physical, mental, or emotional limitations that aren't always "seeable" to everyone.

 

[katepass72]

We used one for my 5 yr old and were so glad that we did - it made the days so much easier for both her AND the adults! We definitely did not get any weird looks either - lots of other "older" kids in strollers also. The Disney strollers are pretty good for older kids also as you don't have to worry as much about the weight limit.

 

[trayletha]

When it is harder to push them in it then it is worth.

My 2 cents - you do what ever is going to make your vacation the most comfortable and enjoyable for your family.

 

[TMB1203]

I think it depends on the child.
My DS is 5 and we are debating whether we need the stroller or not on our upcoming trip. My husband thinks that he will want to walk-and while I'm sure he will, I don't think that he can handle a full day of walking. I'm bringing one with and we'll play it by ear. Got to admit, I also like having the stroller to hold odds and ends so I don't have to carry them.

 

[OmahaNEDad]

I was just about to ask the exact same thing. Last year my twins where 4 years old and we took strollers. This year they will be five and we are debating strollers.

Any more thoughts on strollers age? Would the WDW double strollers fit two 5 year olds? Very tall 5 year olds? We bought our out strollers last year but that was a pain on the buses.

 

[serene56]

Would it be a PIA topark a stroller then go find it after every ride?

 

[zoemurr]

went all day and most nights until late.. we were fine without one. However he did fall asleep on the bus most nights. He is very light, so carrying him back to the hotel from the bus stop wasn't difficult.

 

[JusbKoz]

We used a stoller every year with our oldest at Disney until she was 7 yrs old. I am so glad we did. Yes, it was a hassle getting on or off the bus with our stroller but it was worth having a child that was tired but not cranky from all the walking. LOL the last time we were at Disney I was putting my toddler in her stroller and my spoiled 9 year old grumbled "I wish I could ride in a stroller".

 

[JusbKoz]

We used a stoller every year with our oldest at Disney until she was 7 yrs old. I am so glad we did. Yes, it was a hassle getting on or off the bus with our stroller but it was worth having a child that was tired but not cranky from all the walking. LOL the last time we were at Disney I was putting my toddler in her stroller and my spoiled 9 year old grumbled "I wish I could ride in a stroller".

 

[neverland mom]

We used one 2 years ago with my ds was 5. We are going again this summer and do not plan on taking one with us, but am thinking maybe renting one in Epcot just because it is sooo big.

 

[happymommy]

The last time I actually brought one, my DD was 6. I am so glad I had it! I was there with another friend and her 4 kids, no husbands, and both my kids got sick that trip.

I was so glad when my DD had fallen asleep in it in MGM (now DHS), so I could let her sleep and just push her back to the boat (we were at the Dolphin). She was burning up with a fever! Turned out, she had strep throat (I had East Coast Medical come to the room). I was so glad to have the stroller for that trip - I couldn't have carried her, and she was too sick to walk (it came on so suddenly).

She was 7 when we last rented one, but she tires easily.

I agree with the other poster: do what is right for your family. Although my kids hadn't used strollers at home for a while, having one at Disney was very convenient.

 

[Flounder75]

My DD is 4 and we will NOT be bringing a stroller on this trip. Honestly? Getting on and off the buses, finding a place to park it, and navigating the restaurants and crowded areas (like Fantasyland in the afternoon ) is an absolute PITA. She is small and spunky and will probably tire after an hour or so of walking, but like the PP said, it's all about taking breaks and sitting down when you know your kid needs a break!

 

[tam626]

We stay in a FW cabin & walk to the buses & ferry so our son will be 4 when we go back & we will definatly use a stroller.