What age..no more stroller

[Minniemom97]

I'm in the same boat. I agree - nobody's beezwax how old your kid is in the stroller - live and let live. I've never rented a stroller but always used an umbrella stroller and although my 6 year old is small, she was still squished in it last summer, so we are strollerless (if that's even a word) this summer. And she said she did not want a stroller this year, but we'll see how that pans out at the end of a long hot August day. I can't remember how old my 14 year old was when the stroller was gone.

I will not miss folding it up to get on the bus, trying to find it when we come out of an attraction or restaurant. But that being said, I will miss it being able to hang stuff off of it.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

We will also be retiring our stroller this year. Six is our age limit. However, I highly recommend renting from Magic Strollers-- part of the Owner's Locker business. All of their strollers are really clean and their service has been top notch. They sure beat the rentals in the parks in quality and price.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Both my kids ditched the stroller after age 5. DD took her last trip with the stroller right before turning 6. She likely would have been fine without the stroller then but dd was only 4 and definitely needed it so we took the double.

DS was 5 when we went last Jan and 6 last August. He did awesome with no stroller! We planned to rent if it became necessary but it never did.

I think many kids will ride in the stroller until you tell them you are no longer pushing them in one. I know my dd would. The avg. (non special needs) 6 year old can handle touring the parks as long as you don't tour commando. DS is a slow walker. DH had a bum knee. So, we had to take it slow for dh and that made it much easeir to take it slow for ds.

I personally LOVE not having to deal with a stroller!!!!!

 

[mama2ella]

My son will be 6 on our next trip and we are taking our Maclaren. It is lightweight, folds easily and reclines so he can nap if needed. He LOVES his stroller and I think it will be good to haul our backpacks and waters too.

 

[disneyworldfan4]

We have always used a stroller and this year my youngest will be 6. Too old for a stroller but the parks are still hugh for those little legs, lol. What age do you stop using a stroller and how do your kids hold up through the day?

I have to say that my daughter is 8 and I still take the stroller. Especially when at Epcot there is so much walking. May I add that it also carries our back pack, carries our drinks, and quick access to the camera! My Uncle went with on our last trip and made jokes about my stoller. Guess who ended up buying one for his 8yr son! Have fun!

 

[KB'sMom]

We used a stroller with my 5 year old for one day last year and didn't bring it back to the park again. We just got back from a trip - 9 days in the park and we went strollerless with my 2.75 year old. There were a couple of times that he asked to be carried and we'd pick him up for a couple of minutes and then he was back down and walking.

It was so much easier navigating the parks without a stroller and so nice to not have one when getting on and off the bus.

Think about the energy that most kids have - mine can usually run circles around me! I think most kids older than 3 should be able to handle the parks without a stroller if you take breaks and slow your walking pace.

 

[leebee]

The last time we took the stroller, DD was just a few weeks past 6 years old. We only ever took the umbrella stroller (all we owned) and she didn't use it a whole lot. In fact, it broke during that trip; my last memory of that stroller was chucking it into the dumpster at our condo on the last morning in Florida! I have to say, I miss having something to lean on while walking when my feet hurt and my back is sore, and having someplace to hang the backpack!

 

[crazyboutdisny]

Wow! Cant believe how harsh some people can be!
I really think it all depends on the child and your plan for Disney.
I have 4 children...25 ds,21ds,15dd and 8dd. My boys would have been able to walk disney no problem by age 4. I think my younger ds was 8 the first time we went to disney and he walked from open to close with out missing a beat. My 15yr old was 5 the second time we went to disney...we really debated on a stroller, took one and were glad we did. She did walk alot but even at 5 took a snooze or 2 riding in the stroller. Now my 8yr old daughter....she will be in a stroller when we go in March! She is just a different personality She tires easily and just doesnt enjoy walking. And yes, I am a lazy, indulgent parent because I am doing whats easiest for me! My husband isnt going so I will have no help if the 8yr old wanted to head back to the room and the 15yr old wants to keep going. Now if he was going, we would probably ditch the stroller and he would spend time back at the resort with her. They are two peas in a pod and very much homebodies
So until someone shows me a study that my daughter will be harmed in some way, or tramatized for life because she rode on a stroller at Disney at age 8...off a strolling we will go!

 

[RD-SOX]

I agree - nobody's beezwax how old your kid is in the stroller - live and let live.

Your choice completely...

When my son was 6 years old he was in and out of the umbrella stroller, taking turns with the 7 year old. It came in handy after a long day. Next time we go I think they will be too old and heavy, they will be 8 and 9.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

When my son goes, he will be almost 4. We will not get him a stroller. He's almost 2 now and doesn't use a stroller, so we know he won't need one then. My sister's kids were 6 and 8 and they walked the whole time with absolutely no issues. I think my fiance's kids, when they went, used strollers. One was 2 so that's not a big deal, but the other was 4.5 and I'm mortified to think of it since he absolutely wouldn't have needed a stroller.

I believe quite firmly that there are a lot of kids who go to Disney who's parents put them in strollers and they're far too old for it. Last trip, we pointed out to each other when we saw kids that were too old and I was absolutely shocked by how old some of the kids we saw in strollers were. Honestly I think a lot of it is parents who just think it's easier to watch the kids when they're locked into a stroller, not that the kids need it.

 

[mama2ethan04]

When my son goes, he will be almost 4. We will not get him a stroller. He's almost 2 now and doesn't use a stroller, so we know he won't need one then. My sister's kids were 6 and 8 and they walked the whole time with absolutely no issues. I think my fiance's kids, when they went, used strollers. One was 2 so that's not a big deal, but the other was 4.5 and I'm mortified to think of it since he absolutely wouldn't have needed a stroller.

I believe quite firmly that there are a lot of kids who go to Disney who's parents put them in strollers and they're far too old for it. Last trip, we pointed out to each other when we saw kids that were too old and I was absolutely shocked by how old some of the kids we saw in strollers were. Honestly I think a lot of it is parents who just think it's easier to watch the kids when they're locked into a stroller, not that the kids need it.

I think this thread has given some very reasonable explanations for why older kids would be in a stroller. It sounds like you have one child that is 2? How do you know at the age of 4 that he will not need a stroller? It's easy to say "never" when you've yet to cross that bridge.

And to be "mortified" that a 4.5 yo needed a stroller in a place that people walk an average of 6-8 miles/day? Your response contains a lot of judgement and a lot of assumptions. Part of being a parent is respecting other parents and the decisions they make for their children.

 

[mom2_3girls]

I believe quite firmly that there are a lot of kids who go to Disney who's parents put them in strollers and they're far too old for it. Last trip, we pointed out to each other when we saw kids that were too old and I was absolutely shocked by how old some of the kids we saw in strollers were. Honestly I think a lot of it is parents who just think it's easier to watch the kids when they're locked into a stroller, not that the kids need it.

I don't chime in much, but its comments like this that make me nervous about having my 9 year old ride in a stroller when we go in March. To everyone that sees my child you would think that she is a perfectly healthy girl...except she has a Mitochondrial Disease..which is a disease that effect how the body process and uses energy. She tires very quickly and if we let her overwork her body her blood sugars will spike and drop, her GI system will start acting up and she will end up with severe muscle pains in her legs. Of course we have been waiting on insurance to approve her medical stroller, but we will not have it in time for our vacation. Just please don't think that all parents are lazy and don't want to watch there kids...I would love more than anything to not have to lug a stroller around!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't chime in much, but its comments like this that make me nervous about having my 9 year old ride in a stroller when we go in March. To everyone that sees my child you would think that she is a perfectly healthy girl...except she has a Mitochondrial Disease..which is a disease that effect how the body process and uses energy. She tires very quickly and if we let her overwork her body her blood sugars will spike and drop, her GI system will start acting up and she will end up with severe muscle pains in her legs. Of course we have been waiting on insurance to approve her medical stroller, but we will not have it in time for our vacation. Just please don't think that all parents are lazy and don't want to watch there kids...I would love more than anything to not have to lug a stroller around!!

Anyone who would point at your child and make comments is not anyone who has an opinion you should value. Do what is best for your family and don't worry about the jerks out there. Your child is much more important that their silly judgements.

 

[ses1230]

I think this thread has given some very reasonable explanations for why older kids would be in a stroller. It sounds like you have one child that is 2? How do you know at the age of 4 that he will not need a stroller? It's easy to say "never" when you've yet to cross that bridge.

And to be "mortified" that a 4.5 yo needed a stroller in a place that people walk an average of 6-8 miles/day? Your response contains a lot of judgement and a lot of assumptions. Part of being a parent is respecting other parents and the decisions they make for their children.

I don't chime in much, but its comments like this that make me nervous about having my 9 year old ride in a stroller when we go in March. To everyone that sees my child you would think that she is a
perfectly healthy girl...except she has a Mitochondrial Disease..which is a
disease that effect how the body process and uses energy. She tires very
quickly and if we let her overwork her body her blood sugars will spike and
drop, her GI system will start acting up and she will end up with severe
muscle pains in her legs. Of course we have been waiting on insurance to
approve her medical stroller, but we will not have it in time for our vacation.
Just please don't think that all parents are lazy and don't want to watch there
kids...I would love more than anything to not have to lug a stroller around!!

Please don't let that post bother you. It is ridiculous for people to make judgements when they know nothing about another person or another person's family. Frankly it is nobody's business, either. I hope you and your family have a great trip!

 

[kaligal]

I don't chime in much, but its comments like this that make me nervous about having my 9 year old ride in a stroller when we go in March. To everyone that sees my child you would think that she is a perfectly healthy girl...except she has a Mitochondrial Disease..which is a disease that effect how the body process and uses energy. She tires very quickly and if we let her overwork her body her blood sugars will spike and drop, her GI system will start acting up and she will end up with severe muscle pains in her legs. Of course we have been waiting on insurance to approve her medical stroller, but we will not have it in time for our vacation. Just please don't think that all parents are lazy and don't want to watch there kids...I would love more than anything to not have to lug a stroller around!!

Having a sick child and having to do all the worrying and work associated with having a sick child are punishment enough...especially when you committed no crime.

Why you'd add worrying what total strangers think about you or your child, I'm just not sure. Life is too short to add silly problems like that.

If they want to point and laugh, leave them to it.

I wouldn't give it a second thought and I advise you not to, either.

Life is more fun when you don't worry about that crap!!

 

[Jubilee]

Opinions are like favorite Disney characters, everyone's got one, so to each his own and I don't even want to fan the flames here...lol

 

[mom2_3girls]

Please don't let that post bother you. It is ridiculous for people to make judgements when they know nothing about another person or another person's family. Frankly it is nobody's business, either. I hope you and your family have a great trip!

Having a sick child and having to do all the worrying and work associated with having a sick child are punishment enough...especially when you committed no crime.

Why you'd add worrying what total strangers think about you or your child, I'm just not sure. Life is too short to add silly problems like that.

If they want to point and laugh, leave them to it.

I wouldn't give it a second thought and I advise you not to, either.

Life is more fun when you don't worry about that crap!!

Thanks everyone. I know I shouldn't worry or care, but I guess its the fact that I truly wish she didn't need a stroller and its my own insecurities that I worry about. I plan on renting her a stroller at the parks, that way I don't have to lug one around and rent it when the time is right. We plan on having the time of our lives (we doing a girls only trip..me and my 3 dd's ). Its just hard not to notice the stares or the comments...but I won't let it get to me!!

 

[IslandAdventure4]

we just got back from Disney. We have a 5 year old, and a 3 year old. we brought our double stroller with us, while its heavy its so worth it. When we have 2 tired ones at the end of the day its nice to be able to plop them into the stroller. it also makes it easy to haul the bags, lunch, backpack, camera bag etc. plus multiple cup holders are a bonus as well.

 

[Wadecool]

Thanks everyone. I know I shouldn't worry or care, but I guess its the fact that I truly wish she didn't need a stroller and its my own insecurities that I worry about. I plan on renting her a stroller at the parks, that way I don't have to lug one around and rent it when the time is right. We plan on having the time of our lives (we doing a girls only trip..me and my 3 dd's ). Its just hard not to notice the stares or the comments...but I won't let it get to me!!

Chances are good that the ones staring or commenting have much bigger issues than you anyway. Just smile and say "Bless your heart" under your breath.

 

[CSwan1]

I don't chime in much, but its comments like this that make me nervous about having my 9 year old ride in a stroller when we go in March. To everyone that sees my child you would think that she is a perfectly healthy girl...except she has a Mitochondrial Disease..which is a disease that effect how the body process and uses energy. She tires very quickly and if we let her overwork her body her blood sugars will spike and drop, her GI system will start acting up and she will end up with severe muscle pains in her legs. Of course we have been waiting on insurance to approve her medical stroller, but we will not have it in time for our vacation. Just please don't think that all parents are lazy and don't want to watch there kids...I would love more than anything to not have to lug a stroller around!!

I wouldn't worry one bit about it! Last June, my DD9 was in a stroller about 50% of the time we were there. I rented it from a local company at the last minute and was so glad I did. Not only was is convenient for carrying bags in the park, but when DD got tired and the rest of us wanted to keep going, we were able to do so.
DD is also notorious for falling asleep on the bus at night heading back to the resort. Carrying her is not an option (DD is small for her age- under 50 pounds at 9 years old- but still--- that 50 pounds can get heavy ) and having to stroller to wheel her back to the room in was a god send.
Like someone else said- Everyone is going to have an opinion- but do what is best for you and your DD. Have a Magical Vacation!