What is it with....

[bjgrazi]

So wait is my 16 y/o too big for a stroller when we go in Jan? I was going to get him a double. I really don't want to hear my legs are tired.

 

[kimmikayb]

So wait is my 16 y/o too big for a stroller when we go in Jan? I was going to get him a double. I really don't want to hear my legs are tired.

Bring along a roll of duck tape!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I'm glad that there are people who get what I'm saying. Sure "it's none of my business" but we talk about things on here all the time that's none of our business . . . like how Disney should run its parks. Thanks to those who don't necessarily agree with me but are at least open to having a discussion.

 

[declansdad]

I'm glad that there are people who get what I'm saying. Sure "it's none of my business" but we talk about things on here all the time that's none of our business . . . like how Disney should run its parks. Thanks to those who don't necessarily agree with me but are at least open to having a discussion.

Again, maybe you should change your original post. you started out by saying 4 year olds and "grown" children. They are not the same thing.

 

[RVGal]

OH... I see... a "discussion"... where you quote and attempt to correct everyone that has a different opinion than you do... and thank the people that agree with you.

I get it now.

Let me head right over to my User CP and update my subscribed threads...

 

[drag n' fly]

I just posted this on another thread!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1598781


" You should of seen the looks on people's faces at Epcot when we forgot our stroller at the hotel and rented a double for ds4 and yup you guessed it ds 12! People thought it was so funny. Lots of ol" timers said "why didn't we think of that!"

 

[ashjohnson80]

Geez, if I could squeeze my butt into one of those umbrella strollers, you can bet I'd be shouting out "FASTER! The line at Space is gettin' HUGE! GO GO GO!!"

OMG you just made me choke on my own spit, and now my eyes are so red it looks like I've been doing something illegal.

 

[babieemelly]

I don't see what the big deal is. The Disney parks are huge. We walked an average of 8 miles a day back in August, and we didn't have a problem but I can't see kids willingly walking that much! And we didn't at all go commando - we got to the parks at around 3:00 and stayed until around 8:00. We had pretty short days, but we wound up getting tons done by being able to backtrack and go to different rides and attractions at different times. Kids have little tiny legs!

I don't have kids but we take my little cousin everywhere, and you can bet she'll end up in a stroller at Disney next year. She's 6 and a half now, and will be 7 when she, my aunt and my uncle come with us to Orlando. When we walk around the neighborhood she loves to walk, ride her bike or roller blade, but it's never for 8 miles. I don't see what the big deal is. A fifteen year old kid in a stroller? That's a problem. But simply being over the age of 4 means nothing. Do you honestly expect a five year old to walk 8 miles a day?!

And I don't see how using a stroller is lazy. Not wanting to have your child whine and be tired and uncomfortable is not being lazy. You're on vacation to have fun, not to make a big deal out of teaching your child a lesson on walking. I think it's a lot more lazy to simply call it a day and end everyone's day of fun to sit in the room and do nothing instead of adapting to the situation. Like I said, we don't go commando and march around the parks from dusk 'til dawn. We're only in the parks a few hours a day, so I can't see my cousin getting tired from being out but I can see her getting tired from all the walking. Why is this such a big deal?! If anyone chooses to stare at her and let the fact that she's in a stroller ruin their day, then by all means go right ahead! It won't ruin my day

 

[freckles and boo]

I haven't read all the posts, but when we take our trip in April 2008, my daughter (who will be celebrating her sixth birthday on this trip) will have a stroller. She has autism and ADHD. She has low muscle tone, often doesn't walk in a straight line, sometimes bolts, and is occasionally very floppy. She doesn't need a wheelchair, but a stroller serves to provide a safe place for her when she is overwhelmed. You can't tell by looking at her that she is not a typical kid so you will probably think she is just lazy. Or maybe that we, her parents, are lazy. Glare if you feel the need. Scowl at me or at my "grown" child. We are used to it.

 

[itchin2go]

My 5 year old rode in a stroller almost non-stop for 5 days last year, and my 6 year old is going to do the same this year. Period. Sorry if we take up too much room for your liking. Actually, no, not sorry. Have a nice day.

 

[BuffettFan]

Do you honestly expect a five year old to walk 8 miles a day?!

:

When my kids were young ...yes, I did.

We spent 8 days there with kids who were 4 & 6....and never even thought about using a stroller. We would be there when the park opened, and usually still there when they were closing. Their legs are small, but they're also carrying what....maybe 35 pounds? My DH's legs are longer, but he's carrying 200 pounds....so he gets tired too! And DH spends all day sitting in an office, whereas the kids are always out running around, riding bikes, roller blading....

And yes it is a lot of walking, but it's not non-stop walking. You sit on rides, at shows and parades. You stand (almost) still in queues. Maybe it is 8 miles, but it's over 13 hours or so.

Everyone has different ways of doing things, and it doesn't bother me when I see "big" kids in strollers.....we all get a laugh about it.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

There are lots of kids over the age of four or five that walk on their own two feet. I don't think that's odd at all.

In my OP, I used the age of four as an example. Like I've clarified, it's more the size of the child that matters when it comes to strollers. It's not like there's an exact moment when they don't need them any more. My observation was just that people sometimes (certainly not all the time or most of the time) aren't being reasonable when deciding when the cut-off point is. I don't "snarl" at anyone or anything like that. I just find it amusing.

 

[allblue]

Well, you can be amused by my son. He is 6 now but was 5 on our last Disney trip. He was in his stroller. You see, he is in his second remission and his tumors were at the base of his spine so walking long distances is just not an option for him. We did rent him a wheelchair on our first day there and it just didn't work out as it was very uncomfortable on his spine so we used his stroller (I had brought it as a backup, just in case).

Now, I will not notice you being amused and laughing as I am too busy watching him and his 3 brothers enjoy Disney, so please feel free to be amused. I also know that well, he has a medical condition so that is different and ok. You would never know by looking at him that he has twice fought cancer (we haven't had the neon light yet installed on his forehead...lol). So, my point is, you don't know the reason any of the children are in strollers and really WHY does it matter?

Ok, sorry I guess you can tell this touched a nerve. My son hates the fact that he can't walk around Disney with his older brothers and that he has to have a stroller like his little brother and to find out that there are people out there laughing at him and thinking I am a lazy parent or my son is lazy well, it just gets to me.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Oh for pete's sake, there are obviously exceptions and your son is one. I am very sorry to hear about his struggles. I know that that must be extremely difficult. I'm not saying that in your case, and in other special cases, a stroller isn't warranted. But again, these are exceptions.

Please understand, we weren't walking around WDW laughing at anyone. I'm not picking out any particular cases here. It's just a general observation.

 

[Hannathy]

When my kids were young ...yes, I did.

We spent 8 days there with kids who were 4 & 6....and never even thought about using a stroller. We would be there when the park opened, and usually still there when they were closing. Their legs are small, but they're also carrying what....maybe 35 pounds? My DH's legs are longer, but he's carrying 200 pounds....so he gets tired too! And DH spends all day sitting in an office, whereas the kids are always out running around, riding bikes, roller blading....

And yes it is a lot of walking, but it's not non-stop walking. You sit on rides, at shows and parades. You stand (almost) still in queues. Maybe it is 8 miles, but it's over 13 hours or so.

ITA. I have been saying this since I came to the boards. Mine never used a stroller after 4 and we go commando from opening to close, no break. WEnt over Easter when my DS was 5 for over a week, no problems..Do they get tired, of course we all get tired at times but then you go on a ride that lasts 45 minutes and you get a break. You are so right about the facts that yes they are smaller but the reality is they are carrying a smaller mass so it equals out. As an aside, physically they are capable of it, I mean children never rode in the wagons going west, and many children do walk 4 miles a day to and from school (2 miles each way) every day.

If your child has a special condition you know it so I don't understand why every time this comes up that is always brought up, do what is medically needed but the overuse of strollers in Disney is not all medical cases.

If you never went to Disneyworld 25 years ago or even 15 yrs ago you don't realize how nice it was not to have the huge SUV's everywhere and how much easier it was to walk even in big crowds.

 

[Caitsmama]

Well.. My dd is 6 1/2 and we are done with the stroller! Last year, we did bring one, but didn't use it that much.. This year i said -- no stroller. I would rather take my time and take breaks and people watch, then have to guide those darn things thru the crowds. I seriously hated it. I am SOOO excited to have her not in a stroller this year!!

I agree to a point though -- i did notice alot of "larger" kids in strollers last year -- with arms and legs hanging out everywhere - and they didn't look very comfy. But, when it comes down to it -- i don't care, as long as i'm not the one having to manover it.

 

[declansdad]

There are lots of kids over the age of four or five that walk on their own two feet. I don't think that's odd at all.

In my OP, I used the age of four as an example. Like I've clarified, it's more the size of the child that matters when it comes to strollers. It's not like there's an exact moment when they don't need them any more. My observation was just that people sometimes (certainly not all the time or most of the time) aren't being reasonable when deciding when the cut-off point is. I don't "snarl" at anyone or anything like that. I just find it amusing.

Is it the age or the amount of space a stroller takes up? You have me confused.

 

[WaltD4Me]

When my kids were young ...yes, I did.

We spent 8 days there with kids who were 4 & 6....and never even thought about using a stroller. We would be there when the park opened, and usually still there when they were closing. Their legs are small, but they're also carrying what....maybe 35 pounds? My DH's legs are longer, but he's carrying 200 pounds....so he gets tired too! And DH spends all day sitting in an office, whereas the kids are always out running around, riding bikes, roller blading....

And yes it is a lot of walking, but it's not non-stop walking. You sit on rides, at shows and parades. You stand (almost) still in queues. Maybe it is 8 miles, but it's over 13 hours or so.

Everyone has different ways of doing things, and it doesn't bother me when I see "big" kids in strollers.....we all get a laugh about it.

All kids are different though in my opinion.

When I took my niece to Disney she had just turned six, I got her a stroller.
It was entirely up to her if she wanted to use it. Most of the time she didn't, but at times it was the perfect break for her and I loved it, because she is six and really didn't need or want a whole afternoon break back at the hotel, but it IS a big place and a 20-30 minute "stroller break" had her up and raring to go afterwards, which made things more enjoyable for both of us. Sometimes she fell asleep, sometimes not, to be honest it was good for her and for me, I make no apologies. The stroller was also great at the end of the day on the way out of the park. If people laughed, we didn't notice or care. It made our trip more enjoyable period.

 

[Tomader]

Here are the facts of the case :

1) OP joined the DIS less than a month ago.
2) OP posts "hot topic".
3) OP invites bashing.

Why respond?

Perhaps my 8+ years on the DIS have made me cynical.

So your conclusion is what?? Only people that have been on the Dis as long as you have a right to post? Why open the thread? I think this site is for everyone. If they post hot topics don't respond. Time has nothing to do with it. People like these argumentative topics. Don't kid yourself. I also might add my five year old was in a stroller. The difference is I won't be attacking the OP for her opinion. I also hate strollers. What are going to do.

 

[shelby22]

Children over the age of 4 in strollers?

When we went to WDW in August, we were shocked to see "grown" children in strollers. Sure, your child may get tired and cranky and not want to walk any more, but isnt that when its time to take a break? Maybe go back to the hotel room and have a swim/nap/juice box? I understand that not all guests are fortunate enough to stay on site, but ther eare plenty of places to sit down in teh shade and A/C, like the Hall of Presidents and the Carousel of Progress in MK, or the American Experiance and Elen's Adventure into Electricity in Epcot, or the Festival of the Likon King in AK, or The Great Movie Ride in MGM.

If your child has walking conditions, maybe rent a wheelchair. It only costs $10, and you get the chair for the whole day. Then maybe your 10 year old wont be sprawling out of a stroller designed for a 3 year old. Plus they can push themselves around, freeing you parents to look after your other party members who really need the attention, like your partners or your other children.

Too many tired little ones for one wheelchair and think a double stroller is better? Wrong you are my friends. That is when a rest, or even taking turns in the wheelchair comes into play.

The reason I rant is because strollers take up far too much room. If you have small children, fine, it is your right to put your little ones into as many strollers as necessary. I know that wheelchairs take up as much room as strollers, but seriously, who is going to bother someone in a wheelchair? Lots of people HAVE to use wheelchairs, not every 10 year old needs a stroller.


Mr. Smith

This whole post is a joke right?

I mean seriously, how does it affect you that a 10 year old kid is in a stroller (and really, how would that differ from said kid being in a wheelchair, which you advocate)? It's not like you have to push the stroller, and you'd still have the wheelchairs taking up space factor to contend with.

Nobody asks you to push the stroller with the "overgrown" child in it. About that - one of my coworkers has a daughter who just turned 2. I'm sure you would agree that she is still an appropriate age to be riding in a stroller. Her mom is almost 6' tall and her dad is something like 6'6" so height is in the girls genes. As a new 2 year old she's well into 4T size clothing, so yes, she is tall for her age. She does look "too big" for her stroller. What difference is it to you that she is riding in a stroller?

You can't be serious about renting a wheelchair for $10/day! Not everybody (even those staying on site) takes a nap during the day - as my dad always said "I'm not paying all that money for Disney tickets to go back to the hotel and nap!!!" The next best option for a tired kid is a break in the stroller.

Which would you rather have, a park full of screaming/whining/bratty/exhausted "too big for strollers" kids or a magical place for the entire family, with a lot of stroller traffic?