What type of stroller for older child?

[puffkin]

We are taking our 7 year old niece to Disney in two weeks. I am starting to think that she may need a stroller for some of the time we are there (it will just be her and 5 active adults). With the heat and crowds and long hours, I doubt she will be able to keep up all the time.

She is about 46" tall, I don't know her weight, but she is a skinny little thing. We would like to bring a stroller from home if possible (an umbrella type) because I don't want to pay the rental for just a few hours here or there. Any suggestions on what would work, or is my best bet the Disney rentals?

Thanks in advance, as you can tell, we are new at this travelling with kids thing.

 

[daisylove]

Hi there
for an older taller child the average umbrella strollers dont always work well. Either her weight will make it really hard to push or her height will prevent the canopy from being able to cover her (or she will be really uncomfotable with her head pushing against the canopy) and you need a canopy in Florida. I would take her to the store and try her out in one to determine if either would be a problem. I have a Maclaren volo for my DD who is 46 1/2 inches and 50 pounds. It is wonderful. I think though with the price for the volo it about equals rental fees for a week. You may want to just rent when she needs it. It may not be everyday. If you buy at least you can resell it when you get back and make a portion of your $$ back if you do not have any other kids to make good use of it. Good luck. Have fun.

 

[blessedby3]

I agree with the Maclaren Volo. I ordered one for my DD6 1/2 for our November trip. I got it from www.babydealz.com for $64.99 including s & h. It is a 2004 model without the canopy, but we will not need the canopy for our Nov. trip. If it is too sunny, DD can wear glasses and hat. It pushes like a dream and she is about 43 pounds. It can hold up to 55 pounds so we are hoping to use it for this year and next years trips. I also figured I would resell it after we are done and recoup some of our money if not most of it. Couldnt see renting when I got this one so cheap. It also has a carry strap on the back for when it is folded. Very lightweight. The handles are also taller than regular umbrella strollers so it fits my DH 6'2" great. No more bending over for him.



Have a great time!!

 

[Ziggie]

With a 7 year old in a stroller, be prepared for some snide comments When we were there a few weeks ago, I was amazed at how many park visitors were *vocal* about things like that (sadly).

 

[mommykds]

I was thinking the same thing...our old double stroller won't hold the weight of our 4 & 6 year old anymore. I think I am going to just rent a stroller at the parks...no folding & unfolding to get on buses, etc.

 

[pdarrah]

My DS6 is very small, so far there haven't been any snide comments. However, we don't let him ride in it all the time either. We use the stroller for the long "hikes" like from the bus to BTM first thing in the morning or from the front to the back of Epcot, or from BTM to Buzz Lightyear. Usually, if we are doing all the rides in an area, such as fantasyland or adventureland, we park the stroller and he walks until we are ready to move on to another location.

We always bring our own, because the MOST useful time to have the stroller is when you have stayed at the park until close and your child is running out of steam. Having to return the stroller at that moment and then carry them to the bus, boat, car or whatever just isn't my ideal way to end the day. With our own stroller, he can rest until we need to board whatever the transportation is and we only have to carry him a short distence and he may have even recovered enough energy to walk. Yes, we have the stroller to lug on board also, but it is still easier than carrying a sleeping child (I swear they weigh more asleep) a long ways.

pdarrah

 

[Ziggie]

My DS6 is very small, so far there haven't been any snide comments. However, we don't let him ride in it all the time either. We use the stroller for the long "hikes" like from the bus to BTM first thing in the morning or from the front to the back of Epcot, or from BTM to Buzz Lightyear. Usually, if we are doing all the rides in an area, such as fantasyland or adventureland, we park the stroller and he walks until we are ready to move on to another location.

We always bring our own, because the MOST useful time to have the stroller is when you have stayed at the park until close and your child is running out of steam. Having to return the stroller at that moment and then carry them to the bus, boat, car or whatever just isn't my ideal way to end the day. With our own stroller, he can rest until we need to board whatever the transportation is and we only have to carry him a short distence and he may have even recovered enough energy to walk. Yes, we have the stroller to lug on board also, but it is still easier than carrying a sleeping child (I swear they weigh more asleep) a long ways.

pdarrah

I think you're right about them weighing more asleep than awake!

 

[mommykds]

Yes, we have the stroller to lug on board also, but it is still easier than carrying a sleeping child (I swear they weigh more asleep) a long ways.

pdarrah

That is very true!

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

IMO, for an older child the best choice is a rental! Go for the double with a 7 year old.

 

[WDWLinda]

Do you think it would fit in the basket of a regular stroller, when its folded up? We'll have an 8 mo. old and a 4 yr. old in Oct. and I'm thinking of pushing our Graco regular stroller with the baby and keeping a folded up stroller underneath for the big guy (45 lb.s now) - it might stick out some, but what do you think?

Thanks,
Linda

 

[PatsGirl]

I have (hate) to admit that I WAS one of the people who didn't understand why a child at 6 or 7 years old needed a stroller -- always figured if they got that tired, someone should take them home. Well, never say never. My son got through my compulsion to make him walk or go back to the resort for bed (one of the many mistakes I've made and regret) but by the time the second came around I wasn't so willing to leave myself, and neither were the older kids so ...

Long story short, I rent as needed. I try not to but I can tell by dinnertime if I'll be needing a stroller or not. DD is now 8 1/2 but I'm going with a friend and her DS, 7. Especially being with a friend I think we'll need that stroller every few days, especially the nights we do childcare/monorail drink-a-thon and then take the kids for the water pagaent, etc.

To answer your question, I think I'd rent as needed. The kids love the rental strollers and they are large enough for older riders. As for those that make snide remarks or looks, I have ammunition for them but we'll save that for another thread

 

[chop456]

We used the Chicco London Srtoller:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/brandsplace/0151-69477-69790.html

My DD was 6 at the time and 48". The stroller reclined back, had a canopy, a big basket underneath, folded up easily. There is a leg area that you can fold in to "up" position for those with longer legs. I bought is very cheap ($35) and it was put to good use.

I have to agree, we did hear some negative comments about such an "old" child in a stroller. She was safe, I was confortable being "in control" of where she was, we had no meltdowns and went from park opening to park closgin every night. So, phooey to those comments!

 

[ValDisney]

With a 7 year old in a stroller, be prepared for some snide comments When we were there a few weeks ago, I was amazed at how many park visitors were *vocal* about things like that (sadly).

It just shows how nasty people can be esp in such a fun and magical place as disney.
I has a double for my dd 7 and ds 4. My daughter gets very tiriedand cranky at times. To me it's easier to have her sit then to hear her, I also think its safer when walking around since I travel alone w them so I would love to someone to say something. People never know situAtions.

 

[blessedby3]

I cant believe that some people have nothing better to do than decide if my child needs to ride in a stroller or not. It is none of their business!! My dd is small for her age so I will probably not encounter any remarks, but if I did, I would inform them that if they wanted to keep up with her for the day- tired and cranky from so much walking- that they could stay with us for the rest of the day and experience it without a stroller!! (sorry for the run on sentence) It is really up to each family what works best for them and others do not have a voice in the matter. A day at Disney is like no other day in your normal life. You can't expect small children that are not used to walking all day to accept it and be able to do it. It kills me to do all that walking. Wish they had big umbrella strollers for me sometimes.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I can't beleive that people would actually make snide remarks to your face about having a 7 year old in a stroller?!?! I think that there the complaining person might have a little "problem" if some one said something to my face about this kind of thing, specifically my foot in their a**!

 

[mybgirl]

I have (hate) to admit that I WAS one of the people who didn't understand why a child at 6 or 7 years old needed a stroller -- always figured if they got that tired, someone should take them home. Well, never say never. My son got through my compulsion to make him walk or go back to the resort for bed (one of the many mistakes I've made and regret) but by the time the second came around I wasn't so willing to leave myself, and neither were the older kids so ...

Long story short, I rent as needed. I try not to but I can tell by dinnertime if I'll be needing a stroller or not. DD is now 8 1/2 but I'm going with a friend and her DS, 7. Especially being with a friend I think we'll need that stroller every few days, especially the nights we do childcare/monorail drink-a-thon and then take the kids for the water pagaent, etc.

To answer your question, I think I'd rent as needed. The kids love the rental strollers and they are large enough for older riders. As for those that make snide remarks or looks, I have ammunition for them but we'll save that for another thread

HI my ds son is 7 , We will be a Disney in 6 day's. Just my ds and myself
So if need to rent a stroller , I will It help me out,





GOD BLESS


MARY AND DS

 

[Msslaydbug]

We have a Maclaren Techno for my daughter who is 8mo and on this last trip when my DS 7yo got tired he would hop in for a short nap. He was a little long for it but it worked well for its purpose. Our last day at MK we rented a stroller for him at MK and he fit in there really well. I would never recomend the strollers for young babies but it seemed to work well for my 7yo and he enjoyed the break !!

 

[Ziggie]

I can't beleive that people would actually make snide remarks to your face about having a 7 year old in a stroller?!?! I think that there the complaining person might have a little "problem" if some one said something to my face about this kind of thing, specifically my foot in their a**!

Well, then you might be facing quite a few confrontations

 

[Ziggie]

For those of you who might be bringing your own strollers to the parks, I highly recommend you do everything possible to safeguard it from being taken by someone else.

Here's a thread that some found valuable: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=806787

 

[RoseRoni2]

I was in the World at spring break with my dd6 and rented the single stroller, it was a blessing and would do it again in a heartbeat!!!!!!!!!