What's the oldest age you've used a stroller?

[luvsJack]

DD was 7 the last time we rented a stroller. A very small 7 with very small legs that got tired from trying to keep up with 3 adults at their normal pace. It was very cold that November and she enjoyed the ability to snuggle under a blanket during the extremely cold and windy day at Epcot. It gave her a place to sit at parades too.

At that time, she was in dance, gym and cheer so more than adequately active. She was far, far, far from a couch potato and didn't even own a video game.

It made life easier for us and for her and it didn't hurt anyone one bit. We mostly used the strollers at Epcot and MK. It was our vacation as well as her's. With the stroller, she could ride without tiring out and we could go longer as we wanted to do and not stop so much. And we rented a double so it carried the backpack and anything we bought too.

 

[china mom]

I really wasn't kidding earlier when I said the stroller is for me, not my child. I did a solo trip to Food and Wine a few years back and it drove me bonkers not to have a cup holder. I very well may take a stroller next solo trip.

And the implication that I need to condition my out of shape lazy children before a trip so as not to need a stroller annoys me. My peanut has all the energy and stamina in the workd. It is her fat. old, lazy mother who doesn't want to carry a backpack (or even her own cup) around the park.

 

[mickeyfan9194]

By 3 years old our kids were done with strollers. We never considered bringing one when they were 3 and 5. If they got tired and crabby, we would leave and go back to the resort. Most days they made it from rope drop to closing just fine. They actually held up much better than us adults.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We set up a rental for DD5 in December as this is her first time there and boy is she a slowpoke! I can imagine people running her down. We don't plan to use it every day, though.

Next year we don't plan on getting one.

 

[smiths02]

At some point, aren't these kids just too big,physically? I found this for Disney strollers:
There are posted recommendations for the Disney strollers that the capacity of a single rental is 50 lbs. and the capacity of a double rental is 100 lbs. These are really guidelines rather than rules.

Surely an 8 and 11 year old weigh well over 100 pounds combined (my on the smaller side 9 year old is 62 lbs)

 

[smiths02]

I really wasn't kidding earlier when I said the stroller is for me, not my child. I did a solo trip to Food and Wine a few years back and it drove me bonkers not to have a cup holder. I very well may take a stroller next solo trip.

And the implication that I need to condition my out of shape lazy children before a trip so as not to need a stroller annoys me. My peanut has all the energy and stamina in the workd. It is her fat. old, lazy mother who doesn't want to carry a backpack (or even her own cup) around the park.

Carrying a small backpack and a drink is much easier for me than pushing over 50 lbs of kid in a stroller, finding a place to park a stroller, and messing with either folding up a stroller for transportation or paying the huge fee to rent a Disney stroller

 

[KateP85]

My son will be 3 in December and we still use a stroller, although he spends most of his time walking while I push a stroller with a backpack in it! I would imagine he'll stop using it a little after he turns 3.

I honestly cannot imagine an 11 year old in a stroller unless there was a medical reason. My nephew is 11 and he would be horrified if someone tried to put him in a stroller! OP, I might suggest your kids get a little more exercise at home so they are prepared for the amount of walking WDW involves.

 

[lustergirl]

I really wasn't kidding earlier when I said the stroller is for me, not my child. I did a solo trip to Food and Wine a few years back and it drove me bonkers not to have a cup holder. I very well may take a stroller next solo trip.

And the implication that I need to condition my out of shape lazy children before a trip so as not to need a stroller annoys me. My peanut has all the energy and stamina in the workd. It is her fat. old, lazy mother who doesn't want to carry a backpack (or even her own cup) around the park.

 

[lustergirl]

By 3 years old our kids were done with strollers. We never considered bringing one when they were 3 and 5. If they got tired and crabby, we would leave and go back to the resort. Most days they made it from rope drop to closing just fine. They actually held up much better than us adults.

Aaahh. Someone with some sense!!

 

[ErinCat]

Edit: I did my mental time travel wrong

6 and 9

 

[Vickilynn42]

It's easier if your kids have been preparing for the trip by getting in some walks ahead of time. My kids were older by the time we hit DW for the first time, and so of course they all walked. We didn't stay on grounds so it would have been a hassle to leave the parks for a break each day, so we just rested on benches when we needed. We definitely had some sore feet back then. Having said that, I certainly wouldn't judge someone who had older kids in a stroller. My thought is that we all pay so much money for this vacation, and want to get our moneys worth. If it makes it easier for your family to fit it all in, who am I to judge you. It in no way hurts me, and chances are, I will be too busy enjoying the parks to care. I also know my kids certainly wouldn't be the ones "poking fun". Do whatever makes this trip easier for all of you. I'm 48, but even in my earlier years the walking would have wore me out.

 

[amylevan]

No way on this planet am I ever pushing a healthy 8 and 11 year old around a park. 7 and 10 isn't happening either. If the kids are tired, we can stop for a snack. Whining = leaving the parks.

But to each their own.

 

[amylevan]

I don't think I need it for AK or DHS, but there is so much walking in Epcot and so much ground to cover in MK it would help....

What ground are you really covering in MK? You practically have to park the stroller in each land, so I really can't see how it's of any benefit in MK.

 

[china mom]

DD will be 11 in November and she weighs 50 pounds.

She still wears size 3T underwear.

 

[maxiesmom]

To me, this post sounds like no one can judge and everything is nebulous. Do you not agree that there is a line somewhere? Should you push a 17 year old (who is otherwise healthy) in a stroller? There has to be a line somewhere.

Personally, I think the line is about 5 years old/school age...others seems to think older elementary school age (8/9), but I think there does need to be a line drawn between pushing a child and pushing a pre-teen/teen.
And I will add that if I saw this in the park, I would withhold judgment because I don't know if there is a medical problem going on.

I think we each should decide for our own families and not waste time judging other families for their choices.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

4 or 5 I think.

 

[CindySwims]

My kids are 4 and 7 and we are almost done with the stroller, but I'm not ready to give it up yet. I still do bring it when I'm solo in the parks. My oldest has sensory issues and the stroller is a great place to pull down the cover and helps easily get him out of the park if he has a meltdown. My 7 yr old is small and weighs 45 lbs, so he still fits. I don't bring it if I have another adult with me who can help.

 

[busymommy2pink]

dramatic much? 30 below in the snow, yea okay.. And you pass judgment on others and I would consider having my child walk in such cold weather to be abuse. Oh wait I am being dramatic now

LOL it's called living in Canada. In a large city where schools don't have buses because the distance isn't far enough to justify it. And we don't own a car, so it's walking or no school. The board doesn't look kindly on the latter.

 

[FreeTime]

DD will be 11 in November and she weighs 50 pounds.

She still wears size 3T underwear.

Okay....so do I and lots of other women. It is equivalent to an xs n juniors. I guess our size means we are too small to walk so should ride in strollers. Get real. Kids need to walk

 

[china mom]

Wow, you are tiny to wear the same 3T (t as in toddler) undies. I thought Nic was just small for her age. Turns out that she is just on the smallish size for an adult.