When Is a Child TOO Old...

[PixiePop]

My son just turned six in October and we brought a stroller when we went in November. It is a lot of walking--even I get tired and I would rather have my son not be tired--therefore not cranky-- than to try to have him keep up with our pace.

I think you are going to have to decide if your child can keep up without a stroller. If you find that he/she can't than you can always rent one.

 

[PolyAddict]

Some kids have issues you are unaware of. They could be autistic, have muscle issues, gotten sick and felt weak. Who know's I try not to pass judgement on anyone in a stroller or wheelchair. All 3 of my DD's were walking the parks at 4 1/2 years old, not because we made them but because they were ok with that. All that being said, my DD 12 has a spine condition that causes pain when standing for too long, could you tell from looking at her, probably not. We always give her the option of a double stroller or wheelchair, she hasn't taken it in 3 trips.

 

[MariDisney]

for a stroller?

I have seen some parents pushing around kids that look as if they are 7 or 8 years old. To me that seems a bit too old for a stroller.

My DD turned 6 in October and could easily pass for 8. She uses a stroller only in WDW. She walks much of the time, but rides when she wants to. It makes our vacation much more pleasant. As for needing excercise...she is a stellar gymnast and acrobat and has muscules in her arms, back, and legs most adults would envy. She gets plenty of excercise in her real life, IMHO she's not on vacation to improve her cardio health. She's on vacation to have a good time. Besides, the many laps she'll do in the pool at the resort will more than make up for any laziness you'll notice on her part in the parks. I say, if you want to use a stroller, use it and who cares what people think. If you think your kid is too old, fine too. To each his own!

 

[Laurabearz]

Nothing wrong iwth my kids (6,5,2) but we rent a double stroller and have our own single. Why?? Because are kids are soooo different. DD6 walks to fast, DD5 walks way to slow, and DS2 is all over the place! When they are confinded to a stroller we know where they are at all times! This is a life saver on busy park days.

 

[liamsaunt]

My six year old nephew walked for most of the trip, but we got him a stroller for MVMCP and for one evening when we planned to stay late at EPCOT. He never complained about walking, but was very happy to hop in when we offered the stroller to him. I saw kids of all ages in strollers and never thought a thing of it. Honestly, we grown ups talked about how we wished someone would push US around!

The strollers Disney rents out are very strong and easy to push. I would just rent one at the park rather than buying one and hauling it on the plane (assuming you would not get use out of a purchased stroller at home).

 

[MariDisney]

Hi,

For those of you with older kids in strollers I would appreciate some advice. My little guy (5 years) has feet and leg problems and therefore can't walk for long periods of time without pain. I was just wondering if you have any suggestions for a great stroller for him-should we just rent at the parks? We're flying from Canada so I would need a fairly portable one. He's about 42 pounds but very tall for his age at 45 inches.

thanks,

My DD now 6 was about your guy's size last trip. She's about 49 inches now and 65 lbs. A year ago she fit into the single rental strollers just. I was tossing around the idea of getting a double this time just to give her more room. If you decide to rent, I'm sure they'd let you put him in a single and a double to try it out for a minute before you decide.

 

[PaulaSue]

My 7 yr old doesn't ride in a stoller (usually she is pushing it) but for Disney I am taking one for her. IT is so much bigger than our park (Hershey) and I want her to enjoy herself too.

My almost 5 yr old still rides often on long days with her bowed legs but not too the mall or quick trips like that.

I don't think at Disney the kids should be called lazy. I think the parents should be called smart. Happy kids, Happy trip.

 

[HunnyPots]

Why would anybody care what anybody else's kid does as long as they aren't doing something that hurts you or your kids??? If a parent wants to push around their 75 pound kid in a stroller, so be it! What does it matter to anyone else?
Personally, I'd rather be in the park with a bunch of happy, rested, "lazy" kids than the over-tired, screaming, tantrum-throwers! I say, STROLLERS FOR EVERYONE!

 

[aplejax76]

We always get strollers for our 3 kids. (5,5,7). If you think about it walking all day at Disney can get very tiring for an adult. I have a hard enough time keeping up with my Dh when he walks. The kids would have to sprint all day to keep up with him!!!!!

The other reason I use the strollers is security. I know where the boys are at all times. I dont worry every 5 seconds if I am going to lose them. Besides how would you like to hold your arm up for 8-10 hours because they are holding your hand.

 

[Sammie]

When they can no longer safely ride in a stroller due to height or weight, until then I say it's Parent's choice.

 

[disneylizzy]

A child is too old for a stoller when he can refill last year's refillable mug by himself while pool hopping. Period.

 

[teacher31]

I never am bothered by an older child being in a stroller. I figure there must be a reason.

What annoys me is when the stroller is filled with so much stuff they are making the 2 year old walk!!! Just a pet peeve. I'm sure it is shared by many. I hope.

 

[mugsymagoos]

I have three daughters and we always rent a double stroller. They are 5,9 & 10. They are small for their age, and they do still get tired walking all day. I could care less what people think! My daughter Megan was sick once when we were there and she spent most of her time in the stroller and she was 8 at the time. If they are not over the weight limit, and they get tired at some point in the day, why should other people care about what my family does?? Please don't stereo type children just because you see them in a stroller at Disney as being "Lazy". My girls are anything but lazy! My two oldest are straight A, very hard working students in school, and all three of my girls are involved in dance twice a week. They are capable of walking, but they are still children and DO get tired once in a while! Hell, my feet start aching by the end of the day too! I am not quite sure what the point of your msge was supposed to be anyway?? Just to criticize???

Anyway, we are leaving Tuesday for 4 days and headed to the Wilderness Lodge! Yea! Oh, and yes, I will be renting a double stroller again! Happy New Year Everyone!

 

[puffkin]

We were prepared to rent a stroller for my 7 year old niece if she needed it. I was amazed though at how well she kept up with 5 adults though during our June trip. She was tired by the end of the night, but she was a real trooper. If she really needed a stroller one or two nights, I wouldn't have hesitated to get one though for her. I know how tired I can get at the end of the day, let alone a kid with their little legs.

Since she was older though, we didn't let her know that renting a stroller was an option. We only would have done it if she absolutely needed it or asked for one because she couldn't keep up.

 

[Pedler]

It really should be the parents choice regardless of the kids health. For our sons 6 & 8 last year when we went in August we didn't consider a stroller. They are very active in hockey and other sports (the 8 year old did summer hockey) so when they were tired it was time to take a break.

Having said that we were there for 7 full days at one of the slowest times of the year. It wasn't so much a matter of what rides to ride or not ride but limiting how many times we went on rides. (Trust me after the 8th or 9th time on Peter Pan in two days it starts to lose something!) If we had been on a shorter trip or the crowds were larger so we had to spend more time in the parks to see things or we were staying off site then we may not have been so quick to leave the parks for breaks. Then I would have had a different perspective on the use of strollers.

The only stroller issue I have is with the rental ones at WDW. They are way bigger than a normal stroller and built like tanks. I think that sometimes the people renting them forget just how beastly they are and that it takes more time and space to navigate with them than a normal stroller.

 

[cleo]

That was a very kind apology and clarification of your intent, disneyphanatic1911.

If you are concerned about others thinking YOUR child is lazy, I hope everyone's posts put your worries to rest. Really, you must do what works best for your family. I have literally seen adults riding in the double strollers, and it only serves to make me laugh out loud (in a good way). Isn't that what most of us wish for at the end of a long day?

Rent the stroller if your child needs it. You don't have to tour with those who might have a negative opinion about it but you do have to tour with your youngster. If they're comfortable, you're comfortable. That's all that counts.

 

[i like stitch]

My DD was one who loved to be in her stroller. She was a very active child and sitting in it gave her structure; otherwise, she'd be all over the place getting into mischief.

She missed her stroller when she outgrew it, not because she was lazy but because it felt safe to her.

IMHO, each parent has the right to make that "stroller" decision based on the needs of her particular child.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We we go to WDW, I spend a good deal of the time there by myself with my two DD's. It is a safety issue for me. If they are in the stroller, they can not wander off or trip over anyone, ect.

I know where they are if they are in the stroller.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

That was a very kind apology and clarification of your intent, disneyphanatic1911.

I have literally seen adults riding in the double strollers, and it only serves to make me laugh out loud (in a good way). Isn't that what most of us wish for at the end of a long day?

QUOTE]

That could have been me last year! I was sick by the end of the day and while we waited for Illuminations, I sat down in the double stroller for a moment, then fell immediately asleep. The fireworks woke me up. Didn't mean for it to happen but I can imagine anyone looking at us while we waited on the bridge was thinking.

 

[scubamouse]

for a stroller?

I have seen some parents pushing around kids that look as if they are 7 or 8 years old. To me that seems a bit too old for a stroller. IMO if a child is still riding around at that age, then they're a bit lazy. They need the exercise anyway.

What do you think?

you might want to rephrase ALL of this. Unless I had read your claification I would have given you a real flaming. My kids are 4 and 5 and NOT remotely lazy and get plenty of exercise at WDW.

For us we'll keep using a stroller as long as possible to make sure we can ride TT and soarin as many times as possible w/o exhausting our kids on the trek back and forth between the two. A stroller allows better energy and time management IMO and is not indicative of sloth.