When Is a Child TOO Old...

[joanchris]

I think when the child is a bit older it's a matter of what you plan on doing on a given day if you may need a stroller. For my 7 yr old (actually, she was one month shy of 7 on our trip to WDW) we never even mentioned the option of a stroller, but ended up renting one on our last full day at WDW, when we planned on being at Epcot most of the day. She truly appreciated the option of having it that day, we praised her for all her walking without complaining (her sister uses a Wheelchair, so sometimes she used to moan that 'sissy gets to be pushed', yeah, like she chose that!)

Truly a matter of choice and knowing your family and child! Have fun

 

[gilesdad]

to anyone I may have offended with my original post. It wasn't meant to be that way. I really was trying to gauge for myself whether I should rent a double stroller when I go. I truly do understand that some kids may have disabilities, and their stamina may not be as strong as others. Again I apologize.

Glad to see you clarify this. I was thinking you were another of "those kind" that worries too much about other people.
We rented a stroller for us to use. We have a 5 yr old daughter and a 8 yr old son. Neither is fat or lazy. They're both active and completely healthy.
BUT...our daughter can't leave anything on the ground. It has to be picked up and saved in her "collection". We knew ahead of time that this would be a challenge to expect her to keep up the pace as we moved through DW. And we were right. Before we even got through the gate to get the stroller she was already stopping on the sidewalk (as the opening crowds were rushing in) and picking up the confetti and sparkles that Mickey Mouse had just thrown into the air at rope drop. Whew! This could have been a long day, but we got a stroller and she rode to the various lands within Magic Kingdom. Then we'd park the stroller and walk around that particular section and ride the rides.
It worked great for all of us. We were in the park from opening until 10:40 that evening, non-stop. And had a GREAT time!
Have a great trip and enjoy the stroller! They're worth it in my opinion.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Our 5 1/2 yo ds rode in a stroller this trip. I told him this was it. He walks on the next trip. It was just too hard to push him. This was the first trip where he actually walked a fair amount anyway. I don't think he'll mind giving up the stroller too terribly much.

 

[GoofyDad869]

In my opinion, a kid is too old for a stroller when s/he's not getting carded at Pleasure Island anymore .

Seriously, my kids are 6 & 11. Our last June 2005 trip was the first time we didn't rent a stroller. Before that both kids rode (daughter was 5, son was 10) some of the time. Notice I didn't say "most", "a lot", or "all". A WDW vacation for us consists of a lot more walking than most of us are used to (possible exception being me - I walk around 6-8 miles a day). If they wanted to coast for a little bit... more power to 'em!

Plus, strollers make great space 'reservations' when scoping out a place on the parade routes.

 

[chop456]

I also rent a stroller for my kiddos - ages 5 & 7.

Since my DH did not come with us on our last trip, I wanted them "confined" to the stroller so I knew where they were! It is a matter of sanity and security for me! I would much rather have kids in a stroller and happy than kids walking at 10pm all crying and cranky.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

I guess I don't understand why you would be so concerned about what someone else thinks when you are on vacation....Or why you would question someone else's use of a stroller.. If renting a stroller makes your family's life that much more pleasant, then do it. If I walk by what looks like a 10 yr old in a stroller, I don't ask myself why. It does not matter one bit whether the child has a disability of not..It is none of my business and doesn't affect my vacation at all.

Enjoy your time on vacation...

 

[OceanAnnie]

Heck, there have been times I've wished I had a stroller for myself!

That's a lot of walking and the good times can wear you out!

 

[justcruisin]

I hadn't considered renting a stroller for ds6, but now I'm rethinking that.

I know you can rent one from the store in Fantasyland, any place in the WS at Epcot.?

 

[fizz13]

My DD7 and DS5 will be using a stroller in October if they want to use one. I will rent one every day and I bet someone will be jumping in it from time to time. Feel free to use it if you want to, i think this is going to save a lot of tired feet and winey voices

Claire xx

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I would love to put DD7 in one, but I won't. She doesn't need it, but I'm a fast walker and would practically sprint to rides if I could.

But you know, my DH is a slow walker too... maybe I can rent a scooter and she can ride in his lap... JUST JOKING!

 

[skiwee1]

Some kids need them and some don't. I was fully prepared to get one for my 6 y/o DD for this past December trip. I knew we would be going non stop from opening to close. We usually go to the parks a few hours a day but not that trip. Anyway, DD surprised us all. She never complained about being tired or having her feet hurt. I asked her again and again if she wanted a stroller and she said no. So each kid is different.

 

[theflowerladee]

In Epcot WS, you can rent a carriage in the back, International gateway.

 

[BYC]

I don't think a child is ever too old until they say they are too old. But, I felt that way about everything. My kids had bottles till they were 4 or 5, and I never hurried them out of diapers, nor did I ever take away a pacifier or a favorite blanket or stuffed animal. They gave them up on their own eventually. If I had an 8 year old that was getting tired or cranky from too much walking, I wouldn't hesitate to put him/her in a stroller...if the child would let me, and the stroller would fit them!

 

[Taratink]

I would put my kids in a stroller until they don't fit anymore. There is sooooo much walking and they get really tired quickily. My kids do not sleep as much as they need to when we are on vacation. My kids are 4 and 6 and I am sure that I will rent a double stroller for them when we return.

 

[k_k_100]

My DD7 and DS5 will be using a stroller in October if they want to use one. I will rent one every day and I bet someone will be jumping in it from time to time. Feel free to use it if you want to, i think this is going to save a lot of tired feet and winey voices

Claire xx

Ahhh Claire, thanks! If we manage to get there in October & see you pushing a stroller I'll be sure to fell free to hop in & use it I know a lot of us Disers sure get tired before the day is over

 

[bettyann29]

I dont think of a particular age limit when it comes to a stroller.. As much walking is done at WDW I dont see a problem with pushing a child who might be 7 or 8.. I know how much my feet hurt by the end of the day and wouldnt expect my childs to feel any different and if they needed to ride for a bit, I wouldnt have a problem pushing.. What other people choose to do is up to them.. I dont think its laziness at all..

 

[PrincessLindy]

DD will be 7 the next time we go and I will not bring one from home, however I won't be surprised if we rent one some time when we are down there. Heck if I could get my tail end in one for a few minutes I would. I actually will miss it as it was handy to put in all the 'stuff.' I won't miss taking it on the bus. I will miss her napping in it while hubby and I enjoyed just walking quietly around enjoyng the atmosphere.

By the way some children look much older than they are. My DD has looked 2-3 years older than she is since she was a todler. When she was 3 people asked her about kindergarten. Some of the older kids in strollers may not actually be older.

 

[landmark]

I'm always amazed at how judgemental some are even on vacation. It never occured to me before the most recent stroller threads that someone was actually taking the time to notice and then judge me based on whether my child was in a stroller or not.

As many posters have stated there are other reasons that some older children are in strollers. Lets not forget that some use a stroller as a wheelchair. This would be used for children as their size would permit them to ride in a stroller rather than needing a full sized wheelchair.

Personally my DS was 7 this trip and still used the rental strollers. He's HF Autistic and the strollers (except for MGM's) offer him a sense of security that is often what we need after standing in line for characters, busy restaurant etc. If it weren't for the stroller where he can seperate from the crowds for a few minutes then you would be mentioning the parents with the kid having a full fledged level 5 meltdown DS will be 8 next trip. Will he have a stroller?... if he needs it. We'll probably try the first day without and see how it goes and go day by day which is how they are all managed.

I know that I'm reiterating many points that have been stated but I think that it can't be stated enough that there are other reasons than laziness that a child would be in a stroller.

 

[NashvilleTrio]

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?

I'm going to add my two cents here.

I don't think it is anybody's business about the age of a child when riding in a stroller. The only exception would be if the child exceeds the weight limit and Disney refused to rent the stroller because of potential damage.

On other sites, a post like this would be classified as trolling. Why stir the pot?

 

[MidgeD79]

I love the weight limit idea!