Why are there so many strollers?

[worm761]

Never had a stroller for DS and didn't take him for his first trip until 5. DD hated her/any stroller and we sold it when she was 2. She isn't fond of sitting in buggies at the store either.

I have noticed older/bigger kids in strollers all over the place. Not just Disney. I see it at the local mall. Kids with legs that reach the floor or can climb in and out and buckle themselves. I think for the most part, parents like strollers. It keeps the kid in one spot and not running off.

Since DD didn't like strollers and constantly wanted to walk, we used a harness. Want to talk about stares and comments? Get one of those!

 

[AmyB2006]

Since DD didn't like strollers and constantly wanted to walk, we used a harness. Want to talk about stares and comments? Get one of those!

LOL... yeah let's start one of those threads too while we're at it.

 

[tiggerdad]

LOL... yeah let's start one of those threads too while we're at it.

Wait wait wait!

I gotta get some popcorn and coke first.

 

[frozengurl]

I ain't got no shame! My DD is 6, she will be 7 on our next trip, we will still be using a double stroller for her and my DD 3 (4)! The only way to get what we want to accomplish is by using that double stroller!!!!

 

[ilovebassets]

Since DD didn't like strollers and constantly wanted to walk, we used a harness. Want to talk about stares and comments? Get one of those!

That makes me sad. While I have yet to feel the need to use a harness, I think they're a fantastic alternative to strollers. At least the child is getting exercise and walking around. And harnesses have no impact on buses and can't be run into other people's feet and take up no room.

 

[Rosebud123]

The last time we used a stroller in WDW my kids were 5 and 7. Did my 7 year old need it? No, but it was just as easy to rent a double as a single. My 5 year old didn't really "need" it either, but I liked knowing where they were in a crowd, liked having somewhere to put my stuff, and liked being able to quickly get from place to place.

My kids have always had tons of energy and are fit and healthy, but WDW is a big place!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I figure one of two reasons:
1 - So many children are tiny with tiny, little legs, even though they are cheerleaders, soccer players, etc. and can run rings around Mom and Dad.

OR

2 - Mom and Dad are worried about what the kiddo will do when the parents need to be put in the home in thirty or forty years.

 

[larryz]

And harnesses have no impact on buses and can't be run into other people's feet and take up no room.

you haven't read enough harness threads -- one of the more arcane complaints is that uncontrolled harness/tether combinations can wrap around others' legs, constituting a very dangerous tripping hazard...

 

[tiggerdad]

That makes me sad. While I have yet to feel the need to use a harness, I think they're a fantastic alternative to strollers. At least the child is getting exercise and walking around. And harnesses have no impact on buses and can't be run into other people's feet and take up no room.

But what if someone was running around pool hopping and got tangled up in it and fell into an ECV?

 

[abinormal]

I guess I'm too busy enjoying myself or taking care of my kids or doing whatever I'm there to do to inspect every child I see in a stroller when we're out.

 

[FrostedSteph]

I guess I'm too busy enjoying myself or taking care of my kids or doing whatever I'm there to do to inspect every child I see in a stroller when we're out.

THIS.

I'm sorry, but who cares? We all tour parks differently and what works for one family may or may not work for another. I literally could care less if someone has an 8,9, 10 + child in a stroller. We all make it work. We all survive. Being a mom of twins, when they were infants (and they are only 4 now so this still applies at times), I simply SURVIVED. We have no idea what situations are going on with other families and as parents, we should all understand and sympathize with the fact that being a parent is HARD. There's no correct way to do it and yet we all think we know. Who cares if someone allows their child to sit in a stroller?

Frankly, it's irritating to me that amount of ECV's that are everywhere but I understand the need for them. However, I'm not calling people out for using them.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I was 5 for my first trip in a hot and rainy September. I never had a stroller at WDW (and rarely outside of it. I gave up my stroller when I was about 2 or 3 according to my parents. I survived just fine. Now, it amazes me to see kids who are 8 and older crammed into rented strollers at Disney! I highly doubt the ones we see in rented strollers are special needs as most parents of special needs children have specialty strollers or chairs for them. I know that we would never dream of putting my special needs cousin in any stroller that was not her own or that she was unfamiliar with.

Not all special needs children need special strollers for their needs. Also, not all special needs children require using their own stroller (i.e. they are fine with strollers that aren't their own) All special needs are different.

 

[ejcraft]

have to say I don't get it either, I have 4 kids and the only time we took a stroller and it was an umbrella one at that was when the youngest was 3, the others were 6,8, and 10,and they all survived just fine. After that they were all required to carry their own junk, they each had a small fanny pack with anything they needed. Maybe it's because with 4 kids everyone learned at an early age they were responsible for themselves, we didn't carry any extra, and Mommy or Daddy were not carrying their stuff. Oh well each it's own, I know my kids different suffer for it and they are all now responsible young adults that know how to do for themselves

 

[disnut8]

You know, people can compare and contrast every single child in the world and say whether he or she needs (or wants) a stroller. Or if the parent(s) needs (or wants) a stroller.

My history? My son, at the age of three, toured Disney World without a stroller at all. No big deal for us because at the age of 18 months, he could do the entire length of a mall with it so we just just left it behind. He successfully toured New Orleans multiple times (no, he was not out on Bourbon Street drinking but waiting for his dad to fly in from an assignment) sans stroller. Our grandkids? Granddaugther at age five - "might need stroller" so purchased a cheap umbrella stroller for her. Her stuffed Stitch rode more than she did. But she did use it. Our grandson at the same age of five? No stroller.

We have seen tons of kids older than our experience using strollers. But we don't know them. We don't know their parents. We don't know anything about histories, medical conditions, how long they have been in the parks, temperament, how many meltdowns (child and adult) that have happened. how much further they are expected to last through the day (or night), the diet, and I could go on.

Do I privately think kids are coddled in these times? Yes, I do but that's not my life since my son is grown and gone. do I think adults are coddles these days? Yes, I do but unless they do something to upset my life in some way that I can't really go back and laugh about it, then I'm fine.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I guess I'm too busy enjoying myself or taking care of my kids or doing whatever I'm there to do to inspect every child I see in a stroller when we're out.

Amen. I'm far too busy being with my own family to worry about what others are doing with their families.

 

[Cee]

By the time we could afford to take our family to WDW, the kids were 12, 10 and 8. It was glorious. Plenty of pictures with characters, we didn't have to push or carry any of them, and the best part...they remember every bit of it. Fast forward 20 years....now they need to carry us! Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Kellykins1218]

They're in strollers because it's where their parents feel they need to be. That's all that matters.

 

[kittyab]

I wouldn't had minded a stroller for all the gear I carried around the last trip.

 

[superdiz]

By the time we could afford to take our family to WDW, the kids were 12, 10 and 8. It was glorious. Plenty of pictures with characters, we didn't have to push or carry any of them, and the best part...they remember every bit of it. Fast forward 20 years....now they need to carry us! Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Good! As a parent of little ones going to Disney who will likely never remember their first trips - the best part?? *I* will remember every bit of it.

 

[Planogirl]

You know, people can compare and contrast every single child in the world and say whether he or she needs (or wants) a stroller. Or if the parent(s) needs (or wants) a stroller.

My history? My son, at the age of three, toured Disney World without a stroller at all. No big deal for us because at the age of 18 months, he could do the entire length of a mall with it so we just just left it behind. He successfully toured New Orleans multiple times (no, he was not out on Bourbon Street drinking but waiting for his dad to fly in from an assignment) sans stroller. Our grandkids? Granddaugther at age five - "might need stroller" so purchased a cheap umbrella stroller for her. Her stuffed Stitch rode more than she did. But she did use it. Our grandson at the same age of five? No stroller.

We have seen tons of kids older than our experience using strollers. But we don't know them. We don't know their parents. We don't know anything about histories, medical conditions, how long they have been in the parks, temperament, how many meltdowns (child and adult) that have happened. how much further they are expected to last through the day (or night), the diet, and I could go on.

Do I privately think kids are coddled in these times? Yes, I do but that's not my life since my son is grown and gone. do I think adults are coddles these days? Yes, I do but unless they do something to upset my life in some way that I can't really go back and laugh about it, then I'm fine.

I completely agree with you but I'll add that if someone starts a stroller thread then I'll comment on what worked for us. I won't stay quiet about us getting rid of the stroller because someone might take offense.

People should just do their own thing and also try to be courteous to those around them. Then we might not hear so often that someone got bumped by a stroller.