Why are there so many strollers?

[Princess Katherine]

I think the difference is more people feel like if they don't spend every waking moment (and some of their children's sleeping moments) in the parks, that they are missing out on something they paid for. When our kids were little, we let them walk. When they got tired, we took it as a signal to take them back to the resort for a nap and some swimming, and then returned later. In other words, we did the parks at their pace. Even if they didn't nap, they benefited from the downtime. I feel bad when I see kids passed out in strollers or looking miserable, and the ubiquitous parent telling their child, "Do you know what we paid for this trip? You will have fun!" My kids notice it happening at least once in each trip we make to the World. Disclaimer: I didn't state that there is never a reason to use a stroller. I just stated that we didn't. I didn't say that everyone who uses a stroller has over-tired, miserable children. I just stated that we've observed more such children in the last 5-6 years. I didn't make any of these comments based on you or your children. I don't know you. Any resemblance to actual DISfamilies is coincidental.

This is the way to do it. Don't stray from your child's regular schedule. If they are tired that doesn't mean drag them to more things it means let's take a break. They will be able to enjoy it more when they aren't about to pass out.

 

[Suellen]

This is the way to do it. Don't stray from your child's regular schedule. If they are tired that doesn't mean drag them to more things it means let's take a break. They will be able to enjoy it more when they aren't about to pass out.

OT: We relocated here from Maine! Where abouts are you from? Rough winter you all are having. I feel bad for my family still there!

 

[Love Tink]

This is the way to do it. Don't stray from your child's regular schedule. If they are tired that doesn't mean drag them to more things it means let's take a break. They will be able to enjoy it more when they aren't about to pass out.

Well, that is not the way "to do it," that is the way you do it.

We never subscribed to the theory that our kids had to keep to the same schedule every day, no matter where we were. We preferred to allow changeability in their schedule, so they could learn flexibility.

While still all diapers, all three of my boys learned to roll with life, rather than expect everything to revolve around them.

 

[Magpie]

Well, that is not the way "to do it," that is the way you do it.

We never subscribed to the theory that our kids had to keep to the same schedule every day, no matter where we were. We preferred to allow changeability in their schedule, so they could learn flexibility.

While still all diapers, all three of my boys learned to roll with life, rather than expect everything to revolve around them.

Wow... so the PP is teaching her kids to be inflexible and self-centred by keeping them to a regular schedule?

And YOU are the superior parent because you don't?

For the record, my mother is a huge believer in schedules and routines. Me? I'm flexible, a bit chaotic, and definitely enjoy rolling with the punches (keeps life exciting!). I did not keep my kiddos to a schedule. Now I have two older teens. My boy refuses to follow recipes when he cooks because he finds them too restricting. My daughter changes up her lunch menu about once a decade, and it's a big deal.

I think people are either attracted to schedules and routines or they aren't. Your kids aren't better able to roll with life because you "taught them flexibility". They're able to roll with life because you are a reasonably passable parent (like all the rest of us) who met all their needs and didn't abuse them, and because they've got good genes.

If a parent finds schedules (or strollers!) helpful, that's awesome. If they don't, that's awesome, too. Do what you want to do. Feel superior about it, if you want. It's natural to think your kids are the most awesome ones in the universe, and logical to think you must have had something to do with how well they turned out. Just please don't run over people's ankles or imply that their kids are inferior because their mums make them take afternoon naps.

 

[Disneylover99]

Those mean, nasty, inconsiderate people are the reason my 6 year old sighs, shakes her head and says "tourists".

So "locals" are never mean, nasty or inconsiderate?

 

[aaarcher86]

I'll never understand how swimming is less tiring than touring the parks. After a day at the pool all I want to do is get in bed by 7:00pm

 

[Suellen]

So "locals" are never mean, nasty or inconsiderate?

Did you miss the part where I said she was 6?

Everyone at Disney is a tourist in her eyes.

 

[Cyrano]

Did you miss the part where I said she was 6?

Everyone at Disney is a tourist in her eyes.

So "locals" are never mean, nasty or inconsiderate?

Folks this topic is done. Time to kiss and make up

 

[Disneylover99]

Did you miss the part where I said she was 6?

Everyone at Disney is a tourist in her eyes.

Nope. That's what surprised me. It struck me as condescending and stuck up.
It just seemed like the kind of thing a six year old would hear at home.

 

[Sheaboys]

Each family is different. For us it is the age of our kids. When we went in 2012, our kids were 3, 5, 14, 12 and 10. So 3 older, and 2 younger. It was end of August. It worked well for us, because when the rain its in August, it hits. Little kids were able to get in the double stroller and stay dry. Staying dry means happier kids. We did not rent a stroller so we could go, go, go and throw schedules out the window, but for ease of touring. With 3 older kids, and 2 little kids, they were all in 1 place. The one of the oldest would push the stoller, my husband and I could walk behind them, all 5 kids in one place. The plus was the 3yr old was not eye level with people from the waist down.

Can they walk, absolutely, we have not owned a stroller stroller since the youngest was 18 months. They do Six Flags no problem for 8 hours, walking.

Did they fall asleep in the stroller? Yes they did, while waiting for the 3 oldest and myself to get off a ride, they were not tall enough for, it was just before lunch. DH even sat on the end of it while waiting.

If it was just the 2 youngest or 3 kids, then we would not have rented. Like I said, it worked great for our family. When we got stuck in the rain at Epcot and it was not letting up, the youngers hopped in the stroller, stayed relatively dry, while the rest of us, walked at a good pace to get to the buses.

We recently did San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND San Diego in August 2013, no stroller. We did SeaWorld no stroller. The climate in San Diego in August is much different than Florida in August.

 

[fairyprincess88]

Nope. That's what surprised me. It struck me as condescending and stuck up.
It just seemed like the kind of thing a six year old would hear at home.

Actually it's not always something they hear it home, it could be in school, or at the store or anywhere. Case in point, we live in NYC and one day my 6 year old niece said, "ugh tourists!" when we were trying to walk to my office near Times Square. So I said to her, "it's not nice to be rude about tourists, don't talk like that" and she said, "well my teacher does."

Now I am not going to lie and say I don't have inner "ugh tourist thoughts" and the like, I do at time gets frustrated, living in a constant state of tourism is exhausting at times, but I never speak it out loud and never teach it to the kids, but others in this city, well they do. Kids don't always learn everything from their parents, but often elsewhere in their environment.

 

[goofy4tink]

My first trip to WDW, my dd was 5. Now, granted, she was tall for her age, and hasn't been in a stroller since she was 2.5. Our TA (yep, really used one back then!) heartily recommended that we bring a stroller for my dd! She said that little ones get very tired with all that walking. And so they do. But, I just didn't want the hassle. And when I got there, I was sooo glad I hadn't brought a stroller. You had to leave it in a specific area, put all your stuff away so it didn't get taken, then deal with a. Rey active kiddo I. The queue...nicely rested from being in the stroller!
So, it wasn't a case if allowing my dd to set the pace, or do things her way. We walked, me holding her hand, and took our time. If she got tired, we got a snack and sat for a bit we did return to the resort and swim for a bit most days. An hour paddling around the pool or on the slide didn't exhaust her. We would return to the park for fireworks. But there were some nights we just stayed at the resort.

No one method works for everyone. And while I certainly have no idea why a child is in a stroller, I do have to wonder about the family that has one child with them, and that child is in a stroller....with his/her feet dragging on the ground. When you hear a parent say 'Get your feet off the ground or you have to walk!' You do have to wonder. And I'm not talking about a very tall 3 y/o...more like 10 or so. But, that's not my business. All I know is that I'm much happier walking along, holding my child's hand, going at a slightly slower pace, vs pushing a stroller around. I always thought AK was pretty flat......until I ran a 5K thru it! There are a lot of slopes in there!!!!!
A stroller wouldn't be my preferred way of touring the parks. But it certainly seems to make it easier for other people.

 

[Disneylover99]

Actually it's not always something they hear it home, it could be in school, or at the store or anywhere. Case in point, we live in NYC and one day my 6 year old niece said, "ugh tourists!" when we were trying to walk to my office near Times Square. So I said to her, "it's not nice to be rude about tourists, don't talk like that" and she said, "well my teacher does."

Now I am not going to lie and say I don't have inner "ugh tourist thoughts" and the like, I do at time gets frustrated, living in a constant state of tourism is exhausting at times, but I never speak it out loud and never teach it to the kids, but others in this city, well they do. Kids don't always learn everything from their parents, but often elsewhere in their environment.

Yes you're absolutely right. I should not have assumed it would be something heard from home. That was wrong of me.

It's when parents hear those kind of comments coming from their children and just shrug it off and accept it without discussing or explaining to them that they shouldn't make blanket assumptions about people that I take issue with.

 

[Suellen]

Yes you're absolutely right. I should not have assumed it would be something heard from home. That was wrong of me.

It's when parents hear those kind of comments coming from their children and just shrug it off and accept it without discussing or explaining to them that they shouldn't make blanket assumptions about people that I take issue with.

I'm trying not to respond because we have been asked to stop discussing this topic by a moderator - if you or anyone else would like to through accusations or assumptions about me and my parenting style - feel free to do it in PM.

 

[JillShari]

I wasn't going to get into this one, but I feel like I should say something.

I have two boys, a 4 and an 8 year old. The last time we went to Disney, I was 20 weeks PG and we had a 3.5 year old. We stayed at the Poly and we rented a stroller. It was a godsend. When you rent it inside the park, your child still has to walk, up the ramps to the monorail or from the bus stop to and from your room and those walks weren't short. They also have all the lines to stand in and that gets exhausting, (even with a break mid-day to go back and nap) If we went back in the evening, we didn't need a stroller because it was a quicker trip and overall less walking and standing on RESTED legs.

Truly... I plan to get a double stroller this time. I know that my 4 year old is a better walker than my 8 year old (who has run 2 5K's with us). But, if we don't, there will be an inevitable fight over who gets to sit or I will end up needing to carry one of them. (I'm not doing it!) With the whole new FP system, we are doing more criscrossing the parks than we ever used to, so it makes sense to save their legs if at all possible. I know my feet and legs fatigue after all the walking and standing in line....and I run 3-5 miles, 3x a week. I'd sit in it some days if I could!

Really....do we all have to judge each other's parenting styles so much. Why do we all tear each other apart???? We are all trying to plan nice vacations and whatever makes yours great.... have fun.... but leave the judging out of it please.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Somet are children that may have a disability but the majority ate not

How do you know?

 

[zela02]

When we went to Disney in Nov 2012 I rented a stroller for my then 4-yr-old (very short legs) and my 9-yr-old with special needs. It was our first trip of that nature, so it really helped make traversing the park easier, although I generally found the actual stroller to be a bit of a pain. We just got back, and I was so relieved to be able to tour sans stroller. Both children had the strength and stamina, with breaks, to walk the entire trip.

I think if a stroller makes your trip easier, go for it! I do take issue with people, whether walking, riding a scooter, or pushing a stroller, not being courteous. I tend to be hyper vigilant in crowds, so I found myself constantly watching out for others, even if they weren't doing the same. : ) As a matter of fact, the rudest person we encountered was on foot. She nearly knocked my 5-yr-old to the ground, turned, laughed and kept on walking.

 

[WantToGoNow]

How do you know?

Because not every child at Disney from infant to 10 has a disability. Getting tired, whining or being spoiled does not qualify as a disability.

I have 3 and they all have a disability of some sort - but they do not require strollers. Now dd has had to have an ECV the last two trips and will need one from now on but thats a whole new issue.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Because not every child at Disney from infant to 10 has a disability. Getting tired, whining or being spoiled does not qualify as a disability.

I have 3 and they all have a disability of some sort - but they do not require strollers. Now dd has had to have an ECV the last two trips and will need one from now on but thats a whole new issue.

You DON'T know. You just assume they aren't. Not every child is disabled but you have no clue how many actually are.

 

[daisy_77]

I don't think it is good to make assumptions about people and why they put their kids in strollers. Disney is for families and families come in all different sizes, types, and abilities. I am having too much fun while at WDW and DL to notice strollers and that kid looks too old to be in a stroller. Honestly, it's not really any of my concern.

I just wanted to add that as a mom of a toddler, I also think that Disney does a pretty decent job at stroller control.