Will 50 lb 7 y.o. fit in a Disney stroller?

[allison443]

She stated her child MIGHT care.

Actually OP said

"He'll be upset if he thinks he looks like a "baby"!"

Having said that, I think there are a lot of older kids (like 6, 7, even 8) who use a stroller at Disney-just look at this thread! So he may feel it's okay when he sees the other kids, and want to use it. OP should do whatever she and her son are comfortable with, and whatever works for them!

 

[Donaldswife]

The OP clearly stated her CHILD will care. Don't his feelings matter? I don't get why so many people are telling the OP it doesn't matter what other people think. I doubt her 7 year old is reading this advice and taking it to heed.

I don't think the OP is going to FORCE him to get in the stroller (though I could be wrong, I've seen plenty of bad Mommy moments at WDW, and had a few myself! ) I can tell you my daughter thought it was a big treat to be carted around, and was very happy for the shade and rest it provided....and she would NEVER have ridden one at home. Although at home we don't walk 10-15 miles a day, so it is a much different circumstance.

I think the OP should just follow her son's lead. If he is tired and looks like he could benefit, offer it as an option and see what thinks. He might be hot and tired and not care one whit about how he looks (I think we have all been there at WDW, messy hair, wet clothes, etc..). I just say I don't think OP should be worried about what other people think. Of course her son should have a say, and his feelings should be considered. Sorry if my PP came off that way.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

We just got back and I did see kids his age riding in strollers so he won't be the only maybe that will help with him thinking he is a baby.

 

[WantToGoNow]

You might want to consider renting from an outside company if you choose to rent a stroller. The Disney strollers are very small - I had my dd5 sit in one to see how she fit and her knees were bent up and her head was touching the non-moveable canopy on the top (she was exactly 48" at the time of our trip). There is no way my 56" tall ds8 would have fit - he would have had to ride bent over. They are also very expensive - like $35/day.

That said my ds8 has stamina issues related to his asthma and walked the entire 9 days without a single word of complaint or the desire to have a stroller. My dd6 walked 5 days before she literally QUIT in the middle of the MK - we had taken a umbrella stroller for my cousin's dd4 to use and we had to take possession (they squeezed their dd4 into the wheelchair that their dd2 was riding in). Let me say that she was tough to push - that stroller was heavy and did not want to steer under her weight. Their ds5 refused to ride in a stroller because he said he was not a baby - he didn't complain once nor did their ds9. We had 6 kids ranging from 2-9 and had one umbrella stroller and one wheelchair between them all.

 

[deerhart]

my 50 inch 60lb 6y10m fit in a single stroller last year (they had them out free for use for anyone after the 1ppm fantasmic and he was practically asleep)

Other then that we haven't used strollers since they were like 2 or 3 years old

 

[Schmeck]

It has already been said, but I will say it again. A lot of the "bigger" kids in strollers may have a disability or difficulty that is not visible to someone else. That is the case with my DS5/autistic. I'd much rather push that 50 lbs than have that 50 lbs pulling and tugging me all day, or spontaneously falling to the ground for no reason and taking me down with him, or dealing with that 50 lb meltdown...

There is no need for this to be a heated subject as someone put it. To each his own. If you want to push your 12 year old in a stroller, it isn't hurting me. If your 3 year old can go all day without a stroller, then that's fantastic too. Everyone's situations and abilities are different. BTW, my DS gets plenty of time out of the stroller with plenty of walking time so he is usually falling asleep before we leave the park along with my DS6 who walked the whole day. Just trying to offer my perspective.

And where in my post did I say anything about it being about having or not having a disability? All I stated was that I'd rather have a tired kid rather than tiring myself out from pushing the kid around all day. Did it once with my then 2 1/2 year old, who was full of energy later on and wanted to go to the pool at 10PM. After that night, I had her walk a whole lot more during the day.

Actually, I work with schildren with autism, and their autism does not keep them from walking 2 miles on the school track each day. The physical fitness of some students (with and without) keeps them from making it around the entire 2 miles, but there are plenty of kids with autism that can (and do) outwalk me.

 

[MightyMom]

The physical fitness of some students (with and without) keeps them from making it around the entire 2 miles, but there are plenty of kids with autism that can (and do) outwalk me.

And I think that is the key.... that they can OUTWALK their parents too... and in a second they can get away. Strollers make more sense when you have a child with autism who wanders.(or runs)

I have a 6 year old who will be almost 7 during our next trip. He is skinny little thing and I plan on taking his umbrella stroller. When we go to the mall, I make him walk. By the end of the day he is begging my DS11 to give him a ride on his lap. (DS11 is in a wheelchair) DS7 has asthma and stamina issues.

With that said... when my niece was 7 we took her with us to WDW. She walked the whole time. DS11 was also 7... and he was in his wheelchair. DS7 was 2 yrs old at the time and rode in his stroller. We had no extra hands to push another stroller. She did fine... but by day 5 she was exhausted!

 

[kampfirekim]

And where in my post did I say anything about it being about having or not having a disability? All I stated was that I'd rather have a tired kid rather than tiring myself out from pushing the kid around all day. Did it once with my then 2 1/2 year old, who was full of energy later on and wanted to go to the pool at 10PM. After that night, I had her walk a whole lot more during the day.

Actually, I work with schildren with autism, and their autism does not keep them from walking 2 miles on the school track each day. The physical fitness of some students (with and without) keeps them from making it around the entire 2 miles, but there are plenty of kids with autism that can (and do) outwalk me.

I never said that you mentioned or didn't mention a disability. I said that I was restating a point of view (held by many other posters as well). That's great that you work with some autistic children, but I LIVE it 24/7, as do many others here. Take it from us being able to walk 2 miles is not the issue, although you'll walk much more than that at WDW. As someone experienced with autism you should be aware that there are many other safety issues as well. Such as head banging, running away (possibly getting lost or other dangers), constant jumping, spinning, hand flapping etc. that can cause self-harm. Not to mention the countless sensory issues that can plague an autistic child, which a stroller can help bring comfort from.

Like I said before, this does not need to be a heated debate. We all have the ability to bring help and comfort to each other...above all to be compassionate. Remember that autism is a spectrum disorder and the kids on that spectrum are like snowflakes...no two are exactly the same. Even typical "bigger kids" may not be as old as you think or may have health issues you can't see. My DS5 has always been tall for his age. Even at 3 he could pass for five or six. I remember getting a few looks back then at the sight of him in his stroller. I believe the only reason that disabilities have even been brought up is to show that just because a big kid is in a stroller, doesn't mean there's not a good reason. They may or may not have issues that are unseen. Even if there's not and mom just wants to push and he/she just wants to ride...it's not hurting anyone. It may annoy some, but it's not hurting anyone.

And I think that is the key.... that they can OUTWALK their parents too... and in a second they can get away. Strollers make more sense when you have a child with autism who wanders.(or runs)

I have a 6 year old who will be almost 7 during our next trip. He is skinny little thing and I plan on taking his umbrella stroller. When we go to the mall, I make him walk. By the end of the day he is begging my DS11 to give him a ride on his lap. (DS11 is in a wheelchair) DS7 has asthma and stamina issues.

With that said... when my niece was 7 we took her with us to WDW. She walked the whole time. DS11 was also 7... and he was in his wheelchair. DS7 was 2 yrs old at the time and rode in his stroller. We had no extra hands to push another stroller. She did fine... but by day 5 she was exhausted!

Thanks for your post. My DS5 is not a wanderer...he's an all out BOLTER! Never a dull moment! My DS6 (who will be 7 on our next trip) also has athsma which I believe contributes to his stamina issues. He went without a stroller last year and did great, so he'll be without one this year too. (He was exhausted by the end of the trip as well.) That just further shows how different each child is, with or without a disability. Live and Let Live, I say. Besides, I believe OP probably has enough advice/opinions to either make a good decision or burst into flames!

 

[pktbMouse]

My son is 8yrs old and 55lbs...if he gets tired I will get him a stroller to sit in if he wants it. I wouldnt give a second thought to what other people think as long as my kid was ok. Heck I think I would get in one of them if I could fit and hubby would push me!!

 

[kampfirekim]

Me too! I've just never been able to convince DH. BTW, BEAUTIFUL kids!

 

[Wendy5055]

Back to OPs question...if you feel he needs a stroller get one.

I had one last year for my dd who was 7 at the time...nobody looked (in a pointed manner) or said a peep. I am a mom on the go...and so my little girl is on the go. We do what works for us.

This year, I talked with her and mentioned that there will be no stroller...simply because last year her noggin was reaching the top of the canopy and I KNOW she will not fit this year.

It really is NOT a big deal.

I hope you enjoy your trip!!!

 

[judowoman]

Good idea about the height thing!