how old is too old for strollers? LOL

[happy.family.of.6]

So I havent been to WDW since my kids were little little. Now they are 5, 7 and (2) 9 yr olds. The 9 year olds are small (im short, lol) at about 52" and 58-62 lbs. My mom is insisting we need to get two double strollers so that they all can sit in them when tired cause WDW is just soooo much walking (understandably.) But what do you guys think? At what point were your kids able to walk comfortably all day long or did you have a stroller/rent a stroller and they sit in it part of the day at that age?

Thanks for helping!

 

[*pixie*dust*]

Are your kids pretty active? Honestly, 9 seems a bit old for a stroller but you know your kids best. My nephew would have been mortified at 9 to be seen in a stroller but all kids are different.

My son is 4 and hasn't been to WDW yet but he normally will walk at the zoo and those kinds of places. He sort of view the stroller as a "if I have too" kind of thing.

Are you planning to take a mid day break? This could make all the difference if you are worried about the kids stamina.

 

[NMAmy]

We took dd the first time when she was 4.5 and I never even thought about getting a stroller. Of course, we'd ditched the stroller at home when she was about 2.5 because she figured out how to undo the strap and was popping out whenever she got the urge. It was easier to just hold her hand.

Nine seems a little old for a stroller but you know your kids and your touring style. Are you willing to stop for a rest when they get tired or take a break during the day? We've never been breakneck touring people and were willing to go at dd's pace.

 

[kevschickee]

IMO 9 is too old for a stroller I even think 7 is too old and 5 is pushing it lol. I listen to my mom a lot but I wouldn't listen about this

 

[brergnat]

I agree that 9 is WAY too old for a stroller. Heck, by 9, my younger sister was touring WDW parks alone with me (then 11) and my older sister and her best friend (13 year olds). This was BACK in the day (for reference...I would never let my kids do this nowadays)...my parents let us go off on our own when we were at WDW since we knew the parks so well. I can't even imagine my sister being in a stroller then.

MAYBE for the 5 year old. My 5 year old still needs a stroller for a FULL day at Disneyland, so I can see that.

I would plan to RENT it there, though, and ONLY if you need it. Try at least one day without it, and go at the kids pace. You might find that you do well if you take things slowly.

You can always get a double and just let the kids take turns riding when someone gets tired...

 

[NCmomof3]

My 7 year old DS stopped riding in a stroller at home before he was even two!!! HOWEVER, we have taken him to Disney at 3, 4, 5 & 6 and have gotten a stroller every time! He calls it his "ride" not to be confused with a baby stroller and it was great. Our DD's are now 13 and 16 so it helped us move fast to keep up with the big sisters! We will likely not get one for our upcoming trip in November, but it was great while it lasted! Helped those "little legs" not to get so tired, was a great place for him to sit and rest if we were waiting on something and it helped us get through crowds safely and we were able to move faster if we were in "commando" mode!

Good luck! Either way you will have a blast!

PS - If you rent your stroller(s) there, you should rent for your entire stay at once b/c you save at least 10% and you also can move quickly thru stroller rental each day b/c you will already have your daily "ticket". Keep your name plates from day to day to save additional time as well.

 

[happy.family.of.6]

Yes, they are pretty active. They play soccer, gymnastics and swim. We have never been anywhere with this much walking, except Disneyland 2 years ago, and that wasnt that much walking, but we did have strollers that they used when they were tired. We will not be staying on site, so we will not have a chance to go take a nap or anything and only get one day per park, so it will be from open to close. Do any of you have kids this age that have made it all day without a problem. I dont mind stopping and sitting if they need to. We are also from Colorado, so I'm not sure if the climate will have any effect on them. IF we get a stroller, I'm only doing one, not two!!

 

[happy.family.of.6]

Oh, and though we dont even own a stoller, we are all small and my 5 yr old is about the size of a 4 year old? (she will actually just be turning 5 in a couple weeks) and wears a size 3t pants and 4t top - so she is tiny and her little legs will slow us down, so stoller for her for sure!!

 

[byrd328]

Hi

My daughter is 4.5 and hasn't been in a stroller since she was 2. After reading several post here and on other boards, I decided to pick up an umbrella stroller. From what I read it is quite common for older kids to be in a stroller. The though is that it's much easier to navigate the crowds especially at close and durring a cranky meltdown. We're there for 9 days and to rent a stroller was just crazy price wise. So I figured if we don't use it I'll just resell on ebay. The disney strollers from what I read easily accomodate older kids.

I think 9 is a little old, but hey whatever works for you...

 

[Hannathy]

My kids have been walking Disney since they were 4 and we go commando open till close. 9 without a special needs is way over the top.

Kids have far more energy than most adults. Could you go play 2-3 soccer games in a day come home and then go swimming and play for 2-3 more hours? I know I couldn't but that is what most kids are able to do.

The walking at Disney is not a marathon it is more like a bunch of short sprints interrupted by a lot of resting (standing in line, sitting on rides, sitting in shows)

Next question can you even imagine pushing a 9 yr old around the park all day and still being able to walk back to the room? They'll be well rested and you'll be dead.

Plus having no stroller at Disney is so liberating that once you ditch it you will never go back!

 

[tjbaggott]

I'd advise, based on my own experience, to rent ONE double stroller in the parks. They don't really look like your typical stroller, more like a cart. Your 5 year old will be the one most likely to use it. The older ones then have a space should they need a break from walking. I wouldn't imagine any of the older ones being in it all day. But at least there is room should they really need the break.
I have a 6 year old for whom we take a wagon when we go down town here at home, or to the "far away park". He's a complainer, and hates walking long distances in the heat. Yes we are renting a stroller/cart for him while in Disney world. He won't be in it all the time, but I know he will definately make use of it. I don't plan on getting one for AK or Epcot (I think), but will definately for MK at least. (the one with the most walking and the longest time spent at).
Some have said they think such and such an age is too old for a stroller, but each parent knows their own child better than anyone else. So although some kids at 4, 5, 6, ect, would hate to be seen in a stroller, there are just as many who at those ages still need something like that. (again, not regular strollers for these ages, but the DISNEY ones).

 

[happy.family.of.6]

I'm with you TJ. I agree. And I think we are going to do just 1 stroller. I'm almost positive my 5 year old will get tired - actually I am positive - she will probably even fall asleep later in the day. And having that extra spot will help if the kids need a little break, but I doubt they will, but just in case.

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I'd advise, based on my own experience, to rent ONE double stroller in the parks. They don't really look like your typical stroller, more like a cart. Your 5 year old will be the one most likely to use it. The older ones then have a space should they need a break from walking. I wouldn't imagine any of the older ones being in it all day. But at least there is room should they really need the break.
I have a 6 year old for whom we take a wagon when we go down town here at home, or to the "far away park". He's a complainer, and hates walking long distances in the heat. Yes we are renting a stroller/cart for him while in Disney world. He won't be in it all the time, but I know he will definately make use of it. I don't plan on getting one for AK or Epcot (I think), but will definately for MK at least. (the one with the most walking and the longest time spent at).
Some have said they think such and such an age is too old for a stroller, but each parent knows their own child better than anyone else. So although some kids at 4, 5, 6, ect, would hate to be seen in a stroller, there are just as many who at those ages still need something like that. (again, not regular strollers for these ages, but the DISNEY ones).

Exactly what I was going to say

 

[RMulieri]

9 is way too old imho..

 

[Kae]

My kids were 4 the last time they used strollers at WDW.

Kae

 

[Leajess99]

My youngest was 5 when we went last year and she walked the park. She played on 2 soccer teams this past spring and while I had thought about getting her a stroller this time, that thought is now gone from my mind as she has said she will not ride in one. She knows what she can tolerate and even with asthma she is physically able to walk. If we need a break we will just find a place to rest or head back to the room. There are plenty of places you can rest for a short time at Disney.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd get one double. I have a short 8 year old (49"), and we went to DC last year, and she was fine. We did Hershey this year, and didn't get a stroller for dd6, ds6, and dd8, and they were fine.

 

[powellrj]

One thing to think about is how would they feel if someone they knew saw them in a stroller. We live over 1,000 miles from WDW and always see at least one other person we know there. How would they react if a classmate saw them in a stroller.

If it wouldn't bother them, do whatever you think is best. My kids stopped using strollers when they were 4 and would have died if someone saw them using one at 9, but all kids are different.

 

[RMulieri]

Each kid is different.But a healthy 7 and 9 yrs old should be able to walk.My 4 yr old refused to be in a stroller, and we helped her prepare by starting a family walking program 6 months before the trip.She kept the pace and did not need the stroller.

 

[njphv]

I'm renting a stroller from Orlando Stroller Rentals--hold up to 75 lbs...my son is 6, but also asthmatic...heat and humidity of August made up my mind to rent one for him. He is also the type that will get tired easily and just stop wherever he is..not fun for a parent with plans !!!!