In Defense of the Stroller Pushers

[lazyboy97o]

Right?? And suggesting that a kid of ANY age shouldn't be at the DISNEY parks...a label for kids. Adults can love it too...we spend the money there. But ultimately....a place where kids can be KIDS. The idea that parents shouldn't bring kids, baby's, toddlers - to these theme parks because the strollers annoy adults, is just laughable.

It is said that Disneyland was built by a father for his daughters. His daughters who were already grown. The idea of Disney parks being built for very young children is a recent phenomenon.

 

[wm49rs]

Reread my post about the lady drag racing around main street and me thinking of her as a moron. The basic point, which seems to be so lost on so many is that maybe just maybe when you get hit you weren't paying attention and walked in front of the stroller. I have never been hit by a stroller and I have never hit anyone with a stroller. However you can't fix stupid and if you give stupid people a stroller or the ability to roam freely you can get hit or hit someone. By no means did i say morons pushing strollers arent morons. Morons are morons. Again as a first time stroller pusher I was merely mentioning that sometimes people get hit because they look right and walk left or bury their head in their cell phone. The courteous thing to do, which I did and made others do was to pull over to the side, with or without a stroller, check my phone and then go on with my day. If you stop in the middle of the pathway and it is crowded you may get hit by your own stupidity or by someone pushing a stroller checking their phone.

I love how everything on here becomes a war. Can't you just feel the magic of those who read only what they want to make a point and not the whole comment?

Sure, I'll agree with one of your comments: "Morons are morons." All while savoring the flavor of tonight's brand of irony....

And considering how this thread started, and how you've progressed, magic isn't quite the word I would choose. But to each their own.....

 

[ScoutN]

I shall never forget when this lady was bragging at MK exit one night how she used that thing as her bulldozer. Saw her run into people until she ran into the wrong person who lifted his foot higher so that the stroller flipped. Drinks spilled and went all over jackets and merch, people trampled it, and the lady got a big reality check. Here's to you Mr stroller flipper!

 

[xdan0920]

I just returned from 10 days of pushing a double stroller around the parks and the reason people are getting hit in the legs so often is because they are morons, plane and simple.

That's as far as I got. The irony stopped me dead in my tracks.

 

[twag1]

Assorted thoughts...

**Having pushed a stroller (conventional size - not Arkansas double-wide) through the parks, I felt it was my responsibility to watch out for "the other guy" as I was presenting a bit of a hazard below conventional sight line. Happy to report, I left no disabled patrons in my wake.

**When the day comes - if ever - that I need a scooter in the parks, I do believe that I will make a point to avoid heavy traffic times both in the parks and on the transportation system. Or wait until the "coast is clear" before progressing. I think I will do this as a safety measure for not only my fellow guests, but also for myself. For example, at firework time, I will simply scoot to the side and let all pass until the crowd thins out, and only then motor out. I realize that this means I may have to stay a little later - - but I will more than likely take a nice power nap before hitting the park to ensure I have enough reserve to make the later hour. But maybe that's just me.

**While strollers annoy me a "tad" sometimes, I try to understand what Mom and Dad are going through having been there - dealing with sun-baked kids. As such, I'll more than likely extend a free pass to the occasional stroller assassin.

**What REALLY gripes me, is the guest that is under the impression that he's going on an ACTUAL safari instead of a staged one, and packs what appears to be 2 weeks worth of provisions into a backpack - - along with a cot and tent - - which turns into a battering ram when he pivots side to side in front of me while waiting in a queue. Of course - - this is probably a topic for a different thread and I don't intend to hi-jack!

 

[wm49rs]

That's as far as I got. The irony stopped me dead in my tracks.

Totally missed that. Takes my irony comment to a new level....

 

[George]

I don't have any problem with "stroller pushers". However, "stroller pullers" really frost my shorts and don't even get me started on "stroller luggers".

 

[George]

However, when I hear about people intentionally "targeting" others with their strollers because they feel maligned in some way (which many have said they do in this thread...granted, I assume it's a joke...but if it's not), that just grinds my gears.

I try and figure out when posters on this board who really "grind my gears" are going to present in the parks. In fact, I'll befriend them in a surprisingly successful attempt to find out more details about their itinerary. Then, I'll send them a facebook friend request which is a GREAT way to find out what they look like. Finally, one early morn at DAK they'll be ogling the ToL only to see the "Stroller of Comeuppance" emerging from the mist, minutes before I exact my revenge for that stray post 37 months ago.

 

[englanddg]

I try and figure out when posters on this board who really "grind my gears" are going to present in the parks. In fact, I'll befriend them in a surprisingly successful attempt to find out more details about their itinerary. Then, I'll send them a facebook friend request which is a GREAT way to find out what they look like. Finally, one early morn at DAK they'll be ogling the ToL only to see the "Stroller of Comeuppance" emerging from the mist, minutes before I exact my revenge for that stray post 37 months ago.

View attachment 40673

That, good Sir, is the Airwolf of Strollers! The Tactical Stroller!

I'll be right there with you!

 

[GoofGoof]

Well, this is Iger's Disney. Who cares if phone addicts are disrupting rides and attractions and ruining the experiences for other guests as long as they're spending money?

Yep and guess who spends a lot of money. The stroller demographic. Which is probably why PI is a distant memory and the number of meet and greets has grown exponentially over the past decade+.

 

[GoofGoof]

It is said that Disneyland was built by a father for his daughters. His daughters who were already grown. The idea of Disney parks being built for very young children is a recent phenomenon.

This is part of the problem. There are people who believe little kids don't belong at Disney parks. Of course they get annoyed at strollers. I don't believe little kids belong anywhere near the Vegas strip. If I was leaving the Mirage to head out for the night and my way was blocked by a bunch of families with strollers I would definitely be annoyed.

 

[lazyboy97o]

This is part of the problem. There are people who believe little kids don't belong at Disney parks. Of course they get annoyed at strollers. I don't believe little kids belong anywhere near the Vegas strip. If I was leaving the Mirage to head out for the night and my way was blocked by a bunch of families with strollers I would definitely be annoyed.

I really do not think it is not fair to take a kid and drag them through the commando style of visiting the theme parks that is now so pervasive. I think it is selfish. If the child cannot keep up, then slow down.

 

[englanddg]

I really do not think it is not fair to take a kid and drag them through the commando style of visiting the theme parks that is now so pervasive. I think it is selfish. If the child cannot keep up, then slow down.

I would like this more than once if I could.

This is exactly how I do my trips. Even if it means I don't get to see everything I want to see.

 

[GoofGoof]

I really do not think it is not fair to take a kid and drag them through the commando style of visiting the theme parks that is now so pervasive. I think it is selfish. If the child cannot keep up, then slow down.

I agree that people shouldn't do that. Not everyone with a stroller is touring commando style. It's an easy way to condemn strollers but it simply isn't true. We have visited multiple times with strollers and never done it that way.

 

[Cesar R M]

I'll be right there with you!

NOW WITH ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER TERMINATOR VOICE!

and I Swear! after reading this thread, I think you guys invented a new reality show for the travel network..
"STROLLER WARS.. NOW LIVE FROM DISNEY WORLD"
where they do have THE AMAZING RACE type events, but with strollers XD

 

[Jim Chandler]

It is said that Disneyland was built by a father for his daughters. His daughters who were already grown. The idea of Disney parks being built for very young children is a recent phenomenon.

Wrong
Walt did not like the parks he took his girls to. The reason was because while the kids had fun the parents sat on benches watching. He wanted a park where the whole family could have fun as a family. So his park was built differently than what they had experienced.
His parks were built for the WHOLE family and so that KIDS and parents were together. His idea always included the children it is not a recent thing.

 

[Nubs70]

I have a problem with people that do not have any sense of courtesy. Armed with stroller, IPad, or smart phone, if you bump into someone, say "sorry" and yield the right of way. It takes all but 2 seconds.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Wrong
Walt did not like the parks he took his girls to. The reason was because while the kids had fun the parents sat on benches watching. He wanted a park where the whole family could have fun as a family. So his park was built differently than what they had experienced.
His parks were built for the WHOLE family and so that KIDS and parents were together. His idea always included the children it is not a recent thing.

Including children is very different than children, especially very young children, being the specific target audience. The idea that Disney theme parks are specifically for children is a new idea that does not date back to the conception of Disneyland.

 

[ford91exploder]

You and I are talking two totally different scenarios here.
If I'm sitting on main street with my legs sticking out and you run over my legs because I didn't move when told twice by a CM, then it is MY FAULT and I certainly have no leg to stand on (pun intended) in a court of law.

The stroller pusher at that point committed assault and battery, What transpired between the CM and Guest is none of your business if they were a safety hazard a Security CM would have MOVED them one way or another.

 

[GoofGoof]

Including children is very different than children, especially very young children, being the specific target audience. The idea that Disney theme parks are specifically for children is a new idea that does not date back to the conception of Disneyland.

You are right that the marketing has definitely swung further and further towards a younger demographic. If you ever watch some of the old WDW resort "propaganda" videos from the 80s they focus just as much on the resorts and activities outside the parks as the parks themselves. They talk about boating, hiking, tennis and shopping. Not that those things would exclude kids but they are not marketed specifically to kids. Today's marketing for WDW tends to lean more heavily towards younger kids and the characters in the parks.