What not to do at the World...bringing this for the first time

[SugarMagnolia]

"I know so many people that take infants, nothing against it, but doesn't that kinda make your vacation difficult"
I had been to Disney 5 times before my husband and I took our 10 month old grandson. It was my absolute favorite Disney trip. He enjoyed it so much and we enjoyed him enjoying it. I don't care if he remembers, we do!!

 

[ScoutN]

In December I saw a mother pushing one around telling her mother(?) she would get through the crowd by ramming people with it. I noticed there was no child in it. My cousin turned to me and said "I dare her to hit me with it." She ran into him and he instantly kicked his leg up right as it hit. Stroller went over, camera, drinks, merch, etc went everywhere. I highly doubt she will be that IGNORANT again. If something hits/wraps his leg at his place of employment it is a hazard of which can be deadly. Reflexes. People need to factor in the safety of their kids before their impatience causes injury.

I disagree with the individual who stated 99.9% of the time it is accidental. After all, 79.0923842342% of statistics are made on the spot. Those who believe they are entitled to do so are examples of the issues with this country.

 

[KCheatle]

Those who believe they are entitled to do so are examples of the issues with this country.

 

[ScoutN]

You are just trapped in a glass case of emotion!

 

[CommyHolly]

I agree a little courtesy goes a long way,,,,,,on both sides.

I've been run over by a stroller,,,,,no I didn't jump in front of them, I was already in front of them,,,,they apologized, I smiled,,,,it was over.

people with infants and toddlers have every right to bring strollers,,,,,,people without them have every right to move along too,,,,,,

I brought a stroller for my youngest who was 5 at the time, because she had asthma, and the Florida heat about killed her wheezing if she walked too much. (we did not live here then).

Nobody died, and no I don't think I was a bad parent. I do agree about parking them for restaurants though. And if you absolutely CAN NOT park it for some reason,,,,,,eat at a restaurant that has the room for them and please try and keep them out of the walk ways.

 

[sam&mia]

I agree with a few posts on here park up as much as you can find a stroller parking spot in a central area then head off on your adventure if it's close you can always nip back for a drink, to grab a snack etc.
We always left our stroller outside all eating places its a nightmare trying to navigate between tables and people by yourself never mind adding a stroller into the mix.
I tried to keep everything in 1 bag and when I was heading out Of the park i always did a quick clear up of the pram emptying rubbish giving people back drinks hats etc (it amazed me how much I collected through the day from other members of the family) that way when we got to the tram it was a matter of grabbing the bag and folding the pram!

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I know so many people that take infants, nothing against it, but doesn't that kinda make your vacation difficult?

It would easier to not have kids at all! Don't worry about being critical, though. No matter what you do as a parent, there will be someone who tells you you are doing it all wrong and your children will grow up to live in a van down by the river. We're used to it.

 

[Susan Savia]

Sometimes parents go to WDW because THEY want to go and they bring their kids. We've been every year since our kids (grown now) were infants, because WE wanted to go and when we had kids we brought them along!! Many magical moments occurred and we wouldn't change a thing. We always relied on renting a stroller in the parks and the youngest would use it and at that time you could lay the back flat and then the older one could sit facing the parent for a few minutes. The strollers weren't the crazy giant size that they are today.

 

[Glasgow]

I always love the stroller comments. Hmmm, how people expect 3-5 y.o.s to walk approx. 5-10 miles a day w/o a stroller is beyond me - you obviously don't have kids or have a very skewed perspective, or your kids are training for the Boston Marathon, IDK. Just take a rest or go back to the room?? Haha, okay.

The issue has nothing to do with strollers, it has everything to do with courtesy and awareness, period. People w/o kids or strollers stop in the middle of the walkway just the same as people with strollers. Once they have kids, they'll do the same thing with their stroller. And guess what? Those same people are the ones getting over into the turn lane on the highway at the last moment so they can gain 3 seconds.

Alert - this just in! A lot of different people go to WDW. Get over it. You know what you can control though? Raising your kids with a sense of respect and manners. THAT's the solution.

 

[minniemickeyfan]

I brought my Daughter when she was 18 months old. She loved every minute of the bright lights, colors, characters and shows.

I brought my son when he was only 6 weeks old, but that was because my family all came down to Orlando to see the new baby and also wanted to go to disney. Why shouldn't we? It was for us and not for the infant.

My second daughter's first trip will be when she's 6 months old this Christmas.

There's nothing wrong with bringing an infant, especially if you've got other children that are experiencing Disney at different stages in their development and you can have joy through them as a parent.

Thank you for saying. With a 16 year old we are mostly going for her as she is looking forward to marathon weekend again. She's also excited to take her new 6 month old brother so I think it will be worth it too.

 

[6laurac]

I always love the stroller comments. Hmmm, how people expect 3-5 y.o.s to walk approx. 5-10 miles a day w/o a stroller is beyond me - you obviously don't have kids or have a very skewed perspective, or your kids are training for the Boston Marathon, IDK. Just take a rest or go back to the room?? Haha, okay.

The issue has nothing to do with strollers, it has everything to do with courtesy and awareness, period. People w/o kids or strollers stop in the middle of the walkway just the same as people with strollers. Once they have kids, they'll do the same thing with their stroller. And guess what? Those same people are the ones getting over into the turn lane on the highway at the last moment so they can gain 3 seconds.

Alert - this just in! A lot of different people go to WDW. Get over it. You know what you can control though? Raising your kids with a sense of respect and manners. THAT's the solution.

I loved the comment you made about a 3 year old walking 5-10 miles a day- Exactly!!!!

 

[Goofyernmost]

I think it should be cleared up before it becomes an issue (and it will), no one is saying that parents that have kids with physical issues and those really young ones, are looked at as a bad parent. You have a right to do whatever you want. I think what is being said, is that many feel that if you have a healthy child (my opinion is over 6 years old) than having a stroller is not only more work for you, but it is a issue in crowded situation and it just seems like having one's child flex a few muscles would be, overall good, for them. Some parents feel that if they make their children walk then they will get all tired out and then they will be a bad parent. I, and others, say that the opposite is true. Having them getting exercise in a fun environment like a Disney Park is a plus for everyone.

That said, my own daughter, who walked the parks with the rest of us, last year got a double stroller and pushed her 10 year old Daughter and 12 year old Son all around the World. All I could do was shake my head. There they were, with electronic games in hand, having their butts being given a ride all over the place. They were in one of the most visually stimulating places on the planet and they were staring at the screen. I never thought I would get this old mentally, but frankly, I don't understand it at all.

 

[awesomeinabox]

I don't mind strollers in the world. Now, I generally dislike children but would much rather have a comfortable child rolling along next to me than little Susie screaming at her mother because he feet are tired. If your kid is capable of walking the entire day in the world then by all means do not bring a stroller, but if they can't do it (for whatever reason) and it will just make everyones day easier then throw them in a stroller, but be mindful of the size. My parents took me when I was able to walk but my brother was still in a stroller. They got a cheap umbrella stroller that easily folded up and when things got tight they folded the stroller and simply carried him on their shoulders. (Yes I know this is another bag of Disney worms but honestly I could care less if a child wants to see and their parent WALKS around with them on their shoulder).
I get hit all the time at Disney by strollers, and yeah I do get ed when I get hit but stuff happens and I just suck it up. If a stroller ruins your day then there is something else going on you have to figure out. You're in Disney World for goodness sakes.

 

[DfromATX]

That said, my own daughter, who walked the parks with the rest of us, last year got a double stroller and pushed her 10 year old Daughter and 12 year old Son all around the World. All I could do was shake my head. There they were, with electronic games in hand, having their butts being given a ride all over the place. They were in one of the most visually stimulating places on the planet and they were staring at the screen. I never thought I would get this old mentally, but frankly, I don't understand it at all.

Wow! No disrespect intended, but I'm sure you weren't the only one shaking her head. That's a little extreme. Kinda sad that they couldn't leave their video games behind. (I have a 10 year old so I know how much kids love 'em though.)

 

[bethymouse]

There's a picture somewhere out there w/ the 1970's and ONE stroller parked at a ride. It's incredible what 40 years can do to our society! Strollers or not, just be courteous to others.

 

[Mawg]

So I’m going to confess, I am a bad parent! This past summer I took a sit and stand stroller (these are pretty long) to Disneyland. My kids were 3 and 6. The 3 year old sat in the front and the 6 year old stood or sat on the back. We stayed at HoJo’s which is a pretty good walk to the gates. They rode to the parks, we parked the stroller in each land and they walked when in a land. When we moved to a new land we piled back into the stroller and off we went. We could pile our bags in the bottom of the stroller and when we were in a hurry to get to a reservation we did not have to walk at a snail’s pace to get there. We’d go back to the hotel in the afternoon and back to the parks in the evening. The kids were tired and should have gone back to the hotel but I wanted to see World of Color (I’m selfish) but the kids ended up enjoying it too. They were asleep in the stroller 2 minutes after it ended and we left. Man I’m glad I didn’t have to carry them back.

I’m going to Disney World in June and I intend to take it again. Now they will be 4 and 7. I walk pretty fast and really don’t like walking slow. If someone stops in the middle of the path right in front of me to text or take a picture without warning, I may run them over. I’ll apologize but you don’t stop your car in the middle of the freeway. If someone crosses in front of me without looking, I may run them over. But, you should look both ways before crossing a street.

Are my kids old enough to walk, yes. Will we get to see and do as much without the stroller, no. If I’m on Thunder Mountain and have a FastPass to Space Mountain that’s about to expire, we are going to get in the stroller and get there. The stroller will be parked for the majority of the day in one land or another until it’s time to go to the next. Do my kids get to play games when in the stroller, no, we own no gaming devices. But, they may be snacking so I don’t have to stop and have them do it. Mom and Dad want to catch the fireworks which are well past the kids bedtime. If the kids want to sleep on the way out of the parks they can.

When will I quit bringing the stroller, soon probably. But the kids have to be able to keep up. I’ll only carry them so far. They can ride on my shoulders for about 10 minutes, wife 5 minutes. A 7 day vacation and that begins to take its toll.

Sorry for being such a bad parent!

 

[Goofyernmost]

Wow! No disrespect intended, but I'm sure you weren't the only one shaking her head. That's a little extreme. Kinda sad that they couldn't leave their video games behind. (I have a 10 year old so I know how much kids love 'em though.)

No disrespect taken! I was as disgusted by it as anyone. They (my daughters) were not raised that way, but, to be fair, it never crossed our mind to get a stroller. It probably came from my almost obsession like thing that I don't like to be saddled with any extra baggage. A stroller is one more thing that has to be parked, found and pushed around. Doesn't fit at all in what I consider to be my style of touring.

It also was a different time. My youngest would have been insulted if I had suggested that she needed a stroller to get around with because I didn't think she was grown up enough to walk. Anyway, if they resented it, they never told me and are still avid fans of WDW, so they couldn't have been too traumatized by it.

My Daughter told me that she felt it was easier for her to have the stroller, so who am I to argue about it. It's a personal decision, but, I can't help feeling that in spite of everyone trying to blame obesity on Fast Food, one might take a long hard look at the lack of exercise that the kids are getting. A week or so at Disney won't solve that problem but it would go a long way to help. On the plus side, they will have the fittest thumbs on the planet as well as a well developed calloused butt.

 

[Goofyernmost]

So I’m going to confess, I am a bad parent! This past summer I took a sit and stand stroller (these are pretty long) to Disneyland. My kids were 3 and 6. The 3 year old sat in the front and the 6 year old stood or sat on the back. We stayed at HoJo’s which is a pretty good walk to the gates. They rode to the parks, we parked the stroller in each land and they walked when in a land. When we moved to a new land we piled back into the stroller and off we went. We could pile our bags in the bottom of the stroller and when we were in a hurry to get to a reservation we did not have to walk at a snail’s pace to get there. We’d go back to the hotel in the afternoon and back to the parks in the evening. The kids were tired and should have gone back to the hotel but I wanted to see World of Color (I’m selfish) but the kids ended up enjoying it too. They were asleep in the stroller 2 minutes after it ended and we left. Man I’m glad I didn’t have to carry them back.

I’m going to Disney World in June and I intend to take it again. Now they will be 4 and 7. I walk pretty fast and really don’t like walking slow. If someone stops in the middle of the path right in front of me to text or take a picture without warning, I may run them over. I’ll apologize but you don’t stop your car in the middle of the freeway. If someone crosses in front of me without looking, I may run them over. But, you should look both ways before crossing a street.

Are my kids old enough to walk, yes. Will we get to see and do as much without the stroller, no. If I’m on Thunder Mountain and have a FastPass to Space Mountain that’s about to expire, we are going to get in the stroller and get there. The stroller will be parked for the majority of the day in one land or another until it’s time to go to the next. Do my kids get to play games when in the stroller, no, we own no gaming devices. But, they may be snacking so I don’t have to stop and have them do it. Mom and Dad want to catch the fireworks which are well past the kids bedtime. If the kids want to sleep on the way out of the parks they can.

When will I quit bringing the stroller, soon probably. But the kids have to be able to keep up. I’ll only carry them so far. They can ride on my shoulders for about 10 minutes, wife 5 minutes. A 7 day vacation and that begins to take its toll.

Sorry for being such a bad parent!

Everyone gets a little defensive about this topic. Understandable I guess, but you have to ask yourself why you are thinking that you have to get everyone's approval concerning the decisions you make. As my previous posts shows, I have a Daughter that feels the same as you...just with older kids at this point. I think she is doing it because she feels it's the right thing for her to do and frankly it's none of my business. That said, however, I might still disagree with the process for my own personal practice. Believe me if someone wants to push around a stroller all day, I can't think of any real reason why I should care and I think that even though some of us express our opinions about things doesn't mean we spend our whole park experience worrying about what others do. We might mention it, but I doubt any of us have lost any sleep over it. I'm also sure that there are an equal number of parents out there that see people dragging their kids along looking like they are going to become cripple at any moment, whining and tired, and say...wow, why are they doing that when strollers are available.

 

[Mawg]

Everyone gets a little defensive about this topic. Understandable I guess, but you have to ask yourself why you are thinking that you have to get everyone's approval concerning the decisions you make. As my previous posts shows, I have a Daughter that feels the same as you...just with older kids at this point. I think she is doing it because she feels it's the right thing for her to do and frankly it's none of my business. That said, however, I might still disagree with the process for my own personal practice. Believe me if someone wants to push around a stroller all day, I can't think of any real reason why I should care and I think that even though some of us express our opinions about things doesn't mean we spend our whole park experience worrying about what others do. We might mention it, but I doubt any of us have lost any sleep over it. I'm also sure that there are an equal number of parents out there that see people dragging their kids along looking like they are going to become cripple at any moment, whining and tired, and say...wow, why are they doing that when strollers are available.

First off, let me start that I really respected the posts that I saw from you and agreed with them.

I honestly don't care if people think I'm a bad parent or not. The real point is this thread started with a very nice post from a person concerned about bringing a stroller and was looking for pointers on how to be courteous. Only 6 or 7 post down it started that any parent who puts their kid in a stroller after the age of 3 is a bad parent and then like all of these threads, there's the anyone who would bring an infant can't possibly enjoy their vacation. It's an opinion, yes, but it is a very closed minded one. Everyone has different ways they like to tour the parks and enjoy their vacations and free time. My way leads to the reasons why I like to bring a stroller are very clearly laid out in my post and maybe the original poster might appreciate some of them. I do agree that at some point you have to say no and I want to very soon as I hate the stroller in the airport and busses.

For me a stroller is not about being lazy, quite the opposite. It's about the fact that I have to do everything as quickly as possible. When I can do this without the stroller and faster, I will! I'm from a generation that has to have stimulation all the time and information needs to be readily at my fingertips. There is no waiting. No time to stop and smell the flowers (although I try to slow down on vacation, it's just not in my personality).

Strollers a cause for obesity...doubtful. Fast Food...yes but only because it is readily available, cheap and people don't have to do it themselves. Just like you don't have to save up 20% for a house any more either, or we'll buy a $40,000 car when we really should only buy a $20,000. Obesity, the cause you ask, lack of responsibility and expecting handouts are a part of our society and the norm. I could go on but it would get way to political for this forum. Once we do get fat we expect a way to get skinny overnight, a pill, some 5 minute exercise program or a surgery (This may be needed for some who have a genetic disposition so I'm not trying to put anyone down). But the real solution is hard work which really is the real solution to most problems; we just don't like hard work as Americans (generally speaking).

 

[Princess_Minnie]

Find some way to designate your stroller from other people's. We've been going long enough that I can remember when my little sister needed a stroller, and my dad plastered it with duct tape and tied a bandanna around both handles so we all could spot it really fast. No one ever took our stroller or mistook it for theirs.

Also, as someone who doesn't use a stroller, it drives me insane when parents have been standing with the stroller open at a bus stop for 10 minutes and then take 3 folding it up to get on the bus or the tram or the monorail or whatever you're about to disembark on. Make folding for transportation a priority. My dad could fold a stroller faster than anyone I had ever seen after 3 years of going to Disney with one.

The idea of parking it in one area and then doing the whole area is a very good one, especially for parks like MK and DHS. We used to do this (much to the complaints of my little sister) and it was just much easier. Just make sure you don't leave something expensive or important in the stroller after you park it because a) it could get stolen b) it could melt and c) you don't want to wade through the sea of strollers or force a CM to because you forgot something.