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

[Goofyernmost]

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).

I don't disagree with you because in a way you are reinforcing my theories. Fast Food does give you calories and fats, but they don't cause obesity in and of themselves. There are a number of reasons and one very big one is inactivity. I realize that I am older then dirt, but as a child, we didn't have all those cute little handheld games. We didn't even have a TV. Televisions were out there but we didn't have one. As kids we were outside all day, weather allowing, and the only weather that didn't allow that was violent thunderstorms, hurricanes or tornado's. Everything else including blizzards and sub-zero weather was accessible. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I drove across the country, with one knee in my red wagon, hand on the handle, steering my way on imaginary roads from coast to coast.

I would even say that we had MORE junk food then what is available today. Remember Kool Aid with tons of sugar added until it was grainy. Penny candy that actually was a penny. McDonalds didn't exist, at least in my part of the country, but everything we ate was grease laden and no one even knew what a calorie was. Very few of us were overweight, very few! I believe it was because we were so physically active. Bear in mind that I am not a scientist, I haven't done tests to see if my theory is correct, I am only going by observations about how it was then and how it is now.

With that, I have to ask about your last sentence...how is riding in a stroller working hard as Americans? I, certainly am not saying that your 3 year old should be dragged along trying to keep up, that would be cruel. But when it goes way past the reasonable age and ability...then I think something is wrong. That's all, you haven't reached that point yet at all, and when you do...it is your decision and what I think shouldn't even be a blip on your radar.

I enjoy discussing my feeling with the feelings of others. I will adamently, give my side of the argument in the hopes that I might say something that someone else says...Hey, that makes sense! I don't expect that to happen though.

 

[Mawg]

With that, I have to ask about your last sentence...how is riding in a stroller working hard as Americans? I, certainly am not saying that your 3 year old should be dragged along trying to keep up, that would be cruel. But when it goes way past the reasonable age and ability...then I think something is wrong. That's all, you haven't reached that point yet at all, and when you do...it is your decision and what I think shouldn't even be a blip on your radar.

I enjoy discussing my feeling with the feelings of others. I will adamently, give my side of the argument in the hopes that I might say something that someone else says...Hey, that makes sense! I don't expect that to happen though.

I have to agree that my last statement of hard work is the solution to most problems is a little contradictory to the whole stroller issue. And by pushing your kids around in strollers we are not teaching them that things don't always come easy. But, As I said, I am somewhat of a bad parent when it comes to theme parks. I push my kids to the absolute limit to see and do everything. We probably should have headed out of the park 2 hours earlier. Or, slept in and not made that magic morning. Between rides within a land when they are walking they are almost running to keep up with Mom and Dad (more like skipping with a smile on their face just as anxious to get to the next attraction as we are). They are totally exhausted when we leave and I don't expect them to be able to walk out. It's just the way we tour a park and the stroller is there as a safety net. I should also say that the stroller is in the attic right now and will only be pulled down for the vacation. One other point is that when the nighttime parade ends or fireworks and we are leaving in a sea of people I just feel safer having them in the stroller than trying to hold their hand where others don't see them and trample them. The little kids really get pushed around a lot in these crowds.

 

[Mawg]

To summarize stroller etiquette and other pointers for the original poster.

1. Use the stroller to get in and out of the parks and between lands. It takes a lot of time to get the stroller out and move it when you are not going that far. If the child is an infant, you may be better off with a sling or backpack anyways.

2. Only park the stroller in designated stroller parking areas. Don't leave it by some random planter as it takes away from the ambiance of the park that others are trying to enjoy and might want a picture of.

3. There is plenty of stroller parking areas; there is no reason to take it into a restaurant or shop. If it is raining, make sure you have a stroller cover.

4. Fold up the stroller when you get in the bus line and don't wait until the bus arrives and make other wait on you.

5. Make sure you can identify your stroller and make sure others know it's not theirs. All strollers look like someone else’s. It's easy for someone to walk off with the wrong stroller. Put some ribbons or stickers on the handles that someone will instantly see and realize it is not theirs.

6. You are bound to run into someone eventually, apologize. Look far enough ahead to try and predict what others might do in front of you. This is just like driving a car. After a parade or night show, it will be very crowded. You will hit someone. Not because you are not looking or they are not looking but because it is crowded. Often time’s people get pushed in front of you to no fault of their own or yours. Just be extra alert to your surroundings.

7. Do not stop in the middle of a path. Your kid dropped something, you need to take a call or text or look at a map. No excuse, move to the side and then deal with it.

8. Do not leave valuables in the stroller.

9. Your stroller is not a weapon or a shield.

10. Don't worry about the stroller haters, they are the same types that think turkey legs are disgusting and should be banned. I for one think all chewing gum should be banned but if someone chews gum I don't think they are a bad person. There are haters everywhere about something.

Have a great time!

 

[sam&mia]

I have to agree that my last statement of hard work is the solution to most problems is a little contradictory to the whole stroller issue. And by pushing your kids around in strollers we are not teaching them that things don't always come easy. But, As I said, I am somewhat of a bad parent when it comes to theme parks. I push my kids to the absolute limit to see and do everything. We probably should have headed out of the park 2 hours earlier. Or, slept in and not made that magic morning. Between rides within a land when they are walking they are almost running to keep up with Mom and Dad (more like skipping with a smile on their face just as anxious to get to the next attraction as we are). They are totally exhausted when we leave and I don't expect them to be able to walk out. It's just the way we tour a park and the stroller is there as a safety net. I should also say that the stroller is in the attic right now and will only be pulled down for the vacation. One other point is that when the nighttime parade ends or fireworks and we are leaving in a sea of people I just feel safer having them in the stroller than trying to hold their hand where others don't see them and trample them. The little kids really get pushed around a lot in these crowds.

100% agree that the younger kids are so much safer in a stroller when leaving after fireworks or parade. it only takes a second for a young one to be eaten up in the crowd and sometimes holding hands isnt the safest and it would be quite scary to be that tiny in the middle of all the big people.

we were there in sept-oct this year and it rained quite a lot so if we parked up i would always throw a poncho over the stroller just incase it started to rain when we were on the ride or in the shop.
a few times i did forget in all the excitement and it rained
we were eating at the rose and crown 1 of the times i forgot and 1 of the cast members from the pub ran out with ponchos and covered up all the prams parked up i thought that was really nice.

 

[bdearl41]

I agree that big kids can walk and don't need a stroller, but last time I went with my niece who was 3 1/2 she really needed a stroller. She wanted to walk most of the time, but at this age six miles a day or so is a bit much. They have to take more steps than us adults do.

With a kid that young you shouldnt be walking 6 miles, sorry gotta disagree with you here. One lap around each park can allow them to do any ride however many times they like and you would walk less than a mile and a half to two miles.

 

[bdearl41]

This bit of info is for stroller and not stroller users.....don't stop in traffic to read a map or gawk at the beauty of whatever you are looking at. Move over to the side out of the way. If you don't, don't get upset when someone bumps into you trying to go around...

THIS!!!

 

[bdearl41]

I have a 4 year old with a physical deformation that makes walking long distances extremely painful. She has to use a stroller when the pain becomes too much and she starts to cry. Not so simple anymore. Blanket statements are generally lazy and unwise.

Obviously there are exceptions.

 

[bdearl41]

And I'm guessing you also have an appropriate age for when a child must be potty trained and their sippy cup taken away?

And there pasifier too.

 

[bdearl41]

Here is the thing guys, I know mulitple 3 year olds who can say full sentences, tell me that thunder is cold air and hot air colliding, and tell me the difference between latitude and longitude. If we as a culture are smart enough to teach our kids these things this young, how are we not smart enough when taking our children to theme parks to plan the day to fit their schedules and abilities. I would like to apologize to anyone who has a child with a disability or something of the like for my comments before. Obviously these are circumstances beyond our control, and while my early statement was a general one, I was by no mean addressing children with difficulties. But if your kid is healthy, and if you plan your day right, you really dont need a stroller with a 3 year old. Just give them a nap in the afternoon and dont cross the park 9 times in one day. Take it leisurely.

Also the sooner you get them potty trained, literate, off a sippy cup and a pasifier, then yes I believe you are doing better as a parent to teach your child independence, self reliance, and that you have to work in life, something this country has seem to lost sight of.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Here is the thing guys, I know mulitple 3 year olds who can say full sentences, tell me that thunder is cold air and hot air colliding, and tell me the difference between latitude and longitude. If we as a culture are smart enough to teach our kids these things this young, how are we not smart enough when taking our children to theme parks to plan the day to fit their schedules and abilities. I would like to apologize to anyone who has a child with a disability or something of the like for my comments before. Obviously these are circumstances beyond our control, and while my early statement was a general one, I was by no mean addressing children with difficulties. But if your kid is healthy, and if you plan your day right, you really dont need a stroller with a 3 year old. Just give them a nap in the afternoon and dont cross the park 9 times in one day. Take it leisurely.

Also the sooner you get them potty trained, literate, off a sippy cup and a pasifier, then yes I believe you are doing better as a parent to teach your child independence, self reliance, and that you have to work in life, something this country has seem to lost sight of.

I agree with what you said, with some reservation. Sure a healthy 3 year old doesn't actually need a stroller, but their sense of reason is not fully developed at that point so they might not see it the same way. For the sake of themselves, their parents and everyone that comes in close contact, I'd have to say that the stroller is a good idea.

I don't have any answers for the potty training thing. I have a neighbor that has a 3 year old and he speaks more fluently then I do. You will hear him say things like. "OK, mother (actual word), I'll come right in just as soon as I make one more run down this hill." Picture in your mind his speaking like this while sporting a diaper that is loaded and hanging down to his knees. Sorry, but it is time to take action as a parent and do something about that. The first thing is to stop reading about how their child will be scarred for life because he was forced to potty train. He won't be! He will be much more pleasant to be around though. Sippy cup and Pacifier well, not as big a problem, he will eventually alter his behavior to have a bottle of beer and a cigarette. Somethings we never outgrow! Now breast feeding to the age of 5, I think a tad excessive.

 

[WDW 3]

" 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."

There are no freeways at Walt Disney World. Everyone stops to take pictures. Shoot, they have PhotoPass photographers up the middle of Main Street and elsewhere to stop and take pictures. There are a lot of guest that can't walk fast or enjoy to walk slowly to take in all the sites. My hubby really likes to check out all the windows on Main Street and all the architectural details. Please don't run over us

 

[Hakunamatata]

But photo pass CMs are generally stationary, you know they are there from a good distance away and don't magically appear in front of you on short notice.

 

[Mawg]

With a kid that young you shouldnt be walking 6 miles, sorry gotta disagree with you here. One lap around each park can allow them to do any ride however many times they like and you would walk less than a mile and a half to two miles.

A simple lap around the park, even with the best plan that's really not possible maybe for a local AP who only wants to do a few things. New fastpass policies make that even harder. Backtracking is inevitable. I do completely agree with you...a kid that young should not be walking 6 miles, hence the stroller!

Look, I get it; you don't like the look of the strollers in the park, or accidently getting hit by them or how much room they take up. I can respect all of that but 3 years and you're out, I just can't agree with and feel you are being unpractical just to reinforce your hatred towards them.

 

[minniemickeyfan]

With a kid that young you shouldnt be walking 6 miles, sorry gotta disagree with you here. One lap around each park can allow them to do any ride however many times they like and you would walk less than a mile and a half to two miles.

Around 6 miles is a good average of how far people walk in a theme park a day. Bring a pedometer, steps really add up fast.

 

[71dsp]

Happened today. Getting on the bus from AKL, the bus is empty in the back but a family with a huge double stroller sat in the front of the bus and we all had to go around the stroller to get on the bus. Sigh

Didn't get bumped or hit with a stroller though.

 

[DfromATX]

Happened today. Getting on the bus from AKL, the bus is empty in the back but a family with a huge double stroller sat in the front of the bus and we all had to go around the stroller to get on the bus. Sigh

Didn't get bumped or hit with a stroller though.

Not to keep stirrin' the pot, but maybe they thought sitting in the front would be easier than going down the aisle with the stroller.

 

[rct247]

Park your stroller like you park a car. Don't double park, block someone in, park in a non designated area, and don't just throw it in a lot. Follow a pattern and find a spot.

Smaller and less expensive the better. Jogging strollers are harder to maneuver in crowds. Smaller can fold up better. Cheaper is better if it gets lost or stolen.

The rest has already been said. All of which can also apply for ECVs as well.

 

[71dsp]

Not to keep stirrin' the pot, but maybe they thought sitting in the front would be easier than going down the aisle with the stroller.

While that may be true, if you cannot maneuver a folded up stroller between these fairly large bus aisles (even with people in the seats) maybe you need a smaller stroller.

I will say that I've seen plenty of people take their strollers to the area next to the rear doors and stand there with their stroller. It's out of the way, and they get out quickly so they are not in the way when we get to our destination. I appreciate those people. Now the ones that decide to unfold their stroller immediately after exiting (backing up the bus exiting procedure in the process) are another story.

The one that takes the cake so far this week is the guy that was 3 rows back in the bus line with his wife and son (after the bus loaded). We were standing right in front of them in line. This was after the park closed so the buses were FULL. The driver says "I can take two more passengers, not 3 or more." Everyone in front of us has 3 or more. We have 3 so we didn't say a word. This guy jumps out of line, runs up to the bus and starts to get on. The bus driver tells him 2 passengers not 3. The guy replies that his son can sit in his lap (he was probably 5 or so). So the bus driver again says I can fit 2 more people not 3. The bus the leaves. The guy says very loudly "What a moron, who does he think he is? The owner?!" I turned to my wife and said, "Where did he expect his kid to sit in his lap? The bus was stuffed to the gills." My wife just shushed me.

 

[BigRedDad]

The worst thing about strollers and I have done it myself is banging into the back of someone. The problem is people randomly stop in the middle of the walkways. You do what you can not to run into them, then the person behind you pushes you forward into them. With that many people, it is nearly unavoidable. Be apologetic and try not to do it. I find scooters 100x worse. They have no care and blame you for them running you over. I have taken keys from one once and kept walking. Eventually giving them to a CM.

 

[polynesiangirl]

I found it was super helpful to take the absolute lightest, smallest umbrella stroller we could with us so that we took up minimal space when walking and we could fold it up and carry it with ease. If I had taken our giant full size stroller I think it would have been overkill and way, way harder to maneuver around people.

I mostly don't care how old a kid in a stroller is (though for the record, my son was not even 2 on our last trip,) just as long as the person operating it is courteous. Frankly I don't know why anyone would opt to take a stroller unless they needed it, since speaking from experience it's a pain in the butt to haul that thing around. So I guess I just hope that the people with older children in strollers are doing so because their child has a reason to need it.

I have definitely been hit by people with strollers a few times over the years, but I honestly haven't found it to be an enormous problem that I encounter on a frequent basis -- maybe I've just been lucky.