A Stroller Until They Are 12!

by Sarah McClure

Bring a stroller to the theme parks until the kids are 12!? Really? Sort of...

Many years ago, I visited Disneyland Park as a young mom. I witnessed a scene that sticks with me to this day. Another mom was with her two young children who were about 7 and 5 years old. Both children were crying, not just crying but really throwing a fit. The mom was very upset and had each child by a wrist, pulling them along the walkway, when she yelled, “You wanted to come here, now walk!”

I immediately look at my husband and said, “I will bring a stroller to the parks until our kids are 12 if I have to!”

Well, I never needed a stroller for my 12-year-old children, but I can tell you that strollers are an invaluable tool when navigating a theme park. There are many reasons to bring or rent a stroller, even for older children who have long since needed one in everyday life.

Physical Demands: Theme parks often require extensive walking, which can be especially challenging for young children. Strollers provide them with a place to rest and recuperate during long days of exploration.

Crowds and Navigation: You are asking your child to hold your hand and stay close while walking these miles among many other people, strollers and scooters. Imagine for a second, the bumping around and trying to do this when you are less than 5 feet tall and can’t see where you are headed. Navigating through crowded walkways can be daunting, particularly for small children. Strollers offer them a sense of security and help parents keep track of their whereabouts.

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Various Conditions: Whether it's hot, humid, rainy or cold, strollers provide a sheltered and comfortable space for children to retreat to when weather conditions become unfavorable.

Overstimulation and Fatigue: Theme parks can be overwhelming with their myriad of attractions and stimuli, adrenaline and excitement. Strollers offer children a refuge where they can take a break from the sensory overload and recharge.

We as parents ask our children to do all of this AND be well behaved. This is exhausting even for mature adults!

The stroller can have benefits for parents too.

Logistical Convenience: The stroller becomes your mule to haul your gear for the day: water bottles, sunscreen, wipes, jackets, ponchos, fans, snacks and more. Imagine not having to wear a heavy backpack all day!

Strategic Use: The stroller can be use strategically as a placeholder for fireworks, shows and parades, allowing families to secure prime viewing spots. I do not recommend leaving your stroller unattended in these situations, but it can save some space with one parent waiting for the show while the other parent takes the children for another ride or two before show time.

Stroller Parking: Your stroller does not have to go to every ride with you. Theme parks typically provide designated stroller parking areas near attractions, making it easy for families to explore an entire land without having to move the stroller after every attraction. When you are ready to move to the next land, the kids hop aboard.

I am a firm believer that strollers may be needed for older children. Indeed, they can serve as a beneficial tool not just for the children's comfort and safety, but also for the convenience and peace of mind of the parents trying to manage the complexities of theme park environments.

When you're ready to plan a theme park vacation, please reach out for concierge vacation planning services!