I'm actually happy strollers aren't allowed, but that's because I don't have children. If I were a mom, I'd be really mad!

I would rather deal with maneuvering around strollers than get stuck walking behind a family moving at a snail's pace because they have a toddler walking with them--that's worse!

Most aquariums have the same policy! We had to check our stroller at the national aquarium in Baltimore and we had a 3 year old and baby. It was nice to not have to be blocked behind tons of strollers like the indoor areas at the zoo on a busy day.

I do not understand their initial decision. The rush? would it not be safer for little children to be in a stroller so they do not get trampled? Then again, its not a rock concert...... They should allow strollers, being blocked behind and SUV sized stroller is not different than having to wait for little ones to walk faster.....and if they can walk, whats the stroller for? No wonder so many of todays children appear fat. Strollers are for babies, if your walking toddler gets tired, its time to go home...

maybe they should ban wheelchairs as well....

I don't think they will have much of an "initial rush" with a $22 admission. I'm sure there will also be a parking fee as well as overpriced concessions to deal with. Count me out.

With that ban.. I guess my husband and I will NOT be going to the aquarium. Since we have a 3 yer old, a 2 year old, and a 6 week old.. I am not about to go there and have to carry around my daughter plus have to manage two active toddlers. And here we were really excited for the aquarium to open up. I guess yet again.. there is NOTHING for families to do in Cleveland. And as the person noted above regarding the $22 admission.. are you kidding me? Especially in this economy.. that is not going to happen.. at least my family wont pay that! I understand that Cleveland is trying to make money.. but come on.. the economy SUCKS and people are hurting for jobs... who do they think will be able to spend that kind of admission prices? Cleveland is dead.. it will always be dead...that is why my husband and I are already trying to get out of here.

My understanding is that strollers are not permitted for opening weekend and the initial weeks due to the crowds that are expected and the layout of the Powerhouse building. I also understand that the policy will be revisited later, so it's not a total and forever "ban." The Cleveland Zoo Rainforest exhibit had the same situation when it opened and there was no controversy over it. I totally disagree with Carrie - there is SO MUCH to do and see in Cleveland and this just adds to the fun! I am excited to see this new attraction opening in our area and look forward to taking my family!

It is not the strollers that are the problem, it is the people pushing them. I cannot tell you how many bangs to the heel I have endured because people are not paying attention. Or worse, they let the 2 year old push his/her stroller (so why is it there) and we all know how that ends. It often makes it hard for little ones to see too, if they are sitting low in the stroller. Carry your little bottles, and let the toddlers toddle. I don't mind waiting. (just in case you are wondering, I do have children, and have done my share of walking with/carrying them).

Why would parents with children in strollers or WAGONS want to try to navigate through the big throngs that will surely be traversing through these spaces?? Just be patient tot parents. Spend the time reading to your children and wait a few months to take your little tots to the aquarium. If they're in strollers, they are not going to remember it later anyway. It's not like stroller kids are being robbed of their rights.

My husband and I frequent the Newport Aquarium in Cincinnati … they only allow strollers after a certain time of the day. During peak season, they are not permitted at all. Even in those shortened hours that strollers ARE permitted, I can't even tell you how many times my 2 and 4 year olds have been hit or knocked down by them. Strollers pose too great a safety risk in such confined spaces. Children can either walk, or if they are too young, just carry them. I don't think it discriminates against families at all … it is simply making it safer for everyone.

Let's face it, can children that need to be carried, or be in a stroller really appreciate being in any exhibit? Why not wait until they are at least 3 or 4 to take them to this small space? When I was a child, and my children were small, they were taught manners, social graces, and patience. Children should learn about waiting in line, and not being able to do whatever they want, whenever they want.

This will make the aquarium a safer more enjoyable place to visit, and many more of these children should walk anyway. Some parents are using these strollers to control their children, and "babysit" them.

This does make it harder for families to come and enjoy the aquarium. We are getting closer and closer towards an anti-family society with children being banned from restaurants and restrictions like this one.

I do understand the rule for traffic concerns for the first few months. It will be crowded. My husband and I personally will wait to take our children later when there are less people and less germs and less traffic.

As for other comments about people being irritated by strollers, there are always social faux pas but we cannot ban everything we find annoying.

If they need a stroller, they're too young for this. If you can't controll the child, learn parenting.

You do realize that parents pushing a stroller with an infant often have an older child who IS old enough to appreciate the aquarium, right? Allow strollers or ban them, but there's no discussion here when you dismiss others' concerns so you'll feel superior. Not all parents ram people with strollers or set their toddlers loose. They probably do read to their children, as well, even though they disagree with this policy. Maybe we should consider banning rude people, instead -- from the aquarium and this comments section.

Wheelchairs/powerchairs/handicapped scooters CAN'T be a problem. The aquarium is required by law to accommodate them. Thankfully, since otherwise some of the comments on here would just bark, "Eh, learn to walk! If you can't walk, you don't belong there anyway!"

From the experiences at the Cleveland Zoo, I think banning strollers might be a good idea. Too many parents think it is their right to park their SUV size stroller in front of the exhibit forever while they catch up with old friends. Too many parents are extremely selfish and it's all about them and their kids. Time to realize you need to share the space, from someone who used to care more about other people's feelings.

Like a local comic said 'Just because you let someone *** in you doesn't mean you have the right to get in my way whenever you want.'

Please why would any parent want to expose a 2, 3 year old and a 6 week infant to a public crowd? Want family time,take them for a walk, play in the park, read a book all free . I waited 40 years for this and we know they did not. I am not going to break a hip falling over a stroller,wait until they can walk and I will continue to walk. . Patricia

@ Patricia Vinch: Un. Believable. So you'd like to ban not strollers, but *children* from the aquarium? You may not realize this, but nearly all 2 and 3 year olds can walk. Better than you can, apparently. Seriously, people, the issue here is strollers, not the repulsive and dangerous nature of all small children. We rather rely on them for the perpetuation of our species, and if you keep them caged, they don't grow properly.

This is really all a matter of common sense where the parents are concerned. I am a mother of 2 boys, who are now grown adults, but when we were planning family outings where we would include the children, we would make an educated decision on whether or not to take the kids into an event that was going to be extremely crowded (strollers included). On an opening weekend, it's probably not the wisest choice. Instead, we would wait until the novelty dies down and take the kids/strollers when the size of the crowd was more conducive to having children in tow. It's the same type of decision a parent would make when going out to eat as a family. We would take the children out to dinner with us to a FAMILY restaurant where there were other families and other children present. We would not go out to eat to an expensive 4-star restaurant where couples go to have a nice, quiet, romantic dinner. Let's face it, we all know that every child can behave and sit quietly for a short period of time, but to expect more than that from a toddler is asking a bit much of a child, so as a parent, let's just make some realistic decisions on what to expose our children to, as well as other people surrounding us, when taking them out to a public venue. It's really all a matter of common sense.

terrible decision, they should know better than to demand parents cary small children rather than have them in strollers, maybe the zoo will follow suit, shame on the decision makers on this one

Wow. Who knew that something like this could get so vehement of a reaction? Really, this is not 'discrimination' against small children nor is it 'anti family'. It simply is a way to keep the area less cluttered with 'stuff' rather than people. As for the cost, I challenge anyone to go to any other major city and get into such a facility for less. It cannot be done. Interestingly, no one complains about the exorbitant cost of some kid things (think "Disney on Ice").

Well said, Keena!

No, this is really a matter of bad planning. They built a much anticipated aquarium in a space that is too small to accommodate. My wife and I took our family which includes 4 children and one of which is stroller-aged to the Pittsburgh Zoo last year because their aquarium is part of their zoo. We went on a holiday weekend so it was a very popular destination for many others on that day and the crowd was very large. Once inside we found the passageways and corridors were very comfortable and spacious even with the large crowd. So, when we purchased our season pass for our Cleveland Aquarium we were very excited to not have to drive all the way to Pittsburgh. We asked about strollers and were told they would be permitted. As far as it being only a temporary ban? When I read this article and then called them I was never told that this ban is temporary, or that it was just for the 1st month.
Funny how people are bickering back and forth over parenting and people with disabilities, but no one is questioning the planners of this establishment. The bantering about a Cleveland Aquarium has been a highly anticipated thing for as long as I can remember. When the old one closed people were very upset and when the lake front began to take shape we were told the aquarium would soon be placed there. Now it's being placed in a space that doesn't have any other attractions near it and it very much appears to be placed in a space that doesn't have a suitable amount of space for it

Sounds like the ban is temporary:
https://twitter.com/#!/CLEaquarium/status/156883535473545216

I think its great! When I went to the Aquarium in Atlanta rude people would park their giant strollers in front of the exhibits so no one could get close to the glass while they were looking. At one point I moved someone else's stroller because a special needs child was trying to make his way to the front- I don't have a problem with kids I have a problem with entitled parents. Also buy a sling! I never put my son in a stroller if I can wear him

Most of the time parents hold their child to see inside the aquarium....it's not a 5 hour long tour I'm sure so it shouldn't be that big of an issue for those with smaller kids. I have 4 kids and it's my responsibility as a parent to decide if this would be a "comfy" trip for my family to visit. If it is not (in this case its too crowded for us) I'll wait till its more convenient or wait till my kiddos are able to enjoy it. Aquariums aren't JUST for families and we have to respect others and not expect others to move out of my way because my family is larger.