Double Stroller Rental Outrageous

[memorykeeper]

Just back from the world and sad to report that a 1 day stroller rental is now $31. In december I rented a stroller for 6 days for $40. I don't know why the price has doubled but it's insane price gouging.

 

[thegrimdwarf]

Yeah, it's been a hot topic on here for about a week. Sorry you were blind-sided by the rate hike! Did you rent anyway?

 

[MandM-Mom]

Did you get any back for returning it back to the rental location? THat is outrageous and I have read of the increase but was wondering if they were just using more for a deposit or is it all a rental fee?

 

[memorykeeper]

No nothing back. I rented a single for my 7 yo. He has autism and we've always rented a double stroller so that he can have a place to hide when he's overwhelmed but I guess we'll have to work something else out because that price is ridiculous. It seems that Disney is getting rid of everything that's free as well, no more plastic robots, no Jr. chef, no $5 mystery pin machine, and no free strollers for pirates and princesses.

 

[ChrisAlli]

NO Jr Chef??? DO you mean in the Land where they made cookies???

 

[memorykeeper]

NO Jr Chef??? DO you mean in the Land where they made cookies???

Yes in the Land. It is CLOSED.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Good luck finding a big enough stroller for your seven year old. I have an older child with tons of anxiety that also uses the stroller as their "safe" place. If you find something big enough let me know.

 

[luvmy2sams]

No nothing back. I rented a single for my 7 yo. He has autism and we've always rented a double stroller so that he can have a place to hide when he's overwhelmed but I guess we'll have to work something else out because that price is ridiculous. It seems that Disney is getting rid of everything that's free as well, no more plastic robots, no Jr. chef, no $5 mystery pin machine, and no free strollers for pirates and princesses.

No more plastic robots! That was such a hit for our kids on the last trip. Bummer...

 

[justintime]

Yes in the Land. It is CLOSED.

When did the Jr. Chef close? I was hoping my kids could do it when I go in 2 weeks.

 

[ChrisAlli]

OK I think I'm going to cry, two years ago they got rid of the bed time stories, now the stroller prices are way high, no robots, and no Jr Chef is just sent me over the edge. My kids have always loved doing this and it's going to break their hearts. I know it's silly but they loved it and have collected the chefs hats and use them at home.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We never rent, but always bring our own. Still I can not believe the increase. It is beyond crazy.


It really bothers me. It isn't like they are new strollers. How they can charge so much more for the same stroller? Who cares if they have not increased the amount in 3 years, why should they need to anyway? The only cost to them now is staff to clean and move them. When my DD told me the increase I said "they better be renting out bugabo strollers now for that price.

It sure justifies me buying a $300 double stroller to take to WDW 3 years ago a better deal for me. It has been paid for by WDW rental costs alone. Even more so now. This will be the 4th trip to WDW with it.

 

[momtwoboys]

The Mac Volo will hold a seven year old . I just bought one for my little guy (lots of issues) He is very underweight 38lbs, but it pushes very smoothly. We will use is just for this May trip. It holds up to 55 lbs.

 

[UShistoryteacher]

The Mac Volo will hold a seven year old . I just bought one for my little guy (lots of issues) He is very underweight 38lbs, but it pushes very smoothly. We will use is just for this May trip. It holds up to 55 lbs.

I just ordered a brand new Maclaren Volo from Ebay and received it today! With overnight shipping it was only $65. I was going to rent a stroller, but the new prices are just crazy. The Volo holds up to 55 lbs and weighs under 10 lbs.

 

[emmsmama]

To the pp who got a Volo off ebay, can you pm me the seller name?

So does the Volo hold 55 lbs. not including bags or or other things hanging on it, or does it hold 55lbs. in the seat and then can still hold backpacks alright as well?

Anybody put a child bigger than 55 lbs in it? I was thinking of buying one mainly for ds who currently is 5.5 yrs. old but only around 45 lbs. so I know he won't be over the weight limit by the time we go.

However I was thinking maybe dd could hop in if she was completely exhausted. She will be 9 when we go but is only around 65lbs. Do you think she'd break the wheels

If anybody knows of a stroller for older kids lmk or dd will just be walking the whole time because there is no way I'm paying the new stroller rental fees.

 

[LilGMom]

For parents that are looking at strollers for older kids you might want to look at jogging stroller. Most of the double jogging stroller will hold 100-110 lbs. and a good number of the single ones will hold 75 lbs. Mousesurplus.com has been selling some of the single ones that were used in MGM a few years ago, used sporting goods stores will often have them, ebay, craigslist and community baby 'garage' sales (local moms groups) will often have them for a lot less than brand new retail price.

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

Seriously!! I don't get the logic behind this increase. Does Disney really think that we're going to pay $31 p/day to rent a stroller. You could rent a compact car per day for that price. They must be out of their minds. I hope this whole charrade blows up in their face....BIG TIME.

(Easy to see I'm just a little peeved...)

 

[Aliceacc]

I think that lots of parents who have no other options will spend double that if they have to.

Seriously, say I'm a first time visitor who has never heard of the Dis boards. I've bought my Birnbaums or Unofiicial Guide and figure I'll rent a stroller there at the prices in the 2008 book. I have 2 toddlers, or an infant and a toddler. I get to Disney World and find the prices have skyrocketed.

I mumble and complain, but I rent the stroller. What other options do I have at that point? I'm IN the park with 2 small kids! It's too late to consider bringing my own stroller or renting offsite. And since it's at the start of my trip, the outrageous cost is soon just a minor annoyance after all the magic that hopefully follows.

I'm sure Disney did all sorts of marketing research and found a price point that the market will bear. Sure, lots of people will opt out. But they've done their homework; they know this price will still make them a profit.

But I do agree that it's a shame. Too many young families will be sucker-punched by this price increase.

 

[memorykeeper]

I agree. My son is 7 and if not for his autism we would have stopped using a stroller years ago but we at least had the option of squeezing him into a single when we arrived on Monday and saw the prices. Lots of people won't have that option and the increase just seemed outrageous and greedy.

 

[iheartdisney]

Yeah, I'm getting a bike trailer-type stroller...they look about the same size as the Disney rentals (and come with rainshields built in!)
I've got a few on craigslist I'm found for a price I will pay, as well as some locals on ebay!
Edited to add: the airlines DO NOT charge a stroller as a piece of lugage, if some were leary of bringing your own for that reason...

 

[TJA]

I agree with LilGMom above who suggested to look at jogging strollers for older kids. They push like a dream. And they are comparable in size, if not smaller, than the rentals in disney. We have a Baby Jogger city series and love it.