2.5 yr old and stroller (I know this has been

[moaddi]

posted many times) but I was always planning on taking my own and my mom thinks i'm crazy for doing that - now I'm doubting myself...what did you do rent or bring your stroller from home? We are flying from chicago and it is not an umbrella stroller - it has a snack tray, cupholders, etc...

The only thing I'm really worried about is taking it on the bus after the park closes...please tell me what you did and if you would have done the other instead...thanks!

 

[jkearson]

We didn't take a stroller with our 3 and 6 year old, but rented one in the park. I was also concerned about getting on and off the buses. The stroller we rented in the park was great. It was a single, but was big enough for both of the kids to ride in if they sat one in front and one in back. My 6 year old did get tired and needed a lift every once in a while. However, if I had known how easy it would be to get on and off the bus, I would have taken my umbrella stroller. Many nights I would have loved to have it when my DD3 was tried. It would have made the long walk back to the room a lot easier. I recommend that you buy a cheap umbrella stroller to take with you. I will next time.

 

[dani blaski]

Why not just bring an umbrella stroller? Minimal investment and quick and easy to gate check.

 

[disneyfanx3]

I always have brougt my own strollers sometimes even two of them a double and a single - you have to walk from the gates to the busses and in the airports sometimes it is a long walk it has always been easier for me and the kids just to have our own stroller.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I much prefer bringing my own stroller. If there is any chance your little one will sleep in the stroller, I would definitely bring your own. Rentals are hard plastic.

 

[dmomom]

I debated whether to take our stroller or rent one at the park, and finally decided to buy a Jeep stroller from Walmart (we're staying 6 days, and it only cost a couple of dollars more ($50) than if I rented in the park). It is super lightweight, reclines, has a basket and cupholders - and it folds up nice and compact and is easy to lift. I think it will be a breeze to take around the park, and it will give DD (now 20 months) a place to nap if she wants to.

We'll also have it in the airport, around the resort and at Downtown Disney. And best of all, we'll get to keep it! I've already started using it around town and I love it.

Good luck! Have a great trip!

 

[camdensmom]

I would absolutely (and do) bring my own, however, yours does sound a bit cumbersome so I would factor that in.

The main thing you need to consider is that in the parks kids that age have a lot of stamina. They are excited and eager and really there is minimal long term walking. It's not like she'll be walking 2 miles straight in any park. She will walk a little and then wait a lot (in line).

The REAL walking issues come at the end of the day, at the resorts, at Downtown Disney, etc...i.e. place you won't have the option to rent. Also it is VERY nice to have that stroller to buzz through the airport rather than moving along at the pace of a toddler.

We bought a Maclearan for our 1st trip with our son in 2006 (he was then 8 months) and it was the best purchase we've made baby wise. He still fits in it comfortably and will for awhile ((he's 2.5, 37 inches and 35 pounds). It is really lightweight, folds with one hand and has a great shoulder strap to make it easy to carry. In my opinion it was very worth the added cost vs. a cheap umbrella stroller because DH and I are 5'8" and 6' and the little ones are very awkward to push and uncomfortable for the kids.

I know there are some companies that rent baby equiptment (baby's best friend?) and they might have a stroller option, but I really do like having it at the airport.

 

[tmatthews]

just got back and we bought our own....the MCO is big. It made life a lot easier!