2 strollers or a double?

[momofmikey]

Hi. This may seem like a silly question, but here goes. We have an almost 3 yo DS and a 7 month old DS. Normally, my oldest son is not into sitting in his stroller because he likes to explore so much. However, I know he'll be exhausted and need to nap during the day. He has fallen asleep before in an umbrella stroller - doesn't appear too comfy, but he's fine. We were going to take the umbrella stoller for him, and a Kolcraft stroller for my son (reclines and not too big). I'm debating though on taking my double stroller. I used it yesterday in the mall, and my oldest was great in it! Sat in it the whole time. If I take the 2 strollers, I'm hoping I can fold up the umbrella stroller when it's not being used (which will be a good amount) and put it in the basket of the other. That gives us some more mobility. Or should I take the big double stroller? We're staying at the Poly and driving, so we may not be on any buses at all, so folding it up won't be a problem.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[tink2]

You will get a lot of different opinions on this one....
So, here's mine. I personally prefer two different strollers, especially with a 7 mo. The baby will probably sleep more than the 3 yo. While the baby is asleep, someone can take the 3 yo to other places and get some things ridden. My husband and I do this a lot.
I think it depends on your personal preference and your children.
Good luck deciding.

 

[TJA]

Yes, I agree that you'll get lots of different thoughts on this subject. My personal preference is one double stroller. That way, you can keep everything in one place. Two strollers just creates more things to maneuver, pack, and keep track of. In our case, we had to actually experience it before knowing what worked the best for us. All kids are different....so good luck with your decision!

 

[momofmikey]

Thanks for your opinions! Anyone else?

 

[JVL1018]

We just went in Sept. with our 2 yr old and almost 4 year old and brought our smaller double(Kolcraft side by side0 and it was definately easier than 2 singles, if one of us went somehwerw with our son, he stayed in the stroller while our daughter walked.
BTW the year before when he was 1 and she was 3 I brought the same double and though she rarely wanted to use a stroller at home, in WDW she sat with no complaints most of the trip.
My dilemma is next year, she will be turning 5 on the trip. Right now she is obviously never in a stroller here at home, but WDW is so big. I think the stroller will be way heavy with a 3 and 5 yr old, so am leaning towards 2 singles, but don't know if she will sit it enough to make it worth the hassle.
Maybe I'll take one for my son and rent one for my daughter if need be. ???

 

[Genny]

I just got back with a 3 year old and a 7 month old. We took 2 strollers and that worked out well. One thing to consider with the double is how much your 3 year old will distract the baby while it is trying to nap.

Have fun.

 

[HitchhikingGhost]

I agree with Tink2 and Genny. Two it is.

 

[motaei]

OK. Here's another thought? When mine were that age, we went to DL. I took the double stoller (not the side by side one) AND a backpack for my little one. She would NOT sleep in the stroller (scream like a banshee, but not sleep), so when it was nap time, I would put her on my back & she was out like a light. When they were awake, they would switch back & forth for who was in front. As previously mentioned, all kids are different.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I just got back with an almost 3yo (also named Mikey) and 6mo DD. We brought our double stroller. It worked out well for the most part. DD's infant seat fits in the double, so it was easy to carry her into restaurants. There were times where I wished I had 2 small strollers. Ours is the Jeep tandem stroller which seems to be longer than most other double strollers. We walked from the car to the park entrances to avoid having to fold it up for the trams. I also brought a baby carrier. Well actually I forgot mine and had to buy one at Target on the way.

 

[swilphil]

I liked taking 1 double--that way you only have 1 stroller to fold up at busses, etc., and keep track of in the parks. While you're on rides, the CMs will move strollers. My kids were 3 and 11 months. It was great to have the 3 yo in the stroller to keep the younger one entertained. Also my very active 3 yo stayed in the stroller much better at WDW than anywhere else. It was also nice to have the big double stroller in case one parent wanted to take both kids someplace, and it made a good storage spot for purchases, etc., when the 3 yo got out of it.

 

[kbkids]

We went in February with a 5 yr old and a 2 yr old. We took a double stroller AND a single stroller. The 2 yr old rode the single stroller and was able to nap without his sister bothering him getting in and out of the stroller. The 5 yr old rode in the double stroller, and we used the extra seat for a small cooler and all our gear. Yes, it was a BIG pain getting into the parks, but once we got in, it was SOOO nice.

 

[KAM2]

We have gone on numerous occasions with 2 strollers. Twice we had a little one under age 1. The double strollers are very cumbersome on the Disney buses. With 2 strollers you can "divide and conquer"! My DH and I would split up at times and each take a stroller (we have 4 kids) (we also would have our walkies!!)
The best hint I ever got off these boards though was about the "Over the shoulder Baby Sling"!!! I would never go to Disney with a baby without this sling now that I have experienced going with one!!! I would strap the baby on (or DH would) and we would go! Baby would fall asleep and sleep through shows......made it so easy in the lines to hold the little one. Sometime we would just take one stroller and the sling. When baby would be in the sling an older child could ride in the stroller!

As they got a bit older we would take one stroller and rent one if times got desperate with tired little legs-------still beats carrying around that double stroller !

 

[2d_star_to_the_right]

When we go we bring 2 cheap umbrella strollars and we bought locking clips out of the One Step catalogue. This way the strollars can be locked together for a "double" of used as 2 singles. We did one double stroller one year and found that it was too hard to negotiate through the crowds and getting on and off trams and buses was alot more difficult- especially if they were crowded- we tried to avoid them but sometimes we had no choice such as the monorail not running.

I like the flexibility of 2 strollars. You can also consider a sit and stand one strollar although the sitting board doesn't look too comfortable and riding backwards is not terribly interesting. I would bring a comfortable lightweight strollar for the baby and go with a cheap, lightweight strollar for the toddler and get locking clips for an option.

just thoughts