3 kids...7, 4 and 6 months- 1 double or 2 single strollers?

[todzwife]

If you had 3 kids, ages 7, 3 and 6 months would you bring a 2 single strollers or 1 double stroller? And if you could explain why you chose what you did, that would be great too

Oh, 2 parents, some aunt and uncles and a set of grandparents will be coming as well.

 

[CrazyDisneyMommy1]

I think a single stroller is much easier to get around the parks, crowds and especially the stores and shops. Plus if any part of the group wants to split up, each group could have a stroller if needed. But just my thoughts. Good luck!!

 

[deva]

I'd probably bring 1 double and 1 single - enough seats for everyone with no fighting/whining - unless you plan on oldest walking the entire time in which case go with 2 singles. Being able to split up is nice.

 

[Mommy3boys]

I am going this week with 4 boys - 6 (almost 7), 5, 3, and 1 (Yes, I am crazy!), and I am leaning toward bringing a single for the baby and renting a Disney double. That way the older 2 boys can take turns riding in the double and walking. The rental doubles are made for older kids and we loved it last time, when I really was "Mommy3boys".

 

[todzwife]

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[bluesuzy77]

I've had the same great stroller debate myself and voted for 2 singles. I've been asking all of my Disney Fan friends and they definitely recommend 2 singles since it is easier to maneuver around the parks, lines, stores, etc.

 

[Ashlander]

We did 2 single strollers on our first trip - worked out great. The second trip we had purchased a Joovy Caboose Ultralight...which was even better. I wouldn't take a double stroller - but a sit and stand I think would work out great.

 

[estherhead]

My opinion is to take a double & a baby carrier for the baby. Both parents pushing a stroller does get exhausting. We've done Disney before with kids similar ages in my '07 TR if you want to see what you're in for. The 6 month old was in a carrier a lot. And we did one stroller from home & a double Disney rental. If I did it again (which I won't cause my kids are big & I soooo better not have another) I would borrow my sister's double jogging stroller and just have the one.

 

[Perditamarie]

I would do a double...it is too much to wrangle 2 strollers, 1 baby and 1 diaper bag and 2 more kids on the buses. With a double stroller, 1 parent has free hands for baby. I also agree with the baby carrier idea, for lines and buses, etc.

 

[wdwfan16]

I voted two single.

1) The 6 month old will be more comfortable in a single stroller that they can nap in without disturbing the 4 year old.

2) A single stroller is easier handle in a crowd.

 

[star sweeper]

We owned a Graco Quattro front-to-back double and a Combi side-by side double stroller, but I purchased two Combi Urban singles for our trip to WDW in February. I decided to do singles for the following reasons:

1. Our kids get hostile with each other in the strollers when they are tired, with singles they could be separated
2. Singles would be easier to fold, carry on the bus, and manuever in the parks (ours weighed 10 lbs each)
3. We could split up, so one parent could get food while one changed a diaper for example
4. If one child became sick or overly tired, one parent could return to the room and the other parent isn't left with a double to transport around the parks

My DH laughed at me spending the money for two new strollers, but after our trip, he said it was the wisest choice. I'm keeping the singles, which we don't currently use often, for a Dec 2010 trip when they are 4.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I voted two single, although if you think your kids will want to ride a lot, I'd bring a single for the infant and rent a double. Two strollers allows your group to split up if necessary. If the 6-month old is napping in the stroller, the other parent can take the other two kids on rides (including across the park, if necessary).

The Disney's strollers don't recline, so I'd bring one from home for the littlest one.

If your six month old doesn't sit up in restaurant high chairs yet, I'd bring the stroller and infant carrier so you can use the carrier in restaurants. If your baby can sit in the high chairs, I'd bring a lightweight but reclinable stroller for him/her.

I'd expect your 3/4 year old (you have both ages listed, so I'm guessing that child turns 4 before the trip) to want to be in a stroller some. DD didn't use a stroller at 5, but she did at 4. If you think your seven year old will want to catch a ride from time to time, I'd rent a double, even though they are expensive. I probably wouldn't lug a single and a double from home. Your 7 year old might want to ride in Epcot and maybe AK, but DHS is pretty small and MK is still very walkable for a 7 year old. When my kids were 7 and 4, we rented a double and used the second seat for the camera bag and backpack (they weren't so expensive to rent back then). DD7 would hop in if we were in a hurry to get somewhere or if she wanted a place to sit to wait for the parade to start, but she didn't have any trouble walking through the parks.

 

[Mrs D]

I brought 2 singles for my trip last Sept. with a 3y.o. and 1y.o.
We had our extended family with us so lots of hands to help, but guess who was in charge for getting both kids out, all gear/bags out, strollers folded up, kids on bus, strollers on bus, gear on bus.

The next time go I'll try a double side by side. Only 1 thing to fold and carry.

Even with all those people (11 including kids) the kids never split up. Aunt or Grandma would sometime take the kids so DH & I could ride something, but she always to both kids.

That was my experience. HTH!

 

[todzwife]

Thanks for all the suggestions

 

[LocaRoja]

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[septbaby]

If you have a double and a single I'd bring both. At least 2 of your kids will want/need to be in a stroller all the time. Have the single available if someone is going to split off from the group or the 7yo is going to need the stroller.

If it won't cost you in terms of baggage fees and you don't have to buy one bring the single along. If you'd have to buy one I'd just rent one from Disney the day you think you'll need it. We rented one for our 5yo on our AK day: big hot park. Great choice then and we were able to get a stroller at MK for EHM with for the same one day rental feature, awesome perk. He's now 7 and I don't expect to rent a stroller for any portion of our trip. At this point we'd just slow down or head back to the resort if he got that tired.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

As long as there are two adults, I say two singles. Its single WAY easier to move around than a double, and it means that not only one person is pushing all the time.

 

[cmusschoot]

As reading these posts, I can see I am very out voted, but you asked...so here is my opinion...

I would vote for 1 double (sided by side).

I have 2 kids 2 and 4 and have been to disney 4 times with both kids. Each time I have had a double (side by side). They are much easier to get in/out of.

I find the double side by side easier because it always allows one parent to be hands free...in case something is dropped, someone wants to be held...etc.

I don't split up with my family so splitting up isn't an issue for my family. Our kids are closer in age so we are able to stay together for most of the rides etc.

Also for packing up and getting on the bus/boat/monorail...etc. 1 person takes kids, other takes stroller.

When getting food, one parent pushes stroller to the table gets kids set and other gets food...

I don't know if this will help as I am not apparently the "norm"...but thought some additional insight would be helpful.

Everyone at Disney has some sort of stroller and I find that everyone is relatively accomidating of everyone else...generally.

Have a magical trip!
Carrie

 

[halloweenbaby610]

For me it would depend on what you are planing to do. If you plan on spilting up at all during the day (like if you and one child wanted to get ice cream and your husband and the other two wanted to go ride a ride) then J would get 2 singles. But if you were going to be together the whole time, I would would get one double, that way you and your husband would be able to switch pushing so that you aren't both pushing a stroller all day.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I voted "other" because I was thinking double, but didn't know what kind of double you have (and was wondering "What if it was the 7-year-old who was tired and wanted to ride with the littlest one instead of the 4-year-old. Would it overbalance?") But then I saw that you have a bunch of extra adults, so you could just take two singles and not worry about that.