3 Kids - Stroller Suggestions

[ladybugsteph]

I'm planning a trip for the end of July with my 3 kids who are 7, 5, and a will-be 20 month old. Have any of you had an experiences with similar ages and bringing a stroller? I know it will be a necessity for us with the baby. I'm thinking of renting a City Mini Double and getting the glider board, but I've heard mixed reviews on pushing the stroller with the glider board attached. Anyone have experience with this? I'm wondering if just dropping the glider board and rotating the older two in the stroller would be a better option.

Any other suggestions/experiences?

 

[InStitchesinNE]

When my oldest was 5 she walked. We had 18 month old twins in a double stroller where she would occasionally take a break, but we generally just took breaks when she needed to. If we had a late night and all three were sleeping we would carry one twin and put her in for the ride back to the resort.

When she was 7 and the twins were three she NEVER went in the stroller. Ever. That was for babies. So I don't think you'll need a glider board, and you would probably be fine with a single if your five year old has as much energy as mine all do! If you are using the bus system, it's a PITA to drag along a double stroller. I'm so excited that this year the twins are 6 and we are going without any stroller

 

[Lmans77]

I would get the double, no glider board and rotate the older 2 kiddos. They will be fine. My 6 year old rode in a double last year, but not 100%. Just when she needed a break.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Our first family trip was when the boys were 7 and 5. Never even occurred to me to get a stroller. And they both would have been mortified if I suggested it! They would have looked at me like I had two heads! I always hear about the poor kids being tired, not able to keep up, etc., etc. That's when we took breaks. That's when we sat on a bench and had a snack. Ducked into a show so they could rest. Slowed down! They both did just fine with no complaints. I think most kids by 5--and definitely by 7!--can do the same.

 

[MmmSuite]

Get the double! Mine were 7, 6, and 20 months during our trip. I loved having it. It wasn't that bad on the buses. I liked just dropping the bag in the other seat and not having to bend and lift every few rides. I am that Mom who shoves big ones in the stroller to make my life easier.

 

[ladybugsteph]

Oh! I didn't even think about shoving the baby on the oldest's lap! Love it! A single just won't be an option with the 5 year old, even though that would be ideal since we plan on using the bus. He's a complainer, not to mention has issues with his knees at night after a lot of activity (podiatrist prescribed stretches every night). I think we will throw the idea of the glider board out. I'm willing to bet the 7 yo will be ok in general with breaks thrown in.

Thanks for the suggestions!! So very helpful.

 

[Daldea]

I would get the double, no glider board and rotate the older 2 kiddos. They will be fine. My 6 year old rode in a double last year, but not 100%. Just when she needed a break.

We brought our maclaren twin with a buggy board last year for my kids who were 6, 4 and 23 mos at the time. My kids did use it but I found it to be a hassle at times. After a few days we just stopped bringing it to the parks and the kids would rotate turns.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I haven't tried it, but I've heard that the addition of the glider board is more trouble than it's worth.

 

[kat_lh]

We're going in 20 days with my 6.5, 4.5 and 10 month old. Just renting the city mini double. If the big girl absolutely needs the break, I can wear the baby and let her ride

 

[Kathryn777]

Totally agree. We used the city mini double with our 7, 4 and 21 month old. The oldest didn't want to ride much but we did have a few moments like the picture!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

We haven't gotten a stroller since our girls were 4 and 6. Now we have one because we have an infant.

 

[MmmSuite]

Oh! I didn't even think about shoving the baby on the oldest's lap! Love it! A single just won't be an option with the 5 year old, even though that would be ideal since we plan on using the bus. He's a complainer, not to mention has issues with his knees at night after a lot of activity (podiatrist prescribed stretches every night). I think we will throw the idea of the glider board out. I'm willing to bet the 7 yo will be ok in general with breaks thrown in.

Thanks for the suggestions!! So very helpful.

You're welcome! I didn't have to let the oldest or even the middle ride a lot but on the way out with the crowds and everyone compressing in, especially at HS, it was nice putting them all in!

 

[ladybugsteph]

We're going in 20 days with my 6.5, 4.5 and 10 month old. Just renting the city mini double. If the big girl absolutely needs the break, I can wear the baby and let her ride

That's kind of what I was thinking. I have an Ergo, and I might bring that along. Especially to EPCOT where strollers are practically banned LOL

 

[SweetPeas9825]

We are going in October, our kids will be almost 6, 4 & a half and 9 months. Im thinking either a double and letting the 2 big ones take turns and then also bringing my ergo to wear the baby just in case. But im also thinking maybe 2 singles instead. That may be easier with the transportation and hubby and i could split up if we'd like. Not sure yet though.

 

[kat_lh]

We are going in October, our kids will be almost 6, 4 & a half and 9 months. Im thinking either a double and letting the 2 big ones take turns and then also bringing my ergo to wear the baby just in case. But im also thinking maybe 2 singles instead. That may be easier with the transportation and hubby and i could split up if we'd like. Not sure yet though.

The biggest problem to two singles though (IMO) is what happens if you end up by yourself with both the strollers?

 

[SweetPeas9825]

I guess I Cant really think of a situation in which that would happen. It just seems more convenient for us especially since I can take the baby back for a nap if need be while hubby stays with the bigger kids. I also can see how the kids do and maybe only bring one of the singles sometimes since the bigger kids dont use a stroller at home anymore. We'll see I guess, still deciding but leaning towards two singles.

 

[Pinkos]

I guess I Cant really think of a situation in which that would happen. It just seems more convenient for us especially since I can take the baby back for a nap if need be while hubby stays with the bigger kids. I also can see how the kids do and maybe only bring one of the singles sometimes since the bigger kids dont use a stroller at home anymore. We'll see I guess, still deciding but leaning towards two singles.

I'm with the pp. we did 2 singles once thinking like u, it was a nightmare. Even if one adult needs to use the washroom, and u r pushing the stroller to soothe a crying baby .. The 5 min u have to stop ( or longer if bathroom line is long) is torture!! Or if the 2 youngest are napping after a long hot day and one adult wants to take the oldest to do a ride ... These and many more scenarios are what made me always bring a dbl after our trip with two singles. It just wasn't that convenient. If u want to take baby back and leave hubby with 2 kiddies, I suggest wearing the baby back and leaving the dbl with hubby.

 

[SweetPeas9825]

Did you guys find the double a pain on the bus? (I think it's a bus? We're staying at pop century).

 

[Pinkos]

I found single and dbl strollers equally annoying on the bus. Lol. But I refuse to do Disney parks without a stroller, my kids just can't walk all the time and I would be stressed they would run.

 

[MmmSuite]

The double is fine on the bus. Stand/sit near the back door if it's crowded. I agree, do not take two strollers. That means no one would ever get a break from pushing. If the CMs move your strollers to stroller parking (which happens often) they would be split up and you'd be hunting for two. Again...no one would ever get a break from pushing. lol And there are moments in Disney where you just want to run and enjoy something.

We went to Wishes late and found and AWESOME spot and had to quickly ditch our stroller in a little nook. If you have to leave just give the stroller to the parent with the most and or the youngest kids! Enjoy!