3 year-old stoller advice please!

[shelly3girls]

We will be traveling to the Poly for a 5 day trip in March. We do not plan to spend too much time in the parks as this will be more or a relaxation trip. We figure in the parks we will rent a double stroller for DD 3 and 5, but I want a light-weight stroller for the airport, DTD, and everywhere else. I do not want to bring my heavy Graco. I do not mind spending some money for a stroller that I can use until DD is atleast 4 (another year). I am considering the Maclaren Triumph ($115) because I hear that it is light, compact, and very easy to stear. Any opinions? Will this stroller be big enough for DD3 (42", 30lbs)?

I also hope to use this stroller a year from now at the WDW marathon when DD will be almost 4. We will be staying at BCV so we will have to take the stroller on and off buses.

 

[famfab5]

I am buying the Chicco Caddy for our trip in May. My ds will be almost 3 and around 35 lbs. This stroller is rated highly and I have tried it out at the store myself. (babies r us-the online site sometimes has great deals) It folds very small and is easy to unfold with one hand. It is only rated to age three but my son fit fine in it with plenty of room to spare. I also like that it comes with a rain cover! It is also much less expensive than the Maclaren which I was looking at as well so I won't be upset if something happens to it on our trip...

Hope this helps!

E.

 

[NotUrsula]

Except the Volo, I believe all Macs now come with a rainshield. A Mac is the best lightweight for a heavier child, they have the best suspension of any non-jogger on the market, with the possible exception of really high-end fat tire carriage models such as Emmaljungas and Bertinis.

The Peg Pliko (or the now-discontinued-in-the-US Chicco 2002 and Trekking models) will accomodate the largest child, but although they are compact, they are not lightweight, around 20 lbs.

 

[shelly3girls]

Thank you both for your opinions! It really stresses me to have to order online without getting to try out the stroller, but it is not in stock at the store. Again thanks for the help!

 

[famfab5]

Just found the Chicco Caddy... if that is what your going with is on sale on Amazon.com for 49.99 with an additional 10.00 off using code 010734. Actually, all strollers over 40.00 can use that code so you may find one you like even better!

Hope this helps,

E.

 

[shelly3girls]

Do you know the weight of the Chicco is? The Mac is 11 lbs. I would love to save the money but not if it weighs too much.

 

[famfab5]

13 lbs!

Here is the link...I'm getting mine today!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../002-6106283-0360840?v=glance&s=baby&n=698240

E.

 

[shelly3girls]

that stroller looks perfect only I don't know if I could do without the basket??

 

[megan2346]

I have the Chicco Caddy for my three year old and it works get. We took it to Italy last year and I am so glad we had it. I bought a mesh bag that hangs off the handles and we have been able to put a lot in it. We went to Busch Gardens last summer and fir 4 bottles of water, a couple of soda's, snacks, and my son's favorite blanket. Worked great.
Megan

 

[NotUrsula]

If you want a basket for the Caddy, you can order one direct from Chicco. I think they run about $7.

The truth is that you really are better off at WDW not using the basket if you can help it; just put your stuff in a school backpack and sling it on the handles; that way you can grab it easily when going into rides/shows. If you fill the basket, you will always have to empty it whenever you need to fold the stroller for busses, trams, or the MK train.

 

[Luv2trav]

I am in the same position with my 3 year old....

Do any of these strollers recline?

 

[Luv2trav]

I am considering the following strollers

http://www.strollers4less.com/p/productdetails.asp/p/Chicco_London_Stroller

http://www.strollers4less.com/p/productdetails.asp/p/Combi_Travel_Savvy_w_Acoustic_Canopy_

 

[NotUrsula]

All of the strollers noted in the above posts recline to some degree, except for the Mac Volo.

I have the older version of what it now the Chicco London; it is a rework of what used to be called the Fly3. Very decent stroller, very light, with an especially tall hood height, but it tends to become a bit hard to steer with a load of more than about 30 lbs.

Note that the Savvy, like all Combis, is going to be a bit on the short side. I don't advise it if either you or your child are taller than avg. (For an adult, I'd say about 5'8" is the upper comfort limit. Most American men have to stoop a bit to push a Combi.)

 

[MOMO2DK]

The best thing I like about my Volo stroller when traveling is that when my son (2 1/2) wants to get out and walk, I can fold it up and use the shoulder strap to carry it.

 

[HappyMommy2]

I can't say enough great things about my Volo. It's mainly for my 30-pound 2-year-old, but occasionally he'll let my older DS (4 years old, 40 pounds) ride in it for a while and it works very well even with a 40-pounder in it! I am 5'10" so the taller handles are truly a godsend for me. I also appreciate the great one-handed steering, which my Combi travel stroller did not have. The basket is a good size and easily accessible.
I LOVE how light the Volo is--I have, like someone else said, actually carried it with the shoulder strap when neither kid wanted to ride!

On the other hand, I will need to purchase the sun canopy/accessory package for WDW trips (an extra $50) so with the $95 I already paid for the stroller the Volo is pretty expensive.
Also, the Volo doesn't recline at all, which for some kids might be a problem (my DS has slept in it just fine, however).

There are quite a few great stroller options out there these days. Have fun!

 

[mikenzacksmom]

If you are interested in the Chicco stroller with the basket, here is a online store that provides it.
http://www.allkidsstuff.com/details.php?sku=663
The yellow is sold out but the rust color is still available. It comes out to be about 2.00 more than at Amazon with the discount code and the storage basket is included along with the other things that come with the stroller.


Michelle

 

[shelly3girls]

I have the Combi stroller and am very unhappy with it. It is a great stroller when your child is less than 25lbs. Once my DD hit 25lbs it became difficult to push and turn. I am only 5'6" and found the handle to be too short. I do like how it folds up very compact, but overall I thought it was a waste of money. It sounds like I may have the same stearing problem with the Chicco. That said, I loved my twin Savvy! I could not have gotten a better double stroller, it survived many trips but unfortunately we have outgrown it.

Babies R Us is currently having a sale. I found the Mac Triumph for $119 which seems like a pretty good price. I also saw it on ebay for $5 less (including shipping). I was amazed at how easily the Mac turned with just one hand even with my 5 year old sitting in it!

Again, thank you everyone for your advice.

NotUrsula
Good point about the basket, I didn't really think of that. Mostly I use the basket for a change of clothes for my younger DD which I can normally leave in the basket when I fold up my Graco. I will have to test it out in the other strollers.

 

[aimaleigh]

I have the Chicco London stroller it is great it has a canopy, raincoat, and a bag under neath. It is really light although I think it only holds 33lbs. The mcclellan one holds more weight although it is alot more.

Below is the linkd for it. It does come in red or blue.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...?dev-t=D2GPY4FLPNIDH9&camp=2025&link_code=xm2


Hope this helps
Aimee

 

[pcottrell]

Happymommy2,
I saw that you stated that you needed to buy an accessory pack for your volo. There are some available on ebay. I am not sure how much they will wind up going for, but it is worth a look to see if you can save some $$$. Here is a link.
http://search-desc.ebay.com/search/...perty=1&from=R10&sotextsearched=2&BasicSearch

I have a volo with the accessory pack and love it!!

HTH,
Paige

 

[HappyMommy2]

Originally posted by pcottrell
Happymommy2,
I saw that you stated that you needed to buy an accessory pack for your volo. There are some available on ebay. I am not sure how much they will wind up going for, but it is worth a look to see if you can save some $$$. Here is a link.
http://search-desc.ebay.com/search/...perty=1&from=R10&sotextsearched=2&BasicSearch

I have a volo with the accessory pack and love it!!

HTH,
Paige

Thanks for the link, Paige!