$31 rental for a double stroller.

[WoodysRoundup]

I am appalled at the comments that suggest that because of a child's age and size they should not be in a stroller. You do not know the circumstances of WHY that child is in a stroller. And you better believe that I would much rather trade all my son's disabilities for a child who DOES NOT NEED to be in a stroller. However, that is not our reality.

For some reasons I am dreading our trip (while also excited at the same time...weird i know) for this precise reason. Those people that most certainly make up a large portion of the population who are ignorant of disabilities and what families have to go through (and plan) in order for their disabled child to be able to enjoy WDW too. Honestly, I am almost in tears writing this (but I'm at work so have to hold it together).
.

I am in complete agreement with you and support your views 100%.

And about the price increase.........I am so put off by Disney now and I'm a life-long Disney fanatic. This may be our last trip for a while. I am that angry. It really is highway robbery. I also have 2 children w/ special circumstances and we need that double......at $31 a day!!???

 

[eliza61]

While I agree with you that there are some people who will rent and pay whatever they charge just to have the convenience of the rentals, there are many of us who have a breaking point and will flat out refuse to pay that price. I, for one, have hit the breaking point. I will NOT pay that price. No way, no how. And honestely, part of it is just the point of it. I do not like being ripped off, and those prices are a rip-off.

The only way that a company will realize that enough is enough is if people stop paying what they are asking. Threats are meaningless, actions count.

My kids love a certain brand of yogurt. It started out that they were .59 a piece, then . 69, then .79, etc. Well, our supermarket just raised them to $1.09. Done. I refuse to pay that regardless if it is convenient or not. Target sells them for .59 regular price. I know this is a little off-topic, but I do think that most of us have a breaking point.

I keep telling myself that too, but just like the strollers some times I do pay the extra for the convience. Just like your example, we have these stores called "WaWa" down here (I'm in south Jersey) and every thing is double the cost of the supermarket because of the convience. Unfortunately, they do a booming business from folks like me who will say, yep I'll pay the $2.00 more on a gallon of milk (5.50 as opposed to $4.00) if I can get in and out under 5 minutes. Every time I buy a 2 liter bottle of coke from them at $3.00 bucks, I say that's it, but I go back because of no parking hassles, no crowds, fill up with gas at the same time and be out in under 10 minutes.

 

[kwelch10377]

I find some of the comments on this thread offensive.

My ds is 4 1/2 and looks 6 1/2. He also is autistic and has epilepsy. He has low muscle tone and developmental delays. From what I gather from some of the comments if my son is not able to handle the parks at his age (regardless of his diabilities) without a stroller then he shouldn't be there at all.

My ds is on medication for his epilepsy which can make him very tired. If we do not have a stroller for him WDW is without a doubt not an option for us as he will fall asleep instantly wherever and whatever he is doing.

If he has a meltdown and cries (for whatever reason) am I to immediately remove him from the park so as not to ruin other guests experiences? If he has a seizure are we then supposed to carry our ds to the nearest first aid station? If he is too tired to continue walking after 1 hour then I guess he just has no business being there?

I am appalled at the comments that suggest that because of a child's age and size they should not be in a stroller. You do not know the circumstances of WHY that child is in a stroller. And you better believe that I would much rather trade all my son's disabilities for a child who DOES NOT NEED to be in a stroller. However, that is not our reality.

For some reasons I am dreading our trip (while also excited at the same time...weird i know) for this precise reason. Those people that most certainly make up a large portion of the population who are ignorant of disabilities and what families have to go through (and plan) in order for their disabled child to be able to enjoy WDW too. Honestly, I am almost in tears writing this (but I'm at work so have to hold it together).

Thank for reading my rant (if you made it this far)...

I am also sorry that you feel this way. I personally don't care if a 20 year old sits in a stroller as long as it was paid for and used in an appropriate manner. Many times people don't understand is that apperance isn't everything and you shouldn't judge things just based on that.

I know it is easier said than done but I hope you can forget about what other people think or many be thinking and enjoy your trip

 

[Kady]

I'm sorry you feel this way but you really shouldn't take everyones opinion seriously that has nothing to do with your situation. If you lived your life like that you'll always be in tears.

Sorry i don't know how to quote.

But how do the disparaging comments and stares from people not have anything to do with my situation? How is it that people and their ignorance towards people with disabilities is not relevant to me and my ds and our family? My ds has to live in this world with people like this and he will have to face this everyday of his life. And believe me it only gets more difficult as he gets older and his behaviour is not deemed age appropriate.

I realize this thread is about the price increase and I apologize as my comments are obviously deemed more inappropriate than others. I will no longer be posting any more threads on this message board.

 

[LastGracefulPirate]

I find some of the comments on this thread offensive.

My ds is 4 1/2 and looks 6 1/2. He also is autistic and has epilepsy. He has low muscle tone and developmental delays. From what I gather from some of the comments if my son is not able to handle the parks at his age (regardless of his diabilities) without a stroller then he shouldn't be there at all.

My ds is on medication for his epilepsy which can make him very tired. If we do not have a stroller for him WDW is without a doubt not an option for us as he will fall asleep instantly wherever and whatever he is doing.

If he has a meltdown and cries (for whatever reason) am I to immediately remove him from the park so as not to ruin other guests experiences? If he has a seizure are we then supposed to carry our ds to the nearest first aid station? If he is too tired to continue walking after 1 hour then I guess he just has no business being there?

I am appalled at the comments that suggest that because of a child's age and size they should not be in a stroller. You do not know the circumstances of WHY that child is in a stroller. And you better believe that I would much rather trade all my son's disabilities for a child who DOES NOT NEED to be in a stroller. However, that is not our reality.

For some reasons I am dreading our trip (while also excited at the same time...weird i know) for this precise reason. Those people that most certainly make up a large portion of the population who are ignorant of disabilities and what families have to go through (and plan) in order for their disabled child to be able to enjoy WDW too. Honestly, I am almost in tears writing this (but I'm at work so have to hold it together).

Thank for reading my rant (if you made it this far)...

I can sympathize (somewhat) with you! My nephew is autistic, and while he might look 'normal'- there are reasons he does require special assistance. My Brother and SIL handle the rude stares with such grace and class - I am amazed. Not Me! I'll be the first one to speak up for you to any rude 'adults'. I hope you have a great trip next time you go- regardless of the many ignorant people.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I want a new signature:


14 day SUV rental from Alamo - $377.
14 day stroller rental from Disney - $434.
Disney's audacity - Priceless.

so true

 

[cmash95]

I am glad of the price increase only because there will be fewer doubles in the parks. I go to the parks all the time and it's getting very hard to get around especially atMK. I have actually been in parts of fantasyland and frontierland where between the doublewide strollers parked and the line spillover you had a traffic jam that took several minutes to get through.not my idea of a good time or a safe situation.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I'm sorry you feel this way but you really shouldn't take everyones opinion seriously that has nothing to do with your situation. If you lived your life like that you'll always be in tears.

Sorry i don't know how to quote.

But how do the disparaging comments and stares from people not have anything to do with my situation? How is it that people and their ignorance towards people with disabilities is not relevant to me and my ds and our family? My ds has to live in this world with people like this and he will have to face this everyday of his life. And believe me it only gets more difficult as he gets older and his behaviour is not deemed age appropriate.

I realize this thread is about the price increase and I apologize as my comments are obviously deemed more inappropriate than others. I will no longer be posting any more threads on this message board.

I hope you stay. The DIS is a great board. You will not always agree with others but hey so what. Just keep on chatting and posting.

 

[bartleby1]

And about the price increase.........I am so put off by Disney now and I'm a life-long Disney fanatic. This may be our last trip for a while. I am that angry. It really is highway robbery. I also have 2 children w/ special needs and we need that double......at $31 a day!!???

I completely understand where you are coming from. I, too, am a life-long disney fanatic but we had some bad experiences last summer with our room condition, housekeeping, stroller rental, ECV rental, and souveiner purchases that left us with a bad taste in our mouth. Totally Un-Disneylike. I've had about 8 mths to kind of forget about the bad and concentrate on the good and was just about to look into planning another trip for this summer. But, as I was writing my email to disney regarding the stroller increases, I found myself rehashing the problems from last trip and I'm in a totally Non-Disney place right now. I'm really not sure I want to spend all of that money to possibly have the same issues this year and then on top of it they throw this rip-off stroller thing out there. Maybe I will feel better after sleeping on it, but right now I'm not feeling any magic, just anger at the greed of corporate america. I guess part of it is that I hate where our economy is heading and then my "escape from reality" place is jumping right in and socking it to us also. My brain understands that they are a business, but my disney heart is feeling sad.

 

[jdb0822]

$31 a day is fine with me, as long as mickey mouse himself is pushing it.

Otherwise, good god what an increase.

For us, we have a 5 & 7 yr DD that normally sit in a double stroller. Sure, they are obviously big enough to walk, but little legs tire easy, and for us the stroller has always been a stroller and a shopping cart

So, since spending $100+ is nuts, what decent double strollers are out there. For that price, I might as well buy something!

 

[boomhauer]

Here's what I don't get:

Disney brings out Magical Express for free in 2005. Why? To keep people from renting cars, ie, to keep people on Disney property.

You've got 1 out of 2 likely scenarios here:

1.Bus congestion, where Disney will need to have more buses running to get guests back and forth since so far less will fit on each bus because of the strollers. More gas, more drivers, more bus maintenance.

2.People start renting cars, leaving Disney property.

What am I missing here?

 

[agentpleakley]

FTR, I just reserved an SUV through Alamo for our summer trip for $378. A double stroller rental would have cost me $434.

I just found out about the price increase this morning and I was heart broken! Our trip is coming up fast- April 25th, and we had budgeted to rent a double stroller at $18 a day for DS 2 and DS6. I did call Disney and spoke with several people who did confirm the increase ($27 a day for extended days) and most agreed it was high. I was hoping that I could reserve one at this price but no. So with a ticket or room rate increase- I can plan ahead, but with the stroller price increase I'm stuck?! This is just sickening! I'm not going to purchase a double stoller - because it's hard to find a stroller that would accomodate my 6yo. But I will be buying an umbrella for my 2yo. Regarless, we planned on taking breaks every afternoon- but it is NO ONE'S business if my 6yo needs a break. As one person commented- it makes him/her sick to see 6-7-8 yo in stollers all day. Just because you see one resting at 8:00 pm DOES NOT mean they have been in there all day!!! Our family has been saving for quite a while to be able to take a trip to Disney and WE will decide what WE need to make OUR trip more enjoyable for OUR family. WDW is a place designed for CHILDREN (of all ages)- and is a more appropriate place for cranky and tired 6YO than for judgmental adults who give condesending stares - even tho they have no idea what the conditions may or may not be. And if my child happens to have a brief melt down on our 10th day because he's tired of walking- so be it. If an adult doesn't want to see a cranky child- you're in the wrong place, try the Bahamas next time.

I just wanted to say excellent post.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I guess part of it is that I hate where our economy is heading and then my "escape from reality" place is jumping right in and socking it to us also. My brain understands that they are a business, but my disney heart is feeling sad.

couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[livie1205]

I want a new signature:


14 day SUV rental from Alamo - $377.
14 day stroller rental from Disney - $434.
Disney's audacity - Priceless.

we should ALL send this to wdw e mail....

 

[LastGracefulPirate]

I am also sorry that you feel this way. I personally don't care if a 20 year old sits in a stroller as long as it was paid for and used in an appropriate manner. Many times people don't understand is that apperance isn't everything and you shouldn't judge things just based on that.

I know it is easier said than done but I hope you can forget about what other people think or many be thinking and enjoy your trip

I think she has a point. We shouldn't care how/what other people think who don't know us or our situation. I just wish it was that easy for me!!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Yeah good point I already sent my email but I can send it again

 

[LilGMom]

I am glad of the price increase only because there will be fewer doubles in the parks. I go to the parks all the time and it's getting very hard to get around especially atMK. I have actually been in parts of fantasyland and frontierland where between the doublewide strollers parked and the line spillover you had a traffic jam that took several minutes to get through.not my idea of a good time or a safe situation.

The MK and other theme parks will still be jammed with strollers, just not as many WDW strollers. There are more than a few companies in the Orlando area where you can rent strollers for a lot less than $31/day. We will be using one of these companies during our May trip. So while the number of WDW strollers might go down I don't think that the overall number of strollers will go down.

 

[Suzanne74]

For us, we have a 5 & 7 yr DD that normally sit in a double stroller. Sure, they are obviously big enough to walk, but little legs tire easy, and for us the stroller has always been a stroller and a shopping cart

So, since spending $100+ is nuts, what decent double strollers are out there. For that price, I might as well buy something!

I think your post alone is one of the main reasons Disney IS increasing prices.

 

[we6clarks]

I guess we will be taking our own strollers. We have 4 children and have been renting 2 double strollers but I don't think it is worth the $ with this price increase.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

The MK and other theme parks will still be jammed with strollers, just not as many WDW strollers. There are more than a few companies in the Orlando area where you can rent strollers for a lot less than $31/day. We will be using one of these companies during our May trip. So while the number of WDW strollers might go down I don't think that the overall number of strollers will go down.

Absolutely true.