4 kids and 17 strollers later...I've FINALLY found the PERFECT one!!

[Jenny-momof3]

Sorry this is long...but I always see so many people posting for stroller recs that I wanted to give my 2 cents.

Yes, you read that right! I've owned 17 strollers through the years! In my defense my kids are spaced really far apart ( 17,13,6 and just turned 2). So I got new strollers with each kid for various reasons...travel system, double strollers, lightweight strollers,etc. I've owned Graco, Evenflo, Combi, Peg Perego, Joovy and Maclarens.

My last stroller purchase I was REALLY hoping would be my final one! Before having my 4th child we had just purchased a Maclaren Quest mainly to use just at Disney. After 1 trip, it tipping over constantly, not a great sunshade, etc. my DH insisted we get a new stroller before the next trip with baby #4. So we purchased the Joovy Kooper after using it in store and loving it! It had everything I wanted for a lightweight stroller...huge sunshade, comfy seat, folds small, storage basket,etc. I loved this stroller for the 6 Disney trips we took with it. But this last trip, it was getting harder to fold up and much harder to push...my son is only 24 pounds and the weight limit goes much higher than that so it shouldn't be an issue. The stroller was getting a bit frustrating on this past trip! Dissapointed because I've given so many rave reviews of it on here and was really hoping that this would last us til we were stroller free!

We've still got another 10 trips or so ahead of us where we need a stroller! So...I FINALLY broke down and bought a City Mini! Wow! The difference in the ease of use vs. this of the Joovy or the Maclarens ( Triumph and Quest) are unbelieveable! You really can fold it one handed while wresting a toddler! The ride on it is sooo smooth...even for a bigger kid ( I had my 45 lb. 6 yr old sit in it for awhile). The canopy and storage is the same as the Joovy...except you can store stuff in the mesh bag in the back too. It didn't come with cupholders so I just bought the attachment. I also got a cooler that attaches at the bottom.

I ordered a 2011 model and got it for $160. I figure even if I only use it for Disney trips I would be paying $16/trip for the next 10 trips. Heck, that's less than the cost of a 1 day rental in the parks!

We've used a double City Mini last summer while vacationing with my friend's family as well. We had no issue with that on the buses so I know the single is going to be even easier! I'm excited to use it on our next trip in 3 weeks!

 

[blessedby3]

Your post could have been written by me! I said the same thing a couple of years ago when we bought our BJCM! My kids are very spaced out too...22, 16, 13, and 4. I have owned countless strollers and love the BJCM. We bought it for WDW specifically. It has done great on our last trips and we will be using it again in October. We also have a couple of Macs and they are our second favorite...especially for an older child who doesnt nap in the stroller at WDW.
I had the same thoughts about my carseat for dd4. We ordered a Britax Marathon for her and put her in it at 6 mos. Wish I had known about these when my other kids were in car seats. We have just bought her a Frontier and love that just as much!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

great thread

I'm also a mom of four and there is a bit of an age gap between my two oldest and two youngest children, so I too feel like I've owned tons of different models of various baby equipment. A really good stroller isn't easy to come by so when you finally find the ONE it's like it was heaven sent

 

[kuhltiffany]

I only have 2 kids and I've owned over 50 different strollers, including ABC, Jane, Phil & Teds, Valco, Mountain Buggy and other expensive models. The Baby Jogger City Mini was one I found fairly late, unfortunately, but absolutely agree with you! It's the easiest to use and most versatile. Their customer service is awesome as well, in case you ever have to use it. And NO one can beat those canopies!

 

[mobesfamily]

Bumping because I ABSOLUTELY agree!!! I was lucky enough to find out about the DBJCM when we had to switch to a side-by-side from front-to-back (kicking!). Been using it for over 2 1/2 years (LOTS of mileage) and it is still in great shape. Completely worth the price!

 

[disney*mom*82]

That is the stroller I really want. I cant find it locally and I dont like ordering it online and not knowing how she will fit in it and how it rides, but man this makes me want to just order it. How tall was anyones children while riding in the stroller? My DD4 is 32lbs and 44in tall. I just want to make sure she will be comfortable. We leave for WDW in 5 days, thinking if I decide to buy this I will probably just have it shipped to our resort.

Thanks!

 

[mobesfamily]

That is the stroller I really want. I cant find it locally and I dont like ordering it online and not knowing how she will fit in it and how it rides, but man this makes me want to just order it. How tall was anyones children while riding in the stroller? My DD4 is 32lbs and 44in tall. I just want to make sure she will be comfortable. We leave for WDW in 5 days, thinking if I decide to buy this I will probably just have it shipped to our resort.

Thanks!

My twins are 39" and 40" tall, both weigh about 38 lbs and both are still comfortable in the City Mini (just used it 2 days ago!). Thankfully the stroller itself is so light or I wouldn't be able to push almost 80lbs of kids in it
So easy to maneuver, fold up, carry. They love to pull the sun shades down to "hide", like being in their own little caves.
You won't regret getting this stroller.

 

[Juliet25]

The sunshade and the fully reclining seat really make this stroller a great choice for Disney.

I do, however, find it frustrating that all the accessories have to be purchased separately. C'mon, Baby Jogger--a tray and adult cup holder should be standard.

 

[kuhltiffany]

This is the best cupholder I found and loved (we had the double).

http://carryyou.com/sicily-double-stroller-cup-holder.html

 

[3pletprincesses]

I will ahve to agree with your post. I've had the city micro ( a single and double) for our triplets and have had a triplet stroller when they were babies and another one which I can't remember. I loved my city micro. Now we are expecting our 4th child and the micro doesn't recline fully therefor I bought the mini for $170 . All I have to say is that you can't go wrong with the micro or mini, The best strollers imo!!

 

[mickeygaga]

Ditto! My children are spaced out as well ( 18,14,11,5,2) and I totally agree! I love the City Mini! I am so happy with this stroller. Hooray for You!!

 

[my3kids143]

Oh, how I love this stroller! Prior to going to Disney I had never even heard of the brand until we rented the double version through OSR.
I can't believe how incredibly easy it is to steer, and folding it was a breeze!

My two youngest are 3 and 4 now and although we purchased two Joovy Koopers over a year ago I bit the bullet and just purchased two new 2012 version single City Mini's off of eBay over the wekend that will come in handy for our upcoming trip in May.
I agree, as nice as the Joovy Kooper is it is nothing compared to the City Mini. The best stroller, by far! It makes travelling with little ones so much more easier.

 

[Jacks2583]

We held out to get the new 2012 City Mini. It just came yesterday and we love it! I am SO excited to use it at WDW in September.

 

[wdwfanatic316]

Reading this totally makes me want to be a BJCM! A couple of questions- is there much difference in the 2011 vs 2012? Also, about how long did you use this stoller for? Up to age 3 o 4? Does it take the place of an umbrella stroller? Lastly, this might sound like a stupid question because of the name, but do you use it as a jogging stroller? I thought those had the big wheels. Thanks! If you can't tell even though I have two kids, I'm not much of a stroller expert!

 

[Iluvshoes531]

Thank you for the link for the cup holder for the city mini. My cup holder came today! I just love it!
Thanks so much!