Am I crazy to leave the double stroller at home?

[lovesdumbo]

In Oct my kids will be 5, almost 4, and 21 months. There will be 3 adults so we won't be outnumbered. I was planning on bringing just a single MacLaren stroller for the 21 month old and renting the park's double strollers when we need them. I'm a bit worried about getting home from Epcot if we stay late.

In Jan I brought our double MacLaren and rented a single from ABBF. The 21 month old doesn't really like the double stroller that is why I was thinking of taking just the single. Also the single MacLaren is much easier to carry on to bus/trams/boats.

I think my DH would die if I bought another stroller but maybe I should consider a sit n stand stroller. Its available online for under $140 and park rental will run me $90. I could rent from ABBF for $70 but there website shows an old version without a tray. Maybe I should call them! UGH!!!! Why do these stroller decisions become so difficult.

Any thoughts/advice? TIA!

 

[Kendra17]

haha, well, I just bought a sit n stand. . .strollers4less had them at a very low price. You know, my son will have just turned 8--my daughter's 1 (my other daughter is 12, but she's walking). I just am certain my son will be tired of walking and start complaining, so I bought the sit n stand (on backorder til mid august) just to give him a bit of a rest. I brought a regular double stroller (side by side) with us on our trip when my oldest daughter was almost 7 and my son was a preshooler. It was a great thing to have--she was tired a lot, and was able to rest. It's so much walking for them, that I do see some type of double stroller a necessity. Hope this helps you decide. My husband wasn't thrilled with this extra purchase, either. But, I think I did the right thing.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Kendra-thanks for the quick response. Look at our countdown clocks looks like we're arriving on the same day. We are almost down to double digits. Where are you staying? Are you going to MNSSHP? I think we're going on the 26th but I may wait and buy the tickets there. I really like the idea of the sit n stand but I'm worried how we would handle all the luggage and a car seat and 2 strollers. Last year we were able to do curb side checkin so it was easier from there and this year were taking just 1 car seat instead of 3.

I am going to have to go check out those sit n stand at a store to see how easy they are to fold up.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

If your double stroller is anything like mine-- leave it at home!

I think they're too hard to operate in the tight spaces and crowded parks. It seems like I always run someone over!

 

[ErinInCT]

I have a sit-n-stand which has been a godsend so far. BUT I have to say I rarely take it anywhere that I have to fold it up. I am going to practice LOTS before my WDW trip. I think it is essential. I have an 11 mo & 4yr old. My 4 yo is a total wimp & wants to ride in the stroller ALL THE TIME! There is no way dh could carry her all over the park. I'm sure she will be excited at WDW but I don't want to worry about her melting down when she gets tired. Plus I might want to get from here to there in a quick manner & it is so easy for her to hop on & go!! We are going to Hershey Park tomorrow for my WDW "test" so I'll try to post how we did. I am going to try to make dd4 walk but since she knows she can sit she might not want to!! I dread schlepping it on the busses at WDW, but I think it would be worse to schlep dd!!!!!!

 

[Kendra17]

Erin, yes, let us know how it turns out trying to fold it and manuever it. I just still think my son will want to rest and get wiped out if we don't have some option for him once in a while.

Lovesdumbo--we're going on the 23 and leaving on the 31st! We're staying off site at a condo at the LikiTiki resort (which, coincidentally, is Polynesian-themed!). We have tickets to MNNSHP on the 29th. We're planning 4 days at WDW + the Halloween Party, and 2 days at Universal, but now I'm wondering how we're going to do everything i want us to do!

--Also, I noticed you're from MA--my husband is from Quincy, MA. His parents and other relatives are still there.

 

[kelscross]

My double stroller is way to big to take I think. It's bulky and heavy to fold up and carry on the bus. I was just going to rent a stroller there but then thought the time we will most definately need it will be at the end of the day when they are both tired but I'll still have to make them walk or end up carrying them to the bus anyhow.

I bought two lightweight umbrella strollers with a canopy and a small mesh bag on the back. I also bought those stroller connectors. We used them last weekend at King's Island (amusement park) and it was fabulous. I was in kiddie land with the girls while the rest of the family went riding the rollercoasters. I connected the strollers and it was no problem. When the family rejoined us I disconnected the strollers.

 

[ErinInCT]

Just got back from Hershey. DD4 did use the sit & stand. She was about asleep by 2pm but stayed awake & rallyed & got a 2nd wind around 4pm (when we were trying to leave!). She used the stroller about 1/2 the time. We had another friend who was strollerless so she walked with them a bit but once we had the friends kid on the back part of the sit-n-stand along with dd4 (so 3 kids!). It was not bad to fold up & store (in the tram). I will definately take it to WDW!

 

[Kendra17]

Thanks, Erin! My Sit n Stand won't arrive until mid to late August. I realized that even if it was a real problem folding it up, I'd still take it, because otherwise my son will be complaining about noon!

My parents used to rave about Hershey, though I have never been. That sounds like a fun place to go, too.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Kendra-My DH was born in Quincy and we now live about 12 miles south. I work in Quincy. You can't see it all in one trip so you should resign yourself to that now so you won't drive yourself crazy. I've already got a list going for things to do on our 2005 trip. I took a trip in 2002 while I was 6 months pregnant and I just couldn't go it all. That trip taught me to take it slow and just enjoy every moment. You can't see the magic while running from ride to ride to get it all in.

I still haven't decided what to do. I've got to go look at one of these things. I'm leaning toward renting from ABBF because DH doesn't travel well and I just don't know how we'd push 2 strollers, carry 2 suitcases til check-in, car seat, 2-3 carry-ons....

 

[Kendra17]

LovesDumbo -- what a coincidence! You know, I realize I can't do it all! My husband, though, has been ANTI-Disney and I really have to get him to just fall in love with Disneyworld on this trip so we could plan another trip soon and go back. I'm trying to figure out the best way to do that. And, no, he's never even been there!

Ugh! You DO have a lot to carry! We are actually driving. We bought a minivan last year and the kids will be able to watch movies on the trip. I wasn't even thinking about how difficult it would be to fly with all of our equipment.

Did you decide what night you're going to MNSSHP?

 

[lovesdumbo]

I was going to wait and buy MNSSHP tickets when we got there but I was talking to concierge yesterday and asked them to purchase my tickets for Tuesday the 26th. I'm afraid DH will not want to go if I wait til we're there. I think the kids will have a blast so now that there paid for we'll have to go.

I just talked to my friend thats going with us to help with the kids and I'm leaning toward taking just the single and renting doubles in the parks. I really like the idea of just 1 stroller in the room. She said "there are 3 of us-we can carry the kids back to the room if need be". My DS didn't really need a stroller last year so I can use my hip carrier for the baby and put oldest in the stroller. I am going to go check out those sit n stands though. And I've got 90+ days to change my mind.