Another Annoying Stroller Thread!

[Duke of Pride Rock]

Hey guys! Sorry to create another thread about strollers but I couldn't find the answer I was looking for when I searched the forum.

Flying to WDW in December during the "off season" and staying off property. (Lots of coming and going in a rental car. We will rent a small SUV.) Trying to decide on a stroller for our son - he will be 15 months at the time of our trip. He's big for his age.

I currently have a Chicco Liteway Plus and a Chicco Cortina. Husband is 6'3" and I'm 5'10" so handle bar height is important. The Cortina has a tall, adjustable handle bar but it's part of a travel system and I'm now worried about it being too bulky after reading some of y'alls comments.

I've read A LOT of reviews on here about the City Mini. Seems to be the stroller of choice. We are having our huge, biannual, baby consignment sale this weekend here locally and there will likely be a few higher end strollers available. Originally I thought I would look for a BOB Revolution that could be my jogging stroller this fall/winter but also maybe take it to WDW. But now I'm hesitant about it being too bulky and taking it on a plane. Isn't there a likelihood of it being damaged? Plus, now I'm scared silly that my stroller might be stolen in one of the parks. Yikes! What do yall recommend? Liteway, Cortina, BOB, City Mini? Something else? I do know that I want to fly with my stroller, not rent once we're there. Thanks everybody!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Definitely the City Mini!!! We LOVE ours - so much that we are considering getting a GT.

We also have the Chicco Cortina, which we got as a gift when I was pregnant and we NEVER use that thing. Seriously, it sits in our basement.

We bought the City Mini specifically for Disney trips but it has totally become our everyday stroller as well. It maneuvers so well, folds up flat and small, and has a HUGE sunshade (the best I've seen).

 

[jcarwash]

Back in the stroller days, we wore out a Chicco Capri on all our Disney trips. I loved that thing -- simple, easy to use, durable, perfect for traveling. Still have it even though we don't need it anymore. That thing wouldn't quit.

 

[PxyShan]

This is tough to help since I've not used any of the strollers you have or mentioned, but I do have general recommendations.
Of all the families I've watched get their strollers stuck in the trolley tracks in MK, most of them seem to be the one wheel in front design. I'm not sure why that is, but somehow one small wheel in the front attracts trolley ruts.

I would worry less about bulk and more about how easy it is for you and your husband to fold/push/maneuver whatever stroller you bring. That will be what you spend the most time doing at the parks and to and from the car/trams. I'm of the mind that it's better to have a bulky stroller that you know how to use and won't have you hunched over the handles all day then struggling to figure out how to fold up or unfold a new stroller.

Airlines are not gentle with ANY strollers, so all of them are at risk for breaking when flying. We've flown with a stroller three times, one of those times our stroller was damaged and had to be completely replaced. (It was on the way home, thankfully!) Fortunately for us, we have a fancy umbrella stroller that we bought the travel bag for, which the company then paid for our replacement. (Uppa baby G-Lux) I don't know if other travel bags or brands have that sort of replacement deal, but it worked out well for us.

Anyway, I'm sure this was of no help, but good luck on your search! And have fun on your trip!

 

[raetrosclair]

I voted for other - we have the BOB Motion and love love love it.

 

[Duke of Pride Rock]

This is

This is tough to help since I've not used any of the strollers you have or mentioned, but I do have general recommendations.
Of all the families I've watched get their strollers stuck in the trolley tracks in MK, most of them seem to be the one wheel in front design. I'm not sure why that is, but somehow one small wheel in the front attracts trolley ruts.

I would worry less about bulk and more about how easy it is for you and your husband to fold/push/maneuver whatever stroller you bring. That will be what you spend the most time doing at the parks and to and from the car/trams. I'm of the mind that it's better to have a bulky stroller that you know how to use and won't have you hunched over the handles all day then struggling to figure out how to fold up or unfold a new stroller.

Airlines are not gentle with ANY strollers, so all of them are at risk for breaking when flying. We've flown with a stroller three times, one of those times our stroller was damaged and had to be completely replaced. (It was on the way home, thankfully!) Fortunately for us, we have a fancy umbrella stroller that we bought the travel bag for, which the company then paid for our replacement. (Uppa baby G-Lux) I don't know if other travel bags or brands have that sort of replacement deal, but it worked out well for us.

Anyway, I'm sure this was of no help, but good luck on your search! And have fun on your trip!

This is fabulous advice! You're right, I would rather have a stroller I felt comfortable using and had all the functions I wanted rather than one that took up less space. I already have two strollers. Either one would work fine I'm sure. I'm getting into luxuries by being so picky. My husband's rule is that if I buy something I have to sell something. I really love my Liteway too much to get rid of it I think. The more I think about it the more I think it might make the trip. The only downside in my opinion is that it doesn't recline, which I know the City Mini does. Sounds like my Cortina will be getting a "For Sale" sticker on it and I might keep my eye open this weekend at the consignment sale for any of the other strollers on my short list.

 

[Duke of Pride Rock]

This is

This is tough to help since I've not used any of the strollers you have or mentioned, but I do have general recommendations.
Of all the families I've watched get their strollers stuck in the trolley tracks in MK, most of them seem to be the one wheel in front design. I'm not sure why that is, but somehow one small wheel in the front attracts trolley ruts.

I would worry less about bulk and more about how easy it is for you and your husband to fold/push/maneuver whatever stroller you bring. That will be what you spend the most time doing at the parks and to and from the car/trams. I'm of the mind that it's better to have a bulky stroller that you know how to use and won't have you hunched over the handles all day then struggling to figure out how to fold up or unfold a new stroller.

Airlines are not gentle with ANY strollers, so all of them are at risk for breaking when flying. We've flown with a stroller three times, one of those times our stroller was damaged and had to be completely replaced. (It was on the way home, thankfully!) Fortunately for us, we have a fancy umbrella stroller that we bought the travel bag for, which the company then paid for our replacement. (Uppa baby G-Lux) I don't know if other travel bags or brands have that sort of replacement deal, but it worked out well for us.

Anyway, I'm sure this was of no help, but good luck on your search! And have fun on your trip!

This is fabulous advice! You're right, I would rather have a stroller I felt comfortable using and had all the functions I wanted rather than one that took up less space. I already have two strollers. Either one would work fine I'm sure. I'm getting into luxuries by being so picky. My husband's rule is that if I buy something I have to sell something. I really love my Liteway too much to get rid of it I think. The more I think about it the more I think it might make the trip. The only downside in my opinion is that it doesn't recline, which I know the City Mini does. Sounds like my Cortina will be getting a "For Sale" sticker on it and I might keep my eye open this weekend at the consignment sale for any of the other strollers on my short list.

 

[sprousehouse]

I've flown with my BOB Revolution a few times without an issue - and I LOVE it as a jogging stroller, for the zoo etc.. We are renting a City Mini Double for the kids this trip as I just have a single.

 

[disneydremr]

We have the Cortina and the Liteway. The Cortina had its use at first since she was a winter baby, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Liteway. You already have it, which is a bonus, it reclines, is easy to open/close/ You can add handle extenders if you want.

Wait, I can see your post as I type this, my Liteway fully reclines which is why we chose it, did they change it??

 

[Habbott]

Next time we will rent. Our strollers was broken by the airline. Nothing major, just the closing mechanism. It could be worked around , but it was very frustrating when we first learned about it. Even the small issues can make or break a trip. Hopefully renting will be worth it for us.

 

[disneydremr]

I

Next time we will rent. Our strollers was broken by the airline. Nothing major, just the closing mechanism. It could be worked around , but it was very frustrating when we first learned about it. Even the small issues can make or break a trip. Hopefully renting will be worth it for us.

I meant to add that to my post, renting might be worth it to not have the bother. We are debating a stroller as she will be four, but Disney is long days and lots of walking so it may still be convenient.

 

[Duke of Pride Rock]

We have the Cortina and the Liteway. The Cortina had its use at first since she was a winter baby, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Liteway. You already have it, which is a bonus, it reclines, is easy to open/close/ You can add handle extenders if you want.

Wait, I can see your post as I type this, my Liteway fully reclines which is why we chose it, did they change it??

I'm hoping I'm just dumb and mine does what you're saying. I got mine late last year. It's actually a Chicco Liteway Plus. I just left the "Plus" off in my description. That's probably why ours are different. Mine enables a chicco infant car seat to click into it. Then when the child outgrows the car seat, you unzip part of the stroller chair and unfold it and it essentially becomes a super nice umbrella stroller. Let me see if I can find a link...

 

[disneydremr]

I'm hoping I'm just dumb and mine does what you're saying. I got mine late last year. It's actually a Chicco Liteway Plus. I just left the "Plus" off in my description. That's probably why ours are different. Mine enables a chicco infant car seat to click into it. Then when the child outgrows the car seat, you unzip part of the stroller chair and unfold it and it essentially becomes a super nice umbrella stroller. Let me see if I can find a link...

You are not dumb, they parent-proof all this kid stuff!! Looks like they changed it a bit, it reclines but not flat. My daughter is older so no "plus" lol, but the flat recline was a nice feature. We love ours so much we bought the matching doll stroller haha!

 

[Duke of Pride Rock]

You are not dumb, they parent-proof all this kid stuff!! Looks like they changed it a bit, it reclines but not flat. My daughter is older so no "plus" lol, but the flat recline was a nice feature. We love ours so much we bought the matching doll stroller haha!

I got on the Chicco website. Apparently the Plus does recline. I swear. I gotta start reading the manuals that come with all this expensive baby gear! But yes, looks like maybe not all the way flat, like you said. As soon as my son wakes up I'm going to get it out of my car and play with it. Who knows what else it does that I don't know about?! Speaking of, what are these handle bar extenders you mentioned?!

 

[Duke of Pride Rock]

Next time we will rent. Our strollers was broken by the airline. Nothing major, just the closing mechanism. It could be worked around , but it was very frustrating when we first learned about it. Even the small issues can make or break a trip. Hopefully renting will be worth it for us.

Did you take your stroller to the gate or give it to the airline with your luggage?

 

[SnipsNSnails]

We like the Chicco Echo. It folds like an umbrella stroller, has a basket, reclines, higher handles (my DH is 6' 2" and it works well for him), and has some size to it, my almost 9 yo could still easily ride in it (but he won't). We've used it in theme parks alot, bought two in 2013 for our boys and they have been through Disney World, Disneyland, some cruises, Universal. Very durable. The only thing is the cupholder does not stay on but that doesn't bother us.

 

[disneydremr]

Quick search and I can't find handle extenders for that type of handle, more for the bar handle type. I swear I have seen them before. My husband is 6'3" as well, and he hasn't had issues, BUT we haven't used it all day at a Disney park! I am 5'4", so no worries for me.

 

[Duke of Pride Rock]

Thanks for looking! We've used it at Silver Dollar City (local amusement park) all day before and didn't really have a problem. It is lower but not so low that I'm willing to spend another chunk of money on another stroller just for WDW.

 

[Duke of Pride Rock]

We have the Cortina and the Liteway. The Cortina had its use at first since she was a winter baby, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Liteway. You already have it, which is a bonus, it reclines, is easy to open/close/ You can add handle extenders if you want.

Wait, I can see your post as I type this, my Liteway fully reclines which is why we chose it, did they change it??

So, yeah, I'm so stupid. My Plus reclines! Which was super important to me for when my son would be napping while in the park. So with that said, given how compact yet sturdy it is, combined with everything else that makes it awesome, I've decided to take the Plus. These boards are AWESOME. Yall are great!!

Next question... We're taking our stroller on the plane. Like gate checking. Do I need to get a bag for it still?

 

[jcarwash]

So, yeah, I'm so stupid. My Plus reclines! Which was super important to me for when my son would be napping while in the park. So with that said, given how compact yet sturdy it is, combined with everything else that makes it awesome, I've decided to take the Plus. These boards are AWESOME. Yall are great!!

Next question... We're taking our stroller on the plane. Like gate checking. Do I need to get a bag for it still?

I never (rarely?) see gate-checked strollers in bags. I think it makes it easier for the bag handlers to identify and pull out the gate checked strollers (when you arrive at your destination) if they are not in bags. Plus it's a lot easier to fold up and drop your stroller vs. futzing with putting it into a stroller bag.