Another stinkin stroller question:)

[PEANUT1]

My kids are 4 and 18 months. We are headed to BCV in May. I was planning on bringing and umbrella stroller for baby and just renting a double in the parks for the two of them. I am worried though about my 4 year old and walking when we dont' have the double. (like walking to epcot from hotel.)

What would you do? Do you think she'll be ok without it.?

 

[blessedby3]

I dont think your 18mo old would be comfy all day in the rentals. They are hard plastic and sit very low to the ground. I would bring a comfy stroller from home for her, one that she can nap in and the umbrella for the 4 year old. I have never liked the rentals and have always brought my own. I also like having my own stroller outside the parks and for the long walk to the busses. I would say that if you have been out all day or for a long while that the 4 year old may be too tired/cranky to walk back to EPCOT.

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

I just got back with my 4 year old and my 17 month old. We brought our own double stroller, and I was SO glad we did. Even with riding in the stroller for much of the time, my 4 yo was WIPED OUT at the end of the day, and without that stroller, getting from the parks to the resort would have been miserable, not to mention that she would have been more tired earlier, and thus cranky. Plus, both kids actually fell asleep in the stroller a few times! It was nice to be able to lay their seats back and let them drift off. I decided against the rental strollers, as they are hard plastic and don't recline. My kids would have been uncomfortable and grumpy in them, and we would have had to deal with carrying all the stuff and the kids from the parks to the resorts. I also liked that I could pop both kids in the stroller as we moved from attraction to attraction. It was just easier to keep track of everything (and everyone!) that way. I would definitely recommend bringing strollers for both kids-- ours saved the day!

 

[Nicolepa]

My kids have never had a problem w/the walk from Epcot to the Boardwalk. My son started doing that walk when he was 3 and my daughter was 5. It's really not that far. I've always used the rental strollers (except when baby(s) were too young to sit up. They have no problem falling asleep etc. If I have them I will put a sweatshirt under their heads when they sleep.

 

[stacy6552]

Bring the umbrella for the 4 year old. The toddler really needs one that reclines, because he will crash and sleep on the go.

 

[all4fun]

For us, it makes more sense to have a stroller. I just know that my ds would want to be carried (this is pretty typical for him) - and my back can't tolerate that any more, at least not all over Disney World! And the walk from the WS exit to BWV is pretty significant imo. To BCV is shorter.

I think it depends on the kid. How much walking around does she do around home? Some kids (as mentioned by a pp) can probably easily do that walk. I would be more concerned more about the walk BACK to the resort after a long day in the parks. I'd bring a double, or a nicer single for the younger dc that reclines, and the umbrella for your four year old. This way if it turns out you really don't need it, you can always just leave it in your room.

 

[dspads]

This is the hardest thing, I know. If the umbrella is comfy for the baby I would bring that. Then see how the first day goes. I'd probably choose to rent a single for the 4yo. Unless you think they'd be comfy sharing and if there wouldn't be issues if the baby baby fell asleep.

When we went in Dec with an almost 3.5yo and almost 5yo The both rode a lot after the 2nd day. And they fought for the rental (we had 1 single rental, 1 Graco Metrolite). They don't usually ride at home but after 2 days of walking it caught up. It was somewhat torturous having to carry one and push a heavy stroller after a long day in the parks .

Also, I would not consider buying a cheap stroller for th older one. Steering around the parks with a heavy kid is HARD. I didn't realize since we rarely use the stroller at home. The rental's were great.

FWIW, we had bought our 2 Graco's but one got crushed on the plane. That's how we ended up with only 1 and tried to 'wing it' at first. If you have 2 and they older DC wants to walk just park the rental for an extended time. Also, we were going to NYC the week after we got back so I needed a 2nd stroller. I broke down and bought a Mac and the steering was a dream (compared to pushing a heavier child in the Graco)! I could kick myself for not having bought one earler (esp. since I haven't used it since...). So, you may want to consider purchasing another, since you still have a baby who will eventually get use out of it.

HTH a bit!
Have fun!

 

[PEANUT1]

oh boy...I guess I better rethink. The umbrella that I have does recline and its very comfortable for the baby. We used it on our last trip.

Our last trip I also brought an umbrella for our 4 year old but it was a pain having 2 strollers. Maybe I should see if anyone I know has a double that I can borrow. I am not going to buy one bc my 4 yr old never uses a stroller at home.

My 18 month old is pretty petite...about 22 pounds and we have a hip hammock that my hubby uses too, but I don't want him to have to carry her too much either. I dont' know....what to do what to do.

 

[kileybeth]

I tried to pm you but couldn't get the option to work. I may have the answer for you. We do not live to far from one another. just send me an e-mail and let me know if you want to talk.

that said I would not go without a stroller option for the 4 year old. Our last trip we had a 2 and 4 year old and definitely needed both of my Mac strollers. We return in 2 weeks with an almost 3 and 5 year old and yup, I will have 2 Macs along again. We also have 4 older children (2 grown and 2 teens) and I believe I remember scurrying to Walmart after a very long first day in park to buy umbrella strollers for our then 6 and 9 year olds!!

None of these kiddos except the littlest used a stroller at home on any regular basis.

 

[teachingmyown]

I concur with the "strollers for both" crowd. Your day will be happier if both kids can ride rather than walk, nap rather than fret, and be moved quickly rather than slowly. Besides, strollers double as cargo carriers! I actually miss the days when I had a stroller to hang all the water bottles, sunscreen, souvenirs, etc on. I've considered taking one in anyway, in spite of the fact that my teen-agers would be aghast!