ANOTHER Stroller Question

[MelodyMack]

Like we need another one of these questiosn right? STILL not sure what kind of stroller to get. Because of the length of our stay it wil be more cost effective to buy one outright than rent one everyday.

At the time of our trip in February my DD will be 4. She weighs about 33 lbs. and is about 38 inches tall (hoping to get to 40 inches before our trip, but may not happen). So most of the umbrella type strollers I have seem don't look like they can handle her size. Also, I am only five foot two and I feel like I'm hunched over all day pushing umbrella strollers. The tires also are flimsy on most unbrella strollers, s I would prefer one with all terrain tires...

I think I may get a nap out of her during the day so would prefer a stroller than has some sort of recline. Also, would like a storage basket for underneath and maybe some cup holders on top. Obviously my DD does not use a stroller anymore so this would become our WDW stroller and will get used twice a year for the next 2-3 years, so I don't need the most expensive stroller out there.

Also, we were hoping to find something that will get in and out of trams/ buses easily.

AM I PICKY OR WHAT?!? Any suggestions on a particular model?

Thanks in advance for your help gang!
Mel

 

[Desnik]

You are looking for the perfect stroller! I have had so many and some come close to having it all. My children are a DD who is almost 7yo, who is small framed, 42lbs. and a Ds who is 20 months and 22lbs. I have a Peg Perego Pliko for DS and love this stroller, DD even fits in it!! but it is expensive. So, for our Disney trips we have found what we feel is the perfect stroller. Take a look:
http://www.babyage.com/product_details.aspx?productid=6731&cp=Ink6731
We ordered it from that site and it came in 2 days!! We love it! It folds just like a regular umbrella stroller, so easy and compact! It reclines, has a cup holder, a small bag that I was able to fit wipes, 4 diapers, camera and jacket in! For our trip I also bought along one of those mesh bags that attatch to the back. I didn't even need it! Also, when you have the basket underneath, on most strollers you have to empty it in order to close the stroller properly. With this stroller I didn't have to worry about loading and unloading!!
DD also sat in it a couple of times. I hate having a big bulky stroller at the parks. I have taken this stroller already, also have used the Peg Perego, a full size combi, Graco lite rider, regular umbrella strollers, and more! This Kolcraft is my favorite!

 

[BevS97]

When my DD was 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 we used a Maclaren Volo - it's my favorite stroller - umbrella's to nothing, has a small basket which will hold a small cooler or backpack and it has very tall handles so really comfy for pushing. It doesnt' recline but my dd sleeps really well in it. I wouldn't recommend it for a toddler, but given the age of your dd I think it's ideal

 

[2dogmom]

We went to WDW in OCt with my 4yo who is about 41", 40lbs. We purchased the princess stroller for her. She loved it because she is a princess nut. It has a basket, reclines, has a cup holder and is lightweight. It was easy to close, the locking mechanism that keeps the stroller from opening engages automatically. It was very easy to put together. She said it was comfortable, although I thought she would have like a little more room. If you go to an actual Sears store, you would probably see it there and try it out. I was definitely pleased with the purchase.

 

[momloveson]

Hi,
We have a 4 yr old boy. about 36 pounds and 41". We borrowed our nieghbors stroller for our 9 day trip. LIFESAVER. We had absolutely NO problems with trying to push him. Easy to steer. Lightweight and small enough to quickly fold up for the trains and monorails and busses. BTW I'm long legged 5"8 and DH is 5"10 and neither of us felt we were hunched over. Son was comfortable and when he slept in the stroller he seemed quite comfy.

Stroller is a Kolcraft umbrella stroller with a net bag that can hold about 3 pounds. This worked perfect for us. Room for a couple of snacks and his autograph book and a water or 2. We tied a colorful cloth to it and son could find it quickly even if CM moved it. The cost is about $20 according to my neighbor.


We've typically used a large stroller in the past either his original bassinet stroller or the convertable bike/carrier stroller. I'll use an umbrella stroller from now on.

 

[swilphil]

Target has a Chicco umbrella-type stroller that looks much sturdier and larger than the other umbrella ones. It was around $40 or $50.

 

[NotUrsula]

The Chicco mentioned is the Caddy; it will hold a somewhat larger child, and retails for about $48-60, depending on where you buy it. It's a good buggy for the money, with a one-position recline, high handles, and double wheels all-round.

The Volo is a Maclaren, and thus has the best suspension going in a lightweight, but it does not recline, and is also on the expensive side, over $100 once you add the canopy and basket.

While I agree that the Pliko is an excellent stroller for WDW (though a trifle on the heavy side at ~18 lbs.), it is definitely rather expensive, unless you can find a used one or last year's model on clearance. It retails in the neighborhood of $220.

IMO, One of the best buys around (though you seldom can find it in stores in the US, except in NYC, Chicago or SF; it's widely available online) is the Inglesina Swift, which is a full-featured umbrella-fold stroller. It retails for $99, and is really a great stroller for that money. It doesn't have quite the suspension that you'll find in a comparable Maclaren, but you'll pay 2x as much for a comparable Maclaren, at least in the US.

 

[all4fun]

Hi,
We just bought a Kidco LS2000 stroller for our ds. It has an umbrella fold, extendable, ergonomic handles, basket, weight limit is 50 lbs, and the canopy is arched, instead of flat, so a taller child can sit under it without hitting their head on it. It also has a 5-position recline. We've had it for a couple of months now and ds seems very comfortable in it and has even napped in it a few times. It also has leg extenders and we use those when he's napping so his legs aren't dangling (but he's only 32", 22lbs now). He looks like he has plenty of "growing room" at this point. Check out Epinions.com for some reviews. Here's a link to the manufacturers site: http://www.kidcoinc.com/stroller_dis.cfm?Stroller_model=LS2000

hth!
Cheryl
ds-4/21/03

 

[Lollipop Mom]

My 4 year old son is about 43" tall and around 45 lbs. We have a Maclaren Volo that I bought to use in malls and stuff for my 2 year old. My 4 year old fits very comfortably in it and it's still a breeze to push even with his heavier weight in it. It doesn't recline flat but it's sort of like a sling that they sit in rather than a hard seat. It has a slight recline to it. My son just turns his head to the side and naps just fine in it. No forward head flop at all. It is SOOOOO light too, like 7 lbs. and it has a strap to carry it on your shoulder. VERY convenient. Brand new they are like $100 in the stores. You could buy one on Ebay for about $65 - $80 though. The alternative is that if you decide to buy a Volo fro the trip you can turn around and sell it in the $65 - $80 range when you get back home.

I also have a Pliko (not the newest model though) and I wouldn't recommend that one for an older child. My 4 year old (who is a big kid) looks completely smooshed into it. The seat doesn't support his legs very far out past his tush and his head wouldn't fit on the seat back if I were to recline it. It's great for my 2 year old though!

 

[Laura66]

My youngest is almost 3 but weighs about 30 lbs. I use my Maclaren Techno XT for traveling and I LOVE it! It doesn't have a snack tray ( I bought a little one I could attach) but you can buy a cup holder from Maclaren to attach to the handlebars. I love this stroller because it's it's very comfortable to push. The handles are tall and adjustable - so one setting for you- one for your husband. It's very lightweight and folds down next to NOTHING. Good for planes and busses, etc. I think the stroller only weighs 13 lbs. and it's VERY sturdy. I know it's on the expensive side but it's well worth it. I also had the Pliko Peg Perego and liked it a lot as well.

Laura

 

[MelodyMack]

You guys are the best! I looked into several suggestions made here and am taking my munchkin to some local stores to have her try them out. I hate thinking of her little feet dragging on the ground or her head popping out the top...

I really appreciate all the advice, and am SURE I will find a stroller with all of this great info!
Mel

 

[MelodyMack]

WOW!

Just made my 100th POST.....do I kill a lot of threads or what?????

LOL!
Mel

 

[BevS97]

I also have a chicco 2003 which is a similiar size and weight to a Pliko - I have to say that I won't take it back to WDW. It's a lovely stroller to push and dd is very comfy in it, but it was too big and heavy on the bus. It does umbrella but it's still quite bulky even folded and i felt like I was always in someone's way when i was sitting with it. I also found it heavy to get up and down the steps. By the end of the trip I was hating that stroller, and normally it is my absolute favorite!

 

[daisylove]

I had this debate as well not to long ago.y Dd is 5 45 lbs and 47 inches. I found the chicco was too narrow and others were not tall enough nor had the right weight limit. We went ahead and got the volo. Perfect stroller. Just got back from our 3rd WDW trip with it and it was great. We added the canopy accessory pack but all total got everything for $100. There are bargains out there just do some searches. Another poster in my debate suggested the silver cross mini or micro. Similar to the volo but canopy etc already a part of the price and I think the wheels are bigger. Good luck!

 

[Laura66]

A Volo is a Maclaren stroller - just like my XT

Check out their website
www.maclarenstrollers.com

Like I said - I LOVE my Maclaren!
Be sure to check out the accessories on the site as well

Laura

 

[sandyluvsdisney]

I bought the same stroller from babycenter.com for my upcoming trip, i'm so glad that you highly recomended, now i feel even better about my purchase, and i did a whole lot of research for it.

Thanks

 

[WDWorBUST]

Me and Dh had kicked around the idea of buying a more compact easily folded stroller for our recent trip with DD - 13 months. But we decided her regular stroller would be fine and it would be more comfortable for her to sleep in. Okay...she wouldn't sleep in her stroller to save the world - there was just too much going on. And it was a pain in the a#@ on the buses. The one thing we will have in May is a new stroller. I don't know what kind yet but something easier than the one we have.

 

[sconstantz]

We bought a Metro Stroller from the Baby Super Store or Baby's R Us. We purchased this stroller when DS was 3, specifically for WDW. We have used it 4 times there (and other trips). It is awesome. Very light weight. Easy to push. Easy to manuever. Made for City Street walking (hence the name the metro). We only paid about $65, but that was 4 years ago. It goes up to 85 pounds in weight.

We are going back in one week, and are actually considering bringing it. It is great for our stuff, and if DS gets tired, he can sit down and rest.

On the other hand, I am trying to go lighter, and we are talking to him about hanging in there. He goes to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg all the time (season passes), and he goes from 10am to 10pm, so I think he can make it. I just have to decide if I can do without the additional storage. DH won't be with us to carry the back pack : )

Shelly

 

[blessedby3]

You've got to be kidding me! A stroller that holds up to 85 pounds??! That would be just what I need if you are correct on that. I have never heard of one holding that much weight. What is the actual brand of this one? You said the metro stroller, but what company is it from? Thanks for the help.