Any BAD stroller experiences?

[cuucuu4karaoke]

I'm going in September and debating on wheter to buy a new stroller for my DS or rent one. My biggest fear is having my brand new $140 stroller stolen. But when I add up the expense of getting one every day, its almost the same as buying one. We'll be there Sept 3-17th. He's 44 lbs now so a smaller cheapy umbrella won't work. I loved the Maclaren's but I don't want it to disappear when we're on a ride. Then I'll have to rent one anyway lol.

Any advise anybody?

 

[spiceycat]

even at 44 lbs I would get a umbrella once - they fold up easily for the buses...

 

[allonte]

I just got back yesterday and I didn't have any problems with our stroller or our stuff in it. They always had a cast member out there with the strollers but anyone could have taken them. Our stroller was always exactly how I left it. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[justplaingoofy]

if you are driving...parking and taking the tram.... or
taking a bus... you will have to fold it up.

i saw onetime in a book someone took a diaper and put chocolate syrup on it put it in a clear bag and tied it to the handle when they left it...
how nasty is that!!! but it didn't get stolen

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

We have always taken our stroller from home. I have never had any problems with it in the park. My only complaint is trying to get it on and off the busses without smacking 20 people in the process. That is a major pain!! My DH is already stressing about that one for our next trip.
It is so worth it though to have in the parks, DTD and such.

 

[cuucuu4karaoke]

We're renting a car so the bus won't be an issue. Not worried about the folding and unfolding, just someone looking to 'trade up' and taking my stroller instead of theirs

I'm too paranoid I guess...

anybody know what the weight limit is on the single rider rentals?

 

[Christypl]

Stroller theft is rarely a problem in the parks. But if you are worried how about a Chicco Caddy? It is umbrella, has a small shade, reclines a bit and is under $50.

 

[cosine4]

We had our rental stroller stolen last year at Disneyland. The CMs seemed not to care (which seems to be the theme at DL as compared to DW). Just by chance we were walking past where whoever had stolen our stroller had parked it. They did rip the name tag off, but I was able to notice it because of my bright yellow water jug (and our sweatshirts were still in there too).

At DW we have always taken our double stroller without any problems.

I would never take an umbrella stroller, they are too short for me to push without bending over. By the end of the day my low back is feeling it.

My opinion would be to take whatever is going to be most comfortable for you to push and your kid(s) to ride. If you are still worried about someone swiping it, take a bicylce lock with you.

 

[Jacksmom99]

We bought a Maclaren specifically for our Feb vacation with our then 3yo. As we pushed it aroung WDW, DH and I kept commenting that it was the best $140 we ever spent. I liked it better than the rentals because we used it shopping, at the resort, etc. It folds up small, so it's not an issue. I never worried about people taking it.

 

[MichelleChell]

Just wanted to tell you I have the Graco Mosaic and I bought it just because the umbrella one's kill my back too. I got it a Target for $100! Best $$ I have ever spent. It folds like an umbrella stroller. It reclines and has a little basket and a cup holder.

 

[Karrie Davis]

We also bought a Maclaren for our trip this past fall and I WAS SO HAPPY to have it. I even bought another $50 stroller from babies r us just for the tray that fit my stroller perfect. I was also worried at first but never had a problem. We even left our camcorder under the basket several times (covered all up). Just put your things or something personal on it so no one mistakes it for yours - I think that is the only reason any ones stroller goes missing at DW, someone thinks it is the one they left in the same place with nothing in it.

A cheep toss stroller will make you freak out, you would have rather had the good one!

 

[amarberry]

If you are bringing your Maclaren, I wouldn't worry too much about it getting stolen. Maclaren's are everywhere at WDW!!!! Of course, unfortunate scenarios happen, but in my year and a half reading about this issue on these boards, it seems far more likely than not that your stroller will be safe. Just mark it with a balloon or ribbon or something so someone with the same stroller doesn't accidently take off with yours.

On our trip in January, I was shocked at how many Bugaboos I saw at the parks...what do those cost? $700 or $800?

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I think you should take your own and take a good one...one that YOU and your child will be comfortable in! I have never had a stroller taken while I was at WDW, nor have I known anyone to have theirs stolen either. And like another poster said, Maclarens are EVERYWHERE at WDW!!!!!!!!!!

 

[frayedend]

When we stayed at CR we found our son falling asleep at the parks, so the rental stroller wasn't working for us because I had to carry him back to the resort. Well we bought a stroller for like 40 bucks in the CR gift shop that looks much like the Mclaren pics I just looked up. I'm sure it isn't as good, but it did the job and we'll bring it back this August. I think you can get something better than a cheapy umbrella stroller but not too expensive.

Disclaimer: My wife said it was 40 bucks. She tends to, ummm, fib, about what she pays for things...

 

[LoveDisneyToo]

We had our brand new stroller stolen at AK at the tree of life while we were watching "its tough to be a bug" and whoever took our brand new stroller left their ratty, stained, flat tired, and torn one in its place. I was truly disgusted as I had no clue this could happen in the parks. The Park workers do a good job of moving strollers around but they can only watch so many at one time. My suggestion would be renting one at the parks, but if you have to take your own use duct tape and with a permanent marker write your name where its obvious to deter someone from taking it. Remember to lock your wheels and leave a bright colored rain poncho to cover it up with even if its not raining. This makes it less attractive, keeps it somewhat cooler and easier to identify after the ride.

 

[fakereadhed]

When we stayed at CR we found our son falling asleep at the parks, so the rental stroller wasn't working for us because I had to carry him back to the resort. Well we bought a stroller for like 40 bucks in the CR gift shop that looks much like the Mclaren pics I just looked up.

Disclaimer: My wife said it was 40 bucks. She tends to, ummm, fib, about what she pays for things...

I am shocked that anyone would do that. And BTW, if DH asks the Quest I just bought was $40 also.

 

[Georgia Bell]

We just returned from the World and I debated for months whether or not ot buy a Maclaren and take it. What a waste of time! Bringing a Maclaren was the best decision I made. I left the fan water misters hanging on it with baby stuff and no one ever bothered it. You will not regret taking it!!!!
Have a great trip!!!

Georgia Bell

SSR JUNE 2006
POFQ APRIL 2005
POP SEPT 2004

 

[goofygal531]

Just wanted to tell you I have the Graco Mosaic and I bought it just because the umbrella one's kill my back too. I got it a Target for $100! Best $$ I have ever spent. It folds like an umbrella stroller. It reclines and has a little basket and a cup holder.

I bought this stroller too for our recent trip in Jan - just for the large basket. I needed to carry extra jackets for the whole family with the crazy weather they have in Florida in January (45 in the am, 85 in the afternoon).

I also have a Maclaren Quest that I'll be taking this October there. My son is older and the stroller is lighter than the Mosaic. If you need the storage, you can't beat the Mosaic, it has the largest basket of any umbrella stroller. Plus the wheels are larger than the Maclaren's. Much more all terrain. But it is slightly heavier and the seat is a hammock seat, which my DS doesn't really like. He prefers to sit straight up in the Maclarens.

I wouldn't worry so much about the stroller, I mean if you were bringing an $800 Bugaboo, I'd worry. Maclarens are popular there, you'll blend in which is what you want. You don't want a fancy uncommon stroller that everyone would be interested in.

 

[sara74]

Ummm, guilty of accidental stroller theft here....

Spent a week at WDW with DD4 and DS1 in April. We brought our Graco Duoglider from home. Love the stroller, kids were very comfy and we had a great time using it. (No flames but I don't get the Maclaren craze!)

We were in line to see Peter Pan and Wendy. Got our pictures and went to grab the stroller. Put DS in and started to buckle it. Not our stroller. Same make, model, fabric pattern - check. Same Delta gate check tag - check. Same WL mug - check. Same Disney spray bottle - check. Banana ----Hmm, we didn't have a banana. Child bathing suit ------not ours. No hanging red star on the handle like we had either. We looked all around and couldn't find our stroller. Talked to a CM who wanted us to bring THIS stroller to lost and found and pay to rent one while we hoped to find ours. I was convinced that someone accidentally took ours and we would eventually find them. After all, same ages of kids, presumably, same hotel too.

So, found our stroller parked in front of Philharmagic about an hour later. I swapped DS into ours and left a note on the other one for the people I was sure had accidentally taken our stroller. It just said "yeah! We found you! here's your stroller - have a nice day!"

We ran into the family on the boat to WL that afternoon. They told us how they came out of Buzz Lightyear and their stroller was gone and they found ours. Hmmm, we went on Buzz a few hours before we saw Peter and Wendy....

Yep, just what I thought they did to us - I had done to them!!!! DH laughed at me for weeks! They were the nicest people and we spent the afternoon in the pool with them. Our DDs got along so well that DD asked if the little girl could come for a playdate. They live in NC. We live in CT. It was a nice afternoon, but I don't think we'll see them again!


So if your stroller goes missing. Just look around for me.

 

[Jacksmom99]

Spent a week at WDW with DD4 and DS1 in April. We brought our Graco Duoglider from home. Love the stroller, kids were very comfy and we had a great time using it. (No flames but I don't get the Maclaren craze!)

Ya know, I didn't get the Maclaren craze either. Until I had a 58lb 3 1/2 year old. Her Graco Metrolite was FABULOUS and survived 5 trips to the mouse. But since the weight limit is 35lbs, I figured it was time to put the old gal out to pasture. That stroller owes me nothing! I bought the Maclaren because the limit is 55lbs (yes, I know she's over a bit, but it's working fine). We absolutely have to bring our own stroller (or restraint system as DH calls it) because DD can be a WILD child and is off and running before anyone can grab her. However, when seated in her throne....er, stroller, she's content for hours. Go figure...