Anyone use a cheap umbrella stroller at WDW?

[2Pirates2Princesses]

For our WDW trip, we are contemplating just purchasing a cheap (under $30) umbrella stroller (e.g., Especially for Kids brand at Toys R US/Babies R Us) for our DD4. Our concern is that she is 40lbs and these strollers are for up to 35lbs. We have a Maclaren Triumph for my DS2 and it can be used for children up to 50lbs but that is his stroller (he is very attached to it and when we try to take him out of it he jumps back in it ) We also have a Sit N Stand, but we don't want to deal with hauling it around, especially on the WDW buses. We also don't want the unnecessary expense of renting a stroller unless we absolutely have to. So, has anyone just used a cheap umbrella stroller for children over the 35 lb weight limit and if so did it hold up during your WDW trip? Thanks

 

[Kat&Dom]

I used a cheap Wal-Mart umbrella stroller for Disney when my son was around 30 lbs. I would recommend getting some kind of foam grips for the handles as I got blisters on my hands from pushing the stroller around - the hard plastic groves on the handles were very uncomforable. Also, if you are taller than you tend to have to hunch over to push the cheap umbrella strollers. I am 5 foot 5 and I found I had to hunch over a bit in order to push the stroller. On our next trip, I bought a great stroller at Costco for $55 - the handles are higher and foam covered - it folds up and has a strap for carrying it. It was definitely worth the money to buy a better quality stroller than the $10 Umbrella - I enjoyed my trip much more and I think the stroller was a lot more comfortable for my son too. He was able to recline back in it more than you can with an Umbrella and the shade on it provided a lot better coverage.

 

[Ericandjenng]

Right before our trip last month we bought a Jeep branded umbrella stroller for about $40 at Wal-mart. We love it! And DD does too. Her big stroller/travel system is in the garage waiting for my niece to pick it up since she's expecting her next child.

One thing I found when we first bought one for DS several years ago is that you have to watch the height of the handles. Many of them are shorter than a normal stroller and will have you hunched over and I am only 5'3".

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I have used the cheap umbrella strollers in disney for my older dd. That was also before I started buying all of my macs and baby joggers. I used the kolcraft that we purchased from toysrus and it was a pretty good stroller. try it out with your dd the ones with shocks have the better push. I think the kolcraft one that I had eventually turned in to the especailly baby. She may not want to be in the stroller much anyways but if you are tall it is going to be a bit bothersome to push. I am 5'3" and it is a bit of a hunch for me to push the umbrella strollers like that and if you have to push it for longer periods it will be a hard on your back. Have you checked your local CL to see if there maybe is a maclaren volo for sale. I know you can buy a new one on ebay for 59 dollars and it ships for free you could sell it when you got home for close to what you paid for it.

I would spring for this one since it has the better canopy.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3980834

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I am trying to figure out though if I bought a cheap umbrella stroller if it would hold up during the week being that my DD4 is 40lbs and the majority of the umbrella strollers that are under $30 have a 35lb weight limit. We are not going to spend over $30 on an umbrella stroller since it will be used just for this trip.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

the cheap stroller will hold up its the weight will only effect the push of the stroller.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

the cheap stroller will hold up its the weight will only effect the push of the stroller.

that is what I was wondering. Yesterday while at Toys R Us I was looking at the brand that is in the link of your prior post. My DD4 is a very active, get up and go type and hasn't used or really wanted to use a stroller for any of our trips (zoo, local amusement parks, etc.) for a couple years now. I know she will only probably use the stroller during this trip when she wants an occasional break from all the walking.

 

[cseca]

I've not taken this stroller to WDW yet but we've used it pretty regularly at the mall and such. And since it sounds like your DD would walk most of the time anyways, it might work fine.

http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Jet-Stroller-Retro/dp/B002WB2GA2

If you're not going for awhile you might want to keep a lookout for cheaper price. We got ours for less than $30 including shipping.

It doesn't have any recline and not that great shade, but if you only plan to use it for short period of time (no naps or anything) I think it'll work.

It goes up to 50lb max weight.

Oh one more thing, the backrest on this stroller is rather short. If your DD is on the tall end her head might be hanging out without support.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

was the push hard with your dd. when we were in disney my older dd walked most of the time and at night she would ride and especially when we were in a hurry to get some where. If you think it will work for you and you were comfy with the push it should be fine.

this is a close up of the model that I bought in 2006 my dd fell asleep she was 6 in this picture and was over the weight limit. I didn't have any trouble pushing her.

 

[mellormousee]

I have taken several diffrent strollers to disney umbrella and a full sized one and last trip I broke down and rented one. I know its expensive but it was so much easier to push and you didn't have to worry about it when you left the parks. It also has a lot of room to store stuff in it.

 

[growinupdisney]

Spend $30 more dollars and get another Maclarean.. I got a triumph for $89 free shipping..the volo are are about $60 on ebay.. Will storage easier to push and when you want to sell it you will get more $ back. The only time our dd3 uses it is when we are in WDW but totally worth it.

 

[squirrel]

For my DL trip I used a cheap $20 stroller that folds like a regular stroller. It was okay, but now that I have a good stroller (Peg Perego Pliko P3) I can't believe I actually pushed that junky stroller around for 5 days.

It is worth getting a decent stroller for yourself and your child. Why spend so little on a stroller and then feel as though you are pushing around 75 pounds. Spend a bit more on a stroller that you won't be kicking the back of and sell it when you are finished your trip. If you spend $60 or even $70 on a decent stroller, I'm sure you could easily sell it for half the price you paid.

 

[Minniemouse07]

I would look into renting one from an outside company (there is a banner add on the top of my page right now for Orlando Stroller Rentals) for your stay instead. The rentals are generally jogging strollers and accommodate higher weight limits....and MUCH less $$ than renting at WDW!

It will be easier to push and more comfortable for your dd.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

while I agree with spending the extra on a volo and selling after, I don't agree with renting from neither disney nor the outside companies b/c they will be considerably more, and no ability recoup and funds.

 

[Minniemouse07]

while I agree with spending the extra on a volo and selling after, I don't agree with renting from neither disney nor the outside companies b/c they will be considerably more, and no ability recoup and funds.

The basic single jogger is only $70 for a week at Orlando Stroller Rentals... how is that considerably more? Plus you have the added convenience of not having to drag it w/ you from home!

We have a lightweight Peg Perego that we used w/ both kids so I've never had to rent anything.

Our August trip we are driving (usually fly) so I'm going to toss the stroller in the van in case ds-5yo needs it, but if we were flying I would probably leave it home.

 

[*Seanaci*]

The basic single jogger is only $70 for a week at Orlando Stroller Rentals... how is that considerably more? Plus you have the added convenience of not having to drag it w/ you from home!

We have a lightweight Peg Perego that we used w/ both kids so I've never had to rent anything.

Our August trip we are driving (usually fly) so I'm going to toss the stroller in the van in case ds-5yo needs it, but if we were flying I would probably leave it home.

Personally, when a child out-grows a stroller weight wise, it makes the stroller harder to push...because it was designed specifically to a maximum weight and you are now 5 pounds over that weight.

So that being said, no, I wouldn't go for the cheap umbrella stroller. Several posters have great advice about spending the money and buying a better umbrella-type stroller that has a higher weight maximum. I'll throw another suggestion into the bunch...Graco Ipo. Light-weight, maximum weight of 50 pounds, the seat reclines, and there is a sun shade though it doesn't do much good. We bought the Ipo 3 years ago for my parents to use when they kept our son...went back 2 months later and bought one for ourselves. Our son (who will be 4 in October) still rides comfortably in the strolller. We are planning on taking it in 2012 when we go to WDW (provided he doesn't have a massive growth spurt by then and gain 20 pounds and out grow the weight limit).

If you don't want to spend the money on a stroller that will only be used at WDW then renting from an outside company is a wise option...especially if you plan on staying late at the parks...beats having to carry the tired kiddo to the bus/car at the end of the day. However, if DD is one who has expendable energy and doesn't crash hard after a long day, then by all means, rent a park stroller...pick it up when you enter the park, and drop it off when you leave.

Only you know how tired your DD will be at the end of a long busy day. Ultimately that's what I would base my decision on.

Good luck!

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

The basic single jogger is only $70 for a week at Orlando Stroller Rentals... how is that considerably more? Plus you have the added convenience of not having to drag it w/ you from home!

We have a lightweight Peg Perego that we used w/ both kids so I've never had to rent anything.

Our August trip we are driving (usually fly) so I'm going to toss the stroller in the van in case ds-5yo needs it, but if we were flying I would probably leave it home.

for most people it is not considerably more however the op doesn't want to spend more than 30 to begin with so why spend 70 on something she can get no return on when she can spend 59.50 and get at least half of what she spent. that is the only reason I stated that it is considerably more. 99% of the time I recommend renting from orlando or magic but the op will get more use out of her money by buying the volo. The rental price is by far much better that disney's rental price especially for the product. I love my bjcm to me it is the ultimate disney stroller even compared to my volo,triumph,quest,ryder, and techno's.

 

[squirrel]

If you go with a Maclaren or other good quality stroller, you might even be able to sell it before heading home.

Disney sells umbrella strollers there but I think the price is $50-$60 now.

 

[Minniemouse07]

for most people it is not considerably more however the op doesn't want to spend more than 30 to begin with so why spend 70 on something she can get no return on when she can spend 59.50 and get at least half of what she spent. that is the only reason I stated that it is considerably more. 99% of the time I recommend renting from orlando or magic but the op will get more use out of her money by buying the volo. The rental price is by far much better that disney's rental price especially for the product. I love my bjcm to me it is the ultimate disney stroller even compared to my volo,triumph,quest,ryder, and techno's.

I think the hassle of purchasing the stroller, lugging it to Florida, then lugging it back, cleaning it and trying to sell it may be worth the extra $$

Someone said elsewhere that the Baby's Best Friend had decent strollers cheaper than Magic Strollers and Orlando Stroller Rentals. It may be worthwhile to look into them.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

I have done the cheap stroller. Never again. I like my lower back and sanity too much.

Here is a link to a Volo. Tall handles. Handles bigger kids like a dream. Folds up tiny. Has a carrying handle.

No recline, small sun screen, and no drink holder.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Maclaren-Volo-S...280616971242?pt=Strollers&hash=item4156132bea