At odds with DH over stroller

[scarlet_ibis]

We have two DDs, ages 5.5 and almost-3. I may be new to the boards, but we're Disney veterans, as this is DD1's 4th trip and DD2's 3rd.

*I* know, both from being at Disney before and spending my days with them, that they will both need a stroller. Probably mid-to-late afternoon AND in the evenings, since their regular bedtime is 7pm. We're going to MNSSHP on Monday and we have several dinner reservations on the later side, since we didn't anticipate that they'd need to be in bed so early once school started. Our return flight also doesn't leave until after 7pm.

I say we should buy a second lightweight umbrella stroller and take it with us. We'll want it in the afternoons and need it by Monday (BBB/dinner at LTT/MNSSHP). Our price points are $20 for elcheapo, ~$60 for a nice Chicco with a sunshade that reclines, or ~$90 for a very nice Maclaren Volo, which doesn't recline, but has a higher weight limit and is so easy to steer. (All of this recognizing that it would be $15 to rent a Disney stroller for one day. <spit>) I looked and couldn't find any decent ones on Craigslist or at yard sales/consignment shops.

I thought DH was on board with this until today, when I asked him which was he was leaning. Now he doesn't think we need one, or that if we do, we can just "run out" and buy one down there. He thinks we should "try it for a few days and see how it goes." He thinks a second stroller will be a hassle and he doesn't want to drag it around.

Am I nuts? We get there Saturday afternoon, EMH at MK are Sunday night, and we have MNSSHP on Monday. I can't carry either child for very long as they are 30+ and 40+ lbs and I am almost 6 months pregnant. I don't want to waste HOURS of park time running around finding and assembling a stroller after he comes around and decides we need one, or have a fight down there about it. I don't want to be at the mercy of whatever is in stock at whichever store is closest. We'll be there for 9 days, and our return flight gets in 2.5 hours after the kids' bedtime -- doesn't it make sense to stroller them to get from the gate to the car and allow us to get our bags?

I'm just so frustrated and I hate that this is ausing so much tension!

UPDATE: He said to go ahead and get the Chicco! Yay!!!!

 

[RadioFanatic]

your dh is nuts and I would tell him that, if you aren't getting a stroller, he is doing all of the carrying that you aren't lifting a finger in that regard.

 

[parkers*momma]

Compromise with him. Tell him that you are going to take it and have it there incase you need it. Once he sees that he has to carry a sleepy/tired child...he will change his mind quickly. Plus in the long run, he will be thankful to bought a decent one at home cheaper than to buy one at WDW.

Just for fun. I totally agree with you...he is nuts! I couldnt imagine not having a stroller or renting one for $15 a day while there.

 

[laughinplace199]

Do they still sell the red & black umbrella strollers in the parks? Last time we were there, they were selling them for about $40. They reclined and had a canopy. If they're still selling these, you could just buy one if/when your DD needed it.

 

[Miz Diz]

What did you do on your last trip? Why not buy a double stroller or there is an attachment you can use to connect 2 umbrella strollers together. How about something like that? My son did not use a stroller at age 5, but we had some times at Disney I wish he had one because he was getting tired of walking. We did rent a stroller one night when we were doing MK EMH because we knew we would be out so late.

 

[eyor44]

or there are several stroller swaps going on for both double and single strollers. When are you going? Here is a swap for a single Mac Volo. The dates of Nov 15-22 are free, the list just hasn't been updated yet as the OP is at Disney right now.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1895635

 

[Bren's Mom]

I'd play the preggo trump card. Unless he's planning to CARRY a 3 or 5 year old by himself whenever they get tired, you need a 2nd stroller or a double. Personally, I'd not get an 'el cheapo'. Buy a Volo (or a Triumph). Your best bet is on ebay. You can purchase a Volo, brand new in the box from one of the baby products powersellers for around $70 including shipping. And with the much higher weight limit it will last you longer and be much more comfy to push than a cheaper one.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

Thanks for all of the quick responses so far!

We are leaving early Saturday morning, so I don't have time to have anything shipped, unfortunately! I have some good coupons for Babies 'R Us, however.

On our last trip, we took the Maclaren that we have and rented a second stroller for the week. At $8/day, that was a reasonable price. But my mom has been down since and said those umbrella strollers that were sold at DTD/the parks have doubled in price. (Captive audience?)

I really don't want a double stroller. We're staying DVC and anything bigger than a lightweight umbrella is a pain on the busses. Having separate strollers also gives us the ability to split up.

I really think my 5 year old will need one. I see how tired she is in the afternoons just from kindergarten! Plus, she has that earlier bedtime now. I've been down to WDW with kids as old as 8 who have needed a stroller at some point.

You know, I don't even mind parking one stroller in one of the stroller lots when we get there and retrieving it when we need it or before we leave, if he thinks it's too much to "lug around" during the day.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I agree with the above poster. You absolutely need another stroller. Why would you spend all that money on a vaction, and have it ruined with an aching back and an ill child? I didn't want to buy a stroller for my almost 5 year old either, knowing that we wouldn't use it much after this trip. But it just isn't worth it to save $50-70 after all you have already spent. I bought a Triumph on ebay for $70 and I know I will not regret that. And I also know that if I don't want to keep the stroller after our trip, I can easily sell it on ebay and get most of my money back out of it. Selling on ebay is fun and easy. So go buy a Maclaren and you can sell it when you get back and have almost used it for free.

 

[tripplanner]

I vote for by the cheap one and take it. We bought a couple $20 umbrella strollers just for Disney when the kids were little. They were easy to handle since they were small. We never worried about them getting stolen since they were so cheap.

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

Have the argument now, and take the second stroller. Do you have a break in the middle of your days for your kids to nap? That could help with the crankiness that will set in.

 

[princessmom29]

HAve you considered an evenflo x sport? I bought one for DD5 for our upcoming trip at walmart for $30. They have a higher weight limit than a regular umbrella and a re a little larger. WE have used it a little around town as a "practice run" and are really happy with it.

 

[stephgles]

My dd is a little over 4 when we went a few weeks ago. DH thought I was nuts for bring her stroller. Last time she used it was our last Disney trip. Well he was grateful I did. Cause come the 3rd day she was exhausted and just wanted to ride in it. Next year she is 5 and I already told DH that I was still bring her stroller probably her umberella stroller and not the big one but will miss the big one cause of cup holders and the space underneath.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

DD just turned 5 last Sunday and we are not taking a stroller next week. We have been walking to build up her endurance , plus it will be so nice not having to hasssle with one on the bus and finding it when a CM moves it.

I might be in the minority but I would take 1 stroller and see how it goes.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I would take a look at ebay for any thing that you might be interested in purchasing especially the macs I know they have a powder pink volo for 49.99 + 20 for shipping and they are brand new. Also disney does sell on property a Kolcraft umbrella stroller that has a partial recline for 40 dollars.

mac volo
http://cgi.ebay.com/Maclaren-Volo-P...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Kolcraft in disney
http://kolcraft.com/product.aspx?id=99&&shopby=category


Have you checked out the budget board they have a couple of stroller swaps and one is for a volo the others are double jogging strollers.

Good luck w/ your decision we usually bring two strollers this time I am bringing my BJCM but I am also renting the double from www.orlandostrollerrentals.com it 85 dollars for the seven days that we will be there.

 

[Ellester]

If your DH is really against the second stroller, I'd just make sure he understands he is in charge of any carrying that needs to be done. Our last trip, our ds was 33 months (dds were 5 and 8) and we DID NOT bring a stroller. My dh spent lots of time with ds on his shoulders, but he was fine with that. DD5 was not carried at all. I rented a stroller one day when ds was ill and we had separated for the day, but that was the only time. My dh is very anti-stroller and by then we did not even have a stroller at home to take. I did notice in August at DTD the red umbrella strollers were still $40 to buy. I've heard they are actually very nice.

 

[tam626]

your dh is nuts and I would tell him that, if you aren't getting a stroller, he is doing all of the carrying that you aren't lifting a finger in that regard.

I agree.

 

[TexasBee]

I absolutely agree that you need a 2nd one. Buy a cheap one at BRU and carry it down with you - if you don't need it you can leave it in the room - but you know your kids best and if you say they need it, they do. End of story.

 

[brockash]

I bet he'd changed his mind when he's carrying out the sleeping child. We just returned last month. I have a DD 17 months and DS 6. My DS never uses a stroller at home, and hasn't for a long time, but I knew it'd be nice to have at Disney, so I bought a sit n stand just for our trip, and I'm very glad that I did. DS did walk most of the time, but just the peace of mind of having him in the sit n stand at closing or when it was crowded was more than enough to satisfy me. He used it a few times during the day when we'd walk across the park, but for the most part he used it at closing ect. This is the part of marriage I hate. My DH is in Iraq, so I didn't really leave him a choice, but yes your DH is crazy, and I don't think lugging around 2 umbrella strollers with 2 adults is going to be much different than lugging around 1. You'll just park 2 strollers at the rides instead of 1 Good luck!

 

[lucigo]

I just happened to look at strollers at Target yesterday and there are several options for double strollers available now, 2 places to sit, sit and stand, etc. in what look to be fairly lightweight strollers. I would go for it and get a nice one, you can always sell it on ebay when you get back! Besides by getting one that holds both of them you can let DH push them! Being six months pregnant you are carrying enough already!