Best stroller for touring the parks?

[Habbott]

I'm someone who had a stroller damaged on the airplane. I will probably rent on the next trip. I may change my mind and buy a used decent umbrella stroller since we baby wear a lot.i have until the end of January to decide.

 

[TWK]

We have a maclaren double, and it works out great. Before we brought a city mini select, and it was horrible... wonderful for the park, HUGE hassle on the buses (because we had the 2 seats for it)

There are umbrella strollers for taller people (they have adjustable handles to go up and down for height) I have one that does that.

 

[Jetapss]

We plan to bring a baby jogger summit x3 double stroller with us (kids 4 & 2). I haven't used if for disney yet but I really love how easy it is to stroll & maneuver. The only thing I dread is having to find a place to leave it outside the shops (or just leave hubby with it). I don't think we can bring it in most buildings so the wideness of it shouldn't be too much of an issue. It does fit through standard door frames but it's not always easy. As long as the kids are happy & comfortable, then it'll be worth it. & we are very fair skinned so the extended length sun canopies will be an added bonus - especially when they nap! I've also got battery powered fans hooked to them to keep them cool!

 

[Gracie09]

I wish Disney enforced a strict size on strollers. To call something the "Mini" at that size is ridiculous. Folded up one stroller would completely block the walkway on a bus or boat.

My mother made due with an umbrella stroller when I was a child and its lack of size didn't slow us down.

Disney does have size limits on strollers. That stroller fits (with plenty of room to spare) within the size limits.

Things change. Disney is much larger now than it was when your mother was pushing her umbrella stroller. I bet if she had a choice she would go with one that is easier to push.
Lots of things block walkways on buses or boats. Bags, backpacks, people, coolers. Its part of public transportation

OP I have gone with the city elite (double) uppa baby vista (single) and a macclaren (double). I would go with the full size stroller especially if you think your child will nap in it. Does the canopy on the g-luxe fold out like the vista? My kids were too old for me to justify a new stroller when the g-luxe came out and it wasn't a double.

 

[peteykirch]

Disney does have size limits on strollers. That stroller fits (with plenty of room to spare) within the size limits.

Things change. Disney is much larger now than it was when your mother was pushing her umbrella stroller. I bet if she had a choice she would go with one that is easier to push.
Lots of things block walkways on buses or boats. Bags, backpacks, people, coolers. Its part of public transportation

OP I have gone with the city elite (double) uppa baby vista (single) and a macclaren (double). I would go with the full size stroller especially if you think your child will nap in it. Does the canopy on the g-luxe fold out like the vista? My kids were too old for me to justify a new stroller when the g-luxe came out and it wasn't a double.

It may meet Disney's "size" limits, but I'm sorry one folded up stroller shouldn't block a complete walkway on a bus or boat. That's too damn large.

I never saw anyone bring a cooler on any form of transportation at Disney either.

 

[MainlyLurking]

There are umbrella strollers for taller people (they have adjustable handles to go up and down for height) I have one that does that.

Do you mind sharing what kind you have and how much you paid for it? I can't seem to find any with slightly higher handles that don't cost 3x as much and weigh 2x as much as regular ones.

 

[Maxpowers]

You can also rent strollers from non-disney companies that will delivery them to your resort. I did it from Kingdom Strollers and it was super easy. That doesn't really answer you question, but thought it might be useful information.

 

[wampuscat7]

Do you mind sharing what kind you have and how much you paid for it? I can't seem to find any with slightly higher handles that don't cost 3x as much and weigh 2x as much as regular ones.

I'm not the person you were talking to, but stroller height is a big deal to us because my husband is 6'3". We have the Summer Infant 3D Lite, and it's pretty comfortable for him. I think the handlebar height is about 42". (It's not adjustable, though.) It weighs 11 lbs, I think. The only complaint I have about it is that it doesn't stand on its own when you fold it, but I can overlook that. (Also the cup holder is cheap, if you care about that.) It's not as high quality as some of the strollers mentioned here, but since we don't really use our stroller for much other than travel and some day trips, it's been great for us. And cheap. I think I got it on sale for $60.

I also tried the Chicco Liteway, a couple of the Britax models, etc. I like the Uppababy strollers a lot and would've gotten one if I had planned to use it a lot, but my kiddo is 2 and would rather walk most of the time anyway. One of my friends also recommended the Joovy Groove to me, so you might look at that one as well.

 

[MainlyLurking]

I'm not the person you were talking to, but stroller height is a big deal to us because my husband is 6'3". We have the Summer Infant 3D Lite, and it's pretty comfortable for him. I think the handlebar height is about 42". (It's not adjustable, though.) It weighs 11 lbs, I think. The only complaint I have about it is that it doesn't stand on its own when you fold it, but I can overlook that. (Also the cup holder is cheap, if you care about that.) It's not as high quality as some of the strollers mentioned here, but since we don't really use our stroller for much other than travel and some day trips, it's been great for us. And cheap. I think I got it on sale for $60.

Thanks for responding. I guess I'm really cheap b/c I've been hoping for something $40. I don't want all of the extras like a cupholder, storage or padded seat; just the same as my no-frills $20 stroller but with the handles a couple inches higher. I think I need to realize that such a thing doesn't exist. Oh well.

 

[Jersey Dis]

We used our Graco Modes and it served us well. One thing I suggest is ensure you have a large enough storage area.

 

[wampuscat7]

Thanks for responding. I guess I'm really cheap b/c I've been hoping for something $40. I don't want all of the extras like a cupholder, storage or padded seat; just the same as my no-frills $20 stroller but with the handles a couple inches higher. I think I need to realize that such a thing doesn't exist. Oh well.

You might take a look at the Kolcraft Cloud. I think I recall that one being on the taller side. It's got a few more frills than a basic umbrella, though, if you don't want those.

You could also buy or make handle extensions?

 

[linzjane88]

We used the Summer Infant 3d lite for about 65$on Amazon .it's a little taller and sturdier than your average umbrella stroller but it is so much nicer than navigating a behemoth through crowds (used to use a sit n stand).

It almost completely reclines back which is nice. One downside is that you can't access the underneath basket when the child is reclined. It also can't handle too much weight on the back without a child in the seat. Can't tell you how many times dd leaped out to look at something and over it went if we had the backpack hanging on the handles. We use it for our 38 pound dd4. She's getting a bit tall for it now but we can probably get one more year of of it.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

I've had my MacLaren volo for 7 years and two Disney trips. I recommend it because it weighs 10 pounds and folds in five seconds.

 

[Baklava]

Do you mind sharing what kind you have and how much you paid for it? I can't seem to find any with slightly higher handles that don't cost 3x as much and weigh 2x as much as regular ones.

It doesn't cover the price issue, but we rented the GT Mini and I wished we'd bought one when my daughter was younger, it was that wonderful. I'm 5'2. My son is 6'2 and my husband is 6'4 and the adjustable handle meant everyone could push it. It was a little heavy but it never blocked an aisle anywhere. We used it because my kiddo has special needs and the hood pulled down enough to give her a sensory shield.

We rented it because we could not find a reasonably priced stroller that met the same criteria. It was worth every penny.

 

[Meeko5]

It may meet Disney's "size" limits, but I'm sorry one folded up stroller shouldn't block a complete walkway on a bus or boat. That's too damn large.

I never saw anyone bring a cooler on any form of transportation at Disney either.

The citi mini double folded plenty flat enough for my DH to hold in front of him on the ground, in front on his legs. It did not block any walkway.

For a kid who will spend hours sitting in a stroller, I'd rather it be comfortable and supportive. And easier to push for the parent. Disney has decided what is "too damn large".

Not everyone with a double stroller is out there trying to be obnoxious and take up all the space. Just doing what is best for us.

 

[bab736]

We have an Uppa baby Vista but we also have a City mini and that is what we bring. It is light and folds flat which is great for travel but it is sturdy and lies almost flat with a large sun shade for naps.

We have the same two and brought the Uppababy Vista the last two times when DD was 2 and 3. It's large and heavy, but we stay at the contemporary or BLT so we're either walking or on the monorail or car, no bus folding. I LOVE the huge basket because we throw snacks, drinks, jackets (we go in the winter and wear layers). It's also super nice and easy to push and we can attach a bag to the handles without it falling over, etc.

This time we'll have a 4-year-old and a 2-month old so I'm thinking we'll go with renting a City Mini GT but I'll mourn the loss of having a huge basket. My mom just got us a Summer Infant 3D lightweight but not sure if we'll use that since it would be just for DD at this age.

 

[Terapin]

I have the Baby Jogger City Mini Zip. It's awesome for travel. It has a big basket, manoeuvres well, and we bought a carry case for flying (and that bag has taken DAMAGE!). It folds down quite small and easily. It is 17 pounds. We have travelled throughout Europe and subways, to both US parks several times with it, and have flown about 12 times this year with it. I can't recommend it enough.

 

[MainlyLurking]

You might take a look at the Kolcraft Cloud. I think I recall that one being on the taller side. It's got a few more frills than a basic umbrella, though, if you don't want those.

Thanks! I actually picked up something like this at a yard sale this weekend for $15! SCORE!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I bought a Summer Infant 3D Lite for our cruise last winter. I didn't want to spend much cause I didn't know how we'd like it or how much we'd use it. I loved it! Our "better" stroller is now sitting in the sell/donate pile in the basement, and the 3D Lite goes on trips, to the zoo, to the aquarium, etc. If it gets damaged or lost, it's no big deal.

We have that stroller too. I got it to take on our trip when our daughter was almost 2. I was "meh" about it. It's in storage now while we use our higher end strollers (Britax B-Agile Single and Double) all the time. Quicker to fold, better sun shade, better storage, and one hand steering (even the double).

Personally, I prefer the Citi Mini and similar type strollers in the parks. We have the Britax B-Agile Single and Double. The sunshades are awesome, recline is great, folding is easy (folds in half with one hand), and steers/pushes with one hand. I saw so many kids ROASTING in the sun on our last trip this month sitting in strollers with crappy sunshades. As long as my kids are in diapers, I want something with decent storage to hold the diaper bag (either under the seat in the basket or hanging from the handles). I think if I had a single older toddler I'd be fine with a no-frills umbrella type stroller, but I don't know how well a larger toddler would fit into one of those strollers. There is a reason why the stroller rental companies pretty much all rent out the City Mini style strollers.

 

[Baklava]

This time we'll have a 4-year-old and a 2-month old so I'm thinking we'll go with renting a City Mini GT but I'll mourn the loss of having a huge basket. My mom just got us a Summer Infant 3D lightweight but not sure if we'll use that since it would be just for DD at this age.

The basket wasn't *huge* but it also wasn't tiny. It always had plenty of room for our stuff. (Although we didn't have diaper stuff, so that's a factor.)