Best stroller to buy for a 3 1/2 year old

[Rich271]

Any suggestions on the best stroller to purchase for a 3 1/2 year old? I have an umbrella stroller but she seems to be to have grown out of it. She weighs 37 pounds. We are leaving for Disneyworld next week and this seems to be a dilema for me. Also, what are your thoughts of the strollers to rent at Disney for a 3 1/2 year old and how much is the rental per day?

 

[Elmo888]

I would bring your own for a 3 1/2 year old. There is a lot of walking outside the parks (resort room to bus/monorail/boat stop, stop to park, etc.). When you are leaving and everyone is tired, it will be a lot easier with a stroller rather than carrying your 3 1/2 year old.

Stroller-wise, how much would you like to spend and what type of stroller? Full featured or bare bones? I would definitely go with umbrellla style (compact fold, relatively lightweight). For bare bones, the Maclaren Volos have 45 lb wait limits, are around $100, don't recline, and will last (can usually accommodate bigger kids, will be durable enough to last through multiple kids, and good resale).

BRU is having sales on the 2007 models, so you might find a good deal right now!

 

[crazywig]

at this late date you're pretty much forced to buy in store. take a look at the Chicco C5 at Babies R Us, or the Maclaren Triumph. I know they carry both in store.

I wouldn't take a Volo for a 3.5yr old, I would think you'd need a recline as she will more than likely sleep at some point in the stroller.

 

[bumbershoot]

We bought either this or something very similar to this one, a Baby Trend. I really like it for its purpose, which is Disneyland.

I had a Combi Cosmo for a month, but had only used it inside the house. Within a block of using it on a city sidewalk I knew I would return it. I consigned it instead. And bought the Baby Trend.

I'm only 5'3" but I was kicking the Combi's tires, and I don't with the BT. I couldn't pop the Combi up to get up a curb, it would start to collapse. But I can do that with the BT. I like the sturdy, but not rough-riding solid wheels, I like the storage, I like the way the tray flips out to the side (not sure if that's a feature or if it's just what we do with it, LOL).

 

[tinkandpan]

I love my Mac Quest. The lower model is pretty good too. I too would stay away from the VOLO- you can get the next model up for just a bit more and have the feature of recling a bit and nicer padding

 

[blessedby3]

Mac Volos have a 55 pound weight limit, not 45. They are GREAT!! We bought one for our DD a few years back and have used it only for Disney trips. They are built to last and stand up to heavy weight. You cant even tell the child is in the stroller and you can push it with one hand. The cheap umbrella strollers are very hard to push when you get a bigger/heavier child in them. The Mac has very tall handles which comes in handy for DH (6'2"). They can be tippy if you hang a bunch of stuff on the handles, but thats my only drawback about them. I loved the Volo so much for DD that I ordered a Quest for our newest DD to use. Our Target sells the Volo for about $99 in store. I got my Quest from www.albeebaby.com for $129. It does have the recline but my baby is a newborn. If you are trying to save money, Im sure the Volo would be fine for your 3 1/2 yr DD.

Edited to say that I just checked allbeebaby and they have the stroller I got- the mac quest mod- in pink for $119. They also have the Triumph in pink for $119 and a Volo in Salmon for $79. Not sure how long it would take to get it. Great prices!!!!

 

[K8T]

Thank you for this thread.

We have a 3year old and are going to Disney for the first time and our stroller or pushchair as we call them here, isn't really the easiest when out and about, so are looking at buyng an umbrella one over there when we arrive.

I like the Macs, but they are so expensive over here, more like $200 or more for the cheapest. so Target here I come! Anyone know if we are likely to pass one on the way to WDW from Orlando Airport?

Kate

 

[crazywig]

yes! there is a supertarget that you can see from the 417 highway on the way from the airport! looking at the map it's exit 11

http://sites.target.com/site/en/spo...5313020063&referringURL=store_locator_new.jsp

 

[emmababy]

We have the baby trend and love it. It has a cup holder tray for little one and for adults. It has storage, canopy, it reclines, it is lightweight. But mainly it was $40. Can't beat that. I know a lot of people like Mac's on this forum, but I couldn't justify over a $100 for another stroller.

 

[connorlevismom]

We have a Mac Triumph and I could not live without it. We have a 3 1/2 year old and use it all the time.

Kristine

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

We bought the Jeep ones for the kids since our Baby Trends were in sorry shape after 2 years of use.

They were great. Light, easy to fold. I think they are like $40-50, bought them at Walmart.

They have little saddle bags on the sides where we keep the kids autograph books and sharpies, too.

 

[kileybeth]

Mac volo is all you need for 3.5 year old. My 2 year old slept perfectly in hers for 8 days of Disney. they are so lightweight and plenty of storage.

on sale at BRUs right now for around $50. Call around and they can probably tell you which store has one in stock. Always available on ebay as well for around 460 but you then have shipping.

My DS4.5 was just as comfy and slept in his Volo as well.

and yes, weight is easily 55lbs and will hold more. Thye are built tough. My DD12 at close to 100lbs sat in it a few times with no ill effects! ( I do not recommend this for extended pushing however it did still push as well as ever!)

 

[hoosiergirl7]

We were at WDW in 2006 when my son was almost 3 yrs old. He is now 4 and still fits perfectly in our Maclaren Triump still. We will probably take it with us in April for him to have as a place to sit and rest.

I love my Maclaren and don't think I'll ever own another stroller again.

 

[TJA]

We have lots of family and friends that frequent WDW and they all swear by Maclarens. My sister has a 6 year old and he easily fits in the Maclaren. We, however, prefer joggers as the kids get older/heavier. We have twins and like double strollers, so that is probably why we prefer joggers. We are looking at the baby jogger city series. We currently have a dreamer (and love it, but need updating). Whatever stroller you decide on, I think it's important that it's comfortable for your child. She will be more apt to nod off if she's comfortable. We have always looked for a nice recline and big canopy.