Best travel stroller

[DBDiz]

I went out and bought the Jeep Sport stroller in Blue Cobalt (for $45 @ Walmart!!) and O.M.G. it is perfect!! Easy to assemble, lightweight, big enough basket, and a few cupholders. Super easy to fold and compact...did I mention how light it is?? Such a difference from my Cortina or jogging stroller. Turns on a dime and so far my son loves it! Thank you to everyone for all of your suggestions and input!!

Glad to help.

 

[DBDiz]

It's so strange to me that people leave their great strollers (like a city mini, maclaren) at home for the time they will need the stroller the most. Our Maclaren has literally been around the world. Sure it's a little beat up, but it's also 5.5 years old and has been to 3 other countries as well as many domestic destinations. It also has gone to the zoo and park countless times. I've never had an issue w/ it getting damaged by other people or airlines and there is just no way I'd give up what I know will work so well just in case.

I guess, in our case, we're worried about the gate check. Baggage handlers are not gentle at all. And for a stroller that was an expensive gift (our City Mini), which we're hoping to make last for at least another round of kid(s) or will be worth more towards a trade-in/resale for a City Double, we wanted to invest in something less expensive that we wouldn't care if it got damaged but had better functionality than a generic base umbrella stroller. It's more or less replacing our umbrella, which we had already but is starting to show it's wear.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

We had a Cortina, and I hated that clunky thing at WDW. Forget pushing it through a crowd or busy shop.

Soon after, we bought a Euro-style "umbrella" and I couldn't be more pleased!

I think you've confirmed my fears. Did you really find the Cortina was too wide to get through the shops? I agree it's definitely clunky when folded - I know taking it on and off the bus will be a bit of a pain.

I went out and bought the Jeep Sport stroller in Blue Cobalt (for $45 @ Walmart!!) and O.M.G. it is perfect!! Easy to assemble, lightweight, big enough basket, and a few cupholders. Super easy to fold and compact...did I mention how light it is?? Such a difference from my Cortina or jogging stroller. Turns on a dime and so far my son loves it! Thank you to everyone for all of your suggestions and input!!

Glad you found something that works at such a cheap price! Did they have a display model set up in Walmart? Maybe I will have to go take a look...

 

[tbone00]

I would not risk gate checking a stroller like yours. The airlines can be pretty rough with them...... I used this one with my 4 year old last fall. It was perfect and quite light. I found mine even cheaper on ebay (I think $35?) And you will be doing a lot of folding and unfolding if you plan on using Disney's bus system. It pays to have a stroller that can be collapsed fast and one handed.

I have this one also, bought it when my DD was around 2, it's lightweight, taller handles and has the little basket underneath. It doesn't hold a ton, but has a couple cup holders and a zipper area between them. My DD is now 5 and I plan on taking this with us in November for our first trip. It also folds very fast and easy. I got mine at Walmart for $40-45

 

[pixiemama91]

I bought a Joovy cooper stroller the last time we went to Disney and I love it. Its an umbrella stroller but has good storage in it. It pushes really easy.

 

[PrincessBCF]

We are planning on taking our Uppababy G-Luxe stroller. We've traveled with it many times and I really like it. I also bought their travel bag because if something happens to the stroller and you use the bag they will replace it no big deal. We did that and they even told me to take off my cup holder and extra seat cover to save and have extras. I highly reccomend the company and the strollers! I also love that the stroller has a strap on the back so you can carry it like a bag. There's also the G-Lite version that's almost the same but it doesn't have a full seat recline like the Luxe.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BEJP4HU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1397401991&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BEJP498/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1397402055&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

 

[kaa1187]

I think you've confirmed my fears. Did you really find the Cortina was too wide to get through the shops? I agree it's definitely clunky when folded - I know taking it on and off the bus will be a bit of a pain.



Glad you found something that works at such a cheap price! Did they have a display model set up in Walmart? Maybe I will have to go take a look...

Yes, they did! Just do 'check store availability' and hopefully they'll have it in stock near you

 

[texasroni75]

We used the Jeep stroller like pictured in a previous post in this thread. It folded flat enough that it hardly took up space on the Disney buses, is VERY light, does recline some, and everyone in line marveled at the one-hand close button, which is even easier than an umbrella stroller I could close it no problem even while carrying 2 year old DS.

We found ours at a local garage sale for $10 - but new they are under $50. Airline broke the sunshades off two brand new umbrella strollers one year, so I hesitate to bring a pricey stroller along if flying.

It's also easy to find an inexpensive rain cover for the Jeep strollers if you are going in rainy season. Plenty of cupholder space, basket underneath and a good sunshade. (Can you tell I loved this stroller?!)

 

[Pepperldy]

I've been doing a ton of research for our June trip, and I've decided to purchase the Valco Baby Snap. It has all the features of a full-size stroller, but weighs under 13 lbs and folds up really easily. I haven't seen this stroller mentioned much, but it has great reviews. I also considered the Uppababy G-Luxe and the Joovy Groove Ultralight.

 

[imthemamahere]

For our son's 1st trip to Disney World, when he was about 2 1/2, we knew we'd need a stroller, but were a little wary of gate-check damage, and also worried about the sheer bulk+weight of our existing stroller. Hauling that thing up and down on the parking lot trams (we rent a car) would not have been fun.

So I found an inexpensive stroller that's sort of a souped-up umbrella stroller. I wanted something with padding and some degree of recline, though mostly, I was just concerned about weight. I bought ...
[Just discovered I can't post links as I'm new to the forums, but if you pop onto amazon and search for First Years Jet stroller, that's the one.]

(It was no more than $35 when I bought it, the price seems to have gone up in the 2+ years since.)

And, because I didn't decide which stroller to go with until very shortly before our trip, and I was a bit concerned about the quality of a stroller I was choosing sight-unseen, I had it shipped directly to our Disney hotel.

Best thing I could have done! Bell services brought it to me after I checked in. I simply opened the box, snapped on the wheels, and it was ready to go. I didn't have to worry about it being lost or damaged on the flight to Orlando, since it was waiting for me at WDW!

I added a detachable pouch-type thing (that also holds drinks) that wraps around the handles, tossed in diapers, wipes, and other basics, and that was that.

That stroller's the only one my son has sat in over the 2 1/2 years since. I pulled my heavy Graco out of my trunk as soon as I got home, tossed this one in instead, and never looked back. It went back to WDW with us a year later... and will be returning once again when we go back later this year. It's roughly half the weight of the stroller we'd been using before... and my back and shoulders are grateful!

 

[dsneygirl]

It's so strange to me that people leave their great strollers (like a city mini, maclaren) at home for the time they will need the stroller the most. Our Maclaren has literally been around the world. Sure it's a little beat up, but it's also 5.5 years old and has been to 3 other countries as well as many domestic destinations. It also has gone to the zoo and park countless times. I've never had an issue w/ it getting damaged by other people or airlines and there is just no way I'd give up what I know will work so well just in case.

Yes! I would never leave my Citi Mini at home for a cheapy. That thing pushes and steers like a dream far better than any cheap one. Our Mac went on more than 20 airplane flights and was still going strong but I wanted a new one for baby #2. The huge canopy and recline is a must for me.

 

[Angel Ariel]

It's so strange to me that people leave their great strollers (like a city mini, maclaren) at home for the time they will need the stroller the most. Our Maclaren has literally been around the world. Sure it's a little beat up, but it's also 5.5 years old and has been to 3 other countries as well as many domestic destinations. It also has gone to the zoo and park countless times. I've never had an issue w/ it getting damaged by other people or airlines and there is just no way I'd give up what I know will work so well just in case.

I use my city mini all the time at home, but don't want to worry about it being stolen/lost at Disney. Simple solution, renting a City Mini at WDW. I still get my great stroller, but no worries about what happens to it.

 

[tourguide81]

Yes! I would never leave my Citi Mini at home for a cheapy. That thing pushes and steers like a dream far better than any cheap one. Our Mac went on more than 20 airplane flights and was still going strong but I wanted a new one for baby #2. The huge canopy and recline is a must for me.

Exactly. What's the point of a great stroller if you don't take it where you need it most? To me, it's like having a a car and never driving it places b/c you're afraid to put miles on it.

 

[DisneyMooners2010]

I agree with Angel Ariel! We love our City Mini, but don't want it to get damaged. We rent one from Apple strollers and then bring an umbrella stroller we got for free from Babies R Us. It's a cheap one with no canopy, but boy is it easy to take through airport security! DD also thinks it is really fun to ride in. I highly recommend this option!!!

 

[Lampoon2012]

We'll be in the same boat. We are currently in the planning stages of a 9 day WDW vacation for next April. DS will be 18 months at the time of travel. We currently have a BOB Motion, but I am thinking it may be too bulky and not have enough storage. I am debating exchanging it for the sole purpose of getting a better "higher" end stroller that will fit our Disney needs. Crazy? Maybe, but I don't want the stroller to be the thing we are constantly complaining about. Loving the suggestions, any others out there that are not the "JEEP" stroller, personally I don't like that one. Thinking of the UPPAbaby Cruz. Anyone have it?

 

[lucyddr]

We have twins and are planning our first WDW trip with babies (been hundreds of times up to 2010). Our favorite stroller at home is our Bumbleride Indie Twin. It has great storage and steers easily with one hand, which is rare with twin strollers. Unfortunately, it's heavy and doesn't fold very flat. Has anyone ever taken one of these on the busses? That's my biggest fear!

I'm honestly considering driving instead of flying just so we don't have to deal with the busses, though we've always LOVED not having to drive on vacation. Not sure what to do!?!?

 

[husker-mouse]

Lampoon2012 - I have a uppababy Cruz and we love it!!! I like it bc the seat is a little bigger than the vista and my DS is huge -only 2 but the size of a 4/5yo. Though I would test it out in regards to breaking it down a lot if you plan on using the buses. I would think its similar to the city mini though. Also look into getting a shade extender and a product called stroll n chill. Good luck!

 

[AZMermaid]

We have a City Mini and the cheaper MacLaren Volo we got at a garage sale for $30. We generally travel with the Volo although we love the Mini, it is more compact for travel. For theme park trips though, we take the City Mini- the sun shade and easy fold is what seals the deal. My kids are not stroller sleepers but the recline is also ventilated and really nice.

 

[PrincessBCF]

We'll be in the same boat. We are currently in the planning stages of a 9 day WDW vacation for next April. DS will be 18 months at the time of travel. We currently have a BOB Motion, but I am thinking it may be too bulky and not have enough storage. I am debating exchanging it for the sole purpose of getting a better "higher" end stroller that will fit our Disney needs. Crazy? Maybe, but I don't want the stroller to be the thing we are constantly complaining about. Loving the suggestions, any others out there that are not the "JEEP" stroller, personally I don't like that one. Thinking of the UPPAbaby Cruz. Anyone have it?

Lampoon2012 - I have a uppababy Cruz and we love it!!! I like it bc the seat is a little bigger than the vista and my DS is huge -only 2 but the size of a 4/5yo. Though I would test it out in regards to breaking it down a lot if you plan on using the buses. I would think its similar to the city mini though. Also look into getting a shade extender and a product called stroll n chill. Good luck!

We have the Vista and I love it. That said the only reason I went with that over the Cruz was because I wanted to have the second seat option for when we have another DC. I took the Vista to Epcot a couple weeks ago and it was HORRIBLE to get on and off the tram from the lot. I can't imagine the Cruz will be that different but I wouldn't take either one to Disney, which is such a bummer because the sunshade and recline are amazing!

 

[Angel Ariel]

We'll be in the same boat. We are currently in the planning stages of a 9 day WDW vacation for next April. DS will be 18 months at the time of travel. We currently have a BOB Motion, but I am thinking it may be too bulky and not have enough storage. I am debating exchanging it for the sole purpose of getting a better "higher" end stroller that will fit our Disney needs. Crazy? Maybe, but I don't want the stroller to be the thing we are constantly complaining about. Loving the suggestions, any others out there that are not the "JEEP" stroller, personally I don't like that one. Thinking of the UPPAbaby Cruz. Anyone have it?

Personally, there's no way I'd ever bring a stroller that expensive to WDW. I've read too many stories of stroller theft. I don't even bring our City Mini for that reason...I'd much rather rent the City Mini (and get the insurance on it) so that it doesn't matter if it gets taken.

YMMV, of course, and that's totally cool..just not something I'd be comfortable with