Best travel stroller

[kaa1187]

My husband, 2.5 year old son, and myself with be traveling to Disney in a few months. We were planning on taking my son's stroller, but am now wondering if we should purchase a lighter, more compact one for travel (we are flying in from Boston). I do not want an umbrella stroller. Does anyone have any suggestions? I will post a link of my son's stroller below, if any of you would like to give your opinion of how you think it would be for travel (it says it is lightweight, but its a little on a heavy side if you need to fold it up and carry it) Thanks in advance!





http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...957.2273443.2256189.2256206&parentPage=search

 

[tourguide81]

It's really up to you, I'm not a fan of travel system type strollers, especially for traveling. My preferred stroller for traveling w/ one child is our maclaren techno xlr. It's an umbrella fold, but is nothing like a typical umbrella stroller. I also think a baby jogger city mini would be great.

 

[tigerbelly]

I would not risk gate checking a stroller like yours. The airlines can be pretty rough with them......

I used this one http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...&cp=2255957.2273447.2609248&parentPage=family 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.

 

[kaa1187]

Both of the strollers you mentioned look great! And that is coming from someone who never would have considered an umbrella stroller lol! We also have a jogging stroller, but I would never take it on a plane-too bulky! With the Chicco stroller, I love having cup holders, and the basket is a decent size too-so I would like to have the same in a smaller travel stroller if such a thing exists

 

[tigerbelly]

Yeah, the one I linked has a cupholder, a pouch between the handles, and a smallish basket underneath, that can hold a purse. The shade is a bit small and flimsy but will work if you need it. It has the ease of an umbrella with more bells and whistles.

 

[tourguide81]

Both of the strollers you mentioned look great! And that is coming from someone who never would have considered an umbrella stroller lol! We also have a jogging stroller, but I would never take it on a plane-too bulky! With the Chicco stroller, I love having cup holders, and the basket is a decent size too-so I would like to have the same in a smaller travel stroller if such a thing exists

You can get something like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005PK1G76...TF8&colid=35FY6XB6Q3ZKS&coliid=I2WZ2TUK0M1CTO and there are other upholders. I never pay attention to that stuff b/c I'm anal about having tall enough handles, easy/compact fold and being able to turn on a dime, etc. That's all way more important to me. I also find you get what you pay for w/ strollers. It stinks b/c some are really expensive, but I look for sales and last year's model, etc. We've traveled w/ our double city mini and our maclaren and have never had an issue w/ the airlines. IME, if you go too small it ends up being flimsy and you are hunched over pushing it, etc.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

I'm in a similar situation - we are taking our 2 year old son to Disney at the end of the month and we have the Chicco Cortina also. It's a bit heavy when folded and I've been going back and forth on whether or not we should get another stroller. We also have a cheap $20 umbrella stroller from Babies'r'us, but I don't think it's very comfortable. I'm reluctant at this point to purchase a 3rd stroller because my son rarely uses it at home - he much prefers to walk. I really like the City Mini though...but would rather hold out and buy the double version as we'd like to have another little one soon. I also looked into the Chicco Liteway or the Echo, but I keep talking myself out of it. Interested to see what you decide to do. I'm leaning towards just taking the Cortina and dealing with it...hope I don't regret that decision!

 

[kaa1187]

OnThisMagicNight- im happy to have someone in the same situation, but am sorry at the same time haha! I, too, am a little apprehensive of spending a bunch of money on another stroller- I keep finding ones I like and then talking myself out of it like yourself! I will keep you posted on my decision! Looks like Ive got some research to do

 

[Habbott]

This may be what you're looking for. http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...957.2273443.2256189.2256203&parentPage=family.

It has the umbrella style close, but also has a tray. I'm a big fan of the higher end umbrella strollers. Most of them have more structure and cushioning in the seat, plus a recline of some sort (some better than others).

I definitely wouldn't take a big stroller on the bus, that doesn't sound fun for anyone.

 

[ClendeninHouse]

We're headed to Disney at the end of November with my DD(3) and DS(2) and invested in two umbrella strollers. I purchased the Summer 3-D Elite Convenience Stroller. We tested them out this past weekend at the zoo and they were great. It comes with a parent cup holder, a bit of storage underneath (held a medium sized backpack and lunchbox), a shoulder strap for easy carrying when folded up and has the taller handles. My DH is 6'4 and had no complaints. We're opting to take two instead of our bulky double jogging stroller.

 

[mightyexplorers]

I would say whatever stroller you look at, collapse and unfold it a number of times to see how easy it is.
You cannot bring a stroller unfolded onto a Disney bus, or smaller boat. The larger boats and monorail are nice because they let you just stroll right on those.
Usually we want to keep our kids in the stroller as long as possible while waiting for the bus so being able to grab them out, collapse it and walk on is important to us.

 

[DBDiz]

My wife and I were in the same boat. We own a City Mini and love it to death but we worried about damage during flight/loading and unloading. Also, we were hoping for a little more storage room and cupholders. We ended up going with this:

It's the Jeep Cherokee Sport Stroller. It was on sale on Zulily and we decided to take a chance. It folds quickly, is really light, and really is a glorified umbrella. But it has a significantly larger and more functional canopy than other inexpensive strollers, a must in the Florida sun. Cupholders are on the small side but they do hold the Free Refill travel mugs. Seat reclines,but doesn't lay flat. But our daughter will sleep anywhere once she's out.

 

[amomma23]

This one is AWESOME! http://www.albeebaby.com/quicksmart-easy-fold-stroller-in-geometric-grey.html#!prettyPhoto

 

[kaa1187]

The Jeep stroller seems like a great idea and I love how much shade it would provide in the hot FL sun! I honestly didnt take into consideration how rough my stroller may be handled (this is our first experience flying with our son).

 

[ebradley23]

City Mini hands down! 16 lbs and a one hand fold. We've had ours for nearly 2 years. It's gone with us on 8 trips which required flying. We purchased the padded bag meant for it, and we gate check it. Ours still looks brand new.

 

[AKL_Megs]

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!

 

[mssong85]

I have a maclaren and I love it. I also did not want to buy a 3rd stroller. I got my maclaren from a flea market site on Facebook. Most areas have them. My DD was 3 when we bought it. I really did not want to pay a lot so I found this to be this best way. It is now always in my car ready for a long day at the zoo or an amusement park.

 

[smiths02]

My wife and I were in the same boat. We own a City Mini and love it to death but we worried about damage during flight/loading and unloading. Also, we were hoping for a little more storage room and cupholders. We ended up going with this: It's the Jeep Cherokee Sport Stroller. It was on sale on Zulily and we decided to take a chance. It folds quickly, is really light, and really is a glorified umbrella. But it has a significantly larger and more functional canopy than other inexpensive strollers, a must in the Florida sun. Cupholders are on the small side but they do hold the Free Refill travel mugs. Seat reclines,but doesn't lay flat. But our daughter will sleep anywhere once she's out.

We used something like that...a Jeep brand stroller for a trip when DS was 2/3 and again at 5. It was around $45 in 2009. (I am sure it is more now. looks like $65). If you had Amazon or Walmart ship it and didnt take it home, it would still be cheaper than renting from Disney for a week.

 

[tourguide81]

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.

 

[kaa1187]

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!!