Best type of stroller for 2.5yo?

[BellyDaisy]

What is the best type of stroller to use for a 2.5 year old at the parks? Currently, we only use the big travel system stroller.

Is it easy to get around with a large stroller?
Would it be easier with an umbrella stroller, even though we'd lose the storage space?
Is it easier to bring a stroller with you or rent one? Our trip requires a plane ride.

TIA!

 

[kim_o]

My personal opinion :
AT 2.5 and a plane ride, I would bring my own stroller - that way you can also use it in the aiport. I am not an umbrella stroller fan - I like the full size strollers that offer full reclines and LOTS of storage. I have never had difficulty getting around with a full size stroller.

I have a wide range of strollers, some lower end, some higher end ($600+). Last trip to disney I took a graco quattro tour and it worked out very well. The push was a little more difficult than I'm used to at home, but it had lots of storage, a full recline, snack tray, decent canopy coverage, and I didn't worry about it getting stolen.

 

[Perditamarie]

Definately bring your own stroller. We love our Maclaren-- handles like a dream, super easy to push, your child can use until around 6+ so it'd good for many Disney trips, easy to manage on the buses and very light, 5 pt harness, excellent rain cover, only the volo model doesn't reclline. The storage basket is smaller, but still fine for an older child- I can stuff a small backpack/ in it. Really, the only bad thing about it is no cupholder for the driver!

 

[n3rf]

My personal opinion :
AT 2.5 and a plane ride, I would bring my own stroller - that way you can also use it in the aiport.

What exactly do you mean by this...I heard a few people mention that you can use it at the airport, but cant seem to find the info...

Since i would have to check it in with the luggage, how exactly can it be used there?

Or is there a special check-in for just strollers?

 

[sunlover13]

Definately bring your own stroller. We love our Maclaren-- handles like a dream, super easy to push, your child can use until around 6+ so it'd good for many Disney trips, easy to manage on the buses and very light, 5 pt harness, excellent rain cover, only the volo model doesn't reclline. The storage basket is smaller, but still fine for an older child- I can stuff a small backpack/ in it. Really, the only bad thing about it is no cupholder for the driver!

I second the Maclaren's. I have a Triumph which reclines and also purchased the Maclaren Universal Organizer which attaches the back of the stroller for more storage & has 2 cupholders. The only issue is if you stuff a lot of stuff in this organzier, the stroller will tip over when your little one gets out. Other than that, I love the stroller. The Maclarens hold up to 55lbs too. We used it for my almost 5 yr old last Sept and it is sooo easy to push her in it. If you want a good deal on them, check out babydealz.com. They have free shipping and no sales tax. I think I paid $119 for my Maclaren Triumph in 2007, but it was a 2006 model.

Definitely bring your own stroller. If you rent one, then you will have to carry your toddler to and from the park to your car or the bus.

 

[Perditamarie]

You don't need to check your stroller w/luggage, you can gate check your stroller so you can use it in the airport, up 'til you board. When you get to your gate, tell the gate agents you are gate checking a stroller and they will give you a tag and then you can roll your stroller right on the jetway...just be nice and collapse it before you board. The stroller will be waiting for you on the jetway when you arrive.

 

[n3rf]

You don't need to check your stroller w/luggage, you can gate check your stroller so you can use it in the airport, up 'til you board. When you get to your gate, tell the gate agents you are gate checking a stroller and they will give you a tag and then you can roll your stroller right on the jetway...just be nice and collapse it before you board. The stroller will be waiting for you on the jetway when you arrive.

oh thats awesome... had no idea we could do that ...

I have a those full size heavy, Eddie B. strollers but will be buying an Umbrella stroller for our trip in April ..... thinking of the Peg perego Aria MT

 

[Honeymooner04]

I'm going to second the recommendation for the Maclaren Triumph. I have it and love it for my 2 year old. I also have the organizer and saddlebags from www.carryyou.com and they're great. I pack diapers, wipes and other little necessities in them and I don't have to worry about carrying a big huge diaper bag. I love it.

 

[blana]

We used our Capri at WDW, with excellent results. It has a smaller basket underneath, which worked well for us. And has a little bit of a recline. Not huge, but enough. My parents took a cheepo umbrella they bought a few trips back for my nephew, which had a really nice basket underneath, but no recline. We were happy to have the stroller in the airport & at the resort after we got back from the parks. Made fun of DH for not bringing it with us when we went to DTD. My BIL & his wife insisted that it was SO much easier to rent. If we were to go back today, I'd still bring my stroller & they'd probably still rent. All has to do with your perspective on things.

 

[mdhkitten]

I also recommend the Maclarens. I have a Quest, but any of them are great. The thing that I love is that they fold more easily than an umbrella stroller, yet have several larger stroller features!

 

[EC0323]

At the Atlanta airport, you do get to go into a different security line if you have a stroller. At least the last 2 times I went thru! (But not at Orange County or Boston's Logan airport.)

It is easy to travel with a stroller. You just leave it by the door and when you get off the plane it is by the door waiting for you. Magic!

That said. At Disney, I hate bringing a big stroller. I also hate paying to rent a stroller. I looked for a bargain stroller with a big basket underneath. I have to be budget minded. It is cheaper to buy than rent for a week. I actually found a stroller for our Sept trip last week at Toyrus.
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2624758

For $20 bucks, I do not have to worry about the stroller. It is pretty good stroller; can not lay down the back but it does recline. My DD probably wont take a nap. At least she did not the entire time last year and she was 15 months!

 

[MickeyWanaBe]

I will add my vote for the Maclaren Triumph! Love it! We did the larger stroller when DS was 1 and under, but the smaller Mac was so much easier for us now.

We have added a couple accessories or ours. See this thread (Post #11) for pictures. DS is almost 2 in thes photos.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1658005

Same thread post #7-9 are photos of when we took the larger Graco stroller when DS was 10 months and for his first birthday. It also work and we were glad we had it then, but didn't need that much stroller as he got older. We also stayed off property when we had this stroller so we had our car and didn't have to deal with it on the buses. I think it might have been a little cumbersum on a bus.

We did stay onsite with the Mac and didn't have a problem. DS usually fell asleep at the end of the evening on the way to the bus, so we left him sleep in the strololer until the last minute. While waiting in line at the bus stop we unloaded everthing so when it was our turn to get on the bus all I had to do was grab the 25-30 pound limp noodle (Oh I mean sleeping DS) and jump on the bus and DH would close the stroller and jump on right behind me with no delay in the line. If you get on the bus with a sleeping child in your arm a kind stranger will usually give up there seat for you. I am alway so thankful for the kindness of stranglers on these nights! DH and DS12 always do the same in return. It is a good system!

Our Mac is also lots easier to push than the Graco with a larger child in it.

 

[kim_o]

oh thats awesome... had no idea we could do that ...

I have a those full size heavy, Eddie B. strollers but will be buying an Umbrella stroller for our trip in April ..... thinking of the Peg perego Aria MT

I'd stay away from the Aria. Peg Perego makes great strollers, the Aria just isn't one of them. As far as umbrella's go, I'd really recommend a Maclaren or Inglesina. I'd also recommend a Combi of the Aria.

 

[n3rf]

I'd stay away from the Aria. Peg Perego makes great strollers, the Aria just isn't one of them. As far as umbrella's go, I'd really recommend a Maclaren or Inglesina. I'd also recommend a Combi of the Aria.

Never looked that the Combi or Inglesina will have to check those out then... and if you can give some detail on why the Aria MT isnt that good? I heard the Aria OT is horrible but nothing about the MT.

 

[tinkandpan]

Another recommendation for the Mac here as well. I love the our quest (or is it the techno... how bad i can't recall). It pushes great, reclines, and has enough room once you add a stroller bag to it. Just don't overload it and take the baby out- it'll tip, but then again so will any light weight one.

 

[barnaby1]

We went to an umbrella stroller when our dd was 8 months old (for a WDW holiday) and have never used the big stroller again (she is 2 tomorrow). I think a reclining seat is vital but I am a fairly light traveller with her (2 spare nappies and a packet of raisins for emergencies) so a big storage area is not an issue for us.

I personally couldn't stand pushing a heavy stroller around (not to mention folding and carrying on buses etc) even at home let alone on holiday but everyone's needs are different.

 

[princessmom29]

I just bought an evenflo x sport for my DD4 for our upcoming trip. She is a small 4 40 in and 38lbs, but she has room to spare. I looked at a lot of strollers, but just couldn't see shelling out $100 for a mclaren I probobly won't use all that much as I rarely use one at home. The evenflo was only $29.95 and to be perfectly honest other than being a little heavier I really don't se a lot of difference between it and a mclaren volo. I'm sure the mclaren would probably hold up better long term, but the evenflo seems sturdy enough and was cheaper than renting for a week. It also came with the organizer that has cupholders ect which is another $20 with the mclaren.

 

[MickeyWanaBe]

I just bought an evenflo x sport for my DD4 for our upcoming trip. She is a small 4 40 in and 38lbs, but she has room to spare. I looked at a lot of strollers, but just couldn't see shelling out $100 for a mclaren I probobly won't use all that much as I rarely use one at home. The evenflo was only $29.95 and to be perfectly honest other than being a little heavier I really don't se a lot of difference between it and a mclaren volo. I'm sure the mclaren would probably hold up better long term, but the evenflo seems sturdy enough and was cheaper than renting for a week. It also came with the organizer that has cupholders ect which is another $20 with the mclaren.

But did you test drive them with your child in them? I think that is the best way to make the decision. I also didn't want to spend the money, but the test drive sealed the deal. Once I knew I had to have the Mac I researched researched and researched until I found it for under $100. And now that I have it I use it a lot more that I thought I would because I have it. We take it to the zoo, mall, park, parades and fairs.

Being able to somewhat control the steering of the stroller with one hand was a priority. You know so you can take a sip of water while walking and not veer wildly off course... I know you shouldn't drink and drive, but you got to do what you got to do to get the kiddos to Buzz.

 

[princessmom29]

I did test drive the strollers with my child in them. The mclaren handled a little better, but not so much so that I would spend $60 more for it. As I said I was looking for something I wouldn't break the bank on as I would not be using it that regularly. Just trying to suggest a buget alternative The cheapest I found a mclaren anwhere new was $89.99 and with shipping it was going to be over $100.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Peg Perego now has an Aria on clearance on their website for $99 + $12.95 shipping and handling. I just bought it for my son. We have a P3 for our daughter. They will be 3yo and 1yo on our next trip this August. Also, we've always gate checked all our strollers without issue.

We also have a double stroller we used this last December and want to try two smaller lighter strollers this trip instead.