Bring or Rent a stroller

[jenseib]

I am trying to decide whether to bring our own stroller or rent one while there. I think there prices are kind of high, but I don't know how easy it will be to bring the stroller from the resorts, like on a bus, to the park as well. What is your experiences?

 

[doug65]

I am trying to decide whether to bring our own stroller or rent one while there. I think there prices are kind of high, but I don't know how easy it will be to bring the stroller from the resorts, like on a bus, to the park as well. What is your experiences?

The big factor for me was that you had to turn in the rental when you left the park for the hotel. We had a double stroller, front & back config, and were sooo thankful we brought it. It really wasn't that much trouble on the buses or boats, and on the monorail we just left the kids in the stroller and rolled on. Our kids were 2 & 5 at the time and when we would leave one of the parks it was so nice not to have to coax them along or carry them. We saw so many tired parents carrying exhausted little ones and having to hold them while they waited for the bus/boat/monorail. We're going back in June and my daughter and son will be 8 and 5; I'm still trying to figure out how we can work out some stroller arrangement since ours has collapsed.

 

[lisadisney2003]

Good question. We have taken our DD four times and are now planning trip 5. All 4 trip we took our own stroller for the following reasons:
1. Rental cost is too much
2. Transporting ours to & from the resorts on the buses really wasn't a big deal
3. She would ride almost all the time so, we had to have the stroller
4. Our stroller is much more comfortable than the hard plastic rentals
5. Our stroller offered a storage compartment for all the junk you have to take when you have small kids

Like I said, we are now planning trip 5 and are thinking about doing the rental option instead this time because she doesn't like to ride much any more so, we will really only need it on long days or late nights.

I think the made decision should be how much will your child use it. It they will use it the majority of the time, take your own and save the money. They will be much more comfortable.

Best wishes!

 

[all4fun]

I have to say I agree with the pp's comments.

Where will you be staying?

On our last trip we stayed at ASMo and took the bus everywhere. IMO having to break the stroller down for the bus rides was a pain but on the other hand, like the pp said, I didn't want to be one of those parents carrying a tired preschooler from the park entrance to the bus and then all the way back to our room. So overall, it was worth the hassle (IMHO). I really was wishing we could have just rented a car though!

Oh, and the stroller always comes in handy at the airport too.

 

[cincy]

Small kids get to be very heavy after a day at the parks. I would bring your own. It is nice for young children to have there own familiar stroller.

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

I am trying to decide whether to bring our own stroller or rent one while there. I think there prices are kind of high, but I don't know how easy it will be to bring the stroller from the resorts, like on a bus, to the park as well. What is your experiences?

For us, the time when we most need the stroller is at the end of the day, so having our own is definitely the way to go. I had strongly considered renting one instead of bringing our own for my DD's 6th birthday trip, knowing she would be walking more than she would be riding, thinking probably only on the Epcot day would she really need to ride, but then I thought about a tired, cranky little girl at the end of the day trying to get back to the resort and only me to carry her (this was just a Mom & DD trip for her b-day) and decided we needed to bring our own!

How old is your child? To me, the WDW rental strollers really don't look like they would be all that comfortable for a baby, they really seem to made for more like 18 months-2yrs and up.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

We've done both. My preference is to bring your own for small kids and rent for bigger kids. With small kids, it's great to have a stroller at the airport, the stores, the hotel, etc. Also, our personal strollers were much, much better for napping in than the park strollers. As the kids got to be 3+, we really only needed a stroller to save the kids legs during long days at the parks, so we just rented.

 

[gbrogers]

I know we wouldn't have survived without our stroller. The walks from the buses and boats at the end of the day can be pretty tough. Several nights, I was carrying our then 2 1/2 year old DD while DW was pushing 5 year old DD in the stroller.

One other thing, don't take a big stroller. We actually purchased a new stroller prior to our trip. It is important to have a stroller that breaksdown small, is lightweight and easy to carry (one with a carrying strap is ideal), and has taller handles so that you don't have to hunch over while you push it.

 

[jenseib]

Thanks for all the advice. Claire will be 2 in Dec. We still haven't booked, but I hope to go in Dec. or Jan. I think taking our regualr stroller wil lbe the best too. I have good storage underneathe and it folds easily. An umbrella stroller would make it hard since it really has no storage. I will also be needing a diaper bag for the day. I have a nice small one that would work nicely and not take too much room.

 

[Disneymom2AA]

We went 4 years ago and took our old stroller. It was big, bulky, hard to fold but DH managed. We liked our stroller because it was weatherproof and reclined flat for our DS (he was 1 at the time) to take naps. This year DS will be 5 (he'll walk this time and switch with DD, if needed) and our DD will be 2. I've been searching and searching for a new inexpensive stroller and finally found one!! I'm so excited. This stroller is a reclining umbrella stroller and has a small basket, retractable sun shade, and folds up like one of those bag chairs-best of all it was only $59.99. DH will be so thankful for this great find!!

 

[Silverbelle990]

I know this is a little off topic but my DH is 6. Should we get hima storller or let him walk?

 

[Schmeck]

I know this is a little off topic but my DH is 6. Should we get hima storller or let him walk?

Your DH (H=husband) is 6? Cradle robber! I'm assuming you mean your child is six, and I think renting a stroller works great for that age, as long as the child is able to walk for 15 minutes once in a while, like to the bus stop...

 

[amy2girls]

Disneymom2aa - wherea nd what stroller did you buy?

 

[jenseib]

I know this is a little off topic but my DH is 6. Should we get hima storller or let him walk?

My DD was 4 and 5 when I toojk her, and we never used a stroller for her. She walked. The only time was at the end after fireworks one day we did carry her. Oth er than that we never used a stroller for a child her age.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

I know this is a little off topic but my DH is 6. Should we get hima storller or let him walk?

We have a DS7 and a DD4. We took our own stroller and used it for most days for DD. However, two of the times we went to Epcot we skipped bringing our own stroller and rented a double for both of them. It was a day-saver for us. The kids were off of their normal schedules, and while they really did well, the tiredness factor was starting to take a toll (we made the decision to not stick to their regular schedule, and we recognized that in doing so we would need to make accomodations, like letting DS use the double stroller). The double allowed us to enjoy the park without DS getting cranky and allowed him to rest a bit. When kids aren't used to that much walking and a different sleep schedule, then it made sense to do what we could to make everything smooth.

I think it all depends on what kind of schedule you keep, what kind of child you have, and what works best for your family. You may not need it the first day or two, but maybe later you'll decide that it might be beneficial. The savings of the length of stay rental is minimal (I think only $2 a day), so it might be best for you to take it on a day-by-day basis and rent one if you see the need.

 

[zoomouse]

We've always taken our own stroller, a Joovy Cabboose (double) last time and again in a couple weeks. It is comfortable for the kids and we've worked all the kinks out of the system on countless trips to the park, mall etc. Plus since we use it almost all the time - not just in the parks - it's essential. Getting it back and forth to the parks on the resort busses isn't the easiest thing in the world, but it works. Our stroller folds pretty flat so it can slide into a seat or get held in the aisle with room for people to pass. I've seen a few people try and wrestle jogging strollers on the bus and it never seems to work too well.