Bringing Your Own Stroller to Parks???

[pennyplanner]

Is this a good or bad idea?
My niece is bringing her 8 month old and would like to bring their "Cadillac" model stroller from home. The baby will definitely sleep in that.

Any concerns about stroller stealing? I am the Disney expert in the family BUT I never took my kids at that young of an age.

I am concerned about them boarding and off-loading on the bus with so big a stroller.

What do all you park experts think???

Thanks,
pennyplanner

 

[tink519]

Last time we brought our Chicco umbrella stroller and we never had a problem. There are stroller parking areas where there are hundreds of strollers parked all together. We left ours there for a few different rides while in Fantasy Land. While I suppose the stroller could get stollen,I think more than likely it would be taken by mistake...which would still stink but not malicious. Just have her mark hers with a ribbon or some other identification so people will know it isn't there's...However, you will also notice that people leave backpacks, etc. all in the stroller without concern. I wouldn't leave my wallet, camera, etc but have left the diaper bag there with no problems.

This time I am bringing the "limo"....Sit and Stand double stroller. ETA: I'm not sure what brand style you mean by "cadillac", but most strollers fold up small enough these days and you just need to make sure they are folded before getting on the bus. She is probably used to folding up by now so it shouldn't be that much of an issue.

 

[RMulieri]

Lots of people bring their own as long as they understand that 1) it may get stolen 2) they can try a wheel lock to protect it while on rides, but they can not lock it to any structures etc Disney WILL cut the lock..also NEVER leave bags are objects of value in it 3) they need to fold it completely on Disney transportation .There has been a few posts lately with people having their strollers stolen .It happens

 

[3boys4me]

I'm all for bringing the big stroller. Especially with a baby that small. As far as taking it on the bus, it's not as easy as an umbrella stroller but getting on and off the bus is such a small part of the day. I've read about strollers getting stolen every now and then, but I think that is really rare. Also, with a baby that small, the big stroller will easily hold the diaper bag and other things underneath. I say go big.

 

[d1gitman]

We used to always use our stroller from the hotel room to the bus, checking the stroller in at luggage services in the AM and picking it up up return in order to bring the sleepy kiddos back to the room. For the parks we would rent the park strollers. This would keep us from having to wrestle with a stroller on the bus. By having our stroller and the park stroller, we had a stroller at both ends of the bus without wrestling a stroller on the bus. THis was always the most convenient for us.

Then the stroller rental prices went up, way up.

In our opinion, bringing a stroller on the bus is a huge hassle when the buses are crowded. If not crowded, then only a minor issue.


Our last trip we ended up buying a used stroller off of Craigslist (can even find good ones for free if looking diligently). We were fortunate to find a fellow DISr who wanted to share the cost (rather than engage in a long chain of swaps). We brought the CL stroller and used it, when leaving, we checked it into luggage services under the name of the person we were handing it off to. Everything worked out great.

In the future, we will just buy another used stroller, bring it and leave it (swap or no swap).

By having a used stroller that cost $80 before the cost sharing, (and it was a good one - $500+ when new) we didn't worry about it being stolen.

Personal opinion is to buy or acquire a free used stroller off of CL. There are always tons of stroller on CL so it's not hard. It's cost effective and makes the trip worry free if the stroller gets stolen.

 

[vicki_c]

We took a big double stroller when my kids were smaller. It was fine, but it was a challenge getting it off and on the tram -- it fit when closed up, but just barely. DH was always scrambling to get it on the tram while I got everyone seated. We don't use the buses, so I can't speak to that part. On future trips after that, we just rented the Disney doubles for the parks.

 

[CandleontheWater]

We are going to bring our "Cadillac" stroller when we go in April. I chose this stroller because it has features that would be extra useful in Disney and I intend to get my money's worth. I am planning on marking it with a sign and I am bringing a stroller lock, so I can lock the back wheels to deter thieves. I'm sure there still is a chance my stroller will be stollen, but I'm hoping that if someone sees an individual carrying out a stroller with two locked back wheels, they will say something. Most high end strollers have a good fold and are fairly lightweight, so it shouldn't be a problem getting it on an off the bus.

 

[DenLo]

With many (most?) airlines charging for check in luggage and limiting carry on luggage, many parents are leaving the strollers at home and renting through other companies since WDW is too expensive. The Owner's Locker folks have started renting strollers and I've seen some good reviews on the DVC DISboards regarding them. The prices are pretty good too. Owner's locker delivers and picks up the strollers at your resort. Here's the link: http://magicstrollers.com/index.cfm

 

[henry72]

I would definitely say bring your own. You know how it works and the baby is comfortable in it. You can buy a lock to lock the wheels if you are worried about it being stolen. Also bring something to make it stand out in the crowd of other strollers. We bought a Mac Volo for our 19 month old because it was light and compact for getting on the bus. But it doesn't recline so not a good option for an 8 mo old. I think you will be fine with the "cadillac" stroller - though it may be a pain on the buses. (You didn't say where you are staying but we even needed our stroller at the resort. We stayed a CBR which is huge.)

 

[GAMC369]

For a young baby it's always easier to bring your own stroller and a small umbrella stroller is difficult with a child under 1 (because a sleeping baby needs a big stroller). I'm sure they are used to folding up their stroller and you only load and unload the bus so many times a day you know? We plan on using wheel locks even with our lower price strollers just because we'd prefer to avoid any issues. The locks can be picked up for around $10 and give you peace of mind if you tend to be paranoid (like me).

 

[SheenaXena21]

I am bringing a stroller lock, so I can lock the back wheels to deter thieves.

This is exactly what I'm doing. And what I was going to suggest. We're going next month and my niece will be 8 months old. I contemplated whether to buy a cheap stroller when I got down there, joining a stroller swap, and even renting a Disney stroller. But then I found out we can check our stroller at the gate at the airport. So bringing my niece's was the best option at this point.

Then, I started reading the threads about strollers being stolen.

But then I ran into a post that said to bring a bicycle cable lock to "lock" the wheels. I just bought my sister one 2 days ago. I hope it was long enough... But at least my niece will be comfy and we'll feel better knowing that our stroller will hopefully be safe.

 

[catycatcat4]

Yes bring one i'm a florida res and i have gone to disney scense i was a week old i was pushed in a stroller all 5 of my siblings where my 5 year old sister is stoped using a stroller it wasn't hard to have one in the park anoying having to go get it after rides but you had someplace to put your stuff.

 

[maxiesmom]

Bring your own, but definately lock the back wheels together. There have been many posts lately about people getting things stolen at Disney World, even strollers.

Tell your niece the stroller must be folded up when she boards a bus, and that she may end up trying to stand and hold onto the stroller at the same time.

 

[d1gitman]

With many (most?) airlines charging for check in luggage and limiting carry on luggage, many parents are leaving the strollers at home and renting through other companies since WDW is too expensive. The Owner's Locker folks have started renting strollers and I've seen some good reviews on the DVC DISboards regarding them. The prices are pretty good too. Owner's locker delivers and picks up the strollers at your resort. Here's the link: http://magicstrollers.com/index.cfm

We haven't found that airlines charge for strollers as they are mobility devices. We have checked ours at the gate before boarding with no issue. Same for car seats.

 

[mccathy]

We haven't found that airlines charge for strollers as they are mobility devices. We have checked ours at the gate before boarding with no issue. Same for car seats.

Yup. We checked our sit and stand stroller at the gate - super easy.

We also used the buses and didn't have too much trouble - it was a bigger stroller, but would fit under the seat and most people didn't mind us.

Definitely mark the stroller with something to help you find it after a ride - since the CMs do move the strollers around. Also - I put a label on the bottom of ours that said who it belonged to and a number to call if found. Just in case someone grabbed the wrong one...

I say - bring it! Especially if they know the baby will sleep in there. The rental strollers do not look comfy enough to sleep in. (for an 8 month old)

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Two words: LIGHTWEIGHT and COMPACT.

Maclaren is great, but there are also less expensive strollers. The one they sell at WDW is not bad for about $45. It depends on the infant's stage.

A big bulky stroller may also take HOURS to dry if you encounter rain. A mesh stroller will be more or less dry in minutes. A good rain guard is essential!!!! Sometie too sudden rain can happen when you are ona ride. A quick dry stroller is a good asset! A stroller lock might be a good idea per recent threads about thefts. Otherwise personalizing it in a distinct was is probably a good idea. Just don't lock it to a fence or anything - only to itself.

You will have to come and go from the parks enough times that a heavy stroller - or one that doesn't fold compactly is a hassle I'd never want to deal with at WDW. If you drive our own car - you'll have to unload it repeatedly. Almost the only exception is the monorail, but I don' think you want to confine you trip to just the monorail routes. A bulky stroller onthe bus is a pain for everyone around you, not just you. A Maclaren or other stroller that is compact will fit under the seat onthe bus - is a big space saver. That makes it easier for you and everyone around you. Bulky strollers will also strain your back. You'llalso want something that is simple and easy to fold - a stroller that can be folded with one hand a big plus. And it isn't just tranportation. A BIG stroller is a pain everywhere. You can't take it in gift shops with narrow isles, and you take up twice as much space walking. That makes it MUCH harder to pass slow walkers and navigate the crowds. At teh very least, a narrow stroller is much better than a very wide one.

A good storage basket is helpful. One more pointer- a first floor room is a big plus with a stroller at the mods and values.

At the very least - your friends should go to a stroller store and have a look at their options. Compare weights. Compare handle heights ( a stroller that is too low will drive a tall person nuts, and greatly reduce their endurance) good wheels (wheel bearings actually) are a big asset! Compare how easy to fold. How easy to recline. OOh, and how it holds up in rain! Then compare prices.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

We're leaving for the World in a week and will have an 8mo with us. Rather than bringing our big stroller we picked up a Mia Moda Facile online for $49 and it fully reclines and has a big sunshade, basket underneath, etc. So we hope it will have a bunch of the beneficial parts of the big stroller but will fold up much smaller and be a lot lighter.

Also, it is bright, bright pink so we figure that will help us locate it.

We are thinking of getting a bicycle lock - not so much for the cost but just the pain it would be to have to get another one, etc. if stolen

...but like I said, we haven't left yet and this will be our first time with a LO, so I will let you know how it goes when we get back

 

[skier_pete]

I for one prefer a lightweight, cheap stroller for WDW...you need to be able to fold it down and carry it on the Disney Transportation, as well as negotiate extremely crowded areas. (Of course, I wouldn't take an 8-month old with me to WDW, so my opinion is proabbly pretty worthless.)

Also, strollers are STOLEN at Disney World, there's another thread recently about stolen strollers, recommend your friend read that...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2297891

That said, if they don't mind the extra work and risk...if they think it is the most convenient choice, go for it...no one will stop you!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Lots of people bring their own as long as they understand that 1) it may get stolen 2) they can try a wheel lock to protect it while on rides, but they can not lock it to any structures etc Disney WILL cut the lock..also NEVER leave bags are objects of value in it 3) they need to fold it completely on Disney transportation .There has been a few posts lately with people having their strollers stolen .It happens

You can leave your stroller open on the monorail and most boats. They definitely have to be folded on the bus, though. We've only ridden the bus once with a stroller, and it wasn't too bad. I'm sure it can get icky during crowded times, though.

We take our Pliko, and we haven't had any issues (knock on wood). It definitely makes life easier on us and the kiddos.

 

[sarahsar]

We got a Maclaren Quest Sport specifically for our first trip to Disney World when our baby was 6 months old. These are a bit expensive, but we got a close-out of the previous year's model on sale at Toys 'R' Us, and I have seen them for sale online as well. This worked really well for us, because it's lightweight and folds up like an umbrella stroller, but has more padding, a basket beneath it to hold things, and can recline all the way back for a baby to sleep. It will also hold a much bigger child as well - up to 55 lbs. I believe. We took it again just recently when our baby was 12 months, but our 4 1/2 year old could fit in it as well if need be. This was a good solution for us because it was much easier to get on and off the monorail, easy to fold for buses (and even the train at the Magic Kingdom), etc. than our giant Graco stroller would have been. Given the cost of renting strollers, it really wasn't much more, and of course we have used it at other times as well. The rental strollers don't seem like a good option for a young baby because there's no support, and then you don't have them in the airports or resorts either.