Bringing Your Own Stroller to Parks???

[tink519]

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.

We are flying Jet Blue and it says on the website that all lap babies can check a car seat and a stroller for no charge. Not sure about other airlines but it something to look into.

As for the wheel lock, are people just getting a bike chain and putting it on the wheels so they can't turn? Or is there a special device?

 

[sarahsar]

We are flying Jet Blue and it says on the website that all lap babies can check a car seat and a stroller for no charge. Not sure about other airlines but it something to look into.

Delta had no charge to check a stroller at the gate, and you get it back as soon as you get off the plane.

Who knows how long that will last, what with checked baggage fees, these new "holiday" feels, and everything else, but so far I'm not aware that anyone charges to bring a stroller.

 

[arielmomma]

We still bring our double stroller from home even though my DS is now 5. My DD2 rides in it while my DS walks most of the day, but it is a lifesaver for carrying their things and my DS at the end of the night. I am seriously considering still bringing it again next year. I highly recommend bringing a stroller from home. Of course, there are always risks, but in my opinion and experience, it is definitely worth it. You will not regret it!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Delta had no charge to check a stroller at the gate, and you get it back as soon as you get off the plane.

Who knows how long that will last, what with checked baggage fees, these new "holiday" feels, and everything else, but so far I'm not aware that anyone charges to bring a stroller.

No charges on Continental, American or United since the baggage fees started, either.

 

[SheenaXena21]

We are flying Jet Blue and it says on the website that all lap babies can check a car seat and a stroller for no charge. Not sure about other airlines but it something to look into.

As for the wheel lock, are people just getting a bike chain and putting it on the wheels so they can't turn? Or is there a special device?

It's a cable with a combination lock. I just bought one cheap at Wal-Mart for $3.97 + tax. It is 4 ft. long. The 5 ft. are $1 more. What you do is thread it through the two back wheels, if you can, and then lock it. That way, if someone tries to steal it, they can't get very far without picking the backend up to get it to roll. And who's going to "roll" around the park like that? An idiot!!!

 

[momma2kiddos]

There were no fees when we checked it at Southwest either. As an alternative, there are lots of strollers available with removable wheels. Let's see someone steal a stroller with missing wheels!

 

[dizneedoll]

I brought my DS2's stroller along on our last trip earlier this year and I can say that I will NEVER do that again. It was a total hassle getting it on and off the bus especially when the busses were already crowded. It was a pain at the airport too. When we changed planes, our next flight was in another terminal and we had to take a shuttle and I had my DS and all of our stuff piled onto the stroller only to have to take it all apart and drag it on that shuttle and then all the way to the gate again. We were on American and they did gate check the stroller and each time we landed I had to wait and wait and wait till they brought the stroller to the jetway for us. I know WDW stroller rental prices are high but after the fourth day of misery with our stroller, I left the thing in the room and rented one at the MK and I didn't care about the price at that point. It was so wonderful to just hop on the bus without it. An 8 month old is a different story though. I don't think an 8 month old would be able to ride in the Disney strollers so I guess for a baby that small you would definetly be better off bringing your own.

 

[attorneywolfe]

i got 4 little ones. have done disney lots with stroller. absolutely bring it. you will hate having to wait in line to get one in the mornings. use yours as a pack horse late in the day. here is my tip. buy a cheap umbrella stroller with a bunch of net bags attached. it is cheap so no one will steal it. it is light so you can fold it up for bus rides.

you will be happy you did.

 

[RMulieri]

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.

Not neccessarily..During Xmas week they made my SIL close her stroller on both boats and the monorail.It depends how busy it is and how busy the transportation happens to be.

 

[pooh4evr]

We have never rented a stroller at the park but instead got one from A Baby's Best Friend- we usually take a small unbrella one for the airport so the youngest is easy to keep track of and a couple of bags go on the handles- once we get to the hotel our rented one is waiting for us. It can be a pain on the busses but overall it is a much better deal and much more comfortable than the park strollers. For a baby I would definately take my own or rent a better one from a company down there.

 

[d1gitman]

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.??? no more than a bus??? 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.totally 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.Amen 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. i can't say we ever had any issue with our double wide jogger or a double wide rental That makes it MUCH harder to pass slow walkers and navigate the crowds. we have yet to become speed walkers with kids and a stroller At teh very least, a narrow stroller is much better than a very wide one. unless you want or need a wide or double wide one, then a wide or double wide would be better than a narrow one
A good storage basket is helpful. yes, yes, yes One more pointer- a first floor room is a big plus with a stroller at the mods and values. Elevators always worked for us

At the very least - your friends should go to a stroller store and have a look at their options. agreed 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.again, agreed

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[Fenchurch]

Having gone to WDW with a 7 year old and a 7 month old, I would recommend bringing the stroller if it is manageable when folded up. We have a Combi city savvy and love it! I was able to use it in the airport, gate check it (no charge for Northwest), and it was waiting when we stepped off the plane. Another bonus was that when we got back to the resort at night I could carry the sleepy baby and the sleepy 7 year old could ride from the bus/monorail stop to our room.

Even on a crowded bus/monorail it was not bad, unless your niece is going somewhere by herself. Then it could be trouble to try to hold the baby and fold the stroller. Even in this case lots of times other guests will offer to help. Honestly, my one experience with this was leaving dh and dd in the park and taking the monorail back to the GF with a sleeping baby in the stroller. Almost ALL of the other guests were courteous and helpful, even though it was crowded.

One thing to consider is if it is a very expensive stroller it could take a beating, especially when being loaded/unloaded from the plane. If she would be upset if it got dinged up (or worse), then I think buying a used stroller is an excellent idea. I personally was glad to have mine in the airport, but I also think renting one for the duration of the stay from one of the orlando rental companies would be a good idea. They deliver and pick up from all the resorts, so you'd have it from check in to check out.

 

[Donna3271]

Can someone tell me about locking the wheels. A poster mentioned a "bike lock". I am not familiar. Please help. I am bringing my double. I have a 2 yo, and a 4 year old that gets tired. And occasionally, my 7 yo will try to get in it (LOL!!).

Thanks!!