Buying a stroller for Disney - Chicco or Maclaren?

[megan77]

After some research, I have decided that buying an inexpensive unbrella stroller is the way to go for our trip in September when DD will be 3. I think I have narrowed it down to the Chicco Capri (around $60) and the Mac Volo (2007 models online for $80 with free ship). I am wondering if the Mac is worth the extra $20? Anyone have experience with both? I really liked the idea of the carry strap for getting off and on the buses, which is why I liked these 2 - other suggestions welcome!

TIA
Megan

 

[pigletof4]

I would suggest that if you have a BabiesRUs in the area, go check them both out there. That's what I did, but I didn't purchase either one. I was actually leaning towards the Chicco because of the wider wheels, but ended up spending $200 on a Baby Planet lightweight.

 

[tzolkin]

i looked at both these brands at babies r us when deciding what i wanted to get. i wound up buying two maclaren volos online. if i remember correctly the chicco held less weight (45 vs 55lbs?) and the mac just seemed more sturdy to me (even though it's lighter). i believe the basket and sunshade of the chicco were smaller as well, but i may be wrong. however, the chicco does have a padded seat that reclines. if i were buying for a baby i might get the chicco for these reasons, but my kids will be 2 & 4 during our trip (they both weigh over 35lbs now) so i thought the volo was the best bet. ours also came with raincovers.

we've never used strollers before because i've always hated them, but i knew they would be necessary for 9 days at WDW. we received ours a few weeks ago and have actually already used them several times. we love them and wish we would have known about them earlier. you wont be disappointed.

 

[allie1078]

Just looked at these yesterday for our upcoming trip and I decided on the Graco Ipo. Handles are taller for tall people, light weight, easy fold, upto 55 lbs, carry handle, recline seat, $80.

 

[megan77]

Looks like I'd better get to BRU to "test drive" - thanks to all that responded, other ideas still welcome! (I am so bored waiting for my trip in Sept, I need something to obsess over in the mean time!)

Megan

 

[pigletof4]

Looks like I'd better get to BRU to "test drive" - thanks to all that responded, other ideas still welcome! (I am so bored waiting for my trip in Sept, I need something to obsess over in the mean time!)

Megan

That's what I did. I took my daughter and put her in both the strollers and rolled around BRU for a while to decide. Like I said, I went with another brand sight unseen and I love the stroller I chose. She's only 19 months, but I figured it would be the last stroller I own. No more babies for us.

 

[bas71873]

Go for the Mac....I bought one because I have a 4 1/2 year old who is just at 50lbs, but who I knew would need a ride now & then (plus a stroller is great for all your "stuff"). The Mac goes up to 55lbs, so with a 3 year old, you may get more use in the long run.

 

[FJJM0621]

We are going in September as well & I have been going nuts over which stroller to buy. So far I have narrowed it down to the Graco IPO.

I have a 2 & 4yo & am most concerned about the 4yo. I KNOW she will NOT make it thru a full day at Disney without a ride.

Lots of smaller umbrella type strollers are SOOO narrow my kids look squished. But at BRU the Graco was so much sturdier then the Chicco & the only Mac's they carry by me are $120 - NOT spending that!

I am waiting thru the summer to buy it...maybe a newer model will come out... or a price drop!

 

[heartbeeps]

Just looked at these yesterday for our upcoming trip and I decided on the Graco Ipo. Handles are taller for tall people, light weight, easy fold, upto 55 lbs, carry handle, recline seat, $80.

according to WalMart, Graco Ipo handles up to "less than 50 lbs." not 55. (For me with a 5-1/2 year old the 5# does make a difference so I'm looking for a Maclaren.

 

[heartbeeps]

...But at BRU the Graco was so much sturdier then the Chicco & the only Mac's they carry by me are $120 - NOT spending that! ...

you could consider shopping on line and getting a Mac cheaper (i.e., ~$80 for last year's model). just a thought...

 

[blessedby3]

Macs are worth every penney. They are so sturdy. I have a Volo and a Quest. I never thought I would pay that much for an umbrella type stroller, but once I got my first, the Volo, I wish I had done it sooner!!

 

[megan77]

you could consider shopping on line and getting a Mac cheaper (i.e., ~$80 for last year's model). just a thought...

babydealz . com is the site that has the $80 Mac Volos

Has anyone bought from here in the past? I haven't googled them yet...

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Just looked at these yesterday for our upcoming trip and I decided on the Graco Ipo. Handles are taller for tall people, light weight, easy fold, upto 55 lbs, carry handle, recline seat, $80.

This is what I used as well. I actually bought the Chicco, but I hated it. The handles were too low. We bought the Graco Ipo for $79 and LOVED it. It made our trip. The seat fully reclines, the shade is big, the handles were comfy for my 6'0" DH.

 

[Princesswanabee]

I love my McClaren! It has seen us through five trips to Disney World already and is very easy to fold up on the buses. I looked at several brands but I'm glad I spent the extra money and went with the McClaren.

 

[WDWorBUST]

We bought a Mac Quest - I LOVE it!! I never would have boughten it if it weren't for these boards!! It has been to Disney 6 times now and is still going strong.

 

[goldenears]

We bought our MACLAREN Triumph before our first trip to WDW with our DD. I went to BRU and checked out every umbrella style stroller. The Chico did not seem sturdy to me. I felt like I was pushing a doll stroller. As stated in other's posts, the MACLARENs are well worth the money. They navigate very smoothly and are built very well. The weight limit is also higher on them. One thing you may want to consider...I don't think the Volo reclines. This was a must for me when shopping for strollers to take to WDW. You can get the 2007 MACLARENs at great deals right now. I just checked out mystrollers.com - I think they have free shipping too.

 

[kileybeth]

My DS5 got tired at the mall today so my nearly 3 year old said, "It okay E. Mommy has your Mac in the car. " She ended up getting out of her own Mac Volo and letting her brother ride! Both my kiddos have slept at Disney and many other places in their volos. The volo seat is actually wider than the Mac models that recline. We also have "lent a seat" to some older nephews and nieces at times (think 60 lbs. plus) and you barely notice a difference in pushing them! The ease of pushing is what initially sold me on the Mac's There is simply no comparison.

You can also connect 2 volos together easily if you get stuck watching 2 preschoolers while other family members ride the big rides. Works great and pushes fine!

We return to Disney in 4 short weeks and you better believe we will have 2 Macs with us. Love being able to swing that 8.6 pound thing over my shoulder and barely feel it there. One hand fold makes it super easy to hop on /off buses with them too.

PS I tested a chico at TRU and actually bought it (returned it ever so quickly once I strolled outside with it!) same story with Combi. Love. My. Macs.

 

[3girlygirls]

Those of you who have been several times with your strollers...are you glad you brought your own vs. renting the ones there? I keep reading that the ones you rent are AWESOME and you shouldn't worry about bringing yours on the plane,etc. plus they get stollen. We will have our 3 girls with us, 8.5, 3.5, and 2 and so I will for sure need a double stroller. We are renting a townhome at WH and they have a stroller we can use if we need to. I was thinking of using that to get the 3.5 yo to the gate and carrying the 2 yo and then renting a big double stroller. But now y'all are all talking about these cool strollers and I'm thinking maybe I need to go buy a pair of Macs...What to do?

 

[disney_momma21]

I have a Maclaren quest and I love it!!! It has been the best stroller so far.The stroller rentals at WDW is $10/day. If your going to be there for some time a rental might cost you some bucks. Personally I like having my own stroller since my Mac comes with a rain cover. So when it rains I just snap it on versus the rentals that don't have too much rain protection and they are big and bulky to push around.

My Mac folds up nicelylike an umbrella stroller so get on and off the bus at a resort was a piece of cake with it. Some people I saw there last year had joggers and the big wheels on those things were so big! I saw a lot of people having a hard time with the joggers on the buses along with their kids and gifts that they had purchased at the parks.


As for on the plane, taking my stroller was a piece of cake!! I just put my son in it and pushed him in all through out the airport. I had carried on his stroller onto the plane and never had to gate check it so when we had layovers it was always right there waiting for me! Which was a life saver flying from Oregon to Florida with a 2 year old let me tell you!

 

[LisaNJ25]

We brought 2 Chiccos for our toddlers. No problems at all. Easy to push, folder up with no problems. We even hooked them together a few times when needed.