Can I bring my stroller??

[KATIESMOMMY]

Please hep, not sure what to do. We are leaving in 45 days and I have yet figured out exactly what to do with the stroller situation. I have 2 girls, a 2.5 yr old who is is abig girl at 38 inches tall and almost 40lbs and a 3 month old who was a 33 week preemie who is 10 lbs now and still tiny.We cant afford to buy one of those expensive lightweight MacClarens right now but I need a dbl stroller while we are there.Renting one seems high dollar I have one of those older evenflo tandems- havent weighed it but I think it is pushing 50lbs, that I bought at a yard sale this year. It works very wel for us as the back folds completely flat for the baby and the oldest fits in the front. Its easy to fold up, just push lever with foot and folds up.
I dont want to lug it through the airport though and want to check it with our baggage but dont know if they will allow it because of its size and I dont have a bag for it. I figured we would put the baby in a $12 pooh umbrella one I have for the short trip through the airport and gate check it and that way DME can bring our dbl with our luggage. Does that sound feasible? Has anyone ever traveled with one of these oldermonsters? tia!

 

[Love the Mouse]

We traveled with our big Graco stroller (although not a double) when DD was 6mos old. It was not easy, although convenient. Nice and big and held a lot...problem is, you have to empty the bottom out each time you get on the bus for it to close properly.

After that trip we went out and bought an easier stroller...one that reclined, since the umbrella didn't.
I am not sure that I would ever travel with the big one again.

Having to lug that big thing on the bus each and every time...taking kids out, folding it up. It really gets to be some work, even with a smaller stroller.

I wouldn't put the 3 mos old in a rented stroller...they are more for older children. We thought about renting one, but they don't look all that comfortable.

Sorry if I have discouraged you. Do you have a "freecycle" program near you? We have it here in NJ and if you are looking for something specific you can list that you are looking for smaller double stroller and hope someone is getting rid of one.

Good luck

Michaela

 

[alloyd1170]

What about using a sling for the baby and the Pooh stroller for dd? I think she would be comfortable and sheltered nestled close to you. My DD loved being in her sling all day long if I let her. She napped in it. I used it on a cruise vs a stroller. People didnt realize there was a baby in it (in Walmart an employee followed me around thinking I was shoplifting until DD stuck her foot out). You could use the sling in lines, on some rides, and in the airport (you would need to remove it at security; and fold a stroller). When you get tired, swap with your hubby or put her in the stroller.

As far a lugging the heavy stroller.....we stayed at Contemporary. The days we used the monorail were wonderful. I have a 4.5 yr old ds and 15 mos dd. I have a Joovy Caboose which weighs 25 lbs empty. Trying to wrestle that thing on a crowded bus was not fun. In fact if I do it again I will probably drive to MGM and AK to avoid the bus!

On a final note, check your local consignment shops. I noticed at ours the other day there must have been 8-12 strollers for sale, some doubles.

alison

 

[missymagic]

When my girls were little we always stayed at a monrail resort also. I usually went by myself so I have the baby in the bjourn and the little one walk in front of me with a backpack I could take out of the bottom and throw on my back while I carried the double Graco stroller on the bus. I had it down to a science was complimented by everyone who witnessed. It was easier at a monorail resort only need the bus for MGM, AK and downtown. When I left Epcot and MK just let them in stroller sleeping pushed it on locked wheels and was set. If I did any other resort that I had to do the bus for every park I think that may have broke me.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

When my girls were little we always stayed at a monrail resort also. I usually went by myself so I have the baby in the bjourn and the little one walk in front of me with a backpack I could take out of the bottom and throw on my back while I carried the double Graco stroller on the bus. I had it down to a science was complimented by everyone who witnessed. It was easier at a monorail resort only need the bus for MGM, AK and downtown. When I left Epcot and MK just let them in stroller sleeping pushed it on locked wheels and was set. If I did any other resort that I had to do the bus for every park I think that may have broke me.

thats what I am planning, will have DH there he can handle the stroller, Katie can walk or I will carry if asleep and Carrie in my Bjorn on front, I also carry a backpack.See, I think it will work for us,I do the stroller w/ 2 kids 3 times a day and have it down to a science, I guess my biggest concern was checking the stroller at the airport, I didnt know if they would baggage check it considerin its size.Anyone ever done it??

thanks everyone

 

[megan4777]

they'll put the stroller through the x-ray machine. You will grab it and take it to the gate, when you go to get on the plane they will take it and put a ticket on it.
when we got to Orlando, they gave us the stroller...

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

they'll put the stroller through the x-ray machine. You will grab it and take it to the gate, when you go to get on the plane they will take it and put a ticket on it.
when we got to Orlando, they gave us the stroller...

that sounds like gate checking....I want to check the big with my baggage if possible .........................

 

[megan4777]

sorry...I don't see why they wouldn't. Just put a ticket on it. We were asked at the curb if we were checking our stroller and we told them no....


I edited to add ours is old too. it's from a family member who has a now 10 yr old an 8 yr old and a 3 yr old.
it was used for the older kids

anyway, we used it for our DD#1 who was 2 at the time (she was 37 inches and like 35 lbs and a 3 m old...) to go through the airport.
if your stroller can hold the baby seat on top of it (we balanced ours on top of it...yeah, bad parents!!!), I would just do that. That way you have one stroller to put the older one in....plus balance the baby on top

good luck..

 

[missymagic]

I have always had to empty stroller and send it thru security and then they gate check it at plane. Yes I have dont it with the double stroller. Never had a problem.

 

[tjmw2727]

You should be able to check your stroller through as luggage but I would call the airline to double check due to the size, weight should be fine. I suggest getting a bag for it as well as removing any thing extra like trays, cupholders or toys. We also used a bungee cord to make double sure it didn't open due to the jostling.

Honestly though we always did the gate check with our stroller for a couple reasons. I liked having it in the airport and I felt that with the gate check its less likely my stroller would get damaged. When you gate check its the last thing loaded and the first thing unloaded and it dosen't go through the luggage handling that the other bags do. Its carried down and back up the stairs and loaded by hand. Even with gate check I still took off everything possible and used the bungee to make sure it stayed closed.

As for Disney transport I think you will be ok with your double if your prepared. Have everything packed up and in a backpack prior to loading the bus. I wore my youngest in a sling and held my dd's hand and boarded the bus while dh dealt with the stroller or vise versa. You will find having a nice comfy stroller for the kids outweighs the hassle of the bus especially if your prepared. By day two you will have it down to a science!

I see so many families in the bus queue with the kdis still in the stroller, bags hanging off the side, cups and souveneers loose. Then they have to deal with all that as well as take the kids out and fold the stroller while in the front of the line when the bus is boardking, Yikes!

Have a great trip.

TJ