comprehesive stroller inquiry

[jwmccullough]

Greetings Friends,
My family is preparing for its first trip home in a few short days, and here, at the eleventh hour, my wife has decided to rethink our stroller strategy, so I am looking for any help I can get.

My situation is that we have an 8 month old son, who we will need a stroller with. We were originally going to use an umbrella stroller in the airports, then just rent the strollers at the parks.

But the questions have arisen:
1) are the park stroller comfortable?
2) are they adjustable, to recline for a nap?
3) are there different choices of strollers at the parks?
4) have you taken your own stroller and found that it would have been easier to get a stroller at the parks, or have you gone the parks and wished you had brought your stroller from home?
5) would you have safety concerns with your stollers leaving them outside rides?
6) what are the biggest benefits or detriments towards taking your own stroller?

For my wife's sanity, I thank you all graciously in advance, and if you are heading down in the next few days, we hope to see you there!

Jess

 

[frndofpooh]

My DH and I have visited WDW with our boys numerous times and here's what we have found on the stroller front.
1) the park stroller is not what any of them would call comfortable. It does have a canopy to shield from the sun but it is made of hard molded plastic and quite difficult to lay down in.
2) they do not recline for a nap and that was particularly frustrating for my 18mo the last time we visited.
3) the only options you have in strollers is the one or two child model.
4) I once forgot my stroller and rented one in the park and by around 11:00a.m., cranky toddler in tow, I felt I had never regretted anything more!
5) I have never had a problem leaving my stroller outside of a ride, although I am careful to take everything out of the basket below before I board the ride. Be sure to tie a bright bandana, scarf or towel around it so it is easier to find in the sea of strollers!
6) I think the greatest advantages to taking your own are that your child knows it, it is more comfortable and you don't have to start off the day in the stroller rental line. Also, if you bring a full size one it probably has more storage than the ones at the park. The only detriment we see is that it is another thing to carry on to the plane but I've found most airlines accomodating in that regard, finding a place to store it on the plane and giving it to you at the end of the flight.

Both of my children would nap in their strollers, providing us a bit more freedom in the afternoon if we did not want to go back to the resort for them to nap. However, they would only nap in a stroller that reclined so I learned early to bring my own. We even found an umbrella stroller that reclined a bit and then we did not have to bring in the full size one so much. I absolutely think that bringin your own, especially with one so young, is worth the effort. The rental ones seem to work well for families with kids a bit older who just can't hold up to the walking but we really benefitted from bringing our own and do it every time. Hope this helps and that you all have a wonderful trip

 

[daisylove]

IMO for an 8 month old baby you should take your own stroller. The park ones are hard, hot plastic. You would have to cushion it and even then I would not feel safe to put a baby so young in it for long periods of time.
At www.allearsnet.com there is a stroller discussion with pictures of the different parks strollers. Maybe that will help.

 

[melanie18]

My advice would be to take your own stroller. The rental ones would be uncomfortable for an 8 mo. old.

If I can offer one extra tip...we attached 2 metal clips on our backpack and attached (using zip ties) 2 round clips on our stroller handle. When you get tired of carrying your backpack, which will happen quickly, you can simply clip it on the back of your stroller. It works like a dream for us. Nobody has to lug a heavy backpack all day!

 

[PrincessA]

I would take my own stroller for any child up to 18 months old. A personal stroller is more comfortable and the recline is a must for napping. Your own stroller or even an inexpensive lightweight stroller work well for you.

 

[MinnieGi]

For an 8 month old - definetly bring your own stroller!!

For all the reasons listed above, your own will make you and your baby much more comfortable.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

The WDW strollers were fine for my 3 and 4 year olds but I would bring my own for an 8 month old. Your own will offer much more comfort and support.

 

[jeancbpugh]

Take your own stroller!!!