Desparately in need of stroller advice! UPDATED Post #19

[jayhjay]

I have been struggling with this for months now and I would love some feedback on the stroller situation. I have two DDs, 5 & 8. My older one is fairly long and lean - less than 50 lbs, and my younger one is about 45 lbs. DD8 says she will walk most of the time, but I know there will be times she is tired and I am not so sure DD5 will share w/o a fight. I definitely think we need at least a single stroller as I know my younger DD will not be able to walk the whole time.

One factor is the car rental. We will have rental car so we will rarely be on the bus. We have two reserved - a sedan if we do not bring our own stroller and a suv if we do (DH doesn't think we can fit all our stuff plus a stroller in the sedan). There is about a $40 price difference so we make up some of the rental money on the cheaper car if we rent a stroller.

So here are the options as I see them:

1) Bring our single with the step on the back for DD5 to use primarily, DD8 can stand on the back, or if we are desperate we can occasionally rent a single for her. I just don't want to end up doing that a lot.

2) Bring our Peg Twin (this is what we have done in years past). It is very narrow though and has a small canopy. I worry it is not so comfortable any more for girls of their size.

3) Rent at the parks - this seems like the priciest option if we get a double. I guess we could get a single, but DD8 wouldn't be able to ride on the back, they would have to switch off. Plus, there is the hassle of no stroller at night and of having to pick one up every morning.

4) Rent from another vendor off-site. I looked at the City Mini double and it looks nicer than our old Peg. Bigger canopy, better recline. And less money than a park rental. Will one of these hold 90 lbs of child?

Anyone have any advice? The easiest and cheapest option is to rely on a single of some sort. I just want to be sure DD8 has some options, especially after a long day. I don't think we need a stroller for the airport, DTD, or other evening activities, fwiw. Thanks! Julie

 

[Aliceacc]

A couple of suggestions:

1) purchase a new Volo http://www.babye-store.com/voflor.html It has a capacity of 55 lbs. The one we had last year held either of my 2 50 pound-ish daughters. For $70, it's a whole lot cheaper than renting.

2) Think about joining a stroller share. See the sticky on top of the budget board.

What I ended up doing yesterday was this: I started a thread asking if anyone was arriving on the day I was leaving. I found someone who would arrive a few days later. I bought the Volo in the thread (you could think of buying 2). When my week is over, I'll leave it at bell services for her, and we'll split the cost.

Each of us gets a brand new stroller for $35 for the duration of our vacations. When she's done, she can keep it, toss it, or give it to the first frazzled family she sees. But neither of us will have to pay the $104 in rental fees, and we'll be able to take our stroller out of the park.

It seems like a win/win situation to me.

 

[princessmom29]

I think this is a great idea!!! If there is any doubt that she would need a stroller I say have one just in case. i just bought that same maclaren, but i think I am going to just keep mine in case we need it agian.DD5 will have jsut turned 6 when we go, I I just don't think she will make 12 hours without the stroller.

 

[jayhjay]

I actually already have a small lightweight single about this size/style so I don't really need something like a Volo. I also looked on the stroller swaps but nothing my date.

It isn't even so much the money, although that is a factor. It is more estimating how often DD8 will want to sit. If it is almost never, a single, or my single with the running board is fine. Then it isn't worth the effort of pushing something heavier and bulkier that is going to sit half empty most of the time. If it is for several hours a day, then I would rather get a double so that is available when she needs it, even if it isn't always in use. I guess it is just a gamble.

I think my old double is probably out of the running. Too old, narrow, small sunshade, etc.

 

[Aliceacc]

Then how about this: http://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com/orlando-stroller-rentals-double-stroller.html combined with your single? You could use the single during the days, then bring the double out at dinner time, assuming both girls would get tired as the night wears on??

 

[jayhjay]

Then how about this: http://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com/orlando-stroller-rentals-double-stroller.html combined with your single? You could use the single during the days, then bring the double out at dinner time, assuming both girls would get tired as the night wears on??

Yeah, I am considering renting from them. Their strollers look really nice and I know folks who love their city minis. Considering that we save $40 by renting the smaller car, a week rental is only about $50 OOP. I would do it in a second if I wasn't worried it was too much bigger/bulkier than a single. I have emailed them to see if I can get sizes on the single versus the double. Has anyone used the double who can give some feedback on size/ease of pushing?

 

[Aliceacc]

I haven't, but I googled you some reviews:

http://www.joggingstroller.com/Baby-Jogger-City-Mini-Double.pro


This one review mentions WDW:
"Great stoller, survived the Mouse

Reviewer: David , Ft Bragg, NC Date: March 22, 2009
After a couple of months of use, including a trip to Disney World, we have nothing but good things to say about the City Mini. The stroller's size and maneuverability handled the crowds, walking surfaces and transportation system at Disney World with ease. The wonderful canopies protected our infant and toddler from the Florida sun when they needed a break; and, there is plenty of storage space for sticking all the mouse ears and stuff we managed to acquire at the parks. For those with unfolding problems, look for the strap marked "storage strap" under the stroller to secure it in the closed position. I'm not sure why BJ neglected to document this in the manual. "

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I have a city mini double and LOVE it!

I would rent one of those over the Disney ones any day. Since your girls are small I think that would be fine for Disney.

It says on the box holds 50lbs per seat. My DS5, loves riding in it when one of my twins isn't in it. And, it pushes SO nice.

 

[aprilmommy0205]

I have a city mini double and LOVE it!

I would rent one of those over the Disney ones any day. Since your girls are small I think that would be fine for Disney.

It says on the box holds 50lbs per seat. My DS5, loves riding in it when one of my twins isn't in it. And, it pushes SO nice.

How big is your son? My daughter, who will be 7 on our next trip, is tall and weighs more than 50 lbs. right now. I guess this wouldn't work for her. There are few options for us then. I'm trying to build up her walking stamina, but it will be hot in August and I anticipate her getting very tired.

 

[mjkacmom]

Couldn't you just put your stroller in the trunk, and get the smaller vehicle? Our family of 7 took a single backpack to the parks, and we were fine (water bottles, ponchos, camera, small towels, wipes, sunscreen...). That way, your 8 year old could just hop on the back. We took dd8 to DC last year, and she's itty bitty, and she walked all day (the mall and the monuments) without a problem.

 

[jayhjay]

Couldn't you just put your stroller in the trunk, and get the smaller vehicle?

DH is worried we wont be able to fit it all in the smaller car with the stroller. I am not sure if he is right or not, but I know it will worry him and it is not worth the anxiety.

 

[adisneymama]

Why not just take two single umbrella style strollers? Or another option is to take your single and buy an umbrella style at the resort for around $40. I have the peg double and that is what I am taking. I have a small almost 7 yo and a 2 yo. They both fit well. The canopy is small but at BRU you can buy a UV shade that goes over the original canopy for a reasonable price. This is what I'm going to do.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

Just rent the double from orlandostrollerrentals.com. I have put my dd8 in my single bjcm and she is the same measurements as your dd I have pics floating around here but if you would like to see them just send me a pm. While she will more than likely not ride until the evening you can use the other side for storing things until she is ready to hop in. these are just my two cents b/c this is what we did in dec w/ my 5 and 8 yr old dd's and it made my life so much easier.

 

[jayhjay]

Just rent the double from orlandostrollerrentals.com. I have put my dd8 in my single bjcm and she is the same measurements as your dd I have pics floating around here but if you would like to see them just send me a pm. While she will more than likely not ride until the evening you can use the other side for storing things until she is ready to hop in. these are just my two cents b/c this is what we did in dec w/ my 5 and 8 yr old dd's and it made my life so much easier.

Ooh, I would love to see the pics (I PMd you). If I knew that the city mini double would fit them, I would do it in a second. They are narrow, but tall for a stroller. From talking to some others, it sounds like the Disney rentals have gotten smaller and the double will not be comfortable for both of them. So that pretty much leaves the OSR rental or bringing my single with the step.

I worry about DD8 though. Today we went to the monuments and downtown and walked around at least 5 hours. Both girls did great, but they were wiped. No way they could do that for 8 days. I asked DD8 if we had to keep going and she had a choice between standing on the single or riding in the seat, what would she want and she said a seat. I just wonder if she will be tired and cranky.

Ugh, maybe I need to find one and try it out at the store (I am sure the store owners will LOVE that). But that might be the only way to know for sure.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

How big is your son? My daughter, who will be 7 on our next trip, is tall and weighs more than 50 lbs. right now. I guess this wouldn't work for her. There are few options for us then. I'm trying to build up her walking stamina, but it will be hot in August and I anticipate her getting very tired.

My 5 year old is less than 50lbs. Also, if she is very tall, I've heard other people say that their childs head hits the visor on the Baby Jogger, but they must be pretty tall. If she isn't much over 50lbs, have you looked at the Mac Volo, I also have that one and I think the weight limit is 55-60lbs. Its really nice, very light and has a canopy and carrying strap.

 

[thisthingsgottawork]

We knew that the dd6 would need an occasional stroll. The original plan involved bungeeing an umbrella stroller to the Kelty three wheeled jogger. It wound up that we left the u stroller in the room, and when they both needed a ride a parent would pilot the jogger in a continuous wheelie with the two y/o stradling the footwell/wheel housing with his feet in thin air. It worked extremely well. It scared us at first but we forgot the other stroller and had to make it work one day.

I think this year we will bring our stroller-kit modified Burley bike trailer. It is double wide with little bike tires and room for lunch-n-stuff behind it.

 

[MJAJmom]

For my 2 boys, ages 3 and 6yo, I rented a double stroller from Orlando Stroller Rentals. It was fabulous. Here is my review and pictures of the stroller:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1995724

 

[jayhjay]

For my 2 boys, ages 3 and 6yo, I rented a double stroller from Orlando Stroller Rentals. It was fabulous. Here is my review and pictures of the stroller:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1995724

Thanks, that was a great thread. Seems like some folks with bigger kids used it fine. JJ

 

[jayhjay]

Ok, so I took the kids to the store today and had them sit in the city mini double.

My younger one fit no problem (she is probably around 44 inches). My older daughter was a tighter fit in height (she is about 48 inches). When the canopy is all the folded up, it blocks the very top part of the seat. I had to sort of lift it out of the way for her so she could get her head all the way back, and then let it go. If I had it slightly open, the folds don't go as low and she could sit back fine. Either way, it was fine for our purposes. I wouldn't want that for long term use, but for a week it is no big deal. I tried to recline it for her and it worked fine. Her head sort of pushed a bit against the top, but it wasn't a big deal.

On the bottom, both their legs dangled (they probably could have fit them in the foot rest, but they would be folded up). But they didn't interfere with the wheels at all. And they were nowhere close to the ground. Width wise both fit fine across the shoulders and across their bottoms.

Bottom line, the stroller was really nice. It pushed easily with both kids. The guys at the store were very impressed that OSR was renting out such a nice stroller. Obviously no stroller is really meant for a 5 and 8 year old, but given out options, I think this is the best choice. I feel better knowing she will have a seat.

Thanks for everyone who gave feedback. I will try to post pictures once I am back for those of you debating similar issues. FWIW, Baby Jogger wrote me back and their measurements are on their web site under “customer care” and from there “Specifications”.

Thanks! JJ