Disney Strollers for Infants?

[Angelflake]

I was just wondering if the strollers at Disney to rent are suitable for infants? We are going to the World soon with a 7 week old infant, and are contemplating whether to bring our own stroller, or to use a Disney one. I am afraid our stroller won't survive the airlines, although it would be nice to not have to rent one! But maybe renting if the preferred option. Any ideas anyone?

 

[2dogmom]

Most of the disney strollers are a hard molded plastic which I wouldn't use on my infant, or my 17 month old either. If you expect your child to be napping, I would bring my own. We just got back and both of our strollers survived the airlines just fine.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

I would agree. The Disney strollers are not for infants. They do not recline and are hard plastic. Even if you brought blankets and made it cushier, I wouldn't lay my baby down in them since the sides are open. They would be fine for my 4 year old but I wouldn't even use them for my 2½ year old b/c he still naps in the stroller and he couldn't do that in a Disney stroller. Without a doubt...bring yours. You'll all be happier that way.

As for protecting your stroller from the airlines, you can always buy a stroller bag to put it in to help protect it. Honestly though the big thing is to make sure it is closed up TIGHT before you gate check it. My umbrella fold double did fine with the airlines on the trip we just returned from. I brought one of those bungee type cords and wrapped it around the stroller after I folded it up so that it was as compact as it could be and I didn't have to worry about one leg gettting caught on something and bending it or some other freak accident thing, 99% of the time strollers are fine.

 

[momxx5]

I would not use a Disney stroller for a 7 week old. Did I read that right, 7 weeks old? Oh my.

First off the Disney strollers are more like carts than actual strollers....no padding, not seat belt, hard plastic seating area. Second of all, I am sure they are cleaned often but I would not put a newborn near one of them.

I would bring your own stroller and infant seat. Simply roll the stroller up to the gate at the airport and they will check it for you and once you arrive your stroller will be waiting at the gate for you. I would bring the infant seat too. There may be an availble seat for you to put the baby in.

 

[momofbuzzfan]

I agree with the previous posters and I would definitly bring my own stroller. We have always brought our own and never had a problem. We always bring it up to the gate and "gate check" it and it works out great. They have it waiting for you when you get off the plane. There are baby rental companies too. People have posted good things about ABBF and other baby rental places. They will deliver a stroller to your hotel room to rent for the week. Some towncar services also have strollers to rent for very inexpensive. Also I need to make a plug for bringing a sling, especially with one so little. I brought one with my then 5 mo and she was in it almost the entire trip, great for sleeping and nursing and keeping covered from the sun! I used the Maya Wrap and loved it!!! You can go on any non height restricted ride with your baby right in the wrap. Have a great trip!!!

 

[crisi]

I'm a big fan of Disney strollers (which do have seatbelts), but even I wouldn't DREAM of using one for a child much under eighteen months.

Then again, I wouldn't dream of traveling with a seven week old infant.

 

[campingcorgi]

Just back and I saw one of the rental strollers that was suitable for an infant. It had an infant seat inside. I don't think there is any way I'd put that young an infant in a stroller used by so many others, though. I'd take my favorite stroller.

 

[all4fun]

I agree with the pp's. I would definitely bring my own stroller. Here is a site that has pictures of the strollers: Click Here . On our last trip, I saw at MK they do have strollers that have the infant carrier (kind of like on a grocery cart) but like the pp said, I would still personally feel more comfortable with my infant in his own stroller. We have taken our Jeep Liberty stroller cross country four times now and it hasn't been banged up at all. When you gate check it, it will be one of the last things on so no big bags will end up on top of it. Just like the pp's said, make sure you secure it well and also remove any items that may come off in transit.

HTH,
Cheryl

 

[momxx5]

all4fun - thanks for posting the pictures. I stand corrected on the seatbelt issue. I did not ever see the seatbelts when I saw the strollers at the park.

 

[Angelflake]

Thanks to all of you, your advice is wonderful! We are going to check into a sling or front pack for starters. And I guess we will take the stroller from home, sounds like the best plan. I know that taking a 7 week old to Disney will be a challenge, but we will manage. Between this grandma, a doting auntie and an adoring mama, our youngest traveling companion will do just fine!

Thank you all again, this board is the best!