Doing Disney with 3 kids... wwyd? (stroller related)

[dkal95]

Lot's of rambling ahead.

Here's our situation...
We have 3 daughters, 8, 3 and 9 months at the time of our trip.

The last time we went, we rented a stroller (LOVED the double strollers at the parks) and it worked out great. This time, I'm not sure what to do since we're +1 child now. LOL

I have a graco duo glider that I could put the 2 little ones in and then rent a single for our 8 year old, because I know she'll get tired of walking.

Or.. .I could rent a double and bring our Maclaran for the baby. The only issue with that is that in the airport and DTD and other outside activites, we'd have our 3 year old (who's crazy ) on the loose.

Or... we could do one of those baby backpacks in the parks(not sure what they're called) for the baby and then rent a double. And also bring our double for other activities. The only problem with that is the baby is BIG. She's not quite 6 months now and weighs 20 lbs. So I wonder how hard those carriers would be on our backs.

I guess my main issue is deciding to bring the double or the single Maclaren. And whether or not to buy a carrier.

How would you do it?

 

[familydisney]

I think the backpack may be the way to go. You can put baby and next oldest in stroller until 8-year-old gets tired and then put baby into backpack. Get a good one -- Kelty makes some really nice ones with built in shades to protect baby from sun. They are designed for backpackers, so the bulk of the weight is on your hips. I have hauled our little guys around in our Kelty for hours and hours and it has been great--

TIP* Get one a month before you go and take daily or thrice-weekly walks with kiddo in the back pack so you can build up the muscles that you will need !

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

If it was me I'd bring the double stroller from home. You can always see how the 8 y/o makes out before renting a stroller if needed. I'd go with whatever your kids are most used too because that's probably going to be the most comfortable for them.

Other things to consider will you be driving or riding the buses to the park? We had to shut our stroller up on the bus so you need to consider how big it will be to lug around on the bus.

 

[stacy6552]

Dont bring a backpack for the baby. A front carrier or sling is much more practicle because you can keep it on in shows and on rides. You would ahve to take off a backpack too much.

I would bring the double stroller and carrier.

 

[Ariel8676]

I would defintely bring the double from home and see how the 8 yo makes out..if she gets tired then get a stroller. I also agree that a backpack would just be too much of a PITA...
I have posted about different carriers the last few days..i have a 7 month old that is about 20 pounds and the carriers i use are GREAT! If you are interested let me know and ill post the links,,
The only problem i have with the strollers at the parks, while they may be great for an older child a 3 yo may get sleepy and want to lay down for a bit..you can't really do that comfortably in the ones you rent.

 

[plutolovr]

IMO 8yr old is TOO old for a stroller. My twins were 5 their first trip and we never used a stroller. I never gave them the option. They were fine. Anyway, who wants to push an 8yo around anyway.

 

[skowks]

Is there any way that you can bring both? Might seem like a pain but could be worth it in the long run. Use the double in the airport and check the single with your luggage.

I think it would be easier to have the single in the parks and rent a double for the two older children. Your infant will probably do some napping in the stroller and the 3 yo getting in and out of the stroller might jostle things around a bit. I also think it might be easier for getting in and out of for the rides, etc. The 8 and 3 yo can hop into the Disney double on their own and be ready to go. Do the trays come off the Duoglider? Otherwise you'll be lifting the 3 yo in and out all the time. I think a single would be a little easier to get on and off the busses.

Personally, I wouldn't get a carrier. Our daughter was 20 lbs at 6 month and close to 24 at 9. Short journeys are okay, but all day would get tiring. Not to mention hot. You'd have to take a backpack on and off all day. And while I loved my Bjorn front carrier, I don't think I could stand carrying my daughter all day like that, even with switching off with my husband. But that's just me.

The stroller decision is a tough one though, good luck!

 

[dkal95]

IMO 8yr old is TOO old for a stroller. My twins were 5 their first trip and we never used a stroller. I never gave them the option. They were fine. Anyway, who wants to push an 8yo around anyway.

Thanks for your input.

I actually don't mind pushing my 8 year old around if she gets tired. So I guess that would answer your question as to who would want to push an 8 year old around. I would.

 

[twinspluscade]

IMO 8yr old is TOO old for a stroller. My twins were 5 their first trip and we never used a stroller. I never gave them the option. They were fine. Anyway, who wants to push an 8yo around anyway.

I agree.....I think 8 is way too big to be in a stroller. Since you'll have a baby and toddler with also, it's not as if you'll be doing the parks "commando style' anyway. 8 year old should be fine walking. If the 8 year old does plan on riding in the stroller, I think you'd have to rent one of the doubles at WDW. I can't imagine many 8 year olds would even fit in a regular double stoller (from home) unless they're really, really tiny.
If I were you, I'd bring the double from home for the 3 year old and the baby. That way you'll have it in the airport if you need it; and the baby can lay back and nap if needed.

Kelly

 

[becca011906]

We went last year when my kids were 5, 3 and 13 months old we took our doulbe stroller from home and did just fine when my 5 y/o wanted to ride i used a back pack carrier for my baby, or a sling, it worked out just fine, or some times my 3 y/o dd would want to walk too...

 

[dkal95]

My 8 year old is small for her age and she fits fine in the rented strollers from Disney.

I appreciate your responses but whether or not an 8 year old should ride in a stroller, was not my question.
It's fine with me if you all don't think your 8 year old or 5, 6, or 7 year old should go in a stroller... but ours will have the choice to ride if she wants to.

I'm sure I won't be the only one with an 8 year old in a double stroller at WDW.

 

[jnnilynn]

I don't recall reading her asking if her 8 year old was too old for a stroller. Hmmm, maybe I missed it.

Heck, I get tired during a long day at WDW, I wouldn't object to being pushed in a stroller.


Anywho, I'd bring the double, then maybe rent a single stroller in WDW if it's needed.


HTH.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

We had a similar issue during our last trip. My kids were 6, 3, and 6 months, at that time.

We only brought our single stroller from home on that trip. Our thinking was that we could rent a stroller once we got there, and had totally planned to do that. We didn't want to mess with getting the bulky double stroller on/off the buses. However, once we got wrapped up in the rope drop excitement, we never wanted to take the time to rent a stroller (long lines). We kept saying we could go back and get one, but we never did.

We had brought along our Baby B'Jorn for the baby. We alternated letting the baby and our 3 year old ride in the stroller, as needed. Our 6-year-old walked the entire time, and never complained once (totally shocked us). We never felt the need to get that extra stroller.

So, I would think you could just bring along one stroller, perhaps the double. Then, bring along some sort of easy carrier. Have you tried that Playtex Hip Hammock? I have a friend who got that for a recent amusement park trip, and loved it. I plan to get one for our trip in October. Then, you could alternate kids in the stroller, as needed. If you got in a bind, and desperately needed an extra seat, you could go ahead and just rent a single. I would recommend bringing some sort of stroller from home, since it will come in handy at the airport and resort.

 

[dkal95]

A friend of mine just offered to let us use her stroller, it's the kind where a 2nd child can ride or stand on the back.

I think we may end up doing that... putting the baby in the front, let our 3 year old ride on the back and then renting a stroller for our oldest if needed.

So many options! LOL

 

[weinerranchers]

U could always attach your 8 yo to her uncles back if she gets tired, and the 9 mo old to her daddy's back and get a single stroller to push the 3 yo. see, there is the answer... a single stroller, an uncle and a daddy.... then you can go ride the rides with their aunt!!!

 

[dkal95]

U could always attach your 8 yo to her uncles back if she gets tired, and the 9 mo old to her daddy's back and get a single stroller to push the 3 yo. see, there is the answer... a single stroller, an uncle and a daddy.... then you can go ride the rides with their aunt!!!

Fancy seeing you here!
I like your thinking!

 

[bartleby1]

I would rent a double for the 3 and 8 yr olds and bring a single from home for the baby. That will take care of when you are in the parks.

For the airport and leaving the parks after returning your rental, I would bring a front carrier for the baby and put the 3 yr old in your single stroller. At 20 pounds, I wouldn't want to rely on the front carrier all day, but it will make the airport easier and getting back to your resort easier. HTH!

ETA: Last year I wished we had our front carrier when leaving the MK after wishes with our 3 very tired kids (5yr, 3yr, and 9months at the time). We had returned the double stroller and had the baby in our single when we saw the enormous line to get on the monorail. Apparently, the monorail had broken down and they were directing everyone to the resort monorail. We had to put the sleeping 3 yr old in the stroller, DH carried our almost asleep 5 yr old, and I propped the baby on top of the stroller, holding her as I pushed. It was quite a sight! I SOOOOO wished that I had the front carrier!

 

[BarbWB]

I would rent a double for the 3 and 8 yr olds and bring a single from home for the baby. That will take care of when you are in the parks.

For the airport and leaving the parks after returning your rental, I would bring a front carrier for the baby and put the 3 yr old in your single stroller. At 20 pounds, I wouldn't want to rely on the front carrier all day, but it will make the airport easier and getting back to your resort easier. HTH!

I agree with this! In addition to the "good" stroller for the baby, I would probably also bring a $15 umbrella stroller for the 3yo for the airport -- depending on your flight times, layover, and child's temperament when tired. At worst, the child won't ride in it, so you use it as a cart for your carry-on luggage. But, if you get stuck with 2 sleepy babies, you have the extra stroller.

fwiw, I have 4 kids -- we were at WDW in January, when they were 2, 4, 6 and 8. We rented a single and a double. At times, when the kids were super tired, we had 3 in the double or 2 in the single. You do what you have to do ... I don't believe anyone who says that an 8yo isn't exhausted and cranky and begging for a stroller ride after a day (not to mention the 2d, 3d or 4th day!!!!!!) at Disney!!!!

 

[happydisneyfamily]

I agree with the idea of bringing a double stroller. That way your kids can sit in it at the airport and other places you all go to.

 

[va32h]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but there is an attachment you can buy to hook up to your stroller - it's a platform that an older child can stand on. I think it's called a buggy board or something.

The last time we went to WDW my oldest was 7; she didn't need a stroller for stamina, but we liked being able to stick her in the stroller if we needed to get somewhere faster than she could walk (like high-tailing it out of MK after the fireworks!)