Double stroller as wheelchair?

[Mickey'snewestfan]

A friend of mine is planning her first trip to Disney, and has a question about the stroller as wheelchair pass.

Her two youngest children are 2 and a baby. Her 2 year old seems like exactly the kind of kid that the "stroller for wheelchair" pass was invented for. She's taking a few steps but is still very unsteady on her feet due to CP, with an added layer of impulsivity and sensory issues that will make lines challenging. Plus she's got some expensive medical equipment (e.g. feeding pump) that they'll want to keep close.

The question is, if they're going to use a double stroller for the rest of the day, can she use the double stroller in lines? Can they leave the baby in the stroller since it's there? What if she wants to hold her toddler to see things in the line, can she put the baby down? They won't have 2 adults for a large part of the trip (the kids' other parent is attending a conference) so 2 single strollers isn't the solution.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, it is possible to get a 'stroller as wheelchair' tag for a double stroller.
It would need to be no longer than 48 inches and no wider than 32 inches to fit in lines/wheelchair accessible areas.
They would be able to leave the baby in the stroller, take the children out of the stroller to walk or see things, etc.
If she is alone, she would need the double stroller since it would not be possible for her to handle 2 children who can't walk.

If you have not checked out the DAS threads near the top of this board, you might want to check them out.
There is one thread for WDW and one for Disneyland. The first post in each thread is a DAS FAQs.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Yes, it is possible to get a 'stroller as wheelchair' tag for a double stroller.
It would need to be no longer than 48 inches and no wider than 32 inches to fit in lines/wheelchair accessible areas.
They would be able to leave the baby in the stroller, take the children out of the stroller to walk or see things, etc.
If she is alone, she would need the double stroller since it would not be possible for her to handle 2 children who can't walk.

If you have not checked out the DAS threads near the top of this board, you might want to check them out.
There is one thread for WDW and one for Disneyland. The first post in each thread is a DAS FAQs.

Thanks! She won't be there totally alone. She's got a 15 year old DS who is a sweetheart and really good with his little siblings, and he's bringing a friend so they'll have two sets of extra hands for the parking lot and at other critical points, but she's imagining that they'll want to go off and ride more exciting things so she'd still like to be able to push both little ones so they can break up.

Her stroller is one of those front to back ones, so it will definitely be narrow enough. I imagine that it's shorter than some wheelchairs too.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

My friend looked up the dimensions of her stroller, and apparently it's too long. It says it's 53" with both seats attached.

How much does this matter? I read some where that the dimensions are for the "Disney Transportation System", but since the stroller doesn't have tie downs they won't be using it unfolded on the bus. Where else are the dimensions of the stroller important? On the monorail? Are there lines she would need it for?

She's trying to figure out whether she needs to buy a new stroller just for Disney.

 

[SueM in MN]

Turning corners in lines may be an issue.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Turning corners in lines may be an issue.

I can imagine that. Has anyone used a double stroller in lines, or seen someone used one that works?

 

[SueM in MN]

I can imagine that. Has anyone used a double stroller in lines, or seen someone used one that works?

Most of those I have seen were side to side double.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Most of those I have seen were side to side double.

Interesting, in my experience the side by sides are so bulky. I'd imagine them blocking a line if she needs to stop for some reason. So, a side by side double would be allowed?

 

[lanejudy]

I have seen side-by-side double strollers in lines. I don't believe I've ever seen a front-back double stroller in the queues; I'd imagine it to be nearly impossible to maneuver a front-back double in the switch/back lines since those strollers don't turn sharply and need a good deal of space to turn.

A less costly alternative to purchasing a side-by-side double would be to use 2 umbrella strollers with a connector. This turns the 2 strollers into a side-by-side double. It would also allow an option of splitting to share the pushing while with the older kids (for example if big brother wanted to take the 2 yr old on on a ride while mom deals with baby).

And I know this wasn't part of your question, but will mom be able to get 2 non-walking little ones onto a ride? The stroller cannot be used on most rides and is parked at the loading or unloading area. She will need to be able to lift both children out of the stroller and carry them (often on a moving walkway) to the ride vehicle. Or maybe she doesn't plan to ride alone with the little ones, just wants to walk the park with them while the teens do some rides.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I have seen side-by-side double strollers in lines. I don't believe I've ever seen a front-back double stroller in the queues; I'd imagine it to be nearly impossible to maneuver a front-back double in the switch/back lines since those strollers don't turn sharply and need a good deal of space to turn.

A less costly alternative to purchasing a side-by-side double would be to use 2 umbrella strollers with a connector. This turns the 2 strollers into a side-by-side double. It would also allow an option of splitting to share the pushing while with the older kids (for example if big brother wanted to take the 2 yr old on on a ride while mom deals with baby).

And I know this wasn't part of your question, but will mom be able to get 2 non-walking little ones onto a ride? The stroller cannot be used on most rides and is parked at the loading or unloading area. She will need to be able to lift both children out of the stroller and carry them (often on a moving walkway) to the ride vehicle. Or maybe she doesn't plan to ride alone with the little ones, just wants to walk the park with them while the teens do some rides.

I think her thought is that for the rides that are challenging to board with both little ones she'll wait until her teen or her husband is available (he'll be at a conference, so they'll have some evening time and a few days after the conference together), and do more shows or character greets or splash playgrounds when she has the little kids alone. She's also got a middle child that could sit next to the toddler for a moment while she gets the baby out, on rides where there's a stationary car to get into, or something like that. And she can lift and carry both little ones for short distances (her daughter is pretty tiny for her age), but she can't carry both little ones, the communication device, the feeding pump backpack, the bag with the emergency meds etc . . . If she had a place to leave the stroller that is supervised, like wherever the wheelchairs go, then she could leave the stuff there for a while, but she couldn't leave it out with the regular stroller parking, nor could she carry both kids that far.

 

[SueM in MN]

Most of the side to side strollers are no wider than a wheelchair.
An accessible path/line for a wheelchair us at least 36 inches wide, although most are much wider (I have not measured, but probably closer to 4 feet).

A side to side stroller will fit into the wheelchair/ECV accessible spots for shows. A front to back one is probably going to be too long to park there.

 

[SueM in MN]

I've never seen a back to front double in lines.
Even in stores, they seem to not be easy to manouver.

 

[bidnow5]

Years ago we were going to living seas in the winding line a front to back stroller couldn't make one corner stopped the line for a good 10 minutes they had to take the children out and fold it

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . r stroller is one of those front to back ones, so it will definitely be narrow enough. I imagine that it's shorter than some wheelchairs too.

1) The stroller is definitely less wide.
2) However, it is probably too long for the specs.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Is there a website that has information about the loading process for different rides?

My friend would like to put together a plan for knowing when she'll need extra help, either because some of the kids can't ride (e.g. her daughter is too short, or the baby can't ride because they have to be able to sit up) or because the loading system is too awkward.

Also, just so she's clear. Cast Members can't touch the kids right. They couldn't hand a child to her once she's settled, right? But if she wheels her stroller up to the vehicle, they can then move it someplace out of the way? And that out of the way place is either supervised or protected from the public so she can leave expensive medical equipment there without concern?

 

[lanejudy]

Is there a website that has information about the loading process for different rides?

My friend would like to put together a plan for knowing when she'll need extra help, either because some of the kids can't ride (e.g. her daughter is too short, or the baby can't ride because they have to be able to sit up) or because the loading system is too awkward.

Also, just so she's clear. Cast Members can't touch the kids right. They couldn't hand a child to her once she's settled, right? But if she wheels her stroller up to the vehicle, they can then move it someplace out of the way? And that out of the way place is either supervised or protected from the public so she can leave expensive medical equipment there without concern?

There might be some information in the disABILITIES FAQ sticky, though most of that is likely more related to accessibility. I believe there's a link there to rides with height requirements so she can skip those. She might also try searching out YouTube videos -- there are tons of them out there showing all parts of various rides.

You are correct that a CM will not be able to help her with the children. She'll need to wrangle them herself or wait to ride when she has help from the father or older child. I *think* a CM will be allowed to move the stroller-as-wheelchair for her, though I honestly haven't had to rely on that situation -- we've always been directed where to park the stroller before boarding the ride. Maybe someone who has done the parks solo and transferred from a wheelchair to ride vehicle will be able to confirm that. I do trust that the stroller is safe when left at ride boarding, though there is no guarantee because no one is specifically assigned to watch it. But it is right in the open and someone would need to be brazen to take something out in full view.

She may prefer to stick primarily to shows when alone with the little ones, but again, to take the stroller in she would need a side-by-side as the front/back doubles won't fit in the designated areas at shows.

Good luck to your friend! And it's very nice of you to help her out with all the planning.

 

[sarabguerra]

Could she look into renting a double side by side? We ended up with 2 singles because our kids are on the heavier side of the weight limit and maneuvering that kind of weight would have been difficult. But a double of the BabyJogger City Mini offered would have fit just fine through all the queues. We had plenty of room for all our medical gear and pretty much everything and anything else we needed to carry. It ended up being less expensive than I thought it would be (<$150 for a week for both strollers with insurance on both). It was worth it.

She could also look into using a baby carrier like an Ergo or even a pouch. That way she can hold the baby hands free while being able to assist the toddler. Or vice versa. We actually didn't have our strollers for our last day there and DH wore our 40lb DS on his back for 8 hours to keep him safe.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Could she look into renting a double side by side? We ended up with 2 singles because our kids are on the heavier side of the weight limit and maneuvering that kind of weight would have been difficult. But a double of the BabyJogger City Mini offered would have fit just fine through all the queues. We had plenty of room for all our medical gear and pretty much everything and anything else we needed to carry. It ended up being less expensive than I thought it would be (<$150 for a week for both strollers with insurance on both). It was worth it.

She could also look into using a baby carrier like an Ergo or even a pouch. That way she can hold the baby hands free while being able to assist the toddler. Or vice versa. We actually didn't have our strollers for our last day there and DH wore our 40lb DS on his back for 8 hours to keep him safe.

I haven't really paid attention to the strollers at Disney in a long time, but the ones they used to have didn't work for kids who didn't sit up yet. Her little one will be about 4 months on the trip. Is that old enough for the Disney stroller?

She has a carrier, and will definitely use it for both kids on the trip, but she find switching out the kids in a single stroller really challenging. If, for example, she's holding the baby and wants to pick up the toddler and put the baby in the stroller, or vice versa, she says it gets challenging. Her daughter isn't very good at "just stand here while I get your brother situated . . . " yet. But she could definitely strap the baby on, and then pick up the toddler to board a ride.

 

[catra121]

I saw lots of people with strollers like this one:

Phil Teds Classic

Not this one specifically...but lots of people with similar ones. They seems much shorter than the typical double strollers and did not seem to take up much space at all. I was actually quite fascinated by them on my last trip when I was solo...not really sure why since I don't have any kids yet. But I remember the old front and back stroller my brother and I rode in (only 10 months apart) when we were little and that puppy was HUGE...these were so compact and clever I thought.

I did see several in lines and don't remember there being any issues with them making turns. But I would definitely not push it with dimensions on these things...I have a walker and once got into the wrong line at Disneyland (which was not handicap accessible...missed the info on the sign) and it was a nightmare. I made it a very short distance before getting "stuck" and I was so embarrassed (and hurt myself trying to get out of the situation)...can't imagine trying to get out of that situation with two kids in tow...yikes!

I would think she should definitely avoid rides with a moving walkway unless the walkway can be stopped (like haunted mansion)...as that will be difficult to maneuver alone. The CMs will move the stroller (in my case the walker) away from the ride vehicle and bring it close to the ride vehicle when she gets off (though she might have to remind them). It's NOT always in the most secure of places though so I wouldn't necessarily want anything too pricey or irreplaceable left in there if it were me. I'm sure most stuff is perfectly safe....but you just never know with some people.

 

[Muskrat191]

There are lots of places offsite to rent good double side-by-side strollers, and the prices are very reasonable. We rented a double City Mini GT on our last trip. The seats recline back completely flat and the sun shades are quite large. It would probably fit the required dimensions for the queues (although I have never actually tried it).

I second the suggestion of a baby carrier like the Ergo. I used a Boba 3G with our little one (7.5 month old) on the last trip. The baby can actually ride on most rides while still in the carrier. Rides like Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, Living with the Land, etc. are all fine with the baby in the carrier. The carrier might make it easier for your friend to get both kids on and off the rides by herself.