double stroller dilemma

[megan&joeysmommy]

I've been debating whether or not to buy a double stroller for my DS-3 1/2 and DD-10mo. My DS doesn't really ride the stroller much anymore, but I doubt he'd make it an hour walking. I just bought a HUGE Radio Flyer wagon for the two of them when we go for walks and to the zoo, but we're flying and there's no way I'd use it at WDW anyway. I didn't really want to get a double, but I figure I can rummage it when I'm done. So...do I just buy the cheapest one I can find (Safety 1st - $59.99 at KMart) or should I watch the rummages for a better quality used one for probably about the same money? I don't really plan to keep it.

 

[ducklite]

Well, forget the wagon idea, WDW doesn't allow them into the parks.

How about one of those "Sit and Stands"? Your DS can stand and easily get on and off. Will allow him the ability to not have to "be in the stroller" while saving his feet at the same time. They are also not as long as a double making them more manueverable.

My sister used hers at WDW when her DS was 1 and DD was 4, and it worked perfectly.

Anne

 

[megan&joeysmommy]

I wouldn't dream of bringing the wagon. Wouldn't work on a plane anyway and too hard to keep track of things behind you in a crowd.

What is a Sit and Stand and where do you get one? Is it one of those things you attach to your regular stroller that they can stand on? I haven't been too keen on the double stroller anyway since they are hard to maneuver, but the one I saw at KMart is NOT a double wide.

 

[pstepka]

We took two strollers (regular sized ones...a Graco Literider and a Graco Trendsetter) when my boys were 1-1/2 and 3-1/2. They both napped every day and both welcomed the chance to sit and be pushed around most of the time. We had no problems having two strollers...I pushed one and my husband pushed the other. We each had our own cup holders for our drinks, the kids had theirs, and they were both able to nap comfortably without bothering each other. We drove so it was not a problem bringing them both.

 

[ducklite]

This is the one my sister has http://www.babyant.com/bv031055.html

The baby is in the front, the toddler can either sit facing the pusher with a strap to hold him/her in, or stand facing frontwards . It's a perfect solution to a situation like yours, and only about 6" longer than a regular stroller. There's also storage in the bottom. My BIL is able to fold it up in about ten seconds!

Anne

 

[welovedis]

Good luck with your quest for a great WDW double stroller. I know you mentioned the wagon and that will probably work great for your home use, too bad that isn't an option at WDW!

Someone mentioned the Sit & Stand. I have owned one of these and do not particularily like it, especially the weight of it and the difficulty to fold it to a reasonable size. Check out the reviews of it on epinions:
http://www.epinions.com/kifm-Twin_S...aby_Trend_Sit-N-Stand_LX_III/display_~reviews

There are so many options you could use. Since you don't think you'll be using one much at home you could look for something like a double umbrella stroller that reclines (for napping) and it would still be fairly easy to manuever. Some people here have done this with a cheap one-either bought new or secondhand and added things like a mesh bag for storage if that is an issue.

Others use 2 regular umbrella strollers and clip them together with the stroller locks. That works if you might take one child back to resort and another person is staying with the other child in the parks.

Another option is to take a single stroller for your younger child and rent a single if necessary when the 3 yo is tired. However you wouldn't be able to have the rented stroller outside of the park gates.

if you seem to have some "good" garage sales in your neighborhood you might want to check them out or check out some consignment/resale shops. Our area seems to have some pretty high quality strollers at decent prices so you might luck out.

I'm sure others here will have some advice for you too!
Good luck!

 

[megan&joeysmommy]

Not so sure about the Sit and Stand. DS is pretty tall and I don't think he'd be able to sit.

I do have a cheap umbrella stroller that folds down enough that I can stick it through the handle of the big stroller down into the basket to carry it when not in use. If we're riding rides and seeing shows, etc. is he going to get wore out walking for most things and ride when we're going further or in a hurry. Will we be leaving the stroller more than using it as far as stores and things go?

 

[BevS97]

only you know your son, but consider that you will be at the park for a number of hours and walking for a lot of that time, how will he cope? What will you do if he does get tired? Although you will be sitting on rides, ride times are pretty short compared to waiting times, and he will have to stand in those lines regardless as strollers aren't allowed in lines.

I found my dd used her stroller a lot when she was 3.5 and even had a few naps in it while we were in the parks, and she hadn't napped for about a year at that point, we would have really struggled without it. We took it again at 4.5 and although she did use it, we could have coped without it - eg one day it got completely soaked at Epcot, and so she had no choice but to walk and she managed the entire day walking (and Epcot is huge).

I like the idea of putting the umbrella stroller in the basket/handle of the big stroller, that way you have the best of both worlds.

Bev

 

[megan&joeysmommy]

Bev
Do you think that the umbrella stroller thing would work? I'd love to not have to buy anything or rent when we get there. We'll be going back to the resort for naps in the afternoon so he wouldn't be walking ALL day.

Thanks for your help!

 

[BevS97]

we used a very basic umbrella stroller for my dd at 3.5 and it worked fine - I wouldn't use one for a baby, but for a 3 year old I think it was perfect.

Have a trial and push your bigger stroller around for a while with it tucked in the basket and see if it will get in your way or not - I know I keep my umbrella tucked in what sounds like a similiar fashion and it's always been fine.

Also, try your son in it for a while and see if he is comfy, my dd was quite petite, if he is very tall he might not fit well - but then you could always put the baby in it when you needed to use both, and let your elder son ride in the big stroller for a while

Bev

 

[dijid]

Two other options I didn't see mentioned are to buy an attachment like the buggy board, kiddy board or seat 2 go for your 3 1/2yo to stand on. These attach to your regular single stroller. The BB and KB can be put up while not in use. We had one that we used with a Maclaren stroller and it worked great. But, I have since replaced that combination with a Peg Perego Pliko P3. It's great! Has "steps" on the back that my almost 4yo can stand on. Unlike the buggy board, though, she can't stand on it if I have to recline it the whole way for DS to sleep.

My DD is a big walker, and we never had a problem at WDW with only having the steps on the stroller for her. She walked all around Epcot without even standing on the back of the stroller. We took daily "Disney Walks" to build stamina. Even my not quite 2yo DS can walk for 2 hours at the zoo without a stroller. I think it's partially what you expect from them and what you condition them to do.

 

[megan&joeysmommy]

I did a search on the kiddy board and seat 2 go and I thought they looked pretty good. What I did wonder though is if a kiddy board could be made with plywood and wheels and something to attach it. I come from a "handy/crafty" family so all I'd really have to buy would be the wheels-they'd have the rest. Also, would he get tired of standing do you think??? He's pretty good about walking in stores when we go shopping (since he lost HIS seat to his little sister!)

 

[susy]

We've been to WDW 7 times with our DS. He is 5 and we will rent a stroller for him on our next trip (he'll be turning 6). There is just so much walking there! I would do an umbrella stroller for the 3yo and a lightweight reclining stroler for the baby. If you are going in summer or early fall, you will want an umbrella stroller with a shade.

 

[BevS97]

I think I would go with an umbrella stroller, when they are tired it's not so much that they don't want to walk, but they want to sit down, you can't sit down on a buggy board.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I too would go for the umbrella. I also have the sit and stand,and it is quite cumbersome. Its ok for walks around town and such but I thimk the umbrella might work out better. If the baby is reclined all the way on the sit and stand it leaves no room for the stander.


Laura

 

[megan&joeysmommy]

Thanks for all the input everyone! I'm assuming that nobody thought the $59 double stroller was the way to go so I think we'll practice with the umbrella combo and see how that goes.

 

[llp479]

How tall are you and your husband? Is your umbrella stroller comfortable for you to push?

I'm 5'8 and my DH is 6'2. When our youngest was born we already had the side-by-side for our twin dd's who were 3. The umbrella stoller gave us both horrible back aches. I bought an umbrella that had a basket, and telescoping handles for our youngest. www.jcpenny.com has the stroller, it's the instep single sport utility. It's been to WDW for at least 5 trips. We still have it, and will probably take it with us in Aug for our now 6 year old dd. She's tall and still can comfortably ride in it. Hopefully, the last trip for the stroller, but her little legs can't keep up with the rest of us, and my back sure can't take carrying her.

 

[megan&joeysmommy]

I'm 5'3" and the umbrella stroller is borderline for height. DH is over 6' so he'd never be able to push it. I did wonder about that. I wish I knew how much he'd need it. Last night on our "Disney walk" DS walked a little more than a mile with no problem/complaints. He could've went more, but we were back home by then.

I also wondered about borrowing a friend's stroller, but then we'd have 2 big ones to lug around. Don't know if that's the answer either.

 

[HoosierFantasia]

We purchased the new Sit and Stand LS a couple of months ago and love it. With the new model, my 3 1/2 year old can sit or stand in the back while the newborn is in her car seat attached to the front. Many people say that with the front seat reclined the child in the back cannot sit. This is incorrect with the new ones, plenty of room. She can even face forward sitting on the platform and put her feet in the basket. Works well this way unless you have a bunch of stuff in the basket (which is likely at WDW). THe new model also has a one hand close button on the handle, makes it really easy. We LOVe it, take it to the malls and the zoo.
The only problem is it gets heavy to push with both kids in it. But we take turns. Also, I am 6'2" and dont have any problems pushing this stroller, no slouching and no kick the back of the stroller when I walk.
When we go next June the kids will be 13 months and 4 years old.

Have fun!

Bill

 

[kfeuer]

My DH is also tall, and here's what I'm going to order before our Sept. trip:

http://www.rightstart.com/global/st...ler Accessories&GroupID=2168404&GroupTP=Model