Double Stroller for Two 6-year Olds?

[robinb]

My DD is 5 and will be 6 on our next trip. We brought her stroller along when she turned 5 in August 2004, but never used it. We also brought it in December of 2004 and ended up using it almost every night. She was fine during the day, but ended up zonking out in her stroller almost every night.

We invited her 6 year old cousin on our trip in August 2005. I am afraid that the girls will wear each other out and I will need strollers again. We'll be at WDW for 11 nights, so the thought of renting one for 11 days at $15 per day makes my wallet quiver. So ... I'm thinking about buying a stroller and then selling it on eBay when we're done abusing it . My DD is about 45 lbs and her cousin is heavier.

Do you have any recommendations? Should I "invest" in a more expensive stroller rated for 100 lbs and sell it later? Or, should I just buy a cheap double that's not rated that high and throw it away? I suspect the cheapies will be hard to push with 2 heavy kids in them. Or ... should I just rent when the girls give out?

 

[JennsBabySky]

Ok, I love double strollers and would love to encourage everyone to buy them! However, for the size and weight children you would be pushing, you would need a fairly expensive stroller (the main two that I would recommend would be close to $500 each). Of course, if you sold them afterward, you would probably end up spending less by buying the expensive stroller and reselling it. However, they probably won't use the stroller too much. Personally, I'd rent one every other day to keep the costs lower and to keep them from getting to tired.

 

[golfgal]

The other thing to consider is do you really want to push 100+ pounds around in a stroller? Are there two adults going? I would get a couple cheap umbrella strollers. It isn't going to be easy pushing two six year olds around.

 

[JennsBabySky]

I don't think a couple cheap umbrellas will be able to handle the weight of your kids. Even if they didn't break, it would be miserable to push them!

 

[oogieboogie]

I would just rent strollers in the park. Why?

1. I don't have to lug the gigantic monster on the buses
2. I don't have to fold, unfold and lug the gigantic monster on the trams
3. I don't have to stow the gigantic monster in my room

The only park that we really rent a stroller for my 7 and 4 yr olds is Epcot, and usually only when we're doing World Showcase. All the other parks are either small enough or have plenty of resting spots. They do quite well without strollers.

 

[robinb]

I don't think a couple cheap umbrellas will be able to handle the weight of your kids. Even if they didn't break, it would be miserable to push them!

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I have a Maclaren and my sister has a Peg Perego Pliko. I guess I could take both strollers, but then we're stuck pushing two strollers around, not to mention lugging them on the bus.

 

[JennsBabySky]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I have a Maclaren and my sister has a Peg Perego Pliko. I guess I could take both strollers, but then we're stuck pushing two strollers around, not to mention lugging them on the bus.

Well, at least they both has small folds and are free. The Mac might be able to fold up and fit in the Pliko basket. Then you would only *have* to push one stroller, but you would have the other available with you if needed. Or you could bring just the Pliko and have the kids take turns walking and riding on the rear footboard. It is awful expensive to rent a stroller for that many days when you already have access to good strollers for free.

 

[Merriwind]

Hi Robin-

What about renting a single when you see the girls need a little break? They can take turns in the stroller and it would be less $ and work than renting a double. Plus, I doubt that you would need one everyday. I can't see 6yo's needing a double stroller everyday. Last year when DD was 6, we brought my jogging stroller (which has more miles at WDW than anywhere!) She really only used it for the long treks around Epcot--didn't need it at all in the smaller parks. You may need a stroller much less than you think, especially if you're taking mid-day breaks to beat the heat (and exhaustion.) JMHO. Have fun!

 

[tjmw2727]

I would just rent as needed and you probably won't have to rent every day. The WDW double strollers are so ideal, large enough and very easy to push. If it gets wet or misplaced just have it replaced.

From my experience my kids were fine during the day and only wanted a stroller for evenings in World Showcase and MGM. We hit the parks early and on the evenings we were out late we took a break for swimming and a bit of rest.

If you don't rent a stroller at all for a few of the days, say when you have an early evening or maybe a non park day that will save some $.

I guess for me the $$ was worth it. I loved not lugging a stroller on and off the bus/tram/boat in addition to the convenience and the ease of pushing the WDW stroller esp with older kids.

TJ

 

[SammieG]

My 5 year old son is the height and weight of 7 - 8 year old - but he also has a problem with one of his feet which means he is unable to walk long long distances.. so we have to rent a stroller for him. He is way to big for one of the umbrella stroller - but was just fine in a disney stroller. He weighs about 14lbs more than your daughter.

The other thing was that apart from MGM.. the strollers are SO light to push! They are much easier than any of our own strollers!!
Personally I would think the two girls would be fine in a double. I see lots of older kids in that size.

 

[robmary]

We always have brought our double stroller. Our last trip at Thanksgiving our son was 6 and 48" tall and weights about 53 lbs. Our daughter was 4 and 42" and about 45 lbs. They fit fine on the double. Our son sat up front and daughter in back. More leg room for the knees up front. We have a Graco Duoglider. You could probably find a good looking one at any consignment shop cheap. Wasn't hard pushing it either. That stroller has made about 7 trips to Disney over the years, plus it has been our everyday stroller when we needed it. It still works fine. Our thoughts are if they will fit put them in the stroller. You will end up seeing more attractions that way. They already have to stand in lines, so we feel this way it give them a break and we see more. Otherwise we would stop at EVERYTHING along the way. Hope that helps.

 

[3lilprincesses]

i actually disagree that an umbrella stroller wouldn't hold the girls. it's not like they will be riding all day in the stroller. i wouldn't want a double in the parks because they would be a pain to bring on busses and if you want to spit up, even for a little bit, one has to get up,or they both have to go. we bring umbrella strollers on vacations all the time for our 2 youngest DD's. they are younger, 3 and 5, but i just think they are easier to move around with. plus, if they are empty most of the time anyway, who wants a big stroller.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I would just rent in the parkk if you need too. We found that when we are with the cousins they keep each other going & they forget they are tired. They are also less likely to whine about it. I however think if one girls rides, the other will want to also. A double would be fun and they might even keep themselves entertains during things you really want to see that they are not so interested in ie WS.

Jordan's mom

 

[tjmw2727]

I would just rent in the parkk if you need too. We found that when we are with the cousins they keep each other going & they forget they are tired. They are also less likely to whine about it. I however think if one girls rides, the other will want to also. A double would be fun and they might even keep themselves entertains during things you really want to see that they are not so interested in ie WS.

Jordan's mom

That is SO True about WS!! When mine were younger I would often get a double stroller in the evening for WS so they could snack and take in the sights at a more relaxed pace. It was almost like having a bit of time for myself, this was so nice as I often travel as the solo adult with my girls. I would grab a margherita and watch the outside shows while the girls played with light up toys, snacked and watched from the comfort of the stroller. Many times we were able to stay for illuminations and they had great seats!

I found the rentals very easy to push even with older preschoolers.
TJ

 

[alisonbestford]

I don't think a couple cheap umbrellas will be able to handle the weight of your kids. Even if they didn't break, it would be miserable to push them!

We recently returned from WDW.
DD is 6 and 50lbs - I know as we needed antibiotics from the medicentre so she had to be weighed whilst we were there
We bought a cheap umbrella stroller from Winn Dixie for $19.99 on our arrival and it worked out great
I wanted to leave it in Orlando but we ended up bringing it home and I keep it in the car 'just in case'

 

[TerriBelle]

I say rent only if you need it!

Our last trip our twin boys had just turned 6 and we didn't rent at all. We were traveling with another family and the kids all kept each other going! It was never a problem.

My DD was easy to get out of the stroller. She has always LOVED wild rides. We told her that to ride the "big kid" rides she needed to walk like a big kid. This only works if your kid likes wild rides. My boys don't really care so this would not have worked. The boys liked searching for pressed penny machines. This helped them get around world showcase.

 

[alisonbestford]

... or if she's a little one!
Unfortunately DD (6) is too small for many rides so the stroller comes into force ;-)

 

[robinb]

... or if she's a little one!
Unfortunately DD (6) is too small for many rides so the stroller comes into force ;-)

And I know that my DD is a chicken. She'll go on Big Thunder now, but the rest of the thrill rides are too scary for her. I have a feeling that her cousin is going to be just as big of a chicken. So, I'll have 2 girls that won't go on the rides they are tall enough for.

I'm going to pick up the Pliko this weekend when I see my family. I think I might also keep my eyes peeled at the local resale stores and garage sales for a sturdy double. At this point I think we'll take the Maclaren and the Pliko, a cheap double, or no strollers at all and "wing it" with rentals.

I'm just not sure what kind of vacation we'll have. Like I said, last August we didn't touch the stroller. We got to that parks early, left for a swim/nap and maybe returned for the fireworks. We were usually back at the resort by 10:30, sometimes much earlier. But over NYE, we were out almost every night. **sigh** I don't want to lug two strollers and not use them. I also don't want to leave them home and end up renting for half the time.

 

[tjmw2727]

If you really don't want to rent - although if you split the cost with your sister and only rent when needed it may be affordable - maybe you can borrow.

I know I lent my double out a few times to moms in similar situations. Do you know anyone at your dd's or neices schools with multiples or siblings close in age. If so they likely will have a double and may be willing to let you borrow it for your tip.

Another idea is to rent from ABBF or one of the other fl rental places. They will deliver and pick up to the resort and the price is much more reasonable than WDW rentals.

Of course with either of these options you will still have to deal with the bus hassle and the possibility of pushing an empty stroller!

try www.abbf.com or baby's away but I don't know the url.

Have fun.
TJ