Double Stroller on Busses ???

[lpberg]

We are headed down to WDW in midMay. The last we were there we only had our DD (who was 20 months old) and we brought our "cheapy" umbrella stroller, and it worked great. This time it will be my DD (now 5) and my DS (18 months). I own a Peg Pliko, a cheapy umbrella stroller and a Baby Trend double jogging stroller. I would LOVE to bring the double jogger but I'm afraid of how it will be to haul the thing on the busses (especially after a late night fireworks show!).

I would bring two separate strollers but my DH isn't flying back with us (he's staying on for a 3 day conference) and I don't think I'll be able to handle carrying a stroller and pushing another, along with a car seat (I bought a ticket for my DS so he could sit in his car seat on the plane - a 3+ hour flight without it would be a disaster!), carryon bags (2), and keeping track of both kids!

Anyone have any experience in bringing a double jogger on the busses? Too bad they don't have a "bike rack" type of thing on the back or front of the busses......

TIA -

Lynne

 

[YesI'mObsessed]

It is a big hassle with the double stroller on the bus. I had a double side by side, it's a bit lighter than a double jogger. And to un-pack the basket and fold it up, plus lug it up the narrow steps, plus find a place for me and the stroller to sit, is a pain. Sometimes a friendly person would help, they were awesome that way. But most of the time I had to struggle, then hold the stroller during the ride to try and keep the aisle clear of other passengers getting on and off. Don't get me wrong, I was soooo happy to have that stroller even getting off the bus and walking back to the room with tired children. I'd even say it was worth it. But it is a pain none the less.

 

[lpberg]

So how many dirty looks did you get from the other passengers ?

I REALLY want to bring it with me but I'm just soooo afraid of blocking the aisle - it folds down but not that compactly!

 

[jpmom97]

I used 2 umbrella strollers and bought connectors. I just folded them up and connected them when we got to the park. Very easy will do it again on our next trip.

http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.js...t=Gear&cm_pla=StrollerAccessories&cm_ite=null

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

We took a Peg front to back stroller a couple trips back and we loved having it even though it is a very heavy stroller. It was well worth it on the stroll back to the hotel. And the planes let you check the stroller at the door to the plane. I had a DH though to carry the stroller while I carried the baby in the carrier and held my DS's hand. I would make sure you can carry the stroller in one arm and hold the younger child's hand w/ the other hand before you make a decision. The stroller is wonderful at the parks, too, even when the children are walking. You have a place to put your bag of supplies. And when the kids are getting away from you, you can strap them into the stroller where you know they are safe and sound and won't get lost in the crowds. I can not survive w/o my strollers. I love having my babies close and safe, especially when I am w/o my DH and his help.

This past year, we had no baby carrier and so took a Combi Stroller (side by side) which is made from Nasa materials which keeps it light weight. It folds up twice and has a strap to throw it over your shoulder. It was AWESOME. With that one, I could carry that on my shoulder and still have 2 hands free to hold both kid's hands. It cost me $300 though and may not be worth the money for a few days use. But it was a great asset. This upcoming year, we'll have 3 kids (one a new baby) and I thought we'd take the Peg again since it has the carrier that attaches/detaches which is so convenient when you don't want to wake up the baby to dine. But that Combi was so wonderful, we might just take that one again. Good luck in deciding.

 

[NJDisneymom]

I would think the double jogger would be a real pain. We brought our sit n stand for the last trip and it was heavy but we would often just wait for the next bus so we could be the first ones on and sit in the back. I was very happy with how quickly the busses came by! I have a single jogger and can't imagine those giant wheels on the bus.

This trip my kids are 5.5 and 2 and I have decided to bring our new Peg P3. I know the old Pliko's were different, so not sure if yours is as convenient. I figure worst case is we will rent for my 5 year old if we find the step on the back isn't enough for her.

Honestly, I don't think I would do the jogger. The new sit n stands are alittle lighter than mine, they seem nice. They are still big, but they it would be so convenient in the park and easier for you to manage coming home without DH. I believe they are about $150.

 

[lpberg]

Ok - so we folded down both my double jogger and the Peg Pliko. Amazingly, if you take the front wheel off the jogger (which is a quick, easy, painless thing to do) the two strollers are *basically* the same width. The jogger is definitely longer. (And it's not a "real" jogger - the wheels in the back aren't that huge.)

My DH doesn't think we need a stroller AT ALL for the 5 year old (yeah, right!). Here's what I'm thinking - if I bring the jogger, and there's two of us (we're going with my inlaws so there will be 4 adults) sitting at the front of the bus (picture the seats that are "sideways" to accomodate wheelchairs), the jogger could be folded and placed in front of the two adults, with the wheel popped off. (Do the busses still have that area in the front?)

I would bring my Peg but I know my DD gets tired of standing on the back when we're at the mall. And at the end of the night, I'm thinking she's going to want to sit down anyway. I thought about renting a stroller for the last half of each day for her, but that doesn't solve the problem of the walk back to the hotel room from the bus.

Please help me confirm that I'm NOT crazy to think that it'll fit on the bus......! Or is it all just wishful thinking??????

Lynne

 

[piglethappy]

Hi Lynne!

We are going to disney in the beginning of June. We have a DD 7 and DD 3 so we decided to buy a double jogger for this trip because of the space it gives the girls and also comfort. We have taken the little umbrella strollers before and those are fine but my husbands back hurts with those. He is 6'6". I think the jogger will be a little of a hassel on the bus but to me that is such a small part of the whole day. I think that if you are prepared when you get to the bus stop it should be alright. Just to be clear I mean be prepared at the bus stop by taking the front wheel off and then fold it up BEFORE the bus gets there. That will decrease others becoming irritated with you and that way you will not get those looks

You will need a stoller of some kind and something that will give the kids shade as well. Florida gets hot and WDW is big for little feet

 

[Anne MN]

I have done the bus with a full double jogger (with the big back wheels) it is heavy, but if you have the DH carry it it works.

Will have a single jogger with the big wheels this time (for DD 10) it is for medical use. it will be easier to get on and off the bus with, and DH will have to do the carrying of it again.

I have twins who are 10 and another who is 5 on halloween.

 

[disneymama73]

I think you would be absolutely fine with the double jogger. We have always brought our Graco double-stroller. It is heavy and bulky, but it was worth having it with us!

Here's a tip for ya! Ask the bus driver to open the back door (handicapped door) to let your husband in with the stroller. This way he doesn't have to worry about hitting anyone while walking down the aisle. Then you and the kids enter from the front. We have never had a problem with this, in fact the drivers were happy to do it for us.

Good luck!

 

[lpberg]

Ok disneymama73 - I LOVE that tip! Did your hubby sit in the back of the bus with the stroller? It's been a while since we've been to WDW and on them so I don't recall how the back is set up.

 

[disneymama73]

Yes, we usually all sit together in back unless no seats are available. I'm glad I could help!

 

[NJDisneymom]

I think if you are prepared to use "bus ettiquette" you will be fine. Have the stroller folded and ready to go BEFORE the bus gets there. And like I said, we often waited for the next bus if the bus was filling up as we got to the front of the line, we'd let people go ahead of us to fill the bus up and then we'd be the first in line for the next bus. It was rarely more than a 5 min. wait and it was soooo worth it to be the first ones on the bus so we could head to the back. This made it easier for others to get on the bus and not have to bump the stroller to get passed.

 

[rt2dz]

When you get back, please post on how it turned out.

We're going the last week of May & I plan on bringing our double jogger. It is sooooooooo much easier to maniuver than my sit-n-stand and easier on my back--important being pregnant. Plus it is more comfortable for DS4, especially if he is going to want to sleep at the end of the night--each seat reclines fully, individually. And it has a big under basket that I can actually reach and a bag at the back (love that storage). Not to mention I have a sunguard/bug cover & a rain guard for my jogger.

Were driving, so we will only be taking the bus the day we have an early PS/ADA/ADR for Donald's. We'll also take the boat to MK a few times. I love the wheel removal hint, never would have thought of it. Anyhow, I'd love any more hints & experience tips with the use of the double jogger.

 

[Susie51]

Thanks for all of the tips on bringing a double stroller and how to handle the bus situation. With 3 adults in our group of 7, we should be all set for the bus ride. I'm glad to hear it is only 5 min. between buses.