Double stroller or 2 singles?

[trpltongue]

Hi all,

This is my first post here and I must preface it by saying I can't believe I didn't know about this forum until today!

I am planning our families first trip to WDW (tentatively scheduled for Dec 7th - 11th in Park). We have a daughter who will be 5 when we visit and a son who will be 21mo.

One of the things I'm not sure of is the stroller situation. We'll be driving to the park from Houston and we'll bring our own stroller(s). I don't know if we should bring our double "Bob" stroller, or our single Graco strollers.

The "Bob" double stroller (toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2623489) is simply fantastic! It is lightweight and sooooo easy to push. But, it's quite a bit bigger than the Graco single strollers (30" wide versus 21") and I'm concerned that it might be too bulky to push around the parks. On the other hand, having 2 strollers to keep track of also seems like a nuisance because there would be no easy way for me to just run off to grab food, fastpasses etc. and leave my wife trying to push 2 strollers at the same time.

The other minor concern is that the Bob is a very expensive stroller (~$600 with accessories, thank goodness I didn't have to pay for it) and I'm a bit worried about theft.

If you folks could lend me some opinions and advice I'd really appreciate it.

Russell

 

[Kerri G]

The last time we went to MK my girls were just 3 and 2. I went back and forth about bringing the double stroller but ended up bringing two umbrella's. Boy am I glad I did. It was much faster getting on and off shuttles and monorails with two umbrella strollers, plus if one feel asleep one of us could go off with the other. I made sure that each stroller came with a canopy and put balloons on each so when we came out of a ride they were easy to spot. We are going back (now they will be 5 and 4) and I am still bringing two strollers. Hope this helps with your decision.

Take care
Kerri

 

[renda460]

I use two umbrella strollers and picked up stroller clips at Baby Depot. This allowed us to use them apart, but we had the option to clip them together if one of us were not around.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Be aware that the CM's will sometimes "organize" the stroller parking areas. If you bring the 2 singles then they may be separated and it might take longer to find. How about an umbrella stroller for the 5 yr old and one of your singles for your little one. Then when you "park" them in the parks you could fold up the umbrella stroller and stick in/on the other one.

 

[trpltongue]

I like the idea of stroller clips! I hadn't heard of those before. I think both the kids would do fine in umbrella strollers so two of them with some stroller clips could be perfect.

I also hadn't thought about the ability to split the kids up I just assumed the 2 kids would be together wherever we went. However, I can see how it would be convenient to be able to split them up, especially if my 5yo ends up liking the roller coasters

Thanks all! I am going to start looking for a couple of decent umbrella strollers and some stroller clips. That will also save me the nerves of parking the "Bob" stroller.

Russell

 

[tanyaandallie]

Different opinion here. We have been twice and are leaving in 5 days (from Houston also) for Disney with my 4.5 and 2.5 year old. We always take a double. We do not split up in the parks so don't want to have to keep up with 2 strollers. If you are driving, you don't have to worry about dealing with a bulky stroller on the plane or bus so you might as well bring the one that both of your kids are going to be super comfy in.

Our double recently broke and we looked in to the 2 singles option but opted to buy another double. We like having both kids together in a good double that pushes well. When one of us has to run to get something, go to the bathroom, the other only has to keep up with 1 stroller and both kids are in the same place. I also worry that the weight of a 5 year old will make pushing 2 singles clipped together a pain. Not to mention it will likely be far wider than a double.

If I had a BOB, I'd be taking it for sure!!!

 

[GoinToDisney]

I don't think I would bring the Bob. $600 is a lot of $. Ideally, if $ is not an issue, I would get 2 maclarrens and the clips. I would try to have at least 1 stroller that reclines so you don't end up trying to push the stroller on the back 2 wheels when one of the kids is sleeping.

 

[trpltongue]

$ is definitely an issue Thinking more about it, our Graco strollers are really too big and uncomfortable for all-day use. They are comfy for the kids, but are terrible for us to push. We are both over 6' tall and have to lean over to push the Graco's, and often kick the back of the stroller when taking normal sized strides. So, we are either going to bring the Bob or purchase 2 new umbrella strollers with reclining seats, preferably accomodating tall parents.

I hadn't thought about the weight disparity when using stroller clips, is that really an issue?

I'm beginning to waffle back to the Bob now.....

tanyaandallie,

Do you find it difficult to navigate the park/rides/lines with the double? That is my primary concern with the Bob (and the cost of replacing it). Also, a bit off-topic, do you drive? If so, what is your driving plan (what time do you leave, do you stop overnight, etc.)

Thanks for the dialog all!

 

[TJA]

We take a double jogger each trip, but we have twins and never split up. I see you'll have a baby when you go -- I'd recommend taking a comfortable stroller that reclines, large canopy, etc., for the baby. When our twins were babies, we found that if they were comfortable in the stroller, then they could rest and be happy. Now that they are older, we have considered getting 2 strollers for Disney, but in the end it just seems easier to only worry about one stroller versus two.

 

[trpltongue]

The Bob has a nice reclining seat for the baby so he should be comfortable there no problem. I also miscalculated a bit, he'll actually be 21mo in December When we first started planning, we were thinking Sept when he would be 18mo.

 

[TJA]

The Bob has a nice reclining seat for the baby so he should be comfortable there no problem. I also miscalculated a bit, he'll actually be 21mo in December When we first started planning, we were thinking Sept when he would be 18mo.

My twins were right around age 2 when we stopped taking a regular stroller (graco duo glider) and started taking a double jogger. The jogger could handle the weight better than a regular stroller. Right now we have a dreamer jogger that we've taken to WDW about 6 times. I just now ordered a baby jogger city series double for our future trips and can't wait to get it! I've heard that the Bob jogger which you have is very good too. Another option for you, having 2 different ages, is the Maclaren strollers. A lot of people swear by them. There is one that pushes older kids very well. However, already having the Bob, I guess I'd be inclined to take that rather than buy new ones. Is your Bob easy enough to fold up? Our dreamer is a bit of a nuisance to fold up, but our baby jogger is the new one-step easy fold.

 

[kim_o]

There are many nice strollers at disney - even more expensive than the Bob (specifically bugaboos, stokkes, orbits, etc). While, some people will chain the wheels so it can't roll, it does draw attention to the stroller. The only people that are going to know about strollers are people with kids. And even a lot of parents aren't aware of the higher end strollers. I've taken my Vista to Disney before (also a 600 dollar stroller) and was initially worried about it wheeling off. But then someone pointed out that most people who realized it was an expensive stroller wouldn't be the kind to steal it anyway. I'd be slightly more worried about a bug since those are more well known. I think I'd also opt for a double so you don't have to have both parents pushing the strollers. The eldest, especially, isn't going to want to continually ride.

 

[trpltongue]

TJA and kim_o,

Thanks for the very good points. The Bob is pretty easy to fold up, though it does require 2 hands for the job. That's also a good point about the 5yo not wanting to ride all the time. She does love to be out running around, so she would probably only ride 30% of the time or so. That's a very good reason to bring the double. I can't hold on to her and a stroller very easily.

 

[PleaseStandClear95]

I think every kid is a little different. We don't bring a stroller from home into the parks. Here's why - part of the excitement is renting one in the park if my kids really need a break. (We do bring sanitizer wipes to give them a clean-down though )

Also - I would be afraid of something happening to our more expensive personal strollers.

On our last visit I found that our 3 year old walked more than my 5 year old did, who rode in the Disney stroller. We only rented a single stroller most days as usually only one kid wanted to ride at a time.

At DTD or at the Resort we did pull out an umbrella stroller that we brought along.

 

[tanyaandallie]

tanyaandallie,

Do you find it difficult to navigate the park/rides/lines with the double? That is my primary concern with the Bob (and the cost of replacing it). Also, a bit off-topic, do you drive? If so, what is your driving plan (what time do you leave, do you stop overnight, etc.)

Thanks for the dialog all!

We have never had issues with our double. There is plenty of room for it! You don't need to worry about lines, etc. b/c before you get in line for a ride, you have to park the stroller. You cannot take a stroller in line for any of the rides. Most of the time you are going to be pushing the stroller in wide open spaces so the width is not a problem. The only time it's an issue is when you go into shops. Since we have 2 small kids, we don't do much shopping. I took our Mac in some of the shops. It was kind of a pain, but imo, even a single is a pain in the shops.

I guess I'm spoiled b/c I really don't like cheap umbrella strollers. IMO they are difficult to push and don't have the amenities I want in a stroller. I want a stroller my kids will be comfy in and that my hubby and I will be comfy pushing. So, we take one from home.

The rentals are fine for older kids but since you have a younger child, I would skip it. Even at 21 mos your little one will be far more comfy in his own stroller. My ds was 20 mos when we went last Nov and there is no way he would have been comfy in the rental.

Oh, and we do not drive. Oy. The thought of spending that much time in a car with my son makes my head spin!!!! My sisters have done it, though, so it is definitely doable!

Oh, one more thing. You might consider some type of baby carrier for your baby. I use a Beco for my ds. It is awesome for standing in line. I don't think we will use it much this time but last Nov my ds spent a ton of time in our baby carrier.

 

[trpltongue]

PleaseStandClear95,

That's a very good point about different kids having different styles. I'm sure that both my 5yo and 21mo will be riding in the stroller for a considerable amount of time.

tanyaandallie,

Thanks for the insight regarding actual usage of the double in the park. I too, doubt we'll be doing a whole lot of shopping. Oh, thanks for the carrier tip as well. We have a baby bjorn but it is very hot for both my wife and my son. I will check out the Beco though, perhaps it is better.

Russell

 

[kim_o]

As far as space in the park - they rent out all those double strollers, which are only slightly smaller than a Bob, if not the same width. So the park is set up to handle a double wide stroller

 

[crazywig]

I'd take 2 strollers.

Your 5 yrs old will be able to go on a lot of things your younger one won't.( if he/she is tall enough). What we do is take two. One parent goes on space mtn with our 5yr old and the other takes the non riding child elsewhere and meet back later .