double stroller question

[kpk89]

I've seen lots of stroller talk on this board, so I hope this is the right place to sort out a dilemma! We are going on our first WDW trip as a family in May (with dd 2, dd 4, and ds who will be turning 6 right after we get back). We've never had a double stroller, just always managed somehow with a sling and a single Graco, and added an umbrella stroller for longer jaunts (provided there's another adult along with me to push it, lol)

Given the TONS of walking to be done at WDW, including all the walking at the airports on the way down, I am thinking we'll need a double. My dilemma is whether to buy one first, and then rent a single if we need it in the parks OR to head down with our Graco stroller and rent a double in the parks. My son is really "too big" for a stroller, but I can see him getting tuckered out by the end of the day.

I feel sorta silly considering buying a double NOW, when my littlest baby is going on 2, but can anybody recommend a good one that's not ridiculously expensive (under $150 for sure) and has features that are great for WDW (i.e. storage for loot, manuverablility, sun canopy, easy to fold for the bus, etc)

Thank you everybody!

 

[stacy6552]

Well here's what my experience has been. The two year old will need one that reclines. The 4 yr old probably wont, sleep but will ride more than walks. The 6 yr old might need one for the second half of the day if you dont take a break or do alot of sitting.

If you buy a double, I'd get one of those upgraded unbrella ones that reclines a bit and has a visor, but folds more like an umbrella and so is easier to tote.

But I'd bring the bigger stroller with a basket and cup holders(for the 2 yr old) and an umbrella. If the 4 and 6 yr olds cant take turns in the umbrella, then stow the umbrella and rent a double as needed.

 

[Disney_1derland]

We bought a double for our upcoming trip. We have 4 year old and 2 year old girls. Our four year old never rides in a stroller at home but she will need one on this trip. We bought this:


http://www.bcfdirect.com/IWStoreBCF...ection_Id=9553&pcount=&pn=1&Product_Id=300126

And love it! Easy to push, easy to fold, light to carry, has baskets and sunshade, semi-reclines individually on each side. Kids love it, it's comfortable for them and small enough to fit through a standard doorway.

I think whether or not your six year old is going to need one will depend on what time of year you are going and what your touring style is. The heat is definitely an energy zapper and I think a midday break is a necessity for most kids under 7 or so. If you plan to take a midday break your 6 year old might be able to make it without a stroller, if not, I'd plan to rent one in the afternoons. The rentals are not so much strollers as they are carts and I think they'd be fine for a 6 year old.

Good Luck!

 

[julieboolie]

We only have 2 dd's, 1 and 4, so we're bringing 2 strollers. My older dd doesn't usually use one at home, so we're just adjusting for the trip.

I wouldn't buy a double stroller for the older kids. Most of them have a weight limit and the older kids won't be comfy in them. Plus, you'll be dragging them on and off the transportation since they won't be in them yet, and probably pushing them around empty for most of the day.

I would rent a double at the park for your older kids. They'll be fine getting into and out of the parks, just really need it while there for longer days.

The stroller you already have will be fine for the 2 yo, plus you won't be investing in a stroller you'll only use this one time.

JMO, HTH! Have a good trip!

 

[jill9072]

we are going to dw next monthl.I have a (will be) 9 month old and a 7 year old. I have a dbl stroller that im taking instead of renting there.It was 15 a day to rent one at disney. I bought my dbl stroller at a second hand kids store for $50. my oldest son fits in, not the greatest but it will save him from walking sooooo much plus it has way more storage underneath. it folds up pretty flat and is lite. if you rent a dbl thre for 4 plus days, you could of bought one and traded it at the second hand strore when your done!!

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

We bought a double stroller at Target two years ago for under $50. We use it exclusively for WDW trips. We will be on our third trip with it in January. When we used it last year, our eldest DD was just a few weeks away from her 4th birthday, and she fit fine.

 

[kpk89]

Thanks for all the input so far! I am leaning toward buying an inexpensive double, since as Jill pointed out it's $15 a day to rent a double at the park --- we'll be in the parks at least 4 days on this trip, and will likely be going again in January. This trip will be in May, and we are staying at OKW so planning to take midday breaks for lunch, swim and nap. We are definitely going to take the kid-friendly approach to touring, but still my kids (especially the 6 yr old) don't do well in heat and humidity.

Has anybody tried the "sit and stand" strollers with a little platform on the back for an older kid to stand on for short breaks from walking?

 

[Tanya]

When we go to Disney, our daughter will be 6 and our son will be 2 1/2. I always took a stroller for our daughter when she was younger. She probably is too big for a stroller but she can be a whiner.... I know she will not walk around all day - I will probably have her in the stroller and my 2 1/2 year old son walking around!

I have a double stroller - it has the seat in the front for the smaller child and the bench in the back for the bigger child. Do you think I can bring that????... would it be too big and bulky to put on the plane???? I have to check it out because my daughter might exceed the weight limit by the time we go!.... I'd rather not spend $15 a day!... that is ridiculous!

Thanks!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I just got back from Disney with my 5, 3 and 21 month olds. I already had 4 other strollers (large Evenflow travel system, single MacLaren umbrella, double front to back and double umbrella) but I had purchased a Peg Perego Pliko P3 for this trip and it was PERFECT!!! It has a very comfy seat for 21 month old and even the 5 year old (44"/42lbs) fit comfortably in it and it has a running board on the back for another child. My 21 month old HATES umbrella strollers-she loves that she can sit straight up in the Pliko and loves the snack tray. It folds umbrella style and stands when folded. I also rented a double stroller in the parks. It is $12/day if you do a multi day rental and then you don't have to wait in line to pay after the first day. They are really easy to push and we felt it was worth the money not to have to deal with a double stroller (along with 3 kids) on the bus. The older kids were fine walking into and out of the parks-only 1 night did the 2 older kids use the Pliko while I carried the baby.

The Pliko does retail for $269 BUT if you do a search on Ebay you should be able to find older (but brand new) models for $100-$150.

 

[momofbuzzfan]

I recently posted a question similar to this one. One mom gave me a great review of the two double strollers I was looking at. I also have an older child (turning 5 on the day we leave) who is 48lbs and 46in long, and a 19mo who is about 27lbs. I had never bought a double stroller either but thought we might benefit from one this time. The strollers I was comparing were the Kolcraft double umbrella and the Chicco Citta Twin. After the advice on the board I bought the Chicco. I just got it in the mail last week and it seems really nice. It is compact, folds up like an umbrella stroller. Each seat reclines 5 positions, nice strorage baskets underneath, nice sun visors and leg rests. My son fits pretty well in it and both the kids seem to like it! I ordered it from Target, they were offering 10% off and free shipping, it came out to about $133 with tax. The Kolcraft is about $60, it has a semi recline and strorage bags that hang on the back of the stroller. The advice i got was "you get what you pay for", as the Kolcraft didn't hold up to well with the older children. (Lollipop Mom is the one who gave the great review...I don't know if there is a way to find the posting on this board...I don't know how to look it up, but it might be worth reading her review.)Another thought is if when you get back you don't plan on using it much you can sell it on ebay for almost as much as you payed for it. I really wasn't crazy about spending $15 a day to rent one (you can buy a decent one for that) and I wanted one for the airport and late night walks to the transportation after the parks close. I am going with my mom and I wanted to only take one stroller in case we split up for awhile (that way one of us isn't trying to manuever two strollers) and I figured my son would be walking a lot and i wanted one of us to be able to hold a hand and you can't do that real well if you are also trying to push a stroller. We are going in a few weeks and I hope the Chicco proves to be a good investment. As tempted as I am to only bring one( my son is active and he never rides in a stroller) I think at Disney World the kids get tired so fast! Have a great trip!

 

[MrsM]

Has anybody tried the "sit and stand" strollers with a little platform on the back for an older kid to stand on for short breaks from walking?

I have both a side by side double and a sit and stand double. On our last trip to WDW, we had a 17 month old and a 35 month old and we used the side by side. It was nice to have two reclining seats and the large baskets underneath, but it was a pain trying to maneuver it through shops and getting it on and off the buses.

On our next trip (in 22 days! ), we will have a 23 month old, 3 year old and 4 year old. We are taking the sit and stand this time, it folds up more compactly and is lighter than the side by side. The 3 and 4 year olds don't like to sit and be strapped in for any length of time, so the platform in the back is great for them. They can take turns sitting or standing on the back if they don't want to walk.

 

[kpk89]

Does the sit and stand double have 2 seats PLUS the standing platform, or does "double" refer to the platform so there's one child sitting and one standing? I would LOVE to find a 2 seat + standing room stroller. That would be perfect.

 

[momofbuzzfan]

There is a sit and stand stroller now that has a regular seat on the back or you can take it off and have just the board to sit/stand on. You can also buy a board for the back of your stroller that attaches to any stroller. I think it is called a "buggy board" They sell them at Burlington Baby Depot.

 

[Tanya]

What double stroller do you have...? I have the one where there is a seat in the front and a bench to sit in the back... I wasn't sure if it was too bulky to take on the plane...

 

[MrsM]

We have the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand XL. It has one seat in the front, a bench behind the seat where a child can sit facing backwards or kneel facing front with a ledge for their feet. It has a canopy over the front seat that extends slightly over the bench in the rear.

When folded up it measures about 36 inches long, 22 inches wide (from wheel to wheel) and about 10 inches deep. We haven't flown with it, but I would think you might have to check it at the gate rather than carry it on.

 

[Tanya]

Thank you!... Oh, I didn't want to carry the stroller on the plane... I just didn't know if there was some kind of requirement as far as weight and size to have it put on the plane.

Thanks....I think that is the stroller I have.