Double stroller vs. 2 single strollers

[ineedmyblankie]

Hi there! DH and I had decided that we were going to bring our two single strollers to WDW with us, instead of our double stroller. Of course now I am second guessing the decision. My details and thoughts are below. If you could give me any insight into double vs. 2 singles, that would be great!
Thanks in advance!

First off, we are travelling via plane from LaGuardia airport (super busy in NYC). When we arrive, we will most likely be renting a car. We will then be staying at POP. We plan on using Disney transportation, but the car for others. We will have a AAA Diamond parking pass, so we will be able to park right next to the handicap sections.

The two singles that we plan on bringing are:
Graco stroller (like the one that follows, but in a different color)

and our Silver Cross Pop stroller (it's like the Cadillac of umbrella strollers - I love overstock sales ).

This is our double stroller, which we don't plan on bringing:

We had opted not to rent in the parks, because we will need them if we are going for a walk around the resort or going to DTD. We have a small cheap umbrella stroller also, but it is just that...small and cheap. We had opted against the double stroller b/c it is just too big and we may not always need a double. The Silver Cross can be folded up like an umbrella stroller and even has a shoulder strap, which will be nice. The Graco will be able to carry all of our crap underneath, which will be essential. Both strollers recline, so if someone falls asleep, they can still be comfortable...and we can keep going. I think that the two strollers will be extremely helpful in the airport too, especially since we're flying out of LaGuardia and it's a huge airport. We plan on just gate checking them. The only time I forsee that the Graco will be a PITA is when we have to collapse it to get it on and off the Disney shuttle. But, well, that's what DH is for.

We don't think that DD will be in the stroller a lot, so we can collapse the umbrella and carry it using the shoulder strap. The double just seems like it would be so big, esp. at the airport. It is a lot heavier than either of the singles and bulkier. I think that could be a problem when we are trying to use Disney transportation. I really can't carry it easily by myself.

With the two singles, the main problem that I could foresee is if one of us is going on a ride, then the other has two kids in separate strollers. I can't imagine that I would need to go far anyway w/ the two kids if he was on a ride. However, I could always make Evelyn walk and collapse/carry that stroller. The other time would be at meals if one of us went to get a table while the other went to get food. One would have two kids in 2 strollers while the other would have the food. I could see if there's an easy way that we can strap the umbrella to the bigger stroller so we wouldn't have to carry it. That would be ideal.

Another pro for the two would be that if one of us were in line with Evelyn for a ride that DS couldn't go on, the other could take DS for a walk or to check his diaper. That would obviously be easier with a single stroller than w/ a double.

Which would you prefer - a double or 2 singles?

What are your thoughts? Pros/Cons/random thoughts? Please hellllllllllllp meeeeeee!

 

[girlmom]

I vote for 2 singles. Getting the child into the backseat of the double has always been a problem for me. They never want to ride in the back and when they do, they want to kick the front seat. Vacations can be stressful anyway. I think that everyone needs their own space. Just my opinion.

 

[lucytootsie]

i can 2nd the my own space thing. I nticed our 51/2 year old would pull her hood down when we wer ein a crowd even in the dark or if she was a little upset with her. It gave her a way to get away for a few minutes and be in control of something.

 

[AMB1]

I'm just back from a trip with my 3-year-old and my newborn. We opted for 2 singles and we're VERY pleased with the decision. My double would have been a nightmare in the airport and on the buses. We split up quite often because I needed to take the 2 month old to the baby centres etc. That couldn't have happened easily with my double.

The Silver Cross is perfect for the buses. I went with a Maclaren and another lightweight umbrella that had full recline for the baby. I saw plenty of Graco type strollers on the buses though -- they were a little bulky, but fine.

I wouldn't worry too much about one parent being left with 2 strollers. I found that we tended to park my older daughter's stroller and then do a bunch of rides in that area before moving again (e.g. park it somewhere in Fantasyland while she walks from Pooh to Peter Pan to Small World, or park it near The Seas Pavilion in EPCOT while she spends half the morning on Nemo, Turtle Talk and viewing the acquarium). My point is that even if you dash off for a ride, your DH and the kids will find lots to occupy them without having to move around too much).

The only downside to an umbrella stroller like the Silver Cross is the small sun canopy. Get a Ray Shade or Protect-a-Bub and you'll be fine.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I much prefer a double over 2 singles. That way both of my kids are in the same place and only one of us is required to push the stroller. If one of us needs to go to the bathroom then 1 is not left with 2 strollers to deal with.

If you do plan to split up then 2 singles might be a better choice but my kids are only 22 mos apart and we stick together all the time.

Have you considered renting a double? It's pricey but Orlando Stroller Rental rents the Citi Mini which is a pretty awesome stroller. If you are not wanting to rent and your double option is the one you have, I'd take 2 singles. I had the Graco double for a while and it's HUGE and not easy for travel. Our Disney double is a Maclaren and much easier to deal with.

 

[Mandychelle79]

We did 2 singles when our kids were 4 and 2. It was nice cause dh could go back with Alex if needed or if my parents werent riding something they would take Alex with them and we could take bradyn with us.

 

[ineedmyblankie]

We did 2 singles when our kids were 4 and 2. It was nice cause dh could go back with Alex if needed or if my parents werent riding something they would take Alex with them and we could take bradyn with us.

You know, the past two days that I have been second guessing our decision, I totallly forgot one of our key reasons for wanting two! We had actually thought a while back that it would be easier for one of us to take the 13 month old back to the room for a nap, if he is melting down. That way, the other could stay at the park with DD, if she wanted to. Whoever left w/ DS would want a stroller instead of having to carry him the whole way. Yet, whoever stayed w/ DD would want one, in case she got tired. THANK YOU for reminding me!

Thank you all for your help! I have a feeling we're going to stick with the 2 singles.