Double Stroller vs. 2 umbrellas for 2 & 4 year olds?

[moopdog]

I like the idea of our double because it has a canopy, nice big basket underneath for our daily "stuff" and the seats both recline in case (fingers crossed) one or both of them actually falls asleep at some point. But... it is slightly cumbersome to fold and carry around (on bus), and I'm not sure how flexible it will be if we do decide to split up. I really can't decide which way to go on this one. I don't like the idea of 2 stollers, and my 4 yo will actually be almost 5 and am not sure if he'll even FIT in an umbrella style. I'm thinking IF we split up it won't be for long periods of time and then my DS 4/almost 5 can just walk during those times. SO... I guess I'm talking myself into the double.

Anyone have a strong opinion on this?

TIA!!

 

[HLester3]

HI. I have 3 year old twins, and we usually use the two umbrella strollers. It is much easier to each have an umbrella stroller to steer through the park instead of trying to drive the giant double stroller. I am assuming from you post that you have a long one, instead of a side by side. Those are easier, but still quite burdensom, compared to the easy manuvering and fold up ease of the umbrellas.

Of course the sleep factor could trump everything

Good Luck.

 

[moopdog]

Actually, we have a side by side. I've never used the long kind... so I don't have anything to compare to, but I have to say that I think our side by side is quite easy to maneuver and fold up, etc. So.... hmmmm. Great - I still don't know what to do!! Anyone else??

 

[beattyfamily]

I have two girls 5 and 8 and I used a double side by side umbrella stroller from our first trip when they were 1 and 4 through age 3 and 6. Then by the next trip I went to a single stroller for my then 4 year old and the 7 year old walked or we rented for a LONG day or LONG night.

I had absolutely NO problems with a double side by side umbrella stroller.

 

[Kez250]

I have a 3yo and an almost 2 yr old - so far we've used 2 umbrellas - however I have a set of stroller connectors - plastic things that you attach to both strollers and lo and behold you have a double stroller- not quite as easy to push as my maclaren double but it gives us the flexibilty to split up if we need to.

 

[timandlesley]

I actually just bought a side by side with a large basket underneath for our 4 year old and 1 1/2 year old for our upcoming trip. It may be a little cumbersome to fold up, but that is nothing to me compared to having to lug our backpack on my back in the hot June sun vs. stashing it under the stroller in the basket. I also like just pushing one stroller so my husband or I can have a hand free if needed. I wouldn't want to both be pushing a stroller all day long. Also, if one of the kids falls asleep on the ride home one of us will have hands free to hold him/her instead of holding a stroller on the crowded bus. . .did that help you be "talked into the double"? : )

Lesley

 

[diznygirl]

I have a 3yo and an almost 2 yr old - so far we've used 2 umbrellas - however I have a set of stroller connectors - plastic things that you attach to both strollers and lo and behold you have a double stroller- not quite as easy to push as my maclaren double but it gives us the flexibilty to split up if we need to.

We do this too. I can push the connected strollers myself, and we can separate them so DH and I both get a stroller to push. It's a little trickier to get around with the connected strollers - they are a little wider than a regular side-by-side stroller. I just go slow and I manage okay. I use it mainly for getting to where I'm going to meet DH - so I know it's only temporary. (children are 19 months and 5 years)

 

[Annette_VA]

I have a 1 & 3 year old. We do the 2 umbrellas approach. I like the fact that each of us can push one child. Plus, if we need to separate for some reason, we can.

We have 2 of these strollers and I love them!

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

Great thread, we were just deciding what to do- have a 2 and 3 yo. we decided on 2 umbrellas as well. Where do you buy the connectors and about how much do they cost? Thanks!

 

[Kez250]

I got mine from Babies r us - think they were 9.99 - they're made by Prince Lionheart

 

[MCK588]

I would say if the two children are 3 and under then bringing 2 umbrellas would be great since you're basically guaranteed that the children will be sitting for most of the day and no one gets stuck pushing an empty stroller. If you have one child at least 4 or older, I would say a double would be great since only one person will have to push a stroller and no one gets stuck pushing an empty stroller...assuming that the second child is younger and will be riding all or most of the day and the 4+yo will be walking as much as possible but will need to hitch a ride during parts of the day.

I'm bringing my double for my 2yo and 4yo.

 

[java]

Well What about a 5 month old and a 2 year old? I was thinking one umbrella and maybe a sling for the baby.(although DH has already started complaining about carrying the sling- too hot....) I think the 5 month old will be in the car seat carrier stroller if we use a stroller for him. Or can a 5 month old sit in a regular umbrella stroller? I can't remember. I used to have a great Combi stroller that was portable and very padded- I can't find this style anymore. It was great for tight spaces and comfy for the little ones.

 

[MCK588]

For a 5mo and a 2yo, I would probably suggest that whether it's 2 singles or a double, you have something that has recline so they both can nap. For the 5mo, I would suggest wearing a sling/baby bjorn/etc for standing on line for rides, but a stroller for other times. The best scenario would be a stroller that could also take a carseat for those times you're doing quick things and don't want to take the baby out of the carseat. Other than that, I wouldn't keep the baby in the carseat the whole day walking around the parks. I would have a nice comfy stroller that the baby can stretch out in. A stroller where the carseat just clicks in would be great. If you like Combis, they have a bigger selection than ever of strollers and even have some that have a carseat adaptor bar.

 

[imlazar]

Anyone have a strong opinion on this?

We brought our Graco double each of the last two years (kids are currently 5 & 2), and we loved having it. It has plenty of room to hold stuff and is far more comfortable than the strollers you rent (plus you don't have to deal with the stroller return lines at park closing times)

 

[JennsBabySky]

Well What about a 5 month old and a 2 year old? I was thinking one umbrella and maybe a sling for the baby.(although DH has already started complaining about carrying the sling- too hot....) I think the 5 month old will be in the car seat carrier stroller if we use a stroller for him. Or can a 5 month old sit in a regular umbrella stroller? I can't remember. I used to have a great Combi stroller that was portable and very padded- I can't find this style anymore. It was great for tight spaces and comfy for the little ones.

It is tough at 5 months. I definitely would not want to keep the baby in the carseat. Most doctors advise against extended carseat use (other than in the car of course). Some umbrellas have enough of a recline for a 5 month old and some don't, it would depend on the stroller and the recline. Hmmm, if you have a double that isn't too difficult to fold and transport, I might try that. We go to Disneyland all the time, and my little one just turned one. We almost always use one double, because I've found it difficult to carry baby and handle the stroller. It is inevitable that at some point during the day, I'll end up carrying our baby rather than having him stroll. Even with my Bjorn, it was nice to have DH pushing our only stroller. As my little one is growing older, it is less of a concern because he will ride for longer periods of time.

At Disneyland, I prefer one double. But it is easy to bring a double into Disneyland, the trams accommodate a double quite easily. Even when packed, I've found my doubles quite easy to move through the crowds. Of course, stroller collecting has become my most recent hobby, so I've only been selecting the easiest to maneuver strollers.

Good luck,
Jennifer

 

[2dogmom]

I have also used the stroller connectors with 2 lightweight strollers (not umbrella strollers) and they worked great for us on our last trip. Hoep you find a solution that works!

 

[DonnaBelle2005]

I just bought two of these for our November trip, and my kids will almost be 6 and 4 (their bdays are in Feb).

These are SO CLOSE to the Maclaren but cheaper--I paid $69.99 at BRU each for them, and have used them twice--LOVE THEM! 4 position recline for those naps, canopy, lightweight, folds small just like an umbrella stroller, and TALL HANDLES--my DH loves it--he's 6'1" and never needed to "hunch" over the stroller.

My son is 42 lbs., and our daughter is 38....we test drove it with her sitting on his lap and it MOVED WITH EASE!

Good luck and have fun with your search!
Donna
1st family trip to WDW (offsite) Nov 19-27, 2005

 

[adamandallie]

Three years ago when my son was 2 and my daughter 8 mos. I bought a Kolcraft side by side double umbrella stroller for a trip to Disney. It is great beacause the seats recline for naps and there are canopies to keep the sun off. It is a great stoller for Disney because it is very light weight and is relatively small when folded up (good for on and off buses). It can also be wheeled onto the monorail without having to fold it up.

Three years and two more trips to WDW later it is still my favorite travel stroller. We just went to WDW this past September. My son was 4, my daughter 3, and our new daughter 6 mos. My 4 year old and 3 year old took turns riding in the stroller if they got tired. The 6 mos old was in the stroller or in the baby bjorn. If neither of the older children were riding in the stroller the spare seat made a great place to put our stuff.

The stroller is making another trip to WDW in May. I definitely got my money's worth out of this stroller.

 

[dcgrumpy]

We used a Jeep Wrangler Twin Sport stroller on our last trip with an almost 4yo and 1.5yo. We plan on using it on our next trip with a 2yo and 6mo. It folds up pretty small and was only about $80.The only thing I didn't like was the lack of a basket underneath. Schwinn has a nice side by side umbrella, that has a basket but I couldn't find one in time for our trip.

 

[tiff211]

We are going in April and DD's are 4 and 2 but both HATE to sit in strollers. They have a wagon that we use for walks and such, does anyone use one of these or advise against it?