Emergency Stroller Help!

[Lysistrata]

I am leaving for Disney in 8 days and have suddenly decided I need a new stroller. Here's my situation. I have a 6 month old, a 2 1/2 year old, and a 4 1/2 year old. Currently, I have a Joovy Sit and Stand. I loved it passionately when I had my second child, b/c my oldest could just stand in the back and hang out, hopping off whenever she wanted. Now, however, my two year old is a lounger, or a walker, and absolutely REFUSES to get on the darn thing, unless, of course, her older sister is on there, in which case she jams herself up on the platform as well. A shoving fight usually insues, and at best they are both squished in there, very uncomfortable, and not getting any rest b/c my 6 month old has to lean back and you can't sit down on the bench w/ the front reclined. I tried the umbrella stroller hooks on my two strollers, and it pushed awesome, but every time I reversed the front wheels interlocked. Plus the shades don't really cover much. So, I went to Babies R Us and found a Combi side by side. I liked it, particuarly b/c it has separate shades that can go all the way down to the bar, which would be great at Disney. DH hated the thing, said it was too flimsy, and refuses to buy it. I am looking at spending around $250 and would like the following:
1. Nice reclining seats
2. Canopy with great coverage, that comes down far or pivots.
3. Big basket
4. Cup holders and storage on the back of seats.

I found the Maclaren Triumph online, and it looks pretty cool, but I am reading that the shades don't pivot. Does anyone have one and know how far they cover? I have to order it TODAY to get it in time for our trip. I am nervous about purchasing something I haven't tested, so I really need my Disboard experts to fill me in. If you have any recomendations, I'm all ears! Thanks!

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

With the ages of your kids, I would not suggest buying a new double. I would simply add a nice single for this trip. Your six month old could continue to use the front of your current stroller and your oldest could use the sit and stand portion that she seems to enjoy and use well.

Your lounger/walker middle child could use the single on this trip. In the not too distant future when your oldest won't ever need the stand feature of the Joovy, and your middle child doesn't seem to enjoy that feature at all you can use the new single for your youngest.

If you do buy a double, I don't think you would get much use out of it after this trip, and frankly since your girls tend to want to all ride at once, a new double wouldn't address all three girls, and if you took a new double with your current stroller that you have then you would have a whole lot of stroller to wrangle.

Another option to consider is a good baby carrier for the six month old to use and then your middle child could sit in the front of the stroller while your oldest uses the sit/stand feature.

There are great discussions on this board on baby wearing.

 

[1hero2princesses]

I got a new mac techno single and a mac techno double. The single is because I have a giant old heavy graco and I wanted it for my 1 year old. The double is more motivated by the trip, but I will probably use if for a year and then sell it. I also had an old heavy double graco. My kids are just slightly older than yours but my son who is almost 5 will not walk for 9 days in that heat. When we tried taking just my old graco double to the zoo it was horrible. Fighting for seats. I didn't want to rent, rather spend the money and be able to use it at home for awhile then sell. I got mine off ebay brand new from a reputable seller. They were new in packaging. I got one in 3 days and one in 5 days (I ordered them separately). I like the previous posters suggestion though. Get a new single if you are happy with your double. We are bringing both stollers. It won't be easy but both have carry handles so it is doable.

 

[SILLYANDI]

With the ages of your kids, I would not suggest buying a new double. I would simply add a nice single for this trip. Your six month old could continue to use the front of your current stroller and your oldest could use the sit and stand portion that she seems to enjoy and use well.

Your lounger/walker middle child could use the single on this trip. In the not too distant future when your oldest won't ever need the stand feature of the Joovy, and your middle child doesn't seem to enjoy that feature at all you can use the new single for your youngest.

If you do buy a double, I don't think you would get much use out of it after this trip, and frankly since your girls tend to want to all ride at once, a new double wouldn't address all three girls, and if you took a new double with your current stroller that you have then you would have a whole lot of stroller to wrangle.

Another option to consider is a good baby carrier for the six month old to use and then your middle child could sit in the front of the stroller while your oldest uses the sit/stand feature.

There are great discussions on this board on baby wearing.

I second this. When #4 was born (other kids were 5, 3 & 2 at the time)we bought another double stroller and it was a waste. We could have got by with a double,a single & the sling. Ultimately we ended up with our Maclaren Techno with a Graco Duo Glider that seemed to be the perfect combo for us.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I agree with adding another single rather than a new double. You have 3 kiddos that are going to need to ride. Even though your oldest is 4.5, my guess is he will need to ride a lot. Disney is just a TON of walking.

However, if you really want a double, I personally would choose a Maclaren. We have the Maclaren Ralley Twin and love it. It folds down nice and small, I found it much more sturdy for older kids.

I would actually consider a double for the 2 youngest and single for the oldest. IMO both the baby and the middle child need a good comfy place to sit.

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

I would try renting a double Baby JOgger City mini from Orlandostrollerrentals.com - the stroller has everything you are looking for plus this way you could try it out to see if you like it and then youcould decide if you want to buy a single or double of whatever brand when you get back. ( I am a little bias since I have a BJ city ELite - single - which I LOVE) (btw, the city mini single is in your price range- $219- might be able to find it less somewhere or BuyBuyBaby has 20%off coupons - I have one currently if you want it - It is too far away for me to go to regularly)