Experience with Umbrella Strollers?

[GoofysPrincess]

We are taking our niece (6) and nephew (4) to WDW, and it will be our first time with such young kids. This will probably seem odd, but I never used strollers with our kids, and I have no idea what would be best for our these guys. Both are what you would call 'rambunctious.'

I was thinking about getting two umbrella strollers -- my thought is the 4 year old would probably want one everyday, but the 6 year old might just need one at Epcot. I was hoping to avoid lugging around a huge stroller (and don't know where I would get one!). I'm just wondering if the umbrella strollers are as convenient as they seem to me or if there are hidden 'evils' I'm unfamiliar with.

Any thoughts/advice are greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[beattyfamily]

We used one when our DD was 2 1/2...our first trip to WDW.

She did fine. As long as it has a canopy your kids should be fine too.

We do bring a bit nicer one now but I still think the umbrella strollers are great too at WDW. They are light and easy to fold which is a big plus at WDW.

But most umbrella strollers only go to 35 or 40 pounds so there is your delema. But if its only for one trip...then the strollers may hold out for you even if your kids are over the weight by a little.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[campingcorgi]

You could also rent a single or double stroller at the parks when needed. They will hold kids that age easily. If you got the single they could swap out riding.

 

[Oh Kay!]

DS used one when he was 4.5 years old, 40 inches tall, and weighed 45 pounds. He looked a bit squeezed in, but didn't compain. However, we are planning to rent a park stroller for him in the future. Renting one stroller so they can take turns sounds better to me, but if you are planning to buy one, make sure to try it out. I don't think you will find a canopied stroller that would fit a 4 year old, let alone a 6 year old--the canopies we tried on were all too low. We just made sure to put a hat on our DS.

Kay

 

[GoofysPrincess]

So... maybe I should just rent the park strollers. I'd heard some people say that with younger kids the walk back to the car can be difficult, but maybe by 4 & 6 they'll be okay.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Tank]

Another suggestion would be to get one with a foot rest. The other poster was right that most canapies are to low for 4 yr olds. But the other problem is thier legs are to long and their feet drag and can get caught under the stroller. They sell ones with soft foot rests that fold but can keep their feet off the ground when open. They will be fine walking into the park but you will probably be glad you have it on the walk out.

 

[summerrluvv]

Toys R Us has a Kolcraft Umbrella stroller for 19.99 with the soft foot rest. There is no canopy and it has a little mesh storage bag in the back. The handles are rubber, so it's easy to grip and it holds shopping type bags easily. My son is four, weighs 35lbs and we use this for the mall. I'm contemplating on taking it to Disney. I don't think he would be very comfy in it the whole time and I'm concerned it will fall apart with so much use.

 

[sarahsmom73]

I'm planning on using the same Kolcraft stroller in April with dd who will be 32 months.. At this point she is the size of a 3 year old.. I just keep thinking it will be a life saver in the airports alone! I suppose if it is a pain at WDW I'll rent one...

 

[DVC-LEROY]

Here's my 2 cents on umbrella strollers... Our DS is now 5 and getting ready for his 5th trip to WDW at the end of this month. We have been using the same umbrella stroller since he was 1-1/2 and it's still going -- and he still insists on us bringing it. We spent less than $15 on it at JCPenney and it was the best investment we ever made. At this point if it gets wrecked - we certainly got our mileage out of it. I'm assuming it will be taking another couple of trips even if he needs to squeeze into it. The real advantage has been on those walks to and from the parks to bus/boat/monorail transportation and within the resorts after a long day. I wouldn't mind it if I had to spend another $15 on a new stroller to get us through the next couple of years - just hope he can still fit in one.

 

[R4racing]

I have one of the Kolcraft umbrella strollers and there is no way I could use it to push my 4yr old around all day in it. She is approx 39" tall and doesn't keep her feet on the footrest. She likes to hang them off in front of it. We had her riding in the stroller a few weekends ago at a local fest and I kept having to stop due to her feet going under the front of the footrest. I think it would be rather hard to keep a sleepy or sleeping child's feet on this footrest. Not to mention the seats aren't all that roomy. I think if you could find an umbrella stroller with a higher up seat you may avoid this problem, at least with the 4yr old. We also have a Graco Literider and I have never had a problem with her feet dragging, it seems to sit up higher. Also, with the umbrella you really have no place to store anything unless you hang a bag on the back, which makes it more likely to tip over when the kids aren't in it.

 

[KatieKate16]

DD is 4.5 and small. We have an umbrella stroller (with Mickey & Minnie on it) that I had bought to take to WDW a few years back. I feel like I have to lean over to push it (and I'm only 5') which would be extremely uncomfortable all day long. It has no basket and now her head bumps the canopy.
I bought a larger, lightweight stroller w/ cup holder and reclines in the event she takes a power nap. Not to mention quite a large basket underneath. It was only about $29 and well worth it.

 

[Oh Kay!]

summerrluvv, sharahsmom73,

DS used the same Kolcraft stroller, so you don't have to worry about it breaking down at the park.

Dragging feet, instead of using the footrest, can be a problem, but DS behaved himself after it was explained to him that he would have to walk if he keeps dragging his feet.

The mesh bag came in handy to store panchos-especially when they are wet.

We also hung a backpack on the back of stroller. To avoid tipping over the stroller when we parked it, we simply flipped over the backpack so the weight would rest on the seat.

Pushing the stroller is a hard work. That's why DH and I welcomed miday breaks back at the resort as much as our DSs.

Have a magical day.

Kay

 

[Kapp]

using the umbrella stroller our last trip and are thinking about using one again this time even with our 5 year old! They are light, break down easy and are fairly inexpensive. Just be sure to put a bag, rag, etc. on it to make it stand out from the rest when you put it in a "stroller corral"!