Family's First Trip to DL - Double Stroller Advice

[4th Gen Disney Fan]

I like to think of Disney as a kid-oriented and family friendly place that accommodates and welcomes the needs of little ones and their families. I keep seeing anti-stroller sounding posts on here and that totally surprises me. I get that people are in a hurry, I'm guilty myself sometimes, but really? I kind of feel like Disney is the one place in society where kids should get the right of way.

Thank you! This is exactly how I feel! Some of the replies I got to the original question sounded borderline anti-kid. I'm just waiting for someone to ask me to leave my kids at home because that would be better for the other visitors to the park!

The fact that I will be using a double stroller doesn't change the fact that no matter how you slice it, DL is always packed. There isn't any day where there isn't a crowd. Nothing is going to change the fact that there will always be people in a hurry, huge tour groups moving slowly, kids that are tethered (hate that) to their parents, or even massively obese people slowing things down. That's the chance you have to take whenever you go to crowded places. I accept that.

If my double stroller is REALLY going to ruin someone else's day, then that person has other issues that they may need professional help with.

I asked a simple question and to those of you who replied to that: I thank you again.

To the (frankly) selfish people that have a hard time "walking around people with strollers": I'm sorry. This trip isn't for me. It's for my 4 kids. This is all about their enjoyment and if my babies are most comfortable in their double stroller, so be it. That's what we are going to use.

 

[BayGirl22]

Thank you! This is exactly how I feel! Some of the replies I got to the original question sounded borderline anti-kid. I'm just waiting for someone to ask me to leave my kids at home because that would be better for the other visitors to the park!

The fact that I will be using a double stroller doesn't change the fact that no matter how you slice it, DL is always packed. There isn't any day where there isn't a crowd. Nothing is going to change the fact that there will always be people in a hurry, huge tour groups moving slowly, kids that are tethered (hate that) to their parents, or even massively obese people slowing things down. That's the chance you have to take whenever you go to crowded places. I accept that.

If my double stroller is REALLY going to ruin someone else's day, then that person has other issues that they may need professional help with.

I asked a simple question and to those of you who replied to that: I thank you again.

To the (frankly) selfish people that have a hard time "walking around people with strollers": I'm sorry. This trip isn't for me. It's for my 4 kids. This is all about their enjoyment and if my babies are most comfortable in their double stroller, so be it. That's what we are going to use.

Yeah, I was actually really shocked at a couple threads I saw in the past weeks complaining about stroller parking and double strollers. To the point that I started to question the vibe on this board. The anti-kid feeling made me really uncomfortable. Our Disney trip is for our kids primarily and I always thought of Disney as a kid destination as much as (or really more than) an adult place. Keeping the kids safe and comfortable is a priority to make it a Magical trip.

I agree that any place that is crowded can get annoying and discourteous people (strollers or not) will slow down crowds. Its just a fact of going out in public. I like to think I'm a pretty expedient stroller pusher - one of the reasons I have a smooth pushing all terrain stroller is that it can move faster than some of the lesser models. So hopefully my family and our big stroller will not be taking away from anyone else's Magic at the happiest place on earth.

ETA: Have a great trip! Hope your kids love it and all goes smoothly for you.

 

[indygirl99]

Thank you! This is exactly how I feel! Some of the replies I got to the original question sounded borderline anti-kid. I'm just waiting for someone to ask me to leave my kids at home because that would be better for the other visitors to the park!

The fact that I will be using a double stroller doesn't change the fact that no matter how you slice it, DL is always packed. There isn't any day where there isn't a crowd. Nothing is going to change the fact that there will always be people in a hurry, huge tour groups moving slowly, kids that are tethered (hate that) to their parents, or even massively obese people slowing things down. That's the chance you have to take whenever you go to crowded places. I accept that.

If my double stroller is REALLY going to ruin someone else's day, then that person has other issues that they may need professional help with.

I asked a simple question and to those of you who replied to that: I thank you again.

To the (frankly) selfish people that have a hard time "walking around people with strollers": I'm sorry. This trip isn't for me. It's for my 4 kids. This is all about their enjoyment and if my babies are most comfortable in their double stroller, so be it. That's what we are going to use.

Some people are not happy no matter what is happening. Enjoy your days in the park with your kids and try to ignore the grumpy ones.

As I said in a previous post DH and I go without the kids/grands because it is our time to act like kids. And the grands do go with their parents in the summer.

DH did ask a friend who was complaining about all the kids in DLR if he would go if disney did an adult only day and the friend said that would be no fun. Again you can't make some people happy no matter what ou do.

DH and I like to sit and people watch, as we try to catch our breath to go again, and love to see the look of wonder and magic on the little ones faces.

Enjoy those kids now, next time your blink they will be giving you grands, our youngest is 26.

 

[ladylyons]

We just got back from another great trip to Disneyland using our double stroller. I have a Graco Duo Glider that has been on at least 10 trips to Disneyland since December 2008, 1 trip to Disney World, used daily around home and to our local theme parks numerous times (too many to count) and we love having it!! There is no way we could have done our trips with out it. Yes we could have used 2 strollers but it would have made things more difficult when only one parent was left with both kids and wanted to go somewhere, especially on our first trip with it when my DS was 22 months and my DD was 3 months.

Use the double and have a great trip. (Personally I hate the side by sides but you use what works for you!!! Some hate my front to back but it works for me!!)

Enjoy your trip with your kids because I did blink and my oldest is now 5 and I know if I blink again he'll be graduating High School!!!!

 

[Brady's Mom]

I blinked and my oldest is now Married and having a baby! I wish we could go back to 5 year olds.....

DLR is, to me, about making great memories! If you and your family are going to be more comfortable with a double stroller for your kids - take one. If you are going to be better off with 2 singles - take those. If you are going to be happier with no stroller - by all means, leave it at home.

Our trips when the kids were littler were more enjoyable because we took a double jogger. It worked for us. When we have our grand baby we'll take them and a stroller, too.

You'll have a great time and cherish those memories with your family forever.

 

[MommyLove]

We just got back from another great trip to Disneyland using our double stroller. I have a Graco Duo Glider that has been on at least 10 trips to Disneyland since December 2008, 1 trip to Disney World, used daily around home and to our local theme parks numerous times (too many to count) and we love having it!! There is no way we could have done our trips with out it. Yes we could have used 2 strollers but it would have made things more difficult when only one parent was left with both kids and wanted to go somewhere, especially on our first trip with it when my DS was 22 months and my DD was 3 months.

Use the double and have a great trip. (Personally I hate the side by sides but you use what works for you...

I just got a Graco Duo Glider (used from Craigslist - great deal!) and look forward to using it at DL. We've already gone on several walks and it works really well. I love the tandem set up (I think a side-by-side would drive me nuts!) and that the back seat does a full recline for naps and it's situated in such a way that my DD will be able to see if she's sitting back there (she's 4 and will be walking plenty too, but glad to have the option for both little ones to be in a stroller).

 

[ladylyons]

I just got a Graco Duo Glider (used from Craigslist - great deal!) and look forward to using it at DL. We've already gone on several walks and it works really well. I love the tandem set up (I think a side-by-side would drive me nuts!) and that the back seat does a full recline for naps and it's situated in such a way that my DD will be able to see if she's sitting back there (she's 4 and will be walking plenty too, but glad to have the option for both little ones to be in a stroller).

I will admit I love my stroller but I hate the pattern. But when you can get a great deal you don't complain. I paid $75 for a $150 stroller because our pattern was a discontinued pattern and it was brand new.

I also loved the fact that the back seat folded down to a completely reclined position so the baby could sleep. We'd make it into the bassinet and let them do their thing. Half the time if we knew they were going to fall asleep we wouldn't even lock them in so they could be more comfortable. We'd normally put the older one in the front and the baby in the back then that way the older one could check out what was going on and the baby could sleep. But this last trip my DD (3) wanted to be in the back so we'd put my DS (20 months) in the front and he loved getting to check everything out!!!

Have a great time!!! You'll enjoy having the double plus it was nice to have the big area underneath to carry everything you needed!!!

Oh and I see your from the Sac area. We've gone to the train museum up there numerous times too with it and it's worked out great!! Needless to say our stroller goes everywhere we go!!

 

[FireflyJar]

deleted

 

[MommyLove]

I will admit I love my stroller but I hate the pattern...

LOL, I hate the colors of the one I got! But the people I bought it from had only used it a couple times. The thing is brand new and I got it for $80. Function over fashion for sure!

Unless the baby (who will be 11 months when we go in Oct) is sleeping, he'll be in the front since DD4 can see from the back. That's if DD4 is even in the stroller... I know she'll be out walking a lot of the time too. But yeah, that full recline was mandatory in whatever stroller I got so there could be nap time in it.

San Ramon, huh? We used to live in Danville. Love the whole Alamo-Pleasanton valley.

 

[jilld11]

I am not anti kid. I have an 11 month, 9 year and 7 year old. I just don't think it's necessary to bring a double wide stroller to congest the park even more. I like to think I respect others around me. It's the same as the people who think they should bring a stroller for their stuff. Everyone should be courteous of other's around them. That does not mean I am anti kid.

 

[4th Gen Disney Fan]

I am not anti kid. I have an 11 month, 9 year and 7 year old. I just don't think it's necessary to bring a double wide stroller to congest the park even more. I like to think I respect others around me. It's the same as the people who think they should bring a stroller for their stuff. Everyone should be courteous of other's around them. That does not mean I am anti kid.

The above statement doesn't change the fact that this is a very selfish opinion to have.

You're comparing me to people who use a stroller just for their stuff? There's no comparison! I can either bring a stroller for EACH kid or I can use a double stroller and actually take up less space overall, plus have less work for each adult. One stroller vs. 2. Simple math. Better yet - we'll forget about the stroller altogether and instead we'll just make the kids walk. All for the sake of the others in the park. But when my kids finally start screaming and crying because they are tired and wore out I will hand them over to you to explain why they couldn't just have a stroller.

This is a ridiculous argument to even be having. I asked a simple question - it was answered by those who care. Some people just used this thread as an excuse to sound off on their own selfish opinions. You were one of them.

All I know is that in a little over a week I'm going to be having the time of my life with my wife and our 4 beautiful babies at the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!

 

[starshine514]

Some people just used this thread as an excuse to sound off on their own selfish opinions.

You'll find that a lot when you ask a stroller question. Just listen to the people who actually answer your question and try your best to ignore the others (these stroller threads can get really nasty if you don't).

 

[jilld11]

I really find it funny that anyone would call me selfish when I have 3 kids and take others into account when bringing our stroller. I would never bring a double side by side (not talking about the front and back kind), because I think it's rude to others. How is that me being selfish? We can't all only think about ourselves. There are other people around you and we should all respect that. And I will be enjoying Disney with my husband a 3 babies soon as well.

 

[DBMC]

Anyone else having Deja vu?

 

[BayGirl22]

Yes, it is Deja Vu.
The thing is, that doesn't even make sense. Some tandem (front/back) doubles push like hot dog carts and turn like tractor trailers. That's not good for crowd flow either. And even the double stroller rentals at Disney are side by sides not tandems. So people who choose side by side doubles are automatically rude to others?

I have both a side by side and a tandem double and will be bringing the the side by side, for a variety of reasons that work for my family that I don't need to justify to anyone else. People need to make decisions based one what is going to work best for their given situation. The post was looking for facts on which to base an educated decision.

The problem with these arbitrary opinions and expectations of what others should do with their families is that you'll always end up disappointed. The rest of us will be enjoying our kids comfortably in our side by sides, moving happily along with the crowd.

 

[SpaceMan5]

Anyone else having Deja vu?

Yep. I say do what will work best for your family and have the best time ever.

 

[ladylyons]

Function over fashion for sure!

Exactly!!! I agree with this 100%!! Plus I can say I've only seen 2 people with the same pattern as ours. 1st time was in WDW when we were getting on a bus heading back to the Pop Century, they had the same double we had. The second time was in DL and we ran into a girl I went to High School with and she had the single one. The funny thing was she hated the pattern too!!! lol

Unless the baby (who will be 11 months when we go in Oct) is sleeping, he'll be in the front since DD4 can see from the back. That's if DD4 is even in the stroller... I know she'll be out walking a lot of the time too. But yeah, that full recline was mandatory in whatever stroller I got so there could be nap time in it.

That is a huge plus that no matter who is in the back they can see everything. The only times we'd really let our DD walk was when we'd park the stroller and do all the rides in Fantasyland or do the same thing in Toontown. Other wise my DH walks so fast she'd never be able to keep up and she didn't mind she loved being able to sit down and rest her feet.

San Ramon, huh? We used to live in Danville. Love the whole Alamo-Pleasanton valley.

We actually live on the border of Danville- San Ramon. We love the area!! Now to find a way to upgrade from our condo to a house and be able to continue to afford to stay in this area.