First time with kids..Stroller question.

[D1sneyfam1ly]

For me personally, a stroller with young kids is a must. I would rather navigate crowds with a double stroller than carry kids in the heat through Disneyland when they get tired. I have very active kids but walking around Disneyland and being on their feet all day will make any kid tired. If it gets real crowded, we usually just have one adult lead the way and ask to get around people if needed. Then I am not stuck behind the stroller asking to get around or through a group of people that can't hear me. But really that is probably only after a big show gets out or in Adventure Land where it gets congested. I tie a bright ribbon or something to my stroller so it is easy to find after rides. We also just purchased Hamster bags off of Amazon. They are bags that clip on and off of the sides of the stroller. We have valuables in one side and snacks and baby supplies in the other. When we all go on a ride we can just unclip the bag with the valuables and it has a strap that we can just slip over the shoulder. They have been wonderful. I have never had issues with someone taking something from the stroller but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen.

I like the idea of having the stroller just in case and then if you decided you don't need it one day or even only in the afternoon you can just leave it at the hotel.

 

[bethwc101]

I personally am not a fan of the double wides. I find most people who use them are rude and careless. That being said there are always exceptions. But consider bringing a single stroller and having the siblings take turns sitting on eachothers laps. That's what we did. Or a stroller for 2 kids that is two levels or longer in length but not width. The wide ones just take up too much room. Or bring 2 strollers. They just get in the way and become obnoxious and yes I know it's Disneyland and was built for little kids but you also need to be courteous of other people

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Bring your double stroller. Who cares if it's big? Yeah, it's annoying, but if you need it, you need it. A lot of families need them, and as annoying as it is, that's okay. Just remember not to run anyone over. My husband and I take our 4 year old and our 1 year old twins all the time. A jogging stroller like a BOB is a lot more maneuverable than other double strollers and easier to push. We've taken a variety of strollers with us and our jogger (a Schwinn double turisimo) is our favorite.

 

[Mater4President]

Thanks for everyone's replies! I am leaning towards bringing the double and being extra careful about maneuvering in the crowds. I'll put an update in here after we go at the end of April. I am so excited about this trip - I am an East Coast girl and have been to WDW too many times to count, but this is our first family Disney trip and while my husband may not understand all the fuss, I know we're gonna have a blast!

 

[crystal1313]

We used two single strollers at the parks with our boys. It ended up working great because sometimes, DH would take one and I would take one and we would meet later. Or sometimes our younger DS would fall asleep early, and DH would take him back to the room and my older DS and I would stay at the parks longer. We already had a full size Chicco stroller and I found another one the same model (different color) on craigslist for $25. If it got stolen I would have been upset for the inconvenience, but not upset over the stroller going missing. Like PPs said, we would just park them in a land and not move them until we moved to a different area of the park. My youngest is now 5 (and the average height/weight of a 6 year old) so next trip we will be stroller less, which will be SO weird! Have a great trip!

 

[Mater4President]

I just wanted to update. We just spent three wonderfully pleasant and fun days and DLR. We decided to bring our double BOB stroller and boy! Am I glad we did. It was great to have and usually we would just park it and do everything in one land and then grab it and go. I never once felt like I was too big or being a burden to anyone. Sure, there were a few times we got stuck behind some slow walkers, but it was easy to maneuver in and out of crowds.

Thanks for all the suggestions. We had such a great time and I can't wait to go back!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Glad it worked out! Disney is such a great place!

 

[babymakesthree]

We take our giant double stroller. We have not had any problems. We are just careful to watch out for others. It's not like we are moving at a great speed anyway with two toddlers.

We do lock the wheel to the frame with a bike lock. I don't know that it is necessary, but it makes me feel better.

 

[wendydarling33]

Yep, I'd bring a lock. I always used one. My friend just had hers stolen from Disneyland last month. It wasn't even a super expensive one and she thought for sure it was probably a mistake but it never turned up in lost and found despite checking several days.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Also, are there really that many stroller thefts that we should be concerned? I think we'll bring a bike lock just to be safe. But GEEZ people. At DISNEY?!?

It does happen. We have a city mini ourselves, but will likely rent a city mini from City Strollers (I think that was the name of the company) instead of trekking ours on a cross-country flight.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

I have 5 daughters and we always bring a double jogger with us. My second youngest has leg pains often and we usually go for 5 days so it wears on her. From time to time she hops in. The four year old is always in it because I know that 5 days of walking in the two parks kills me so I know she's going to need it. We also use to hold everything we need the kids snacks and lunches, sweaters and water bottles. I have never had an issue with my stroller being taken and the first year we went it was brand new. We put a page protector with our printed "license plate" zip tied to the handle bar so it's easy to see. (there are many strollers like ours there at times) It is a stick family of 7. I always park as close to the entrance as I can. I have heard of it happening but not enough that I would worry. Cast members won't like it if you lock the wheels they have to sometimes move the strollers to make room for guests walking by. If you are aware of you surroundings there's no issues with bringing your stroller with you. Have a great time!

 

[lovebug33]

We took our girls to WDW when they were 5 and nearly 3. We took a single stroller. They fussed over it the entire trip. Take a seat for both of them. I see doubles at Disneyland all the time, the only time I think anything about them is when they have kids way too old for them riding in them (like meet every HR in the park size). Two preschoolers, I wouldn't even give it a second glance.

This comment really upsets me. My children both have disabilities that make walking difficult. If you see them, you would never know. Yes they will be the kids who are way too old to be in a stroller because the walking required is more than they can handle.

 

[agamble]

Most kids prefer their own strollers, so that is probably the way to go. We have a double, but it is one in front of the other. It's actually not a lot bigger than our single, but it is more difficult to maneuver. This trip we're bringing the single since our DD is almost 5 and I've told her she can walk; our next trip we'll have another little one so we'll have to double again. We also keep things like food and diapers in the bottom of the stroller. We've never had anyone take anything, but don't leave anything you'd be sad to lose. Diapers and food are replaceable, your child's favorite toy is not.

Character breakfasts are great experiences. The first time we did one I balked at the price too, but they are great. Now it feels like any long trip (more than a day or two) needs a character meal, LOL! Consider booking a late breakfast so it can count as lunch. Also, the prices do vary and some are cheaper than others. Just consider the cost of the meal as part of the vacation and save for it as you will with your ticket and hotel costs.

Oh, and consider staying somewhere walkable so you won't have to fold the stroller on a bus.

 

[disneychrista]

This is only my opinion/experience, but I do not think the average 4yo needs a stroller. When we went the first time my kids were 3y & 5y. We never used a stroller. In all honesty, I think it would have been more hassle than it would have been worth.

 

[starshine514]

This comment really upsets me. My children both have disabilities that make walking difficult. If you see them, you would never know. Yes they will be the kids who are way too old to be in a stroller because the walking required is more than they can handle.

Yes, there are exceptions. I'm sorry if I upset you, I didn't mean anything offensive by the comment. Usually what I think when I see a double with a 7 and 10 year old in it is, "Wow, those parents better have some strong leg muscles, or they will be sore tomorrow." because I nearly couldn't walk after a couple of days pushing a 4 and 6 year old around Disney in a double. My oldest has always been weak, too (genetic blood disorder, inherited from me), but I couldn't push her and her sister together again after that trip. Since then, we she gets too tired, we stop and take a break.

 

[Maddle]

Two separate thoughts -

Character Meals: they are so much fun, and your children are a great age for them. Yes, they are expensive, but the fun is priceless.

Strollers: Please, please, please...take the stroller! You will be so happy you have it. Your children will last longer. You will last longer. Two singles would be a little easier I suppose, but then no one gets a break. A double is not a problem, and one adult gets some personal space for a little bit. When both kids are not in the stroller, the backpack is. It's just so much easier.

Maddle

 

[Bubblegum1286]

Also, are there really that many stroller thefts that we should be concerned? I think we'll bring a bike lock just to be safe. But GEEZ people. At DISNEY?!?

We took a stroller to DLR in 2013 and nothing bad happened. I would think stroller theft isn't a big thing. HOWEVER I'll warn you- We learned pretty fast that we weren't the only people visiting SoCal who bought that one style of Graco stroller. Put something identifying on there. A strip of bright reflective tape. A balloon. Something

Anytime someone asks "should I bring a stroller?" I ALWAYS say yes! My son is now 6, and we'll have a stroller for him. Yes, he's a big boy, but even he will get tired after a full 12+ hr day at DLR. That's a LOT of walking and standing for little legs. This year we're bringing our recently adopted 4 and 3 year olds as well, so I'll have the double stroller for them and a single basic umbrella stroller. I know it's a lot, but I don't want anyone whining that their "lllleeeeegggggsssss huuuuurrrrrrt!"

 

[Bubblegum1286]

Thanks for everyone's replies! I am leaning towards bringing the double and being extra careful about maneuvering in the crowds. I'll put an update in here after we go at the end of April. I am so excited about this trip - I am an East Coast girl and have been to WDW too many times to count, but this is our first family Disney trip and while my husband may not understand all the fuss, I know we're gonna have a blast!

That's what we're doing. Gotta bring the double, and I don't even care. I know it's not going to be fun to navigate it through shops. So I may have daddy park it outside in the shade so I can go through the shop with whatever kiddo wants to looks around, and that way we aren't in anyone's way. It'll work out.

 

[Bubblegum1286]

Yes, there are exceptions. I'm sorry if I upset you, I didn't mean anything offensive by the comment. Usually what I think when I see a double with a 7 and 10 year old in it is, "Wow, those parents better have some strong leg muscles, or they will be sore tomorrow." because I nearly couldn't walk after a couple of days pushing a 4 and 6 year old around Disney in a double. My oldest has always been weak, too (genetic blood disorder, inherited from me), but I couldn't push her and her sister together again after that trip. Since then, we she gets too tired, we stop and take a break.

Be careful making insensitive comments about people using strollers. I have a friend whose sweet little girl died of cancer at age 6 and her Make a Wish Trip was to DW. She was in a stroller, and she worried the whole time that because her little girl looked "normal," people would think she was babying her. No one knew that she was dying, because sadly, she DID look fine on the outside. It changed how I will view parents with kids in strollers forever. If you have your 12 year old in a stroller, I just smile and move on. They have a reason and a story.