For those of you with 2 stroller age children

[GCM13]

We will have an almost 2 yr old and a 9 month old when we go in June. I was thinking about just taking 2 small strollers instead of a double stroller. For those of you that had 2 in a stroller, what do you think is better? My thinking was that if we needed to split up, dh could take one kid and I'd take the other. But now I'm wondering if that is a good idea because if he takes the other kids on a ride, that leaves me with 2 strollers so it won't be easy to walk around while I'm waiting. My double stroller is huge! I would not want to attempt to get that thing on the bus not to mention trying to fit it our SUV with our suitcases. What about those side by side umbrella type strollers? I've never really cared for them since they are wide, but am open to getting one if it's the best way. Would love to hear others opinions. Thanks!

 

[Chris22]

Two years ago our two youngest were 2 and 3 years old and we brought our double (back to back) stroller. The double stroller was a nightmare getting on and off the buses, and took up too much space in our small AS Sports room. Last year we took two umbrella strollers and purchased stroller connectors http://store.babycenter.com/product/gear/strollers/stroller_toys/3431 like these and used them when my wife or I went on rides with our 9 yo.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We always bring our double stroller from home. I think it would be a pain to have two separate strollers. Many times dh will run ahead and get fastpasses or something and then I'd be left trying to push two stroller by myself? I don't think that would work well.

You probably won't be splitting up much since both your kids are small. Probably everything your 2 year old can ride your 9 month old can ride as well. If there was something your 2 year old was going to ride with one of you and not your 9 month old you wouldn't be able to take the stroller in line anyway. You'd probably just walk over to the ride together as a family, two of you get in line and the other two can go shop or get a snack, etc. I can't really think of an example where you'd need two strollers... unless two of you are going to completely leave the park.

 

[GCM13]

That's a good idea. I had never heard of those. I will definitely check them out. Thanks.

 

[surfgirl]

We did this about a year ago.... took 2 umbrella strollers. Did not take stroller connectors, inside we cobbled them together with bungy cords.

Two umbrella's will be *much* easier than the big double. D

Do you ever use a backpack for the 9mo old? My 3 kids have all *loved* the bp... up high, can see well, etc. I actually use that for traveling in airports and put 'gear' in the stroller and push that....

good luck!

ps. whatever you do, make sure you do a few test runs before you go, so you know how to deal with quickly.

 

[GCM13]

TigrLuvsPooh, thanks for the advice and that was exactly what I was thinking about splitting up and being left with 2 strollers. The only thing is that we have 3 other children (10, 8, 6) which was why I thought we may end up splitting up. Although, if we split up so they can ride something, then they wouldn't be taking a baby with them anyways. I guess I'm trying to take up the least amount of space and also make it easy to get on the buses.

 

[rcraw45425]

We always took our double stroller (front to back) too. It allowed the younger one to fully recline and nap if necessary, but the older one could recline too. I pwersonally never cared for umbrella ones with small babies. They always look so slumped over. Just my 2 cents.

 

[henrylovespooh]

We went with a 2 year old and 10 month old and brought two strollers. We never had a problem with one person being stuck with two strollers. I hesitated to bring our double stroller because of the pain it would be getting it on and off the bus. For future reference, on our last trip two weeks ago, we just rented a double stroller for the week and loved it. (our kids are now 2 and 3) We got a discount and were able to skip the long lines and take our coupons straight to the desk where they give you the stroller. It cost about $95 but was worth it not to have to lug it on and off the buses.

 

[swilphil]

We took our double stroller because the oldest often wants to walk or be carried, but we have a nice Peg Perego double that's easy to fold up and get on the bus. Since you have 3 older ones, I'd get the stroller connectors. There are also a few umbrella strollers that come with bags or a strap so you can carry it.

 

[pjshaff]

I'd go with the 2 umbrellas. We did that the past two years and it was great because me and DH could split up with one child each. Never have had a problem locating them after a ride, although one is a bright red Volo, so that makes it a little easier.


Pam

 

[GCM13]

Thanks for all the great ideas and advice. My sister has a side by side lightweight stroller that I could borrow, anyone have experience with those? Easy to handle, get through the crowds, get on the buses, etc.?

 

[ckoncurat]

When it was just DH and I with our kids, we used 2 umbrella strollers with stroller connectors. They worked great!
On this last trip I brought my double, but we had more adults along to babysit, go for fast pass, etc. The double worked better for letting kids sleep, and also for lugging stuff underneath. Your call.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Another good thing about using a double stroller is it protects the younger child sitting in the back from the sun and rain. We could extend both hoods and drape a towel over them to make one big shade from the sun. Then we could recline the seat back and he could nap without any sun shining on him.

Here is a picture of my Mom pushing our double into Animal Kingdom ... you really can't even see the younger one in the back... he was totally protected from the sun.

 

[rcraw45425]

Like you, Erika, I'm a fan of the front to rear doubles for that reason. Ours was th eolder model that had one long canopy that covered both. I wonder why they discontinued that style. I remember the nightmares people were having with the side by side ones trying to roll them onto the monorail At least with the long ones they would roll right on.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We've never had any trouble rolling right onto the monorail or the bigger boats to WL, YC, BC, etc. You do have to take them out and fold the stroller for the small boats (GF, Poly) and buses. On the bus it's pretty easy because when ours folds up it stands upright just like a person, so it doesn't take up much room.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Now that I see you have other older children you'd probably be fine to take two strollers .... the older kids can help push.

I still say I like the double for sun and rain protection though.

 

[my3princes]

We've been 5 trip with our front to back double. I wouldn't go without it. The model that we have allows us to turn the front seat so that it faces the back. Both seats are at the same level so it makes a really large sleeping area for our ds(s). We carry 1/2 of a twin sheet (white with Mickey's of course) that we drape over the canopies when one is sleeping. It works awesome. Since we use the double at home they are used to it and the small inconvenience of getting it on/off buses doesn't take away from the advantage of having your own stroller. I made stroller bags that attach to either side that carry our stuff. We just unclip them when we need to fold the stroller. We also have a double rain cover which keeps everything dry if it rains. I don't know what I will do when they are too old to ride. lol

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

My DDs are 3 years apart, and the last trip I took that required us bringing our own stroller, DD2 wa 6 months old. DD1 was 3 1/2, and I had not invested in a double stroller for back home. I found that bringing our regular stroller withthe recline availability for the baby and renting a park stroller for the older one worked well for us. We stiill ended up with 2 strollers, but we had 5 adults and 2 kids. Very easy to manage even when the nursing mom (me) wanted to ride a few thrill rides!