Getting a stroller on/off a hotel shuttle? Easy or hard? Stroller recommendations?

[imjen]

How big are the typical hotel shuttles and how easy is it to get a typical full-size stroller on/off? We have a 6 yr old Kolcraft Monaco that is easy to fold up but is rather bulky and heavy. It is about the size of a Graco mid-size/full-size infant stroller. We have the option of using the free shuttle the Hampton Inn provides or driving our mini-van and paying for parking. Our baby will be about 10 mo. old so we will definatlely need a nap friendly stroller but I was thinking of getting a lighterweight, smaller stroller if that would make the shuttle thing easier. Also, I'm thinking my almost 4 yr old may be too big for our stroller and may need an occasional break in one, so I might need a new one to accomodate her too anyway. WDYT? Stroller recommendations if I do need to get a new one that would work for both a 10 mo. old and 4 yr old? My almost 4 yr old isn't very big--about 39" and 31 lbs. We are on a pretty tight budget so nothing super expensive. Thanks!

p.s. Do you think maybe the rental stroller would work, or not comfy enough for the baby to nap in?

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I would just rent one at the park! I think it should be pleny comfy.

 

[c&m]

The park rental strollers are like the bicycle jogger strollers. They are more likely to be used for toddlers/preschoolers/bigger kids. In all the years we've been to DL with our 2 DDs, we've always been reluctant to use it on a child younger than 2. And since you're asking for the 10-month-old baby, I don't suggest it because there's no proper recline for napping. We bought the lightweight Kolcraft umbrella stroller with a canopy top that has a 3/4 recline. It cost us $29.99 USD. We discovered how handy it was for the plane, shuttle, and even at home for mall/strolling use. We actually never used our Peg Perego stroller again because we were spoiled by the compactness and strength of the Kolcraft.

Unless Disney hiked up the cost, I think stroller rental is $7/day.

Back to your original question, the shuttle that we took was the one shared by the Hyatt, Crowne Plaza, Marriott, Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, etc. It's a big bus similar to the Greyhound. There is ample storage room for strollers in the huge bin below. The driver gets off the bus at the stops to remove/load strollers -- very nice, no worries. The other hotel shuttles are different though, so it depends on which hotel you're staying at.

 

[imjen]

c&m--That's good to know about the shuttle. We are actually staying at the Hampton Inn! So thank you for that info. I was wondering how & where we would put a stroller & it makes sense now. How did you find the shuttle in terms of how crowded it was, if it was on time, how long it took to get from hotel to hotel to Disney, etc.? Do you remember what order the Hampton Inn was on the pick-up/drop-off?

 

[c&m]

This is roughly how I remembered it...hope my memory is somewhat accurate.

I'm not sure where the shuttle begins/ends as far as pick-up is concerned. The shuttle was very reliable and prompt in the mornings for pick-up -- every 20 minutes. We stayed at the Hyatt and it was empty when we got on, so I got the feeling that it started there. Then it would go to the Marriott Suites and then Crowne Plaza. With pick-up, it seemed that they didn't put us on the same bus as the Hampton Inn and Embassy Suites people. Maybe they did, but nobody got on.

With drop-off, we were on the bus with everybody. Drop-off was at the Hampton Inn and Embassy Suites 1st, Hyatt next, then Marriott, then Crowne.

Make sure you ask the driver what time is the last pick-up and where you should catch the shuttle. It can certainly be overwhelming and disastrous if you think of these details too late. If you need to return to the hotel around 2pm for a child's naptime, make sure you get the info from the driver when or if he comes around that time. During low season, the shuttle may not come around mid-day, and you don't want to be waiting at the shuttle stop with a tired child. When we were there in Sept. 2003, we waited and waited mid-day for the shuttle, and nothing came. We ended up taking a taxi.

Hope this helps!

 

[imjen]

Thanks c&m! That's good to know about the shuttle possibly not coming mid-day. How awful for you to wait forever and not have it show up! I was under the impression they came every 30 min. or so. We will definately have to make sure we get a clear and accurate schedule. If it looks like we will have problems with the mid-day pick-up we will end up driving our mini-van and paying parking. We are driving to the hotel anyway, but were hoping to save some money on the $9/day parking. Ridiculous parking fee! But we will definately need to be able to return to the hotel for naps for the baby and pre-schooler. Overall, would you say that the hassle of the shuttles was worth the $9 savings for parking (if you had a choice) or not worth it? Thanks again!!

 

[c&m]

Hi Imjen: YES!!! If you don't mind the parking fee, then take the minivan!! It will save you sooo much hassle, esp since you have such small children and may have to do the back/forth thing to the hotel. You should double-check to see if DL parking allows you in/out privileges

When we stayed at the Hyatt, we hadn't rented a car, so we didn't have much choice. These hotels are so far out of walking distance. Last March, we stayed at the Anaheim Hilton, and we were able to walk to DL in the morning. At night, the DDs were so tired that we took the taxi back to the hotel -- cost us $9+tip. So, the taxi ride isn't cheap; you may as well just take your car.