Going stroller crazy

[mom2redheads]

I am obessing over strollers. I've read every post on here about strollers. I went and tried a Mac Triumph this weekend and bought one. LOVE IT. I have a 2 and 4 year old boys. They fought over riding in it at the mall.

I'm debating on buying another one and bringing both to WDW or getting the twin one.

My 4 year old will probably ride alot he hates to walk.

Has anyone tried those stroller connectors on Mac? Or should I return my beloved Triumph and fork over the money for a twin? I'm watching ebay but they are still spendy.

Thanks

 

[CBoysMomLovesDisney]

After much research mostly on the Dis I bought 2 Mac Triumph's (one red & one blue) for my boys 5 & 4. This was for our 1st family trip to wdw and It was the best!!!!!!!!! Both DH & I like to push so no problem with 2 strollers. We used the connector things a few times. It worked fine. Mostly we kept them seperate. They walked some and rode some. My 4yr took his daily nap in the triumph. My 5yr even took a nap or two.

I would definately recommend buying 2 single strollers. They were easy to fold and carry (if your using the disney buses this will be important). Also there were times when we spilt up. Like when someone was napping - i'd go shopping and my dh would take the other child somewhere.

 

[dopeysgirl]

i agree...we bought a (red) triumph last year for our 1st family trip to wdw cause dd was 20 months. but my dh is 6ft6in and refuses to push an umbrella stroller because the handles are so short he has to bend in half. and our jogging stroller was to big to take. we love our stroller but when trying them out in the store the double was hard to maneuver. (our ds was 4 and we thought he might get tired of walking) anyway, my dh made a good point that it would be alot easier to maneuver 2 single strollers through crowds then one huge stroller. and i second the motion of being easier to get on and off the bus. the triumph folded down quickly and ours had a shoulder strap. we did purchase a stroller bag to protect the stroller. i figured if i had just spent $150 on a new stroller, the airlines werent going to mess it up. maclaren wanted way too much for their bags. i ended up with a bag by silver cross (you could google it) and i only paid $20 plus a few $ for shipping. my stroller fits great and it helped keep it from getting dirty/messed up on the plane ride! good luck!

 

[Pirate&Princess]

Hi. We have been to Disney World 3 times since 2003 and are planning our next trip for early 2007. My children were 2 & 4 the first time and we had a double umbrella. We did not in any way realize the amount of time and energy my husband would spend folding, unfolding and getting it on the bus. Not to mention that at the end of the day, while in line for the bus, the last thing my little ones wanted was to be made to get out of the stroller and stand in line. Not to mention, that with one parent holding a stroller, that left only one to hold a tired cranky child, so one was always having to stand.

Since that first trip we have been Disney Strollers all the way. They are much roomier than any stroller on the market, with the convenice of picking it up and leaving it behind in the park! Plenty of space for bags, drinks, maps etc. My 8 year old was still in it in January. We always get the double and it is about $89 for the week

 

[Anniegirl]

I feel your pain. Last year we travelled with our 3 boys (at the time 5, 2, and 9 months) and brought our Maclaren Twin Traveller AND our Pliko P3. My oldest does NOT like to walk, even when we just go to the mall. Plus if his brothers get to ride, he wants to as well. Sheesh. This year we are heading down again and they are now 6, 3 and 18 months. This time we are bringing 2 single strollers (both Pliko P3's). I picked up the Litaf Seat2Go to clip on the back of one of the Plikos for the 6 year old. It detaches easily and will be his responsiblity to carry onto the bus. I do not mind providing a ride for them despite the looks I might get from others. My oldest is scrawny and does not hold up well with the heat, crowds and distances we'll be covering. My 3 year old is on the autism spectrum and requires the stroller and the baby will be off like a shot if let go for a split second (the kid can really hustle!) We are all happier this way.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I too understand the quest for the perfect stroller. I have 3 children who are now 7,5, and 3. I used a MacLaren Twin for one trip and while it worked out OK I wish I hadn't purchased it. It is bulky and my youngest HATES riding that close to a sibling. On our last trip I had an older MacLaren single and a Peg Perego Pliko P3. The Pliko has a running board so the older 2 would take turns between riding in the Mac and standing on the running board of the Pliko.

If I were you I would either purchase another Triumph or consider a MacLaren Volo for your older son.

Good luck on your stroller quest!

 

[DVCinderella]

After much research mostly on the Dis I bought 2 Mac Triumph's (one red & one blue) for my boys 5 & 4. This was for our 1st family trip to wdw and It was the best!!!!!!!!! Both DH & I like to push so no problem with 2 strollers. We used the connector things a few times. It worked fine. Mostly we kept them seperate. They walked some and rode some. My 4yr took his daily nap in the triumph. My 5yr even took a nap or two.

I would definately recommend buying 2 single strollers. They were easy to fold and carry (if your using the disney buses this will be important). Also there were times when we spilt up. Like when someone was napping - i'd go shopping and my dh would take the other child somewhere.

CBoysMomLoves Disney,

Where did you buy the connectors to combine the 2 single strollers into a double? How does it work? Is the Mac Triumph the only stroller that does this? DH and I would also like to have the ability to split up, and each take one child...this sounds like the perfect stroller! Where did you buy it?

Also, how is the handle height? Both DH and I are tall, and we have inexpensive umbrella strollers that I bought and hate because I feel like I'm slouching.

 

[Debbiebee68]

I have a love affair with strollers. I have at least 10 of them. I have a Maclaren Triumph which I absolutely love for running around, but I would never consider taking it on a trip. I always want something with a huge basket for all of our stuff and good drink holders are a must. My Maclaren would tip over every time I took DS out with all of the stuff I would have to hang on it. Even a not so heavy bag makes even the best umbrella stroller tip. I bought a Graco Quattro for our trips to Disney. Great basket, great drink holders, a compartment for the camera (for those moments when you want the camera PRONTO!), a clock and a thermometer (not necessary but very convenient). Yes, it is the size of an SUV, but my son is comfortable and it is a real workhorse of a stroller. Yes it is a little bulky to get on the busses, but it is not like we are on the busses ten times a day either. ( I tell DD it is his extra dessert workout!! LOL) We wheel it right up to the gate on the plane as well. It has made it through three trips and it is still going strong.

 

[Oceana]

i too am riding the stroller rollercoaster

my math and yours Pirate&Princess dont seem to come out the same a stroller for 1 week comes out at the purchase in advance price to $112. we will be there 10 days thats $176 for 10 full days and 1 half! I just dont think renting is cost effective!

I want a double umbrella. I dont need storage we will stay onsite so anything we buy can be sent to the room our waterbottles are Sigg so they have straps and can be dumped into a small bag. My 3 year old is potty learned so we only need diapers for the 1 year old camera wallet passes and we are out the door.

The trick is we need light and less than $176! and small to fold.

strollers are so hard, I have not used one with my 3 year old since before he turned 2... I dont think I have ever put my 1 year old in one

 

[Phalene]

I'm going for 11 days, so the cost of renting a double for my 5 and 2 year old would be the same as buying a stroller.

I'm currently looking for a Maclaren Twin to take with us. I don't expect the 5 year old will ride in it all the time, but this way it will be available when he does need it. I'll decide after the trip whether to keep the stroller or resell it and make some money back from the purchase.

I'm the only one pushing, and there won't be any seperating, so 2 singles doesn't work for me.

 

[mytwotinks]

Does anyone have any good or bad to say about the Maclaren Volo? I am thinking about buying one for my 4 1/2 yodd. She is just not a walker and the Combi we have is pretty snug. We will be there in Sept. and I don't want her sweating like a little piggy. I like the older version with the mesh seats, but the 2006 model doesn't seem to be made out of the same material.

We keep going back and forth about buying it, but I think I am going to. I am worried that if we don't we will get there and end up paying to rent one. I don't want to spend the same $ and end up with nothing. Plus, if I have my own, I know that no one but my kid has pottied in it! We are staying at CR and dd will sleep in the stroller if she is tired so we could just leave her in and roll her onto the monorail if we had our own.

I am kinda sick of reading the posts about kids being too old to ride. Unless one of those supermoms is going to carry my giant 40+ lb. sleeping girl they can just get over it!

 

[lovesdumbo]

The trick is we need light and less than $176! and small to fold.

I've had very good service from Albee Baby (learned about them here on the Dis). I purchased a twin Mac and Pliko from them and was very pleased with price and fast delivery both times.

They have a 2005 Mac twin for $189.99 with Free shipping. If you consider the resale value of the Mac you'd come out ahead of renting.

Here's a link:
MacLaren Rally Twin

 

[lovesdumbo]

Does anyone have any good or bad to say about the Maclaren Volo? I am thinking about buying one for my 4 1/2 yodd. She is just not a walker and the Combi we have is pretty snug. We will be there in Sept. and I don't want her sweating like a little piggy. I like the older version with the mesh seats, but the 2006 model doesn't seem to be made out of the same material.

We keep going back and forth about buying it, but I think I am going to. I am worried that if we don't we will get there and end up paying to rent one. I don't want to spend the same $ and end up with nothing. Plus, if I have my own, I know that no one but my kid has pottied in it! We are staying at CR and dd will sleep in the stroller if she is tired so we could just leave her in and roll her onto the monorail if we had our own.

I am kinda sick of reading the posts about kids being too old to ride. Unless one of those supermoms is going to carry my giant 40+ lb. sleeping girl they can just get over it!

I took just my DS last Aug for a whirlwind 3 night trip. He was 4 1/2 at the time. He wouldn't have survived without a stroller or we would have had to take things at a much slower pace and done much less. I brought my older (2002) single Mac stroller and it would out great.

I also took just my DD for her 7th birthday for a whirlwind trip in May. I rented a stroller for her-it was easier to push and I was sort of hoping she wouldn't need it but I wasn't afraid of what anyone would think. She needed it and we saw a lot more than we would have without one. We were up every morning by 7:00-hit the parks at opening-returned to the hotel for a swim and back to the parks til closing. I could have used a stroller for me! I was lucky in that the one night she fell asleep on the bus I was able to wake her to walk to the room. It would have been a long walk back to room for me carrying her and the package we had purchased. I don't think I could have ever waken my DS when he fell asleep on the bus.

We are all going in Aug and I'm still not sure which stroller(s) to take for my crew. We'll go at a slower pace but I still think my older 2 will need one some days/nights.

If you look on the Maclaren site Mac Volo it looks like most of the seat back of the Volo is still mesh-just the lower back and seat are fabric. My Mac is all fabric and I never had any problems with it being too hot.

 

[Oceana]

They have a 2005 Mac twin for $189.99 with Free shipping. If you consider the resale value of the Mac you'd come out ahead of renting.
MacLaren Rally Twin

Its pretty its in budget but 26LBS!!!! thats a whole other kid to carry around

I am aimed at something under 20lbs

 

[lovesdumbo]

Its pretty its in budget but 26LBS!!!! thats a whole other kid to carry around

I am aimed at something under 20lbs

Good luck! I'm not sure there is a double under 20lbs (that is actually part of the reason I suggest that the OP just go with a 2nd single stroller). Did you see the KidCo at 22 pounds for $169.99?

 

[Oceana]

Good luck! I'm not sure there is a double under 20lbs (that is actually part of the reason I suggest that the OP just go with a 2nd single stroller). Did you see the KidCo at 22 pounds for $169.99?

\\

the aria is only 14lbs and the jeep is only 22lbs

so tell me about this stroller clip thing making 2 umbrellas into one?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Hi. We have been to Disney World 3 times since 2003 and are planning our next trip for early 2007. My children were 2 & 4 the first time and we had a double umbrella. We did not in any way realize the amount of time and energy my husband would spend folding, unfolding and getting it on the bus. Not to mention that at the end of the day, while in line for the bus, the last thing my little ones wanted was to be made to get out of the stroller and stand in line. Not to mention, that with one parent holding a stroller, that left only one to hold a tired cranky child, so one was always having to stand.

Since that first trip we have been Disney Strollers all the way. They are much roomier than any stroller on the market, with the convenice of picking it up and leaving it behind in the park! Plenty of space for bags, drinks, maps etc. My 8 year old was still in it in January. We always get the double and it is about $89 for the week

I'm with you there. Our first trip we had that "why, you could buy a new stroller for that much" mentality. So our 2nd trip dh bought a nice, new-looking dbl. stroller at a yard sale for $20 with the intention that we would not lug it home on the plane. We could just leave it at the rental house for whoever might want it. Between the airport (kids usually walk fine and even help out w/little rolling carry-ons), the car rental (we usually get full-size or convertible) and the trams (takes up space of 2 passengers and difficult to get on at closing) we were disgusted. I really don't care if it costs more. When I'm on vacation I want to have fun and lugging that huge thing was more work than work (my job). It's cheaper to buy the multi-day stroller tickets and honestly I don't even remember what they charged but it was worth it. We've gone 4 times since then and will rent until the kids can keep up with us.
My son rode at age 8 too. When he walks, he wanders soooo much and I can't stand the anxiety of him getting lost. Also, he walks incrediby slow even for a kid his age. Not that we go commando style but it's almost painful to wait for him. I don't ever care what looks I might get from others. Moms know their own kids best.

 

[Gillian]

I keep seeing the Joovy Caboose everywhere. I don't know if they're any good, but it's a tandem where an older child can stand or sit in a jumper seat in the back. Like the sit n stands, but it seems lighter/smaller.

My kids (now 3 & almost 6) would have killed each other in a side by side at any age.

 

[Oceana]

a single for 10 days isnt a big deal... the double though is so much more.

I went and purchased today a jeep twin all weather... nice sunhood that doesnt block my view of the kids. weighs only 20 pds folds up like a real umbrella stoller taking up very little room

julie

 

[bosspaige]

The Eddie Bauer Tandem Transit

I was also stuck in the stroller dilema but I think I have it solved....My son will be 6 months and my DD will be almost 3 when we go. I didn't want 2 strollers to carry b/c my DS will need to be held all the time so how do you hold him, fold up a stroller and then carry both him and the stroller? I didn't want the wide side-by side so here is what I found.

The Eddie Bauer Tandem Transit. Bought it at Target for $139 and here is the link: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...8?_encoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0007W05OW

I have used it several times and so far love it. My 3 Year old can sit in the front or the back with plenty of room. My DS who is now 3 months fits great in either seat and I just use a head support from his car seat so his head doesn't bounce around. For a double stroller, it is fairly lightweight and folds pretty small (and quickly). The only negative I have found is the storage basket is really small but it is really sturdy and I have hung my bag off the back with no problems. Also, the footrest in the front is tucked under to far and the sun shade doesn't cover all of the front seat ( I attached a little clamo umbrella). But with all that said, I think this will be a great solution to the stroller issue while we are there.