Good stroller for older child?

stephm0188

Mouseketeer
Joined
Oct 25, 2011
Messages
219
My son will be close to 7 when we got to Disney, and I'm going to have to rent a stroller as he's outgrown our City Mini.

Has anyone used the City Elite for an older child? Does it handle well? He still technically met the weight limit for our City Mini last trip, but it was really difficult to push.

Other suggestions welcome! Thanks!
 
My son will be close to 7 when we got to Disney, and I'm going to have to rent a stroller as he's outgrown our City Mini.

Has anyone used the City Elite for an older child? Does it handle well? He still technically met the weight limit for our City Mini last trip, but it was really difficult to push.

Other suggestions welcome! Thanks!

My 2 cents is to make him walk day 1 b/c he'll be energetic. If he tires that day or others, just rent a single Disney stroller. In my experience they are far bigger than any stroller company makes.
 
I would not rent a disney stroller they are hard and uncomfortable. The city elite was a good sturdy stroller. We rented one last year for my 4 year old who was soon to be 5 and I'll rent the same thing again. It was nice for her to take a break in with the sun shade over her. There were times she wanted to walk but couldn't keep up so the rental was a life saver.
 
I have a city elite because my daughter was 35 pounds at 2.5. She's still 35 pounds and is 39 inches at 3. We figured the elite was the only thing we felt would keep up with her growth.

I pushed it with her in it through snow on the sidewalks here, and through a very cramped grocery store as well. Oh and the grocery store I did with one hand because I had the little grocery basket on the other arm. It rocks and I really can't say enough about it.

I do wish the basket was bigger but we use it all the time to walk to the grocery store and have fit a lot in there.

Of the non-Disney strollers I'd say it's a good bet as it's one of the largest strollers out there with a high weight limit.

The Disney ones would work space-wise though I think. Though they are less comfortable than the cushy strollers.

Either way I think you have at least two options that would work.

Have a great trip!
 

I would just rent at WDW as you need one. They are hard and not extra comfortable but a typical 7 year old will mostly likely not be spending the entire day or napping in it. I would start each day without the stroller, telling yourself that you will be glad to rent one at whatever point in the day you need it. It seems crazy to wait to 7 or8 pm to rent the stroller but it's the same 20,00 spent either way and touring without a stroller, especially in the MK is much easier. Also be sure your 7 year old is ok with ridding in a stroller. My DS7 REFUSED to ride in one once he turned 5. I was perfectly fine with renting one as long as he wanted and it made our trip better but he was not ok with that. He walked full days for a week that trip when he had just turned 5, and never complained.....now I can't say the same for DH or DS21:rotfl2:
 
I would just rent at WDW as you need one. They are hard and not extra comfortable but a typical 7 year old will mostly likely not be spending the entire day or napping in it. I would start each day without the stroller, telling yourself that you will be glad to rent one at whatever point in the day you need it. It seems crazy to wait to 7 or8 pm to rent the stroller but it's the same 20,00 spent either way and touring without a stroller, especially in the MK is much easier. Also be sure your 7 year old is ok with ridding in a stroller. My DS7 REFUSED to ride in one once he turned 5. I was perfectly fine with renting one as long as he wanted and it made our trip better but he was not ok with that. He walked full days for a week that trip when he had just turned 5, and never complained.....now I can't say the same for DH or DS21:rotfl2:

Me too. The last time we went, we rented a double in the parks for two 4 years olds, and one 6 year old, to share. They didn't need comfy cozy - they needed a place to sit, especially when I wanted to get from point A to point B in good time. It's an alternate to a park bench, not a sofa.

We didn't need it outside of the parks, and didn't want to be bothered with something on the buses.

When mine were little, even though I owned many strollers, we'd rent at zoos and amusement parks, because those strollers were easier to push, and easy to get in and out of.
 
My dd10 was too tall for the Disney single stroller at age 5 (almost 6). If you're sure he's going to need one, I'd go to Babies R Us or somewhere like that and have him sit in one. You might look into a special needs stroller since they are made for children too old/big for regular strollers that are made for babies/toddlers.
 
My almost 9 year old fit in the double Disney rented stroller with his 4 year old brother. It didn't need to be cushy and comfy... it was just to save his feet on longer walks. Highly recommend doing that.
 
I suppose I should specify that I do not have a typical child, and a stroller is a must as he will be spending a good amount of time in it for the entire trip.

Will the Disney rentals fit through the queues?
 
I suppose I should specify that I do not have a typical child, and a stroller is a must as he will be spending a good amount of time in it for the entire trip.

Will the Disney rentals fit through the queues?

Yes, it will. I can tell you that your son will likely fit in a BOB stroller as well. They hold a lot more weight than the limit. They do not fold well though so a little difficult for the buses. I used our bob duallie for my two nieces and had about 125 lbs of kids and it pushed like a dream. I would choose a bob or a citi elite if you rent off site.
 
I suppose I should specify that I do not have a typical child, and a stroller is a must as he will be spending a good amount of time in it for the entire trip.

Will the Disney rentals fit through the queues?

The Disney strollers will fit through the queues though you will need a stroller as a wheel chair tag in order to take it though the lines. You may already know that though. I do change my reply with the additional information. My oldest DS had some stamina issue and at your son's age, a park rental stroller was just perfect to give him a break and rest a bit. If your child will however need to be in the stroller for longer periods of time, or has sensitivity issues, the park strollers might not be the best choice and renting a special needs one that will be more comfortable might be a good investment. Maybe ask again over on the DisABILITY board.
 
Until now, we've used our First Years Ignite, but in January my 4.5 year old DS was just too tall for it (about 44 inches) and he had trouble keeping his feet on the footrest comfortably. He is also now 50 lbs, right at the weight limit. I bought a City Mini GT on Craigslist to use on our upcoming trip. There is *just enough* headroom for him, but I really plan on getting more use out of it with baby #2. If your kiddo will fit, they have a weight limit of 65 lbs and many of the 3rd party stroller companies around Disney rent them out. The park strollers cost an arm and a leg and if you KNOW he will be using the stroller most of the time, I would go for the GT or Elite (if the Elite is available for rent), as it will be more comfy and probably cheaper. Many also rent the Liberty pushchairs that look like jogging strollers but have a much higher weight limit.
 
I have reserved the City Elite through Kingdom strollers for our November trip. Child is 47" tall and weighs approx 50lbs. I spoke with them in person and they said the Elite will work well.

I also measured our stroller at home (that he fits in, but not well) and the Elite was a bit bigger (more head room, more length from knee to toe space, etc.).

$69 for seven days and delivered/picked up to hotel.
 
I'd get a city elite. I used the City Mini GT (the larger version of the Mini) double for my two kids, age 6 and 4. The City Elite looks like a great option for an older child. Try parking it in a certain place and letting your child walk for a few hours and then go back and get it when he is tired. I try to do that with my kids but my DD is on the spectrum and gets overstimulated quickly and likes to hide in the stroller with the shade over herself so we generally keep it with us the whole time, though I'd love to leave it sometimes. We use Orlando Stroller Rental and they deliver straight to our hotel and pick up as well, its super easy and we have never had a problem with them.
 
I suppose I should specify that I do not have a typical child, and a stroller is a must as he will be spending a good amount of time in it for the entire trip.

Will the Disney rentals fit through the queues?

We rented the city elite a couple of years ago for my then 7year old. He didn't have much leg room. This year (he is now 10) we are renting the special tomato eio. He should have more leg room and be able to get in and out as he wants. He is still in the weight limit for the city elite, but just has long legs.
 
We rented the city elite a couple of years ago for my then 7year old. He didn't have much leg room. This year (he is now 10) we are renting the special tomato eio. He should have more leg room and be able to get in and out as he wants. He is still in the weight limit for the city elite, but just has long legs.

Where are you renting this from? What is the weight limit? Can I ask how much it is? I have a 7 yo very tall granddaughter who weighs about 65 pounds. She has sensory issues and weak muscle tone so I think I will need one of these. Is it that difficult to push strollers around park? What are the chances it will get stolen? Someone mentioned buying or renting a special needs stroller...where do you buy them? Thanks for any and all help!
 
Where are you renting this from? What is the weight limit? Can I ask how much it is? I have a 7 yo very tall granddaughter who weighs about 65 pounds. She has sensory issues and weak muscle tone so I think I will need one of these. Is it that difficult to push strollers around park? What are the chances it will get stolen? Someone mentioned buying or renting a special needs stroller...where do you buy them? Thanks for any and all help!
Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

Post 2 of that thread has information about rental of mobility devices. The first things listed are ECVs and wheelchairs, but if you scroll down farther, you will find information about strollers, including special needs strollers.
 
I was nervous about the stroller situation for my seven year old... but we go on walks daily and take trips to DC & Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I'm more nervous about her walking for seven days straight... but Ive resigned to the "we'll rent it if we need it" camp. We don't need to buy a stroller for this trip and I don't want the hassle of lugging it around and her not even needing it. If she gets really tired and resting isnt enough to rejuvenate her, then we will rent one. I don't anticipate this happening, and wont even let her know its an option, but if it comes down to it, we will.
 
We rented the city elite a couple of years ago for my then 7year old. He didn't have much leg room. This year (he is now 10) we are renting the special tomato eio. He should have more leg room and be able to get in and out as he wants. He is still in the weight limit for the city elite, but just has long legs.

How tall was he when he was 7?
 
How tall was he when he was 7?



I think he was about 41'...I know he was supposed to be within the strollers limit.

I'm renting the tomato eio from Orlando Stroller. The eio isn't on the website so I had to call about it. I'd emailed them with my son's requirements and they recommended the eio.

I do think that if you think a stroller might be needed to be prepared and rent one. I made a huge mistake at a local park and thought we'd just wait and see.... then my son had a seizure and though we didn't need medical help, I still ended up having to carry him all the way across the park, then to the parking lot.... even little guys get heavy after a mile.
 





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