Graco travel system stroller or umbrella stroller?

[BridetobeDisney]

Last year we used our graco travel system stroller for our then 14 month old. It worked fine but took up too much room on the crowded Allstar buses in June. The pros are the 2 drink holders at the top for us and the tray with cup holder for our son. The cons are that it's bulky and wide. We are staying at AKL this year so the buses may be less crowded. They seem to be better for the deluxe resorts IMO.

This stroller is like the one we have now.
http://www.target.com/Graco-Stylus-Travel-System-Avalon/dp/B001F70X1I/qid=1237190443/ref=br_1_5/180-1782602-3642447?ie=UTF8&node=3579971&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

Our DS is 2 now but we still need so much stuff like diapers, wipes, snacks, a change of clothes, waters, juice boxes, ponchos, etc. We have to bring the Jansport backpack. It fits nicely underneath the graco but not the umbrella.

The umbrella stroller looks like this but without the bar in front. DS will have no tray to hold snacks or juice.

There is a storage area underneath but it is not big enough for the backpack. I am not wearing the backpack all day so I have to go buy a bag that will fit but still hold what we need. There are no cup holders for us so I have to buy some that attach and a cup holder for DS that attaches to the front.

Also, the graco takes up tons of room in our kia sorento and the umbrella does not.

What should I do?

Graco
big enough to hold everything, drinks, bags etc
does not fold up
wide
hard to handle on crowded buses
takes up a lot of room in back of kia

Umbrella
folds up
lightweight
fits easily in back of kia
easy to handle on bus
no cup holders for us or DS
no snack tray for cereals etc
no room on bottom to put backpack


Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[MasterChief]

My wife and I are staying at POP this year and will definitely be using our Graco travel system stroller.

 

[teglazer]

I say take the travel system, there is no where to put anything in an unbrella stroller,

 

[mom2meiko]

travel system - absolute must in my book. the umbrella stroller doesn't have the storage, convenience or comfort of the travel system. it's worth the hassle of the added bulk. even dh agrees and he's the one who has to handle the added bulk. lol!

 

[wlwilliams9]

Hey Brandi!

There is NO WAY I would take our travel system stroller to Disney, it's way too big. I say, take the umbrella stroller and get a stroller organizer to hold all of your stuff. We use this one: http://www.maclarenbaby.com/us/content/view/111/503/lang,en/

It holds everything we need at the parks, we don't take a bag. We put our diapers, wipes, sunscreen etc.. right in the mesh pouch. I will say though, we don't bring an extra outfit.

We also have one of these for Emily's drink and snacks:

We attach is low like in the pic. where she can easily get to it. Our stroller is almost exactly like the one in the pic. and it folds up with both the organizer and the cup holder!

Hope this helps!!

I forgot to add: if your stroller doesn't recline, take the big stroller!

 

[HGD24]

There's nothing that makes me sadder than seeing a little one scrunched up in an umbrella stroller with the sun blasting down on them. I've yet to see a child look comfortable in one so I say bring the travel system. Your child's all-day comfort is much more important than anything else.

 

[BridetobeDisney]

My wife and I are staying at POP this year and will definitely be using our Graco travel system stroller.

Thank you. The more I think about it the more I want to take the travel system. It's so much more comfortable.

I say take the travel system, there is no where to put anything in an unbrella stroller,

Your right. Am umbrella doesn't hold everything we need.

travel system - absolute must in my book. the umbrella stroller doesn't have the storage, convenience or comfort of the travel system. it's worth the hassle of the added bulk. even dh agrees and he's the one who has to handle the added bulk. lol!

One more for the travel system! There are so many more pros than cons for the travel system.

Hey Brandi!

There is NO WAY I would take our travel system stroller to Disney, it's way too big. I say, take the umbrella stroller and get a stroller organizer to hold all of your stuff. We use this one: http://www.maclarenbaby.com/us/content/view/111/503/lang,en/

It holds everything we need at the parks, we don't take a bag. We put our diapers, wipes, sunscreen etc.. right in the mesh pouch. I will say though, we don't bring an extra outfit.

We also have one of these for Emily's drink and snacks:

We attach is low like in the pic. where she can easily get to it. Our stroller is almost exactly like the one in the pic. and it folds up with both the organizer and the cup holder!

Hope this helps!!

I forgot to add: if your stroller doesn't recline, take the big stroller!

Hey girl! I was going to ask on the PTR too. LOL The umbrella does not recline back far enough. It does recline but it looks so uncomfortable. The cup holders look nice and if I do take the umbrella, I will buy one for Tyson. The organizer is great but no where near big enough to carry juice boxes, snacks, clothes, ponchos etc. It just wouldn't work. So I'm leaning towards the travel system. Maybe there won't be as many people on the AKL buses when compared to Allstar buses. Plus we are going in May instead of June. There was never anyone on the buses in May during our honeymoon at AKL. Thanks for coming over to help me!!

There's nothing that makes me sadder than seeing a little one scrunched up in an umbrella stroller with the sun blasting down on them. I've yet to see a child look comfortable in one so I say bring the travel system. Your child's all-day comfort is much more important than anything else.

Thank you. You made me start thinking about the hood of the stroller and how much it actually shaded Tyson. I put him in it and I really think he would not be covered at all. Plus it doesn't recline very far. We are less likely to go back to our hotel to take naps because he doesn't nap until 6:00 or 7:00. If he decides to nap at 2 or 3 we're not going all the way to AKL and wasting our day. Last year he slept in the travel system stroller and it worked fine. We'll probably take it again. LOL it even still has a cosmic ray sticker on it!!

 

[clc053103]

I would find something more lightweight with enough accessories to satisfy you. There is a world of wonderful, lightweight, easy to push strollers out there beyond Graco. I took an Inglesina Zippy last time- it is a true one handed umbrella fold AND open, is lighter than most graco and has a handle for carrying. Nice big hood. It was easier to get on the Disney transportation than a Graco. And it pushes like a dream. the basket may not be as big but it's not tippy and i hung bags on the handles. I would also consider a Maclaren, even lighter weight, no tray for the front but it is SOOO much easier to get your child in and out of the stroller at every attraction when that bar isn't there.

 

[HGD24]

Thank you. You made me start thinking about the hood of the stroller and how much it actually shaded Tyson. I put him in it and I really think he would not be covered at all. Plus it doesn't recline very far. We are less likely to go back to our hotel to take naps because he doesn't nap until 6:00 or 7:00. If he decides to nap at 2 or 3 we're not going all the way to AKL and wasting our day. Last year he slept in the travel system stroller and it worked fine. We'll probably take it again. LOL it even still has a cosmic ray sticker on it!!

I think it's a good choice. Like I said, a few minutes of inconvenience on the buses is worth my LO's comfort for the rest of the day. Our DD napped every afternoon in her stroller and a few evenings too. We just pulled the Rayshade down all the way and she was happy as could be, napping in the dark, quiet, reclined stroller.

 

[BridetobeDisney]

I don't have a couple hundred dollars or even fifty to spend on another stroller. I have two so I have to choose between them. There is too much other stuff we need than to buy another one just for Disney.

 

[2shortpeopleruleme]

I vote Travel System! We are taking our double (what we call Big Momma) stroller. There is no way our DD3 could ever walk that far, and DD1 will have a nice comfy place to nap if we can't make it back to our room in time.

Have a great trip!!

 

[michael's mom]

Sounds like you've decided on the travel system. That was my vote too! You want to have your son as comfortable as he can be, but you also want to be comfortable. IMO, pushing an umbrella stroller is not nearly as easy/comfortable as a regular stroller...and thats not while trying to handle a diaper bag or camera.

Have fun!

 

[stacy6552]

Fr a child that age, I'd stil bring the Graco. You want to be able to recline a sleeper and keep going.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

I say graco, think about the time you will be using it. All day comfort vs. 20 minute bus ride twice a day. Go for a happy baby!

 

[Jenny-momof3]

Last year my ds was 3. We took the Graco Quattro stroller... which is HUGE! Was it a pain on the bus... absolutely! But all the pros of having that big stroller far surpassed the inconvience on the busses.

This year we will be taking the Maclaren Triumph. He hardly sits in a stroller at all anymore so I know we won't be using it as much. And he's 4 now.

 

[thegreggersmom]

I am so glad you asked about this. I am taking my (will be) 22 mo. old in December by myself and have been searching for an umbrella that will be as comfortable as his Graco. Don't know why but I thought it was a given that you brought an umbrella to Disney! Now I am thinking we'll stick with what we have and save the $$. Guess it will be a bit of a hassle on and off the bus, but that IS a small fraction of the total trip.

 

[pookybean]

another vote for the graco, we just came back from a trip last week and brought ours. i actually saw lots of people with the same one. yes it is hard to lug on the bus, but when you get off and are in the parks its perfect. one thing we did when ever possible was ask the driver to open the back doors and i got on there with the stroller. that way i didnt feel like i was banging into everyone and it was out of the way.

the ease and comfort for both you and the baby is more importand, we just through the bag and everything else in the basket, it was soooo easy

 

[SSWiand]

Last year was our first visit to Disneyworld with our children, after that trip I will NEVER AGAIN take a full sized stroller on a vacation as such!!

Despite the benefits that the Travel System Stroller provide Cup Holders, Carrying Capacity, and Better Sun Shade--They are an absolute nightmare to transport on the older style buses operated at Disneywold. thos buses are just not designed to transport large strollers, with an elevated passenger area and narrow aisles, you are always bumping people and it is extremely frustrating!!

We had issues with the stroller being heavy from getting wet in the rain, we had issues with trying to fold it in a hurry with all of your cargo stored underneath, and we vowed we would never torture ourselves like that again!!

We will be traveling with our McLaren compact stroller and packing lighter for each day. We are traveling with a 20 month old and a 4 year old, bring the essentials with you and store the rest in a locker if you feel you cannot leave the hotel without them!

Good luck and have fun!!

 

[MissTink]

I'd say go with the Graco travel system. I've been contemplating taking a more lightweight umbrella stroller for my DS myself, but after reading these posts I'm convinced that my full sized Graco is the way to go. The added comfort far surpasses any inconvenience I may go through. As long as my DS is comfy and well protected from the sun, I'm a happy camper.

Here's a pic of a stroller similar to ours. Hope this helps.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3458516

 

[momsworld]

I have to admit i have struggling with this same problem since we began planning our trip. WE are planning to travel for halloween this oct 09. It is our first trip as a family but not my first time. My youngest is 4 and i know he'll need a stroller. But i am undecided as to what to do rent or buy. All he has now is an old umbrella stroller that should be replaced or just thrown out. Haven't had luck on the stroller swaps. Any advice?