Help me choose a stroller

[krystalleigh1]

I will be going to WDW with my dh, and ds (2.5) in Nov. We have a cheap umbrella stroller, but am considering getting a better umbrella stroller to take with us. My ds is 2.5 and rarely uses a stroller, but I know he will ad WDW as we will be walking so much. But, I don't want to spend a ton of money on a stroller since that will probablly be the only time we'll use it much. He're what I need:

1. A reasonably priced stroller.
2. Ds is about 36" tall, 28 lbs.
3. Prefer a stroller with wheels that work well, sun shade, and handle bars that are higher or adjustable, basket.

I don't really want to rent either. I figure if I rent it will cost 8 (?) per day and if we're going to pay $60 or more on a rental-I might as well just buy one, that way we can have it at the airport too.

I have looked at Maclaren strollers, and they look great, but I can't justify spending over $100 on a stroller that will probablly only be used for WDW. KWIM? Any suggestions?

 

[akamom]

I have a Maclaren, but I've heard great things about the Jeep umbrella strollers.

 

[puffkin]

Buy a Mac and don't look back

Seriously though, the Maclaren products are great and well worth the money!

 

[rparmfamily]

I bought a Maclaren Volo this year because we had some Disney trips and were doing some visiting out of the country that would require lots of walking and I needed somewhere for DS3 to sit. It was the only one that would fit him weight/height wise. Even DD5 likes it, and they take turns riding when we go to Disney. They get tired.

 

[lil mermaid]

We have a Volo and we used it for our trip to WDW and on our cruise. It was great for that!

 

[dismama]

Another vote for Maclaren Volo here. We love that thing. We just returned from WDW last week and had no problems with it.

 

[staley7580]

If you have a bigger baby, dont buy a jeep stroller, I have a jeep umbrella stroller and my 1 yo daughter doesnt fit in it. Shes a big baby, I bought a chicco stroller. Not as expensive as a mc. and works just as well if you dont want to spend to much on a stroller.

 

[monorailsilver]

I bought a Jeep Umbrella stroller for my 4 yo for our 2005 trip. She fit fine in it & she will still sit in it now if she wants to & she is 5 1/2.

Do you have a BRU by you? If so go there & look since they have a great selection.

 

[wrldpossibility]

I just bought my first Mac and love it. If I were you, I'd buy one and sell it on Ebay after the trip. They are always good for resell. But if that's not your cup of tea, my second choice for you would be a Combi Cosmo. I have had the DX (which is around $100, but they have another Cosmo that sells for around $50). It would serve your purposes. It is super easy to fold and store on buses (maybe better than the Mac, IMO) and has a recline for naps. It has a good sun shade. The downside is that it's harder to push than the Mac (the handle is REALLY low).

Other ideas for you would be a Chicco Caddy (very little recline though). We found that one to be a bit of a pain to fold.

If I were you, I'd seriously consider a Mac, Silver Cross, or Zooper. Divide the cost by the number of times you'll push and/or fold the stroller while at Disney. It's worth the price not to be struggling with something or frustrated.

 

[lucky1]

Hi

We found this stroller to really work for us. Graco CitiLite. It has an adjustable handle so that it works for both a tall and short pusher. There is a good size basket, cup holders and easy to push, one hand fold and very light weight (great for lugging on and off the bus)

Disadvantages... It doesn't recline flat, but does recline. Only rated up to a 40lb child (luckly our 4 year old is not there yet) and the front bar is not removable (helpful when child is older). This is our WDW stroller and it has gone on all trips since she was 22 months old.

We were able to get it at Baby's R US.

http://www.toplightstrollers.net/Gr...s/Store/2462259

 

[blessedby3]

I say go for the Maclaren Volo and you will not be sorry. I bought ours last year on the internet and it was $68 including shipping. I bought a previous years model so it was a bit cheaper. Mine also does not have a canopy, but since we prefer to go in the winter months to Disney we dont need it. This is by far the easiest pushing stroller I have ever owned and my DD doesnt even need it here. We just bought it for our last trip this past Nov. and for our trip this Dec. The next time we go she should be able to walk. We definately got our moneys worth out of it instead of renting and the nights when she fell asleep in it- it was a Godsend. We didnt have to carry her to the fartherst bus stop (POP) and hold her till we boarded after 7 other busses came and went. Sorry- off topic!!

 

[Ariel8676]

we have a Maclaren and love it...we also bought a Chicco Ct 0.5 single before our last trip and it was AWESOME! It was only like $80..the wheels are larger, handle bars are higher and the seat was wider than the Mac's...It also has a nice size basket under, and reclines almost flat. I say look into them...my 10 month old is comfy in it, but so is my 44 pound 5 yo and my 39 pound 3 yo

 

[PatricenPete]

Since your DS is 2.5 already, I wouldn't invest in an expensive stroller like a Mac or a Peg (which I have and LOVE!) unless you plan on having another child.

We had a Chicco for DS on our last two trips (he was age 1 and 18 months) and it was fabulous. We also used it in Sesame Place several times this summer. I give it two thumbs up and so does DS! My ONLY complaint about is that there were no cup holders, but you can buy a universal kit to attach cupholders if you need them!

This is the Chicco that we have - I HIGHLY recommend it. It also comes with a rain shield which is great for Florida afternoons!

Chicco Stroller

 

[mrsbug]

I was having the same dilema. We're going in December and wanted a lightweight stroller to use for ds. He'll be almost 4 by then, but has developmental delays and sensory issues, so we didn't know how he'd do in the hard, unfamiliar rented strollers down there. I broke down and bought the Mac Volo and I'm so glad I did! It's a great stroller. Incredibly easy to push, nice high handles, ds is comfy in it and dd, who's 6, even fit in it with no problems. I'm so glad I got it, it's going to make our trip much easier!

 

[mytwotinks]

I'd get a Mac Volo on Ebay. They really push very easily no matter how big your kid is and they go up to 55 lbs so you can hang onto it for a while and use it for vacations and times where you will be walking a ton. I test drove every stroller in the U.S. and this was the only one that pushed easily with a bigger kid.

 

[DisNae]

I posted this find on the Budget Board just yesterday. I was having a similar dilemma. I tested out the Macs at BRU, and they are amazingly easy to push, even with my 39 lb 4 1/2 yo in them. Did NOT like the Combi--very difficult to maneuver with a heavier child in it. The Chicco C5 was very nice and pushed easily, but it is no good for a taller child (mine is almost 42")--my DD's head was pressed against the sunshade when she sat in it. I don't mean just a little, I mean pressed up against it--when folded back, it looked like she was wearing a scarf around her head or something!

However, I went to Baby Depot (in Burlington Coat Factory) and found an umbrella stroller made by Avalon (Canadian company) that is almost as good as the Mac--it reclines, it pushed almost as easily (the difference was so slight it was barely noticeable) and it had a weight limit of 45 lbs. The handles are a good height; I am 5' 3" and DH is 6' 2" and we both pushed it easily and comfortably. Best part: it was only $29! The only thing it doesn't have is a basket underneath, but I figure for $29 an attachable organizer is an easy add-on. They sell it online too if you don't have a Baby Depot near you:

http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.co...unt=&pn=1&Product_Id=425392&SearchedProduct=t

I love mine. I had resigned myself to buying the Mac Quest, but really did not want to spend that much $$. I was thrilled when I found this.

 

[krystalleigh1]

Thank you all for your great advice. I ended up just shopping around online for a Mac Volo and found a really great deal for $69 including shipping! It's a 2005, new, but dosen't have a sun shade (which is okay). It should be a geat stroller for our trip. Can't wait to go!!!