Help me decide about strollers....

[Hollytigs]

I have two children. My oldest daughter will be almost 7 when we go to WDW in August and my youngest will be almost 2.
The oldest daughter has a brain disorder resulting in global development delay, and she is partially sighted. She can walk around a park for a couple of hours, but sometimes gets pains in her knees and legs and does not get on well with heat (she is also somewhat large due to her condition). She will definately be exhausted after 1.5-2 hours on her feet. So we definately need a stroller for both of them.
I was going to bring the youngest daughter's stroller for the airport / hotel / shopping malls etc where the oldest should be fine with walking, but for the parks I was going to rent a double stroller. Now I am thinking that maybe I should rent a special needs stroller from orlando stroller rental. What should I do? Pros and Cons:

-The special needs stroller looks more comfortable.
-I'm not sure both of them will fit in the WDW ones as DD6 is quite big.
-DD6 might need a stroller outside the parks if she is hot & tired i.e. at DTD.
-DD1 will be more comfortable in her own stroller.
-It is cheaper.
-We could split up in the parks if necessary.
BUT:
-I'm really not sure about getting 2 kids and 2 strollers on and off the buses (both of them will need help getting in and out)
-Is pushing two strollers around WDW a real pain or no worse than pushing a double?
-Is there enough room to store 2 strollers in the room?

What have been your experiences of this situation?

 

[SueM in MN]

I would get 2 strollers for all the reasons you listed. The special needs stroller will be more comfortable for your older DD than the park rental ones.

 

[christymarie]

-The special needs stroller looks more comfortable. WE used a Maclaren Major special needs stroller and it was FANTATIC quite roomy for my 6yo DS who is about 43inches and 53 pounds
-I'm not sure both of them will fit in the WDW ones as DD6 is quite big.Maybe not, plus they are not that comfy, people recommend pillows but then you lose space
-DD6 might need a stroller outside the parks if she is hot & tired i.e. at DTD.We did, plus at the end of the day you can wheel them both right to the car when they are most tired
-DD1 will be more comfortable in her own stroller.YES
-It is cheaper.OH YES
-We could split up in the parks if necessary.You may find that easier, especially with such age differences
BUT:
-I'm really not sure about getting 2 kids and 2 strollers on and off the buses (both of them will need help getting in and out) If you get the Maclaren it folds to almost the size of an umbrella stroller, very easy to get on and off buses. We also found that the monorail would let us board as a wheelchair so we were able to get a ramp to get the stroller onto the car. Not sure how busses would work, I don't believe the Marlaren is certified for vehicle travel
-Is pushing two strollers around WDW a real pain or no worse than pushing a double?You will want to get a Stroller as a wheelchair GAC so your 6yo will be able to stay in the stroller when waiting in lines. The Maclaren has a pretty sizable foot rest that if the kids are feeling cooperative you can have your little one sit on the foot rest. Having the stroller as a wheelchair GAC makes it worth any hassle pushing two strollers around.
-Is there enough room to store 2 strollers in the room?LOL, not sure never stayed on site but since the Maclaren folds to such a small size I would say it depends on your other stroller

Good luck, you guys will have a blast!!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I am looking right now into the Orlando stroller rental at the regular jogger and the SN jogger. I saw a girl 8 yrs. old a bit thin in the jogger and she looked very comfortable.

We just can't see going to WDW without a stroller especially for the walk from the bus stop to our room in the evening.

Good luck

 

[christymarie]

I am looking right now into the Orlando stroller rental at the regular jogger and the SN jogger. I saw a girl 8 yrs. old a bit thin in the jogger and she looked very comfortable.

We just can't see going to WDW without a stroller especially for the walk from the bus stop to our room in the evening.

Good luck

We really do swear by the Maclaren Major. We found that with the jogging strollers they don't fold very well and when you are trying to lug it onto Disney transportation it may be worth it to sacrifice some comfort for easy of transport.

Just my $.02

 

[SueM in MN]

-
-I'm really not sure about getting 2 kids and 2 strollers on and off the buses (both of them will need help getting in and out) If you get the Maclaren it folds to almost the size of an umbrella stroller, very easy to get on and off buses. We also found that the monorail would let us board as a wheelchair so we were able to get a ramp to get the stroller onto the car. Not sure how busses would work, I don't believe the Marlaren is certified for vehicle travel

It isn't.
If you look in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is some information about bus travel that might be helpful. That thread is near the top of this board or you can use the link in my signature to get there.

-Is pushing two strollers around WDW a real pain or no worse than pushing a double?You will want to get a Stroller as a wheelchair GAC so your 6yo will be able to stay in the stroller when waiting in lines. The Maclaren has a pretty sizable foot rest that if the kids are feeling cooperative you can have your little one sit on the foot rest. Having the stroller as a wheelchair GAC makes it worth any hassle pushing two strollers around.

Look in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread for more information about GACs and using a stroller as a wheelchair.

 

[Hollytigs]

Hi everyone. Thanks for the replies. We used to have a Maclaren Major but we got rid of it about a year ago because she never uses it, but then we went to Legoland a couple of weeks ago, and she really needed it!

I was thinking of using the jogger special needs one from Orlando Stroller Rentals. Is it really bulky when it's folded? I'm thinking that the benefits of renting it outweigh the few minutes a day on the bus (we don't have a rental car). Sometimes, just by writing down your thoughts in these forums, it helps you make a decision anyway!!