Help me pick a stroller for WDW

[AlisonR80]

I already have a chicco cortina, but it's pretty big and i thought maybe we should get an umbrella style stroller for our trip. High (43" minimum) handles are a MUST...So i can't decide if i should stick with the chicco we have or buy a new stroller...AND do i really need to worry about theft?? Our baby will be 12 months old and not riding anything.I'm looking at:
Peg perego P3
Maclaren techno XT
kidco lifestyle LS3000
baby planet solo deluxe

i had links but i'm not allowed to post them

 

[DisneyTiger]

What about the $19.99 umbrella stroller from Babies r' Us? They are cheap and come in bright colors and if it gets stolen, then it's only $20. I personally have the double Jeep umbrella stroller and I'm pretty sure it comes in single. I love it! It folds up easily and small. It also reclines which is essential with little ones that may need a quick nap in the park. The other feature that I like is the back of the seat rolls up leaving a mesh backing so the air can flow through. That will be nice on those hot and humid Florida days. I paid about $80 for the double so obviously the single would be cheaper.

 

[HelenePA]

have you looked at the combi ones? I know the height of the handles are higher than normal which doesn't really matter to me since I'm 5'3. I just ordered one and it shipped today 59.99 on amazon for combi flare. My DS who just turned 3 is 42" and 35 pounds.. I'll let ya know how it is when I get it which should be about the 23rd.

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

well, i went through this dilema already - i ended up buying a Baby Jogger City Elite - it has a height adjustable handle, it is literally one handed fold, they have a few different versions -= try looking up baby jogger city mini you may be pleasantly suprised - you could even rent one - i think the company is called orlandostrollerrentals.com they have the mini for rent.

I went with the city elite because I also ordered a toddler jump seat & canopy( i am still waiting for that to be delivered.) so that if my 3y.o (who is very smal) wanted to ride (even though she fought with us every time we asked her to get in the stroller on our first trip at 15 months old) she could ride too. or the 4 y.o. could ride in the regular stroller seat while 3y.o. was in jump seat & i could carry the baby(9months). I love the easy fold, the compact size of the stroller both folded and while in use, it pushes like a dream.

 

[Gabe's Mom]

We have the Chicco Cortina as our "big" stroller too. Also have the Chicco unbrella stroller with plans for that to be the Disney stroller, DS will be 15 mos for our December trip. After a recent shopping trip with DH kicking the wheels of our Chicco umbrellas stroller we decided it was not enough, but the Cortina is still too much. I have the P3 on it's way. Should arrive next week./ Ended up choosing it over ther Mac for the recline. Got a 2007 for 179.00 and free shipping. Hope we made the right decision....

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We have the Maclaren...stroller theft at Disney just doesn't happen. I'm sure there is a rare story of a stroller getting stollen but there are millions of strollers going through there w/o getting stolen.

The most important thing at Disney if you are going to be taking the buses is to have a stroller that easily folds up. We have the Maclaren Triumph that we have used for years. It is perfect for us. It fits to 55lbs, has high handles (I'm 5'8 and DH is 6'2 so we need it), and it reclines. The techno does not recline so that is something to think about with a 12 month old.

 

[mdhkitten]

I got a Maclaren Quest for my dd when she was about a year and it was the best thing that I could have purchased. I can't say enough wonderful things about it! Lightweight and easy to fold, reclines, has a sun shade (although not a huge one), small basket.........

If you choose to go the Maclaren route, I would suggest buying one through a dealer on eBay. Each year, Maclaren changes the patterns or "small" things to the stroller that are no big deal, so it's kind of like new models of cars. People have them for sale on ebay much cheaper than the new models, but it's a brand new stroller. I would be happy to give you the name of the seller that I used if you'd like.

 

[AlisonR80]

thanks for all the input. I'm leaning towards the peg perego p3 because its a good deal at 179 from albeebaby, plus i like that it has a tray. I also like the maclaren because the handles go a bit higher, but it doesn't have a tray...the Mac Techno does recline, it has 4 positions...it costs more, the cheapest i saw is 229 w/free shipping.

I haven't looked at combi or the others mentioned...i will google them.

We WILL be using the buses because we are staying on-site. I cant rent a stroller because we need it at the airport too. We might rent a stroller for our 4 y.o. at WDW if he ends up needing one.
My dh thinks i'm nuts to even look at buying another stroller.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

thanks for all the input. I'm leaning towards the peg perego p3 because its a good deal at 179 from albeebaby, plus i like that it has a tray. I also like the maclaren because the handles go a bit higher, but it doesn't have a tray...the Mac Techno does recline, it has 4 positions...it costs more, the cheapest i saw is 229 w/free shipping.

I haven't looked at combi or the others mentioned...i will google them.

We WILL be using the buses because we are staying on-site. I cant rent a stroller because we need it at the airport too. We might rent a stroller for our 4 y.o. at WDW if he ends up needing one.
My dh thinks i'm nuts to even look at buying another stroller.

Sorry I was thinking of the Maclaren Volo...that one doesn't recline. Yes, Techno does recline. I just bought a triumph for my friend on amazon for $160 with free shipping...definately check Amazon. Also your 4 year old will almost definately need a stroller. I would suggest bring two from home. It's kinda a pain but beats paying Disney prices

 

[AlisonR80]

Sorry I was thinking of the Maclaren Volo...that one doesn't recline. Yes, Techno does recline. I just bought a triumph for my friend on amazon for $160 with free shipping...definately check Amazon. Also your 4 year old will almost definately need a stroller. I would suggest bring two from home. It's kinda a pain but beats paying Disney prices

two from home? then i would have to bring the chicco cortina and a new stroller. that sounds like a lot to lug through the airport, we'll also be lugging around a car seat, though i guess the car seat could ride in the cortina.

Is the tray a good idea? i'm picturing my 12 m.o. leaning forward and if there's no tray i'd worry about him falling out somehow...he likes to sit up, in the cortina i don't put the shoulder parts on him because he likes to sit totally upright and hold onto the tray.

 

[Tiger926]

I have 2 Macs and a Peg P3 and they are all great strollers!

Mac Techno XT XLR is the highest weight @ 65lbs and like all Macs, it steers like a dream. Also have a Mac Triumph (55lbs) - although daughter is 11lbs under for weight, she is tall and so she has outgrown the Triumph, so we love the XLR for her and the Triumph for my just turned 12 month old son. They are so lightweight, very sturdy, tall handles, steers like a dream and easy to travel with. The XLR is honestly the Mercedes of strollers as that thing is delightful to look at (exclusive chocolate brown and pink Toys R' Us pattern) and has hidden compartments, foot muff, etc. Love it!

Peg Pliko - Love this stroller too! It's easy to fold, steers like dream, has a footboard on back, full recline and is easy to clean. Love it too!

Things to note:

EBAY - Once you buy from an unauthorized dealer, your warranty is void, so keep that in mind.

Cheap umbrella strollers - I hate cheap umbrella strollers as mentioned in first response for so many reasons, most important is that they are not meant to hold any weight and so kids are very uncomfortable. Not to mention they are very small, fall apart and have very low handles!

Other brands mentioned - Combi strollers are very small - don't hold much weight, and very short handles. I too think the Baby Planet strollers are cool, but no one in my city, or even Michigan for that matter had one for me to look at. They don't go up to the weight limits of Macs, but they are close, and look like a cool stroller.

As a stroller junkie, I can assure you that nothing beats highend strollers such as Macs and Pegs - you get what you pay for, and so cheap Walmart umbrella strollers are just bad all-around. You invest a bit of money in a well-built stroller and your life will be so much easier, especially while on vacation!

Incidentally, I just came back from WDW with a Mac Techno XLR ($400.00) and a Peg Pliko ($350.00) both at the same time - mark your stroller and be smart about where you leave it, and you should be good to go.

Happy stroller shopping - I love buying baby gear! Tiger

 

[AlisonR80]

thanks tiger...i'm in michigan too, though BRU is 30+ miles away from me...i might make the drive to try out a mac and peg before i buy online.

I wonder if i'm just looking for an excuse to buy a new stroller...i love baby gear as well. But i figure i'd get a lot of use from a smaller stroller, the cortina is huge, it's hard to shop with im always running into stuff and can't fit in narrow spaces.

 

[allie1078]

I laughed at this comment, as I just went through this with my dh.

I looked at every stroller out there. drove 1 1/2 hrs to bru a couple of times even. I read lots of reviews was totally overwehlmed with all my options. Some that I looked at are : Mac Quest - liked everything but the canopy, small and didn't cover much, combi - seemed filmsy and dh didn't care for the way the folded, Graco Ipo - good for the price, Peg p3 - great stroller, to expensive for dh, but the 179 is a great price, Baby planet, joovy groove - I really liked both of these, but never saw either in person. I ended up in the end order a Zooper Twist and really like it. It has a large canopy that covered all of ds, easy to push and fold, compact. It was out of dh price range but closer than the P3 and the joovey groove that I really liked. He still thought I was nuts.

also have you read the thread dealing with everything stollers called something to the effect unofficial guide to strollers. it has a ton of reviews and lots of questions answered about different strollers. The whole stroller thing can be very overwhelming. Hope this helps.

 

[honeybee8200]

Great thread! I use to believe in those cheap-o $10 umbrella strollers from Walmart. Hey, it was only $10! My DD who is now 3 and will be 4 by our trip. Then on one trip to our zoo, we ended up just trashing it. It broke with very little use and the handles were low so it made my back hurt pushing it.

I'm looking at getting the single Jeep one. I think it's like $40 on walmart.com. It's handles seem high enough for me and it's only $40 so if something happens, oh well.

 

[AlisonR80]

I laughed at this comment, as I just went through this with my dh.

I looked at every stroller out there. drove 1 1/2 hrs to bru a couple of times even. I read lots of reviews was totally overwehlmed with all my options. Some that I looked at are : Mac Quest - liked everything but the canopy, small and didn't cover much, combi - seemed filmsy and dh didn't care for the way the folded, Graco Ipo - good for the price, Peg p3 - great stroller, to expensive for dh, but the 179 is a great price, Baby planet, joovy groove - I really liked both of these, but never saw either in person. I ended up in the end order a Zooper Twist and really like it. It has a large canopy that covered all of ds, easy to push and fold, compact. It was out of dh price range but closer than the P3 and the joovey groove that I really liked. He still thought I was nuts.

also have you read the thread dealing with everything stollers called something to the effect unofficial guide to strollers. it has a ton of reviews and lots of questions answered about different strollers. The whole stroller thing can be very overwhelming. Hope this helps.

At least i'm not alone...i am seriously thinking of driving to BRU tonight just to try out the peg and mac. I wouldn't even want to bring dh along, he'd just be a downer like the last time i took him there just to try out a car seat.
Luckily i'm limited to strollers with high handles...that really narrows it down. I'm not willing to spend more than the $229 that i saw the Mac for, that's my limit. I'm even going to sell off some of my cloth diapers i don't use/need to put towards the purchase.

 

[Tiger926]

Best of luck! If you could test drive some strollers with your babe in them, that is the best. For instance, I love Macs, but don't care for the Volo that is frequently loved on this board. I think it's too small and scrunchy for taller kids like my children, so I like the Triumph, Quest and Techno much better.

Strollers have different fits to them, so if you can, test drive with babe, and then order online. Albee Baby who is an authorized dealer, has great prices on Pegs right now and you get the warranty.

I am Canadian and have had several strollers shipped to WDW as the prices are much cheaper, but I have also purchased strollers in Michigan. I always test drive stroller with kids though. Also, some strollers although cheaper, have much lower weight limits such as: Jeep or Graco IPO. Even 10 or 15 lbs will make a difference of several years for the life of the stroller, so you might save money now, but when you have to rent a very pricey WDW stroller in a few years because your kids have outgrown the 35-40lb strollers, than you will be kicking yourself!

Pegs go up to 45lbs, and Macs are 55 to 65lbs, but you can go to within a few pounds of each as they are so sturdy. Based on price then and life of the stroller, these are fabulous prices considering you can use them for years as they are very well built strollers.

Happy stroller shopping - I am done buying strollers for awhile, so I love living vicariously through all of the stroller threads on here. I love the new Peg Skate (very pricey at $800.00+ here in Canada), but I just bought a new Peg Perego Prima Pappa highchair yesterday (it rocks!), so I got my baby gear fix this month!

Tiger

 

[AlisonR80]

Well I went to BRU! I picked up my friend and left DH with the kids. I'm glad i brought her with me, she was helpful in deciding....We liked the maclaren best. BRU didn't have the techno XT , but they had the XLR and i'm hoping it's similar. I know it's the same handle height (44") and that was perfect. I really liked it but i'm kinda hung up on the fact that it has no bar or snack tray...not that we need a "snack" tray..it just makes it seem more secure. Anyhow, it was so easy to push and very lightweight. I had really wanted the peg p3 to work out since it costs less...but i didn't like it , the handles weren't high enough and it seemed kinda big overall.
So i'm going to think about it some more and see if i can scrape up some $ and find a good deal on the Mac techno XT, though the best i saw was $229 for a 2007...unless someone knows of a better deal out there feel free to PM me about it

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I just have to laugh when hearing people talk about the cheap umbrella strollers. I have a relative that works at WDW. She has told me that they have a room of hundreds of Umbrells strollers that people have just ditched at WDW.

 

[Disneychix]

I'm in the same predicament as the OP. I feel the need for the snack tray! I currently have a Chicco Capri that I just feel is too flimsy (and no tray) and DH says he will not push that as it's too small. I have a used Peg Perego Aria that I bought at a garage sale for $20. I like it but don't feel that it's sturdy enough in it's used state. I also have a full size (HEAVY) Evenflo that I'm considering taking cause we will have a rental car and it has everything I need.
I just can't see spending $200 on another stroller. I guess I may keep looking at garage sales. Maybe something good will come up!

 

[chipper10]

I got the Peg Pliko P3 stroller for our Disney trip. DS will be 21 months when we go. So far, I love the stroller. It's very easy to use. It has padding for DS without feeling too bulky. I also love the recline on it. I'm hoping DS will choose to nap it in a little bit. I got mine from Allbeebaby. I got the Pure Vapor color for $159. I thought it was a great price for a Peg.