HELP! Stroller recs for double around $100 (or should I just rent)

[dspads]

We will be going to WDW in Dec with my 2 boys who will then be 3 & 5. At home we only use a single stroller for my youngest if I am alone with them at the mall or somewhere else I will be for a longish time. But I know at Disney they will both need it. I can't stop thinking about what to do about strollers and could really use some opinions! I'd like to decide soon because if I am going to buy a double I'd rather do it now so I can get some more use out of it.

I am torn between renting or buying an inexpensive sbs double.

1) Is there a stroller for around $100 that will hold a 3 & 5 yo and be managable to push? I'd also really like it to have a basket underneath to store a small soft-sided cooler and a small bag of essentials for the boys. I've never had a side-by-side, but I know I havent been able to use the Graco tandem in MONTHS because it became impossible to push.

2) If we do bring our own stroller will we be able to manage folding it for the bus and boarding with the stroller, bags, boys in tow? I should say DH and I are staying at OKW with my parents and adult sisters and will mostly be with some or all of them. So if it will just be slightly difficult I think we could manage the few times we end up alone. Any thoughts?

3) The rental strollers look like such monsters! Roomy, but are they hard to push? Is there storage underneath? Will we waste tons of time getting one everyday? I do like the idea of being able to give it back if we decide we don't need it anymore.

4) Should I just scrap the idea of a double and just bring 2 singles? Or will that just be more of a pain at bus boarding time?

Thanks for any opinions and advice!

 

[Colinsmom]

With that many adults, two singles would probably work for you. Or watch your local craigslist and see if you can score a Maclaren double for around $100 or so - that's the only double I'd really consider for two older kids.

 

[twinspluscade]

I'd either bring two light-weight "cheapy" strollers, or rent. We rented a double last year for our three kids, and really liked it. Simple to push, lots of room. It's pricey, but to me the cost is worth it since we don't have to mess around with hauling strollers on the airplane, folding them at wdw, etc.

 

[RedAlfalfa]

I'd go w/ 2 single since there will be a few of you. This way if you split up for a few hrs (maybe your 5yr old is tall enough for Thunder Mt or something that the 3 yr old can't do) they each still have their strollers.

 

[bartleby1]

I'd go with two singles, or bring your single for the 3 yr old and rent a single for the 5 yr old.

 

[allyphoe]

Another vote for two singles. I know Volos will snap together into a side-by-side double, which you can unsnap in a few seconds when you want to split up, so that might be an option if the single you already have works that way. We found the snapped-together ones to be really unweildy, though.

 

[pjupton]

I know Volos will snap together into a side-by-side double, which you can unsnap in a few seconds when you want to split up, so that might be an option if the single you already have works that way. We found the snapped-together ones to be really unweildy, though.

If you have two the same, any umbrella strollers can be clipped together with set of $12 stroller connectors from BRU, they don't have to be Mac Volos ;-)

We also find the snapped-together strollers to be a pain to push, but it works in a pinch, like at the airport when one of us has the strollers + kids and one has the luggage.

 

[Nanu57v]

I don't have a 5yearold, so I'm really asking, but are you sure he'll need a stroller? Do you think maybe they could share one? Maybe when the 3 year old gets out and walks for a break the 5 year old could ride? We just went to Hershey Park and after our PM break we came back and didn't even bring in the stroller with DD2. She prefers to walk and it wasn't too crowded (we held her hand). Of course it would slow you down, but that doesn't bother everyone. I'm just thinking of the 5 year olds at daycare and can't imagine them riding in a stroller, but like I said, I don't have one of my own and Disney can be a lot of walking.

 

[Hannathy]

I don't have a 5yearold, so I'm really asking, but are you sure he'll need a stroller? Do you think maybe they could share one? Maybe when the 3 year old gets out and walks for a break the 5 year old could ride? We just went to Hershey Park and after our PM break we came back and didn't even bring in the stroller with DD2. She prefers to walk and it wasn't too crowded (we held her hand). Of course it would slow you down, but that doesn't bother everyone. I'm just thinking of the 5 year olds at daycare and can't imagine them riding in a stroller, but like I said, I don't have one of my own and Disney can be a lot of walking.

That's what I was going to suggest! I have taken 3 different 5 yr olds to Disney and none of them used a stroller and were fine. I would take one and if the 5 yr old does need a break the 3 yr old could walk a bit, or if in a big park and you insist the 5 yr old ride then rent for just that day. It is so much more freeing to not deal with a stroller at all and next to that is a single vs a double.

 

[disneynewbeemom]

We went to WDW last October. Our boys were 4 and 6. They haven't used a stroller in years. On the second day after being told a zillion times, "C'mon, keep walking", our 4 year old asked us if he could use his disney dollars to buy a stroller!! Needless to say, we broke down and rented a double and it was wonderful! We were able to walk faster with both boys inside the stroller. I liked it for safety reasons also. The rental was so easy to push and had a cup holder and bag for storage. We are going again in October and will rent a double for our boys again.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would bring the single and rent another single if needed. Its easier on and off the bus and you will want your own for the resort dtd etc.

TJ

 

[Mallow]

I rented a double for my 3 & 6 yr old, and that worked out really well. We paid for the entire week & had to show our receipt each time but it did go rather smoothly.
I will say that my 6 yr old walks everywhere, even at other all day theme park trips, but was getting tired at Disney so it was nice for him to have the break. I also agree that for safety reasons the double was really worth it too.
Also to keep in mind there is a lot of walking before you even get in the park, ie, to the bus stop, through security, etc. So it may be worth to at least have the single for the little one.
Sorry, I don't think I gave you an answer either way, just some things to consider. Have a great trip.

 

[brymolmom]

I have a 3 and 5 year old for our upcoming trip and I highly recommend having a double - we just returned from Sesame place and the heat took EVERYTHING out of the kids. And since we don't like to be limited in what we do (if we want to go to the other end of the park to do Splash Mtn even though the kids have tired feet, we want to do it) and we don't like to carry either one of them (especially in 90 degree heat) - we do the double thing. For storage - we love bringing from home - the rentals have no storage room.

I would recommend buying a cheap used sbs double. That's what we did - washed it up and it works GREAT for our needs at WDW (we don't use it anywhere else anymore). Also - that way you won't worry about it getting 'ruined' like you would if you spent a lot on it. Try garage sales or Craigslist to find one.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

My 4 yo never its in a stroller. But she does at Disney. They are long days and a lot of walking. I would rather her be comfortable on vacation. The rentals are easy to push but the are too expensive for me. I feel like I am throwing my $$ away. Bringing 2 singles worked better for me it is easier getting through the crowds.

 

[dspads]

Hmmm...
I think the singles (which I already have) will probably work fine. But i may try and find a cheap double and see how it is to push. I like the idea of 1 stroller so I can just be in charge of it.

When the 2 kids are walking then we'll have 2 strollers and 2 kids to look after. That seems complicated too.

Thanks everyone!

 

[dvcnewgirl]

I have this one that I ran through the baltimore airport with. I had no problems at all with steering it but it has no storage.

http://comfortfirst.com/p-28305-jee...ather-double-umbrella-stroller.aspx?kbid=3225

 

[LuvOrlando]

To us, the easiest answer was always to rent a double simply because you get it at the park and can leave it at the park. No bus struggles, everyone was

The cheapest answer was the one time we brought our own Graco side by side. However, irritated looks from my struggling DH trying to hold onto the bus and the stroller and not knock down all the small kids standing near him did bring me down. DH was irritable after every bus trip and that made me feel I wasn't too happy either since I had all our stuff, 1 kid on my lap and another trying to sit on me too. As I said we only did this once. (I tried a 2nd time but the parts for my stroller's wheels mysteriously disappeared before our trip then reappeared when we got back... gee I wonder who did that )

I guess it boils down to #1, do you have the $ to spend on the rental. #2, deciding which is a higher priority, comfort or saving $.

As for using or not using a stroller at all, I totally vote for a yes. To me the kids being comfortable and resting between attractions was worth every dime