How difficult is it to take strollers in the bus?

[momto2js]

I have kids the same age and use my city mini. My 7 year old is small and gets migraines. There is something in the MK that triggers them. If he gets one he can sleep in the stroller, but I cant carry him out any more.

I don't think the double is too had to get on and off. I tour often alone.

 

[ThroughLookingGlass]

I am traveling with my family and really thinking I'd like to rent two single strollers outside of the park. I'm traveling with my 5 year old, 7 year old and 16 year old. Obviously I'll have to carry a stroller and my 16 year old will carry the other. Will I regret this? My parents, brother and niece will also be with us, so they can help get the kids on and off the bus, but I figured I'd be doing most of the work! Help! Also, walking is not an option all day for my kids?! I just know they won't be able to make it, and if I have a stroller they will probably nap in it!

It depends on how patient you are!
Not a mommy but always in Disney with babies/big kids.

The biggest issue with stroller is size and everyone feeling like they need to use the stroller as a junk cart. It takes 20 minutes to empty it out sometimes

Since you have big kids just grab the super basic fold up, fold down strollers! As long as it has a light sunroof and can lower back (just in case anyone falls asleep) you should be good to go! I'd also suggest making a sign for the back with your name on it. You can tie it to the stroller in disney ribbon that way you can find it easier and no one accidentally grabs yours!

 

[powellrj]

I hate the buses and always have my own car even when staying on-site, so my answer is based on that.

I wouldn't do anything about a stroller until after you have been there for a few days. I think you may find you don't need them and they are more of a pain for kids that age. I would start a walking program now to get them used to all the walking and take lots of breaks when you get there. I also wouldn't use them with the expectation that others will be fine dealing with them. They will have to be folded up to get on the buses and then unloaded to get them off. It just seems like a lot of extra work when everyone is already tired at the end of the day.

 

[AKMamaT]

I rented a single for my 3 year old last year from Kingdom Strollers (who are awesome btw) and I ended up calling them 2 days into the trip for a second stroller (a double) for my 5 year old and 6 year old niece. All 3 of them napped in the strollers at one point in time throughout our long park days. There were 5 adults, so it wasn't any trouble for us getting on and off buses. The double was a little more difficult because of its size. The strollers Kingdom provides are a breeze to fold up.
I found the stroller quite useful and would def recommend it. Everyone is different. If you think your kids will need it, go for it. Have a great trip

 

[maxiesmom]

I am sorry but 2 strollers for school age kids is insane. I took my just turned 4yr old last year and didn't even think about bringing a stroller. I am sure if we brought one she would have used it at times but if it isnt there, they are fine. She kept up with the 12yr old and adults just fine. Would they actually cry for one if it wasn't an option? What age are we drawing the line here these days? Is it now preteen ages of 8-12?

It is great for you that your 4 yr old was fine without a stroller. But not all of them are. Children are not all the same and do not have the same stamina. The great thing is we can all make decisions for our own families, as we are the ones who best know them and their limitations. We all get to draw our own lines.

 

[Lisa71]

I am sorry but 2 strollers for school age kids is insane. I took my just turned 4yr old last year and didn't even think about bringing a stroller. I am sure if we brought one she would have used it at times but if it isnt there, they are fine. She kept up with the 12yr old and adults just fine. Would they actually cry for one if it wasn't an option? What age are we drawing the line here these days? Is it now preteen ages of 8-12?

There are so many shows, restaurants, shady benches, parades and sitting rides. It isn't like the kids are walking non stop all day. I think you will really regret lugging 2 strollers around and man they would be heavy to push all day. Then the stroller parking. Ugh. I would re-evaluate. Take none and possibly rent a double on Epcot day. I don't see the need for the hassle. Start evening walks to get them ready if you are afraid they aren't in shape.

Seriously?? How about each family can make their own rules. Some kids are small and in shape but just little...some tire easily. Everyone is different. Our DS has CP so he needs one all the time..last trip DD was 6 and she used it some when really hot. She plays sports but the humidity gave her headaches and it helped her rest.

 

[lovemy4sweeties]

We usually bring in water and snacks in a small/med cooler so having a stroller is great. I dread the day we no longer need one and we have to carry everything lol. That seems like more of a hassle to me than pushing around a stroller. We also don't take a break to leave the park and come back. Our break is finding a shaded spot to watch the parade. We go open to close most days and on our 2 trips we've had 10 & 8 day park tickets. Having a stroller is a life saver. Our first trip our kids were 6, 5, 3 & 1. And our 2nd they were 9, 8, 6, 4 & 1. I would recommend a double side by side with reclining seats, good size wheels that manoeuvre easily and canopies. With 2 45lb kids it shouldn't be too difficult pushing them around for the few hours they'll probably need/want it. You can park it in stroller parking and come back for it so you don't have to push it around all day. If you find you don't need it after the first couple days, you can leave it at the hotel. My oldest 2 didn't use the stroller at all when they were 5&6, but I can see my 7yo wanting to take a break and hop in once and a while when we go in the fall. He might surprise me and not use it, but who knows until we're there. We took a trip to NYC and my 6yo at the time (8 now) wasn't feeling well and slept most of the day in the stroller while we toured around. I wouldn't listen to those who are trying to talk you out of it. You can always choose NOT to use if you don't need it. It can be a hassle folding it down to get on the bus. Just try to organize your stuff while you're waiting. And although people are feeling bad for your 16 year old who will help load the kids on and off the bus....well that's just part of being a family. My older kids at 12 and almost 11 do that naturally. I'm sure your 16 yo doesn't mind helping out his younger siblings. Have a great trip!!

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

What we usually do, to have less trouble folding at the bus stops and for bag check, is bring everything in ziplock bags (when we had a baby used one for diapers and wipes, another only for wipes, one for each girls spare clothes, one for sunscreens, etc) and we had a big clear heavy duty bag that could hold all the smaller bags in it, this way we put everything in the big clear bag for gate check, then fold it under the stroller and put all the single bags there too. This way we dont have to juggle a ton of stuff to fold the stroller.

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[flutterby3744]

If you absolutely need a stroller, I would only bring one. The kids can take turns when they are tired. The headache of lugging around 2 would soooo not be worth it IMO. Like PP said, maybe hold off on the stroller until you get there and see how your kids do. My 6yo DS tires easily when we are shopping, but it's uninteresting for him. WDW is a whole different animal, and there is no way he would sit in a stroller all day.

Just my opinion, and in no way am I judging your choice, but with my family, past age 4 doesn't get a stroller. Ages 5+ (unless there are physical issues) are perfectly capable walking. It isn't like a marathon or anything. You walk for a bit, sit down, walk, sit down. There are plenty of rest opportunities. I think we often underestimate our kids!

I also recommended mid day breaks if your kids get that tired. I know you probably don't want to miss park time, but well rested happy kids wins over cranky tired kids every day. Our last trip we didn't take breaks because we stayed off site- never again! Don't underestimate what going back and sitting by the pool in the afternoon can do for your morale!!!

 

[brymolmom]

Just don't over pack the stroller and have a plan. We only brought what fit in a backpack. A lot of people over pack strollers because they can. When waiting for the bus you pack the back pack and get the kids out. Have them folded before getting on and head to the back.
We take a large double when we go. Never a problem. I was I charge of the kids and back pack and dh took the stroller

This.

DH and I always had a plan and it is obvious the parents who are new to it and/or don't have a plan. Ours was this: I would keep a grocery bag (think 99Cent store bags) in the bottom of the stroller, empty. When we got in line for the bus - DH would put the backpack on - I would take that empty bag and throw everything that accumulates during the day into it (ie: half-filled water bottles, wet socks, KidCot masks, empty popcorn buckets, etc.) - I would grab each kid's hand and walk onto the main bus door. DH would walk to the back door with the double stroller already folded. He would stand near that door leaning the stroller against a pole. He would then hop out at our stop - and put the stroller up quickly (esp. if sleepy kids) - so that by the time I got them off the bus they could jump right in. We had it down to a science.

But for what it's worth...If your mom has never pushed one of your kids in a stroller for a length of time it isn't super easy all the time...Maneuvering around crowds and people who stop dead in the middle of the street...Also takes some of the magic away as you're ALWAYS looking down to avoid other people's ankles instead of looking up at the castle. SOOOO, for this reason AND because it's more of a pain with 2 strollers...I would bring 1 if you're at all able...You said your 7 year old is sickly and I'm not sure what that means...So if there's a good chance he/she will be ill and not 100% at the time then you have to do what you have to do. But I wouldn't do it just to avoid whining....You said your kids have never been to WDW - They might be so thrilled with it all they forget to whine.

I have a dd who is a whiner...I put a rule in place EARLY that there would be 'no stroller after age 5'...I knew I would consider bringing it for long after she was capable of handling the walking only for my own ease. So I hear you on that. But it started getting to the point where it was starting to greatly negatively impact my exhaustion level and fun - just to cart her around without wanting to be bothered with it all herself. So it was a good lesson to us both to have her walk on her own.

Good luck.

 

[MudQueen22]

I have always used a stroller more as a personal buggy than a child transport system (although we still use it for that).
I plan to bring an umbrella stroller, and my dd will be 5 when we go.

OP, if you need to bring two strollers, have you considered getting two umbrella strollers, then purchasing the straps that will bind them and make them into a double?

Or if you're going to rent, just get a double stroller that is long rather than wide.

 

[Suzanne74]

Seriously?? How about each family can make their own rules. Some kids are small and in shape but just little...some tire easily. Everyone is different. Our DS has CP so he needs one all the time..last trip DD was 6 and she used it some when really hot. She plays sports but the humidity gave her headaches and it helped her rest.

But if you didn't have one to offer kids, there wouldn't be a choice but to walk, rest at the park for a bit, or take a break back at the hotel. All fine choices instead of pushing school aged kids in strollers all day. Small doesn't equal weak. When we were kids our parents didn't push us around in strollers all day and we survived. If given the choice, we all seem to take the easiest lazy way. You have seen Wall-E, right? Sorry but Disney World seems to be turning into the same thing. Stroller and ECV abuse is out of control. Walking is turning into the minority.

 

[gjl]

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[Gracie09]

But if you didn't have one to offer kids, there wouldn't be a choice but to walk, rest at the park for a bit, or take a break back at the hotel. All fine choices instead of pushing school aged kids in strollers all day. Small doesn't equal weak. When we were kids our parents didn't push us around in strollers all day and we survived. If given the choice, we all seem to take the easiest lazy way. You have seen Wall-E, right? Sorry but Disney World seems to be turning into the same thing. Stroller and ECV abuse is out of control. Walking is turning into the minority.

The thing is not every child is the same. I have two four year olds and if we take them on our the dog walk (four miles round trip) one will practically run the entire way and one walks so slow she is practically walking backwards. Could she do an entire day a wdw sure but we would only see Main Street because it would take her so long to walk. In their preschool of 4/5 year olds it's about a 50/50 split of those that would be able to go all day and those that would benefit from a stroller. Like wheelchairs, kids aren't permanently implanted into their stroller. Many people use it to get from land to land and then park it for up to several hours. I don't understand judging someone for making a choice that effects no one but themselves (unless you think preemptive measures to prevent meltdowns harms others) and makes their time better.

 

[maxiesmom]

But if you didn't have one to offer kids, there wouldn't be a choice but to walk, rest at the park for a bit, or take a break back at the hotel. All fine choices instead of pushing school aged kids in strollers all day. Small doesn't equal weak. When we were kids our parents didn't push us around in strollers all day and we survived. If given the choice, we all seem to take the easiest lazy way. You have seen Wall-E, right? Sorry but Disney World seems to be turning into the same thing. Stroller and ECV abuse is out of control. Walking is turning into the minority.

I'm sorry, but you don't get to judge what is right and what is wrong for every family at WDW. You don't know them, don't know what they and their children are capable of. You get to decide that for your own family, no one else's.

Maybe it is time to focus more on your own family and what they are doing at WDW than looking around and judging everyone else for not meeting your standards.

 

[Suzanne74]

If you claim to not even have thought about bringing a stroller for your 4 yo last year why did you start a thread about the size of the citi mini and whether your 42" and 43 pound (or vice versa) almost 4yo would fit and you trying to choose whether you were bringing your Volo or renting one there? To me that means you considered a stroller. But now since you ended up not using one you are critical of all those that do use them?

She was 3 when I was asking. Turning 4 at the end of the trip. I wasn't sure if she needed one before we went. She didn't use one the whole trip and had an almost 12yr old sister she wanted to keep up with. A lot different than a K and 2nd grader using strollers. Kids that age don't nap, go to school for 7yrs straight, play sports and know when to say they need a break.

The rate we are going people will be questioning whether 10yr old need strollers in 5 more years. Wait, nevermind. Someone already posted about their 9yr old not so long ago. Sorry, flame away but it is my opinion. I can't stop people from carting around their kids and either can Disney but you can't deny that our parents would have NEVER pushed us around in strollers while we were in elementary school. Nothing has changed but people's attitudes.

 

[maxiesmom]

She was 3 when I was asking. Turning 4 at the end of the trip. I wasn't sure if she needed one before we went. She didn't use one the whole trip and had an almost 12yr old sister she wanted to keep up with. A lot different than a K and 2nd grader using strollers. Kids that age don't nap, go to school for 7yrs straight, play sports and know when to say they need a break.

The rate we are going people will be questioning whether 10yr old need strollers in 5 more years. Wait, nevermind. Someone already posted about their 9yr old not so long ago. Sorry, flame away but it is my opinion. I can't stop people from carting around their kids and either can Disney but you can't deny that our parents would have NEVER pushed us around in strollers while we were in elementary school. Nothing has changed but people's attitudes.

Rather people can now afford strollers. When I was small they were not considered a necessity but a luxury. If I was tired I was carried or given a ride on my dad's shoulders. Or just left at home because I was too small to keep up. My parents were not too noble to use a stroller. They just couldn't afford one.

 

[gjl]

Deleted

 

[Hannathy]

I happen to agree with you. Kids haven't changed only what parents are willing to do.

 

[kohlby]

But if you didn't have one to offer kids, there wouldn't be a choice but to walk, rest at the park for a bit, or take a break back at the hotel. All fine choices instead of pushing school aged kids in strollers all day. Small doesn't equal weak. When we were kids our parents didn't push us around in strollers all day and we survived. If given the choice, we all seem to take the easiest lazy way. You have seen Wall-E, right? Sorry but Disney World seems to be turning into the same thing. Stroller and ECV abuse is out of control. Walking is turning into the minority.

My 5 year old has sensory processing disorder. He looks like a normal healthy kid. He has great endurance and is in good shape. But he needs a safe place with less stimulation. It isn't about leaving and going to the hotel. He needs a place to have some downtime every hour - forget about every day. Due to his sensory issues, he doesn't do a lot of rides, preferring to hang out in the stroller when he gets overwhelmed. He does like to get out sometimes to run around as well, but he really needs the stroller as his safe spot where he can shut out some of Disney. Since we have two more kids as well, it works out well to take a stroller for the youngest so we can all enjoy Disney as a family. We've found a way to make Disney work with his SPD. I'm not sure how long we'll have to use a stroller for him. But we'll do it if we need to. It's not about being lazy at all. It's about making a family vacation work for everyone in the family.