Huge Strollers

[coaches24]

I agree with the OP. I think that on some days when it's super busy at the park and people get jammed together it's rough when there are also big strollers involved.

But there are also dummies out there who are also walking along with their entourage of 5 people straight across who won't have the decency to step aside, or those who decide to have a conversation with their entire family in the middle of a busy walkway (like by Indy).

THAT is what bugs me the most. In a big crowd, no way to pass so I reserve myself to having to follow the person in front of me and then they stop right in the middle and stand there oblivious that anyone might be behind them. I'm not capable of not saying something. I'm not a complete jerk in that situation but I will make a smart alec comment usually. Like "good place to stop". DW hates when I do that but its my way to vent in the moment and then its forgotten as soon as we have passed them and are on our way.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

I'm taking our Joovy Sit N Stand to Disneyland for the same reasons I purchased it instead of the million other strollers out there:
-Because it is adjustable for both the children and adults using it, whether that be for adult height (5'9" and 6') or for children who are awake or sleeping and/or in need of a visor big enough to cope with the sun from different directions and at different times of day.
-Because it is relatively light while being highly maneuverable even with the full weight of two big-for-their-ages kids in it--UNLIKE many smaller, cheaper stroller, most especially those $50 umbrella strollers which I find to be worse than useless.
-Because it has cup holders for children and adults alike as well as a basket that actually holds enough stuff to make its existence worthwhile--again, UNLIKE many smaller, cheaper strollers I have tried both in stores and that I have owned (and rejected).
-Because we won't be going ride to ride to ride. There are shows and entertainment that do not have seats at which it is not realistic to ask a toddler to stand and stay still or to ask an adult to hold someone (often against their will) who is heavier than a giant bag of dog food for 30+ minutes. There are lines for meet & greets that might interest the elder two but not the toddler. There is outdoor seating at some eateries that might not be the best for the toddler. A trip to the parks for us is not about walking to a line, riding, exiting the line, and walking to another line and nothing else.

I doubt there is any double stroller that would satisfy people who hate strollers, so I'm not concerned if they think it's too big. As an earlier post mentioned, *people* jostle and bump into each other as much as any vehicle might, some more aggressively than others. It's about courtesy in a shared space for all parties.

 

[disneychrista]

A trip to the parks for us is not about walking to a line, riding, exiting the line, and walking to another line and nothing else.

And nor is it for us. I guess I should have said "attraction to attraction."

As to your other points, I am not sure the age of your "toddler" but I know at 3yo my youngest was able to walk around the parks, stand on her own while holding my hand while waiting for characters, etc. And she was able to sit in the chairs provided at all the counter service places.

Now I can see how 3 - 4 year olds could still have problems doing this. But when 7 - 8 year olds are still being pushed around the parks in a stroller, I just don't get it.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

I have 5 daughters. I have a double jogger. I am 6'0 tall and my husband is about 2" taller then me. I have to have a stroller that I can push and that I don't have to hunch down to push for my 1 year old.
That being said. The stroller has nothing to do with the person. If you are in front (or behind) of a rude person you would most likely have a rude encounter with them regardless if they were pushing a stroller. I have never nicked someone from behind. I have never shoved past someone using my stroller as a weapon of some kind.
If we wont to talk about consideration how about the blinders that people wear and literally walk into my children. Not looking at anything that isn't shoulder level with them.

 

[All American]

Nope. The strollers -- large or small -- don't bother me.

We bring our Graco Metrolite because it's what we have, and I love that it can recline all the way back for our little girl. I do try to look out for others, and if I do bump someone on accident, I don't hesitate to sincerely apologize. No one has ever made a fuss about it (to my face, at least). Other times, I've been bumped and managed to walk away without any permanent battle wounds.

If anything, I find myself kind of envious of the stroller kids. I love to sit on the benches at the end of a long day and watch the guests leave. I love seeing the little kids sound asleep in their strollers, with their blankets and new toys. Tucked in and weary after a long day at the park, dreaming of who knows what. They look so sweet and peaceful. I just love it! Then, I wish I had someone to push me around in a La-Z-Boy on wheels because my feet are usually killing me.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We bring our Graco Duo Glide with us every trip. I am also considerate of those around me. The two together are possible.

We are both paying to be there. Your comfort is not, nor should you expect it to be, of more importance to me.

 

[Davids-Coco]

I love seeing the little kids sound asleep in their strollers, with their blankets and new toys. Tucked in and weary after a long day at the park, dreaming of who knows what. They look so sweet and peaceful. I just love it!

Thank you for sharing this. It's a really beautiful thought. Makes me think of my own little ones.

We travel with our single maclaren mostly. I love it because it works for us. I don't care what size the stroller is because it is about the child's comfort and their parents know how to meet their child's needs best.

 

[kailuagirl]

All American, I'm with you. Nothing better than seeing a child all comfy in the stroller snuggling their new Disney stuffed animal. What I hate seeing is a baby in an umbrella stroller all hunched over when they aren't old enough to be in it in the first place. Drives me crazy. Those poor babies and their poor necks/backs. i want to fix them everytime.

Doesn't bother me what stroller people have or how big it is. All I care about is that the children are safe, healthy and happy. That's all that matters. Personally, if we lived within driving distance to DL, I would be taking our Bob Jogging stroller everytime, but I don't want to take a chance on it breaking on the plane.

 

[lwilkison]

We took the stroller we owned on our last trip. We could barely afford the trip, let alone a new stroller. And our youngest two are only 14 months apart, so we needed the double. We will have a slightly bigger budget this time, so we will be renting a stroller. It will be a double. I think most people generally don't want to bring a huge stroller, because it is a pain. So if they have one, they probably don't have another choice.

Remember when renting that you can't take it into DTD or out of DLR/DCA...we just hopped over to the local Target and picked up one then we could keep our DD in it for our walk back to our hotel HOJO...worked out great and then @ the end of our trip we asked the HOJO to regift it for us to another family

 

[Liat]

On our next trip I'm going to be bringing TWO double strollers.

I'll have 4 kids five and under and I know that the two oldest will poop out before the end of the day and since we will be staying offsite I'm not willing to carry anybody home.

We are planning on bringing our Phil and Teds double which is my day to day stroller and then we will be borrowing a sit and stand from a friend.

I admit that I hate when people block the way with strollers (I strive very hard not to do that) but I have the same problems with people in scooters and mobile people who just loiter in annoying places blocking everyone behind them. I don't see that the size of the stroller makes that much of a difference. Getting hit in the ankles by a umbroller hurts just as much as a bigger stroller.

 

[jennabennabofenna]

To be honest im getting tired of people complaining about strollers and stroller sizes. When i go to Disneyland with my kids, i bring my stroller, which is a double wide jogging stroller. Sorry, but im NOT going to spend money on a smaller stroller just to please people who dont like big strollers. Get over it. (not trying to be rude, but in all honesty, worry about yourself and your family, not what size strollers other people have)

By me bringing by "huge" double wide jogging stroller, im taking up less parking room then i would if i rented two singles.

Why is it so hard for people to understand that kids need a stroller. Disneyland is a FAMILY place.

 

[jennabennabofenna]

That is a very small double. Very handy But you know what I mean by those huge ones, not everyone is rude, but some are. I didn't mean to insinuate that everyone is, but some are. Sorry to paint such a broad stroke.

ANY stroller can run into someone, small or big. (if thats what you mean by being rude)

 

[disneychrista]

The stroller has nothing to do with the person. If you are in front (or behind) of a rude person you would most likely have a rude encounter with them regardless if they were pushing a stroller.

There are rude, self-involved, self-important people in general. Some use strollers. Some don't. It doesn't really matter. The best anyone can do is ignore them.
And just because someone with a stroller "bumps" you doesn't make them rude. There could be reasons you don't know about. Someone behind them pushing making them jerk the stroller, YOU stopping short because of the person in front of you did, etc. etc.

Remember when renting that you can't take it into DTD or out of DLR/DCA

While it is true you can not take Disney strollers to DTD, you can take them between the parks. In fact you can't even rent a stroller inside the parks.

 

[Disneyhenry]

Does anyone else think that people should consider bringing smaller strollers? I have a 9, 7 and 9 month old, so I am not against kids, just against these huge strollers that take up so much room, also the double strollers. These are just toooo big. I have 3 kids, so understand the need for convenience, but come on. If everyone has these huge strollers, then of course there is not alot of room to walk around. I have a big stroller for home for walking, etc, but when we go to public places like this, I think it is only respectful to take a smaller one (which still has a small under carraige). Am I the only one who thinks this???

Respectful? To who? How is the size of my stroller disrespectful to you or any one else? I have never asked you to push my stroller.

yeah I think whatever stroller I bring is really none of your business , I dont understand why you think it is your business,

 

[jilld11]

Wow. I never thought asking people to be respectful of others would garner so much attention. I am not a kid hater and want my kids to be comforatable as well. My kids are 9, 7 and 9 months, so I totally get it. If you are one of the people who commented that they will bring what they want and don't care what others think, then you are probably also the people I am speaking about. They take their huge strollers or double strollers and take up so much room and don't mind being rude to others. I just think bringing a smaller stroller for my baby and having my 9 and 7 year old walk is much more respectful as their is only so much space and we don't need to clog up the area.

 

[indimom3]

Wow. I never thought asking people to be respectful of others would garner so much attention. I am not a kid hater and want my kids to be comforatable as well. My kids are 9, 7 and 9 months, so I totally get it. If you are one of the people who commented that they will bring what they want and don't care what others think, then you are probably also the people I am speaking about. They take their huge strollers or double strollers and take up so much room and don't mind being rude to others. I just think bringing a smaller stroller for my baby and having my 9 and 7 year old walk is much more respectful as their is only so much space and we don't need to clog up the area.

It's really a space issue for you? I have a side by side Combi double that I have used for years for my (now) 4 and 5 year olds. It's pretty small and not much wider than a Disney rental single. When I push the stroller down main street, I can say with 100% confidence that my 4 and 5 yo are taking up less space than they do when they walk. Because like most 4 and 5yos walking down Main Street, they would be incapable of walking in a straight line and would be rambling all over the place pointing at stuff and trying to shake off my hand and walk in front of unsuspecting people.
And most of the time now, they DO walk. We use the stroller for to/from hotel mostly and just park it somewhere most of the day.
I personally would rather see a 3-4 year old in a stroller than on a leash (which can be a real tripping hazard if used in a crowd) or constantly running off away from his parents who have no way to really corale him. IDK, I am looking forward to the day (and it's almost here) when I don't have to take a stroller to the parks. But I don't ever see myself feeling disrespected by what other people use to get their kids around.

 

[jennabennabofenna]

Wow. I never thought asking people to be respectful of others would garner so much attention. I am not a kid hater and want my kids to be comforatable as well. My kids are 9, 7 and 9 months, so I totally get it. If you are one of the people who commented that they will bring what they want and don't care what others think, then you are probably also the people I am speaking about. They take their huge strollers or double strollers and take up so much room and don't mind being rude to others. I just think bringing a smaller stroller for my baby and having my 9 and 7 year old walk is much more respectful as their is only so much space and we don't need to clog up the area.

Are you serious?

Why in the world do you even look at other peoples strollers to begin with? Like i said, focus on yourself and your own family. You cannot control what other people do or bring into the park!

With that said, just because someone brings in a large stroller, that doesn't make them automatically "rude". Iv come across rude people in the parks many times, people that push through you, etc. plenty of them didn't have strollers at all.


& if you are so worried about large strollers "clogging" the area, go during a rainy day or off season weekday. If you go when its busy, there are likley to be more strollers. Thats life. There are always going to be people (and there belongings) where ever you go.

Next time your in the parks, try not to worry about the strollers. Just focus on you and youll probably enjoy yourself more & if someone is rude and runs into you with their stroller, most likley it was an accident, and if they don't show remorse, then just let it roll off your shoulder. Won't be the end of the world

 

[jilld11]

Once again, point proven. Only seriously rude people would not think about others and only "worry about themselves". Need I say more?

 

[mrsmcnoggin]

There is no way my 6' husband could push around an umbrella stroller all day. And my 3 year old certainly couldn't walk the whole time. Plus my older kids hopped on the seat part at night too. I don't think the extra couple of feet my stroller took up in the park really made a difference to anyone. Sorry, I just don't agree. I don't really care what stroller other people use.

completely agree, I'm not even 6 foot and I have to hunch a little to push those umbrella strollers, and they are really a pain for my husband...we considered that but decided it would be awful by the end of the day to push that thing around. I also agree, as long as people are respectful with their strollers, then who cares what stroller they have.

 

[starshine514]

I was just at DL (within the last week) and had no problems with the size of anybody's stroller. I didn't see people with huge double strollers standing out in the middle of walkways (no, that was reserved for large groups of adults that were completely oblivious about anybody else in the park other than themselves). The people with strollers seemed to walk in an orderly fashion in the crowds (and, yes, there were crowds) without all that weaving in-and-out that the people without a wheeled vehicle did, parked on the side (generally in designated stroller parking), and didn't see anyone using their stroller as a weapon. I didn't see anyone using their ECV in this manner, either.

If the larger stroller allows a single mom (or a mom like me, with a disabled husband) to take both of her small children to DL, who am I to judge? Also, I'm guessing some of those bigger strollers are easier to manuever, which would probably help with not accidentally running into people (I'm just speaking from experience with my umbrella stroller, which is very difficult to turn and move to avoid obstacles vs a larger stroller that is easier to push).

Btw - I bring a mid-sized single stroller into the parks, but wouldn't hesitate to bring a double if my girls were smaller.

I just think bringing a smaller stroller for my baby and having my 9 and 7 year old walk is much more respectful as their is only so much space and we don't need to clog up the area.

OP, is your chief complaint double strollers in general, or people bringing double strollers for kids that you believe should be walking? Did you bring your older two to DL when they were 1 & 3? If so, what sort of stroller did you use for them?