I already have a stroller

[CinderShelley]

Do I really need to get a different one for Disney. i tried to read some of the stroller things, but it is so comfusing. I live in a small town, and wouldn't kknow where to even get some of the strollers people were recommending.
I have a full size one and an umbrella one. Do I need to bring both?
My daughter is 3.
Thanks for any help.
Shelley

 

[WDWorBUST]

We took our dd on her first trip at 13 months with the standard Graco stroller that you can put the infant seat on. It was MISERABLE!! I would defiitely take your umbrella stroller. I bought a Maclaren Quest after that first trip and it has been wonderful. If you are comfortable going for a 1-2 mile walk with your umbrella stroller with your dd in it then I wouldn't hesitate to stick with it. If not....I would consider a new one like the Mac Quest or Volo - my Mac did really make a huge difference for us in our trips since - much easier.

 

[Poohbug]

You don't need to buy a special stroller for Disney. I would bring your umbrella stroller for a three Yr old. You want to travel as light as possible-especially if you are using Disney buses.

 

[james'mommy]

I love the strollers for rent at disney. No need to struggle with them on the monorail or trams. The disney strollers are very sturdy and easy for the little ones to climb in and out of on there own. The drawback is that they are only available in the parks so if you have a sleepy little one you will need to carry the kiddo. My son can walk when he is dead tired and with his eyes closed so we usually just guide him at that point.

 

[crazykids]

Definitely bring the umbrella stroller! Don't forget, you will have to fold it up & carry it on the busses - you'll be glad you brought something light! No need to buy something new.

 

[Fingerpaints]

Go with the umbrella stroller. It's easy to fold, lightweight, and if you decide not to use it, it doesn't take up much room in your hotel room.

We were able to stow our two umbrella strollers under the seats of the buses to make more room for others and used them a lot in the parks. When the kids walked we put our shopping bags in them and pushed them around.

I would not buy a special stroller for the trip, just a good $10 umbrella stroller that you already own is perfect.

 

[Colinsmom]

As long as you are comfortable pushing your umbrella stroller with your 3yo in it for as long as a couple of miles every day, then I would just bring that one. If it doesn't push well or if anyone (the pusher or the rider) isn't comfortable in it, then consider bringing your full size stroller - a few minutes of convenience on the bus isn't worth hours of misery in the parks. We always travel with a full size stroller and the busses have never been an issue with it.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

You don't need to go out and buy a new stroller for disney. I wouldn't necessaryily bring the umbrella stroller just b/c it is light. Most people who have the high end stollers go frequently so it is worth the investment or in my case it is for everyday use so again the investment is worth it.

this is my dd7 just three months after she turned 5 for a xmas trip.
ETA~ We have never used a cheap umbrella since this trip.

 

[HelenePA]

unless your stroller is 50 pounds dont worry about even getting an umbrella... we didn't use one last trip and did fine.. I plan on taking the same one next year. No point of spending more money on a stroller when I already have a good one I love.

 

[rt2dz]

I would never buy a stroller just for Disney. Maybe I'm just cheap, but I think that is the biggest waste of money; I'd rather do something special with the money.

As far as the umbrella v. the full size. There are pros and cons to each. But as someone else said, the busses (if you're even using them) are a short amount of time and the parks are the big chunk of your stroller usage. Go with what you (and your child) are more comfortable with. Just be sure to have your stroller folded and ready to go before the bus gets there!

Things you might want to consider is your child going to nap in the stroller? Does the stroller recline? What kind of storage does your stroller have and do you need? How easily does each stroller maneuver? Is your child comfortable for hours in one? What type of conveniences does your stroller have (snack tray, cup holder, large sun cover, etc)? Keep in mind, some of that stuff can be purchased (cheap) and added on. I’m sure there is more, but that is all I can think of right now.

 

[mamaLori05]

Unless your umbrella stroller has a basket underneath, I would definatly recommend the bigger stroller. That way you can put any souviners, change of clothing, food, etc...in the stroller. It's sooo easy to collect a lot of stuff while there, and it's soo easy to just plop it in the bottom of the stroller and keep going. Sure the busses get crowded, but if you stick by the front or back door with it, you'll be fine. Just don't try to drag it down the bus Isle!!

 

[tzolkin]

we had to buy two strollers (mac volos) for our trip because we didn't own any strollers (and the price of renting for 9 days was more than buying, so it seemed more practical for us). we tried out cheap umbrella strollers before the trip, but our kids were just too big for them (wheels turning sideways, impossible/uncomfortable to push). our son was less than 2, but weighs about 40lbs. do you use the umbrella stroller on a regular basis? for us it just wouldnt have worked well enough.

we used the busses the whole time we were there and i don't think it would be too bad to bring a "regular" sized stroller. it would probably take up the same amount of room that our two did and we had no problems with them.

 

[las3888]

If you are used to your no-frills umbrella stroller, I would go with it. If you want more frills, I wouldn't hesitate to take your larger stroller. You know you will have to do lugging and folding and such, but if you use it regularly, you know what you are getting into. I would opt for the umbrella for my 3 y/o. Good luck!

 

[TJA]

Yikes I guess I'm going to be on the opposite end of most posts in this thread. Personally, we have loved all our trips with a double jogger. Our twins are so comfortable in it -- we recline the cushioned seats and they sleep right in the jogger, which makes life wonderful for all of us. BUT, my questions for you are: which resort are you staying at and what month are you going to disney? The resort choice does have a fair amount to do with our stroller choice ~ it's not easy taking a bus (or car) to the parks with a larger stroller because you are constantly unloading and folding up the stroller. However, if you are staying at a monorail resort or an Epcot resort, there isn't a lot of need to unload and fold a stroller, so you can easily (and happily....) bring along a larger stroller. If you do plan to take a bus or car to the parks, then I'd consider a more light-weight stroller. I really can't comment on an umbrella stroller because I've never owned one.

As far as the month you are going to disney, I ask this because if it's *hot* in disney, your daughter will most likely need to rest in the stroller a little more so than if it's cooler temps. She will need good sun coverage from the canopy on the stroller too.

 

[brandylouwho]

This is such a personal preference sort of question, but here is my 2 cents. First, don't bother buying a new one just for Disney. These boards are an awesome wealth of info, but sometimes it makes you think you must have this and do that when you go to Disney. ( I catch myself thinking that way a lot).

If your daughter is more comfortable in or you are more comfortable pushing the regular stroller--I say take it. Yes, strollers on the bus aren't the most fun, but it is not THAT bad (I have done it with a Joovy Caboose and survived). The comfort factor of both the child & parent who has to push it in the parks all day far outweighs the bus inconvenience factor.

The umbrella could work too, but we don't know what type of umbrella you have. I would not take a cheapie umbrella (think walmart for $15). They are good for quick rides...which Disney is not.

The "medium" priced umbrellas are a little better and I might consider taking one if my daughter was comfortable in it, if it was comfortable for me to push for a mile or two and I was not going to be lugging a backpack full of crap nor buying a ton of things in the parks (which would end up hanging on the handles). I am thinking some Jeep or Kolcraft models here.

The higher end umbrellas are awesome, but I woudn't pay $100+ for another umbrella just for one specific vacation. (these would be your maclarens, inglesina, britax)

just my opinion of course...

 

[MommyBryn]

We took our full size one (an Evenflo travel system stroller) for DD who was 11 months at the time. An umbrella stroller would have been TONS easier to get on/off busses/monorail/trains/etc. But there's NO way it would have made the trip easier overall. Nope...no way. Doesn't recline (which was used for naps, diaper changes, storage when DD wasn't in it, carrying the carseat through airports, etc), no storage underneath (which was ALWAYS full), no cupholders (very handy!), and umbrella strollers are uncomfortably short for tall people like my family.

So yeah, the big stroller was heavy and bulky when we needed to fold it up and pack it places, but overall it was well worth it. We couldn't have afforeded a Maclaren at the time anyway. I DID get a double Mac on Craigslist recently since we had another baby (but only because it was affordable on there!) and while it has the features we need, I will miss the space of the full size one!

 

[mikehn]

If you are driving to the parks, bring your full size stroller. If you are lodging at WDW and relying on their transportation, bring your umbrella stroller. Other than that, dont get sucked into the stroller hype.

 

[Wendy*Darling]

Here's how I look at it. Will your little one be comfortable in an umbrella stroller for an extended amount of time over the length of your trip? If so, great, take it. If not, then bring your other stroller no matter how bulky it is. I know other people look at how it will be on the buses as primary importance, but I look at it as that I will spend at most probably 45 minutes a day on the buses and I will spend up to 8-10 hours in a park on a long day. I'd rather have a comfortable little one who isn't fussy when in the stroller and have to lug a big bulky stroller on the bus than have a nice, light, slim stroller for the busses but that baby is not comfy in. Take what your child is comfortable in. At some point an umbrella becomes just fine and dandy but for babies and toddlers or any child who will stroller nap, a full size often makes more sense.

If your child is almost out of the stroller age range and you will not be making frequent Disney trips, I wouldn't spend the $ buying another one. Just take what you have already.

 

[HelenePA]

If you are driving to the parks, bring your full size stroller. If you are lodging at WDW and relying on their transportation, bring your umbrella stroller. Other than that, dont get sucked into the stroller hype.

I used my "full sized stroller" at disney for a week with their buses.. if it seemed like it was getting "too full" we'd just wait 20 min for the next bus.. worked fine for us.. Dont spend more money on a stroller you probably dont need.

 

[disneybridetobe]

I can't imagine not using my Graco. I have an umbrella stroller, and I hate the darn thing, even for trips to the mailbox. I need my cupholders, my under-storage, and the reclining seat for DD's impromptu naps. It's not super heavy, and I've perfected the one-handed folding.

I'll take my chances!