I need advice about strollers (big kids)

[DisneyLover75]

Hi.

I have two kids, ages 5 and 4. My DS4 is autistic. I don't know if that's necessarily relevant, because my DD5 is a typical, healthy child and she needs to ride in a stroller too.. but anyway, that he has autism may or may not be of use in this request for tips, opinions and suggestions.

Ok, I digress. Anyway, we're going to WDW on May11 for six days. I'm a single parent, and I'm going with another couple (friends of ours) and their kids. They're planning to bring a stroller for their kids.

I had originally planned to just rent a stroller once we got to the parks. We're staying at ASMu and we'll have to ride the bus. (It was either stay at a value, or not be able to afford the trip. So a value it was!)

I took my daughter twice now, to WDW. Once in 2005 and again in 2006. The first time, I brought a stroller. I had a friend along who helped with my daughter while I dragged the stroller onto and off of the bus. In 2006, I decided to rent a stroller instead. That was nice for not having to haul it on the bus, but my DD was very tired, having to walk to and from the bus and the stroller rental places.

With it being so hot and humid (we're from wisconsin, so 75 degrees is hot. Florida in May is an oven to us! lol) it's a long way for little legs to walk. Especially after a long day at the park.

I am taking both of my children this time, and although I will have my friend and her husband along to help with what they can, they'll still be busy with their two kids (ages 4 and 1) and their stroller(s). So I don't want to go into this assuming that I'll have much help.

Do you think I should bring a stroller or rent? If you think I should bring one, do you think it would be wiser to bring the big Graco duo glider or buy a side by side umbrella stroller, since it maybe lighter and easier to fold and carry?
If I buy an umbrella stroller, do you think my kids are too big to sit in it? Will it be too hard to steer, because they're heavier than what the engineers of that stroller had in mind?

I know these are alot of questions, and maybe no one will have the answers, but please tell me your opinions and thoughts and if indeed you have experience in this area, please share it.

Thank you so much.

Katie

 

[dspads]

I don't have the answer, but if you do buy one I'd make sure it was steerable with the 2. We had a difficult time manuvering out old graco single with out 5yo in it (and he is skinny!). The rentals were MUCH better for that. But I bet there is stroller to suit your needs, may be $$$. The trip from park entrance to bus-and from bus to hotel room can be looong and you may really need the stroller.

Maybe bring a single stroller and see if they'll take turns? You could always rent a double the next day if it doesn't work.

 

[SueM in MN]

Most of the double strollers you can buy are made for lighter and smaller children.
There are off-site places where you can rent special needs strollers. Those are made for older and larger kids and you can find a link to some places that rent them on the disABILITIES FAQs thread, post #2 (my signature has a link to that thread).
If you rented one of those from off-site, you would have it to use at the resort. Then, if you need one at the park for your other child, you could rent a stroller at the park too.

 

[kileybeth]

what are the heights and weights of your kiddos? might make a difference.

I have used strollers for up to 6 and 9 year olds.

might be possible to have them share one to/ from buses /resort if you buy a nice enough umbrella (Mac volo!) and then you could just rent a single in parks during day and have them take turns. or push both if friends available to help.

I would probably not invest in a double umbrella b/c in most cases the weight limit will not be high enough for 2 older kids unless you buy a mighty pricey double. Also the double will not push very well for you again unless you go with a high end one.

I am biased against graco duo's after having pushed them around the park a few times. they are so bulky/heavy and difficult to manuver on/off buses alone (I had DH and 2 teen helpers and it was still a pain altho perfect strangers where often helpful)

let us know what you decide you will get lots of helpful advice from Moms who have been there done that!

 

[kileybeth]

oh dear, what I never got around to saying was if you get a Mac volo both of your little ones could catch a ride at end of day or for brief periods of time as the weight limit is quite high (55lbs I think)and I know from personal experience it holds way more than they say

 

[dspads]

The volo is great! We actually bought one after our Disney trip (to replace the stroller the airline crushed ) Our kids fit fine in it and steering was AMAZING. I was sorry I hadn't bought one a long time ago since I used it once since I bought it and will be lucky if I use it a few times more.

Anyway, one thing to consider is that they are kind of narrow so try it out before buying if you decide to go that way.

 

[DisneyLover75]

Thank you for the suggestions! That helps. I was hoping that if I had to buy one, it would be a fairly cheap one, since that's really the only time I'll need it. We don't need a stroller here at home, and if we should, by some chance, we have the Graco Duo Glider. (I really think you're right about that being way too heavy and bulky.)

Anyway, my friends are bringing two umbrella strollers, which is fine for them, since there are two of them to push. There's only me, and I'd have to either push one double or none at all (no, they won't take turns. My DS4 who is autistic, won't stay right next to me if I'm not holding his hand, and it would be too hard to push my DD5 in the stroller during her turn if I only had one hand free. When it would be DS's turn in the stroller, my DD would complain the whole time that she was the only one who had to walk. *rolleyes*)

So there's my problem. Anyway, I think I'm going to rent a double. The kids can handle walking to the stroller rental area, and guest services said that I'd be able to transfer the kids from the stroller to a wheelchair and push them down to the bus stop, and then leave the wheelchair there at the end of the day/night. I think I'll take them up on that.

My DD5 is very tall and probably at the top of the "normal" weight and height for five year olds. She's 3'7 and 56 pounds. My DS4 is 40 inches tall and 40 pounds. He's about 50% percentile for height and weight. I think they'd be too heavy to push in any stroller but the rentals.

Thanks for letting me think out loud. And thanks for the tips. If anyone has anything to add, I'd be happy to know.

Thank you!

 

[kileybeth]

oh that is great news about the wheelchair availability. I think that you have hit on what will be best for your 2 little ones. Sounds like you will have your hands full but there is no happier place to do it than at Disney. I have found the CM's to be most helpful when they know you have a special situation. Traveling alone qualifies as such and then adding a special needs little guy, they will certainly do what they can.


My DS5 will be in his volo again this trip as well as DDalmost3 in hers. I will need to use stroller connectors for some parts of the day as I will be alone with them and altho DS5 likes to push his own set of wheels at times, he's not very good or mannerly at it

Hope it all works out for you!

 

[heartbeeps]

I've been doing weight limit research for a 50# 5 year old - so far I see only the Maclaren Volo and the Chicco as having a 50# (or 55 for Maclaren) weight limit. I called my local consignment shops and gave them my name & phone # in case either of these brands come in for consignment between now and my departure date to Disney. I've been monitoring coupon codes and watching sales flyers for local stores like toys-r-us, target, etc.

In the meantime, I'm thinking of starting a swap, I'm thinking of just seeing when she needs a stroller and then renting it that day. Not sure which approach I'll use but think I'd only bring a stroller with me IF it could be under 15# (the Volo 2007 model is 8.6 #).

 

[kileybeth]

the volo is a much superior stroller. rolls so much better, so much lighter, better sun shade. storage basket. I bought the chicco and returned it. bought a combi as well. returned it. I now own 2 volos! love. them. you can not go wrong. and I have pushed my sick niece (12 yr old skinny thing but still 85 lbs) in our volo for a night on the board walk. so I guess I exceeded the weight limit a little that night but stroller held up just fine, still rolling and in great condition.

 

[DisneyLover75]

That's great. Thanks. But are these lightweight volos double passenger or single? I couldn't take a single, because the kids would never be managable that way. (See my post #7 in this thread)

I think the wheelchair idea is a good one, as long as no one thinks I'm misusing a wheelchair... I just worry about that. Don't ask me why- I think too much!

 

[all4fun]

Thank you for the suggestions! That helps. I was hoping that if I had to buy one, it would be a fairly cheap one, since that's really the only time I'll need it. We don't need a stroller here at home, and if we should, by some chance, we have the Graco Duo Glider. (I really think you're right about that being way too heavy and bulky.)

Anyway, my friends are bringing two umbrella strollers, which is fine for them, since there are two of them to push. There's only me, and I'd have to either push one double or none at all (no, they won't take turns. My DS4 who is autistic, won't stay right next to me if I'm not holding his hand, and it would be too hard to push my DD5 in the stroller during her turn if I only had one hand free. When it would be DS's turn in the stroller, my DD would complain the whole time that she was the only one who had to walk. *rolleyes*)

So there's my problem. Anyway, I think I'm going to rent a double. The kids can handle walking to the stroller rental area, and guest services said that I'd be able to transfer the kids from the stroller to a wheelchair and push them down to the bus stop, and then leave the wheelchair there at the end of the day/night. I think I'll take them up on that.

My DD5 is very tall and probably at the top of the "normal" weight and height for five year olds. She's 3'7 and 56 pounds. My DS4 is 40 inches tall and 40 pounds. He's about 50% percentile for height and weight. I think they'd be too heavy to push in any stroller but the rentals.

Thanks for letting me think out loud. And thanks for the tips. If anyone has anything to add, I'd be happy to know.

Thank you!

I also think you've hit on a good plan and I don't think you're going to find a good double stroller that will hold that much weight, and be easy to push for less than it costs to rent. Plus this way you won't have to drag a stroller on and off the busses and trams. I usually recommend bringing a stroller but in your case I think renting would be better. And if guest services says it's OK to borrow a wheelchair out to the bus stop then I would take them up on their offer. I've noticed the rental wheelchairs in the parking lot before - I think it's nice they allow people with mobility issues to use them past the gates. I hope you and your kids have a great trip!

 

[kileybeth]

yes, I can see the drama if my two little ones had to share a ride at this point. what I was actually suggesting is to go ahead and rent double for in the park as I do not believe you will be able to purchase a double for anywhere near price of renting, at least not one that would work well/be manageable.

And then in parking lot/ to from resort have kids double up on single volo. You know little one on bigger ones lap. The weight wouldn't be an issue BUT I can certainly see how **other issues** could be I stuck both of mine in just one of our volos to see and they were laughing so hard they fell out (on purpose I believe) but it's a mute point probably since that would mean buying an expensive stroller for little use and renting. But in case the stroller fairy drops by your house and you get your hands on a mac, you can bring it along ( BTW, I do hold a hand and steer mac at same time, it is that easy to push) and leave it at stroller rental place (others do this)and pickup on way out of parks to lot/ resort.

boy, this sounds complicated but it realy isn't . Just lots of options.

the double mac is not as wide in the seat as the singles are and they are very spendy so probably not a good option unless again your little ones tushes are small and that stroller fairy comes to visit

Best of luck to you! Let us know what ends up working for you.

 

[sk!mom]

When we took DD and DS at 5, we rented. We didn't want to bother with the on and off buses and thought that there would be times that we wouldn't need a stroller at all. At that age, neither of mine had used a stroller in real life for a long time so I knew that they would be fine walking in the airport, bus stop to room, Downtown Disney, etc...

Will you need one in the airport? Can your kids walk to the room from bus stop and around DD without a problem?

I prefer renting unless kids are small enough to need a stroller in the situations mentioned.

 

[abcboys]

I would probably rent a double for your two kiddos. You could always buy a cheap umbrella stroller for use from the resort to bus stop and vice versa. Like another poster said I think you can let the stroller rental place hold the umbrella for you and pick it up at the end of the day. Either that or place it on top of the double rented stroller. I just bought a mac volo to use with my 2 year old at disney. It is nice but I wouldn't invest in one in your case here. Yes, the cheaper umbrella will probably be a little hard to steer but at least you will have something that folds us small for the bus and you won't be pushing it that much. I've heard the stroller rentals are nice to push also.

 

[HeatherinVT]

PROS AND CONS

Pros to renting.... not worrying about it on the bus!
Cons to renting... They fall asleep on the bus ride home and are too tired to walk resulting in you carrying them or them whining all the way to the bus (cant take them out of the park) and then whining all the way to your hotel.

I am bringing my maclaren triumph for my 5 year old daughter who is about 45-50lbs ..... its so much easier carrying the stroller on the bus it has a sling and you just throw it over your shoulder like a hand bag....

i would bring a light weight stroller if you can.


good luck and have a BLAST!

 

[DisneyLover75]

Ok.. did I mention there are two kids and only one of me? I can't just bring a lightweight stroller.. see? Because there are two kids and I'm stuck with either a bringing a double stroller or renting one. I know they'll be tired and it'll be hard to make them walk to the room from the bus, but CRO and guest services said I could transfer them to a wheelchair at the end of the day and take it out to the bus stop, and leave the wheelchair there. I guess I'll have to do that. At least they wouldn't have to walk all the way to the buses after a long day.

Thanks for the thoughts!