I need some inside tips..

[jenjen27]

I am planning a trip for my family of 6 in March.. children 16, 10, 4, and 2. I see alot of tips about ponchos, dry socks or flip flops, change of clothes, snacks etc. I was thinking of taking one of those oversized shopping/hobo purse like bags. Dont know if anyone knows what I am talking about.. but if you do.. would this bag fit in one of the lockers? I am curious about how big the lockers are as I was thinking of storing them in a locker and taking things we will really use most of the day alot.. and keeping the change of clothes, extra diapers, snacks in the bag.. and then near 3/4 day in.. go back and get the snacks, will have a change of clothes if needed, if diapers are getting low then can get those etc etc. Only can take and carry so much if you know what I mean?

Also was wondering about fanny packs etc. Can you ride all the rides wearing one or do they make you take them off? Kids have their own cameras and want to take them and I was thinking of a fanny pack for each of them that also has its own water bottle holder on it.

I have researched and planned and about done doing so just have these last few questions to help me know what I can and cant do before I get there and find that my bag wont fit and have to carry it around with us all day long, and then have to hold on to all the fanny packs for all the rides etc. I feel like a bellman lol.

We will not be staying at the resort. It was better for us and cheaper to stay at a vacation rental home for privacy with all the kids, own pool, and we would have had to get 2 rooms at most of the hotels or stay at a more expensive line of resorts to get family accomodations.. thought about the wilderness cabins but the house is alot cheaper, and we plan on seeing alot more in orlando than just disney world.

Thanks!!
Jen

 

[pamjb]

Trust me, I can relate to the human pack animal.

The lockers are pretty big. Our last trip we stuffed a bag with bathing suits and other clothing in a locker at MGM.
You can carry the fanny packs on the rides. You may have to spin it to the side so seat belts fit correctly. My kids each have their own fanny pack (or small backpack). They can carry their own snacks and drinks. If they want a poncho, they have to carry it themselves. I always buy the cheap (and small) ones from Walmart, so they take up less space than the Disney ones. I carry my backpack on the rides. Just put my leg thru the strap so it doesn't go anywhere.

Won't you have a stroller with the 2-year old? You can always keep a bag with snacks in the stroller basket.

 

[jenjen27]

Yes we will be using 2 small umbrella strollers with canopy for shade so easily to compact when needed.. getting a organizer that unfolds and hangs on back of stroller (it has 2 holders for water bottles and place to put flip flops diapers wipes small first aid kit only a dollar from walmart..going to put some tylenol in it as well when we take it off we fold it up and zip it up like a brief case thing, and also a small bag for anything we need that wont fit into that on the other stroller plastic bags little ones change of clothes as they will need it more quickly than the us and the older kids.. ponchos, some snacks, .. but trying to keep things we have with us a minimum for like the train and all as I think we will have to fold up strollers and such for things like that and hold them and the less we got to carry and hold as we have to hold the little ones the better.

What do you do with the strollers when the whole family can ride a ride? a child swap like thing to keep someone with the strollers or is there a safe place that to put them that no one bothers them?

Thanks for all your help as tips are good but there is soooo much to need to know about things. This is my childhood dream always wanted to go but never have so since we are we are going to do all we can. Know we cant do everything but we are going to make the most of it.

Jen

 

[jenjen27]

I would like to know is there a place to park strollers if the whole family rides and is it safe to leave there without anything being stolen or always have someone watch the stollers and take turns.. because we will have a bag on strollers with things in them. So dont want anything Taken.

Jen

 

[pamjb]

There are areas for stroller parking. As you can see from the ages of my kids, it has been a looooonnnngggg time since I traveled with a stroller. But I have been to WDW enough. I wouldn't leave anything valuable in the stroller, but more than likely, no one will take your snacks, etc. CM's sometimes move the strollers, so it may not be in the same spot that you parked it in. But no one should have to forego a ride to "stroller watch"

YOu may also want to check the Disney for Familys Board for more info

 

[mtmbyck]

So I think I have some helpful input. We also rent a home just outside Disney. We have been taking my 2 DD's since they were born every year. I was renting strollers at every park and then one year I decided to just buy a $10 umbrella stroller at Walmart and use it and I have to tell you I regretted it! So did my daughter! It is uncomfortable, does not move well, kills your back since it is low.... I have to tell you I love the Disney park strollers. They have great storage space, they are comfortable for the kids, they provide shade during a parade, the kids love them and they move well and don't kill our backs. You can actually get a weekly (length of stay) rental rate on them which might save you a bit. I was actually renting a double even when only one DD needed to ride just so I could throw my bag in there and give my back a break.

Stroller parking is clearly marked and well supervised on every ride. For rides with long ques like the Kilamanjaro safari, you can take your stoller in the que most of the way and the parking is near the end of the que. I would not leave a camera, purchases or money or anything valuable in it but we have always left sweaters, food/cooler bags, and this sort of thing in the stroller parking unattended by us and it has always been there when we found it. The Disney strollers are well marked with your name on them so it isn't too hard to find (except some of the theatres are a bit of a challenge).

We used a locker at Blizzard Beach and it was big enough for a large bag that was squishable.

 

[KeepSwimming]

Consider bringing a larger stroller that holds more stuff. Usually I discourage people from bringing big strollers, but with all the people and stuff you'll be traveling with, the extra storage space and cup holders sound like they will come in handy.

There are areas around every attraction to park your stroller, and they are safe. Common sense - just don't leave anything valuable in the stroller.

Good luck!

 

[pamjb]

A great tip that I found on these boards if you rent a Disney stroller (or even if you bring your own) Bring a bright bandanna or something similar to tie to the handle. EVERYBODY has a stroller at Disney and they are all the same. The bandanna tied to the handle makes it soooo much easier to pick yours out of the herd

 

[Fairydust.Indy]

I have never had anyone take anything from our stroller, and I second the bandana idea....

 

[drakethib]

We bring our big stroller from home.

It works well as a pack mule.

Thanks

 

[Atchley]

I brought a stroller from home for our first Disney trip. We used it everyday except for our last day in MK. We rented one that day and let me tell you I would never bring my own stroller to the park again. It was so much easier with the stroller rentals that Disney has. (My children are older now and can walk but I would greatly recommend just renting a stroller.)

 

[squashbananas]

how much does it cost to rent a locker in the parks? Is it worth it?

 

[ballarinamom]

This is our 1st trip to the World but have been to Disneyland twice and Seaworld and Six Flags over 50 times each (season pass holders to both ). We have never had a security issue with our stroller in all of these years. We have found that putting a backpack over the umbrella stroller handles with the pockets facing out is a convenient way to carry our stuff. All of the compartments make it easy to organize all of the different things. I always joke that my DD will be 17 years old and we will still make her ride in a stroller because it makes it so much easier to carry all of our loot!!!

 

[jenjen27]

how much does it cost to rent a locker in the parks? Is it worth it?

I read two different prices..
One was $10

I bought a book that gives tips and advice for Disney world and other parks and says $5 dollars for the small lockers and $7 for the large ones and each has a $2 refundable deposit.

Unless the prices have changed

I have 4 kids so some things I definately dont need to carry and only for emergencies like extra diaper or clothes etc.. I will put in locker.
Jen

 

[jenjen27]

This is our 1st trip to the World but have been to Disneyland twice and Seaworld and Six Flags over 50 times each (season pass holders to both ). We have never had a security issue with our stroller in all of these years. We have found that putting a backpack over the umbrella stroller handles with the pockets facing out is a convenient way to carry our stuff. All of the compartments make it easy to organize all of the different things. I always joke that my DD will be 17 years old and we will still make her ride in a stroller because it makes it so much easier to carry all of our loot!!!

LOL.. I read somewhere that people say the WDW strollers are uncomfortable for little ones.. I have a 4 and 2 yr old. If its not that bad and better to tote things then I will do that instead. Seems like Ive recieved alot of responses on another board where everyone is recommending the WDW strollers.

Thanks
Jen

 

[smilesx4]

We get a double stroller every day at the parks, well worth the money! My youngest rides when tired, he's 8. Mostly we use it to carry the huge amount of "stuff" we bring in. I bring full lunches and tons of drinks, those coolers get heavy! We do not do the locker. I want everything with me so when I need it, it is there. Alot of people do them and like them, we do not however.

Also, in MK if you ride the train you can carry all your stuff with you and leave the stroller. When you get off the train, you just grab a new stroller, the same size, put your card in and go. It's a nice touch and a quick way to get from Frontierland to Toontown. The CM's have extra strollers ready just for this reason.

hope this helps!
tracy

 

[Mike Swannick]

I once heard a suggestion that you could make up a bag containing what looks like a used nappy (diaper) and leave that on display on your buggy (stroller) to disuade the casual thief. Never tried it, but I can see the reasoning.....

I think I got my UK-->US translation right

Mike.

 

[pha1226]

I've heard that tip before but never put that way...leaving a nappy on your buggy sounds so much better that leaving a diaper on your stroller! I love Dis

 

[jdsmom97]

You could try the umbrella strollers and if they aren't cutting it go with a disney rental. I would def. bring the umbrellas if your flying. My boys are 16 months apart and I bought a double reclining umbrella stroller on our first Disney visit and it was invaluable at the airport and around the resort. Marking it is a must do of course. Remember cms may "rearrange" strollers in the stroller parking area to keep things organized so it may be moved a few feet when you get off a ride. Have fun!

 

[jenjen27]

This is our Very first trip....does anyone have a pic of what the disney strollers look like? I guess from what I can tell they are plastic.. so they probably dont recline. My 2 yr old will probably fall asleep at some point while at a park .. thought it would be uncomfortable.. but from what you all say about convienence and the last tip of being able to leave it behind and get another when using the train sounds GREAT!! That is the reason we got the $20 regular canopy umbrella stroller.. easy to transport and light... it doesnt recline but it does set back some and would be comfortable enough for a nap, just no place to carry anything except on the handles and its so light so easy to transport.. might not be able to put anything to bulky or heavy on back might tip it dunno .. guess I need to do some experiements

I just want the trip to be as great as possible and got alot planned out from reading books and this forum site.. just the stroller will effect alot of us.. what we can take.. how comfortable the kids are.. if they are not happy you know we wont be happy if we got to tote something heavy that will be a huge burden on us.. like to carry as much as we can with us for 4 kids.....sooo.. the stroller is a big deal.

thanks!!!!
Jen