Lets talk strollers

[ariel326]

We fly out from MN to Disney in 9 days- so here is my dilemma, knowing how much walking there is to do around the parks and that DS is 3 1/2 and over 40 inches tall- Do we bring the jogging stroller which is more comfortable for him to ride in but bigger to travel with, or the Chicco Umbrella stroller which is smaller, easier to travel with but also smaller for Michael to ride in?

Here is what we have:
http://www.target.com/p/baby-trend-...4263642#prodSlot=medium_1_27&term=baby+trend+


http://www.target.com/p/chicco-echo...#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=chico+ecco+stroller

I would rather not rent one but if you think that is a better idea, let me know.

 

[morethananyonex]

I wouldn't rent from Disney, they're expensive and uncomfortable.

This coming trip we're renting from an outside company, but it's still not cheap. If you don't mind travelling with the stroller I would bring one of the ones you have. It will be helpful to have in the airport too. We're renting because our stroller is too bulky for the parks and we don't need it in the airport.

As for the specific stroller, I am strongly in the bring as little as possible to the parks camp. I would bring the Chicco stroller if you think you'll be fine with it. Will you be using it for in park naps and can your son nap in the Chicco if he needs to? That would be the determining factor for me. I would make the Chicco work for everything else if any possible naps would be okay in it.

 

[ariel326]

I would love for him to nap in the stroller, but don't know if that is actually going to happen no matter what stroller we brought.

The only thing I worry about it his leg room. Knowing how much walking is down at the park, he is getting a bit tall for the chicco so he tends to drag his feet on the ground instead of resting them on the little foot rest. With the jogging stroller he has more room and his feet actually sit on a platform.
Hmm, what to do what to do.

 

[elainer]

I hated it when my son was a little tall for the stroller. He would rest his feet on the wheels which worked like a brake and made pushing very hard.

Which stroller is a better height for you and which is easier to push? Fighting to push a stroller is a lot of work.

 

[leeliani]

I can't really tell from the picture how small the jogging stroller folds up. If you are using the buses for transportation that is something to consider. That would be the only downside of bringing that stroller. I wouldn't use an umbrella stroller at the parks. They're too uncomfortable to push all day.

For what it's worth, I have rented a stroller from Magic Strollers and was very happy with them. They are a big pricey, but they're quite a bit cheaper than renting from the park. They're much more comfortable too. They are very convenient since they deliver to the resort you're staying at.

 

[DollBabyKG]

For us, it's all about what's easiest to push! We have traveled (mostly to Disneyland, but to Disney World once) with several different types of strollers, and never had trouble "fitting" them anywhere, including folding up on the buses.

The ONLY time we regretted a stroller choice was when we brought a smaller, umbrella type stroller that was more difficult to push and maneuver, especially with one hand. Remember, you will be pushing that sucker around ALL. DAY. LONG. Often with a kiddo inside, and loaded down with "stuff." Go for whatever is most maneuverable, and has good storage underneath for your diaper bag/snacks/purchases. That's what's always worked best for us. The last trip, we himmed and hawed about whether or not to bring our new BOB stroller, because while it's THE most maneuverable stroller we've ever owned, it was pretty pricey and we weren't sure we wanted to risk it being stolen. In the end we decided to risk it, and we were really happy with it. Pushing it is a breeze, even with a 7 year old in the seat and a 4 year old sitting on the front. I wish the basket were a little bigger, but it was a worthwhile trade off.

 

[jepperson1]

Your jogger is tiny. Bring it and don't look back, if only for the cup holders. You will have no problems. If you are going to push around a stroller all day you might as well be able to throw the rest of your crap in it. I find how you have to push downward on an umbrella instead of gliding forward on a jogger to be very annoying over long periods of time.

We're here now, btw, and rented from Kingdom strollers. $100 for 6 days with a city mini. It's wonderful, and insured, so if someone did steal our stroller, it wouldn't be "our" stroller. Came with a "parent tray", cooler bag, and rain cover. Looks brand new. The process is really easy, and it was waiting for us at the resort.

 

[mummabear]

I would deal with the small hassle of travelling with the bigger stroller so he is more comfortable (and therefore happier) while you are there.
I don't think the difference in size of stroller to travel with will make a major difference for the flight, often you have to check them anyway and don't get them back until the luggage carousel.

 

[jepperson1]

I would deal with the small hassle of travelling with the bigger stroller so he is more comfortable (and therefore happier) while you are there.
I don't think the difference in size of stroller to travel with will make a major difference for the flight, often you have to check them anyway and don't get them back until the luggage carousel.

The airline might be the only reason to take the umbrella one, as you actually can check it at the gate and they will have it waiting for you as you deplane. The other one might be too big for that. I don't know for sure as I haven't done it, but I know they have size limitations.

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

If its in the budget, I would be tempted to rent a BOB or City Mini from an outside source. Based on the fact your son would benefit from more leg room, BOB would be my 1st choice & they drive so nicely.

The Baby Trend would be have to be checked which would cost $ and your would have to try & find a bag big enough for it to fit into.

The Chicco would work fine on the plane but your son would make it tricky to push all day in the parks.

Edit: hit send too soon by accident.

 

[Ariel8676]

My 3 1/2 big boy (42 inches, 43 pounds) still rides in our City Mini when i go to the mall or when I know there is going to be a lot of walking. With that being said i rented from
applestroller.com in August (City Mini, VERY clean)and had no issues. I did have to meet the driver for pickup and return outside the lobby, but that wasn't a big deal.

 

[ariel326]

Thanks for the info-
Looks like I have some homework to do-
find out the cost of checking a stroller on the plane, vs renting one down their from an outside source.

Thanks!

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

We fly out from MN to Disney in 9 days- so here is my dilemma, knowing how much walking there is to do around the parks and that DS is 3 1/2 and over 40 inches tall- Do we bring the jogging stroller which is more comfortable for him to ride in but bigger to travel with, or the Chicco Umbrella stroller which is smaller, easier to travel with but also smaller for Michael to ride in?

Here is what we have:
http://www.target.com/p/baby-trend-...4263642#prodSlot=medium_1_27&term=baby+trend+


http://www.target.com/p/chicco-echo...#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=chico+ecco+stroller

I would rather not rent one but if you think that is a better idea, let me know.

~I like the second one, it's smaller and lighter and hopefully, it can open and close with ease. I've also rented Disney's strollers before and I liked them because I only needed a stroller a couple of times in the evening during our vacation.

~Also, strollers should be free on most airlines. We've never checked in a stroller. We take it on the plane with us and the flight attendants will check it at the front of the plane. So, you may want to call and confirm. Have fun!

 

[Gracie09]

Thanks for the info- Looks like I have some homework to do- find out the cost of checking a stroller on the plane, vs renting one down their from an outside source. Thanks!

Checking a stroller is free

 

[Gracie09]

The airline might be the only reason to take the umbrella one, as you actually can check it at the gate and they will have it waiting for you as you deplane. The other one might be too big for that. I don't know for sure as I haven't done it, but I know they have size limitations.

Most airlines do not have limits on stroller size to gate check. I believe it's just American.

 

[tarak]

As a previous poster mentioned, checking the stroller is free. I would take the more comfortable stroller. We have two that we could bring for our next trip. One is a Chicco - it looks much like yours, but is a couple of years old. It's nice and can lay back, but not as easy to push and I don't think it's as comfortable. The other stroller is heavier, no question. But it has the air tires, which makes pushing it so much easier, and a larger basket underneath. It's also heavy enough to not tip over if we have anything hooked over one of the handles.

I had the baby trend expedition double stroller when I took my older daughters a few years back. Loved it. It was heavy, yes. And a bit cumbersome on the bus. But it pushed like a dream. The only reason we're not taking it this time is we only need a single. And I'd buy the baby trend single stroller if I didn't think my husband would hold an intervention.

 

[summermac]

Take the umbrella.

If you decide it's not good enough, rent one. They are IMO awesome.

 

[lnuss1988]

I've have experiences with BOTH size strollers when I went with my Brothers.

The bigger ones are nice because there's more room, easier to push, plus the storage, BUT if you are using the bus system from your resort to the parks and vice versa, the biggers one are a pain, because you have to unload everything you got packed into the stroller, fold it up and then hold the big thing while on the bus. Although, we sometimes lucked out and got the bus where we could just push the stroller on and not have to fold it.

The smaller ones are nice because of the bus system. Easy and quick to fold and not a lot to unpack from it because there's not a lot of room to store stuff. The bad to the smaller stroller is not a lot of room for you child. My DD is tall for her age too, and right now I am deciding what stroller I want to take. My DH doesn't like to umbrella strollers because he is 6ft and bending over to push them hurts his back. It bothers my back after a while and I'm only 5'5".

If strollers are free to fly, I would take the bigger one. Although a hassle on the bus systems, prepare early and it wont be a hassle, you child will be comfortable and it will be easier to push, you know you'll be doing a lot of pushing and walking, and keeping everyone happy is key!!

 

[disneybliss2]

I would take the jogging stroller. It will be easier to maneuver, your child will fit better in it, and he'll probably more apt to sleep in it (it will recline more & he'll have more room). We've taken our jogging stroller many times. Yes, it's a bit of a pain getting on and off the bus but nothing impossible and you won't be the only one doing it (and no more of a pain if you were taking the other stroller really).. As far as the plane goes, we've never had any trouble. My husband takes off the front wheel (it has a swivel lock system that allows it to come off) which makes it easier to go through the scanner and tie up for boarding.

 

[Minniemickeydonald]

I have the exact same situation, but substitute son for daughter. Same strollers and everything. We are taking the Chicco Echo this time. Last year we took the baby trend and she wanted to walk most of the time. We were stuck pushing the bulky baby trend everywhere. Never again!