Lightweight stroller suggestions????

[jaysbabe]

My DH and I are taking our 3yo DS to WDW Jan 07. Our stroller is the one from our travel system and that is too heavy and difficult to fold up for those Disney bus rides and trams. We're looking at a lightweight, folding umbrella-type stroller with storage underneath. My DS is 30 lbs so we can use it for a while. I have seen the Combi savy, Chicco brands and of course the McClaren. I wanted to solicit feedback to see what others out there were using at the parks. (we don't want to rent a stroller, we bought AP so we plan to visit a lot this year). There are so many out there and I just need some help narrowing it down.

 

[Shoshana]

I also have a three-yr-old and did quite a bit of reading before deciding on a stroller. I ruled out the Maclarens because the storage basket is very small and inconvenient to access. I bought the Inglesina Espresso. It has a higher weight limit, but not as high as the Macs. It's a book fold, not an umbrella fold. It also has a bar instead of two separate handles for pushing. The storage basket is great! Will hold a diaper bag and a small cooler! It folds easily with one hand, and unfolds easily as well. A great feature is that when it's folded, it stands upright and the push bar is used to carry it. Oh, I should add, there is a full recline and the quality of the stroller is very good. I think it weighs 12 or 13 pounds. (Much lighter, however, than the Maclaren Techno).

We're leaving Saturday -- I think it's going to work out very well! Good luck with your decision.

 

[bellarella]

Personally I hate Combis, especially the lightweight travel/umbrella size. I always kick the tires with them. I know some people love them, but I can't figure out how since every member of my family (and we are all different sizes) seriously cursed and refused to push my Combi.

I tried both the Chicco and the Mac. I was hoping to go with the Chicco since they are less costly, but when I put my 23 lb DS in it, I found that I didn't like the steering. I found it hard to push with one hand (which I wind up doing a lot with 2 older kiddos who still need/want me to hold their hands). I wound up getting the Mac Triumph. The basket isn't great, but it is great to push. DH and I both *tried* to kick the wheels while pushing and really couldn't unless we took very funny steps. I can also maneuver it with one hand. I'm not super fond of the fact you have to push it down to fold, but it does fold super small and the carry strap is great. It weighs in at 11 lbs. I got mine from Albee Baby, and they were super fast on shipping and also had the lowest prices (except for BabyDealz, but they aren't authorized resellers, so for the $5 difference, I wanted the original manufacturer's warranty).

 

[saffymom]

I have the Combi Savvy and I love it. I don't have a problem with the wheels, but I'm short (5' 3") so maybe that makes a difference?

My only complaint is the small basket, but that seems to be a problem with all the light weight strollers. I like that it has one bar handle instead of the two separate ones like on the Mac and Combi. I tried those out and I found them more difficult to push, especially one handed. (I'm usually holding DS's hand while DD rides.)

 

[KristiKelly]

I have the Inglesina Zippy. It is a bit pricey but set up & breakdown is a breeze. I bought one for #3 and our trip in Sept. was the 1st time DH never complained about lugging it on and off the bus. Downside, the basket is hard to get to BUT the handle bars are very sturdy and balanced out well, they held my 50 lb. (or at least it seemed to be) diaper bag and never tipped backwards when we took DD out. I love it. It has a huge canopy.

Some on here have complained about kicking the wheels, that has never been a problem for me and DH has never mentioned it either.

 

[blessedby3]

Hate the Combi strollers. Once you child gets bigger, you will barely be able to push it. I bought one hoping that it would be my last stroller and alas it wasnt. It was okay for a bit, but as DD got heavier (and she is small for her age) it just wouldnt push worth a darn. Also the handles were not high enough for 6' DH. We bought the Maclaren Volo only for our Disney trip last year (as DD was then 7) because we didnt want to have a rental. The Volo was only $68 shipped. As cheap as the rental and we get to use it again this year. It is light,it has a carry strap, the handles are very tall and pushes like no stroller I have EVER owned and after 3 kids (oldest 16) I have owned tons. I wish I had known about this brand years ago. I also like the fabric that it is made of. It dries quickly if it gets wet in a Fl shower. I dont really notice the basket being so small as others describe (maybe because DD is older and I dont tote a diaper bag anymore) but we do hang the backpack from the handles (or put it in the seat if she is walking) and we use the basket for odds and ends. Maybe you can get to a store where you can try some out. You will be amazed at the pushing ease of the Macs. You can even push with one hand. My DD is just now 50 pounds at 8 years old and it pushes like she isnt even in it.

 

[jaysbabe]

= We bought the Maclaren Volo only for our Disney trip last year (as DD was then 7) because we didnt want to have a rental. The Volo was only $68 shipped.

Do you remember where you ordered it from?

 

[kmccartney]

I purchased a Maclaren Volo for my four year old daughter (40 pounds) because it is listed for up to 55-60 pounds. We just got back from our 6 day trip to WDW and I LOVE my stroller. It was easy to setup and collapse, it was light weight, the basket worked fine, but I also have a net stroller bag to hang from the handles. The stroller is very easy to push and the handles are taller than most strollers, so my husband had no problems pushing the stroller, and no, he was not "hunched" over at all. We had no problems carrying it on to the monorail, the train, or the trams.

I purchased my 2006 Volo from target.com back in March and had an online coupon code which basically paid for the shipping and handling. I paid $98 total....

Good luck and let us know what you decide on.

 

[blessedby3]

Do you remember where you ordered it from?

I am trying to remember where I ordered it from, but cant think of it. I did a search for Maclaren Volo and I remember it pulled up a site that compares prices. I ordered a previous year model ('04 when I bought in '05) and it did not have the canopy (which wasnt a factor for us since we were only using it at Disney in the winter months). If I can find the receipt I will post again. We just moved this summer so I dont know if I will be able to find it though. We got rid of lots of paperwork before we moved!

 

[jaysbabe]

No need to loook for the receipt. I am sure the price has gone up a little since 2005. Anyway, I think I am leaning towards the Volo. I plan to go to BRU on Mon am to test drive the ones mentioned in the post. I will let you all know what I choose.

Thanks for all your suggestions and feel free to add more reviews in the thread to help with my decision.

 

[Elmo888]

There are some other Inglesinas at which you might want to look. The Swift and the Trip are not as pricey/full-featured as the Zippy, but they may be some to check out. The Swift is probably comparable to the Volo. I don't have personal experience, but a friend of mine has the Twin Swift and loves it.

Also, it looks like you might have to buy a basket and some accessories for the Volo separately. I saw a Volo in BRU last week, and it didn't have a basket. Now, I see online that you can buy Volo accessories. I would look into that - having to buy the basket separately would raise the cost. Maybe someone here knows the story?

 

[Tink561]

I bought a Combi Savvy while in China last month picking up my daughter. I love it right now! I don't have any problems with it and I'm 5'7. I also have the Inglesina Exspresso but I haven't used it yet.

 

[blessedby3]

I bought a Combi Savvy while in China last month picking up my daughter. I love it right now! I don't have any problems with it and I'm 5'7. I also have the Inglesina Exspresso but I haven't used it yet.

Congrats on your adoption of your new little Princess. We have 3 families at church who have been in the last year to get little China babies and 2 or 3 families waiting to pick up their little blessings. These are the most precious little girls I have ever seen!!

 

[blessedby3]

[/QUOTE]Also, it looks like you might have to buy a basket and some accessories for the Volo separately. I saw a Volo in BRU last week, and it didn't have a basket. Now, I see online that you can buy Volo accessories. I would look into that - having to buy the basket separately would raise the cost. Maybe someone here knows the story?[/QUOTE]


Wow, thats weird that you have to buy the basket. When I bought my Volo it came with the basket. I do know that there are other accessories you can buy for it, but you shouldnt have to buy a basket - strange. It is still an AWSOME stroller!!

 

[Tink561]

Congrats on your adoption of your new little Princess. We have 3 families at church who have been in the last year to get little China babies and 2 or 3 families waiting to pick up their little blessings. These are the most precious little girls I have ever seen!!

Thank you! She truly is a princess. We're all head over heels in love with her.

 

[MeLaNie9]

We bought the Graco Mosaic for our trip with our 2 year old DS. I am not sure what the weight limit is for this stroller, but we really like it and loved it for WDW. DH and I are both tall and it has tall handles which was our biggest requirement for a lightweight stroller (we have an umbrella stroller that we never use because we have to bend way over to push it). It is a bit heavier than some of the other strollers you have mentioned but not remarkably so. It has a great basket under the seat, much roomier than on some of the other strollers we looked at. We also wanted to have one that folds up long-wise, that doesn't fold in half on itself if you know what I mean. It also was much less expensive than some of the other strollers we looked at. We bought it at Target and actually were able to use a gift card for about half the price.

 

[dismama]

Also, it looks like you might have to buy a basket and some accessories for the Volo separately. I saw a Volo in BRU last week, and it didn't have a basket. Now, I see online that you can buy Volo accessories. I would look into that - having to buy the basket separately would raise the cost. Maybe someone here knows the story?[/QUOTE]


Wow, thats weird that you have to buy the basket. When I bought my Volo it came with the basket. I do know that there are other accessories you can buy for it, but you shouldnt have to buy a basket - strange. It is still an AWSOME stroller!![/QUOTE]


The Volo does come with a basket. The display at TRU may have just not had it on. The items that come in the accessory pack that can purchased seperately are a carrying bag for the stroller, a quilted seat cover, and the rain shield. We have a 2005 Volo and took it to Disney this year. It was great for the trip and DS loves it. We have had this stroller since early 2005 and have never had a problem with it. We did purchase the optional accessory pack for it when planning our trip to Disney for the rain sheild and carry bag to try and help protect the stroller some when gate checking, and we are glad we did. FYI if you find any 2005 models for a great price the 2006 accessory pack will fit on it, only the 2006 pack includes the stroller carrying bag.

 

[jaysbabe]

[BensMom -- Is the basket on the Volo big enough to put a small diaper bag and possibly hold DH drink. He is spoiled with our full-size stroller as it has built in cup holders for us. I guess I am too. One of the things I like about the Combi is that they have a bar that I could attach cup holders to, but then there's the issue with kicking the wheels. My DH is 6'2. More than likley he will have to carry his own drink. (Ha)

Tink -- congrats on your new addition. My good friend and her husband adopted from China 1 1/2 yrs ago and they are thinking of going back to get Caroline a sister!!!

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

We bought a Maclaren Quest when our dd was 3.5 yo (and about 35 lbs), and it is a great stroller.

You can put a lot more in those baskets than it looks possible, just bring a tote bag with all your stuff, and as soon as you get to the gate, take everything out to put inside the basket, fold the tote, and you are done.

Julie

 

[jaysbabe]

I went to BRU today and I "test drove" the Volo and Triumph. They didn't have the quest. I also tried the Combi. I can see what everyone is talking about kicking the tires. My DH would be kicking the Combi tires. I think I'm leaning towards the Volo. The one is the store had a basket and suncover. I didn't see that I needed to buy the assessory pack. I didn't buy at BRU because I saw them a little less on the web from other auth dealers.