lightweight umbrella stroller - will he be comfortable?

[log]

thinking of bringing a very lightweight (inexpensive) umbrella stroller for an almost 3 yr old boy. Do you think he will be very uncomfortable? Really don't want to pack a more heavy umbrella stroller (CHICCO) because of up and downs on bus, also because we're driving and need the space, and it's kind of heavy.

what do you think?

 

[Mad4Dizne]

We made a big mistake bringing our umbrella stroller. It was uncomfortable for our little one for long periods &had we brought our lightweight stroller I'm sure it would of been better for us all!!!! We too were worried about getting on and off the busses. Our lightweight stroller would of been just as easy. I think the lightweights give more room and are more comfortable. We will be bringing our lightweight stroller next time.
Have a great trip!!!!!!!!
Flo

 

[NotUrsula]

The thing about strollers and busses is not so much the weight (unless you are dealing with a 50-lb steel double, of course) but the folded size. The long and thin profile works much better on a crowded bus than a square flat profile. I've taken umbrella-fold strollers of all sizes on busses all over the world, and the key is that you can sit in a regular front-facing seat with it standing between your knees, something you really can't do with a stroller that folds square. The lifting is really not an issue; if you can lift a baby one-handed, you can lift a 20-lb stroller the same way.

With a generic sling-seat umbrella stroller (the <$20 variety) the issue of comfort tends to hit the adults before it hits the child. If jr. falls asleep, you'll find yourself scrunching over to push it wheelie-style so as to keep him from slumping too badly.
IMO, doing without recline capability at WDW is very risky.

 

[ThwTwinsMom]

I just posted about umbrella strollers! lol My guys were 4.5 yo and we took them in umbrella strollers. It was a wonderful decision. They would not have fit in a regular stroller. They are tall, so we were pushing it with the umbrella strollers! Anyway, they were quite happy the whole time. Umbrella strollers give you the advantage of being easy to take everywhere. Like NotUrsula said, we would each put one between our legs on the bus. Very easy. They also are skinny and easier to maneuver in the crowds. Ours had a loud pattern that was easy to spot. Lastly, they were cheap enough that we had no trouble leaving them outside unattendend.

Ok, on the flip side, my guys stopped napping before age 2. I didn't have to worry about them sleeping. I've seen tons of kids fall asleep in umbrella strollers though. (Not to mention some other very strange, uncomfortable places. Had a friends kid fall asleep on my tile floor while we were talking.)

Is there any chance you could take him out somewhere and give it a try? For example, I took my boys to Fiesta Texas to see how they reacted to things before the trip. Maybe you could just try out a long mall trip, or a musuem or something?

Good luck!

 

[connorsmom]

My friend is letting me borrow her Combi Travel stroller. It folds two ways, first it collapses down like any other lightweight stroller, but then if also folds in half lengthwise like an umbrella stroller. They can be expensive, she said her's was $80 (hence why I am borrowing it! ). I'm hoping this will work well for the buses. My friend raves about how convienent it is. I've also heard good things about the McLaren (sp?) strollers, but they don't collapse quite as compactly I've been told.

 

[crazywig]

i would look at the babytrend umbrella's at babies r us...they are very lightweight and have the recline you'll need. plus a sunshade!

you can get one for $60.