Mac Stroller experts

[trish1970]

We will be taking our 3 yr. old DS on his first trip to Disney in Sept. and I am looking to buy a new, lightweight stroller. We have narrowed it down to the Maclaren Quest and the Maclaren Triumph. My DH seems to really like the Triumph because of the carry strap but I am partial to the Quest b/c it looks more comfortable for my DS (I also really like the Pistachio color

Also -- are there major differences between the 2003 and 2004 models?

We will be staying at the Poly and will be using the monorail a lot and therefore do not think my DH will actually be carrying the stroller all that much. Am I being naive?

I would truly appreciate any advise or suggestions! THANK YOU!

 

[SaraPosh]

We just got back last week with our almost 3 year old and her Mac Triumph. I can't say enough about it. It was a perfect travel stroller for a child over 2.5. (I would want something a bit more substantial for a younger child)

We stayed at the WDW Dolphin and used ferry, bus and monorail while we were in WDW. It was great.

Only issue was the airline actually lost and broke our original one on our trip down. A wheel got bent in. So, I would recommend not gate checking it, but rather asking to have it hung in an on board closet if you are travelling by plane. They did that on the way home for us!

HTH, Sara

 

[piglet33]

I have the Mac Quest and my daughter loves it. I love it since it is so light and she does since it is very comfy. Our local Babies R Us had a broken Triumph, and I got to talking to the salesperson about the differences between the two and found out basically the differences are the carry strap and the extendible handles. Anyway, I got lucky because since they were sending the Triumph back to MacLaren to get a credit, the salesperson gave me the carry strap from it. My husband drilled a hole in the back of our Quest and attached it. It works on ours exactly like it does on the Triumph and makes a big differences when closing it. I have the best of both strollers. I don't think you can go wrong with either of these strollers.

SaraPosh - thanks for the tip about gatechecking the stroller. I will definitely see if they'll put it in a closet for me.

 

[Luv2trav]

The Quest has more reclines as well....

We are in the process of trying to decide which one to get as well. I really like the Quest because it has 4 reclines and the Triumph only has 2... I am trying to decide how important that is??

 

[trish1970]

After much consideration and thanks to everyone on this board, we decided to go with the Triumph. I really wanted a Quest and if it had a strap I most likely would have gone with a Quest. The next decision was whether to go with a 2003 or 2004 Triumph. I could not for the life of me find out the difference (if any) -- in any event we went with the 2004 Triumph in Scarlett. The internet has great deals with no shipping and no tax for those who are interested! Thanks again!

 

[ahilly]

all the ads i have read say from 3 months up. there is no weight limit to go by. dd is 3.5 and does not really fit comfortably in her graco anymore, do you think this would be ideal for her (37 inches tall & 35 lbs)?

trish 1970- where did you find your deal?

tia-
ahilly

 

[trish1970]

I purchased the triumph online at babyoutlet.com for $149 -- no shipping and no tax. Also, those familiar with Upromise, 5% of the purchase is applied to DS college fund. I can't believe I am saying that $149 for an umbrella stroller is a good deal, but that is the cheapest I found and trust me... I looked everywhere! You can get a 2003 Triumph for about $120.

My DS is 31 lbs and although I have not yet received my stroller, we did try it out at Babies R Us and it fit him perfectly with room to grow. (BTW, the two Babies R Us stores that we went to had it on sale for $139, but they were both completely out of stock -- must be a great stroller)

The Triumph holds up to 40 or 45 lbs. Good luck!

 

[shelly3girls]

We brought the Triumph to WDW two weeks ago. We used it for my tall just turned 3 year-old (39", 32lbs.) and my 5 year old (44.5" 42lbs) and both of them loved it. We bought the stroller new for the trip and my husband and I both agreed it was the best stroller we ever owned. I think I will get a couple years out of this stroller for my 3 year-old.
BTW We also stayed at the Poly and still ended up folding the stroller on several occassions. I thought the carry strap really made a difference.

 

[long4disney]

I'm in the same boat with you, my daughter needs a new umbrella stroller for our trip to WDW in December and we have had two combi's and a kolocraft reclining umbrella stroller, and a chicco caddy all of which she is to tall for. She will be 2 years old next month and is already 28 pounds, but 36" tall. She keeps putting her feet on the wheels of all these umbrella strollers, so I need one that is taller for her. I've heard the Maclarens are the way to go, but which one, the Quest or the Triumph is better. I would like the most comfortable one for her that provides a recline for her to nap and protection from the sun. My husband and I are both very tall so we would love to have handles that would help us from not bending over or kicking our feet on the back wheels while we push. Anyone that knows the difference between the two please let me know. Also noticed the Quest has a seat that looks like it can bend up or down on the edge. Would that be helpful for a girl with really long legs?

Thank you so much for any advice!!! We hope this will be our last stroller purchase!

 

[daisylove]

I also am having the debate over strollers. i have another thread going looking for stroller for Dd who is too tall for the ones we have. There have been a few good suggestions if anyone is interested.

Shelly3girls. How did the triumph hold up with your 5 yr old? Does her head hit the canopy? My Dd is already 46inches which is great for the rides at WDW but not so good for canopys in the Fla sun. Thanks

 

[shelly3girls]

The Triumph worked great for my DD5 who is also 46" tall, but I don't think I would have bought it just for her. I have a DD3 who I mostly use this stroller for. I know I will get a couple years out of it. If it was just DD5 I think I would just rent at the parks b/c she did not need a stroller all of the time. I think she will probably only fit in the Triumph for another year and even then she is kind of just fitting in it.

 

[BevS97]

For a 5 year old I would look at the Volo - it doesn't recline but it looks brilliant, light, waterproof, and a carrying handle - we had something very similiar for our dd when she was 4 1/2 and it worked a treat.

I wouldn't think there would be a big difference between the 2003 / 2004 Triumphs - probably just new fabric - any big changes in design and they tend to get a new name.


the flipping up seat edge on the quest is really for babys, so that they can lie flat, I'm not sure how it would work for an older child, you would have to try it out and see.


I have a very old Maclaren - simliar to a volo - that I used for dd1 when we were at Disney. DD2 is 10 months and has an all singing all dancing stroller, btu I am seriously considering getting the old Mac out of the loft to keep in the car - mine doesn't recline, but for ease of use, size and lightweightness it really can't be beat.

Bev

 

[long4disney]

Anyone who is familar with the Maclarens, we would like to buy our very last stroller. It is getting so frustrating for us to find a perfect umbrella lightweight stroller. We are happy with our full size, heavier stroller but all the lightweights sitting in my garage are a joke.

My DD is very tall for 23 months. She is already 37" tall and 28 pounds. We want her to be comfortable for long days at WDW and have a canopy for the sun. I know the Volo has a sun canopy you can purchase separately. Anyone who has tested all of these please give me your advice on which one is great for a 2 year old.

Thank you so much for your help!!!

 

[BevS97]

I would forget about the canopy, they don't really protect the child from the sun, 90% of the time the sun is coming from the wrong angle - you can get a clip on parasol which works a bit better, but I wouldn't rely on the stroller for sun protection, make sure she is wearing a hat, and lots of sun cream - and get the stroller that is easiest for you.

At 23 months I would probably suggest something with a recline, but you don't need loads of reclines, just one or two would be enough

 

[daisylove]

Does anyone have the Volo with the accessory pack? I am curious if the canopy can be positioned so a tall older child's head does not hit the top?

 

[bartleby1]

One more thing for all of you who are debating which model to get...

I bought my Maclaren last summer for my DD who was 3 years old but too tall for any of the cheaper strollers. I remember when we tested different models at babies r us, that the lowest end model (I think the Volo?) and possibly the next one up also, didn't have as deep of a seat as the higher end models. The difference in the depth of the seat made a difference in how comfy my DD was and whether her legs had enough room.

I don't know if the latest models are the same way, but if you are considering spending the money on one, it is something to check into. I went with the mid-range model at the time. I think it is the Vogue. Again, I'm sure models change each year but I wanted to give a heads up to anyone considering the lower end models.

BTW, strollers4less.com usually has some good deals on maclarens. Sometimes they clearance out last years models so you can find one much cheaper than this years model. I test drove them at babies r us and then ordered from strollers4less.com and was very happy with them.

HTH someone!

 

[lvp49]

The Macs are really great. I have owned a Vogue for about three years. It is by far my favorite stroller (I have about five right now). Recently got a Triumph XT too. Love it. However, on our most recent trip to WDW, we took the Peg Perego Pliko P3. I did this for several reasons, It has a much bigger sun shade, it has a tray for snacks on the go, and it has a running board on the back for an older shild to stand. It is a bit more stroller than the Mac, and my only complaint about it is that it was a bit bulky folded on the crowded buses. Also won't fold when basket is full. The MAcs are still my fav, but this was a GREAT WDW stroller.

Bernadette

 

[daisylove]

Well I broke down last night and odered online a volo with assesscory pack. It was such a good deal $103 for everything no tax and shipping. They handle up to 55 pounds and with the canopy being adjustable I figure that I can make sure that my DD head does not hit it. I am nervous so wish me luck. ( I am always nervouis buying online without trying it out)

 

[Jen D]

Volo is great for an older kid and is so light so it is easy on the buses.

We're taking a 6 mo baby this trip and are traveling with the Techno XT. Bulkier, but a full recline and all the features. We also got a "Protect-a-Bub sunshade that atttaches to/extends the canopy, with UVF protection.

 

[long4disney]

daisylove,
where did you find a volo with an accessory pack for such a good deal on line? Just curious, since we are debating over the volo or the quest?