Maclaren Owners...? about "tipping"

[Pluto14]

I've posted before about strollers, and here I go again! Still debating which stroller to buy for upcoming Disney trips. My DD will be 14 months for her 1st trip and I think I've still got it narrowed down to the Inglesina Swift or Trip stoller, Zooper Twist, and Mac Triumph or Quest....I really like the Quest, but after telling DH about reading on the boards that they are known to be "tippy", he was not too thrilled to hear that, when there are others out there that are just as good and do not tip.

If I put the universal organizer on the handles, does the Mac still tip when you take your child out?

There isn't a store around me that sells the Inglesina's, so if anyone has either model please let me know. I am going to have to take a leap of faith and order sight unseen off the internet if I end up going with an Inglesina model.

Sorry to be a pest again, but I really like to cover all my bases before I make a purchase!

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Hi There.

I don't have one of the universal organizers, so I'm not too sure about that....but My maclaren Quest tips everytime if I don't take my diaperbag/shopping bags off before I take DD out.

Actually thats been the case for any stroller I've used... Now its just automatic that I take things off the handle.

HTH

 

[hookedondizney]

I vote for an umbrella stroller! They are much easier to get around crowds with & WAAAAAYYYY cheaper......good luck!

 

[WDWorBUST]

I LOVE my Quest. But yes it does tip if you take child our before removing the heavier stuff from the back. With just the Universal organizer on it with a diaper and small things of wipes it's fine....with the diaper bag, etc it tips. I am going to look into stroller weights for the front wheels - I know I have seen them somewhere - to avoid that problem. I think that is a problem you will have with all umbrella type strollers though - maybe some more than others but with a diaper bag on back I think most will tip. The Quest folds great. Is easy to steer (didn't realize how easy until I borrowed my moms stroller the other day - I'm spoiled to my quest now) It's a great stroller.

 

[Desnik]

I love my Triumph but yes it does tip! I saw little weights that you can attatch to the front by the wheels at an online baby store. I'll do a search and post back if i find them. I have a Peg Perego Pliko P3 and it does not tip no matter how many things I have hanging on it! I love that stroller too.
I have to say you are brave! I could never buy a stroller with out seeing and testing it out. For example the Combi umbrella type stroller I loved, but when DD was young it was just too narrow for her and she hated it when we tried it out. Glad I did that before just ordering one!

Good luck! I know how hard it is to find the right stroller!!

 

[labst60]

HI - we have a quest and while I like it, I really don't love it because of the tipping factor. We got in in January when dd was 10 months. She will be 14 months when we go next month, and I plan on taking my (much bulkier) Metrolite instead of the Quest (even though the Quest was purcahsed with the idea of it being our vacation stroller). I just HATE the tipping. DD won't sit in any seat (stroller, high chair, etc) for long periods of time and when she starts fussing and squirming to get out, I can never grab everything off the back AND her w/out it tipping. We have the universal organizer (without it, I don't think I'd like the stroller much at all - the storage basket is SMALL and nearly impossible to access if the seat is reclined - and I bought the quest b/c of the "nicer" recline!). I really don't want to sound negative, because it is a nice stroller, the handles are nice and tall which is great for me and dh and the fold is super quick and easy - and it is LIGHT and SMALL - but to give up the ability to "fill" the basket with the diaper bag/change of clothes/baby snacks and to give up our cup holders and her snack tray and the larger sunshade (though we use a ray shad also anyway), just doesn't seem worth it. We had our Metrolite in Disney when she was 3 and 7 months and really only struggled the first trip with the busses (and that is only because DH wasn't "good" at closing the stroller - I made him practice before the second trip - and practice with his hands full with the bags, etc. (sounds silly, but it made a HUGE difference - he got a routine and no problems after that!) Anyway, we also drove a lot more the second trip (rental car) - with the baby, I didn't find the buses much more convenient than driving - other than the Magic Kingdom (and we would walk to Epcot and MGM) - so I guess we really only drove to AK and Downtown Disney or other resorts (where the busses would be rough anyway!)
Anyway, sorry for SUCH a long response, but I just wanted to give you my POV. Also, I should add that we have flown with our "bigger" stroller 2x also and that was NO PROBLEM since it was gate checked. I think the tippy quest would bother me at the airport also - since I liked being able to stow our carryons in the stroller basket. And like I said before, I think this may be a bigger issue for us b/c DD won't sit in the stroller for long periods of time and when she decides she wants out, SHE WANTS OUT... but you also have to remember that you are going to be taking your child out for every attraction - we chose to leave "nonvaluables" in the stroller (change of clothes, diapers, etc) and only take the bare minimums on the ride/attraction with us (camera/sippy cup/wallets/etc). If you are a "light" traveller at the parks, then I guess it wouldn't matter much, it might fit in the bottom basket, but if not, do you really want to have to take those onto the rides??
One final thought - I wish I would have realized how easy the stroller tipped before I bought it- I would have bought a volo instead - because it is even lighter and has a shoulder strap. It would have been great when we were out and only needed the bare essentials and I think the shoulder strap is a great feature!
Hope this helps!

 

[Pluto14]

I appreciate everyone's responses. I was wondering if they were tippy only when things were on the handles, or if they were tippy when there was stuff left in the basket, too. I know I'll have a diaper bag with change of clothes, diapers, snacks, cups, spoons, bibs, etc. and was planning on storing it in the basket. I was afraid that when I take DD out for an attraction, the stroller would tip over while we were inside the attraction.

Our other stroller is, of course, the Graco Quattro Tour traveling system, which weighs about 23lbs. I love the stroller, exept for the weight! It would not be a convenient Disney stroller to lug off and on the trams! That is why we are looking for a lightweight easy fold stroller!

Labst60, be sure to post a report or PM me when you get back about how you make out with your 14 month old! I'd appreciate any insight for our upcoming July trip!

 

[labst60]

YOu won't have a problem with tipping with stuff in the basket (and I would think a full basket would help counterbalance weight on the handles- the handles are the problem (like if you have a drink in the universal holder). If you do decide to go with the quest or another lightweight (tippy) stroller, you might want to get 2 smaller bags for underneath (since it is a small, awkard shape to fit a backpack or something like in) A large puse sized bag would fit fine - but unfortunately, I usually carry more than that. I'll definately let you know how our trip goes - I am so excited - and we are still trying to decide whether to do the meal plan or not. We went out to dinner on Friday and with some friends today and YIKES! She has gotten difficult in resturants - so I am thinking we'll skip the DP to save my sanity. She used to be SO EASY to eat out with, but lately, she just doesn't want to be confined!! Enjoy planning for your trip!

 

[holden]

I have a Quest and have never had a tipping prob. However, I also never hang things on the handles. I just figured it wasn't a good idea. The basket underneath is big and holds lots of stuff (one of the reasons we bought it). It was a great to use on our Disney trip. We never carried anything, even DD's Cinderella dress after the princess breakfast (put it in a bag in the basket along with a backpack full of stuff). Also, my baby was 2 when she came to us (she's adopted), so I don't know if that makes a difference with the weight (around 22lbs., if that helps).

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I have a Maclaren Quest Mod that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!! But unfortunately, if you leave things on the handles, it DOES tip! I also have the Maclaren Organizer and it is PERFECT for short trips...and it DOESN'T TIP if you leave it on! The stroller is VERY light and compact and has a carry handle to make it easier (not a strap like the Volo or Triumph, just a handle which still works out fine for us!)

We haven't taken it to WDW yet, not sure if we will in December since I also have a 4 1/2 year old who will be 5 when we go. Still undecided on bringing my Quest for DD or my Jeep DOUBLE stroller so DS can hop in if he gets tired.

Oh, last thing about the tipping...it just becomes second nature to take things off the handles before you take your child out! At first I admit...it was VERY annoying! But after a day or two using it, I am used to it now.

It is the most perfect stroller I have ever owned!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!! (did I say that already??? LOL... )

 

[kennysmom]

It sounds as though your heart is set on a Mclaren model, however, if you are still open to suggestions, you might look into Mountain Buggy Single Urban. It converts from jogger to swivel front wheel with a touch of a button. The seat reclines almost flat (for those little ones who need to nap) --maneuvers through airports and Disney with precision acuracy. I purchased this just before a trip to California with my almost 3 year old -- we travelled to Western Carribbean on the Magic later that year. My only regret was not buying it sooner. No tipping -- Unless there's more than 50 lbs hanging from the handle. It's 19 lbs but folds easily and is so easy to open. It is rated for 100 lbs so it will take you far into the future if you should need it. My 4 1/2 yr old will still crawl in on a long day -- otherwise we push it with all our junk! I LOVE this stroller. Good luck. ps: cost is about the same as a McLaren

 

[Desnik]

Sorry OP, I don't want to hijack your thread but I had to respond to labst60!
I just cancelled the DP for our coming trip because of the same fears you have!!!LOL My DS is 3 and he has become a nightmare at restaurants. I would just rather avoid them except for things like Chef Mickey's.

 

[emma'smom]

When we would park our Quest to go into an attraction, I would just toss something in the seat of the stroller- extra sweatshirts, my passporter, etc. It doesn't take much to counter balance the tip factor. Just leave something from the basket that isn't valuable. No one ever took anything from the seat...and it always stayed standing!

 

[SILLYANDI]

I am a mother of four and I have gone through 4 different strollers including a single baby jogger, peg perego double, grace duoglider & combi saavy. The Maclaren is superior in every respect I can think of. I don't know how I got through 3 kids before finding this stroller. It is light, easy to manuever (even with one hand) the storage area underneath is large compared to other strollers this size, and it folds/stores easily. I regularly push 2 of my kids at the same time in it with no problem!
With 4 kids we've got plenty of stuff to store in/on the stroller, we hang the diaper bag off the handles and have never had a problem with it tipping. I got a great deal on e-bay too- $86 (shipping included) for a brand new 2005 model a few months ago!

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I've tossed other bulkier strollers for the MacLaren Volo for it's easy of folding and carrying on WDW transportation. What we do to avoid tipping is to use stroller saddlebags on either side. We got ours from One Step Ahead and they velcro onto the "legs" of the stroller near the seat so the have a low center for gravity. They also have handles for carrying if you need to remove them to get through the security check or fold stroller. DH has figured out ways to attach the saddle bags so that stroller still folds though the stroller doubles in weight with filled bags attached.
Note that the saddlebags can be sideways when stroller is folded (depending on how you attach and to what model stroller) - I wouldn't have heavy water bottles in them while they are sideways as I don't trust the velcro flap closure that much. We have had other snacks and autograph books left in the sideways bags on the folded stroller without a problem. We've got older kids that are constantly in and out of the stroller without warning, so we have thoroughly tested that it doesn't tip with the saddle bags. Hope this helps