Maclaren stroller questions

[2ddprincess]

Hello. After reading numerous posts about Maclaren strollers on this site, I've convinced myself to buy two for our trip to DW in Sept. I have a three year old and 4.5 year old and was looking at the volo because it is the cheapest. I don't expect our girls to use them much after we get back home, but there is the possibility of a third child who would get some use out of one of them in the future.
Anyway, here are my questions:
1) I noticed that the 2004 volo model does not have a sun shield, but the 2005 model does. Is it worth the extra money to get the newer model just for the sun shield (will I definitely need a sun shade in Sept.)? Or should I look at older model Triumphs because the shield is included? (If someone has strong feelings about wheter the Triumph is better than the volo, I'd love to hear about that too.)
2) I've also seen posts for an attachable sun visor called protectabub or rayshade. Can these attach to an umbrella stroller without a canopy (i.e., the 2004 volo), or do you have to have a stroller with a canopy for these to work?
3) Do the attachments that hold two umbrella strollers together work well with the Mclarens?
4) Finally, assuming I go with a Maclaren, where is the best place to get it for price? I've looked on ebay, and have seen 2004 volo (no canopy) for around $50. The 2005 model is hard to find on ebay so far and is $100 on amazon.com. Seems like a big difference for a sun shade, but then the accesory pack for the 2004 is $42, so I guess it evens out.

Thanks for your input!!

 

[Provincial Belle]

we used 2 volos for our DDs on our last trip and loved it! My husband and I and our girls are tall and they were comfy for all 4 of us. Loved that they are different colors than all of he other strollers too (we have a pretty yellow color and a pink). The stroller clips worked fine for us too. We have the 2004 model so no sun shade but we were there in January so it wasn't as big a deal. I looked at the Protect-a-Bub but it looked like it was made to sit on top of the existing canopy so I did not buy it. If anyone knows of a way to make it work w/o a canopy I'd love to know how!

 

[Alice's Mom]

I have the Maclaren Triumph and I love it, greatest stroller ever. I originally planned on purchasing a volo, but had decided against it when I realized there was no sun shield and at the time I purchased it the fabric offered for the seat was a netting type fabric and seemed like it would be very uncomfortable.

Now it looks like they have updated the fabrics and included a sun shade so that it is a more user friendly stroller.

I had been registered with www.babystyle.com and routinely received coupons for percentages off if I spent x amount of dollars, so I drove the 2 hours to the nearest store (there are only a few) and purchased the stroller using my most recently received coupon.

 

[Jessd]

We have the Triumph and it worked out really well. Extremely light weight, I liked the carrying strap. It doesn't recline much but it was enough for our 1 year old daughter to take a nap.

The sun shade was a little too small for my taste so I got the Ray Shade. We liked it because we could pull it down and it would cover the entire front (just her feet were seen poking out at the bottom) and she could nap without the sun on her. We have the 2005 model. It came with the rain cover, but woudln't you know it, we forgot it at home so we used the Ray Shade to keep the rain off of her too. The Ray shade needs the stroller to have a canopy or it will just hang there.

I think I paid 139.00 and then 15.00 more for the Ray Shade. The only reason we bought it is for getting on and off the busses because it is light, it would be a lot easier than with our huge stroller we have. Debating on whether or not to keep it now that we are home. We have our big stroller that we use. May be putting the Triumph on Ebay.

Jess

 

[RedRuby]

Hello. After reading numerous posts about Maclaren strollers on this site, I've convinced myself to buy two for our trip to DW in Sept. I have a three year old and 4.5 year old and was looking at the volo because it is the cheapest.
(snip)3) Do the attachments that hold two umbrella strollers together work well with the Mclarens?

I passed over the Volo for the Triumph because I needed something that reclined, with a basket and a shade (though the latter isn't too useful)...so I can't help with the other questions.
I *can* confirm that the stroller clips work beautifully with Maclarens. They are a snap to put on and off (even with my injured hands!), and give you, the 'driver' so much flexibility! Given the age of your children, you might consider the Volo and investing in sunscreen, hats and plastic rain covers rather than the more expensive Triumph at that age (Not sure if the Volo ships with a rain cover; our Triumphs did come with one for each.)
Someone posted earlier about a website with a Volo coming out at around $50 incl shipping, so two at that price would be a steal and might fit your needs. Just check on the recline if you think that'll be a problem.

 

[cruiserkaren]

Just wanted to say that I love my Truimph! The best stroller ever. I got it at Babies R Us for around $130 I think. DH about had a heart attack when he found out what I paid for it but he took DD on one walk and he was convinced. He's 6'3" and it's actually comfortable for him.

 

[madelyn]

If you think you need a recline, go for a Triumph or better yet, the Quest. The Quest is priced a bit higher but there are complaints of the Triumph having a very shallow seat and larger kids do not fit as well in it. We have a 2002 Volo (first year they came out) and it is my most used stroller. It has been on a couple of Disney trips and it works great. I got a Silver Cross canopy pad to go with it recently and it does work well. I got mine on a close-out sale direct through Silver Cross but here's a site that sells them:

http://www.strollerdepot.com/moreinfo.php?SKU=1513

The canopy fits really well and I think it is better than the one made for the Volo. There is a storage pouch on the back on the canopy that is nice. The pad sometimes slips down and gets scrunched up but I like it too.

 

[utahkennedys]

We have a Volo for DD3 and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. I researched my heart out to justifly it b/c we already have a $400 Peg Perego but it is bigger and bulkier for buses, etc.

From everything I read when I decided on the 2004 model, the sunshade on the 2005 model is useless. To be honest, DD wears a hat and between ride-hopping it's not like she's in the stroller that much. I think I paid $70 with shipping on eBay for my Volo, and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. DD loves it! My DH loves it too because it is tall enough for him to push comfortably. It is SO lightweight and has a shoulder strap - perfect for the train, buses, etc.

I also like the mesh seat which is why I chose it over a Triumph. I feel like it keeps DD cooler. We are taking it on our 2nd WDW trip in Sept. and have taken it on a few other trips as well.

 

[beattyfamily]

I would definitely get a stroller with a canopy if your stroller is for Disney World!

I did my research just recently as well for a new Disney stroller for my 5 year old as she's outgrown my other one.

After checking out the Volo, the Triumph and the Quest and went with the Quest. My DD fit in it better, its up to 55lbs, it has the canopy, cushioning seating, basket, is lightweight, has a handle for when it's closed and came with a rain cover as well.

I paid $129 total at www.albeebaby.com and I think it's well worth it and a great price!

Good luck deciding!

 

[Manda]

I have the Techno XT and love it. I'm considering buying a Volo for our Disney vacation though. The Techno is much smaller and more lightweight than most strollers, but I still think I'd like to have an even more portable option for vacation. I really like the shoulder strap on the Volo and think that will be great for the airport. DS will be 2 years and 4 months when we go and rarely naps in his stroller, so I don't think the lack of recline will be a problem (and even when he does nap in his stroller, the seat is never reclined).

Manda

 

[Sezza]

I have just used my new pushchair today for the first time. It's a Maclaren Quest. It's fantastic. My baby boy is just about 6 months old and was comfortable even for him as it reclines very well for a compact, lightweight stroller, is well-padded and has an adjustable leg rest so his feet weren't protruding. It also fits into my stroller bag so I'll be able to protect it on the aeroplane next month.

Good value at £69.99. Purchased in Toys 'R' Us here in the UK on sale!

Would recommend this one (incidentally, I bought it as a replacement for a Chicco one as the wheel was faulty and even the new one the lady was going to replace it with was faulty!).

Happy strolling!

 

[muldey]

We have a Triumph and a Twin Traveller.I paid about $140 new for the Triumph,and $175 slightly used for the Twin.My ds LOVES his Triumph.He's 4yo,40 inches and 38lbs.His sister(7yo),who's 48 inches and 50lbs,also rides in it with no problems.I love the shoulder strap,makes getting on buses so much easier.They both ride comfortably in the Twin Traveler as well(I can even push it easily!! )(I usually use it for my ds and my 11 month old neice).I like that both came with sun shades and a rain cover.The Triumph's sun shade doesn't cover too well though.Very much worth the money for us.Ds was outgrowing his Carter's umbrella stroller he had,and since he still very much needs a stroller,I went searching for one that would hold him for a while.Depending on how much room we'll have in the limo to the airport I'll decide which we're taking to WDW Thursday.If I can only fit the Triumph,then we'll rent for dd.HTH!

 

[5kwallace]

I recently bought the Triumph for my 4 year old DS. He is 43" tall and 40+ lbs. I love it. It is so easy to push. We are all tall in my family and we have no problems (kicking the back of stroller or having to bend over to push). My only regret is not buying the stroller earlier. I think any Maclaren stroller would be great.