Maclaren Stroller Rental

[koolaidmoms]

We are considering renting a Maclaren Major Buggy Stroller for DS (5). We found Mobility Equipment Rentals for $65 a week. We were wondering if anyone has used the company before or any other company in the area?

Have you used the stroller as wheelchair and how did that work for you? We are especially thinking of parades and Fantasmic as this would give our DS a place that is his if it loud or anyway scary to him. We are trying to avoid the meltdowns and screaming tantrums.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[SueM in MN]

We don't have a lot of reviews of that company, but many people use Maclaren Major Special Needs strollers and find they work very well. In post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there are more companies listed that rent special needs strollers.

We have used the handicapped viewing areas for parades with DD in her wheelchair. Sometimes it works very well and other times not so well, mostly depending on how busy it is.
If they are busy, they park the wheelchairs/ECVs/Special Needs strollers in a tight line across the front of the viewing area (parked right next to each other). This can be uncomfortably close for some people. Most of the handicapped viewing areas are deep enough that if you don't want to wait right up front, you can stay near the back of the area and not have anyone near you.
In our experience, the Illuminations viewing area at Epcot near the entrance to World Showcase is the busiest - sometimes having a second row of wheelchairs parked behind the first row. Check which way the wind is blowing to avoid sitting in the path of the smoke. Because there is a LOT of space around World Showcase, it's not that hard to find a good spot. If you find a spot along the fence, no one can be in front of you for the show. Check out a spot in the mid afternoon to early evening. The barges parked in the middle of the water are where the show will be centered. If you have a good view of them, you will be able to see the show well.

For the daytime parades, some of the handicapped viewing spots are in the sun. All of the ones at AK are shaded, but for the other parks, you may do better by just finding a spot outside the handicapped viewing area.

For Fantasmic, you would be directed to park the stroller in one of the wheelchair 'parking' spots. THere will be room for one member of your party to sit with you child, right next to him and the rest of your party will sit in front.

 

[C&G'sMama]

Sue, I'm the other 1/2 of koolaidmoms. Do you know anything about the Liberty that is available from Orlando Stroller Rentals as we are leaning towards this company to rent from? DS has Aspergers and we have always avoided shows, like Fantasmic, because of the wait times. We think if he has a "home base" it might be doable.

Thank you so much for help.

 

[Disneylvr]

We used the Maclaren Major Elite in Disney World just 2 weeks ago. We brought out own and didn't rent it. It worked out very well for DD with autism and my only complaint was the footrest had to be removed whenever the stroller was folded. That was a minor hassle on the WDW trams. We drove the the parks and avoided the Disney buses with the Maclaren.

 

[C&G'sMama]

We used the Maclaren Major Elite in Disney World just 2 weeks ago. We brought out own and didn't rent it. It worked out very well for DD with autism and my only complaint was the footrest had to be removed whenever the stroller was folded. That was a minor hassle on the WDW trams. We drove the the parks and avoided the Disney buses with the Maclaren.

We don't really want to spend $1k on a stroller as we really don't need it otherwise. As it is he is almost 6 and weighs 75 pounds. The MacClaren sounds nice but I haven't seen anything that makes me comfortable with renting from any companies down there that I've been able to find that offer them. That is now why I'm wondering about the Liberty Stroller.

We drive down so we have our own car. We've never had much luck with the buses so we always drive ourselves.

 

[Disneylvr]

We don't really want to spend $1k on a stroller as we really don't need it otherwise. As it is he is almost 6 and weighs 75 pounds. The MacClaren sounds nice but I haven't seen anything that makes me comfortable with renting from any companies down there that I've been able to find that offer them. That is now why I'm wondering about the Liberty Stroller.

We drive down so we have our own car. We've never had much luck with the buses so we always drive ourselves.

Oh I don't blame you! We didn't pay out of pocket for our stroller. Our daughter was eligible for grant money in our city simply because she has autism. Not everyone takes the time to complete the paperwork but we did and we received many things, including the stroller, that help make daily life easier for her. Madelyn needs the stroller whenever we are in crowded areas (the zoo for example) because she is an elopement risk.

I wish I could help you and recommend a local company but perhaps someone will see this thread that can. Madelyn loves her Maclaren and is very comfortable in it. She is 6 years old and around 50 pounds.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

The first time we went DW (Dec 2006 for Christmas) we used Emma's stroller as a wheelchair. SHe had just turned 3 and was a little peanut. We didn't want to bring her power wheels b/c she just got them a few months before and we knew it would be busy.

We didn't have any problems bringing her stroller places. They even let us park her stroller inside rides like Dumbo (just like the do with wheelchairs). We brought her stroller all the way down the line on the safari ride. That was the ONLY place we had an issue. A CM saw us with the stroller and started to bring us through the crowd to the handicap area. One lady refused to get out of the way...even when the CM asked her. Then she made a snide comment about strollers not being allowed in line and we should follow the rules. I ignored her at first...then she kept making comments...so I politely went up to her and explained to her that my 3 year old CAN'T walk and will NEVER walk and the reason we have the stroller is b/c her wheelchair is at home b/c we decided not to bring it with us. She was pretty embarrased. But that was the only "issue" we had for the 10 days we were there.

We have also used the handicap seating areas for Fantasmic and parades. It really went well.

Have fun!

Amy