Maclaren Twin Traveller or Rental Stroller?

[snowangel72]

Which would be best to push my four year old and two year old at the park?

They weigh a total of around 75 lbs. and the Twin Traveller is HEAVY. But, I would love for my two year old to have the TT to nap in since the recline is so lovely and the sunshades are large etc etc. She is a bear if she doesn't get her siesta.

Suggestions?

Melanie

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Which would be best to push my four year old and two year old at the park?

They weigh a total of around 75 lbs. and the Twin Traveller is HEAVY. But, I would love for my two year old to have the TT to nap in since the recline is so lovely and the sunshades are large etc etc. She is a bear if she doesn't get her siesta.

Suggestions?

Melanie

With those ages, I would recommend bring a stroller vs. renting one - even if not the big double one. We went when ours were 3 & 4 and I praise my brain for purchasing the Jeep double umbrella stroller at the last minute to bring. What you need to remember is IF you rent there are some issues.
#1 - getting there early enough to make sure you get a stroller
#2 - AND THIS IS THE KEY ONE - you have to get to the rental area and out of the rental area WITHOUT a stroller. If you spend all day in the park and want to leave with a tired child you have to drop off the rental and then beg and bribe the child to walk or god forbid you have to carry that child onto the monorail, bus, etc. alllllllllll the way back to your hotel. With having your own, you push it onto the monorail with sleeping child still sleeping, push it off the monorail still sleeping and even if you take a bus, you fold the stroller at the bus, not what seems like 5 miles from point A to point B without a stroller carrying a sleeping child that may actually weigh 40 pounds but at that moment seems like 100

I know many do rent but I was soooo happy we brought one. It was also easier to find ours in a sea of rentals because it didn't look the same as all of them.

 

[snowangel72]

THANK YOU! This is our first trip so we have no idea what to expect with the travelling, so you really really helped me! THANK YOU so so much! This board is wonderful!!!
Melanie

 

[mamaloya]

We have brought strollers on some trips and rented on others. Last trip we hated carrying them to the bus or boat so usually drove, but still had to carry to the car.

I would like to ask if it is possible to bring your own stroller and leave it at the stroller rental place for the day and then use it to leave again? Any other place to park it?

One year we rented a double and brought an umbrella, but all 3 wanted to ride in the double, which worked OK and we put the umbrella on top of the rental, but it was awkward.

Also, one more Q. We have 3 double rentals and a single rental left from the last trip where we rented for more than one day and then did not use them all. Can I use them next trip or do they expire?

 

[kittymarcy]

You may also want to consider bringing two individual umbrella strollers. I also have a 2 and 4 year old and find the twin traveler a bit heavy to push around and in no way want to maneuver it through the crowds. It's such a wide load to get on the monorail. We also have 2 maclaran quest strollers and we're going to bring both of those next time. Then when my 4 year old decides he wants to walk for awhile, we can just leave one somewhere for a little bit. Just another idea you may not have thought about...

 

[snowangel72]

Thank you. I think taking two strollers is a great idea. I will have to think about it....

 

[tinkandpan]

I was also going to suggest two strollers as well- the twin can be a bit cumbersome to fold up on the tram, etc and you might find the other way easier. Another thing is to bring one stroller of your own and rent the other one as your 4 year old probably won't be sleeping in the stroller there.

 

[bartleby1]

I have 3 kids, each 2-1/2 years apart and we have done many different stroller options depending on the kids ages. When I had a 4-1/2 year old and a 2 year old, we brought two lightweight single strollers. The following year we starting renting a double for the older two (5-1/2 and 3 yr). IMO, a 2 year old still needs a stroller that reclines and is comfy. The rentals are great for older kids though.

 

[!HereWeCome!]

Just back from our first trip to WDW with a 6 yr old and an 18 month old. thought I'd let you know how the stroller debate worked out... LOL.

We brought a "Sit N Stand LX" stroller on vacation with us. It was wonderful at the airport, the little one sat in the front seat, the big guy sat or stood on the back. It was also handy to have for holding bags, etc. We took it to the park on the first day, only to realize we had left the shade thingy at home! We liked having a single-wide stroller at the park, it made it alot easier to get through the crowds. The buses were another matter altogether. You have to unload all the kids and their crap to get on the bus, then drag that thing onto it and try not to let it roll down the aisle. REALLY a drag.

The next day we rented a double stroller at the park, getting on and off the bus was easier, but we definately had to carry the 18 month old into the park. NO way she could walk through the crowds to get in and out of the park. Trampled babies are bad.

The little girl kept kicking her brother during the day, so the next day we got two singles.Two single strollers were definately the best option for us. I know it was a little more, but it was so worth it to not have to yell at them for touching each other.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I'd take the stroller. Is the Twin Traveller the same as the Ralley Twin? That's what we have and it works great in the park. Fold down decently so doesn't take up too much room. A bit on the heavy side but that's ok.

 

[snowangel72]

Yes, the TT and the Rally twin are almost the same thing really. We will take it and if it is a disaster, we'll do something different the second day.
Melanie

 

[tanyaandallie]

Just thought I would add, we didn't have to deal with the bus issue since we drove to the parks (and in the fall we stayed at CR so just walked). We took the stroller on the train inside the park and on the monorail and had no problems. But, I also take a sling for my ds and pop him in so I'm hands free and carry the bag, dd walks and dh carries the stroller.

If you are taking the bus that will be your biggest challenge. The rest will be easy.

 

[snowangel72]

We are staying in a villa outside the park, so we should be ok then. Thanks for the info!

 

[MickeyMoose]

Just another thought: We recently returned from WDW and we rented a double jogging stroller from ABBF (A Baby's Best Friend), a rental service in Orlando. The stroller was the best decision we made. It's front wheel turns and is not as long as a regular jogger, and moving around the parks and on and off the transportation was a breeze.

Here is the photo link to their website: http://www.abbf.com/equipment.php?item=joggerx2

And to their home page: http://www.abbf.com/index.html

It was very nice to have it delivered to our hotel and waiting for us when we got there with bell services. It was nice and comfortable and reclined and had a huge sun shade and a large storage area under. Really nice and clean, too. It actually ended uup being less expensive than if we had used one of the park doubles, and definately nicer.

Hope this helps.

 

[mom2luncate]

I'm having the same debate about strollers. When we travel this August our dds will be almost 3 and almost 6. They are both very tall. STrollers are a must because of the heat and my oldest will be an unhappy camper if she can't sit and take a break. So, I'm wondering what stroller to bring. Some suggest Sit-n-stands, some say the Jeep Twin and other the Mac twin traveller. I've found a Mac Twin on craigslist for very cheap and I'm seriously considering buying it. It looks narrow and I worry my olderst dd won't fit. Thoughts???

 

[jmpellet]

We have 3 kids 3, 5.5, and 6.5 and yes we still use 2 strollers for them! We have a single (Graco MetroLite and love it!) and a Kolcraft double umbrella that we have really beat up and got a lot of use out of it. The foot strap is about to give loose on one side after fixing it last year. For our trip next month I'm not sure if I should buy a new Jeep one (they look nice for about $70), fix mine, or rent. I am leaning toward buying a new one as I know I will get use out of it for a while with the youngest and as a resting spot for one of the two older ones. I am a firm believer that a cranky 6 year old without a stroller in a busy park is a recipe for disaster! We were are Hershey last week with friends who swear by making their kids walk (almost 6 years and 7.5 years) and guess what, any chance they got they jumped in ours!

 

[snowangel72]

Ok we just got back yesterday from WDW and OMG the Maclaren Twin Traveller ROCKED!!!! I am SOOOOO happy we had it with us. I don't know what we would have done without it!!! It was perfect. It has a huge sunshade and folds really easily and I didn't have to disturb the kids if they wanted to sleep on the monorail. Anyway, if you have this stroller, it is perfect for WDW IMO.
Melanie

 

[mom2luncate]

We have 3 kids 3, 5.5, and 6.5 and yes we still use 2 strollers for them! We have a single (Graco MetroLite and love it!) and a Kolcraft double umbrella that we have really beat up and got a lot of use out of it. The foot strap is about to give loose on one side after fixing it last year. For our trip next month I'm not sure if I should buy a new Jeep one (they look nice for about $70), fix mine, or rent. I am leaning toward buying a new one as I know I will get use out of it for a while with the youngest and as a resting spot for one of the two older ones. I am a firm believer that a cranky 6 year old without a stroller in a busy park is a recipe for disaster! We were are Hershey last week with friends who swear by making their kids walk (almost 6 years and 7.5 years) and guess what, any chance they got they jumped in ours!

I just looked at the Jeep twin at Babies R Us. It's great. Very light, pushes easily but my only complaint is that it's too short for me. I'm 5'9" so I'd be doing the stroller hunch all day long. If you are not as tall it's a great buy. Good luck!

 

[caracap]

I have the exact same stroller, and my kids used it last year, and they will use it again this year. They will both be 2 & 3.9 when we go. My other daugter will be 11 months when we go & I will bring my single Mac as well.

I say bring it!