Maclaren users? Where do you put your bag?

[bartleby1]

Hi all! We've been to disney every year for the past 6 or 7 years with our kids, and depending on their ages, we've always had different stroller routines. Last year, I rented a double for my older two (4 and 6 at the time), and brought my baby trend lightweight that had a parent and child tray and a nice size basket for my little one (18 mths at the time). I kept my backpack diaper bag in the basket and hung my camera bag off the back of the baby trend and it worked out perfect.

However, my little one is now complaining that the seat of the baby trend is hurting her so, I obviously can't plan on using that stroller for disney. I'm so sad because it was the 'perfect' stroller for disney due to the basket and tray, plus in never tipped even with a bag hanging off the back. So, I will be taking my maclaren which is a great stroller to push, handles well, etc. I will definitely miss my drink tray and DDs snack tray, but we can make do. My biggest problem is where to put our bags. The mac has a teeny, tiny basket which isn't large enough to fit a bag into and if I hang anything off the back, it tips very easily. Mine is about 5 years old so I don't know if the newer ones are any different. We will also be renting a double for my older two.

So, any suggestions on where to keep our "stuff"? We usually put in full park days (open to close) so I need to have enough stuff to get through the whole day. My youngest may or may not be potty trained by then so I may still be messing with diapers but even if she is potty trained, it will probably be fairly newly potty trained so then I'd need extra clothes or possibly pull ups anyway.

What do all of you maclaren users do? I know that I've read that some people put a bag on top of the rental but last year I tried to put something up there for a short time and my kids complained it was hitting them on their heads, lol!

Any suggestions? I do have a full size stroller in the garage that I could bring but I haven't used it in a LONG time and really don't want to lug it around. My maclaren pushes so much easier.

Oh, and buying a new stroller is absolutely NOT an option, lol! I have 6 in my garage and since we are not having any more kids, DH would kill me if I were to buy another one to add to our clutter collection, lol!

 

[hebbynan]

I just bought a Maclaren Volvo for our upcoming trip. DS's are 3 and 7. They'll be able to take turns riding in it. Ours has a basket underneath, but it is very small. I bought a Maclaren accessory bag from Amazon.com that slips around the stroller handles. It holds 2 water bottles and also has an extra pocket in it. I think it was around $30, but I figured if it helps me from becoming the "pack mule" for the trip, it's well worth it!!

 

[bartleby1]

I just bought a Maclaren Volvo for our upcoming trip. DS's are 3 and 7. They'll be able to take turns riding in it. Ours has a basket underneath, but it is very small. I bought a Maclaren accessory bag from Amazon.com that slips around the stroller handles. It holds 2 water bottles and also has an extra pocket in it. I think it was around $30, but I figured if it helps me from becoming the "pack mule" for the trip, it's well worth it!!

Thanks, I'll have to go check that out. My mac already has a 'pocket' thing that hangs on the back of the hood, but the accessory bag might be better.

One question, do you have to remove the accessory bag when you fold the stroller up? Or can it stay attached? Just want to know what we're in for.

Thanks!

 

[hebbynan]

I don't know yet! I just got the stroller in the mail the other day and I'm still waiting on the bag. But keep it quiet.....DH doesn't know about it yet!
It'll just "show up" at the house one day!!! lol

 

[ninaeve]

We have taken our Macs to Disney twice now. Love them bc they fold up easily and compactly, and steer so well, yet can even hold my older child if she gets tired(and convinces younger brother to walk). lol

We have a sling backpack diaper bag which fits fine in the mesh basket underneath. The camera is either on our necks or slung across the back of the handles. I do carry a waist pack for cards, tissue, and a couple small emergency in line snacks, and cell phone.

Our sling bag carries a change of clothes for the youngest two, a pair of jeans for the oldest, a suncreen stick, glow sticks, 3 waters, a few snacks, 5 diapers, wet wipes, a bib, and the camping rain ponchos that are tiny. Oh, and on hot days, the fan spritzer. If we ever needed more than that, we would run back to the resort.

Now at night, we would put our jackets in the mesh part of the 2nd Mac.
We wear our sunglasses and hats. Souvenirs get delivered to the room. We don't carry drinks around, so no need for cup holders. Our water bottles go back in the sling bag when we are done.

 

[EllyLovesDisney]

I second the Maclaren bag! It fits alot and even has a cupholder for you. This was a lifesaver at Disney last year.
Check it out:
http://www.buybuybaby.com/shopping/...49&MainCatID=2&catID=37&sl=0&productID=140553

 

[labst60]

If you guys are talking about the mesh Maclaren accessory bag - no, you don't need to remove it in order to close the stroller (I wouldn't have it overstuffed bc the stroller would tip anyway if it were overstuffed.)

We have a quest which I feel also has a small basket (at least compared to the Graco we lugged around when she was an infant.) However - we also use the accessory bag and I found a small diaper bag (not sure if they still make it - Lands End small diaper tote) that is a great fit in the basket. Actually, I was just at TJMaxx today and they were selling similar diaper bags. Also - once you stick that diaper bag in, you'll realize that there is a lot of wasted space UNDER the seat. We used that space for stuff that we wouldn't access often - a small softsided cooler bag with our extra waters (very nice bc it helped keep the stroller from tipping even if we did temporarily hang our bag on the handles) or our bag with DD extra clothes/extra diapering supplies - anything we needed "frequently" (snacks, camera, water we were using, etc) or might need in a hurry (at least one diaper change kit, sippy cup, first aid kit, etc) stayed in the accessory bag or the lands end bag.

We also carried a small bag (about 6x9) that stayed pretty empty and light but we would throw in our cameras (digital and camcorder) and a bottle of water when we would go into line or see an attraction - that way we weren't worried about leavign the cameras with the attractions.

ALso - if you have a child in the stroller, you can hang a lot more on the straps - and if they get out, then just recline the seat and throw the bags in the seat if you need to carry more but don't want to worry about tipping.

 

[bartleby1]

I don't know yet! I just got the stroller in the mail the other day and I'm still waiting on the bag. But keep it quiet.....DH doesn't know about it yet!
It'll just "show up" at the house one day!!! lol

I won't tell, lol!

I just went and looked at the bag on amazon and I don't know if it will work with my mac or not? I don't recall my mac having the bar that goes between the two handles that appears to be kind of supporting the bag. I'll have to look.

You did just remind me though that at some point in my baby days I ordered a stroller organizer that attached to the handles of a stroller and I never even opened it or used it. I think it was a deal from JCpenney and it came with samples in it or something. It looked neat on the website and I just had to have it . Hmmmm...I bet that is still around the house somewhere. I'll have to find it and see if that works.

Of course, even with that, I think I'll still need a diaper bag of some sort and definitely the camera bag. I try so hard to travel light, but it never seems to work with 3 kids, and of course being the mom, I always end up carrying everything (including the kids at times, lol!)

 

[bartleby1]

We have taken our Macs to Disney twice now. Love them bc they fold up easily and compactly, and steer so well, yet can even hold my older child if she gets tired(and convinces younger brother to walk). lol

We have a sling backpack diaper bag which fits fine in the mesh basket underneath. The camera is either on our necks or slung across the back of the handles. I do carry a waist pack for cards, tissue, and a couple small emergency in line snacks, and cell phone.

Our sling bag carries a change of clothes for the youngest two, a pair of jeans for the oldest, a suncreen stick, glow sticks, 3 waters, a few snacks, 5 diapers, wet wipes, a bib, and the camping rain ponchos that are tiny. Oh, and on hot days, the fan spritzer. If we ever needed more than that, we would run back to the resort.

I love our mac too, just the storage that I hate, lol! Maybe a sling backpack is the way to go. Seems like you fit a lot of stuff in yours! My backpack is a good quality one, but because of that the material is really thick and stable. Maybe I'd be better off with a bag that is flimsier material so I can squish it into the basket better?

I second the Maclaren bag! It fits alot and even has a cupholder for you. This was a lifesaver at Disney last year.
Check it out:
http://www.buybuybaby.com/shopping/...49&MainCatID=2&catID=37&sl=0&productID=140553

Thanks for the link! I just checked my mac and the older style did not have the support bar that runs between the handles. I'm not sure if I could attach the bag without it sliding down the handles. Do you know what exactly it attaches to?

If you guys are talking about the mesh Maclaren accessory bag - no, you don't need to remove it in order to close the stroller (I wouldn't have it overstuffed bc the stroller would tip anyway if it were overstuffed.)

We have a quest which I feel also has a small basket (at least compared to the Graco we lugged around when she was an infant.) However - we also use the accessory bag and I found a small diaper bag (not sure if they still make it - Lands End small diaper tote) that is a great fit in the basket. Actually, I was just at TJMaxx today and they were selling similar diaper bags. Also - once you stick that diaper bag in, you'll realize that there is a lot of wasted space UNDER the seat. We used that space for stuff that we wouldn't access often - a small softsided cooler bag with our extra waters (very nice bc it helped keep the stroller from tipping even if we did temporarily hang our bag on the handles) or our bag with DD extra clothes/extra diapering supplies - anything we needed "frequently" (snacks, camera, water we were using, etc) or might need in a hurry (at least one diaper change kit, sippy cup, first aid kit, etc) stayed in the accessory bag or the lands end bag.

We also carried a small bag (about 6x9) that stayed pretty empty and light but we would throw in our cameras (digital and camcorder) and a bottle of water when we would go into line or see an attraction - that way we weren't worried about leavign the cameras with the attractions.

ALso - if you have a child in the stroller, you can hang a lot more on the straps - and if they get out, then just recline the seat and throw the bags in the seat if you need to carry more but don't want to worry about tipping.

Thanks, you reminded me that I have a smaller land's end diaper bag also and it does fit in the basket. I also see what you mean about the wasted space under the seat! I may have to try to find a bag to squeeze in there, or maybe just put changes of clothes in ziplocs under there or the extra water (and weight to prevent tipping) is also a great idea.


Thanks to all of you for the suggestions! I'm going to have to work on this!

 

[NotUrsula]

You can keep a backpack or accessory bag from sliding down the handles by getting a couple of big rubber bands and wrapping them tightly onto the handles. They provide enough of a friction bump to keep the bag straps in place.

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

If we won´t be folding and unfolding the stroller all day, here is what we do, I carry a bag with all our stuff (a beach bag that I got at Samsonite for $1). The moment I unfold the stroller at the parking lot or TTC I take everything out of the bag and put it in the storage under the seat. It can fit a bunch of things, just not if the things are in a diaper bag. I then fold the bag I used at first and put it there too.

I use a ziplock for extra clothes, another for ponchos, another for snacks. The only thing that I don´t like to put there are the water bottles, I feel that they could rip the mesh, so I put those and the maps and wipes in the Maclaren stroller organizer that hangs from the handles.

The camera and my bagallini hang from the handles too, they won´t tip the stroller, especially if everything else is in the storage underneath. I never leave those in the stroller.

 

[A&J's mom]

I just bought the Maclaren organizer for the Maclaren Volo that I purchased a couple of weeks ago thanks to several people recommending that stroller! The organizer has velcro on both ends that wrap around the poles and that is what holds it on. I don't think my Volo has a bar across it either, but I used the organizer this past weekend at a car show and loved it! It held our drinks, camera, and other junk and I was able to get DS's diaper bag in the small basket under the seat (even though it was a tight fit, but it still fit!). I am the world's worst to take everything with us! Our DS will be 22 mos when we go in June and I will definitely have to take the diaper bag and everything else!

 

[EllyLovesDisney]

If we won´t be folding and unfolding the stroller all day, here is what we do, I carry a bag with all our stuff (a beach bag that I got at Samsonite for $1). The moment I unfold the stroller at the parking lot or TTC I take everything out of the bag and put it in the storage under the seat. It can fit a bunch of things, just not if the things are in a diaper bag. I then fold the bag I used at first and put it there too.

I use a ziplock for extra clothes, another for ponchos, another for snacks. The only thing that I don´t like to put there are the water bottles, I feel that they could rip the mesh, so I put those and the maps and wipes in the Maclaren stroller organizer that hangs from the handles.

The camera and my bagallini hang from the handles too, they won´t tip the stroller, especially if everything else is in the storage underneath. I never leave those in the stroller.

This is really smart! Thanks for the great ideas

 

[Tink561]

I second the Maclaren bag! It fits alot and even has a cupholder for you. This was a lifesaver at Disney last year.
Check it out:
http://www.buybuybaby.com/shopping/...49&MainCatID=2&catID=37&sl=0&productID=140553

Will the seat recline with the bag on the stroller? I just bought a Quest (the new "I Love you" print by LuLu Guinness...too cute! I also bought the Maclaren bag but I haven't opened and attached it yet. I'd like to know if the seat reclines with it. Also, is the mesh net a draw back? People can see everything you have in there.

Can you get a lot of stuff in the Quest basket underneath the seat?

 

[EllyLovesDisney]

Will the seat recline with the bag on the stroller? I just bought a Quest (the new "I Love you" print by LuLu Guinness...too cute! I also bought the Maclaren bag but I haven't opened and attached it yet. I'd like to know if the seat reclines with it. Also, is the mesh net a draw back? People can see everything you have in there.

Can you get a lot of stuff in the Quest basket underneath the seat?

I have the Quest also. The seat will recline, same as always. It IS a little annoying that people can see what you have, but I just put snacks, wipes etc in there. Nothing of value. It fits ALOT, and it has a cupholder so the plus's outweigh the minus's.

 

[karenTX]

If we won´t be folding and unfolding the stroller all day, here is what we do, I carry a bag with all our stuff (a beach bag that I got at Samsonite for $1). The moment I unfold the stroller at the parking lot or TTC I take everything out of the bag and put it in the storage under the seat. It can fit a bunch of things, just not if the things are in a diaper bag. I then fold the bag I used at first and put it there too.

I use a ziplock for extra clothes, another for ponchos, another for snacks. The only thing that I don´t like to put there are the water bottles, I feel that they could rip the mesh, so I put those and the maps and wipes in the Maclaren stroller organizer that hangs from the handles.

The camera and my bagallini hang from the handles too, they won´t tip the stroller, especially if everything else is in the storage underneath. I never leave those in the stroller.

This is the same thing we do too! Only, I'm cheap...instead of the expensive Maclaren organizer...I went to Target and got the Eddie Bauer one. Just about the same but way less in price!

 

[Rustysmom]

I just bought a Quest (the new "I Love you" print by LuLu Guinness...too cute!

I have the Scottie Dog Lulu Guinness stroller and that one is cute too!

I have a question about the Maclaren organizer. Do the cup holders keep your drinks upright so they don't spill? I had a Combi that had a similar looking cup holder thing on the back and it would tilt and anything in it would spill.

 

[A&J's mom]

I have the Scottie Dog Lulu Guinness stroller and that one is cute too!

I have a question about the Maclaren organizer. Do the cup holders keep your drinks upright so they don't spill? I had a Combi that had a similar looking cup holder thing on the back and it would tilt and anything in it would spill

I think they may tip a little in the cup holders. I only put bottles (water, etc) that have lids so they won't spill. I learned from our other stroller that if you didn't have lids and the kid in the stroller decided to throw a fit that the drink would go everywhere! I'm just glad that I actually found an organizer for the stroller so I could have the cupholder and some extra storage space. I am used to the big travel system with cup holders and was almost in a panic about what to do if we didn't have them!

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Can you get a lot of stuff in the Quest basket underneath the seat?

Yes. Last summer dd and I went to NYC and I put A LOT of things in the underneath basket, heavy books, spare clothes, snacks, blanket, etc.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I took 2 Mac Volo's in November. The baskets are very small and won't hold a full size bag. My dd3 (2 at the time) was already potty trained so we didn't have diapers or extra clothes with us. All I carried was my wallet (w/ room key/ticket, money, debit card, license and insurance card), hand sanitizer, autograph books/pens and camera/extra batteries). I used one of the nylon sling backpacks (Nike) and it easily slid into the basket. We used the other basket for lightweight jackets for the kids since we were having big ranges in temperatures from morning/night. Towards the end of the trip, I started haning the bag on the handles so I could get to it easier when we went into rides/shows - it wasn't heavy enough to tip it. My older dd and her friend also had their own similar bags which they wore the entire trip. I was always a light packer - even when my children were younger (they are only 5 and 3 now and this was my ds's 3rd trip), I only packed the essentials that I would need for the day - a few diapers, a lightweight blanket, a bottle (or cup) that I would wash after each use, formula dispenser, paci's and baby food (when needed).