Managing 2 Babes & DBL Stroller on Bus

[4forthemouse]

Looking for Advice... I am going to WDW next month with a friend and we're both bringing our kids without the DH's. My friend has a baby and preschooler and will have a double stroller. I've got DS 2 and DD 4 and will also have a double stroller. We're talking on the phone today and my friend says, how are we going to manage the buses? I think I'll be ok, because my DS is old enough to walk in front of me and get in a seat while I carry the stroller. But her baby is not and I won't be able to help her carry since my own hands will be full. I'm sure this will work out, but can someone please tell me how? I'm looking for experienced vets!
Thanks!!

 

[dtsaos]

First let me say that you guys are insane (just kidding)-but you are very brave. I would say that she will have to bring some kind of carrier like a baby bjorn, just to get on and off the buses with everything. Hopefully you'll get some better advise, but that's the best I could come up with right now!

 

[ReneeQ]

Where are you staying? Which parks are you going to? If your main interest is the Magic Kingdom, you could stay at a monorail resort and you wouldn't have to take the children out of the strollers, just roll them right onto the monorail. Could also go to Epcot without closing the strollers. Or you could drive your own car to the park and put the kids in the strollers in the parking lot, the roll them into the parks.

About two years ago we were on the bus going to Magic Kingdom and when the bus stopped at the Swan there was a group of two moms and five kids. One Mom had a baby, just a few months old, and a child around 2. The other Mom had children around the same age, plus a 4 year old. The bus driver helped them all get on and even held one of the babies.

Or you could all get on the bus without the strollers and leave one Mom sitting there with all the kids while the other Mom gets the strollers on, one at a time. Just tell the driver what you're doing. Usually if someone sees you struggling they will help.

I once went solo with my 3 year old goddaughter and she fell asleep on the bus. When we got to the stop I started to wake her up so she could walk and I could get her stroller. A dad across from us said "let me get this" and carried the stroller off the bus for me AND set it up for me, so I could carry her off and put her right in it, still asleep. I've seen that sort of thing a lot in Disney.

Have a great trip!

 

[4forthemouse]

We're flying in, so no car and staying at OKW, so no monorail. Knights in shining armour will be appreciated, but still need ideas as we can't count on this (I've been surprised in the past by grown men sitting in seats not offering to let standing mom's with kids sit on crowded buses!!).
My friends daughter is 13 months. Are the baby carriers big enough for babes this size? If so, which ones please?

 

[TJA]

Our baby bjorn carriers worked until our twins hit about 20 pounds. We still used our carriers after that point, but it was pretty rough on our backs. We now have Ergo carriers, which can hold a lot more weight.

 

[4forthemouse]

What are ergo carriers? Is this a brand or a type?

 

[Colinsmom]

We're flying in, so no car and staying at OKW, so no monorail. Knights in shining armour will be appreciated, but still need ideas as we can't count on this (I've been surprised in the past by grown men sitting in seats not offering to let standing mom's with kids sit on crowded buses!!).
My friends daughter is 13 months. Are the baby carriers big enough for babes this size? If so, which ones please?

Oh, yes, I can still carry my 31lb 2.5 year old. Try www.hotslings.com and www.kangarookorner.com for easy to use "poppable" carriers. I really like my www.kozycarrier.com too but it has a bit of a learning curve to it.

Honestly, I'd reconsider the car rental thing if I were you. We loved having a rental car and with two adults and four kids, you might appreciate being able to strap them in while you get yourselves organized.

 

[tjmw2727]

I travel as the solo adult with my dd's often and often to WDW. The youngest I have taken them alone was 2 and 4 and we had a blas - you will as well. They are 8 and 10 now and we still go!

The bus issue is a pain even with one stroller and often times people have enough to deal with and can't always help. I found I had to be able to manage and if I got help that was a bonus.

My best suggestions are to use as small a stroller as you can, the easier to fold the better. Fold it while waiting for the bus and have everything packed away ahead of time. I loved a backpack as a diaper bag in WDW, easy to pack and easy to carry.

I also used a sling or front carrier for my kids - your friend may find it a lifesaver for bus lines and attraction lines. DH and I took turns wearing my 15 month old one year.

In your situation I would consider bringing one double and renting one double at the parks. This way one mom can handle the stroller and the stuff leaving the other mom to manage the kiddies. Have the two oldest use the rental stroller in the parks. Its easy to push and great for older kids who can jump in and out themselves. I would consider brining a single if you have one to use for your 2yo around the resort.

Here is a link to a stroller FAQ - deb also has a great section on traveling with babies and preschoolers.

http://allearsnet.com/pl/strol_faq.htm

Have fun and post more questions as they arise!

TJ

 

[TJA]

What are ergo carriers? Is this a brand or a type?

Ergo is a brand. It is the same general idea as a bjorn, but the ergo can comfortably hold more weight. It is sold on several different sites, but we bought ours on www.earthbaby.com.

 

[Jenn]

You could rent strollers at the parks... although it would be an added expense and you wouldn't have the help of the strollers from the bus stops to the park entrance.

What about renting a mini-van and driving to the parks. Might be easier on you two.