Mom's with large strollers vs bus aisles

[debbiepump]

This past week while in the "kingdom' twice while on the bus going from here to there, we watched mom's trying to get wide strollers and/or double strollers down the narrow aisles on the bus with kids in tow or in their arms.
Both times I was in the front of the bus and offered to hold onto the stroller for the mom during our ride. One mom was so greatful, asked where I was all week long while she was trying to manage on all the busses!

So, if you see a mom struggling, offer to help, never know when karma will come back at 'ya!

 

[Deb & Bill]

They didn't have any other adults with them to manage the strollers????

Amazing.

 

[Melrosgirl]

I agree. It's very helpful to the moms. My advice to moms with large strollers: leave the big stroller at home. Buy a small umbrella stroller that reclines (they make them). Life will be easier.

 

[Dean]

I agree. It's very helpful to the moms. My advice to moms with large strollers: leave the big stroller at home. Buy a small umbrella stroller that reclines (they make them). Life will be easier.

When our kids were younger we bought umbrella strollers just for the trips. One trip with a large stroller had me saying "never again".

 

[WannaDVC]

They didn't have any other adults with them to manage the strollers????

Amazing.

My DW takes the kids to WDW alone more than with someone, so no, she has to handle both special needs kids on her own (one is autistic, the other is ambulatory in a non-transport wheelchair, so has to fold for the bus). It's always a great relief when someone offers a seat or to help her up and down the steps and I say THANK YOU to all those who share your kindness with a stranger. It makes me feel better about the trips when I hear stories of how someone helped.

 

[cdmickey]

And it makes me feel better when I have the opportunity to help someone who needs help; the Golden Rule applies pretty much in all occasions.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

My DW takes the kids to WDW alone more than with someone, so no, she has to handle both special needs kids on her own (one is autistic, the other is ambulatory in a non-transport wheelchair, so has to fold for the bus). It's always a great relief when someone offers a seat or to help her up and down the steps and I say THANK YOU to all those who share your kindness with a stranger. It makes me feel better about the trips when I hear stories of how someone helped.

Please don't take this negatively, but why aren't you with your wife and children on these wonderful trips? I'm a little amazed that she would even want to go on a trip alone. Do you all live near WDW or does this involve luggage and public transportation?

My daughter works with autistic and special needs children, and frankly I don't see how 1 person can take care of 2 children at the same time (outside of a controlled environment). Your wife must be a very strong and diligent person.

I am curious too, what is a "non-transport" wheelchair?

 

[wyodan]

Last year we purchased a double umbrella stroller for $100 or so. The best $100 bucks I have spent. The 3 kids could take turns resting, etc. Then fold it up when on the bus.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am curious too, what is a "non-transport" wheelchair?

It's a wheelchair that the person can't ride in while in the bus.

My DD's wheelchair can be tied down by the tiedown straps that are on/near the floor of the wheelchair. Some lighter weight wheelchairs or special needs strollers are not designed to be tied down and could be damaged or the rider could be hurt if they ride in it while being transported (basically they are large size jogging or umbrella strollers).
Those types of wheelchairs or special needs strollers need to be folded up for transport.

 

[Beca]

I agree. It's very helpful to the moms. My advice to moms with large strollers: leave the big stroller at home. Buy a small umbrella stroller that reclines (they make them). Life will be easier.

Do you have any brands that you recommend? I would LOVE to find one!!

 

[SoCalKDG]

Now I can't imagine the wife or I going to DLR or WDW without our big stroller. Takes the kid, lets them sleep in reclined position, holds backpack, small soft cooler, plus sweatshirts or change of clothes. When we do have to close it for a bus trip to MK or AK the backpack goes on the back and the stroller folds up holding everything else inside.

I would suggest that if you are going to use a large stroller stay at one of the Epcot resorts thus you don't have to fold it up to either walk or take the boat to either park.

I do wish the bus drivers would let people enter the bus from the middle door saving a trip down the aisle.

 

[Beca]

I do wish the bus drivers would let people enter the bus from the middle door saving a trip down the aisle.

Oooohhh!!! Don't even get me started on this one. We have ALWAYS had a rental car since our dd was born, but last year we decided to just take the Disney buses. So, we didn't know the "rules". The first bus driver doesn't say anything...we board at the front. When we were leaving DTD, the bus driver got off the bus, and asked everyone who had a stroller to board in the back,he said it was easier on everyone if guests with strollers would just board in the back.

The next morning, a bus driver YELLED at my dh for boarding with the stroller in the back (dd and I were boarding up front)...I was SOOO mad!!! These people need to get their "rules" together. We swore that if another bus driver asked to board in any particular way...we would just lose it!!! Luckily, no one said anything to us the rest of the week!!

 

[MinnieGi]

Thank you for helping the mom with the big stroller, kids and no other adults. I've been there!! I was always so grateful for all the help other guests gave me. Usually someone always did chip in. It always gave me warm fuzzies. My DH was always relieved to hear me retell of all the great nice guests that helped us out!!

To the poster that asked why a wife might be travelling alone in the parks - for me my DH was at a conference and I would take the kids to the parks. DH would join us for an evening in the parks if we went back in but during the day I was by myself. The kids and I had a great time and guests that helped us with the buses and/or trams really brightend our day.

A friend of mine also ended up being a mostly solo park traveler due to her DH coming down with the flu right after they arrived in WDW. He stayed in the hotel room to rest while she toured with the kids.

 

[wyodan]

Look for the Jeep branded strollers. Ours has held up well.

Do a google search for "Jeep umbrella Strollers" That shoudl get you to several sites that have the single and double.

Do you have any brands that you recommend? I would LOVE to find one!!

 

[WannaDVC]

Please don't take this negatively, but why aren't you with your wife and children on these wonderful trips? I'm a little amazed that she would even want to go on a trip alone. Do you all live near WDW or does this involve luggage and public transportation?

My daughter works with autistic and special needs children, and frankly I don't see how 1 person can take care of 2 children at the same time (outside of a controlled environment). Your wife must be a very strong and diligent person.

I am curious too, what is a "non-transport" wheelchair?

Someone has to pay for the trips... I go as often as I can, but my work schedule doesn't always mesh. She homeschools the kids, so being at WDW is actually easier on her in many ways (no cooking, no cleaning, no papers to grade) and it's giving the kids a childhood we've dreamed of. She is a strong and diligent person just to put up with me, never mind the children.

the wheelchair is basically an umbrella stroller on steroids and isn't stable enough to tie down, so it's too dangerous for travel. She's getting to the point where she'd rather drive most of the time anymore, but it sure is nice to hear stories of people helping out, because I also hear stories of people NOT being so nice and that bugs me just little.

 

[dianeschlicht]

(snip) She's getting to the point where she'd rather drive most of the time anymore, but it sure is nice to hear stories of people helping out, because I also hear stories of people NOT being so nice and that bugs me just little.

That would bug me a LOT! What is happening when folks can't show commono courtisy? Just remember that ALL of us may need help at one time or another, and I always hope that my good deed will be repayed sometime in the future. Pay it forward!

 

[Muushka]

The last time I offered to help (a woman, alone, with 2 small children and a SUV stroller with all the packages) she looked at me like I was nuts.

After reading this, I will offer to help again!

 

[mbhoxsie]

My pet peeve is when the bus is standing room only and healthy people don't give up their bus seats to moms with kids or other people needing to sit (like the elderly..)

Two years ago, DW was having a hard time trying to manage DD2, all of our bags. I had DS4 and the stroller.. There were a few gentlemen (twenties or so..) that were sitting down right in front of her.. Neither offered up their seats... Some older gentleman offered his seat up for DS, and then berated the other two for not doing the same for DW and DD... An arguement ensued..

Needless to say... Nothing happened, but people's attitudes at WDW blow me away sometimes...

 

[Deb & Bill]

My pet peeve is when the bus is standing room only and healthy people don't give up their bus seats to moms with kids or other people needing to sit (like the elderly..)

Two years ago, DW was having a hard time trying to manage DD2, all of our bags. I had DS4 and the stroller.. There were a few gentlemen (twenties or so..) that were sitting down right in front of her.. Neither offered up their seats... Some older gentleman offered his seat up for DS, and then berated the other two for not doing the same for DW and DD... An arguement ensued..

Needless to say... Nothing happened, but people's attitudes at WDW blow me away sometimes...

There have been lots of threads about this. Usually it winds up with "Why didn't you wait for the next bus when you could have gotten a seat?"

 

[my4kids]

They didn't have any other adults with them to manage the strollers????

Amazing.

How are 2 adults going to get a stroller down a bus aisle and easier? You can't stand stand side by side. Even with one in front and one in back - who is going to handle the kids?

Also , there are these people out there that are growing in population...maybe you have heard of them, they are called SINGLE PARENTS.