Need advice re. purchasing a new Maclaren Stroller

[krystalleigh1]

I bought a Volo for our trip to WDW in Nov. 06. My ds was 2 1/2 at the time and didn't use it much during the trip-he walked most of the time. I still use it once in a while but I like that it's light weight and easy to fold.

It's a very basic Volo-I think a 2004 model. It just has the mesh seat and has no hood or seat liner.

Well, we're going to WDW this Sept. DS will be 3 1/2. I'm thinking about purchasing a Quest or Triumph because I think they may be more comfortable than my Volo and I'm concerned that ours dosen't have a hood to protect against the sun (and I can't put a rain cover on it b/c it has no hood).

Would you purchase a different model for the above reasons? If so, what model would you recommend? I'm also trying to save money, so want to be cost conscious too. Any suggestions as to where to buy?

 

[robinb]

Are you planning on having more kids? If not, then I don't see why you would want to spend major money on a stroller that you will only use for WDW and then only for a few more years/trips. Also, it doesn't seem like comfort is much of an issue since your son was out of the stroller quite a bit. Honestly, I would buy a cheap-o Kolcraft with a sun shade from Babies-R-Us. My 6-year old was still able to fit in one and it was easy to steer. Even if you have to buy a second one in a couple of years you'll only spend a total of about $45.

ETA: You can also buy the accessory pack for your stroller which comes with the sun shade and the rain cover. I saw a couple on eBay.

 

[mangosink]

I wouldn't buy a new one. I have a new Maclaren double and the sunshade isn't going to keep them covered that well.

 

[Narcoossee]

Stick with the Volvo! I have one that I am still using with my 47 pound 6 year old. If you buy a cheaper model just for the comfort of a sun shade you will lose the manuverability of the Volvo. I know from experience! I love that I can still pop my 6 year old into the stroller when she is tired. I have no difficulty pushing her. Our previous stroller became difficult to make turns and was a lot harder to push even in a straight line because it was not constructed to handle the wieght of a bigger child.

 

[krystalleigh1]

I AM planning on having other kids, and actually I have a small home daycare so I do use the one I have. I'd like one that reclines, has some more cushioning (mine has just mesh), and has a hood or raincover. I know that if I buy a more expensive one it WILL get used, but is it worth it just for some extra cushioning and ability to recline? I keep going back and forth about it in my mind. Maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to spend money.

 

[kristenrice]

I'm tossing around the same problem. I have a 3 1/2 DD and an 18 month DD (they will be 4 and 2 at time of trip) and the older one walks everywhere. She never rides in a stroller anymore, even when we take the family walk with the dogs, which is anywhere from 1-3 miles at a time. We have a $10 umbrella stroller which I have no intention of using at WDW and a Graco DuoGlider. So neither of our strollers are appropriate to travel with. I love the MacLaren Triumph, but it is so hard to justify a $100+ stroller for a week-long trip. Right now, I am planning on buying it and dumping our $10 umbrella stroller. I just hope that my older DD doesn't decide that she likes the stroller as much as I do and wants to ride in one too. I briefly thought about getting 2 MacLarens and then reselling one on e-Bay...still might...any opinions? I figure that if I buy one for $120, use it (or not?) for a week at most, I could resell it for at least $60. Then, my total expense would be about the same as what it would be if I had to rent one every day for DD4. I would keep the first one for my DD2 to use as our new "everyday" stroller so that expense I can justify. Sorry if this got confusing.....Any thoughts?

 

[labst60]

I have a 2006 Quest - the shade doesn't offer much protection and DD (only 14months at the last trip) didn't want to be reclined - she wanted to SEE - and if I tried to reclien her if she dozed off - she woke up!

I would buy the accessory pack off ebay for your Volo and add a rayshade ($15 at BRU) that gives real sun protection!

 

[krystalleigh1]

I thought about getting the accessory pack ($42 on e-bay with shipping) but if I do that I've spent $69 on my stroller and $42 on the accessory pack for a total of $111. And for that price I could get a newer triumph on e-bay, which has more options (like reclining). SWIM?

 

[robinb]

I bought a Maclaren Techno when my DD was 2 years old. It reclines, it has a large sun shade and it comes with a rain cover. It was a great stroller! It's final trip to WDW was in December when my then 50lb 7-year old DD rode in it. It held up to the abuse of an older child as well as baggage handlers around the world. I really like the viewing window in the hood and the Quest has that feature. I could check on my DD from behind, especially when the stroller was reclined.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I would definitely checkout Ebay they have some really good prices on last years techno's as well as the others but the techno's have a bigger discount.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I have a Maclaren Quest and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!!! If you KNOW your child would be more comfortable in a padded seat vs a mesh seat, go for the Triumph or Quest. The Quest is a bit roomier than the Triumph and has a little bigger wheels. They both offer the sunshade and the rain cover. And they also both come standard with a storage basket. The Triumph also has a carry strap, which is GREAT if you use it to travel with!

Whatever you decide, you can't go wrong with a Maclaren. Even your Volo! If it were me, I'd probably just buy the kit to add the sunshade and call it a day.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I bought a McClaren Triumph right before our WDW trip last year. DD was just shy of 3. I love it!

I still use it at the mall every once in a while also and plan to take it with us to WDW in June.

 

[blessedby3]

The one good thing about the Volo having the mesh seat is that is dries in no time flat if it were to get wet or a spill on it. I bought ours 2 years ago for DD7 at the time for 2 Disney trips. She used it at 7 and 8 yrs. and can still ride in it no problem. We go in the off times (early winter to before spring) so I dont feel we need the sunshade. DD just puts on a hat or glasses if it is sunny, but we have never had a problem.

 

[beattyfamily]

I ended up buying the Maclaren Quest after doing lots of research, reading threads on the DIS.

I wanted one that was lightweight, reclined, easy to fold, had cushioning, a basket, and a canopy. To my surprise it also came with a rain cover which really came in handy at WDW.

I picked the Quest over the Triumph only because a few moms said it was a bit of a deeper seat so a tad better for older kids.

I paid $139. and I got it at www.allbeebaby.com and they offered free shipping as well. It was good deal.