Need CHEAP LIGHT Stroller for Disney

[kileybeth]

okay, soooo now we've got it going. I saw that kidco one and it does "look" a lot like a mac and has the features and then some but I wonder if it pushes with the ease of my Mac. I know I must sound but I promise I am just that sold on our strollers.

some background, I am a Mom of 6 kids, have purchased no less than 25 strollers over the years and have never ever liked anything as well as these Macs.

pros- lightweight
deep seat (volo's seat is actually deeper than more expensive reclining models and my 2 year old naps regularly in it)
easy one hand or foot folding (way easier than anything else I've tried) a snap to get on/off Disney or city buses b/c it folds in a flash and is super lightweight (8.6 lbs for volo)
built in rain cover (excellent for Disney and running to the car after mall trips!)
sunshade is huge?? not sure what everyone else is trying cover, ankles and toes maybe?
very high handles for taller stroller pushers
the basket is plenty large to hold our school size backpack and a 6 pack soft sided cooler, yes it is tight but it fits? what more do you need?

cons
price was top of my list but I have since realized the investment! resale is awesome on these.
aahh, cup holders a must for me, if you don't want to use corner of basket (which I do often) you will need to check out acessories. Buy one that you can fold right up with the stroller, no need to remove when folded (the demi milan does this, the mac organizer, or a simple valco work as well.)
your kids will fight over who gets to ride, with seats rated up to 55lbs (and yes, they do hold more!) I ended up buying a 2nd one for my 4.5 year old.
since they are the elite of lightweight super durable you will see a sea of them at Disney so mark yours for easy identification.
Ours has never tipped but I admit it sure could if loaded up wrong. There are solutions to that though as well.

I think the major selling feature for me is the ease with which it pushes no matter how loaded. I actually took my 2 and 4 year olds to babiesrus several times trying to talk myself into something cheaper/different and out of the Mac, no go, they loved it, I loved it (and I even think it is kind of ugly!).

My DH and I routinely walk about 3-5 miles a few times a week pushing both Macs and the kids never tire of the ride (even in the heat - the mesh is great!) and we never tire of pushing, it's a breeze.

so, flame away those of you non Mac converts but I am in

one last comment, I purchased a combi and thought it would be fantastic! We loved folding that thing up (that tri fold is awesome for sure even though it does take 2 hands!) we test drove it in the house for 3 days! great stuff (although a bit small for DS4 but I figured DD2 would use it more anyway). took it outside on side walk for an hour or so, then off to a store. . .I never brought it home! It was horrible to push, cheap plastic and kept getting stuck everywhere. I drove straight back to the store and returned it without it's box or anything I was so unhappy with it.

yes, I have a lot of stroller fiascos I could share. . .

 

[Redbudlover]

okay, soooo now we've got it going. I saw that kidco one and it does "look" a lot like a mac and has the features and then some but I wonder if it pushes with the ease of my Mac. I know I must sound but I promise I am just that sold on our strollers.

some background, I am a Mom of 6 kids, have purchased no less than 25 strollers over the years and have never ever liked anything as well as these Macs.

yes, I have a lot of stroller fiascos I could share. . .

Which Mac do you recommend? After reading all of these posts I am almost convinced to go with the stroller I have as it folds up easily and quickly, has a good shade, tray with sippy cup holder - tray is important to my DGD as she likes to put her "stuff" there, including cheerios - and I already own it But it does not push easily and has no cup for parents drinks. I really need the tray!!! Thanks,

 

[DisNae]

Every time this subject comes up, I always recommend this:

http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.co...unt=&pn=1&Product_Id=425392&SearchedProduct=t

It's lightweight, it reclines, it has a shade, it's easy to push, it's inexpensive. No, it doesn't have a storage basket, but I attach either my backpack or a mesh bag to the handles and voila, storage. I wouldn't leave anything behind while on a ride, either, so a lack of basket doesn't bother me.

I test drove the Macs (like the model you posted upthread) and this Avalon handles *almost* as well. Seriously. It's only a slight difference, and for $100 cheaper, I don't mind. I used it on our last trip to WDW with my 4-year-old, 40-pound DD and it was a snap to push with her in it. DH is 6' 2" and didn't have any issues with kicking the wheels. It's definitely not your standard umbrella stroller, but it's not as ridiculously expensive as a Mac, either. Sweet spot!

 

[hellokittiemama]

Oh! I had that Avalon stroller!!! I bought it before going out of town for the weekend one time and didn't have space to take my fullsize. I really liked it but then 'upgraded' to the Inglesina Trip which I truly LOVE (and its Pink LOL)

 

[kileybeth]

again, I strongly urge you to actually go to the store and push these things. There is truly a difference.

I live in an area that affords me that option so I do know not everyone can do this. However, if there was a stroller within a 50+ mile radius of me, I've test driven it, purchased quite a few and returned nearly as many. <sigh>

my DH could not believe it when I brought home the Mac, He was shocked I would spend that amount of money and even more shocked I would buy a stroller with fewer options. This is one of those cases where less has proved to be more.

no, there is no tray for your little one on a Mac. Have you seen those cheapy jeep umbrella strollers? and yes, I'm qualified to call them cheapy as I've owned 2 now they did have saddle bags that worked great for snacks and drinks. also carry you dot com is a company that sells every type of snack tray, saddle bag, drink holder, organizer you could want. shop around though, there are lots of options.

I really did prefer the volo over the higher end models of the Maclaren due to the deeper seat and my kiddos are a bit older and I wanted the lightest weight stroller possible that would be sturdy. I think the next level up is only 13 lbs tho.

 

[all4fun]

We have a Kidco LS2000 (VERY similar to the pp's stroller, only w/out the nap bar) and have really abused that thing. After almost 3yrs of use, 6 trips to WDW (gate checked at the airport every time) plus 3 trips to DL it still works very good, although dh, who is 6'2" has kicked the back wheels so many times the brakes don't work any more. Still this stroller is MUCH more comfortable to push than the Chicco Capri we bought which even though it's taller than a standard cheapo umbrella, it still wasn't tall enough for 5'6" me. We've also used our Kidco for hauling groceries to our room, and we pile a lot of bags on it at the airport. It's a workhorse! I do admit when you get past the 50lb limit it does get hard to push but I'd hazzard to say we had about 65lbs piled on it one time and I could still push it OK. My ds who is four and in the 90th percentile for height still fits in this comfortably although his feet are dangling past the footrest now (not so much that they drag but I find a lot of times he just doesn't use it). His head also still fits under the canopy not that it matters since he gets mad when I extend it. He likes to be able to see what's going on. LOL

If you can find one on ebay they're a decent stroller. Just thought I'd add my .02 cents worth. hth

 

[kileybeth]

great review of the kidco all4fun! I appreciate the real life reviews! that's all I ever try to offer as well. my own personal experience. how did your gatechecks go?we'e gatechecked monsters (graco doubles) and cheapies and never had a prob but I hear horror stories! flying airtran and southwest this time. . .any advice?

redbud, you made me laugh as I, in exasperation have said just that a hundred times (forget it! I'll just use what I have!)

 

[NemoMOm]

great review of the kidco all4fun! I appreciate the real life reviews! that's all I ever try to offer as well. my own personal experience. how did your gatechecks go?we'e gatechecked monsters (graco doubles) and cheapies and never had a prob but I hear horror stories! flying airtran and southwest this time. . .any advice?

redbud, you made me laugh as I, in exasperation have said just that a hundred times (forget it! I'll just use what I have!)

Yeah, SW broke our stroller our first trip and did not replace because when you check it they make you sign something saying they are not responsible for damages. That is why we take a cheap stroller. Try your local Target we love ours at 40 bucks. It has everything you wanted and folds fast and easy no tipping.

 

[all4fun]

great review of the kidco all4fun! I appreciate the real life reviews! that's all I ever try to offer as well. my own personal experience. how did your gatechecks go?we'e gatechecked monsters (graco doubles) and cheapies and never had a prob but I hear horror stories! flying airtran and southwest this time. . .any advice?

redbud, you made me laugh as I, in exasperation have said just that a hundred times (forget it! I'll just use what I have!)

Gate checking is very easy. I always remove anything after market (i.e. cupholders) - and actually that's one CON to this type of stroller since you have to add that on if you need it. I also almost always take the canopy off too and pack it in our luggage, put it back on upon arrival. It's not difficult to remove IMO. Folding it is easy - just lift up the latch on the back w/your toe and it collapses forward onto it's wheels. There's a little latch on the side that holds it closed. You can also bungie it if you want to make sure it doesn't come open somehow. We've been fortunate that it's never been damaged by the airline. And yes, most airlines consider strollers and car seats to be "fragile" items and when you sign the gate check tag it's also a liability waiver.

hth

 

[NemoMOm]

Gate checking is very easy. I always remove anything after market (i.e. cupholders) - and actually that's one CON to this type of stroller since you have to add that on if you need it. I also almost always take the canopy off too and pack it in our luggage, put it back on upon arrival. It's not difficult to remove IMO. Folding it is easy - just lift up the latch on the back w/your toe and it collapses forward onto it's wheels. There's a little latch on the side that holds it closed. You can also bungie it if you want to make sure it doesn't come open somehow. We've been fortunate that it's never been damaged by the airline. And yes, most airlines consider strollers and car seats to be "fragile" items and when you sign the gate check tag it's also a liability waiver.

hth

All4fun makes a very good point, sorry I forgot to mention that. Strip it down! It did not save the first one as it was literally broken in half. I still wonder what they put on top of it do cause so much damage it was a regular evenflo stroller (or graco? one of the 2) lol But stripping can save your drink holders and etc. I love my drink holders! I too pack it in our luggage before we hit the airport otherwise you may forget.

 

[HelenePA]

I have the Kolcraft one you posted but with out the Ipod dock.. I can NOT say anything bad about this stroller. Its amazing. I love it! My son slept in it everyday at disney when we went. Its VERY light weight, VERY easy to move even when his almost 60 pound sister got in it! I LOVE IT! I'd recommend it to anyone! I got mine at sears. If you have one around go see if you can try it out.. VERY VERY awesome stroller for the price! I think we've gone thru about 8 strollers in the last 7 years. Honestly I'll never buy another!

 

[Redbudlover]

I love "livin dangerously", so I bought the Peg Parego stroller. I went looking at the Macs, thought I would get one n Ebay and asked about the tray. The Ebay person said what about Peg parego? Evidently they push very easily like the Mac??? The main thing is the Aria ones have one hand close and open, 5 point restraints, a good hood, a parent cup, a nice big basket for storage, a tray that swings out of the way for loading and unloading the baby, and weigh only 10 pounds! And - ready for this are only $130. I tried to buy one on Craig's List that was two years old for $70, but it was gone too quickly. So I thought, OK, buy it, use it for Disney and sell it - or keep it until DGD won't ride in it another instant - maybe use it again at WDW next year - and then sell it for $70 and for $60 I will have a lot of use from it. I will let you know how it goes - only 34 more days!!! Oh, almost forgot - here is the link to it if anyone is curious... http://www.pegperego.com/page.php?s...28&pageid=UJVNL001&idf=04&idp=0000000104&cl=N

 

[5 blind mice]

We bought a Kidco off of Ebay for about $70 last summer. I LOVE IT. I really can't say enough good things about it. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore, so you'd have to buy one off of ebay.QUOTE]

It looks like this stroller reclines all the way, which is great. Does it come with a tray? If not, is that something you miss having?

We desperately need a new stroller, but my DS (16 months) is so used to eating snacks on his tray that I don't know if we could do without it.

 

[jenseib]

I bought a baby trend (i beleive) from toys r us for the trip I twas 40 bucks. Not the best stroller ,but worked great for the trip. Had plenty of storage underneath, which we needed, & not too heavy. Now DD was 2 and a few months then and hates to sit in strollers most of the time, so she did alot of walking, but it was great when she wanted it. It was stiff to fold when I first got it, so I put WD40 and worked it to loosen it up before the trip. All in all it was great "trip" stroller. We don't really use it at home since I have an ice big one and an umbrella one, and DD really doesn't sit in one much anyways, but I will take it on our next trip if it is in the nextyear.

 

[BevS97]

Maybe I need to say it quietly, but I love my Maclaren too - saying that in the UK they aren't expensive strollers, they are just basic everyday ones.

I wouldn't touch one of those cheap $15 strollers, I've seen too many people hunched over and my back just screams at the thought of it.

We have one like a Volo (ours is an older Model), it is 6 years old and will be coming back to WDW with us this year. It doesn't recline but it is semi-reclined all the time and DD can sleep in it without me havig to walk with the wheels in the air.

There is a small basket underneath - I can't remember if it came with the basket or we added it afterwards, but it holds an amazing amount of stuff - I get a 6pack softsided cooler in there and some changes of clothes. We have also hung a net bag on the back, but you do have to be careful of tipping if you hang a bag on the back.

They are only $99 on Target - I think they are a great WDW stroller.

 

[Redbudlover]

We bought a Kidco off of Ebay for about $70 last summer. I LOVE IT. I really can't say enough good things about it. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore, so you'd have to buy one off of ebay.QUOTE]

It looks like this stroller reclines all the way, which is great. Does it come with a tray? If not, is that something you miss having?

We desperately need a new stroller, but my DS (16 months) is so used to eating snacks on his tray that I don't know if we could do without it.

I had to order the tray from the Ebay seller in addition - but the cost was included in the $129. It is nice and swings out of the way. The stroller does recline all the way, which is a great feature. I just don't care for those little macs with no basket, no tray, and no space for the child....