Need Stroller advice for combined Air, Land (WDW) and Sea Trip! NOW WITH POLL!

[tee11]

Hello! We will be traveling with a 1 and a 4 year old. We are flying into Orlando, and staying for several nights at WDW (CBR), then going onto a Disney Cruise!

In the past we have used a single medium sized umbrella stroller (First Years Ignite) for the flight and cruise, and this has worked very well. I was going to do the same this trip, for the one year old...
but now I'm reading, that I will need a stroller at WDW for my 4 year old... plus my one year old might be not comfortable enough in the umbrella stroller which only has a small shade...

Should we bring our 'regular' stroller (City Mini) AND our umbrella stroller (for the 4 year old), or should we buy/rent/borrow a double stroller (like the City Mini side by side Double Stroller)?

I am concerned about maneuvering a double stroller through the airport and on the cruise ship... and storing it in our cabin!

So... what have other people done on a Disney Land and Sea trip with kids my ages?
Will be very grateful for any answers and insights!

TIA!!!

 

[darnheather]

Umbrella stroller for the 1 year old and rent a stroller for the 4 year old if they need it.

 

[tee11]

I should have added that we are going in August/September, so it will be warm (hot?), that's why I'm concerned about the smallish shade on my umbrella stroller for the one year old. We've flown and cruised with this umbrella stroller, but shade and comfort were not an issue on those trips, as it was more for getting from point A to point B.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Is there ever a chance that your 4 year old will sleep in the stroller? If so, I'd bring your City Mini Double, the only thing is that you couldn't use it much on the ship (it would not work in the hallways). So then I'd borrow a single from the ship to use there, and save your double for excursions and WDW. If your 4 year old just needs a walking break, I'd either add a buggy board and a sun shade to your umbrella stroller, or get a different one that has a built-in step on it (not a sit and stand, I'm thinking old-style Peg Perego P3, not sure if they make them anymore)

 

[DisneyPups]

How old is your 1yo ( are we talking closer to 12 mos or 23 mos?) and do you have a good carrier? We brought an umbrella stroller for our 9 mos old but when our almost 4yo got tired, we put the little one in a carrier and the ~4yo got to relax in the stroller. I could see still putting a 12-15mo old on a carrier but much heavier than that and you're breaking your back.

 

[belac]

I would bring umbrella stroller (as long as it a small shade already) and rent a stroller that you can use at WDW for little one to sleep in if needed, you don't have to go through WDW parks to rent one, try kingdomstrollers.com, my friends have used them and they delivered to the hotel. I personally never used them, but maybe ask on the WDW Threads. For the Umbrella stroller we bought one of these for shade http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=72549656&ab=BRU:bproduct_rr:Related:2, now ours wasn't as adjustable (8 years ago) but I think same maker and it folds up small. just search I am sure there are a ton of them.
The Parks in August can be brutal. We also brought a small battery operated clip on fan, small pump spritzer (filled with water), and bubbles. Yep the bubbles were a lifesaving distraction during lines. Helped a few other parents in the same line as their kids stopped whining and tried to catch the bubbles. Just brought a bottle of bubbles each day.
For the cruise you will have the umbrella stroller and it will be lots easier.

 

[tee11]

Thank you darnheather, kuhltiffany, disneypups and belac !!!
I knew I had come to the right place to ask this question, you all brought up so many good points.
I'm sorry I didn't get to answer your follow up questions sooner! I'm typing so slow on the phone and gave up, until I could get myself to the computer! So thanks for your patience!

- My 4 year old hasn't napped in years, unless there are unusual circumstances (this trip may turn out to be one?!? LOL!)
I do see my 4 year old wanting to be carried though...and not wanting to walk/stand, so yes, for WDW, I see the need for a stroller.
We only just added on the WDW portion of the trip, so that changes everything!

-For the cruise - we did not really need a stroller on past cruises (one kid age 2, one kid age 3), except maybe once or so. The stroller was a lifesaver through the airport though, and while waiting to check in for the cruise, all the terminals, etc.
On one of our cruises we had an extended balcony, that would have fit a whole fleet of strollers, but this time we will have a standard verandah, and a pack n play in the cabin, so parking a double would be really hard I think?

-My 1 year old will be 15 months old on this trip. Her weight is about 20 lbs currently...
I have a Beco and a Bjoern... I was thinking that she'd get so hot in those carriers in August/September.
Should I still bring them??
My DH said we should look into "hard" (framed) carriers for this trip...

I'm wondering, if we should invest in one of hard carriers vs. investing in a different (single or double?) stroller, or investing into a stroller rental for WDW only (don't know which type would be best for our two kids)? Or just bring the umbrella stroller we have? Plus a second umbrella stroller for my 4 year old? Maybe even a cheap one that we will leave behind at WDW?? Could be cheaper than the rental?

Ohhh, I love this Summer Infant RayShade! I've never known about this before! THANK YOU! This looks like it could fit over our existing First Years Ignite umbrella stroller to make it much better!
Thank you, Belac, for the idea with the fans, spritzer bottles, and the bubbles!
I remember seeing those little fans on our last WDW trip, and that was 12 years ago!!!
Brilliant! Will definitely put the fans, the bottles and the bubbles on my list right now!
Would you buy these items at home, or do they sell them at the Disney resorts?
I'm just asking, because of the airports. I'd have to pack all liquids in the suitcases (I guess I'd have to take several smaller bottles?)
Now I wish we could drive, then I would just bring all strollers, and all carriers, and everything!
These ideas are awesome!

Sorry for this very long post! I hope you guys can weigh in what you'd think is the best way to go, with the additional info...
Again, THANK YOU!

 

[belac]

Hi as far as the fan spritzer I added Mickey stickers lol (regular spritz bottle like the ones for hair stylists) and bubbles we brought from home, packed in checked luggage. The spritzer we filled up daily at resort or anywhere in park. The bubbles I bought a 4 pack with the little wand inside, the fan at babies r us, a clip on to stroller kind.
They have all that in the parks but you will pay a lot. The bubbles I have seen are always battery operated ones and didn't see refill soap for them, but never noticed really.

 

[tee11]

Is there ever a chance that your 4 year old will sleep in the stroller? If so, I'd bring your City Mini Double, the only thing is that you couldn't use it much on the ship (it would not work in the hallways). So then I'd borrow a single from the ship to use there, and save your double for excursions and WDW. If your 4 year old just needs a walking break, I'd either add a buggy board and a sun shade to your umbrella stroller, or get a different one that has a built-in step on it (not a sit and stand, I'm thinking old-style Peg Perego P3, not sure if they make them anymore)

Thank you! Can I add a 'buggy board' to any stroller??

 

[tee11]

Hi as far as the fan spritzer I added Mickey stickers lol (regular spritz bottle like the ones for hair stylists) and bubbles we brought from home, packed in checked luggage. The spritzer we filled up daily at resort or anywhere in park. The bubbles I bought a 4 pack with the little wand inside, the fan at babies r us, a clip on to stroller kind.
They have all that in the parks but you will pay a lot. The bubbles I have seen are always battery operated ones and didn't see refill soap for them, but never noticed really.

Belac, THANK YOU! Absolute life saver these tips, really! Almost think I should request a sticky note for this thread!

 

[wl1117]

I voted one umbrella stroller and a soft carrier. The single umbrella strollers really do make it easier onboard. The hallways are narrow, the elevators get crowded, it stores easier under the bed, etc. The soft carriers are easier too. You can roll them up and stow them in the bottom of the stroller. Your 4 year old can walk some, or sit in the stroller while you carry the baby, or the 4 year old can still be carried in the carrier in a pinch. My kids were (a few days short of ) 1 yr and 4.5 on one of our DL trips and this was the setup we used. If you find yourself missing a stroller for both, there are some available at guest services too.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I used umbrella strollers right up to the time my boys were 4 and 6. The 6 year old wanted to walk, mostly, so I put my purse in it for weight. We were also able to use it to carry other things, like water or purchases. But when the crowds got big, my guys were sitting and we knew they weren't getting separated from us. We went in spring and there were days when I wished we'd had shade, so, yeah, get something with shade. Also, check the weight allowance for the 4 year old to make sure the stroller will still take his weight. I invested in better ones (with handles that extended so my tall husband could comfortably push) that could handle more weight than the Walmart ones. I also made sure my guys weren't flopping into them, but sitting carefully. I found two small strollers easier to manage around the park than some of the rented big ones would have been. Crowds can make things tight.

I do like the idea of a rental from an outside company, though. You'd have it while you needed it and then you're not stuck with it on your cruise.

 

[Plaid Princess]

I'd say go with the Umbrella stroller and a carrier. Odds are likely the 4 year old won't use the stroller at all times, and you can double up with the carrier when he does. Also much less to put in the cabin (umbrella stroller can go under the bed), and no hassle of dealing with an outside rental.

You can always pick up a WDW stroller if you find yourself needing more capacity as the day goes on. I usually do this when I take my nephew (age 3) to the parks. He's very unlikely to use the stroller, so we don't bring one. Then if he eventually gets tired, we'll have someone pop back up to the front of the park and rent one.

 

[ktate82]

When our kids were 4 and 5, we did two umbrella strollers. I invested in decent umbrella strollers that were taller and held up to 50 lbs. You can get an attachment to connect them and make a double stroller. I would get a second umbrella stroller. Then you have them both for excursions, airport, and WDW and also have the smaller umbrella stroller for the cruise. I couldn't imagine how hot it would be for your baby and for you to wear. It's not just hot, but it's so humid too.

You can get a few different fan misters at Walmart. They have the big ones like they have in the park (here). They also have a hand held one that doesn't hold much water (here). While I expected to use the first type, we almost always use the second most. They are easy to refill, light weight to carry (those bigger ones get HEAVY!!!!), and the kids can hold/wear their own. Another thing we got from walmart that was amazing was a small little necklace fan. Oh my goodness how that helped!

What ever you do, you know your kids best. Things to ask are will your 4 year old be content to walk at WDW, ride a buggy board (is a sit to stand an option?), or does he need a stroller? Will your daughter and you or your husband tolerate the heat a carrier? Can they sit in a double stroller together without issue?

 

[tee11]

When our kids were 4 and 5, we did two umbrella strollers. I invested in decent umbrella strollers that were taller and held up to 50 lbs. You can get an attachment to connect them and make a double stroller. I would get a second umbrella stroller.

What ever you do, you know your kids best. Things to ask are will your 4 year old be content to walk at WDW, ride a buggy board (is a sit to stand an option?), or does he need a stroller? Will your daughter and you or your husband tolerate the heat a carrier? Can they sit in a double stroller together without issue?

Thank you for these great tips!
I will definitely invest in a fan, mister, spritz bottle, and bubbles, thank you all so much!

To answer your questions:

My 4 year old will want to sit, I think, especially when her sister is sitting. They would be fine in a side by side. I'm worried my 15 months old would overheat, if the carrier were our only option. I couldn't carry her all day, and my DH is not a fan of heat! He likes to carry the 4 year old on his shoulders vs. a carrier (he doesn't like to be encumbered, plus she is super tall), but I don't think that's a good all day solution...

As far as what to bring - I'm leaning towards a second umbrella stroller now (so bringing TWO), AND packing a soft carrier (we have a Beco Gemini that rolls up nicely). We have one decent umbrella stroller (the first years Ignite, and I'm going to get a bigger shade for it, like recommended - thank you!!), and I'll get one more - what is decent in the 50-70 dollar range??

I didn't know there were attachments to make two single into a double stroller - that would be awesome!!
Do they have to be the same brand strollers?

I do have a 20 dollar umbrella stroller, but I don't think that one is good for travel - the wheels get stuck and the handles are very low... The only thing going for it is a small shade - and it's a cute Disney motive!
We also have a city mini single, but I think that might be too big/heavy for the airport and cruise.

 

[ktate82]

Thank you for these great tips!
I will definitely invest in a fan, mister, spritz bottle, and bubbles, thank you all so much!

To answer your questions:

My 4 year old will want to sit, I think, especially when her sister is sitting. They would be fine in a side by side. I'm worried my 15 months old would overheat, if the carrier were our only option. I couldn't carry her all day, and my DH is not a fan of heat! He likes to carry the 4 year old on his shoulders vs. a carrier (he doesn't like to be encumbered, plus she is super tall), but I don't think that's a good all day solution...

As far as what to bring - I'm leaning towards a second umbrella stroller now (so bringing TWO), AND packing a soft carrier (we have a Beco Gemini that rolls up nicely). We have one decent umbrella stroller (the first years Ignite, and I'm going to get a bigger shade for it, like recommended - thank you!!), and I'll get one more - what is decent in the 50-70 dollar range??

I didn't know there were attachments to make two single into a double stroller - that would be awesome!!
Do they have to be the same brand strollers?

I do have a 20 dollar umbrella stroller, but I don't think that one is good for travel - the wheels get stuck and the handles are very low... The only thing going for it is a small shade - and it's a cute Disney motive!
We also have a city mini single, but I think that might be too big/heavy for the airport and cruise.

While having a Disney motive is nice, I would get a different one. A few times of stuck wheels, and I would be one of the adults melting down at Disney, lol. I would look on Amazon for lightweight strollers. They have lots of reviews, prime shipping (if you have that), and easy to make returns. The attachments depend on the stroller as I remember, but google turning two umbrella strollers into a double and you will find several items and even articles on how to do it yourself.

I remembered something else we did with the bubbles. We got the mini ones you pass out at weddings or parties. They were lighter to carry and if they spilled, they didn't have as much liquid in them.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Ok, here's what I would consider with all your new info. You already have the BEST strollers for Disney (Baby Jogger City Mini Double and Single), they have the perfect sun shade coverage, and being able to recline the seat, use the shade, and have the mesh coverage open in back for air-flow is key.

The choices for me would be to take the double, but then you don't have a single for the few times you would need it on the ship (so could either use your carrier or you can borrow one for free on the ship), or take the City Mini Single and get a board for the back for your 4 year old to ride on.. http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Jogger-Glider-Board-Black/dp/B00318CLAK

 

[DCLDVC1]

When our kids were younger, we'd rent a double from Orlando Stroller Rentals to use in the parks and bring a cheap umbrella stroller onboard.

 

[Hundredacre]

Every time we rented (from wdw or outside service and we tried both- actually preferred wdw because just less stress) we wished we had just brought one. Once when we.were at wdw we bought an umbrella stroller at the magic kingdom. It was $40. Maybe they are more now? Not sure. It lasted way beyond the trip. Umbrella strollers are by far the best because you can get on and off buses and easily, navigate through crowds, and I find I was always less worried about umbrella strollers- just cheaper. Once you are on the ship you can fold it up and put it in the closet- because you won't need it on the ship. You might need it if you go on an excursion, etc, but even then it depends.

 

[belac]

Sorry can't help you with stroller pick, we haven't had to use one in over 5 years and childrens items change so much, even in that short time. There are so many things now that weren't around a short five years ago. One thing you can add to the list if you are ok with it is lollipops for the plane ride. I don't know about the little one but the older will appreciate a lollipop at take off and landing. A bottle of juice may help with younger, just to keep the ears from popping badly, the swallowing of juice or lollipop will do the trick. Really anything they will eat or drink will work.
I assume you are not taking car seats. If you are we used a contraption that had wheels and screwed into the car seat here is link: http://www.amazon.com/GO-GO-TRAVELMATE-Travel-Stroller-Toddler/dp/B000JJK9EY
A sticker book is way better on a plane than crayons that fall, the kind that has several pages of story and a few pages of stickers and child places stickers on story pages, and tablet if you have one with a movie or two, one set shows they both like. Disposable sippy cups are awesome. And lots and lots of wipes. The one thing I found so worth for me... And to this day is http://www.amazon.com/Neat-Solution...eywords=disposable+toilet+seat+cover+for+kids they have adhesive that sticks enough to not move, until you take it off, and no residue from tape after. My DS isn't happy with the Dora but no one sees it so who cares.