New stroller for a three year old? **UPDATE**

[Cinderumbrella]

Is it worth it to buy a new stroller for our trip this year. DS will be 3.5 and I don't want to lug the travel stroller on the buses. I got a Baby Trend for $40 at Babies R Us last year, but the back wheel kept flying off.
Is it worth is to get a MacClaren or something? We do intend on hitting WDW in '07 and '08 for his 5th bday. so it will be used more than just one trip.
TIA!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

HMMMM...tough question! You can buy another cheapie from Babies R Us again, if you aren't going to use it that often. But if you are going to get good use out of it, then you should think about the Maclaren. I just got one and I absolutely LOVE everything about it. You can also buy a Maclaren cheaper on ebay, just so you know. I got mine at Babies R Us, since I couldn't find the one I wanted on ebay! Good Maclaren's usually retail for $199 and up (like I said on ebay, you could definitely get one cheaper). If you don't have the money for it and you really won't use it, go for the cheaper $40 stroller from BRU.

But then again, if you are planning to have another child in the future, maybe a Maclaren is the way to go! LOL.....

 

[lovesdumbo]

You can get a MacLaren Volo from Albee Baby for $109. I've had good luck with them for 2 purchases. If you're going to get 3 trips out of it you may find it worth it and it would likely still have a resale value. Have you tried any consignment shops to look for a used stroller?

I also found renting in the parks very convenient but pricey.

I'm sure others can reccomend less expensive strollers that keep their wheels on.

 

[TravelinGal]

Our Baby Trend didn't have any issues with the wheels falling off - it was just not right for my stride. I kicked the wheels all the time.

Honestly, unless you are planning another child down the line, I don't think I'd spend that much money on a seldom used stroller. But I'm a penny pincher...LOL

My one word of advice would be to test drive it in the store first - and make sure you walk like you would really walk out and about - not just strolling like you do in a store. If I had done that with the Baby Trend, I'd have know right away it wasn't right for me. You also want to make sure the handles are tall enough for all adults that may be pushing it. No faster way to ruin a fun trip than to have a back ache the first day!

 

[Tiggerific711]

We bought a Maclaren Volo stroller last spring from Target online. It was on sale for $89 with free shipping. It was the best money we ever spent. My DS5 is about 60lbs and over 48 inches tall and has no trouble fitting in it. It's also very light and has a strap to sling over your shoulder when folded. It's already been to Disney twice!

You can get in on Ebay too but sometimes the bidding wars can get alittle crazy. I noticed that the same stroller that was $89 in Target was over $120 on Ebay! People just kept bidding it up.

Good Luck

Marianne

 

[ZanneMarie]

I bought a new stroller for my 3 year old after I sold the infant car seat/stroller system. I bought a Kolcraft Tour Sport Universal reclining umbrella stroller. I got it at Burlington Coat Factory for about $50. I picked this stroller after having my daughter 'try out' many different strollers at a ton of different stores.

The reason I chose this one was the seat area was larger, it reclined, she was able to curl up and turn on her side a bit, it had a big basket, the wheels were far enough apart that neither my DH or I kicked them while walking. The things that I did not like as well was that it took a bit to get the hang of folding it up easily (for me anyways, DH got it right away) and that there was a type of bar across the front do DD had to climb under it-not that she cared. This stroller also is designed to hold an infant carseat and not that I needed that but I thought that could not hurt for resale value.

I have never seen this one recommended and I really liked the price and functionality of it.

Hope you find what works best for you.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I found a 2004 VOLO stroller on ebay for $39.99...with a BUY IT NOW for $49.99! And that's BRAND NEW. This is a STEAL for anyone looking into the Volo. Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Maclaren-2004-V...ryZ66703QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It ends in 8+ hours and even with the shipping at $20, still a deal.

Here's another one with a nice stripe print...$49.99 with BIN of $55. Shipping is $24. http://cgi.ebay.com/MACLAREN-VOLO-W...ryZ66703QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here is another really nice one...it's a bit pricier at $79.99. (2005 model) http://cgi.ebay.com/Maclaren-2005-V...ryZ66704QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

On second thought, here is the search page on ebay for MACLAREN VOLO. Check it out at your leisure! There are a bunch of them on there that you might like!
http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...kr=1&from=R8&satitle=maclaren+volo&category0=

 

[mickeyjen]

I agree go with the volo for that age range and try to get it from ebay. Another option is Babystyle who frequently does 20% off sales and it retails for $99. The 2005 version comes with a canopy while the 2004 version does not. They both have mesh seat, basket underneath and a strap for carrying it when it is closed (bus!). We bought one this summer and I am kicking myself for not splurging sooner... It is so easy to push with either my 2 yo or my almost 4yo (43 lbs.). We ended up buying another for our upcoming WDW trip so that we can strap them together (or not) and each kid will have one!

 

[utahkennedys]

VOLO! I got mine, with shipping, for $70 on eBay and it is my favorite stroller! My expensive Peg Perego is collecting dust! It holds kids up to 55 pounds (dd4 is only 30 so we figure she can last a while in it STILL!). Can't say enough good about it at all - so easy to fold, SO light, so easy to maneuver, comfy for dd, easy to take on planes, buses, etc. If anything happens to it, I'll buy another. DD#2 is due in 2 weeks and I'll probably buy another for her. Also, it's easy to push unlike cheaper strollers b/c the handles are high enough. LOVE IT!

 

[bengalbelle]

I love our Maclaren! We bought it when DS was 3, specifically to take to WDW. We've never regretted the purchase

 

[lauritagoddess]

If you plan on using it for more than just the trip, I'd say go with the Maclaren. The Maclarens are rated now to 55 lbs so you can get alot of use out of it before your child outgrows it. I got a Maclaren Triumph last year right after my son turned 3 and he'd outgrown the Kolcraft umbrella stroller I'd been using since he was 13 months. I love the Maclaren!!! I only wish I'd gotten on sooner. It will definitely be coming with us when we go to Disney in a few weeks and my son will be 3 years 8 months and is about 40 lbs now. I got a good deal last year on it from Tinyride.com.

 

[slduck]

We had the same issue. We decided to purchase the MacClaren and never regretted it. It was so easy to manuver in the Disney crowds. I also had a Baby Trend, and it doesn't compare to the MAC.

 

[lovesdumbo]

You may want to be careful ordering an older model. The 2006 now comes with a sun canopy. The older ones you had to purchase an accessory kit seperately. If you can get a great deal on an older model it might come out cheaper but I wouldn't want to not have an canopy at Disney.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Wow! Thanks for all the responses! I got my new Babies R Us Catalog today with the coupons and they show a Combi in there for $89 (after coupon) but I like the idea that the Maclarens can go up to 55lbs. I'm off to do a little research!!
Thanks again- you ladies are great!!

ETA: Found a Mac Techno XT for $189 ($110 off) should I go for it??

 

[munchkinsmom]

Definitely go with the Maclaren!

As previous posters have mentioned, Maclarens have a high resale value once you don't need it anymore and the 55 lbs. weight limit is a major plus. It's very sturdy and maneuvers wonderfully through the crowds. I have a five year old and soon-to-be three year old and we're still using a Mac Twin Traveller whenever we go to Disneyland.

Good luck!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Wow! Thanks for all the responses! I got my new Babies R Us Catalog today with the coupons and they show a Combi in there for $89 (after coupon) but I like the idea that the Maclarens can go up to 55lbs. I'm off to do a little research!!
Thanks again- you ladies are great!!

ETA: Found a Mac Techno XT for $189 ($110 off) should I go for it??

Unless you're planning on more children, I would stick to the Volo. You'll really appreciate the light weight of this stroller over the years. But I think you'll really know best if you see a few different strollers in the store.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

For those of you with the Volo is it strange that the sides are mesh? Is seems to me that it might be flimsy or something... What do you think?

 

[mickeyjen]

For those of you with the Volo is it strange that the sides are mesh? Is seems to me that it might be flimsy or something... What do you think?

Definitely not flimsy!!! This is the sturdiest stroller we've owned (and we've owned a lot... ). The mesh is actually sturdier than some fabrics...

Also, babystyle is currently doing a $10 off every $50 spent promotion... code is KICKOFF The volo (last I checked) was running $99, so you would have to buy something else for a buck or so to get $20 off...

 

[mickeyjen]

I just checked babystyle.com, and their volo is on sale for $79.99!!!! Unless I am reading the coupon incorrectly, this means you can get the new model (with canopy) for $69.99 with the coupon!! I am so jealous that I don't need another....

 

[Princessbaby]

We bought a Jeep umbrella stroller at Babies R Us for about $30 and it had great control and the handlebars were excellent because I didn't feel like I was leaning way over like I do with other umbrella strollers. Wheels were great-never got stuck, never came off, it had a pouch on each side that my 3.5yo could put his glasses in and his autograph book and pen! He loved it! It had the highest weight limit than others we looked at too.