Obsessed with finding a Double stroller...help!

[rparent1481]

Hello! We are headed to Disney this August with our two girls. They are 3 and 4, but both very tall and solid weighing about 40 and 48 lbs.
I'm looking for a side-by-side stroller that will be easy to maneuver and get on/off Disney transportation. The Baby Jogger City Mini double looks great but is it too big to fold up easily and store on the bus? Also found the umbrella types: Maclaren twin Triumph and Grace IPO twin both hold 50-55 lbs per child!
So confusing and of course no local stores carry these names!
I'd very much appreciate any advice so I can just buy one and stop my stroller obsession!!

Thanks!!!! This is my first trip to Disney as well - can you tell?!?!

 

[goofy4tink]

Very few double, side by side strollers are easy to manuever on the buses. I sit and watch those poor parents trying to juggle the stroller and the kids. All I can say is that I'm so glad it isn't me.

 

[Cierese]

Very few double, side by side strollers are easy to manuever on the buses. I sit and watch those poor parents trying to juggle the stroller and the kids. All I can say is that I'm so glad it isn't me.

Even our single stroller (not umbrella) was a pain in the rear on some of the bus rides. Some of the buses have storage, some do not but ALL require the child(ren) not be in the stroller on the bus ride. I took my kids 2 years ago on my own. At the time they were DS9, DD7 and DS1. The bus rides were the worst in the evening when the baby was tired and wanted to be held and I had to try to keep the stroller from falling over on someone. I will say though if you are going with other adults then it won't be so bad!

 

[Nutz4Goofy]

Unfortunately, strollers are cumbersome on the buses no matter what size. We are renting the Citi Mini double when we are down there in Sept. I, too, was hesitant about the size so I went to Babies R Us and tried it out. User friendly, easy to fold, nice size compartments, big yes - but its a double stroller....can't expect any different! The girls (1 and 4) fit in it perfectly and the sun shades come down pretty far...which is a must have in the Florida sun and heat! Good Luck!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You might want to go over and search the Disney for Families board. There are dozens of stroller discussions there.

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=23

 

[TJA]

We use the Baby Jogger City Series double (not mini) and it works well for twin girls both weighing in the 40's. To fold it, just lift the handles on each seat. But, yes, any double is pretty cumbersome on a bus. Our solution is to stay at a resort where we don't take a bus very often - lol. Seriously, though, it's disney and the main thing is to be sure your kids are comfortable. DH folds and holds the jogger on the bus while I take the kids and sit down. It works.

 

[goofy4tink]

Something for the future..while in WDW....to keep in mind. When in the bus lines, be sure to take the girls out well in advance. Then, be sure that the stroller is emptied and folded up before you get to the bus door. Many parents keep the kids in the stroller until they get to the bus door, then take the kids out, and start folding it up.Really adds to the chaos..and makes you very unpopular with those behind you in line.

Once on that bus, with the stroller, if whoever is holding the stroller isn't able to remain right next to the family, don't stress. The stroller will be more easily managed a bit further back in the bus...closer to the back door area. I'm sure everyone knows when to get off the bus..they don't need that other parent to direct them. So....don't stop with that stroller to stay with the family (if they get seats and you don't). Just move out of the way...otherwise, others are going to have to climb past you to get to the rear of the bus.

Be sure to not overload your stroller with stuff. So many families put all their bags underneath the stroller, then the kids have to come out, mom has to deal with the kids, grab all that stuff, while dad folds up the stroller and handles it on the bus.

Just those few thoughts to keep in mind. I know that the vast majority of parents try to be considerate stroller users. But sometimes they forget that being in WDW brings completely different challenges. So plan ahead, be prepared. If you are considerate, others will be more likely to cut you some slack. NOt saying anyone here isn't considerate and/or doesn't know all this already. Just a reminder,that's all.

 

[amitrat]

I agree with what everyone said.

We had a stroller for our 18month old and rented an identical one from one of the off site places - it was not Orlando stroller rental, but I can't remember the name. Having 2 separate strollers was much easier - buses, stores etc. I would go that route. I can look up the info for where we rented if you need me too - they were fabulous! We rented a BJCM and it was great - ours were green and red and stood out and were easy to find - the one company only rents orange!

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We have a Combii Twin Sport for our 5 and almost 3 yr old. Not sure of the weight requirements because both are girls are peanuts, but we love it, it is lightweight and easy to fold for buses.

 

[RobbiD]

Back in the day, we used a Sit And Stand stroller by Baby Trend. And people came up to us frequently in Disney to ask us about it. Worked great.

 

[Snappy in OK]

We rented a City Mini from Orlando Strollers for our last trip, and we are planning on renting a stroller again this fall. We found the City Mini very easy to maneuver in the parks & out. Our kids were almost 3 & 5 on our last trip, and it was easy for them to get in & out of, it was very comfortable, had a huge canopy to block the sun, had a good size basket for our things, and it was easy to fold quickly. We just used the handles/pull straps (for folding) to carry it onto the buses, and we didn't find it overly cumbersome - I think carrying any stroller on & off the buses would be somewhat cumbersome.

I agree with a PP who gave tips on being ready to get on the bus before you get to the bus entrance, and other "stroller courtesies". I think if you keep these suggestions in mind, it will make things easier on you and your family as well.

My DD (then almost 3) would often fall asleep on the way back to the resort at the end of the day. DH would carry her and I would hold on to the stroller while on the bus. I found that it was easier to hang onto the stroller while sitting, and quite often someone would offer me a seat (when the buses were full). I would hold onto the stroller & DS would sit on my lap.

IMO, dealing with the stroller on the buses was more than worth having the City Mini while on vacation. I really would have liked to have had this stroller when my kids were younger!! But, I will enjoy renting one while in WDW!

Good luck finding a stroller that meets your needs!

 

[cinjam]

When my kids were younger I had a Maclaren Twin Triumph. I love, love, loved it!!! I had big kids and the higher weight limit that stroller had was wonderful. I was able to fold it up quickly. It weighed about 20 or so pounds.

As other have pointed out, while waiting in line for the bus, empty out the basket underneath (you could not fold it up with stuff under there). DH & I came up with a system that worked for us and we became old pros at it (LOL) and were able to board much quicker than most