One little, two little, three little strollers.....

[stacy6552]

ON the side note about OKW. We stayed there when our son was 1 and it was wonderful. We had a rental car but never used it, too. I would reccopmmend 2 requests: ask to be near a bus stop; and if you are in a 1 bedroom, be sure to ask for a room with the second bathroom access. The first few buildings only had bath access via the bedroom. With the second access you dont have to go past a sleeping baby to get to the bathroom.

 

[Fellowship9798]

We always take our big Graco - and I wouldn't do it any other way! It's the Quattro Tour model. We also have several other smaller strollers, but we don't take them to Disney.

Things I like abou the Graco:

Right height for comfortable pushing.
Huge basket for storage.
Bigger sun canopy.
Tray for snacks and drinks.
Seat reclines more for stroller naps.
Seat also sits straight up - which my little guy likes when he's awake.
Two cupholders and a parent storage tray for sunglasses, etc.
Easy to steer, even with one hand.
One handed fold and open - very easy and quick!

We brought our big Graco Quattro as well The big basket underneath for storage was great. Watch out for plane travel though. The latch to hold the folded stroller close disappeared (broke) somewhere between Denver and Orlando. The stroller is still fine, but it's just a little more trouble to handle now when it's folded.

We watched the baggage handlers out the plane window throw several strollers end over end down the conveyor belt. We would still bring it if we had to do it again though.

 

[Livie's Mommy]

ON the side note about OKW. We stayed there when our son was 1 and it was wonderful. We had a rental car but never used it, too. I would reccopmmend 2 requests: ask to be near a bus stop; and if you are in a 1 bedroom, be sure to ask for a room with the second bathroom access. The first few buildings only had bath access via the bedroom. With the second access you dont have to go past a sleeping baby to get to the bathroom.

I completely agree!! It's the most spacious DVC resort for little ones to move around!! I would request building #62 or #63 if you can. We request #62 every time and we get it. It is right near the hospitality house...very convenient. It is close to 2 bus stops so you can choose which one is the easiest. They are newer, so no issue with bathroom access.

Also, I respectfully disagree with DisneyPhD. I would request a 2nd floor room. Our last visit, we stayed on the first floor and were kept up every night by the family upstairs. You could hear them running, jumping ,dragging things (chairs maybe?) across the floor (ceramic tile) very late at night and very early in the morning . Perhaps they were just inconsiderate, but I would rather drag my stroller upstairs or to the elevator a couple of times a day in the rain than be kept up half the night! We had a much better stay when we were on the 2nd floor...we couldn't hear a thing! It was also a beautiful view, no shrub and bushes in way!

 

[tjmw2727]

We brought our big Graco Quattro as well The big basket underneath for storage was great. Watch out for plane travel though. The latch to hold the folded stroller close disappeared (broke) somewhere between Denver and Orlando. The stroller is still fine, but it's just a little more trouble to handle now when it's folded.

We watched the baggage handlers out the plane window throw several strollers end over end down the conveyor belt. We would still bring it if we had to do it again though.

If you are flying I highly recomend gate checking the stroller. You will have it for walking through thee airport and right up to the entrance to the aircraft. Tell the gate agent and they will give you a gate check tag. Bring a stroller bag or even a bungee cord to secure it before getting on the plane. Take off anything that isn't a part of the stroller including the canope if you can. Remember that the baggage handlers won't know how to fold the stroller if it should open and that is when it could get damaged. A bungee to keep it closed and or a stroller bag will prevent this. Also when you gate check it the stroller will be one of the last peices loaded and one of the first off so the chances of damage are less.

We have always gate checked strollers and never had any problem -

TJ

 

[joanchris]

DH is ready to kill me.

I have bought TWO strollers in preperation for Disney, both lightweight travel strollers - one is a Chicco and the other a Combi.

Now that our trip is approaching, I don't want to bring either. I want to bring my big Graco with the huge storage basket, the front tray for DS and the full recline.

Convince me as to why I should bring the smaller stroller......

About the tray, I had one that attached to any stroller, I think it was this brand, but there's no pic:
http://mysimplecity.com/comersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=264
(was for oldest, now 10!),

EDIT, found a picture of it here:
http://www.jmason.com/Pyhist/str/Stroller_umbacc2.htm It looks like the same one I had, only mine was white, it worked really well. END EDIT

and here's another I found:
http://www.onestepahead.c
om/jump.jsp?itemID=554&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=554&cm_ven=Froogle&cm_ite=OSA

 

[hsmamato2]

The combi was our choice- the comfort is fine, reclines for naps, can buy the plastic rain cover thing if you feel like you want it...there's a small basket under for stuff, we hung a net bag on back- if you're taking busses, leave the big one home! The hassle we see others with big strollers go through on crowded buses is nuts! There just isn't room for those things- with a small one, it's a quick pop and close, takes no room beside us, and no extra trouble- I just put a cloth w/snacks in babes lap, never had problems, also, don't overthink/ go crazy on this, when you get there, you'll have fun no matter which you bring,

 

[Fellowship9798]

If you are flying I highly recomend gate checking the stroller. You will have it for walking through thee airport and right up to the entrance to the aircraft. Tell the gate agent and they will give you a gate check tag. Bring a stroller bag or even a bungee cord to secure it before getting on the plane. Take off anything that isn't a part of the stroller including the canope if you can. Remember that the baggage handlers won't know how to fold the stroller if it should open and that is when it could get damaged. A bungee to keep it closed and or a stroller bag will prevent this. Also when you gate check it the stroller will be one of the last peices loaded and one of the first off so the chances of damage are less.

We have always gate checked strollers and never had any problem -

TJ

The stroller was gate checked and we had a luggage strap around it in addition to it's own latch to make sure it didn't open up. Even if it's the last thing loaded, it still gets taken down from the gate to the ground and loaded up with the same "care" as everything else!I think we did everything we could to protect it.

I'm sure it could have been worse. Some other gate checked strollers had lost trays and were broken when we got off that flight so we were lucky.

 

[justhat]

I would go with the Graco. We have a Combi, Maclaren, and 2 Gracos (we keep 1 Graco at my mom's house) and we have taken both the Mac and the big Graco to WDW. The Graco we brought is the Coachrider, so it's HUGE, but we didn't have any problems. Madison was 3 and 4 months at the time and I wanted it cause it fully reclined, had a removable bassinet, and could turn to face you, plus a big canopy. Yes, it was heavy to carry around, but for the few feet you carry it on/off the bus it's not bad. My husband and cousin did break the basket snap folding it though, but that's what happens when inexperiences men fold strollers. We also took it to DL at 6 months and no problems whatsoever there because we just walked from the hotel to the parks so we never had to fold it. For our trips since then (9, 13, and 19 months) we've taken the Maclaren. My husband refuses to bring anything else and since he's the one who loads it on/off buses I go along with that. He HATES our Combi so we'd never take that-his problem is that it doesn't steer well and the frame is shaky. I like it cause it's smaller than the Graco and can still face us and remove, plus it's very padded. Oh, and our Combi has a snack tray, which is why I wanted to take it to WDW, but oh well. I don't know anything about Chiccos so I can't help with that.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Also, I respectfully disagree with DisneyPhD. I would request a 2nd floor room. Our last visit, we stayed on the first floor and were kept up every night by the family upstairs. You could hear them running, jumping ,dragging things (chairs maybe?) across the floor (ceramic tile) very late at night and very early in the morning . Perhaps they were just inconsiderate, but I would rather drag my stroller upstairs or to the elevator a couple of times a day in the rain than be kept up half the night! We had a much better stay when we were on the 2nd floor...we couldn't hear a thing! It was also a beautiful view, no shrub and bushes in way!

Now see we totally had a different experince. We were in a studio and our room was so close to the road the busses wizzing by would wake us up (and we live near the rail road tracks so it has to be loud to bug us.) On top of that our second night the people in the one bedroom below us and over were so loud at 3:00 am (I mean massiviely party tell the house falls down) that I call the front desk. Blaring music, yelling running around cray. In OKW defence they had someone out there right away (with in 5 min) and took care of it. But really in what world is it ok to be that loud at 3 am in place that you know there are other people around trying to sleep? I think they just got home from PI because before that there wasn't any noise from them.

When at POR recently in May we were 1st floor and we never heard the person above us, not once, but we were able to hear the people next to us in the lock off a few times (not bad.) We used to go for 2nd floor for noise reduction before we had kids (why I thought it would be ok at OKW), but I have found it doesn't make that much of a differnce, much easier not to drag a sleeping baby, a stroller and all your stuff up the stairs (in the rain, really why can't the stairwells be covered? Most places they are.) Our view was a tiny balcony with a plam tree taking up most of it.

Request a room, buidling 62 sounds good to me. I think we were in 27 or something like that. It is the only DVC room we have ever had that I was really unhappy with. However the CM at OKW are great!

Oh and we have never had any problems with gate checking our stroller, we don't bag it, but make sure everything that can come off it is. (in 7 trips with young kids.)

 

[krismom]

Oh golly do I know this song... I buy a new stroller setup for every WDW trip. I'm talking stroller, rain guard, snap on bags, mosquito netting, etc. And then I end up renting when we get there! My husband is ready to kill me- my garage is full of nearly used singles, doubles, joggers....Good luck whatever you do!!!

 

[PatricenPete]

Okay - we settled the debate last night, this is the stroller that we are taking:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...bbs_b_2_1/102-1349887-2051318?v=glance&s=baby

It is on the larger side, but still considered a lightweight travel stroller, so DH won't break his back lugging it on and off the buses. It has a decent sized storage basket and I am going to use someone's suggestion of putting some puffs on a cloth and in DS's lap. I figure he probably won't be in the stroller much ANYWAY, between rides and food and toddling about.

Thanks so much for all your advice and input. I will give a full stroller report when we get home!

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

When we went to WDW last Oct I was pregnant and convinced myself to buy the Graco Quattro travel system so I could bring the stroller to Disney for my 2 yo. It was great in the parks. The storage basket got plenty of use for sure. After my son was born and outgrew the car seat I couldn;t stand the stroller anymore. It's so heavy and bulky so I bought a new P3 but am hanging onto the Quattro for when we go on vacation. For this trip we are renting a double through ABBF. So to answer your ? yes bring the big stroller to WDW- it is worth the convenience.

 

[Brygida]

It has a decent sized storage basket and I am going to use someone's suggestion of putting some puffs on a cloth and in DS's lap.

Get a non-spillable bowl. The child can reach in through the flaps to get the food, but it all won't spill out when she turns it upside down.

 

[amarberry]

The Chicco seems like a really good choice...we saw tons of them when we were at WDW a few weeks ago. That said, you might want to bring along some brightly colored/ugly ribbon to tie on the handle so you can find yours easier. We also bought a mylar balloon for the stroller that both entertained my DD and helped us find our stroller!

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyPhD]

When we went to WDW last Oct I was pregnant and convinced myself to buy the Graco Quattro travel system so I could bring the stroller to Disney for my 2 yo. It was great in the parks. The storage basket got plenty of use for sure. After my son was born and outgrew the car seat I couldn;t stand the stroller anymore. It's so heavy and bulky so I bought a new P3 but am hanging onto the Quattro for when we go on vacation. For this trip we are renting a double through ABBF. So to answer your ? yes bring the big stroller to WDW- it is worth the convenience.

The P3 is what I want now, but I promised DH I wouldn't buy a new stroller.

How do you like it? I thought it would be good for WDW.

OP, is there any across the lap trays that would fit that stroller? I think the non spill cups sound great.

 

[rt2dz]

I have not read all the posts, so I maybe missing something...

If you want to bring the bigger stroller, I would. First, because it is what you want. Second, I've taken smaller, lighter strollers and have, personally, found them to only be MINORLY more convienent when on Disney transportation and way less convienent the rest of the time. And really, the disney transportation in less than 1% of your trip.

 

[The Sweetness]

I have had a stroller get completely dumped on by a downpour while I was inside an attraction. I have lost my stroller, either having it be moved, or someone else just took it. My point is, #1 rent a stroller and #2 dont leave anything you want or need in it, to save yourself the aggrivation of losing or damaging something you value. Ofcourse, thats just my 2cents

 

[tjmw2727]

I have had a stroller get completely dumped on by a downpour while I was inside an attraction. I have lost my stroller, either having it be moved, or someone else just took it. My point is, #1 rent a stroller and #2 dont leave anything you want or need in it, to save yourself the aggrivation of losing or damaging something you value. Ofcourse, thats just my 2cents

I agree that renting is great but IIRC the OP's dear one is only a year and IMHO the rentals are not ideal for that young a baby. After my girls were about 2-3ish we only rented, before that we needed a real, reclining stroller.

If you purchase a stroller rain cover and keep it with you there is no need to worry about rain. I would, however, cover it anytime you leave it outside an attraction in the afternoon as those showers can pop up quick.

Use a brightly colored bandana to tie on the handle to ID it easily in addition to a luggage tag. The only time we have had trouble is when the CM's move them to tidy up and its usually closer to the exit. In 10 years of traveling with strollers of our own and with others we have, knock wood, never had a problem with theft. We usually leave the diaper bag and snack bag in the stroller but take valuables including cameras and souvineers with us.

TJ

 

[henrylovespooh]

Graco is my vote. I took my Graco when DS was 7 months old and loved it. It folds up nicely - just don't go crazy with packing stuff into it that you will have to take out when you fold the stroller up.

We used the tray alot for snacks, and I liked the storage basket. ANd DS was always comfortable in it.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

I think you may like the Chicco. It's a fairly good attempt at the Maclaren Triumph and Quest, but not as spendy. The handles have a good height and the steering isn't bad at all. The recline could be better, but the shade is nice and adjustable. Be careful when it is loaded with your bag etc., it's a bit tippy.

I hate Gracos. Icky heavy monsters. Trays and huge baskets are over-rated. They just entice you to bring more than you possibly need. The "snack trap" is a good choice for holding puffs. Hopefully your little one won't figure out how to dump the contents within 15 minutes of receiving the cup, as mine did. *sigh* I prefer bumper bars or nothing in front. Easier to load and unload, and you'll be doing that alot!

Have fun at OKW.