Other Moms - stroller question

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Calling all Moms....

Dh and I are having a difference of opinion again - this time about strollers. Since this board helped me win the "suite or cheap room" debate, thought I would check with everyone about strollers.

We are travelling with 3 kids, ages 5, 3 and 1.5. Dh concedes that we will need some mode of conveyance for the baby, but figures the older two should be able to hoof it on their own at DL.

Personally, I was considering purchasing a (used if possible) Sit and Stand type stroller. Here's the method behind my madness: dd is still small enough to go into the baby Bjorn for short periods. I propose that she ride in the stroller most of the time, but when one or the other boy gets too tired to walk anymore, they can ride on the back seat/perch. If both get too tired, dd moves to the Bjorn and ds2 rides in the front and ds1 rides on the perch.

We do own a double stroller (Peg Perego duette), but it is just too big and clunky, both for packing and for driving around in the park.

Any thoughts???

Carm

 

[DangerMouse]

Calling all Moms....

Dh and I are having a difference of opinion again - this time about strollers. Since this board helped me win the "suite or cheap room" debate, thought I would check with everyone about strollers.

We are travelling with 3 kids, ages 5, 3 and 1.5. Dh concedes that we will need some mode of conveyance for the baby, but figures the older two should be able to hoof it on their own at DL.

Personally, I was considering purchasing a (used if possible) Sit and Stand type stroller. Here's the method behind my madness: dd is still small enough to go into the baby Bjorn for short periods. I propose that she ride in the stroller most of the time, but when one or the other boy gets too tired to walk anymore, they can ride on the back seat/perch. If both get too tired, dd moves to the Bjorn and ds2 rides in the front and ds1 rides on the perch.

We do own a double stroller (Peg Perego duette), but it is just too big and clunky, both for packing and for driving around in the park.

Any thoughts???

Carm

Definitely get the sit n stand. It will be worth its weight in GOLD!

(coming from a mom who has a 10 and 7 year old that still argue over who gets a turn in the DLR stroller)

 

[staley7580]

I think that sit and stand is a great idea!! When ds was 4, he walked the entire time at dl... Til the last day, and his little but was so worn out he kicked his 1 and a half yo sis out of her stroller! That way they would at least have the option to take a rest, and as we all know.. A rested kid is a happy kid!

 

[lillybug]

My kids are the exact ages of your own. When we went in November our double stroller (kolcraft contours) was a lifesaver! My five year old did great most of the time, but at the end of the day he would crawl into the bottom storage area to rest. All three kids were very pleasant the four days we were at DLR, and I know it was because of the stroller.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think that's a good idea. A 5 year old might hack the walking, but a 3 year old is going to get very very slow and rather cranky as the day and days wear on.

Now, about that Bjorn, may I suggest you move up in the world to a Beco or an Ergo? Bet you'd find that you and your girl are much more comfy in the much more supportive (for her) and ergonomic (for you) design of either of those carriers.... Plus, I give you two words that changed my already happy world of baby wearing....BACK CARRY. Fabulous. And I don't think it's possible in a Bjorn. Beco, Ergo...try it out, you'll be glad you did.

 

[DisSarahK]

Definitely bring a stroller for the older ones! And, I agree--consider upgrading from the Bjorn. I think your back will thank you!

 

[mindylovesmickey]

Double stoller is definitely a must, I have a 3 year old and when he gets tired, cranky, fit throwing, and sometimes just to make sure that I know where he is, I throw him in the front and strap him in. My 8 year old has to hoof it, but we take enough breaks and stuff that it isn't that big of a deal, and honestly she needs the exercise as much as the rest of us .

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Thanks for the feedback ladies!

As for upgrading the Bjorn, not sure if that will fly with dh - I am still convincing him to fork out the money for the stroller - to then suggest spending another $150 or so on a baby carrier, will, I think, send him over the deep end!
I realize the bjorn is no longer as comfy as it once was, but we only intend to use it in emergencies, and as little as possible. Hopefully both boys won't be tired all the time, so they can take turns resting in the stroller. Dh and I can also take turns carrying the baby for longer walks while the boys rest. But I do appreciate the suggestion, and if I win the lottery between now and April , I'll be sure to order a new baby carrier! (dd is only 16 lbs, and very very tiny, so the Bjorn isn't actually as uncomfortable as it should be for a "normal" sized 1 and a half year old! )

Carm

 

[Brooklyn]

Def get the stroller!

The other option if you have a Disney Visa is to get 2 of the DL strollers for free. The only problem is that when your kids are exhausted at the end of the night the stroller can't go back to the hotel with you.

We always bring the sit and stand. It helps to hold all of my purchases!!!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I would get the sit and stand for the 1.5 and 5 year old then take a separate stroller for the 3 year old. I know it seems extreme but trust me even your 5 year old will be exhausted throughout the day with all the walking. You will end up either renting one there ($10 a day) or your DH will be carrying one of them.

 

[DisSarahK]

Ahhh, at 16 pounds, I see why you still can use the Bjorn. My second child was that heavy at 4 months, so there definitely was no way he was fitting in the Bjorn at 18 months!

 

[Mom2Joce]

DEFINATELY get the stroller!! I have a 6 year old that STILL rides in a stroller which REALLY helps when we want to push on and she's ready for a break! AND at the end of the day she can ride all the way back to the hotel and I don't have to hear, "but mom I'm tired...carry me!!!"

ONE SUGGESTION...borrow the items from friends. Do you have a network of moms'? You could borrow these items and more if so! Or check craigs list in your area Just some suggestions!

 

[mariezp]

I am a confirmed stroller supporter. Definitely, go for the stroller even for the older ones because it is worth it's weight in gold rather than listening to a tired, whiny child. I do know even I would love to have a ride at the end of the day!

We took one for our daughter until she was 7. I am really dreading this year as it will be our first without the stroller. It was never so much for getting around the park but more about getting back to our room after a long day. There were times when we were in a hurry and being able to travel at a faster pace because of the stroller helped a lot. Also, another bonus is the comfort of traveling through a crowd without worrying about losing your child! So to me the benefits have been so much worth it.

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

ONE SUGGESTION...borrow the items from friends. Do you have a network of moms'? You could borrow these items and more if so! Or check craigs list in your area Just some suggestions!

I'm just afraid, if I borrow the stroller, and something happens to it...I inherited my "worrywart" gene from my mother! What if it gets trashed on the plane ride to or from DL, what if someone at the park steals it and then i have to replace a $200 stroller....But you are right - borrowing would be the way to go (I also don't know anyone with one! )

 

[momofeva]

In the past we have used double strollers(Graco and Cosco) and 2 umbrella strollers. Our last visit, Dec. 2005, we had a 4 year old and 1.5 year old, we used the umbrella strollers, they are easier to load on the tram and push. We just used the inexpensive ones from Wal-Mart, I think they are around $15 each.

In Jan. 1997, I had a broken foot and was in a wheelchair, we also had a 2 year old and 6 month old. I will have to find a picture of my husband pushing me in the wheelchair with me pushing the double stroller. The great part was people got out the way!

 

[Laurabearz]

I had the Graco Duo I called it my monster! First trip to WDW we didnt take it, we bought umbrella strollers instead, and boy oh boy did I miss my monster.

I too think the 3 yo will need to ride more than you think... I think the sit and stand, and an light wieght stoller is the way to go.

 

[tchanbaby]

We brought our double Maclaren Twin Traveller on our trip in '06 when the 2 youngest were 9 mos and just 3; we will be bringing it again for our trip in June when those 2 kids are almost 5 and 2 1/2. If I had a stroller that my 8 1/2 year old would fit in, I'd bring that too but unfortunately she is 85 pounds and way too big for strollers!

Strollers are WAY worth it!

 

[Zoemakes5]

Either a double stroller or sit and stand, most definitely! Little feet wear out quickly at DLR. Last visit I bought a stroller just for the trip for DD, who was 5. I can tell you I was glad I did. We gave it to Nana for my niece when we were done with it, but if for nothing else than carrying stuff and helping out on that long walk back to the hotel at the end of the night it was so worth it! A couple of nights, DD crawled into the stroller with her blankie and fell asleep and her brothers and I got to go on a few more rides that she wouldn't go on anyway.

And, I can tell you both my DS's were seen "resting for a moment" in it at one time or another.

 

[Zoemakes5]

I'm just afraid, if I borrow the stroller, and something happens to it...I inherited my "worrywart" gene from my mother! What if it gets trashed on the plane ride to or from DL, what if someone at the park steals it and then i have to replace a $200 stroller....But you are right - borrowing would be the way to go (I also don't know anyone with one! )

Just a comment to this one...if you borrow, and something happens, then your friend gets a new stroller.....and you're out no more money than you would be if you bought one and something happened to it. However, if, as is more probable, nothing happens to it, then you're not out anything except maybe a DLR souvie to thank your friend.

 

[Tigger girl]

Buy the stroller!

I have one and fit all three kids on it when needed. The 2 yr old is up front and the 4 and 6 yr olds squeeze on the back--they seem to find enough room on the back when they are really tired of walking. Most of the time it is just one or two kids on it at a time. Well worth the $$ especially if you find one used. Good luck!