Planning Trip ... Need a Stroller ... Round 2 ...

[jdg345]

Hello Fellow DIS'ers!!

A few years ago, we needed some advice on a stroller purchase for a new addition to the family and many members were very very helpful with their suggestions and thoughts. (thread here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1290707). Well, we could use some additional helpful suggestions and thoughts.

Back in 2k7, we purchased a Peg Perego Pliko P3 and we absolutely loved it. It worked well, was very sturdy, and did what we needed. The biggest complaint is the difficulty in accessing the storage basket -- but we can live with that.

We are planning another trip to The World and have been wondering how to accomodate a 2.5 year old traveler and a 4-month old traveler. We're kicking around a few options:

(1) Rent a stroller for the Toddler, and use the Pliko P3 for the infant.
(2) Purchase a McLaren Sport for the Toddler, and use the Pliko P3 for the infant.
(3) Purchase a TBD Tandem Stroller for both of them.

We don't really like option one, and are leaning towards (2) or (3). That said, taking two strollers seems cumbersome while having one double/tandem seems like a logistical nightmare in cases where the infant might want to go one way and the toddler wants to go another (thinking changing station, afternoon feeding, etc).

So ... how does everyone else handle this? And if a tandem/double stroller is the way to go, can anyone recommend a good product that is relatively light weight and easy to travel with (fold, store, move, etc) as we plan on using WDW transportation while on property.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[katied]

My Dsister has been very happy with her MacLaren twin triumph. Her kids are 3 yrs apart - 3 1/2 and 5 mo. The twin triumph has a full recline, so works well with a baby.

 

[squirrel]

I have also heard that the City Mini is a good stroller for Disney.

I love the Perego P3 that I bought last year.

One thing to consider before you decide on one double stroller: will you both be together at all times? Will you want/need to take the baby back to the room for a nap or back earlier in the evening?

I found it hard enough sometimes just moving the single around when it was crowded.

 

[AKADrea]

We just got back from taking 3 kids and 2 single strollers - it wasn't too bad and if you wanted to split up, it made it easier. Granted, we also had 3 adults, so managing 2 strollers on the bus system was a little easier.

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

I would go with a side by side with a front swivel wheel. It will allow you to move through the Disney crowds easier than a tandem.
This site rents for a pretty reasonable amount. But I would check your local Craigslist, etc and see if you can snag a deal before you leave if you want one to keep
http://www.magicstrollers.com/index.cfm

 

[Keri]

I agree about a side by side v. a tandem. I had an Aria Twin & really liked it -- so much lighter & fit through 99% of the doors we needed it to.

With a 4 month old, I'd be tempted to just bring one stroller & a carrier though. Your older child can take some time walking when the baby wants to ride, but I loved the convenience of just wearing my baby in the carrier last year. I took her on all the rides that way, she was much happier, she crashed out on my chest whenever she needed to.

 

[jdg345]

I would go with a side by side with a front swivel wheel. It will allow you to move through the Disney crowds easier than a tandem.
This site rents for a pretty reasonable amount. But I would check your local Craigslist, etc and see if you can snag a deal before you leave if you want one to keep
http://www.magicstrollers.com/index.cfm

What's the difference between a side-by-side and a tandem? Is a tandem the front-to-back configuration?

Any recommendations on a side-to-side with front swivel wheel?

 

[jdg345]

I agree about a side by side v. a tandem. I had an Aria Twin & really liked it -- so much lighter & fit through 99% of the doors we needed it to.

With a 4 month old, I'd be tempted to just bring one stroller & a carrier though. Your older child can take some time walking when the baby wants to ride, but I loved the convenience of just wearing my baby in the carrier last year. I took her on all the rides that way, she was much happier, she crashed out on my chest whenever she needed to.

I'll check out the Aria Twin, thanks!

We've thought about the carrier, but there are several issues with it for us. For one, the baby doesn't seem to like it much. And, more importantly, the baby is in the 93rd percentile for height/weight so it may be uncomfortable.

That said, can you recommend a carrier?

 

[abouley]

For a carrier I love the Ergo and Beco carriers! Very comfortable and have even used it with my 3 year old on my back!

As for a stroller....would you use the double at home? We found that once baby could sit up straight we used out Peg a LOT and just had the 3 year old on the back (around home not at disney). However, then the 3 year old got too heavy and we needed a different solution around home. If you think you'd use a double at home, it seems like a good time to invest ina double! If not, 2 singles might work best.

For a double I would look at either a Maclaren side by side or a Inglesia Twin Swift as options. I LOVE our double jogging stroller but would not do it with the buses so would want something more compact like those I mentioned.

For the 2 stroller option consider getting on the bus with 2 strollers and 2 young children plus bags (since neither stroller fold up with stuff under them). It could be a bit cumbersome. We did 2 Maclaren's on our trip with an almost 5 year old and a 2 year old and that worked ok (husband carried both strollers and backpack and I took both kids hands or held my 2 year old while 5 year old walked). But not sure how it would have worked carrying a young baby!

Good luck!

 

[Fall1]

I've had a Graco DuoGlider, a Maclaren Twin Triumph and a Baby Jogger City Double and my favorite BY FAR is the Baby Jogger.

We just got back from Disney and brought it on our trip and it was great! So easy to push and the kids were super comfy. I have sold both the Graco and the Maclren and I have to say I really disliked the Mac. It was so hard to push and the seats were so hard and not padded/comfy at all.

Good luck deciding!

 

[DannysMom]

I guess it depends on your 2.5 year old. If s/he is big into being pushed around places still, then perhaps buying a double stroller makes sense. If s/he really wants to walk most of the time & would really have no real use for a stroller outside of vacation, then maybe renting a double would make sense. If renting seems like the better option, check out Orlando Stroller Rentals, lots of folks seem to have good experiences with them.

Have a good trip!

 

[jdg345]

I've had a Graco DuoGlider, a Maclaren Twin Triumph and a Baby Jogger City Double and my favorite BY FAR is the Baby Jogger.

We just got back from Disney and brought it on our trip and it was great! So easy to push and the kids were super comfy. I have sold both the Graco and the Maclren and I have to say I really disliked the Mac. It was so hard to push and the seats were so hard and not padded/comfy at all.

Good luck deciding!

Thank you! Which Baby Jogger did you use? I see the have several in the City Line: Micro, Mini, Select, and Elite.

 

[Keri]

I'll check out the Aria Twin, thanks!

We've thought about the carrier, but there are several issues with it for us. For one, the baby doesn't seem to like it much. And, more importantly, the baby is in the 93rd percentile for height/weight so it may be uncomfortable.

That said, can you recommend a carrier?

ERGO -- or Beco, which is similar.

My DD has been 95+% since she was 2 weeks old! She was close to 18 lbs last year at 7 months and I wore her ALLLLLLLLL day long. Now, I'm not saying my shoulders didn't hurt by the end, but it was not so bad -- I would NEVER have lasted that long with a Bjorn.

Plus, DD LOVED it. She sat facing me with her legs around my waist, which is comfortable for her, she felt safe but could still see around her, and could look at me if she was at all nervous (say, with characters ... not that she was though, she loved everyone!) and it was SO easy to sit down on rides with her sitting like that, without taking her out of the carrier. I didn't get the hype about the Ergo until I got one, and our Disney trip totally sold me on it. I LOVE it. (my DH even donated ours -- without asking! -- and I'm borrowing one for this year even though DD will be 19 months and closer to 28 lbs!! I won't be wearing her as much, but I know I'll use it some)

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

What's the difference between a side-by-side and a tandem? Is a tandem the front-to-back configuration?

Any recommendations on a side-to-side with front swivel wheel?

Tandem is front and back (like a tandem bike), they can be hard to move around turns.

I recently bought a double jogger with a swivel wheel and would recommend them. Not only are they easier to steer, but they hold more weight than normal double strollers, so you can use them longer.

Mine is a safe tech, but several companies make them.

 

[Willow25]

Alot of people recommend the carriers for the parks but my husband and I found it uncomfortable especially in the warm weather. I still used one on rides and when the baby wanted to be held but other than that we used a stroller. We brought our own but we rented a car and the buses were not an issue. The stroller we used was a Maclaren but as our baby got older we found the Maclaren is not as sturdy as we would have liked especially seeing as our daughter is off the charts for height and weight. DH and I are 6'6" and 6'1" lol.

We are also planning a trip and are looking into a double. We are leaning towards the Babby jogger. How big are these when folded up??

 

[AmyBWV99]

Have you considered a Phil & Teds w/doubles kit? Our kids at about those ages worked best in that stroller.

The baby drove DS#1 nuts he was always in his face not mean but curious in a SBS. We ditched our Aria double after one hienous trip to WDW the thing never turned or pushed well with both kids in it, fine with one but that defeats having a double stroller. I can recall us walking in Epcot past Germany and DH was ready to chuck it in the lake he was so sick of it. The sun coverage stinks too.

I ahve to sya the sun coverage isn't fab on the P&T but I got a Ray Shade for the back rider.

 

[DentalDana]

My reccomendation is option 3. We don't normally use a stroller for DS3 (almost 4), but for trips to the Zoo and the like, we love our Chicco Trevi Twin stroller for DS3 and DS6mo. It has full recline on both sides, folds up small, and steers very smoothly.

GL with your decision.

 

[jdg345]

Maclaren recalled 1 million strollers today!!

http://content.usatoday.com/communi...ls-a-million-umbrella-baby-strollers/1?csp=34