Please don't shoot me...another stroller question! Peg Perego or maclaren?

[dtsaos]

I started off thinking that i just needed a stroller for my 4 1/2 yr old when we go to Disney in Sept., but after getting lots of great feedback from you guys and doing research I'm rethinking things...

I have a 4.5 DS, 2.5 DD and 2mo.DD. We have a big, bulky double stroller that Ie almost never use anymore and I don't think that will change because DD 2.5 is not really the stroller type, except for long outings like Disney, etc. Other than that, I have a real basic stroller (I think it's a graco or something like that). It did get us through in the past, but I've never really been happy with it-just felt guilty investing any more money into another stroller.

That said, we don't have one of the strollers where you can put the baby car seat safely into it. So...I've been looking at the Maclaren global buggy, because that fits most brands of baby car seats and the Peg perego Pliko P3, because that also fits most brands of car seats. The PP one can hold up to 45 lbs, which is fine with me and the maclaren goes up to 55. the main difference I can see is that the PP has a step on the back for a toddler to stand on-which i think is really cool.

So, first of all, is it worth it to invest in an expensive stroller? And if we do which one is better? Has anyone experienced using either one of these two from birth to like 3 or 4 yrs old? How have they held up and are they as great for babies as they are for toddlers or vice versa?

FYI, I bought the double stroller used so it cost us $50.00 and the other stroller was a shower gift so it was free. Just don't know if I should just try to get by like in the past or go for something nicer. I think I can either of those strollers for around $200.00. Please advise!

 

[Desnik]

I have the Peg Perego P3 for my DS. He is now 2yo and we have used it since he was born. I also had the car seat that matches and fit into the stroller. I have a 7yo who is about 42lbs and when she was tired on our last trip in Nov. I was able to stroll her with no problem! I absolutely love this stroller and rave about it to everyone!! I have had many strollers in the past for DD and this is by far the best I've had. My 7yo can ride on the pedals in the back while DS is sitting in the front! I didn't even know that when I bought it!!LOL That was a pleasant surprise! It has held up really well, and we are tough on it. It has been to WDW 2x's and Hershey Park 2x's. I also use it when at the mall, or anywhere else. I love that the canapy goes all the way down and covers the child completely. It is also water resistant. It also folds so easily. I love it! It was so easy getting on/off the WDW buses. It also has a handle to carry it easily. I loved it when DS was an infant and I still love it for him as he is getting older. It even reclines fully. I would definately say it was a good investment. It's easy to push too and the handles are adjustable for taller people.

I would also bring a infant carrier like the Baby Bjorn. I had it for my kids as infants at WDW and it's a nice break from the stroller for them. Also great when waiting in lines.
When my kids got tired at night on our last trip, DS fell asleep in the carrier and DD fell asleep in the stroller!

Keep in mind that the seat has to be fully upright for the child in the back to ride comfortably on the pedals.

Hope that helps!

 

[dtsaos]

thanks for the great info. I have been leaning towards the Peg Perego...glad to know it holds up so well!

 

[PrincessA]

Hello,
I have had a Graco, a Zooper, and the P3. Once I bought the P3, my searching on stroller bulletin boards stopped. I love the P3. Of course there are a few things that I would change, but overall after comparing the stroller to my other two, it is really a great stroller with a lot of nice features. The most important feature of all is the snack tray and the upholstery. I can get so much more shopping done with my 20 month old when he has a place to eat his snacks from and a nice cushy place to take a nap. I will say that I wanted to buy a Maclaren Triumph for my trip in a few months just to see if I would like it. Unfortunately, I can't justify it. My Zooper is my travel stroller, so that is what I will be bringing along.
PrincessA

 

[lovesdumbo]

I LOVE the Pliko! It is my 5th stroller. I have 3 children 5, 4 and 2. The youngest HATES umbrella strollers. She loves sitting up in the Pliko and the snack tray. I love that it stands when folded. On our last trip we took the Pliko and rented double strollers in the parks. The 2 year old wanted to ride in the rental stroller unless she was tired. The 4 & 5 year old can ride in the Pliko seat or on the running board. I bought this after she had outgrown her infant car seat so I never used it for that.

I did buy the transport bag as I had read of reports here of damage to the canopy on the plane. I would search Ebay where you can buy an older model but still brand new. I bought a 2003 model from Alabee Baby but they have sold out now.

 

[Colinsmom]

I love, love, love my P3!! Big Perego fan here!

But I don't know if it is the right stroller for you. First off, are you planning to use the infant seat in it at WDW? That seems unnecessary - one more piece of gear to lug around. Second, you cannot use the back footstep with your infant in the P3. If you put the car seat in the P3, the stroller seat must be reclined. Or if you put the babe directly in the P3, the seat still must be fully reclined. And you cannot use the back step with the seat reclined.

But it has a great canopy, is nice and cushy for babe, has a great snack tray for down the road, has the toddler step, has a roomy basket (access it from the sides), doesn't get tippy when you hang bags on the handles, unlike Maclarens, steers pretty darn well with one hand, excellent customer service, holds its resale value over time... We used our P3 in Disney in December with our very tall 2.25 year old and it was the perfect stroller for us!

Note that the Maclaren Global has a pretty crappy reputation unlike other Macs. The first version had some serious design flaws, and I don't know if they were fixed with the newer models.

 

[dtsaos]

Wow! Looks like Peg Perego is winning hands down!

colinsmom,
by the time we go to WDW in Sept my baby will be 8 months old so she'll be able to sit in the stroller without the car seat. I do realize that the seat needs to be in the upright position to use the footboard, but why do you say that the baby needs to be fully reclined if placed in the stroller directly? Maybe you mean for a very young infant?

Basically, right no I'd be using it with our car seat, until she outgrows the infant car seat. Then I'll just use it as a regular stroller. When at disney, we'll be renting a sit n stand (probably) for the two older ones, DS 4.5 and DD 2.5 (5 & 3 at the time we go). So I won't really plan on using the footboard while there either.

 

[zagafi]

I just sold my Peg Perego (Aria twin) and am buying another Maclaren. The Peg was a HUGE ripoff, IMO. The quality for the $$ it costs simply doesn't measure up.

 

[Colinsmom]

Oh, no, by 8 months you won't have to keep the seat flat when you put baby in it, and can use the footsteps for your older kiddos! Sorry - I didn't do the math to see how old baby would be when you traveled!

Oh, and don't let the quality of the Aria influence your decision to buy a P3 - I've owned both, and they are VERY different strollers!

 

[dtsaos]

thanks colinsmom!