Please help me make a decision re: stroller situation

[todzwife]

We are going to the LAND (not the World) the first week of March. For anyone who knows the land, we are staying off-property at a very close hotel (5 minute walk to security).

The first day we are there, I will be with my 3 kids (8, 6 and 22 months) without DH as he is taking a class in Orange County. He'll be back around 6PM or so. The parks (from what I'm reading) will probably be open 10-8 on the weekdays and 8-12 Friday/Saturday. We'll be there Wed-Saturday. I should also mention that 6 YO is small, and tires easily, but we aren't going commando style so I don't think I'll wear her out too much.

My inlaws will be joining us, but I don't expect them to help at all, both of them have some back/shoulder problems.

I can not decide if I should bring:
1. Baby jogger city mini single. Wear the baby if my 6 YO gets tired. Baby doesn't love the stroller, honestly. And I don't mind wearing her. She's very happy on my back.

2. Baby jogger city mini single+a cheapy $20 umbrella stroller JUST IN CASE I can't carry baby while 6 YO is tired. I have stroller hooks that I can hang the cheapy stroller on while not in use.

3. Baby jogger City mini DOUBLE. That way, there are 2 comfortable seats and no one has to push the cheapy stroller.

Please help me decide. We've always taken strollers for the kids, even when DS was 7 just because it made it easier to keep track of them and they always had a good seat for parades etc. But we are flying and I don't have a case for the double (I do have one for the single) and I don't know if I really want to fly with a double stroller!

 

[mobesfamily]

We are going to the World in October with 4 1/2year old twins, also flying, and taking our City Mini Double, without a stroller bag. I was going to just rent when we got down there but was advised by other multiple mommies that I will want it for the airport which makes sense to me. This will be their first trip, first airplane ride and they are not good at taking long walks. I'd rather be safe than sorry so we don't have grumbling kids before or after the plane ride.

 

[pooh4brains]

I would bring the double stroller.

We just returned from the World, and I spent a lot of time alone in the parks with my three kids ages 7, 3 and 10 mos. We had our double stroller, and I wore my wrap when I was out alone. I used the stroller to push the little ones, and then when we were going into an attraction, I wore the baby in line. It made it easier to keep an eye on everyone, and the baby was easier to handle in line while I was wearing her.

I thought about bringing one single stroller, but both of my LO's were asleep at the same time on several occasions, and having an extra comfy place for the baby to sit came in handy. My 7 yo tires easily, and wanted to sit a few times. We used a sit-n-stand stroller for him and DS 3 when they were 5 and 1 on a previous trip. I don't think that 6 is too old for a stroller, especially if you will be on your own. I know that the Land is not as expansive as the World (thinking MK here), but I prefer to make things easy on myself and ere on the side of caution.

We gate-checked the stroller to and from Orlando. On the flight to Orlando we left the stroller in the bag and I wore the baby. On the return flight I loaded the stroller into the bag at the gate. I prefer having the kids corralled in the airport as much as possible. It makes getting through the security line much easier, not to mention the trip to the gate.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[WantToGoNow]

I would bring a small umbrella stroller for your toddler. Your 6 and 8 years old should be fine walking and if not then I'd take a break. My dd walked 9 days at WDW from morning to evening at age 6 without a stroller and did it again at 7. She had more stamina in October than I did and her and dd27 stayed at the parks well after me and ds10 left for the hotel several nights.

 

[Taja]

Disneyland/CA combined is much smaller than any of the WDW parks. They are just across the DTD plaza from one another and completely within walking distance.

Based on that, I would go with just your single stroller that can be used for either of the younger children, since your DH will be joining you later in the day to help with younger set. You may need to take some breaks during the day if your 6-year-old isn't accustomed to walking much, but our experience with age 3 and up is no stroller unless overload/exhaustion sets in toward the end of the day. For the most part, no stroller over 4 years old at all. Very active children, though! *LOL*

That also depends on how much you can trust the two older children to stay with you throughout the day. Sometimes strollers can be useful for corralling little ones who are very adventurous!

You might want to post this on the Disneyland/CA forum. You'll find DIS members with much more DL/CA experience.

 

[Stubbzilla]

It seems like there are a lot more stolen strollers at Disneyland vs. at Disney World. I grew up in SoCal and I wouldn't leave anything unattended anywhere in SoCal unless I didn't care if it got stolen.

 

[kuhltiffany]

I'd get the ride-on board to add to your stroller so your 6 year old can hop on when she's tired

 

[justhat]

We just did DL last month with a 7.5yo, 5yo, and 22 month old. We brought a single stroller with a standing board on the back. I put the 5yo on the standing board a handful of times when he was either complaining or just running ahead too much or whatever and wanted to keep an eye on him. I was alone the first day, had my mom the 2nd, and my husband the last 2 days.

 

[judypriv]

I am going in 9 days and I am bringing the MacClaren and the Graco. The 5 & 4 year olds can switch off in the Macclaren and the baby will go in the stroller and I will put her in my ergo while on line. If both kids get tired they can go in the strollers and one of us will wear the baby. I am just debating if I should bring both my McClarens. I love them, they are so light and wasy to use but no snack tray! I really want a snack tray for the baby when we aren't in a restuarant and using a high chair. I could buy a snack tray but you have to take it off and it like $ 45.00!!!

 

[holden]

DL is so small and everything is close together. I really don't think you'll need the stroller for DD6.

 

[iheartdisney]

For Disneyland, smaller is better!
Remember the park was built in 1955 and has 1955 width walkways. Adventureland can be hard to navigate on foot, let alone with a double wide stroller.
Plus, as many have said, Disneyland is much smaller- and more compact! I quit bringing a stroller when my DD turned 4, and she has been fine!
I would go with the umbrella for the toddler and call it good, unless you NEEDED the jogging stroller.