Pros and cons of double strollers...

[zippehsmom]

I have heard a lot of people complain about lugging their big double stroller to WDW. I have a double stroller (the narrow front to back graco model). I don't have any problems getting around with it. I used it on our 5k breast cancer walk, at the zoo and on regular basis when I go walking (usually 2-3 miles).

Is there something I don't know about WDW and double strollers. I have 2 single strollers, but I know that DD4 will probably ride more than walk, DD18 months will definitely be riding. I just wanted to have the freedom of being able to go to a park without DH and have one stroller to put them in.

ANy feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

zippehsmom

 

[akrake]

the problem can be when you have an extra wide double....not the jogger type like at wdw, but a side by side double that may be wider. i think the biggest problems are when people are not considerate and the strollers run over other peoples feet....if the person pushing is not paying attention OR if the person walking suddenly stops in the middle of the road and gets run over.

we've always rented the double...and we brought a single for the baby last year too.....

good luck
amie

 

[my3princes]

We've brought the double similar to your to WDW 4 times and it's making another trip this year. It works well for us. The only drawback is lugging on the buses.

 

[HappyMommy2]

We have a Graco DuoGlider--sounds like that's what you have-- and we had NO problems (truly--it was great!) with it at WDW last summer. The only thing that was sort of a pain was getting it on and off the buses (and if you won't have a car and are planning to take both kids and the stroller on a bus by yourself that could be a problem unless someone helps you out).

As for maneuverability the DuoGlider was wonderful; we went in and out of all types of shops and counter service restaurants and all over the parks through horrendous crowds with no trouble at all. The DuoGlider actually has much better one-hand steering than the Combi single stroller we left at home, and one-hand steering definitely comes in handy sometimes!

I wouldn't worry about your stroller. If you are doing fine with it at the zoo, etc. you'll be fine at WDW. We would be taking ours again this year except that it finally broke after much use. Have fun!

 

[moinab]

I agree that the only problem with a double stroller at WDW is getting it on/off buses and trams. We avoid this by always driving to the parks and then skipping the tram and walking through the parking lot.

We prefer to take our single stroller, however, because the double takes up too much space in the trunk of our car. I think a lot of people also don't like dealing with a double stroller when flying, buy I don't have any personal experience with that.

HTH

 

[anditoo72]

Two years ago I took the same type of stroller you have with us and it worked out great. I had an infant at the time and a two year old and a four year old. The two and four year olds would swap in and out of the stroller. It worked great, no problems at all!!!!!! This time I am bringing two single umbrella type strollers only because my double stroller has had it!!!!!! We did fly with our double stroller again no problems. We just got a gate check tag when we checked in at the gate and they took it just before we got on the plane.

 

[bartleby1]

If your duoglider works for you at other places, it will work for you at disney. I used mine a ton last year when my son was 1 and daughter 3. Now that my DD is 4, she doesn't fit real well in it and between roughly 70 pounds of kid, the stuff we carry around at disney and the weight of the stroller, I'm finding it hard to push and steer for an entire day in the summer heat (but I am sort of a weakling, lol!) My DD is tall and can't use the canopy anymore because she hits her head on it so I prefer to have two singles. The singles give each kid a little more room and my dd can still have the sun protection of a canopy. However, I won't be doing the parks by myself so that isn't an issue. If you think you are going to do the parks by yourself, you really need the double.

The other plus on our last trip of having two singles was that my 3yr old wanted to do some rides that had 40 inch height restrictions so my 1 year old couldn't go on them. DH could take her on the ride and I could take my little one to do something else (watch the parade, do a different ride, change his diaper, etc). I really liked having the flexibility.

The only other problem I could see you possibly dealing with is how to get your double stroller and two little ones on the bus, monorail, trams, etc by yourself. If the monorail isn't crowded, you may be able to wheel your stroller right on with both kids in it, however, if it is crowded, you may have to fold it. It may be a little difficult getting yourself, the stroller, and two kids on the transportation while still carrying whatever bags you may have also. I know that when my dd was 18 months, she would follow directions and not run away, but my ds was NOT like that at all so I would have needed to hold his hand or carry him which would only leave one hand for the stroller, bags, etc. However, two single strollers certainly wouldn't work if you were by yourself either!

 

[zippehsmom]

Thanks for all the replys. We will have a rental car so we plan on driving to all the parks. I don't really plan on doing any parks alone; however, last trip DD and myself went to Universal together alone. We stayed onsite so all I had to do was catch the bus. DD18months definitely does NOT follow directions. We actually call her Dennis the Mennis. SHe does the opposite of whatever you tell her.

I think I will take the double. HappyMommy2 I agree my combi can be difficult to handle at times.

I think I will take the double. DD4 is definitely almost too big for it. Luckily she is on the little side so it still works.

Another question, Who do you guys usually put in the front, your little one or bigger one? I usually have my little one in the back, but now that she's bigger, she likes to pull DD4's hair. Just curious as to what works better for you guys.

Thanks

zippehsmom

 

[bartleby1]

I found mine easier to steer if the heavier child is in the back, however, you'd have to see if your older child can still fit in the back since there is less leg room. BTW, I had the same problem with my little guy pulling me dd hair when she sat in the front. Maybe they should design some sort of wall between the front and back seats, lol!

I would take a test drive around the block with both kids and whatever bags you plan on bringing and see what works best and who fits where. Usually placing most of the weight toward the back makes for easier steering if it is possible.

 

[swilphil]

Definitely take the double! I think the problem people have had is with the side by sides, not the front to back. One double will be so much easier than 2 single strollers.

 

[moinab]

LOL! Same problem, here. DD (17 months) pulls DS (almost 4!) hair, so I started putting DS in the back. He's only 32 pounds/38 inches, so he fits just fine. They both prefer it this way, and I discovered that it is easier to handle! Even though we don't take the DuoGlider to WDW, I do use it several times a week to go to the grocery store, park, etc.

 

[TJA]

I put the one that pulls hair in the front seat, but it is easy for me as I have twins and they are both the same size/age.

I also have a Graco DuoGlider and have brought it to WDW two times. It is wonderful and not a problem at all. As others have noted above, it is a pain with the buses, so we now stay at monorail resorts. Someone above mentioned perhaps having to fold the stroller on the monorail if it is crowded -- we've never had to do this. It would be a disaster if we were asked to fold it up and we would most likely end up taking up even more room because we'd have to unload everything and set it down while holding our two babies. Anyway, monorails and boats work great for getting to parks because we just roll the stroller right on -- no hassles and no worries!

 

[scanne]

Thanks for this thread! We are going to WDW in October with a 2 year old and an infant. I was toying with the idea of bringing two strollers, but I think I will bring the double (which I still have to buy).

In the Graco model most of you have been referring to, does the back seat fully recline? I think I've read that it does. The infant will only be about 3 months old, so I know she'll be doing a lot of sleeping.

Again, thanks for all the info!

 

[TJA]

The backseat fully reclines in our Graco DuoGlider, and boy does it look mighty comfy! The front seat also reclines, by the way, just not quite as far as the backseat. I couldn't imagine not having this stroller with me at WDW.

 

[my3princes]

We have a cosco double stroller that we purchased at Toys R Us. It is wonderful. The front seat can be turned around to face the rear seat. The front tray comes off so if we want we can make it into one giant carriage type stroller which is great if one of the older kids falls asleep. The back seat fully reclines and the front reclines most of the way. This is the 3rd one that we have owned and believe me we have put hundreds of miles on each of them. It is a little heavy, but works great.

 

[Kendra17]

My son will have just turned 8 when we go in October, and I also have a 1 year old (a 12 year old, too, but she's walking!). I just bought a Swan Sit 'n Stand for our trip. I know my son's a bit big, but I also know he'll get tired, and this will be a way to let him rest a bit and limit some whining that might occur! Also, since it's not a true double stroller, it is much less cumbersome.

While doing my research on the web, though, I found that strollers4less really did have the best prices of anywhere! This includes what I saw on eBay.

There is something else I saw. . .an attachment that hooks on the back near the wheels, and turns your regular stroller into a sit n stand-type stroller. I don't remember what that is called though. Kiddie something? But, it really looked as if the bench part that attached would extend, and the pusher would wind up kicking it when they walked, or having to take too-small steps, so I passed on that.

 

[ErinInCT]

I'm bringing my Sit-n-Stand. DD4 likes to sit but does not want to be confined. She likes to jump out fast!! Plus she is so heavy I can hardly lift her out of a stroller anymore! The Sit-n-Stand is a bit bulky & I need to practice "breaking it down" so I can do it really fast when boarding busses but it has been a lifesaver many times!

 

[mickeymousefan]

Our last trip, I borrowed a side by side double umbrella stroller from my friend and it was great. We went in dec so it wasnt overly crowded and we had no problems manuevering (sp?) it around the park. It also folded up small enough that it wasnt that bad to take on the buses. What I did find though was that my kids would rather walk, and the double stoller become a storage area for our bags and souveiners.