Question about double stroller width

[wifemomkate]

We've decided to buy a double stroller rather than rent one, and we're trying to decide between the tandem style and the side by side. We have a tandem stroller right now but we don't want to bring it as we're concerned about damage, etc. I'm really leaning toward getting a side by side for a few reasons (leg room is better, view is better, storage room is better, etc). My only concern is the width. For anyone who has brought their own side by side stroller, did you have any problems going through any doors in restaurants, on the monorails, or standing in line? DH is specifically concerned about the width of the lines for some of the rides.

In case it matters, I'm leaning heavily toward this Graco DuoRider. I'd appreciate ANY advice! Thank you.

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

Well, not the best one to give advice, but keep in mind that you PROBABLY won't have the stroller with you for MANY of the ride lines. They make you park them outside the attraction before entering the lines (and then move them on you while you're inside!)

Otherwise, I think most of the restaurants and stores will have either double doors or doors wide enough to fit through, getting through the aisles is a whole different question!

That said, I bought a side-by-side four our trip b/c the tandem just doesn't work for us anymore - the front child gets kicked no matter what and the back child doesn't have enough leg room. Anyone want to buy a Graco DuoGlider?

 

[wifemomkate]

Well, not the best one to give advice, but keep in mind that you PROBABLY won't have the stroller with you for MANY of the ride lines. They make you park them outside the attraction before entering the lines (and then move them on you while you're inside!)

Good point! I hadn't thought of that. What kind of side by side did you buy?? Our tandem is also a DuoGlider and we have the same kicking/foot room problems you have.

 

[tracilicious]

DO NOT buy that stroller! My MIL gave us one and you couldn't pay me to push it now that I have my new side by side. It is SO WIDE. We've taken it to Disneyland, to zoos, museums, stores, malls, etc., out of necessity. It's impossible to push one handed, gets stuck in store aisles, is very bulky when folded (and I do mean VERY bulky), doesn't push as easily as a smaller stroller, etc.

The good things about it are that it has a huge basket and a lap bar for each child. I got an Inglesina Twin Swift for $199. I couldn't be happier. At 27 inches it is the narrowest side by side out there (if you've seen a Maclaren twin, it's an inch or two narrower), yet still has plenty of room for my 35+ pound 3 yr old and my 20+ pound 9mo. The baskets are small, but you can hang things from the handles since it has three. It turns on a dime and you can push it one handed with two kids in it. It folds up pretty small too. Excellent quality for the price.

And no, I am not affiliated with Inglesina in any way. I just love my stroller!

 

[beattyfamily]

I used a side by side umbrella stroller for about 5 trips and we had really no problems at all.

I even took it in the souvenir shops.

I did fold it up for the MK train, the bus but that's the case for any stroller. Sometimes I had to fold it for the monorail but the conductor would sometimes show me the handicap section of the monorail which was wide enough so that I didn't have to close it up.

It was lightweight, folded easliy, and had a basket. I couldn't ask for much more.

 

[MonikkaM]

I have a Combi Twin Saavy that DH bought for me after DD#3 was born (DD#2 was not even 2 yo yet) and I have not yet met a doorway that I cannot get it through.

It is light and totally worth every penny that we paid for it. Each side goes up to 45lbs I think and since DD#1 who is 8 yo just barely weighs 50 lbs now, I know we are going to get a lot of use out of it.

There are some great places on eBay that you can get them new. Look up the membername 'babysurplus' or check out AlbeeBaby online.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have a Graco side by side and I love it! It has the roomiest seats that I have seen for a double stroller. We have taken it twice to WDW and will be taking it 2 more times this year and have never had any problem fitting anywhere. I chose it because it wasn't expensive and I liked that it was roomy. The Macs hold a heavier weight but my DS has wide shoulders and they are too narrow and he is squooshed in them. That being said - if I was going to reccomend a double stroller I would have to say to get the combi. While I love my stroller it doesn't fold up as small as the combi. That would be my only reason to get the combi instead of the Graco. Both are nice and reasonably priced. We get right on to the Monorail with ours and have no problems in the stores. Just be advised that you won't be able to use the stroller while you are waiting in line. Good luck in whatever you chose!

 

[tmanaster]

I have the Jeep side by side and we took it to the world last June with our 26 month old twins. It is the same width as a standard wheel chair. Anything handicapped accesible it can get to. It could only roll into certain monorail cars. We did not take it into any rides, just parked it outside the entrances. We also did not take it into any restaurants, again just parked it outside. We had no problem fitting it into stores, etc. With my first two children, I used a graco duoglider but then I switched to a side by side when the twins came along. I like the side by sides because they can both see well, and there is no hair pulling!!! Have fun!

 

[Marmus]

Our first double was a Graco tandem and it was junk. Pushing it was awful and it felt like you needed your CDL to use it. We have a Urban Double Mtn. Buggy and LOVE IT! It is a side by side and have had no issues with it being too big. The Mountain Buggy site says their strollers are the most compact side by side, but take that at face value. We fit fine through any door. I think with double strollers, if you are going to get a lot of use from them, the more you can afford the better.