Reasons not to take bigger stroller???

[las3888]

We are going to BWV in early Nov--our first trip with DS who will be 8 1/2 mos old. We bought the Combi stroller since it is so nice and lightweight and seemed to fit the bill. After thinking and using it a bit, I am really leaning towards taking our larger/heavier bigger duty stroller that came with his car seat system. It has a much larger basket, cupholders, lots of packs on the side here and there for little items, plus a little container on the top for pacifiers, etc. It also has a tray so we can feed him on the go, ie at a counter service restaurant. At this point, DS can't sit up on his own so he can't sit in a highchair. I imagine (hope) he can in 2 1/2 months, but at least we have the option of feeding him in the stroller.

We are staying at BWV and will be renting a car. We will probably not use the Disney bus, but may take the boat to MGM or the monorail on rare occasion. I can't think of any times other than loading into the car and possibly the boat and monorail (not sure on those) that we would need to empty the stroller and fold it up. Therefore, I am thinking - why not take the big one? We will have lots of room for our DS and his accessories. He seems alot more comfortable in it also, which I think would be a big plus!!!

Am I not thinking of something? Any reasons why we shouldn't take the big one? Any advice appreciated!

Lisa

 

[Zoesmama03]

One big reason is you will have to fold and lug that on any trams you may take from the parking lot.

 

[rt2dz]

I've taken the lighter strollers and I've taken bigger strollers. The difference in convience is so slight. I'm not knocking those you use smaller/lighter strollers, but, personally, I find the bigger stroller easier for us to use--more storage, actually steers (at least ours) more easily, better recline for real little ones, cupholders/food trays/parent pockets, more padding (= more comfort), etc. I just don't think the smaller strollers are worth the money as an extra or for WDW only. DS#2 prefers a stroller he is used to. And how often do you CARRY a stroller?

You can always walk from your car to the park entrance; you do not need to take a tram. We usually did just because it was easier than packing and unpacking the stroller. And you know what? Very rarely did the tram beat us; we usually moved a lot faster than the tram even when at the back of the parking lot. Now, it is more walking, but we're big walkers so it isn't a big deal to us.

When we were there last, we actually brought the double jogger. We stayed at the WL and could just roll it onto the boat to MK, plenty of room. Now, I did just stand in the corner to make sure we didn't block anyone, but no big deal again. As long as the monorail didn't have anyone handicapped, we also had plenty of room to roll it right onto the train in the handicap cars. No unpacking the stroller, no folding. It was a CM who stopped me from unloading it & folding it to tell me it would more than fit on the monorail handicap car.

 

[adisneymama]

I would take the bigger stroller. We have been to Disney twice with our big stroller. The first time DD was 14 mos and then again when she turned 2. Both times we had a car. Since your child is so young, the convienances of the bigger stroller will come in handy and will out weigh the inconvienance of having to fold it on the trams or the bus if you should use it. You do not have to fold in on the monorail. I'm not sure on the boats. We are taking a smaller stroller this trip because DD is 3 and we won't need to haul as much stuff around this time. Just one bag with juice and a change of clothes.

I would not have wanted to do my first 2 trips without my larger Graco stroller since I was still having to take a diaper bag into the parks along with the pacifier etc. Good luck deciding, but if you are in doubt take the bigger stroller.

Just wanted to add, my graco travel system did not have to go thru the handicap section on the monorail. We were able to put in in any of the cars without folding it up. DD slept in her stroller while riding the monorail many times!

 

[ksc37]

If your son is comfortable in the big stroller, take it. He will probably be napping quite a bit in it, so you'll want him to be comfortable.

Even if you drive to various parks, you don't necessarily need to take the trams. Especially if you're traveling during non-peak times, you could just walk from your car to the park entrances (except for maybe the MK).

 

[cwnhokie]

If you plan on driving, I'd take the big one and walk to the park entrance rather than unpacking it and getting on the tram. We unpacked everything the first day and then realized that it was easier to walk. We went in May and it wasn't crowded. We had an early PS at CP and parked in the front row at MK and walked. When we left MK at closing time both boys were asleep, as were many other little ones, and everyone just pushed the strollers onto the monorail with the sleeping little ones in them. From then on we parked and walked, not a bad walk either. Have fun!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I don't like the bigger one on trips. (or really at all.) We bought a combi for WDW when DD was 23 months old and it worked great for her. However that same combi (travel savy DX) doesn't work as well for her baby sister who likes to pull of on the bar and stand on the foot rest. We have to strap her in or she will jump out of it. (she is much better in the peg pergo aira twin.)

Do you have room in the car for the big stroller? That can be an issue when renting a car, making it all fit. (belive me you don't want to get to the airport and not have room for your family and luggae in the rental car, a bigger deal when you have more then 1 kid.) Are you taking the car seat that goes with the stroller. If so you might want to do that.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Well we took our big stroller with us when DD was 13 months and I HATED it. We have since purchased a Maclaren Quest with the organizer that hangs from the handles and I LOVE it. Now we haven't used it in the parks yet but at home, the mall, etc it is an awesome stroller. I am a tightwad too so parting with that much money "hurt" - but I am so glad I did. If you are taking a car most of the time I think you will be fine with your bigger stroller. We like to take the buses and that first trip we never did because the stroller was such a PITA. We looked at the Combi too and I think it may be easier for several transportation options in the parks - but if you aren't going to use those anyway stick with the stroller you are most comfortable with.

 

[Kuffam]

I find our umbrella strollers work the best. DD & DS slept fine in them (when the did sleep). It isn't too bad to fold up. We hung a backpacks on ours which had placed for waterbottles, food, etc. Plus we could take them on the Train at MK to get to the back (or front) of the park without walking.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If you were going on a trip--what would sound more comfy...a landcruiser or a chevette?

We take the stroller that is most comfy for our kids--b/c they like to curl up and nap in them and fall asleep in them at night. We just skip the tram.

 

[MelodyMack]

We've only been to WDW once so far and we took a large stroller. I found it to be no problem at all, and we even rode the tram with it (hubby folded it and sat it next to him, while I loaded up DD4). Nobody minded, and the tram did not have to wait on us as there are always a couple of people who have to run to make it, and they "buy us time" anyway...

My DD4 was very comfortable - was able to recline fully when she napped and had some room when she was awake. I personally HATE umbrella-type strollers. They have no cargo space, the munchkins are cramped in there, no cup holders, and even though I am only five foot three, I find that I have to hunch over to push the thing all day.

HTH-
Mel

 

[Livie's Mommy]

My vote... bring the big stroller. It will be more comfortable for your DS for the amount of time he will spend out and about at the parks, etc. Plus you already know the benefits of having the basket for storage, cup holders, etc.

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

We are flying with our sit n stroll, but are renting a big stroller from www.abbf.com because the sit n stroll isn´t that comfortable.

We own a Combi Savy, but even though dd (3 next september) really likes it, it is very difficult to steer, especially as dd gets heavier (33 pounds). Also the footrest is too high, so she has to really fold her legs to be able to rest her feet there, so usually when she falls asleep, her feet fall from the footrest and hand about the stroller, sometimes making contact with the wheels, making it even harder to steer.

This is why we decided on the bigger stroller, besides from a bigger basket, I bet it will be a lot easier to drive.

Julie

 

[all4fun]

for an 8-1/2 mos old my vote is for the bigger stroller. As far as the Trams go since you'll be staying at BWV you'll only have to deal with Trams at AK and MK and depending on how early you get to the parks, a lot of times you can just skip those and walk, which we have done many times.

 

[TJA]

From our own personal experience: take the big stroller. You are staying at boardwalk so you can just walk or boat right to Epcot and MGM, no worries about folding up the stroller and loading a bus or car. Also, if you are in the front part of Epcot, you can just roll your stroller right on the monorail over to MK.

To this day, we still take our large stroller to WDW. We've taken our twins 4 times so far (7 mos old, 13 mos old, 18 mos old, and 2 yrs old) and the best decision we ever made was to take our large stroller.

 

[las3888]

Thanks all for your thoughts. It has been very helpful! I have read so much on the boards about people bringing umbrella strollers and smaller strollers so we kind of geared up for that. After a while I really started to question if that would work for us. Anyways, I am pretty much convinced to go with the big one now. I think everybody will be pretty comfortable with that. I do know it will take more trunk space...we are hoping to rent a minivan...we're going with my parents, so I think we can make it fit in that car somewhere!

Can you bring a stroller into a restaurant? I imagine you can at counter service places, but not sure about sit-down places (i.e. Boma, Spoodles, restaurants at EPCOT etc.). It would be helpful if DS is sleeping, but I thought I read somewhere that they don't let you bring them into restaurants.

One more thing, can an 8.5 month old sit in a high chair normally? Our DS is sitting but not confidently yet...not sure what stage the high chair can be used with no problems??? (Sorry, he's our first!)

Thanks again all! Lisa

 

[loles]

Don't know about the restaurant part of your question, but the 8 1/2 month old will ldefinitely be able to sit up. My 9 1/2 mth old has been sitting in restaurant high chairs for 4 months now - she grew out of her infant carrier early, and if you use a folded blanket or jacket, you can always use it as a wedge if your baby is small. Worked fine for both my girls!

FYI, there is a fantastic product you can get at Babies R us - a Floppy Seat. It fits over shopping carts and restaurant high chairs, and is great to protect from germs!

Have fun on your trip!

 

[rt2dz]

They allow you to take your stroller into restruants if you have an infant that can not sit up (found that out when we took DS#2 at 7 months--he only started sitting two days before we got there; he is on the later end developmentally so at 8 1/2 months your DS should be sitting up). And when we took DS#2 at 15 months, we found out that sit down restruants go out of there way to allow you to bring in a stroller with a sleeping infant/child that can sit.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

my dd is 7months and is sitting wonderfully in highchairs, she has been for over a month now, but she tries to get up so she can walk around, so i have to make sure we bring our own booster seat....grrrr..haha

We are bringing our big stroller in October, and i have to say it's because she is more comfortable and we have a bunch of stuff to tote around haha and this has cup holders and a feeding tray and cup holder for her. we just really feel better with the big one!

 

[loveswdw]

Well, I guess I'm in the minority here. We took our big stroller (Graco Quattro Tour) last trip after I posted here whether we should take it or a smaller one. We rented a car and drove to the parks most of the time. It was okay except for the trams. PITB!! And we didn't ride the buses much--a couple of times when it wasn't crowded.

My DS is around 30 lbs. so when you factor in 30 lb. DS + 30 lb. stroller + lots and lots of walking and unfolding and folding = one tired mommy!!

Yesterday, I bought a Combi Savvy at Target for $70. Much, much lighter! We are really looking forward to using this stroller on our trip in October. Folds up compactly so shouldn't be a problem on the buses. We aren't renting a car this trip (using ME) so we will be using the buses a LOT! There's no way I was fooling with that big stroller again. JM2C!