Rent a Disney stroller vs. use your own stroller Update pg 2 posts #29 & #30

[babiesX2]

I thought it would be interesting to see what others do. It seems like all I think about it strollers, wagons, etc. Please share with me what all of you do.

I'm apprehensive about taking our own stroller into the park because of rain. It might get all wet and iiiccckkkyyy. I know the rental price is around $16 for the double, but we are willing to pay it.

Anybody ever use a wagon (are wagons even allowed in the parks?) or some other option for their toddlers? *Added 4/16/06 -- I was wondering about a wagon because it does not have fabric that could get wet in the rain. Also, because the kids can face each other (a feature that costs $600 on a stroller vs. $80 wagon).

This is NOT our 1st trip to WDW, simply our 1st trip with 19 month old twins.

Please note important information below: updated 4/16
Edited to Add: I guess I didn't give enough info the first go round.
We are driving and not flying
Staying off site at Liki Tiki
We use our own car commuting to, from, and between parks
This is not our 1st time at WDW - just our 1st time with (2) 19 month olds
Our Graco DuoGlider and Graco DuoRider stays in our minivan so we have it with us at all times.

 

[chip91]

I brought my stroller for my then 3 yr old, this was beginning of Oct it did downpour a few times throughout the week, but the nice dollar store poncho's did the trick, I threw that over the stroller with dd in it, left the head opening in the front so she could still get sufficient air, that worked great, and I had extra's so when it was drenched if I didn't feel like drying it I just threw it away..

No intention of needing a stroller for my older 2, (5 & 7) but after day 1 & 13 hours at MK, (we were excited, 1st trip we OVER DID it!) we ended up getting a length of stay double stroller, which worked out well! Kids were less crabby, they even snoozed in there, if even for 15 minutes, and again, we did the same thing, put the rain poncho's over the top and it kept the kids dry.. Never any problems losing our stroller or someone taking it.. The only two things to note a.) after Fantasmic, they take all of the tags out & just tell you to grab whatever stroller and take it back to the front of th park b.) when you go into alot of the shows, they tend to move the strollers to a different area then where you left them (I think this happened at Kilamanjaro Safari's, It's Tough to be a Bug, Muppets 3D, Voyage of Little Mermaid & maybe Philharmagic? Can't remember for sure) anyway, just be sure to ask a CM, rather than spending 10 minutes wandering around looking for where the strollers went too!

Not sure I've helped any, but between the 2 choices, it was nice to just rent the stroller, and dump it at the front gate at the end of the day! Nice to not have to take it onto the Monorail too!

Good luck with your choice & have a GREAT trip!
Chip
PS, if you happen and plan to do MVMCP, the night we did MNSSHP, strollers & locker rentals were free of charge with the cost of the party ticket!

 

[kldmom2000]

When we went for the first time with our girls Dec. '04(when they were 2 and 4) we brought along our single Maclaren stroller thinking whichever one was tired would be the one in it.... seemed as though they were both always tired at the same time! So, we ended up with both our own stroller and a rental 4 out of the 5 days we were there. We intend on doing that again when we go in October this year. They'll be 4 and 6. I like having our own stroller for at least one of them when we're leaving the park at night and having to wait at the bus or walk back from Epcot to the hotel....

 

[GoofyGirlie]

first time here going with 4yo dd!!! Leaving on FRIDAY!!!!

anyways,,i went back and forth like you,,unsure what to do,,but a few friends at home and some here on the board made my decision to bring my own stroller!!

we aren't staying onsite either,,so to drop the stroller off and carry dd back didn't sound like fun!!! plus i'll have the stroller where ever we go and when we get home

besides,,i'm alittle anal when it comes to renting things for the kids like strollers and carseats,,i'd rather take my own,,

you have twins,,and i've seen lots of recommendations on this board to take two umbrella strollers if you are gonna take a stroller,,easier to maneuver!!

i talked my stepsister into taking two umbrellas when they went in feb and she said it worked much better!!!just a thought

dawn
going in LESS THAN A WEEK!!!

 

[nlugo]

Last year I bought a stroller that was a step up from an umbrella stroller. I paid $5 at a yard sale. Anyway, we had an extra adult with us so we were able to manage ok.

This year we do not have the extra adult going. I recently purchased a lightweight sit and stand. My sons are getting a little old to sit in a stroller but it will be well worth it when one of them gets tired. It was also helpful when we were walking back to our room from the bus stop. The children will take a nap in it as well. If you are flying you will appreciate having it with you in the airport. I think you can check it when you get on the plane and it will be there waiting for you when you get off the plane.

Hth,

nlugo

 

[Kahana-ri]

Having our own stroller was so beneficial. We had so much storage, DS could sleep when ever he wanted comfortably, we were able to put our cooler in the bottom basket, and it was easy to maneuver. The only downfall, but it wasn't to bad at all was the bus transportation. Its a large stroller so DH had to be near the doors when we went to and from.

 

[ryanally]

I voted other because we use our own stroller for the 2 year old so she can nap and we use it for her at the resort too. But for our almost 5 year old last time, we rented a stroller. He only used it if we went a long distance between attractions or if he was doing something to pass the time while DH and I were on a ride. It was easier for grandmom to watch the both of them if they each had a place to sit.

 

[bartleby1]

The rental strollers are GREAT for older kids but really aren't suitable IMO for 19 month olds. They are hard plastic and have just a waist strap to hold them in. You will probably need a stroller outside the parks anyway, so you are best off using that one inside the parks as well. I will be renting a double for my older two (4 and 6 yr) and bringing a stroller for my 20 month old.

As far as your stroller getting wet, we always bring rain covers for the strollers and make sure to cover it when entering attractions even if it is sunny out. Florida weather is very unpredictable when we go (usually July or August). It rains almost every day in the summer and it seems to come out of nowhere. Luckily, most days it disappears as quickly as it comes.

Good luck with the stroller decision! We have taken our kids the last 4 years in a row and each time have used different stroller plans depending on the age of our kids. Last year was the first year I was comfortable renting for my older two (they were 5 yr and just turned 3 yr). I loved the rental for them. We brought a full size for my little one who was only 9 months. This year I will bring my lightweight baby trend stroller for her.

BTW, I don't believe wagons are allowed in the parks, but my back would be breaking after a day at disney pulling a wagon anyway!

You can find pictures and info about the rentals at this site:
http://allearsnet.com/pl/strol_faq.htm

 

[Alexander]

We brought our own until DS was 5 or 6. Then we rented one as needed.

Anything that is pulled behind you (backpacks, wagons, etc.) are not allowed in WDW. Not that I haven't seen a few backbacks....But it is a danger to others for you to be pulling something behind you that you are not watching.

 

[babiesX2]

you have twins,,and i've seen lots of recommendations on this board to take two umbrella strollers if you are gonna take a stroller,,easier to maneuver!!

i talked my stepsister into taking two umbrellas when they went in feb and she said it worked much better!!!just a thought

That is a good idea! We have one umbrella that also stays in the van. I could easily pick up another at Target! Thanks, GoofyGirlie!

 

[kikakeko]

I also have twins- although mine are 4 now. We have used many different stroller methods. We have never been to Disney as a family but we have vacationed a good bit. When I took the girls last year to the beach by myself (my girls were 7,3 and 3) I used the double stroller, but when we go all together we take 2 umbrellas or folders. Sometimes we use zip ties to connect the strollars together to make a double umbrella. They also sell connectors for this but the ties work for us. I think for this we will take the umbrellas and the folding ones. We are driving so I am just going to do both just in case.

 

[poohfriend]

I think the disney rentals would be difficult to nap in for a child that young and I'd want the stroller for the hotel.

Make sure any stroller you bring is comfy for that age child. SOme umbrella strollers are worse than what Disney offers and are DIFFICULT TO push.

That said, I love my Maclaren and if I had twins I would want a double stroller. A nice stroller is worth every penny!

I took a 21 month old in December...brought our own stroller and LOVED having it at the resort. Was glad to have one that folded easily though.

there are tons of stroller threads on this board...do a search and get even more opinions that this thread!

 

[stacy6552]

Renting only makes eense to me if you have an older child who doesnt usually need a stroller but gets tired at WDW.

19mos old? Buy a rain cover for the stroller and bring your own. No question.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We need the stroller alot (ds3, dd2, ds 5months) So we take our own. This time we will take a double and a single. For the cost of a rental we could buy a new stroller so I wouldn't spend the money. They are also uncomfortable looking to me.

 

[txvjc]

I plan on getting length of stay rental while in the parks for DD(4) so we do not have to check her's on the plane and lug it on the crowded buses in the morning and night...not concerned about the cost so much if it saves me the hassle...plus were no going anywhere other than the parks and the hotel

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

We always bring our own. It's good in the airport, the parks. It's great for holding stuff underneath in the basket. It's great for napping, back at the resort when you get off the bus at night and still have to walk back to the room! I have a nice light umbrella stroller that has a hood on top and small basket on the bottom that I got at Toys r'Us. Nothing fancy or expensive and it folds easy.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

We always bring our own! In December, we are bringing one for our DD who will be a year and a half at the time. It will be our first trip without a stroller for DS, who will be 5 at the time. We'll see how it goes...if it's horrible, maybe we'll rent him a stroller a day or two. But I think we will see how he is without one...and when he gets tired and cranky, we'll go back to the resort for a break!

Oh, wagons are NOT allowed in the parks, FYI.

 

[belle&beast]

We used our own double with DD4 and DS2 in January. I think it was better than having 2 umbrellas because of the storage we had and used throughout the stay. We didn't take that much into the parks, but it was nice not to have to wear the backpack the entire time. Plus, DD usually wore a princess dress and we needed a change of clothes for her for later. It was also chilly and we all started off with coats and then stored them in the stroller until we needed them in the evening again. Just my opinion, but I would take the double that the kids are used to. Have a great trip!

 

[Goofygirls4God]

When you have littel ones=NO doubt your own is the way to go. BUT if you have kids on the line of too big. I have a BIG 4yo and Petite 8.yo..and we rent the double at WDW and it's great b/c my 8 yo can still fit in that one with little sis and it works great! She is 49 lbs and is about 50" tall...some may think that it's weird but when you have a tired kid at Disney=what ever makes things peaceful works for me!

 

[ptslp]

When dd was 6 mos and ds was 2 1/2 we brought a front/back Graco and it was great!

When dd was 12 mos and ds was 3, we brought a Maclaren Quest and an Evenflo travel system single, which worked great!

This trip (2 weeks!!), dd will be 19 mos and ds 3 1/2, we will be bringing a Graco side-by-side. Hopefully it will work for us.

We bought a rain cover for it (only paid $20 for the stroller at a garage sale). Both of my kids will still sleep in a stroller, so the rentals are not an option and we are traveling with a group this time (7 adults, 6 kids with 2 adults who older and not very able to keep track of the kids), so I didn't want to have to worry about 2 strollers, since dh will be going on rides with relatives while I hang out with the kids.