Rent a stroller or bring one?

[caroline1851]

DD2 (almost 3 when we go to WDW in Oct) can walk a lot (she did almost 7 hours at Six Flags last week) but i know she'll need a stroller for part of the trip. I would need to either buy a new stroller because hers is bigger than i want to take w/ us or rent one. It'd be about $100 to rent one or buy one for $40. (i like The Evenflo X-sport-free shipping on amazon) But it seems like a hassle to bring a stroller to the airport, etc and on and off buses. But it seems like a hassle to have to pick one up at the parks everyday.
What do you think? Rent or buy?

 

[ChillyWilleys]

We drive every year, usually we take DH's explorer but due to gas prices this year we took my car. DD's enormous stroller wouldn't fit. We looked up strollers online and found a relatively nice one for $50. We had that shipped to the Walmart nearby. That was much cheaper than renting one. Our plan was to give it away at the end of the trip figuring we got our money out of it, but it wound up being small enough to make the trip home. I think for the price you may as well buy.

 

[prplcrzy]

We just came back from a trip and I bought the Evenflo XSport Plus from Amazon and had it shipped right to our hotel. It was delivered two weeks before we arrived and it wasn't a problem, it was waiting for us when we checked in.

I didn't want to have to deal with the stroller at the airport either. We needed a stroller mostly for night time when my ds would fall asleep. We used it during the day to carry our cooler bag full of water and snacks.

When we were leaving to come home, I found a family that was checking into the BoardWalk and gave it to them to use so they didn't have to rent at the parks.

Have a great trip!

Nancy

 

[caroline1851]

We just came back from a trip and I bought the Evenflo XSport Plus from Amazon and had it shipped right to our hotel. It was delivered two weeks before we arrived and it wasn't a problem, it was waiting for us when we checked in.

I didn't want to have to deal with the stroller at the airport either. We needed a stroller mostly for night time when my ds would fall asleep. We used it during the day to carry our cooler bag full of water and snacks.

When we were leaving to come home, I found a family that was checking into the BoardWalk and gave it to them to use so they didn't have to rent at the parks.

Have a great trip!

Nancy

That's a great idea..............ship it to the resort! If it arrives early will they have a problem holding it for me, i wonder....

 

[perkinsrose]

Common topic on the DIS , check out these threads...


www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23002767#post23002767&highlight=stroller

www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=25800256#post25800256&highlight=

www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=25619360#post25619360&highlight=

 

[prplcrzy]

I had ordered the stroller from Amazon and with free shipping it said it would take about 2 weeks to be delivered. That was fine since it would get there a few days before we arrived. Well, they ended up delivering it a few days after I ordered it.

I called the resort (AKL) a few days after I knew it was delivered and they said it would be waiting for us to check in. Someone else had posted that their stroller was sitting there almost a month waiting for them and they had no trouble.

Nancy

 

[howdyfrtx]

I purchased the Evenflo X-sport plus on Thursday (thanks to Nancy reveiw)through Amazon and its schedule to be delivered to my house tomorrow (Tuesday). So, pretty fast shipping....mine DS will be 3 when we go but I plan to use it in the airport if he doesn't want to sit in it I'll put my carry on bags in there until we check it in.

 

[Kenenitz]

DD2 (almost 3 when we go to WDW in Oct) can walk a lot (she did almost 7 hours at Six Flags last week) but i know she'll need a stroller for part of the trip. I would need to either buy a new stroller because hers is bigger than i want to take w/ us or rent one. It'd be about $100 to rent one or buy one for $40. (i like The Evenflo X-sport-free shipping on amazon) But it seems like a hassle to bring a stroller to the airport, etc and on and off buses. But it seems like a hassle to have to pick one up at the parks everyday.
What do you think? Rent or buy?

When we started planning, the girl helping us book suggested that if we were planning to fly we could rent from a baby's best friend. www.abbf.com While I have never rented from them myself, they seem to have everything, including the crib aquarium to put your little ones to sleep, pak and plays, strollers, even toys. They deliver and pick it up from your hotel, free of charge HTH

 

[Elmo888]

We just came back from a trip and I bought the Evenflo XSport Plus from Amazon and had it shipped right to our hotel. It was delivered two weeks before we arrived and it wasn't a problem, it was waiting for us when we checked in.

I didn't want to have to deal with the stroller at the airport either. We needed a stroller mostly for night time when my ds would fall asleep. We used it during the day to carry our cooler bag full of water and snacks.

When we were leaving to come home, I found a family that was checking into the BoardWalk and gave it to them to use so they didn't have to rent at the parks.

Have a great trip!

Nancy

That's a great idea! I like that you gave it to someone else when you were leaving. Maybe I'll do that next time.

I just wanted to add that I would definitely bring one. Price of rentals is a big reason. Another reason is that there is a lot of walking outside the parks. When she's tired at the end of the day (and you are tired, too), it will be much easier to get her out of the park and to the buses and from the bus to your resort room with a stroller. Otherwise, you might find that you have to carry her after you give up your rental in the park.

Have a great trip!

 

[traci]

Buy one and bring it. We bring two (2 kiddos here) and we fly. We take them down the terminal and check it as we board. Really, it's no hassle. Plus it's nice to have at the resort when we are not at the parks.

Have a lovely trip!!!!!

 

[tomboy_m]

Buy one and bring it. I was worried about gate checking the stroller but found it to be a breeze. Plus it was nice to have getting through the busy airport with DD and our carry ons. We used ours a ton getting back to the bus at the end of each day and from the bus to the room. We spent around $20. on an inexpensive umbrella stroller for DD who weighs around 33lbs. It was well used during the trip, but it did the trick. I was planning on leaving it at WDW but my DD insisted that we bring it home so she can use it for her babies.

 

[vcgirl925]

We would need to rent a double for the parks and we would have. But they increased the rates by double! So it's not worth it to rent anymore. So i'm going to either have to buy the cheap jeep double ($80) or bring two umbrella's. I can check one in with baggage and use the other one for my dd.

 

[SmallWorld71]

When my kids were little, I actually PREFERRED having the stroller with me at the airport than not because then I knew where they were at all times. Airports can be overwhelming with everything that is going on and god forbid you take your eyes off the little ones for a second! I've been gate checking strollers for years and never had a problem.

 

[ljc3162]

I had thought that I had read somewhere that you can buy an umbrella stroller at one of the shops when you get there. Has anyone done this before? How much are they and which shop would have them?

 

[Bethmomof6]

This is a great thread! I have been wondering about what to do. I think now I will buy the stroller and bring it. I will have to check out the Evenflo XSport Plus. Any one else have a great stroller to recommend?

 

[racetrack18kb]

We have 2 DD 5 & 7 but ages 4 & 6 on our last trip. For that trip we bought a Maclaren Volo. We drove for that trip and didn't have to worry about gate checking the stroller. Though it is more expensive than most umbrella strollers, it holds up to 55 pounds. Very convenient for using with both children. If DD6 was tired, we could take DD5 out and let her walk while her older sister rested for a little. And vice versa. It helped them both get worn out for a good nights sleep at the hotel. I looked at it as an investment for future trips.

 

[Aliceacc]

OK, folks, a question:

Do I check the stroller with our luggage (and pay extra, since it's a 2nd checked item for someone) or can it count as a carryon? My youngest is 5, and will only need the stroller for late nights at WDW, most certainly not in the airports.

I haven't flown in at least 10 years, and didn't have to think of this stuff last time

 

[perkinsrose]

OK, folks, a question:

Do I check the stroller with our luggage (and pay extra, since it's a 2nd checked item for someone) or can it count as a carryon? My youngest is 5, and will only need the stroller for late nights at WDW, most certainly not in the airports.

I haven't flown in at least 10 years, and didn't have to think of this stuff last time

Not counted as a carry on either:
As of February ( i don't think policies have changed), it is considered an assistance device. If you don't want to pay extra to check it, take it with you to the gate and to the counter. Tell them you need a stroller tag. They will put a tag on it and you get reciept. Keep your stroller with you until time to board plane. At boarding, usually leave immediately outside airplane door and staff will put it underneath plane and it will be waiting (usually--sometimes have to wait 5 minutes or so) outside plane door when you arrive at destination.

I've done this for preschoolers and older kids and never had a problem. I don't mind having it at airport because i use it to cart carryons, back packs, etc.

 

[iheartdisney]

A third option is to join one of the stroller swaps already in progress!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1850133

I've done the rental before, and after having the long walk to the hotel room with the sleeping child, I decided I need a stroller after the park as well!

 

[eliza61]

Thankfully we don't need one anymore but we rented. Philly airport is horrendous and it was a pain in the you know what getting through security and checking it.
I admit, I'm spoiled. I will pay any price for convienence. I'll pay 2X's the amount for milk and bread at a WaWA (convienence store) just so I won't have to go to the supermarket more than 1X a week, I pay ungodly amounts of money on valet and now that my area supermarket has shop on line and delivery, yep I'm paying that fee also. I just factored the cost of stroller rentals into my budget.