Rent a stroller or bring your own?

[guelde96]

I am having a hard time deciding whether or not to rent a stroller for our upcoming trip. In the past we have brought our own stroller. I can see some advantages to both.

I was wondering if any one has rented a stroller and give me their advice?

Thanks in advance.

 

[momxx5]

Well I know that I am in the minority here, and a lot of friend are suprised to know that I am buying a stroller to take to WDW.

The advantages of brining your own is that you'll have one with you all the time. Personally I like to have one for DTD, the resort, etc.

My small for her age 8yr old and young 5 yr old will be sharing a stroller.
#1 I want to know where DD5 is when the crowds get thick. It is much easier to strap her in and get to where we need to be,
#2 DD8 is small for her age and there are times when she tires and simply cannot walk all the time.
#3 I love having the basket, cup holder, etc to keep things in. I'm not yet at the stage where I want to be carrying everything around.

So, I figure that DD5 will ride in it the most and DD8 will use it other times. I guess it will be something that we'll have when we need it.

(btw, I'm buying a Maclain(sp?) for the trip because it goes to 50-55lbs and both girls are will under that)

 

[ApolloSaturnV]

We always rent, but not the ones in the parks. We use A Baby's Best Friend, a rental service in Orlando, and they are great! Much nicer, newer, CLEANER, more comfortable strollers, and for less money.

I like having it with us the entire stay, and ABBF delivers it to our resort luggage room all nice and clean and wrapped before we even get there. Then I just return it to the luggage room when we check out. We have used them for years for alot of things in addition to their strollers, and they have several different styles to choose from.

Their website with photos and info is www.abbf.com. Best money we spend on vacation!

 

[blancah76]

On our last trip to wdw we rented a stroller for my ds4 it was ok but.... He fell asleep at one point in the stroller and seemed very uncomfortable(hard plastic) another time I was with him alone leaving the park at night and he fell fast asleep so I had to carry him to the bus stop and hold him for about 20 min. waiting. My ds weighs 50 lbs. so I was exhausted.
I am actually currently looking into purchasing a maclaren stroller for our upcoming trip in september.
Whatever your choice have a wonderful trip!

 

[SnowBound]

I have always been hesitant to bring my nice stroller to WDW because of theft issues I have read about.

I agree with ApolloSaturnV: we have rented from ABBF numerous times and have always been extremely pleased. From quality to cleanliness to the fact that it is at the hotel waiting for me, to having it all the time if we walk around the Boardwalk or DTD, etc. A great value that's hard to beat and I have peace of mind not having to schlep mine all the way to Florida.

ABBF rocks!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I have always been hesitant to bring my nice stroller to WDW because of theft issues I have read about.

I agree with ApolloSaturnV: we have rented from ABBF numerous times and have always been extremely pleased. From quality to cleanliness to the fact that it is at the hotel waiting for me, to having it all the time if we walk around the Boardwalk or DTD, etc. A great value that's hard to beat and I have peace of mind not having to schlep mine all the way to Florida.

ABBF rocks!

The service sound great, but I have to ask you, where did you hear about stroller theft in the parks? We've been bringing our Bugaboo Frog and our Mountain Buggy Urban Designer Double strollers, 2 pretty expensive models, for years now and have never had an issue with even a hint of theft. Just wondering how rampant the reports are...

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We always rent, but not the ones in the parks. We use A Baby's Best Friend, a rental service in Orlando, and they are great! Much nicer, newer, CLEANER, more comfortable strollers, and for less money.

I like having it with us the entire stay, and ABBF delivers it to our resort luggage room all nice and clean and wrapped before we even get there. Then I just return it to the luggage room when we check out. We have used them for years for alot of things in addition to their strollers, and they have several different styles to choose from.

Their website with photos and info is www.abbf.com. Best money we spend on vacation!

I looked on the website and it looks like the single stroller is 23lbs. How did you do on the buses? We have a Mac but the storage is less then great & I just can't imagine bringing it. We have 3 young kids that I'll pack an extra outfit for and all the other stuff to take into the parks so theres no way we can by w/a Mac. Great for a lightweight stroller & short trips to the mall. Thanks for any info.

 

[ApolloSaturnV]

I looked on the website and it looks like the single stroller is 23lbs. How did you do on the buses? We have a Mac but the storage is less then great & I just can't imagine bringing it. We have 3 young kids that I'll pack an extra outfit for and all the other stuff to take into the parks so theres no way we can by w/a Mac. Great for a lightweight stroller & short trips to the mall. Thanks for any info.

We had no trouble on any of the transportation, buses included. The stoller folds nicely and has a locking clip that holds it closed. Lots of storage underneath and three or four reclining positions, swing-away front tray, easy to manuever. . . really a nice model.

HTH!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We had no trouble on any of the transportation, buses included. The stoller folds nicely and has a locking clip that holds it closed. Lots of storage underneath and three or four reclining positions, swing-away front tray, easy to manuever. . . really a nice model.

HTH!

It does help - thank you very much!

 

[guelde96]

Thanks for all of the advice.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I always say bring your own. Especially if your kids (or even just one of them) is rather young, like 3 and under. You are going to want it in more places then just the parks.

If you have older kids that don't use a stroller normally, but know in the parks you are going to need one for a places to rest, put things and keep the kids together then rent. After all walking at WDW is not like home, there is a lot of it and crowds can get bad.

Even then I think we will most likely bring ours. (my kids are currently almost 3 years old and 6. They are both super tiny for their age.) We bought at Peg pergo Aira twin with WDW in mind and have used it now so much it has more then paid for it's self twice in rentals at WDW. (and it isn't a cheap stroller, but not the most $$ out there.)

You are a questioning your need of a stroller I think it is safe to say go without, and if you find you need one, rent one.

Young kids, always bring your own. And a rain cover for it (and all kinds of other things to make life more comfortable.

 

[guelde96]

Thanks to everyone for all of the great advice.

 

[inloveindisney]

AFter hearing about these maclarens, I had to go check them out. I found a sale and thought I'd post: http://www.tinyride.com/Maclaren-C41.aspx?src=GGL&cpn=mac_gen&kwd=maclaren+stroller&s_kwcid=maclaren%20stroller|808648225

 

[Schucraig]

I love my Maclaren Volo! It's a great choice if you bring your own!

 

[jenrein]

After watching all of the parents struggling to carry kids and strollers onto a bus and then to be a passenger on that bus with parents hitting you with their strollers while trying to carry them and their kids...I suggest you rent. Save us all.

 

[klj27]

I love my Maclaren Volo! It's a great choice if you bring your own!