Rent a WDW stroller or take our own??

[Smylie]

I know this has probably been posted TONS of times already, but I can't find an answer. I have seen both pros and cons for renting and bringing ours but nothing that has made me want to actually make a decision. Does anyone have any advice that would definately sway me one way or the other? I have to have a stroller in some form, I just don't know if renting one beats taking one.
Thanks

 

[twoprincesses]

Taking our own stroller in Nov. was great. At the end of the day when the kids were REALLY tired they just relaxed all the way to the monorail or parking lot... whichever we used that day. I would have hated to carry them or hear their whining all the way to the monorail or car.

Another reason I liked bringing our own stroller is because it didn't blend in with the many rented strollers. I knew which one was mine and didn't have to check the name on the back. (this probably isn't a huge problem but every little bit of persuasion might help!)

Also, I know this may not occur often, but you run the risk of not getting a stroller if you rent. Depending on when you go, they may run out. I read this on allearsnet.com I think.

Well, hope this helps!

 

[belle&beast]

We went in January and took our double stroller and could not have survived without it at the resort (POR)! My dd4 and ds2 needed it especially at night for the wait for the bus and the walk to the room. We weren't far from the bus stop, but they were so tired- even asleep- that it helped a lot. We also used it to go to the lobby and restaurant. It was a pain at times on the buses at night, but we often waited for a less crowded bus which was never a problem, they seemed to come right away. Also, my kids were much more comfortable in their own stroller and the rented strollers didn't look like they recline. I hope I helped- needless to say my vote is to bring your own!

 

[rt2dz]

We always take our own because:
1. The kids are used to it, more comforting
2. It's comfortable, and MK strollers are not, other parks aren't as comfortable and the rentals, imo, should never be used for a child 2 and under
3. I want it outside the parks (resort, DtD), especially if the kids are sleeping--don't have to wake them up at all sometimes and not till the last minute other times
4. Much more storage space
5. Easier to find when getting off rides
6. I don't find it a huge hassel transporting it
7. I'm too cheap to spend the money on a stroller when I could be spending that money on more souvenirs or a character meal or an extra night

 

[corinnak]

I can't tell you how many times on our trip in January our 7 year old was too tired to finish the trek back to the resort. We finished many days with my 2 year old in the sling and my 7 year old riding in our stroller. There were some nights I wasn't sure how we would have gotten back otherwise!

Oh, and I used the stroller at the resort to get the laundry to and from the laundry room! We were staying at Fort Wilderness Cabins, and it was really nice to have an extra set of wheels there cause there is no parking within the resort! I think if your resort is at all large and spread out (and it seems like most of them are) you will appreciate having your own stroller. Though I didn't envy the person I saw with a full sized stroller getting on the train at MK.....we loved our Maclaren (Bought on clearance and on a whim at Target two weeks ahead of time!).

I do have friends who swear by renting - and we did rent a park stroller for our 7 year old in Epcot, but at the end of the day, we were always glad to have one of our own along as well (especially after the rental went back to the big stroller corral!

 

[dsnymomof4]

I agree with all of rt2dz's reasons! We always have so many things we store underneath the stroller - a bag with extra clothes and snacks, camera bag, water bottles - there is very little storage with the rented ones. DD4 fell asleep in hers almost every night. It was so easy getting back to BWV form Epcot & MGM because we could just wheel the stroller right onto the boat. But even when we had to take her out and carry her on the bus, at least we would have it when we got off for the long walk back to our room. We also used it at DTD.

 

[Kahana-ri]

I have to echo the sentiments posted above regarding more space for storage, comfort for you child and most important, having your own stroller walking back to the resort rooms. I also have to say it was nice to have our stroller while waiting in the security and tickets lines to get into the park.

 

[stahshee]

If you rent and you are on site you still have to walk from room to bus and then bus to mk . That was a pain. Know if you are off site you still walk from TT to monarail to mk. What a pain!