Rent, buy or bring a stroller??

[D L and K's Mom]

Hi, We will be going to Disney in Aug. I have never looked close at the strollers as DS and DD are 13 adn 14...BUT.......new little baby is now going to be 13 months when we go. We were thinking of bringing our cheap umbrella stroller for the airport but renting a stroller in the park. Checked the "Stroller Swap" and they are all booked. Do they recline? Are they comfortable? Maybe it would be a good idea for us to rent one from a place like Baby's Best Friend. I really don't want to take our big GRACO as 13 years ago when we took DD's the airline really did a job on it. Also we have a wheelchair to cart along with us onto the plane until they put it under etc. Anyone have any great ideas? DH thinks we should buy a $50 stroller at Walmart down there and leave it when we leave or contact the "swap People " and donate it. It would probably be the cheapest thing to do as we would need it for 11 days. Any ideas would be welcome. Thanks

 

[bubbasmom99]

At 13 months, your baby would probably be most comfortable in his/her own stroller. Did you gate-check the stroller 13 years ago or put it in regular baggage? We've flown many times with strollers and never had anything mangled.

Since you know you will need one every day, I would go with ABBF over daily park rental. OR you can purchase one at WalMart or Target while you're there, and either bring it back with you, or start a new stroller swap of your own! I'm sure the parents here on the board would much appreciate that!

FWIW - we love the Graco strollers for the parks as they have the biggest baskets of any of the stroller brands! Gotta have something to cart around all those souvenirs!

 

[BevS97]

the rental is not suitable for a 13 month old, and you can't use it outside of the parks

We will be travelling with a 13 month old in October and we will take our 'good' stroller, which is a Chicco - it umbrella folds, but it's a substantial stroller when it's up - it is not however cheap.

i would recommend something with a decent recline - at that age baby will be having naps during the day, and the more comfy they are, the better nap they will have and everyone will be happier for it.

i would recommend finding a decent stroller that you are happy with and either bringing it with you, or buying / renting one there. Bearing in mind you will need a stroller at the airport, so you might as well bring it with you

 

[momxx5]

Before you go, stop by Walmart or KMart. They have smaller travel strollers that recline and have baskets. We bought one for our trip last summer(18 month old). It was around $30.

We now use this stroller all the time.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Thank you all for the great ideas. I am going to check out our Walmart and see if we can find a "nice" but inexpensive stroller that DD can nap in. That way we have it for the airport, parks and the hotela dn the grounds. I can't believe I ddint think of that....dumb..if we rent in the parks we dont have it at the hotel!!!!!! Bubbasmom, we checked the stroller at the gate for our daughter and when we got it back the axle was bent and the whole stroller was scraped up. We check DS'S wheelchair and we have never had any problems. I am sure that maybe that one time with the stroller was a fluke. Loved the part about the big basket for all our Disney purchases!!! We once tipped over DS's Wheelchair when ho got out due to weight of purchases!!The stroller we have here is wonderful but quite bulky and heavy so it is a pain to take anyway. Thank you all for the great ideas!!

 

[DisFam95]

We purchased the Graco Citilite for our trip for our 17mo and I just LOVED it. Cushy, reclines, canopy, easy fold, super lightweight, big baskets and cup holders. Best light stroller out there in my opnion. Definitely want one that reclines. We never had to go back to the room for naps because he napped in the stroller. We even ate a nice leisurely lunch at Akershus w/ him napping in his stroller. If they are sleeping they will let you keep them in thestroller at the table.

 

[jme829]

We take our own. Actually 2 of them! one for DS 3 and DD 5. His is the bigger and reclines...Hers is more for resting her legs..They usually nap at separate times so we just switch the strollers then. Its nice to have them at the airport..we gate check them . Walmart or Kmart is a good place to find a cheapy..I just bought an umbrella stroller there for 13 bucks for around home (malls, zoo, etc..) but now they have the same one in a reclinable (is that a word?) style for $20 or so that I wish I would have seen...Its smaller than a full size but still reclines for naptime. Our "big" stroller is a graco literider (I think??) and it is awesome..very roomy, large canopy (some are pretty chintzy) a huge basket, a tray for child with a cup holder and a tray for mom with 2 cupholders and even though its large it is very light...I think its like 8 pounds or something and it steers awesome.!!! folds with one hand too...We love it...YOu will definitley want one for getting around DTD and other places too...DtD rents them but you have to basically go on a scavenger hunt to find where to rent them.!! !!

Tomorrow's the Day!!!

 

[mattmommy]

Definitely bring your own. If it has a detachable cup holder or tray for your little one--pack it. Delta did a number on my stroller. Check it at the gate is your best bet. It will never come back the same, but it's easier with an infant. Are you staying on property? You can have your merchandise sent to the gift shop or the front desk (it used to be to your room). That will save you the hassle of hauling more stuff around. I also feel that by doing that I'm keeping somebody else employed to schlep around my things.

 

[stacy6552]

Bring your own. Make sure it recliines, has a big basket, cupholders and a canopy. You definately dont want the baby hanging out in the rented ones or an umbrella stroller all day, theres no way to sleep.

gate check it at the plane gate. You walk it all the way up to the plane, leave it and its waiting right there at the other end. Damages seem few and far between, so what are the cahnces youll have a bad experience twice?

 

[NotUrsula]

Just to be clear on gate-checking: YOU have to fold and secure your stroller at the end of the jetway if you want it to survive the trip intact. Ramp workers don't have the time or inclination to figure out the proper folding procedure for thousands of different stroller models. If you leave it standing open you are just begging for damage, and most carriers will stop you before you board and tell you to fold it.

Fold it yourself, and to be sure, it's best to put a strap around it, too. Also, before heading to the airport, remove the hood and all little gadgets, toys, add-on cupholders & bags, etc. Put those extra items in your checked baggage.