rent stroller double stroller or wait & see?

[JJ&JSMOM]

I know I know another stroller question. I think after picking the resort the stroller issue is the next difficult question. We have 3 kids, DS8, DD4 & DD2.5 and I know DD2 will sometime need a stroller so I've rented a single stroller from abbf.com. I say sometime because she is very independent and currently has a love/hate relationship w/her stroller at home. Now - DD4 (who will actually be 5 when we go to disney) I'm pretty sure she'll need a stroller eventually. I can see her legs getting tired very easily. We went to the coast last week & did some walking around town - although she did ok she was totally exhausted by supper. Thats only 1 day of walking - we'll be at disney for 9 days!

So - now I'm thinking (it never ends!) maybe I should rent a double stroller at the parks and then DD2.5 & DD4 will each have the option of taking a break. Who knows maybe DS8 will need a break as well. I know they don't recline but we'll be breaking every afternoon for a nap and if DD2 decides to sleep in the stroller I think (not sure-never rented one before) we could make it comfortable for her using backpack and her blanket. Maybe I should just wait & see how it goes. I just hate to spend the money for abbf if we decide to rent a double.

Just curious what others do regarding strollers when you know one will need a stroller (eventually) and one probably will. Thanks for any advice. My sister has been to disney (day trips) more then I and she told me to just rent when we get there and at least we'd have something to carry all our junk in and when someone's ready - they'll climb in. We'll be staying at the Poly if that effects any advice.

 

[digman6]

well we are going to go during Xmas 12/18-26 our kids are going to be 11,8,5, and 2 then. We plan already to rent a single OR double stroller, those legs are going to get tired no matter what. I will take our smaller one from home as well with me to the park. if your kids are tired and you get off the momrail do you want to ALWAYS carry them to the room, or to where ever your going to next. Last time I brough our own it was a god send, I was tired the kids were tired. Dh popped that sucker open and she slept in the stroller. I used mine all the time. When yuor in a place that big I just want to know I have them with me safe in a stroller vs. running. She learned fast to get into it. SHe would climb in when we said its time to go

with kids that young I personally would opt for the extra stroller you may want it if you resort hop to see things, go to DTD shopping etc.

Your sister seems to have given you good advice.

 

[PEANUT1]

i am in the same boat...i can't decide. my hubby says we should just bring the umbrella for the baby and rent a double stroller from disney but........$18 a day is pretty steep and the lines for the rentals can be a bit long.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks for the replies. I know its so hard to anticipate what we need before we get there but I guess we'll keep the stroller from abbf. I just don't really like the idea of both adults having to push strollers especially when DD2 is out and walking around - an adult has to be with her. So who pushes the other stroller?

Another thought I had was bringing an umbrella stroller from home and bringing that into the park as well. Maybe hook the umbrella handles on the handles of the one from abbf and drag that around just in case. Or put it in the storage basket. I'll have to test that out here at home first to see if it would work. We have the same stroller as abbf (I think) has but I don't want to bring that from home - too heavy to lug around the airport etc.

 

[digman6]

Here is another idea buy 2 umbrella strollers and get one of those fasteners that you can make them attached/ then when you get on the transporation sepreate them and hop on when you are at the park attach them . If one kid wants to walk take the chance while you can and put your bag of things in it and give your shoulders some rest.

I think that when you go with kids your going to have stuff and sometimes its a hassle and is not used and other times you don't have it you wish you did.

I would rather lug a small umbrella stroller around then have my kid complaining about not having one. we have pushed a empty stroller before.
Thats what happens when you have very young kids 2 people may be pushing a stroller , take the good with the bad.

I think there is place that you can get one down there ( umbrella stroller) , they shop were you need them to go. I would [ay 10$ for a cheap one to get delievered to our room ( they go to walmart) and use it. When I check out i would just give it to somefamily arriving that may need one.

Thats my plan anyhow to not lug it with me. Not usre how much your rental is but I am going to guess more then 10$

I bet once they see alll the things the kids will be more likely to sit then walk, to much to see and entertain them
We took our dd when she was 2 and she stayed in the stroller the entire time we walked around. unless we ate, or did a ride then obviously she was out of it. she enjoyed it and napped inthere and everything, ON the same note all kids are diffrent.

Good LUck!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks for the replies. I don't think an umbrella stroller will work for DD4 - just tried ours. I guess it could work for a little bit but not for long periods of time. DD4 is 45" tall & 45 lbs so shes pretty scrunched & the one we have doesn't have a sunshade. Maybe we'll go to Toys R Us before we leave & see what they have & if it'll work. I'm not a fan of umbrella strollers - not much for support or comfort & no storage plus the handles are low and kill my back.

I don't mind the lugging - I'm used to it. We have the lugging part all worked out - everyone takes something and DH gets the stroller and I get the kids. They'll be plenty of room in the abbf stroller to store our stuff. Just concerned w/something for DD4. Maybe we'll just rent a single if shes acting tired. I think we'll keep things as is & see how it goes when we get there. Thanks again!

 

[grumpy.uncle]

We have always had 2 strollers for the kids. We normally bring one from home. It has been to Disney parks many times and is still holding up. I have always offered to rent the second one if my older niece needs it. The WDW strollers are fairly large, so they accomodate a fairly large kid. I'd rather push a child around in a stroller than have them complaining about the walking. It really is exhausting to walk at WDW and I would never expect a child to be able to make it. Your older child will probably hang out in the Disney stroller sometimes too. Bring at least one w/ the option of renting from Disney. If you buy a multi-day stroller rental, you do get a slight discount. Have fun!

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

When we went last year DS's were 5 & 2. I brought our umbrella stroller for DS#2 and planned on just having DS5 walk. That lasted one day. The umbrella stroller wasn't big enough and didn't have enough storage for all the stuff we ended up with. Day 2 we rented a double stroller for the length of our trip and though we hated the price......we loved the stroller. DS5 didn't ride a lot, but there were times when he wanted to. And times we wanted him to.....when there was a lot of people traffic we had him get in the stroller, less chance of loosing him! Also, with the double there was more room for DS2 to nap which he happened to do each day.
Next year when we go back we'll be renting another double stroller, DS's will be 7 & 4 at the time. It's just worth having for us...........

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We have always had 2 strollers for the kids. We normally bring one from home. It has been to Disney parks many times and is still holding up. I have always offered to rent the second one if my older niece needs it. The WDW strollers are fairly large, so they accomodate a fairly large kid. I'd rather push a child around in a stroller than have them complaining about the walking. It really is exhausting to walk at WDW and I would never expect a child to be able to make it. Your older child will probably hang out in the Disney stroller sometimes too. Bring at least one w/ the option of renting from Disney. If you buy a multi-day stroller rental, you do get a slight discount. Have fun!

I agree & I hope DD2 will too! Thats why I was thinking of renting a double at Disney if we have a big enough stroller (which it looks like the doubles have plenty of room) the kids could take turns riding in the stroller and we'd only have to push one stroller. The rental stroller at abbf costs about $60 and the double stroller at the parks for 7 days would be $112 so I'd rathar not do both. Maybe I will bring one from home & rent a double at the parks like you suggested.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

When we went last year DS's were 5 & 2. I brought our umbrella stroller for DS#2 and planned on just having DS5 walk. That lasted one day. The umbrella stroller wasn't big enough and didn't have enough storage for all the stuff we ended up with. Day 2 we rented a double stroller for the length of our trip and though we hated the price......we loved the stroller. DS5 didn't ride a lot, but there were times when he wanted to. And times we wanted him to.....when there was a lot of people traffic we had him get in the stroller, less chance of loosing him! Also, with the double there was more room for DS2 to nap which he happened to do each day.
Next year when we go back we'll be renting another double stroller, DS's will be 7 & 4 at the time. It's just worth having for us...........

I'm glad to hear the rental was ok for naps. How did your DS nap - did you need to pad the stroller w/towel or blanket? Thanks for the info.

**kids playing w/faces**

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I'm glad to hear the rental was ok for naps. How did your DS nap - did you need to pad the stroller w/towel or blanket? Thanks for the info.

**kids playing w/faces**

We didn't plan on it, we were lucky and it just happened!! We ended up using our backpack as his pillow . Poor little guy! But those little power napped really helped his attitude!

We went against what most Disney World touring people swear by and didn't leave in the afternoon and come back at night. We tried it one day, and by the time we got back to the hotel, got DS2 settled down for a nap, then back to the parks 4 hours were gone. Then we were at the park until late, up early the next day----just didn't work for us. After the first day we got to the parks at opening (we're early riser people anyway), stayed through until about 3 or 4 (DS2 took about a 45 minute nap in the stroller each afternoon), then went back for dinner, some swimming and early to bed.

Have a great time!!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We didn't plan on it, we were lucky and it just happened!! We ended up using our backpack as his pillow . Poor little guy! But those little power napped really helped his attitude!

We went against what most Disney World touring people swear by and didn't leave in the afternoon and come back at night. We tried it one day, and by the time we got back to the hotel, got DS2 settled down for a nap, then back to the parks 4 hours were gone. Then we were at the park until late, up early the next day----just didn't work for us. After the first day we got to the parks at opening (we're early riser people anyway), stayed through until about 3 or 4 (DS2 took about a 45 minute nap in the stroller each afternoon), then went back for dinner, some swimming and early to bed.

Have a great time!!

Well thats what I was thinking - DD2 could use the backpack as a pillow and her blanket for cushion if need be. I'm sure your DS was so tired he didn't care whether it was padded or not! This is actually what I think will happen for us. On our first day we'll try the afternoon break shortly after lunch and see if DD2 will nap at the resort. I'm not too hopeful I think we might end up having the same schedule you had. DH thinks DD2 probably will not nap and if she does it will be short so he thinks an early bedtime vs afternoon nap will work out better for us. But we'll see - the others will probably need a break anyway.

Thanks again!