Rental Stroller and GAC (a little long)

[flynnmnstr]

I think I asked this question a while ago but can't seem to find the original post. We are leaving on SUNDAY!!! DH will be in a conference on Mon TUes Wed. I will be alone with my boys 5 & 2. I will be getting a GAC for both of my boys. They will both need to use the stroller as a wheelchair, for different reasons.

OK here's my dilemma. How does that work when you have a double rental stroller? The older one is doing so much better with crowds and regulating himself, so as long as he wasn't tired he would do OK in the line especially if we used FP; shows are another story he would definitely want to stay in his stroller then. My younger one has been getting progressively worse with crowds lately. Melt downs are extremely common. I can handle it when DH is around because I have an extra set of eyes on the 5 year old. I just really need them (or at least younger one) to be able to stay in his stroller until he is ready to ride. I can't just bring my single because my older one has low tone and will tire way too quickly without a stroller (he also doesn't do well in the straight sunlight- needs shade).

Luckily this is really only going to be an issue for Monday and Wednesday. I am taking DS5 to Sea World on Tuesday and friends are babysitting DS2 for the day. Oh yeah forgot to mention we are traveling with friends whom have a DD3 but I don't want to constantly depend on them being with us because the kids tend to have very different interests at times-- aka princess versus the pirates.

The scenario I am thinking about specifically is Dumbo. We always tend to use our GAC on that ride. The line is so tight; neither child normally makes it through without a meltdown-- even if we are there at RD. How that ride typically works is that we stand in the Handicap line until they have room for us. Sometimes that wait is longer but it works for us. I do not think that the rental double will fit. Do you think I could just get the CMs attention and let them wait in the stroller at the entrance or exit until they can seat us? I know I know this is only one ride but its something we have to hit as soon as we get to MK and we are doing that Monday morning because friends have ADRs at Cindy's for breakfast. Plus I really think overall MK is a good park for me to do alone with the boys. Because they have a lot of attractions and shows that the boys like.

Let me know what you guys think.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think I asked this question a while ago but can't seem to find the original post.

I searched for your user name and could not find a post with these questions, so I think you did not post it before.

OK here's my dilemma. How does that work when you have a double rental stroller?

They will give you a GAC for a double rental stroller. I don't know this by personal experience, but I have seen people using double rental strollers as wheelchairs and people have posted that they have done this.

The double stroller should fit in most lines; if it doesn't the CM at the entrance to the line will help you to figure out where to go.

Do you think I could just get the CMs attention and let them wait in the stroller at the entrance or exit until they can seat us?

That is what I would do.
We have not ridden Dumbo in a long time because DD can't be transferred in easily, so we have not ridden it with her in a long time. I do know when other members of our family have gone at park opening, they were able to ride all the Fantasyland rides without more than a 10 minute wait before 10:30.

 

[flynnmnstr]

But younger DS has such tremendous difficulty in crowds and crowded areas; even 10 mins would be like a lifetime for me and everyone around us in line. He just starts melting down kicking, falling to the ground, screaming. It's manageable (non-existent) when he's in the stroller. This behavior has gotten progressively worse over past 2 months; so much so that we were thinking about postponing trip but we didn't think it fair to the older DS. And in the end the little one may surprise us; older DS always did so well when we were at Disney.

We always get to the parks at opening and are out of there right after lunch for naps and pool time.

 

[Shorty82]

I searched for your user name and could not find a post with these questions, so I think you did not post it before.

I've tried searching for user names before and usually I get back no results even when the person has a large number of posts. Seems to me the board's search feature leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[SueM in MN]

I've tried searching for user names before and usually I get back no results even when the person has a large number of posts. Seems to me the board's search feature leaves a lot to be desired.

Moderators have some things available that the average posters don't.

 

[Schmeck]

But younger DS has such tremendous difficulty in crowds and crowded areas; even 10 mins would be like a lifetime for me and everyone around us in line. He just starts melting down kicking, falling to the ground, screaming. It's manageable (non-existent) when he's in the stroller. This behavior has gotten progressively worse over past 2 months; so much so that we were thinking about postponing trip but we didn't think it fair to the older DS. And in the end the little one may surprise us; older DS always did so well when we were at Disney.

We always get to the parks at opening and are out of there right after lunch for naps and pool time.

I think you should try to get another family member to come with you - 3 days of trying to get on rides without a meltdown may be too much for one person to handle, don't you think? Depending on the situation at each attraction at any particular time, you might not get accommodated right away. There could be another person with a similar situation ahead of you, etc. What happens when the ride breaks down, especially if you are in the ride vehicle - can you handle them alone? If a ten minute wait in a line is too much for your little one, what would a 15 minute breakdown in the dark in an attraction do? Can you handle both kids in this instance?

If you feel you can, how about bringing a smaller, more familiar double stroller from home, if you have one? Would they be able to wait a bit longer in it? The Disney ones don't have restraints on any kind, do they? Would you have to worry about either of them taking off on you?

I hope you have a good trip, and can find some good solutions to help you in your situation.