Rental Stroller or Own...

[MykidsfirstWDW]

Were taking the kids for their first trip in March. 8yrs and 3 yrs...I'm sure the 3yr old will get really tired and cranky and I'll need a stroller at some point during each day. Should I plan to take our own or just rent one when she gets tired? Will they run out if we don't get one first thing through the gate?

Just trying to get a plan together...

 

[tjmw2727]

Unless you are visiting the parks at a very, very busy time they don't runt out of strollers anymore. My youngest was three the last year I took my own stroller but there are lots of things to consider.

If you need/want the stroller for the resorts you will need your own. If you are using primarily bus service the stroller is a pain to transport (IMHO) unless you have another pair of adult hands to help you (I often don't). The rental strollers can get costly (about $8.00 a day) but they are easy to push and an older child will be comfortable. If you decide to rent bring a bright color bandana to mark your stroller in the sea of others exactly the same!

If you think your 3yo can walk the resorts ok and a bit at the parks its more convenient to use the rentals. The drawback is the price. If you think you will want a more comfortable one that reclines and has the features you like it may be better to bring your own.

allears.net has a great section on the pros and cons of rental strollers with pictures and prices. They aso have a section on traveling with toddlers, babies and preschoolers.

TJ

 

[tink2]

You'll get a lot of different opinions on this one.
I just returned from a trip with a 2 1/2 year olda and a 4 year old. We rented every day and this is what we will do our next trip. It is so much easier than lugging the stroller on and off the bus. The strollers are kid- friendly too- notice I said kid and not baby-friendly. They are hard plastic- check out pictures on the website mentioned above. The ones at MK and AK are hard plastic while the ones at MGM and Epcot- I believe- are canvas and are sling-back. They are very park-friendly. They have big wheels which make them very easy to maneuver in the parks. The kids can hop in and out with ease and that helped a lot.
Now, we do not spend time at the resort during the day- so we didn't need one there.
When you rent one, keep the receipt- it has a coupon for a dollar off the next rental. We used these every day and saved $8 on two singles for the week.
Good luck and have a great trip! 3 is a magical age for Disney!

 

[kbkids]

We always consider renting on every trip but end up breaking down and taking our own. Getting on and off the bus is not that much of an issue to us. Yes, you have to get the kids out and get it folded up, but we're almost always having to wait for the bus anyway, so it gives us something to do. Only once have we had to do it on the run because the bus showed up right when we got there. It's great having your own though when you're at the resorts - not only for toting around the kids, but we use it for getting in the luggage and other stuff as well.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We hope to avoid strollers on our upcoming trip (kids are 6 and 4 now), but have always rented in the past. As other posters alluded to, its mostly a matter of convenience. The strollers are very nice at MK and Epcot, awful at MGM and so-so at AK. I would advice you to pay the 8 bux and enjoy.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Many people rent strollers because dragging a toddler, carryon luggage and car seat through an airport to make a conection is beyond a mere hassle.

The solution is to put your car seat, attached with bungy cords to a luggage cart. Instastoller!

 

[MykidsfirstWDW]

Thanks everyone for the advise...I think we'll be renting. My DD3 is very independent, so I believe the parks would be the only place I would use it.

Thanks again for all of your help!!!

 

[tbswilson]

I have a DD that is 7 and am considering a stroller for her because she gets tired real fast and complains of her feet hurting when she walks for distances. She has some feet/hip problems that cause discomfort but aren't life altering. Any idea if the strollers at DW will fit her she's around 50 lbs.

 

[perpetualplanner]

tbswilson - Yes the stroller should work for your daughter. Our last trip my then 7 yr old son used the stroller since he ended up having the stomach flu at the beginning of our trip and tired quickly once he was ready to go. He is tall for his age (52 inches)and weighed about 52lbs.

 

[tbswilson]

Thanks perpetualplanner! I've been worried about it and now it's solved. was your son embarassed to be in the stroller? The stroller covers that everyone suggest getting due to the rain, will they fit?

 

[perpetualplanner]

He was not embarrassed because he was tired and he just didn't care. The choice was to go back to the resort and rest or use the stroller and it didn't take him long to choose (he had already spent 2 days holed up in the Poly. being sick and wanted to be out). I don't know about the cover - for some reason I'm thinking the stroller might have had one built into it but I could very well be wrong - it only rained once while we were there and I just don't remember.