Renting a WDW Stroller - Pros and Cons?

[awaldo]

Our DDs will be 4.5 and just past 1 when we go in two weeks. I cannot bring myself to enjoy the idea of lugging our amazing BOB double stroller on and off the buses. It's an amazing stroller to push, but folding and carrying? Not so much. Trust me. It traveled on a cruise with us a few months ago. Back to the topic at hand though...
We were wanting to just go ahead and rent at the parks, I had heard there was a program where you could rent for the week or something and just keep your "sheet" to move from park to park. BUT - are the strollers decent? Is it really that easy? Or should we consider a different plan? Any and all help and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Something to consider is that if you rent at the parks that's where the stroller stays...at the parks. At the end of a long day will you or dh be able to carry your child all the way to the bus and/or to your room at your resort? That was a consideration for me, no way would I be able to do that. Since my ds was only 3 at the time, and I knew I'd get alot of use out of it I bought a Maclaren Volo at the suggestion of many posters here. And I was SO glad I did! We have used it a number of times since (zoo, large fairs, etc.) and he still has lots of growing room in it. I paid about $70 on ebay for mine, brand new. It folded up so nicely for the buses and takes up little room in my trunk. We also used ours in the airport, when ds was walking we just plopped things into it and hung things from it and that worked well.

Another option is to rent from a company down there. Someone else will have to give you the name. They have some good deals, deliver it to you and pick it up. It will likely cost you the same as buying a good stroller, but then you won't be able to use it when you're done, or resell it.

Have a great trip!

 

[HLAuburn]

Have you looked into Orlando Stroller Rental? Might be a good option. Our girls will be about the same ages (5 and 1) and I know the park strollers won't work for us...no recline for the little one and I can't imagine carrying her (probably asleep) all the way back to the bus after we have to turn in our stroller.
I haven't personally rented from them, but all the reviews from OSR are really positive. They deliver/pick up right at your resort, and I think even a double with insurance comes out to less than a park rental. They are nice Baby Jogger strollers, so similar in quality to your BOB...maybe not the smallest, easist thing to get on/off the bus, but manageable, I hope.

Have a nice trip!

 

[adventure_woman]

Personally I would never rent a park stroller, especially for my 1 yr old. They are expensive, uncomfortable, no storage space, and dirty/germy (I'm kind of a germaphob). If you didn't want to bring your BOB double stroller, I would go to Walmart and spend $22 on an umbrella stroller for each of the kids (they had Disney ones there recently). OR, rent as other poster's have stated. BUT, I would still bring your big stroller - in case you decide you hate renting or the little ones, at least you still have the big one to go back on.

I have a single Graco that I have thought about replacing, but despite how heavy it is, the advantages I like about it I don't see being able to replace - so I just deal with how heavy it is in the couple of times we are on the busses. I also went to the parks in August, just me and then almost DD2, carrying the stroller, 2 bags and DD and we made it on the busses fine.

 

[MrsNick]

Not a mom yet (soon though!), but could you use your own stroller and rent a car so that you aren't lugging your stroller off/on the buses? (i.e. spend the $ on the car rental instead of the stroller rental).

Just a thought.

And, I'm curious to know what other moms think about this (as I'll be making a trip when mine is 9 mos. old.

 

[mmcphee]

I would never rent a stroller. They are expensive, hard plastic seats that do not recline and there is no storage. For our trip last year I bought a nearly new double jogger off of Craig's List for $50 and it was well worth it. As others have mentioned, you will want that stroller the most right after you have to turn it in and walk to the bus/car.

I will add that we almost always drive from out resort to the parks so taking it on the bus is not an issue for us. The couple of times we tried it was too much of a pain, especially with 3 kids two adults and two strollers. It is a bit easier with extended family to help.