Royal carriage swap-#1 STROLLER-MISSING-FOUND-MISSING AGAIN

[mward73]

mytwokiddies - we are close! We're going to Pickle Bob's in Bristow this weekend for the neighbor girl's birthday party

Parkers-momma - What a sweet story! I hope our DS has friends like that growing up. I'm not sure if you know this, but you need the military member or spouse (in other words, someone with a valid military ID) with you when you get to Disney. The tickets need to be activated at the window there. I've been on the phone with Disney 4 times (and my TA has also talked to them) making sure the spouse is acceptable because we're using the same tickets for our trip in Dec. Just don't want you to get there and not be able to get in The military person doesn't need to stay with you - they just ask for ID when you get the vouchers activated.

 

[nelep]

Hi everyone! We are back. We had sooooo much fun! I've got several tips for you all. So, over the next few days, I'll post random thoughts as I think of them. First one coming right up!

 

[nelep]

No car? No problem!!!!

1. The stroller is big, but not too heavy. It folds up (latch on the side). But carrying a folded stroller is definitely a job for DH!

2. BUSES: We took the stroller on the bus every day, several times! Fold it up and carry it on. Most bus drivers will open the back door for DH to get on with the stroller. Then stand by the back door for easy off.

3. MONORAIL: Wheel that baby on! No need to fold it.

4. BOAT: Here’s the scoop – on the small boats you need to fold the stroller. But the BIG boats, you just roll it on. YIPPEE!

We got around! And took the RC with us everywhere. With a DD6 DD4 and DD2, it was a life saver!

 

[Tisha_PA]

Maddi - what a great story. I hope my kids have friends like that when they get older!

We head out tomorrow morning so I'll try to give you an update on RC #2 as soon as I can!

 

[nelep]

Rain Rain Go Away!

Keep the rain cover in the bottom basket so you have it with you! The cover fits over the top of the stroller and just barely covers the front edge of the seats. However, the edge of the seats will get wet when the wind blows and shifts the cover. So…. with the rain cover on, park the stroller with the wind coming to the back of it. It will help a little in keeping the seats dry. Laying a plastic poncho on edge of the seats would help too.

 

[nelep]

For swappers using FORT WILDERNESS as the drop off/pick up resort:

The desk clerk told me "We don't give claim checks here. Other resorts give claim checks, but we don't."

She was insistant that they do not provide claim checks. I nicely asked to speak to a manager. The manager (Beth) immediately pulled out a claim check to attach to the stroller bag. But she said that the only reason she had them is that she got them from another resort. So I think they have a supply of claim checks, but it is not their standard practice to use them at Fort Wilderness.

Having said that... ALWAYS GET A CLAIM CHECK!!!!! Be nice about it, but ask for one.

 

[mytwokiddies]

I knew it! I love pickle bob's! They have gotten alot of our money both on the icecream side and the animal side!

I'm glad to hear the parks may not be *that* bad. We are hoping to go to the parks in the morning, then back to the hotel in the afternoon and head back to the park in the evening. Hopefully this will give us enough of a break during the hotest part of the day.

I am going to make a must see list for each park and have the kids pick the few things that they must do. Everything else will be a bonus! We haven't told the kids where we are going for vacation yet. I don't want to tell them too far out, but I want to make sure I give them enough time to plan also. Maybe we will send them on a treasure hunt this spring with clues!

 

[ryan840]

Nelep- Did you bring the stroller through the shops and such? I've asked before but I don't think anyone had really done that too much and I'm wondering how easy it was to move through them as we tend to browse while the boys nap midday.

 

[miprender]

Nelep welcome back... glad you had a great time.

 

[nelep]

Nelep- Did you bring the stroller through the shops and such? I've asked before but I don't think anyone had really done that too much and I'm wondering how easy it was to move through them as we tend to browse while the boys nap midday.

We brought the stroller in several shops with no problem. Only a few shops were too tight, so we left it outside.... no, scratch that, I left it outside with my DH and the kids

I would say that the crowds were medium when we went so there were also less people in the shops which made it easier to bring the stroller in. So if you are going at a very crowded time, you might have to leave it outside... with your DH and kids, of course!!!

 

[princessmorgan]

Nelep-Thanks for the great details about the stroller. I have been stressing about taking the stroller on the buses!

Mytwokiddies and Mward-Hi! We used to live in South Riding, but moved to Sterling 6 months ago, so we're not too far either! I'm going to have to google Pickle Bob's now.

 

[mward73]

princessmorgan - my brother used to live in Sterling (on Juniper St) and I was over there all the time. I work in Reston, so I zip around the area pretty often now.

mytwokiddies - DH and DS frequent the Pickle Bob's in Haymarket all summer. I'm not big on soft serve ice cream, but go for a milkshake occassionally. I think the two of them keep the place in business though. DH was pretty excited to find out where the birthday party was this weekend. lol We haven't been to the Bristow location though, but I think the kids will have fun with the build a bear thing.

 

[stingmom]

man I LUV the Disbaords!! wish there was stroller swap like this when mine were little!!

 

[parkers*momma]

OK, here is the update, problem, and solution.

Stroller #4 does have some issues. It is safe and temporarily sound. Nelep's handyman DH called in the Engineering crew at FW and was able to get the wobble out of the front wheel. It seems the weld is broke plus the seat has a two inch tear in one of the seats. Nelep didn't have access to a heavy needle and strong thread.

Nelep feels comfortable it is useable and safe but doesn't feel it won't last a long time. I trust her opinion very much. With this being said, I've decided I won't allow the stroller to be used in this condition for any length of time. I'm a real stickler about safety, especially the safety of babies and young children.

I've decided that safety is WAY far more important than accessories. I have enough to purchase the stroller. That is a priority for everyone who is putting their trust in the strollers and me. I just went through my records and I have over $300 still out as of tonight...which will replace the accessories with ease as soon as it is collected. Please if you haven't paid yet, do it as soon as possible so I can get the accessories replaced.

I will have the stroller replaced before the end of the month. I'm personally contacting the swappers in March to make sure they are aware of the problem. I'm also setting up the delivery and assemble with one of those swappers. I'm hoping to get the old stroller shipped home, the weld repaired, the seat taken in to have it professionally fixed and we will have a safe back-up incase another stroller goes bad, missing, or needs replaced.

I feel it is important for me to be upfront and open with you, the swappers of the Royal Carriage thread.

 

[disneynuts777]

Thanks for moving me to the Tinkerbelle swap. I do not know how you manage all this but I am grateful that you do!
Back to the top and time for bed!!!

 

[tracyd3]

I am interested in the stroller #2 and #3 for the week of July 1st through July 8th 2009. We are staying off Disney property in Windsor Hills development. Is it okay not to be at a Disney hotel? Please let me know. Thank you.

 

[parkers*momma]

I am interested in the stroller #2 and #3 for the week of July 1st through July 8th 2009. We are staying off Disney property in Windsor Hills development. Is it okay not to be at a Disney hotel? Please let me know. Thank you.

Yep, it's ok to stay off site.

To get your post count up, please post as much as you need to get your post count up to 10. We love mindless chatter, smileys, weather reports, whatever it takes to get your count up

Once you get your count up to 10, PM me your personal information (in post #1) and I will get you in the swaps.

 

[debraW76]

Good morning.
Finally-A-vacation is paid. Received check in the mail. Thanks!
Debra

 

[princessmorgan]

MWard-

Oh that's funny. We go to Juniper Street every Christmas to see the lights. We live over by Claude Moore Park if you know where that is. I wish my husband worked in Reston so his commute was better. I hate that he drives into the city everyday. Do you have any openings

 

[Bluetickmom]

That was so sweet of him to send you the letter and tickets! It sounds like you helped to raise a wonderful young man!

Thank you for the update on using the stroller on the WDW transportation. We are staying onsite without a car and this is the one thing I was worried about. It looks like a monster which is great for comfort in the parks, but had me worried about the buses.