Seeking Advice: Sit-n-Stand vs Side-by-Side Double Strollers

[GrnMtnMan]

On my next trip my daughter will be 4 and a half and my son will be 14 months. We recently picked up a Baby Trend Sit-n-Stand at a garage sale. As we've been using it for the occasional long walk around the neighborhood, we've come to dislike how long it is. It just seems enormous and that it will be tough to maneuver in the parks. We've been looking into the Joovy models, which seem a little shorter, but I'm guessing we'll have the same issues.

I'm starting to consider a side-by-side double, even though it seems like overkill for my 4 year old. So I'm looking for people who have had a similar debate, and why you came down on one side, versus the other. If anyone can address my specific concerns, here they are:

The side by sides look like they'd be a real pain to manage on buses. Is that the case? How about fitting the side-by-side onto/through monorail doors. I've had our single stroller on the monorail before, ad finding space for it during busy times was hard enough? And are there any width limits we might hit with the side-by-side, like park turnstiles, or using boats?

PS....anybody who has the Joovy Ergo Caboose, please let me know how you like it. Looking at the technical specs, it looks to be longer than other models, but the specs might be deceiving.

 

[squirrel]

A lot of people rent the double city minis from Orlando stroller rentals and they get them in and out of the parks, so they can't be that bad.

www.albeebaby.com has the double on sale for $299.99

 

[GrnMtnMan]

A lot of people rent the double city minis from Orlando stroller rentals and they get them in and out of the parks, so they can't be that bad.

www.albeebaby.com has the double on sale for $299.99

Thanks. The city minis are on the list....just hoping someone has looked at the side by sides and sit n stands and has personal experience to share.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

we used our sit n stand with 5 year old and 16 month old last year. the width of side by side bothers me. we had no problems but is was bulky folded up on buses.

 

[MineeBaby]

We too have used our front/back stroller many times in Disney and found it to be WAY easier to move around people than the poor people with side by side double strollers. I second the bulk when folding the stroller to get on a bus, but I would take that small inconvenience over trying to get around people or through a narrow walkway with a side by side anytime.

 

[3princes+1princess]

I so very highly recommend the combi side by side. I have 4 kids, and ever since my second came along I was on the search for a good double stroller. I finally got the combi twin for a trip to disneyland with my 4th. I cannot believe I EVER thought it would be too wide or side-by-sides are inferior. I LOVE it.

It folds up so small, smaller than a regular single stroller. It folds up in half, and then half again. And has a carrying strap. Both seats recline, it has cup holders, and it is so easy to manuver. You can also purchase a rain cover that works really well. The front/back ones are so hard to push and turn. There really is no comparison. The combi is reasonably priced too! I wish I would have gotten one years ago. I will be bringing it along to my Disney trip in December for sure.

Oh, and my 6 year old, who is really small, still can fit into it. It is one of the highest weight limits for a double stroller. And unlike the front/back, which is almost impossible to push with toddler in the front, it is still easy to push.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

we used our sit n stand with 5 year old and 16 month old last year. the width of side by side bothers me. we had no problems but is was bulky folded up on buses.

We too have used our front/back stroller many times in Disney and found it to be WAY easier to move around people than the poor people with side by side double strollers. I second the bulk when folding the stroller to get on a bus, but I would take that small inconvenience over trying to get around people or through a narrow walkway with a side by side anytime.

This is what I would have though too...that the side-by-sides are just too wide. But then why do the stroller rental companies only offer the City Minis?

I so very highly recommend the combi side by side. I have 4 kids, and ever since my second came along I was on the search for a good double stroller. I finally got the combi twin for a trip to disneyland with my 4th. I cannot believe I EVER thought it would be too wide or side-by-sides are inferior. I LOVE it.

We have a Combi single, and I love its fold-ability. But my DD is a pretty big girl and she looks like a giant in it. I'll have to take a second look at the double though.


I'd still appreciate hearing from someone who's used a side-by-side, like the rental City Minis.

Thanks for all the responses

 

[designermv]

Any chance you could pick up a Phil and Ted's with the doubles kit? It would easily convert back to a single stroller once your 4-year old is done.

A Maclaren double would be a good side-by-side option. You can find the P&T and Macs on Craigslist, esp. in the DC area. I've been stroller shopping too.

 

[tracylmartins]

We have a Joovy Caboose and have used it on 2 trips to WDW so far. My DD was 5(and big for her age) and my DS was 3. We found it was easy to use on the buses and monorail. My DD would sit in the back when she was tired of walking. It is a bit long but I think it is easier to maneuver through the crowds than a side-by-side stroller would be.
Hope this helps!

 

[iheartdisney]

I have used both. We had a generic double jogging stroller, and upgraded to a Joovy Ultralight Caboose.
My kids were 2,4, and 5 when we got the Joovy, and it was perfect for us.

The thing I liked most about the Joovy was that since my bigger kids were bigger, they weren't riding at all times, so I didn't have the off-kilter center of gravity that comes with trying to push a half empty side-by-side. With the jump seat in the back, they could walk when they wanted and ride when they got tired.
Also, it folds up alot smaller. The caboose folds up to about the size of a standard stroller, while the double jogger is another story!
Doors were not that much of an issue with the double jogger, but store aisles definately were.
One more thing that REALLY came in handy at WDW was the caboose's rain cover! It was a modern marvel!!! no trying to rig ponchos to cover the stroller and kids, the rain cover went over the top, with velcro closures so they could hop out when they needed to. It was the awesomest thing I have ever seen!!
What did I miss about the side-by-side? The caboose only has a small basket undernesth the jumpseat, so you lose some storage capabilities, but we overcame that by slinging our backpack over the handles.
And yes, a double jogger with big bicycle wheels DOES push easier than stroller wheels, but I never found the caboose hard to navigate. The trick is you HAVE to keep the bigger weight in the back. There was one time I let my DS4 sit in the front, and it was hard to turn. He was over the "recommended" height and weight for the stroller. That does make a difference. If anything, the side-by-side had a bigger turning radius. So that is a wash.
I am SO glad we are past stroller age, so I can put in my two cents, but don't have to debate myself!

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I have used both. We had a generic double jogging stroller, and upgraded to a Joovy Ultralight Caboose.
My kids were 2,4, and 5 when we got the Joovy, and it was perfect for us.

The thing I liked most about the Joovy was that since my bigger kids were bigger, they weren't riding at all times, so I didn't have the off-kilter center of gravity that comes with trying to push a half empty side-by-side. With the jump seat in the back, they could walk when they wanted and ride when they got tired.
Also, it folds up alot smaller. The caboose folds up to about the size of a standard stroller, while the double jogger is another story!
Doors were not that much of an issue with the double jogger, but store aisles definately were.
One more thing that REALLY came in handy at WDW was the caboose's rain cover! It was a modern marvel!!! no trying to rig ponchos to cover the stroller and kids, the rain cover went over the top, with velcro closures so they could hop out when they needed to. It was the awesomest thing I have ever seen!!
What did I miss about the side-by-side? The caboose only has a small basket undernesth the jumpseat, so you lose some storage capabilities, but we overcame that by slinging our backpack over the handles.
And yes, a double jogger with big bicycle wheels DOES push easier than stroller wheels, but I never found the caboose hard to navigate. The trick is you HAVE to keep the bigger weight in the back. There was one time I let my DS4 sit in the front, and it was hard to turn. He was over the "recommended" height and weight for the stroller. That does make a difference. If anything, the side-by-side had a bigger turning radius. So that is a wash.
I am SO glad we are past stroller age, so I can put in my two cents, but don't have to debate myself!

This is great. Thanks.

 

[monkey30]

LOVE my joovy caboose! We bought it for the last trip to WDW and bought it on Amazon for 119 had it delivered to the resort. DS's were 4 and 2mths and it was the best thing I have ever purchased (and trust me I have a lot of strollers!)
It turned easy, and even fit in the airport security machines, it folds down that flat. It was also the only sit n stand we discovered would carry the infant seat and recline and still allow the seat to be used.

the biggest issue we have is the basket under it is not to big but we have a diaper bag we just kept on the seat when DS was not riding on the back.