Should I rent or bring my own stroller?

[gabriellewatson]

When we visit Disney for the first time as a family in September 2014, I want to know if I should bring my own single stroller or rent a stroller while we are there. We will be flying in and I've never checked a stroller before. My DS will be 2 and my DD will be 5. I am not sure if my 5 year old will want to ride in a stroller too. Right now she is a big girl so she walks around malls etc on her own. However, she likes to ride in our double stroller when we go on long walks (3miles +). Let me know your thoughts.

 

[stacy6552]

You absolutely need a full service stroller for the two year old. Big basket, cup holders, fully reclining. As for the 5 year old if you are going at a time when parks are open long hours and you anticipate mid day breaks then you don't need one and can rent on days that run long. But if you are going for full days everyday then just bring one because rentals can get expensive over days.

 

[kimbe21]

I have a 3 & 5 year old and we had 2 umbrella strollers (First Year Ignite) for our trip May 2013. We brought our own and I would recommend that for you too. On our past trips we used a double stroller but we also rented a car- it was just too cumbersome to take on the Disney buses. The boys liked to walk during this trip but they got tired and when it was especially crowded (after parades, fireworks, etc) they were in the strollers so it was easier to keep track of them! Also, by having your own stroller you can use it at the airport, downtown and to/from the buses.
Checking the stroller is no problem. We did have to fold the stroller and have it go through the xray machines at security check point but it wasn't a big deal. Once you get to the gate get an ID tag from the airline and hand it to the luggage guy (not sure what their official title is) right before you get on the plane. Once you land they retrieve your stroller and it is waiting for you as you exit the plane.
Save the rental money and buy a few extra dole whips!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[ElenaRN]

We have always brought our own. One main reason is to be able to use it in the airport.

We bought a cheap stroller, a step up from an umbrella stroller, for traveling.

We learned this the hard way- our Uppababy got damaged the first time we gate checked.
So for the next time we bought the travel case. I read on the stroller website that if you use the case and damages still happened the company would fix them for free.
Well, of course ours was again damaged and then we found out we didn't buy the bag from a "authorized dealer" and they wouldn't totally cover the damage. That's a whole other story.

Anyway, that's when we bought the $40 Trendsport from Babies R Us. It has worked great for us. It had a decent recline, a pretty big basket underneath, a canopy and a nice parent tray.

You didn't mention if you meant renting a stroller from the parks or from an outside company.
The ones from the park seem really uncomfortable to me. Plus then you wouldn't have it for the sometimes long walk back to the car/hotel or around the resort for that matter.

The outside companies seem pretty decent, though I've never personally used them.

 

[DisneyAmour]

If you decide to rent, Apple strollers is offering free stroller rentals for strollers dropped off at any Disney Resort. I 'm planning to try them out on our next visit.

 

[crocko's wife]

With the ages of your kiddos, I would highly recommend strollers in the parks. We take our own and the hassle of having to get it through the airport and fold up on the bus is forgotten when our kids have a comfortable, safe place to rest after a long day. We use Graco Ipos on our trips--they have a higher weight limit than a typical umbrella stroller, fold quickly and compactly and have a decent shade and lay down option. We are thinking of getting an add-on bag for our next trip.

 

[CourtneyL]

What stroller(s) do you have now? Like PP said, you will want something sturdy, with good storage, decent canopy, recline, and you won't mind pushing all day.

Are you going September 2013 or 2014? If its 2014 I would keep an eye on craigslist and see if you can buy a used double (like a city mini, city mini GT, bAgile double, etc). Depending on the length of your trip, you might be able to buy one used for less money than it would cost to rent.

Personally I would buy as opposed to rent because I would want it for the airport and I like to plan ahead and know what will fit in my stroller before our trip.

 

[gabriellewatson]

I think from your posts I will definitely look into investing in a used double stroller to bring with us on our trip. Something a bit more lightweight than our last double that we sold. That thing was heavy. I was thinking of the graco Quattro duo. Do any of you have experience with that stroller in Disney?

 

[kmb584]

I was thinking of the graco Quattro duo. Do any of you have experience with that stroller in Disney?

I don't have experience with it but after looking up the Quattro Duo, I'd advise against purchasing it. The total weight of the stroller is 46lbs, quite a bit of weight to be lugging on and off of buses. Try a Google search for lightweight double strollers - your back will thank you!

 

[arubio0801]

Have you looked into craigslist? You can get great deals on strollers there! I got a babyjogger city mini that was only a year old for $90! And they are normally $249. That way if something happens to it at the airport you don't feel as bad bc you didn't pay full price. I just flew with mine and lovely delta people took the front wheel off it! But thankfully they replaced my stroller! You could also rent from one of the stroller rentals outside of the park.

 

[MrsNnr]

We just bought a Joovy sit and stand off of Craigslist for $80. It's great, already used it at Disney. Light weight, handles are a great height. DD 4 can jump on when she's tired of walking and she can sit or stand. We had a very large double that DD was getting too big for and it was heavy and hard to maneuver and we couldn't fold it up to ride the trams (you have to remove the seats to fold it). DS is only 18months so we have to have something.

 

[mrsp1030]

The chicco echo is a great umbrella stroller, full recline, and bright colors at Target. You need it for the 2 year old no doubt.

 

[veraletta]

Bring your own stroller, even if you have to buy a new cheaper one to bring with you.
I bought one for my granddaughter a few years ago for disney.
It was called :
Disney mickey mouse in the house graco mosaic stroller by graco

I paid over $100 and I see that it now is on sale for $69 at Albeebaby.com
This stroller is like a full size but fold down really small.
All I can say is, I love this stroller it's the best stroller ever. Really easy to push, turns on a dime.
We still use this stroller and my granddaughter just turn 4 years old.

 

[aLLpInK]

Two words= Apple Strollers

 

[chall0415]

I have two boys. We always rent a double stroller from babywheelsorlando they are awesome. My boys are 4 & 6 and we have been going to WDW for the past three years. They deliver your stroller to the hotel and you pick it to from the front desk and you drop it off there too.
We leave for Disney in 32 days and are renting a baby jogger city mini gt double. I love having the room and the boys get tired of walking really fast. I love having room in the basket for everything and i hang a backpack on the handel with sunscreen and extra clothes and stuff.