Single or Double Stroller?

[javeyloveschelsi]

Hi!

We will be traveling with 3 kiddos this May and will only have room in our car to bring along a single stroller. We have thought about renting a double or one more single from a local company, but wanted some opinions as to whether or not we would actually need a double. Our kids are 7 (turning 8 on the trip, but is only the size of an average 5 or 6 year old), a 4 1/2 year old (once again super, super small--38 inches tall and 28 lbs), and then our will be 10 month old (he's our "big" one lol). We plan on using our Ergo baby for the baby as he has no problem being worn, so if I could just wear him, the girls could possibly switch riding back and forth in the single and he can ride in it as well. Or should I get another single rented or just combine and get a double? Anyone have any suggestions/experience with those ages/sizes? TIA!

 

[superme80]

Double stroller. We took my boys at the beginning of 2013. DS #1 4 and DS #2 2. I was so happy we took our double stroller. DS #1 walked most of the time, but it very nice to store packages or give him a place to rest. I don't think the 7 year old will have a problem with walking. Anytime we needed a break we could easily find a bench and enjoy a snack. It is amazing the amount of energy kids have when Disney is involved. The baby might enjoy some time in the stroller too. There is so much going on he might enjoy it more.

 

[starshine514]

If you're sure you're going to wear the baby, I don't see a reason to take more than a single. Unless she is a special needs child, your 8 year old does not need a stroller (my DD8 is also small for her age and was mortified when I suggested she sit in her baby sister's stroller).

Now, I would have a hard time wearing my baby for that long, so I do take a stroller for her. So, if it were my kids, the question would be if the 4.5 yr old needed a stroller. If she did, then I would probably toss in (or purchase at the Target down the street) an umbrella stroller for her as well (that is, if I had someone to push it). If I needed to push both kids and had only me to push (which was the case when my kids were younger, I rarely had a second pusher), then I would definitely look at a double (either renting offsite or finding a tiny one on craigslist and bringing).

 

[disneyfirsttimer18]

We just took a single. My kids are 7, 5 and 3. My 5 year old would take a quick break in the stroller while the 3 year old walked, though that wasn't too often.

 

[YukonMommy]

The first time we took our 4 kids they were 18 months, 4, 6 and 8. We only took a single stroller and did just fine.
Your baby can be worn or ride, your 4 year old can walk and ride once in a while and although your almost 8 year old is small, she is still 8 and odds are will refuse to get in the stroller!!
This last time we went they were 4, 7, 9 and 11 and we took the stroller but it was more of a portable locker than anything (which is super convenient!)
Have a magical time!

 

[KeKy4]

We prefer to have two singles, they're smaller and that way we could split up if we wanted to.

 

[tiffjoy]

We only find our double necessary for the walk back to the hotel at night when both kids are beyond tired and normally fall asleep, otherwise my now five year old doesn't use it. We are headed to DLR this weekend and thought about not bringing the double, but we are planning to stay until they crash since we are only doing a weekend trip, so it's coming with us. Otherwise, during the day around the parks, my five year old doesn't need the stroller. I'd consider the walk back to the hotel factor.

ETA: I wore both mine when they were little, and my older wanted to be out of the Ergo and in the stroller sometimes. My youngest I could carry fine all day and just let her out to run around- no stroller was really necessary although we had it with us.

 

[corinne76]

I'd say it depends on how often your older kids will want to sit.
When my kids were 2 and 5, we brought a double. The older one sat quite a bit. They will be 4.5 and almost 8 this trip. I do plan to bring a single just in case. I'm also bringing a woven wrap, just in case the older one needs a break. I can wear DS on my back, and it'll double as a blanket and for sitting on for parades.

It also depends on whether or not you take breaks during your day. We get their pretty early and go all day. We've never returned to the room to rest, so sitting in the stroller is resting for the kids.

 

[Epek]

I think you'll want 2 seats. I also have a 4.5yr old and a 10 month old. My 4.5yr old is almost exactly the same size! We are AP holders and go about once a month. My older kid walks probably 85% of the time, but almost always passes out at the end of the day. He's not your typical sleeper, either. He usually can be up late with no problems. DL just wears him out. Plus, wearing or carrying the baby all day gets so hot and can be tiring. We usually bring a sit n stand and the Ergo. When we've brought our single, we've wished we had space for both to sit. If you have 2 seats, you don't have to worry if more than one kid (or the baby wearer) needs to rest. It can also be something you decide per day if you bring your own single. You can always rent another as needed!