Stroller Advise

[abtahime]

We are coming to Disney in a couple of weeks with our 3 kids, ages 8, 5, and 2. We are planning on bringing a stroller but I can’t decide which is best. The only stroller we still have is our BOB - it’s a great stroller, heavy duty smooth ride, good shade, and comfortable. Plus, my 5 year old could sit in the front too for a little bit if he wears out. But it’s big, heavy, and a pain to fold. We could also borrow my inlaws basic umbrella stroller for which is basically the complete opposite on the pro/con list. We will be going to all parks and using all modes of Disney transportation. Staying on a monorail resort so using that the most. Which stroller is best??

 

[sponica]

If the Bob is a double, bring the Bob. I have a 5.5 year old and a 20 month old on our trip in late April. I rented a double stroller.

 

[abtahime]

If the Bob is a double, bring the Bob. I have a 5.5 year old and a 20 month old on our trip in late April. I rented a double stroller.

It’s a single

 

[sponica]

It’s a single

Eh then it's probably a toss-up in my book. I'd probably err on the side of the Bob, because those tend to be more durable and recline better for naps.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Are you set on one of those two or considering buying one?

We absolutely love the Graco RoomFor2. It's a sit-stand for a baby/toddler and bigger sibling, configured front-to-back so it's easy to navigate, and it folds up SMALL. It's the only double stroller I've seen that folds small enough to go through the x-ray belt at the airport security checkpoint.



The only part that kind of sucks is the canopy, but I wouldn't worry too much about it in March.

 

[mjkacmom]

I’d rent a double and have it delivered to your resort.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I’d rent a double and have it delivered to your resort.

It's literally cheaper to buy an entire brand new stroller, not to mention the hassle of navigating an airport without one and the additional hassle of trying to manage/fold/stow a stroller you're not familiar with on busses and the like.

 

[abtahime]

Are you set on one of those two or considering buying one?

We absolutely love the Graco RoomFor2. It's a sit-stand for a baby/toddler and bigger sibling, configured front-to-back so it's easy to navigate, and it folds up SMALL. It's the only double stroller I've seen that folds small enough to go through the x-ray belt at the airport security checkpoint.

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The only part that kind of sucks is the canopy, but I wouldn't worry too much about it in March.

I actually did consider briefly buying one, but we are in the process of getting rid of all of our baby gear as our youngest is almost 3 so the thought of buying a new stroller (when I’ve recently gotten rid of a couple and we almost never use one) is a hard pill to swallow! I would love to just borrow a nicer umbrella from a friend but all of my friends are either done with that stage too or using theirs the same week

 

[sponica]

I actually did consider briefly buying one, but we are in the process of getting rid of all of our baby gear as our youngest is almost 3 so the thought of buying a new stroller (when I’ve recently gotten rid of a couple and we almost never use one) is a hard pill to swallow! I would love to just borrow a nicer umbrella from a friend but all of my friends are either done with that stage too or using theirs the same week

We're flying down with an umbrella and renting a double. We don't need a double at home but I'm not carrying a 5 year old from the back of Epcot at the end of the night.

 

[SLThomas318]

Did you say you are flying? If you have to use something at the airport then I would fly with the umbrella and then rent a double from one of the off-site companies. The baby jogger city mini doubles are super easy to use/fold and would give you a spot for your 5 and 2 year old and any extra stuff. You can even rent a double Bob, but I would not want to navigate the parks or buses with that large of a stroller. I had a Bob double for jogging at home and getting it in and out of the car was a task. You see tons of them at Disney so people def do it, but it would be a lot of work on the buses. We haven't used a stroller at home for a LONG time, but I still drag one to Disney because we still find it helpful in that situation. We had bought a lightweight one for travel (Zoe brand) when our kids were a lot younger, so we just take ours. If we didn't already own one, then we'd just rent from one of the off-site companies. Not sure what your touring style is like or how many days you are planning on, but I'd be nervous not having a spot for the 5 year old to sit if needed. Our 6 about to turn 7 year old even plopped down a few times in the extra seat...

 

[abtahime]

Did you say you are flying? If you have to use something at the airport then I would fly with the umbrella and then rent a double from one of the off-site companies. The baby jogger city mini doubles are super easy to use/fold and would give you a spot for your 5 and 2 year old and any extra stuff. You can even rent a double Bob, but I would not want to navigate the parks or buses with that large of a stroller. I had a Bob double for jogging at home and getting it in and out of the car was a task. You see tons of them at Disney so people def do it, but it would be a lot of work on the buses. We haven't used a stroller at home for a LONG time, but I still drag one to Disney because we still find it helpful in that situation. We had bought a lightweight one for travel (Zoe brand) when our kids were a lot younger, so we just take ours. If we didn't already own one, then we'd just rent from one of the off-site companies. Not sure what your touring style is like or how many days you are planning on, but I'd be nervous not having a spot for the 5 year old to sit if needed. Our 6 about to turn 7 year old even plopped down a few times in the extra seat...

do you have a company you recommend for a rental?? The ones at Disney look quite uncomfortable

 

[SLThomas318]

do you have a company you recommend for a rental?? The ones at Disney look quite uncomfortable

Yea the ones at Disney look rough and I'd imagine they aren't cheap. I have personally not rented, but did look into orlando stroller rentals and magic strollers. I'm sure you can start another thread or do a search to see if people prefer certain companies. It seems like they all offer either airport or hotel pick-up drop off. My brothers family is coming with us later this year and are in a similar situation as you where they don't use a stroller at home anymore, but will want something decent for the parks. I told them to look into renting thru one of the above companies. We fly and don't need the stroller for the airport at all, but since we already own one and gate check is free, we keep bringing it.

 

[mjkacmom]

It's literally cheaper to buy an entire brand new stroller, not to mention the hassle of navigating an airport without one and the additional hassle of trying to manage/fold/stow a stroller you're not familiar with on busses and the like.

But with those ages they really only need it for Disney. I had 5 kids in 6 1/2 years, owned about 10 strollers total, gave away my tandem graco when my twins were born and bought a side by side. We went to WDW when the youngest were 4, 4 and 6 and rented at the parks, not the cheapest but definitely the most convenient for us. Spending thousands on a vacation, I’m going for whatever is easiest.

 

[fatevilmonkey]

We always use Orlando Baby Rental and get City mini 2 !

 

[Anna131517]

Do not take a BOB. We did that once. It is fine if you’re using the monorail or boats, or driving to AK or HS. You know as well as I it’s very cumbersome to carry folded down. Rent a double citi mini. The rental will probably even come with a rain cover! We rent from Kingdom Strollers.

 

[sponica]

do you have a company you recommend for a rental?? The ones at Disney look quite uncomfortable

We rented from scooterbug as they deliver/pick up from bell services.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I like a heavy duty stroller for the storage, drink holders, etc. I’m actually not looking forward to the day when my youngest doesn’t need it and we lose our portable storage locker lol. My youngest is 6 and he still needs a stroller in Disney (no where else though) because of the sheer amount of walking. Id get a double for tthe 5 and 2 year olds. Heck, the 8 year old may want a ride every now and then. You could always look at thrift stores, Facebook, etc for a cheap used double for the trip and then donate it when done. Would probably be cheaper than renting.

 

[abtahime]

Has anyone used simple stroller rental?? They charge $5/day for a rental plus a $35 base fee which includes delivery and pickup. It’s by far the least expensive option I’ve seen… we will be there for 9 days so the daily cost of some of these places definitely adds up

 

[piccolopat]

I would use the umbrella stroller for the 2 year old. If you find that the 5 year old needs something in the parks, you can always rent one on a day to day basis from Disney. Yes it will cost you a bit but you won't have the hassle of using a bigger one on transport.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We are coming to Disney in a couple of weeks with our 3 kids, ages 8, 5, and 2. We are planning on bringing a stroller but I can’t decide which is best. The only stroller we still have is our BOB - it’s a great stroller, heavy duty smooth ride, good shade, and comfortable. Plus, my 5 year old could sit in the front too for a little bit if he wears out. But it’s big, heavy, and a pain to fold. We could also borrow my inlaws basic umbrella stroller for which is basically the complete opposite on the pro/con list. We will be going to all parks and using all modes of Disney transportation. Staying on a monorail resort so using that the most. Which stroller is best??

Totally your call since some people don't mind the hassle of folding but just my two cents, if you can't do it solo, then it's too much stroller and you'll be annoyed with it getting on and off the bus. I had a double jogger and it folded in half with one hand and was super light. I like the convenience of having all my stuff in the stroller so it's less to actually carry too. With your kids ages, it might be used by all of them, I think we stopped at around 7ish for my younger one to ever get in the stroller. In the real world, that would never happen but at WDW, there are even older kids in strollers.

Whatever you do bring, just make sure you use a stroller tote so it's easy to drop it for attractions and take the important stuff quickly and also for when you have to fold it up. Also, maybe try doing both. There's no harm in having an umbrella too since they fold up so small and see how it goes if you have two adults to push.