Stroller at DL

[dptabrown]

Sorry if I hijacked the thread OP!

You could also check craigslist for a used stroller for your trip. I've gotten some really good deals there, and I don't mind leaving the double stroller I paid $50 for sitting around in theme parks (though I'm not sure I would feel the same for a $400 one). I was a little hesitant before our trip to WDW last year, but now I realize that most people wouldn't even think of bothering someone else's stroller (even when I forgot valuables in it at Sea World, everything was still there when I got back).

I've seen a bugaboo stroller with a bike lock once near the carousel at DLand. I took a pic, I wish I could find it.

If your stroller is that expensive and you are worried, don't bring it.

But I do believe you will need a stroller for sure, so I would rent one. We bring a Maclaren umbrella stroller for my 5 year old because he still naps and does need it. If I were you, I'd just rent one. I really like the strollers at DLand, nice and roomy. I don't believe DLand is maneageable with 12 month without a stroller. JMHO.

I'd say #1. For the relatively minor inconvenience of gate checking your stroller, you have reclined seats for sleeping kids, cup holders and lots more storage.

I agree #1
My dd is 5 and I will be bringing her full stroller so she can relax too. Last year she fell asleep in it and so I found some shade and we just relaxed for a good hour.. it was nice

I have taken strollers in DL before with out issue. I think people "steal" them is a misunderstanding. How many strollers look like ours? I found by attaching something as simple as a bandana or ballon on it may help it stand out as yours.


As for the other poster I don't like the cheap umbrella strollers at 6 foot tall I spend the day hunched over pushing them.

I have twins and loved the big stroller with one in fri=ont and 1 in back. Seats recline/lay flat feature and you just cannot beat the storage they have.

We have brought all of the above. First, an expensive stroller, then I worried (and probably for no reason since I see many many nice strollers there) so I bought a cheap stroller that we use specifically for amusement parks and dusty zoos. So I've felt much more at peace since then leaving my stoller unattended and sometimes for half a day.

We've also brought a Bjorn type carrier when our kids were smaller, for waiting in lines and on rides such as POTC and for when the baby got antsy in the stroller.

These are all great points. Ugh, I'm still undecided!
Our stroller was $400+ and I would DIE if it got stolen!
But on the other hand, I LOVE it and it would be so nice to have the amenities like reclining seats (even just for diaper changes!), cup holders, etc. And the that is a very good point about the parent height with umbrella strollers. DH would be hunched down pushing one for 5 days straight. No good!
I wish there was a way I could lock it out from rolling (more than just the brake) and then I would have the peace of mind. I really don't want to worry about it the whole time we're there! Sigh... decisions, decisons.....

 

[LavenderPeach]

As for the other poster I don't like the cheap umbrella strollers at 6 foot tall I spend the day hunched over pushing them.

And the that is a very good point about the parent height with umbrella strollers. DH would be hunched down pushing one for 5 days straight. No good!

Just wanted to clarify what I was trying to say about the umbrella strollers. OP said that if they rented a stroller then they worried about having to carry the baby from the park to the hotel. What i was trying to say was you could rent a sroller from Disney to use in the parks (they are actually pretty nice strollers and easy to push around - but no recline) and then just use the cheapie stroller to get from the parks to the hotel. So you would only be pushing the umbrella stroller for a few minutes each day. We've never done this but it's one tip i've read about so thought i would pass it along in case that was helpful to someone. I agree that a cheapie stroller would not be a very good thing to have to use all day at DLR.

I was nervous about bringing our stroller to DLR at first but decided it was worth the risk to have our own stroller with us that I like. Ours was probably about $250 though. I honestly don't think I would be brave enough to bring a $400+ stroller to DLR. Chances are nothing would happen and it would be fine but you just never know. Oh and we never leave our bag on the stroller. We hang it on the stroller as we walk around and then grab it when we park the stroller to go on a ride.

 

[gapoochi]

we've taken our $450+ double stroller to the parks and never had anything touched. we've even left things we've bought at the park and occassionally, our diaper bag in it. we turned it handle side in and put the brakes on.

I would never leave my stroller unattended at a mall or someplace like that but for some reason, at the parks, I feel like there is some kind of idealistic feeling...people are more the way they should be always; respectful of other people and their things, kind and courteous and happy. Maybe they pump the feeling into the air LOL

 

[daniele_ut]

We were in DL in October and brought our Phil and Ted's Sport, which is a $500 stroller. We left it parked all over the park and it was always either where we left it or where a cast member had moved it. We closed the park at midnight on Friday and Saturday and the kids were wiped out, so we really needed it for both of them, even though DS is 6.

If you were going for multiple days, I would say that you should definitely bring your stroller. Since you are only going to be in the park for one day, you will probably be fine with a rental. Are you planning on using the stroller on the cruise ship, though.

 

[Jana0326]

We have taken expensive strollers (Bugaboo Frog and Phil & Teds e3) to Disneyland and CA many many times and have never had a problem.

 

[chrissiecutie]

Sorry if I hijacked the thread OP! :guilty

These are all great points. Ugh, I'm still undecided!
Our stroller was $400+ and I would DIE if it got stolen!
But on the other hand, I LOVE it and it would be so nice to have the amenities like reclining seats (even just for diaper changes!), cup holders, etc. And the that is a very good point about the parent height with umbrella strollers. DH would be hunched down pushing one for 5 days straight. No good!
I wish there was a way I could lock it out from rolling (more than just the brake) and then I would have the peace of mind. I really don't want to worry about it the whole time we're there! Sigh... decisions, decisons.....

I say go for it!

I suggest making a sign to tie on with ribbons, our stroller says "This Carriage Belongs to the Mead Family", has a cute picture of my son with Mickey and our phone#. I lamenated it and tie it on with ribbons. I also write our last name and phone# in Sharpie on the side of the stroller. That way if someone decides to "borrow" our stroller and remove the nice sign I've made, our name and phone# are still on the side.

It also helps to have things on your stroller that would set it apart from others. Especially on all those Graco's and Maclarens wandering around the parks! We always hang our cooler off it and neither stroller nor cooler have been stolen. Also, take a picture of your stroller on your phone or something that morning. That way if it becomes lost you can notify a CM and show them the picture. I do the same thing with my child!

I also strongly suggest that you carry a backpack or my personal favorite, a Baggalini that has all your personal items. Video camera, wallet, meds, etc and take this with you on every single ride. DO NOT leave personal, valuable items on the stroller (but I'm sure you already knew that!) I would also not leave any Disney merchandise, at least visible, with your stroller. Folks are much more likely to "snag" your Disney bag with all your newly bought goodies, then they are to steal your stroller. I've heard of this being much more common...especially here on these boards.

So to recap...

Make a sign!

Take a picture.

Write your name & phone# on the stroller.

Do NOT leave any personal items or Disney merchandise (visible) on your stroller.

I have been going to Disneyland for well over 25 years and I have NEVER had an issue. Seems that Disney can bring out the best in folks, go figure!

And while there are still a "few bad apples", I've found they are few and far between. So take your nice, expensive stroller, relax and enjoy your vacation in all it's reclining, cup holder comfort!!

And NO...please do not try and lock your stroller to something. CM's routinely move strollers to make more room and help with traffic flow. So if you come out of a ride and notice your stroller is missing....just look around the enterance and exit, a thoughtful CM may have moved it. If you still can't find it, then by all means ask said thoughtful CM. I've had CM's move my stroller to the opposite side of the street before...but rest assured, it was there.

 

[Lynzer Torte]

Wouldn't it be nice if you could set your stroller to lock up once it hits a painted line just before you exit the park, kinda like Target has?

 

[LisaT91403]

Not to hijack the post, but I have a stroller question. Do you park the stroller in Fantasyland, for example, and then just hit all the rides in that area before going back to get the stroller? Or do you move it with you from ride to ride?

 

[LavenderPeach]

Not to hijack the post, but I have a stroller question. Do you park the stroller in Fantasyland, for example, and then just hit all the rides in that area before going back to get the stroller? Or do you move it with you from ride to ride?

We just park the stroller and go to all the rides we want to do in that area then we go get the stroller when we're ready to move on. Or we might move it more often if we know we're going a certain direction and don't want to back track to pick up the stroller.

 

[dptabrown]

Thanks for all the input!
Hopefully I can get over some anxiety about it and just take it!

 

[twopeasonepod]

We use two umbrellas for our twins. It is much easier to maneuver through crowds quickly (I am a fast walker/jam to the next ride person). My husband is 6', and these are awesome because they are tall enough but still super light, recline, and have a basket. They also go to 50 lbs., so our 4-year-olds can use them one more time. Paying $35 a day for the DL one just doesn't make sense.

http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-I...ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1295600306&sr=8-1

 

[brookies_mommy]

We use two umbrellas for our twins. It is much easier to maneuver through crowds quickly (I am a fast walker/jam to the next ride person). My husband is 6', and these are awesome because they are tall enough but still super light, recline, and have a basket. They also go to 50 lbs., so our 4-year-olds can use them one more time. Paying $35 a day for the DL one just doesn't make sense.

http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-I...ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1295600306&sr=8-1

I have never had a problem with my full size stroller that DD has had since before she was born lol.. Maybe I should make sure she still fits before I bring it lol