stroller/carrier opinions

[mistysue]

We are going for 10 days at the end of August.
Me, DH, DS(19 months) and DD (7 years).
Last year we had two days when DD insisted on a stroller.
Other than that, we know we need something for DS to be in. He would most likely nap in the stroller (he is very easy-going... unlike DD who is unbelievable spoiled and prissy)

We were annoyed by taking the stroller on and off the bus, but really liked that bringing/renting an outside stroller meant it reclined.

It is roughly the same cost to rent online or rent a disney stroller- so we will rent from somewhere rather than buy a stroller just for the trip.

DS loves being in a carrier, but it will just be too hot for him to nap that way all the time.
Do you think we should just bring the carrier and rent the disney stroller in the park for when we are too hot and sticky? (so we would go with the carrier in early morning and evenings essentially- but our hands are free on the bus and we have one less thing to lug around/worry about?)
OR
Should we rent online and have to carry the awesome reclining extra object to juggle on the bus?

I was thinking the disney stroller could be nice too because if DD is tired that day, we can upgrade to the two kid stroller instead of her being all whiny. But is it too uncomfortable for naps? Am I going to hate myself for not having the reclining lexus-like accomodations with extra sun canopy?
I am afraid we will end up needing two strollers for a day or two if we rent a nice one, but I'm afraid if we rent the disney one it will be uncomfortable and DS won't nap in it.

What do you think?

 

[Legendofthehawk]

I would pack a carrier. At the worse case, it sits in the bottom of your diaper bag or your stroller, best case, you get some usage out of it.

For reference, we took our babyhawk to DW last year and wore our 18 month old. It was 90 degrees, but she still did a lot better. It wasn't our choice of carriers since ours is minky lined (but did absorb the moister), but I was able to shade her easier with an umbrella/parasol to keep the sun off of her in the big heat, or sit shaded places. It was also easier to get on the train without waking her up (which is a good place for a nap!) to get to the monorail, or busses back to the car.

If you do take a carrier depending on what kind of carrying mom you are, a light weight wrap might be the way to go.


Otherwise, I might just rent the a stroller. I saw a really neat idea last time. Someone had two of those fans attached to the sides of the stroller, and had a dark towel over the top to keep the cool air in.

 

[ZanyToes]

Pack a carrier! We just got back and I didn't bring one. My son is 2.5 years old and we haven't used carriers in quite awhile but I regretted not having one with me. There were many times it would have been WAY more convenient to use a carrier instead of the stroller. Once we got there he turned into super duper clingy man and would NOT let us put him down and he refused to let my husband carry him.. so I ended up carrying him 99% of the time. Would have been much easier with a carrier!

Last time we went I brought along my mei tai (my daughter was 16 months old) and it worked great.. but it wasn't summer either LOL.

Do you have a solar weave carrier? I have one of these.. http://www.connectababycarrier.com/catalog.php?category=2 and love it. 1- the fabric is sunblocking like sunscreen, and 2- it's WAY cooler than the normal carrier (but not quite as nice looking.. but it's so much more comfortable in the heat I don't care)

 

[lathamary]

We rented a city classic double from Orlando Stroller Rentals for our two year old and seven year old. It was perfect. Here's my report on it:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2450578&highlight=orlando+stroller+rentals

 

[ohcanada]

I rented a double from Orlando Strollers for my 4 and 5 year olds. We don't use strollers at home any more but we are going in early Sept for the first time and I expect the heat to take it's toll. I think they could probably manage the walking with lots of breaks, but the stroller gives instant shade, an instant seat, a place to nap and a place to escape the madness...come to think of it I might need a stroller!

 

[mistysue]

I don't think I realized until after I wrote this how nervous double strollers make me. It's funny because they never did until last year when I was at a store checking some out and a woman there started just rambling about how terrible they are because they are so wide...

I might just have to get over that.

Those carriers both look nice. I made myself a wrap but I've always been afraid to get it on my back- that style would completely solve that! I might be making a new wrap and renting a stroller now...

 

[bartleby1]

I definitely would not rent a disney stroller for a 19month old. They are fine for older kids, but for a 19 month old that will probably need to nap they're not so great. Plus, a single will run you about $15 per day and a double will be about $31 per day!

I'd much rather juggle a stroller on the bus and have my little one comfy!

 

[3girlsfun]

I'll be lugging my double, city mini stroller with me, where ever we go! I will also be carrying my Ergo carrier along with me, expecting to have at least one of the kids in it often. (Hopefully my youngest, so my oldest and middle can ride in the stroller.) I think lugging it on and off the bus is a small price to pay for the comfort of your children. IMO.....The City Mini is super easy to fold...I can do my double with one hand! Just try not to pack the stroller down with "junk" throughout the day, then it wont be that bad to fold up.

I know what you mean about prissy and whiney and spoiled! You just described my 5 year old! She still insists on being in the stroller if we are shopping. I didn't know I needed a triple, lol!

 

[soonerfan2008]

We have a City mini double that saves my life on trips!

However, last year we did Disneyland and Sea World for 4-5 days with a single Chicco umbrella stroller and a beco. My girls were 9 months and 2.5 years old for that. Most of the time, the 9 month old rode and the 2.5 year old walked. Every couple of hours, the oldest would ride, while I wore the baby.

Out of the entire trip, we rented a second stroller for one day. So maybe a single stroller could work well since your kids are a bit older?