Stroller Decisions - Buy New?

[Walt Disney Worlders]

I need advice from seasoned Disney Stroller folks!

Our boys will be 2 yo & 4yo for our trip in Jan. We currently have a InStep Safari TT double jogging stroller, but thought we would need something smaller for Disney. My husband is tall, and want the MacLaren Volo umbrella strollers, which we would have to buy two of -- over $200. They are so much more comfortable to push that the cheap umbrella strollers, and we will be there for 7 days. I was OK with it, but now I am thinking we should use what we have. (This board has got me wanting to Pimp my stroller out with lights, and buy everyone matching clothes, and buy a Photopass, etc, etc! The vacation funding is leaking away!) Should I just use the stroller I have and pay extra to get it on the plane, or would it be too big for the park? We also have the rain gear and bug screen for our double stroller, which may come in handy in Florida! That would be an added expense if we bought new strollers. Oh, and with the Volos, I would also have to buy these stroller connectors.

 

[Colinsmom]

I'd just use what you have. Why do you have to pay extra to get it on the plane? I don't think that there is an airline that is charging to gate-check a stroller (yet). The Volo doesn't recline and doesn't have much sun protection, and my 6'4" hubby isn't crazy about pushing one for very long (the handles are higher than most strollers, but the stride is short - even 5'4" me kicks the wheels on our Mac).

 

[Walt Disney Worlders]

American Airlines now charges for all luggage but carry-ons, and almost all charge for oversized luggage (which a double usually stoller fits the bill for).

Here is the current policy for AirTran:

Oversize Baggage
Through September 17, 2008, baggage with dimensions from 62 to 70 inches will be subject to a fee of $29. Baggage with dimensions from 71 to 80 inches will be subject to a fee of $69. Effective September 18, 2008, baggage with dimensions from 62 to 70 inches will be subject to a fee of $39. Baggage with dimensions from 71 to 80 inches will be subject to a fee of $79. Baggage over 80 inches in dimension (with the exception of some sporting equipment) will not be accepted.

The dimensions come to 75 inches, so I will pay $79 for the stroller -- I am not sure if that is one way or roundtrip...

 

[twinmom2]

You can use what you have, but to pay to put it on a plane seems silly.
In my situation, my girls ended up driving each other crazy in a double, so we bought two maclaren volvo's(but we visit WDW often, so it was worth it). I have the connectors, but we never use them. My DH pushes one and I push the other and it is much more peaceful and the stroller is an awesome push. It also made getting on and off the monorail so much easier.

I would not spend the money on matching outfits and the photopass is free. You go online and see the pics that they took and you can choose to buy if you want, but they dont charge you to get the pass and have the pics taken.

good luck and have fun!

 

[santa's surpriz]

I just received my Maclaren new in the box I bought off Ebay. $49.99 + $20 shipping. Bought it Tues, it arrived Friday. Not too bad! I was looking to buy one that Target has priced at $99.00. So I came out ahead $30.00 plus tax. I love it and my DD loves it too. If you have your heart set on buying a Maclaren it might worth checking out the deals on Ebay. (the Volos come with a rain shield that attaches to the sunguard. Saves you a little extra money.)

Unless it something new I don't believe the extra baggage charges apply to strollers. I would check with your airline and ask the specific question, if strollers are included. I flew Airtran in December and it was checked at the gate not the the counter. I had already reached my baggage allowance and did not pay more for the gate checked stroller. Besides mine there were wheel chairs, a walker as well as some pretty big strollers.

 

[Colinsmom]

American Airlines now charges for all luggage but carry-ons, and almost all charge for oversized luggage (which a double usually stoller fits the bill for).

Here is the current policy for AirTran:



The dimensions come to 75 inches, so I will pay $79 for the stroller -- I am not sure if that is one way or roundtrip...

This is the first I've heard of AirTran charging for a stroller that is gate-checked. Have you confirmed this with the airlines? If you baggage-check the stroller, then I believe you will have to pay for it (the fee is one-way). But if you use the stroller to the gate, it is considered a mobility aid and *should* be gate-checked for free. You can confirm this directly with AirTran, or ask for recent experience on the Transportation board.

 

[J3nn78]

A stroller is not baggage if used to transport your children and gate checked. You should not be charged for it.

 

[tinkerlisa]

I need advice from seasoned Disney Stroller folks!

Our boys will be 2 yo & 4yo for our trip in Jan. We currently have a InStep Safari TT double jogging stroller, but thought we would need something smaller for Disney. My husband is tall, and want the MacLaren Volo umbrella strollers, which we would have to buy two of -- over $200. They are so much more comfortable to push that the cheap umbrella strollers, and we will be there for 7 days. I was OK with it, but now I am thinking we should use what we have. (This board has got me wanting to Pimp my stroller out with lights, and buy everyone matching clothes, and buy a Photopass, etc, etc! The vacation funding is leaking away!) Should I just use the stroller I have and pay extra to get it on the plane, or would it be too big for the park? We also have the rain gear and bug screen for our double stroller, which may come in handy in Florida! That would be an added expense if we bought new strollers. Oh, and with the Volos, I would also have to buy these stroller connectors.

I have the Maclaren Volo stroller and I LOVE IT!!!! The only thing I dont like is it doesn't recline, but that's ok since my one year old won't fall asleep in it anyway! I like that its very compact to. Perfect for travelling.

 

[anabella]

I need advice from seasoned Disney Stroller folks!

Will you be onsite? cause if you are in a vacation home or condo most owners already have strollers for the use of their guests, so ask before you buy!

 

[delmar411]

strollers are not baggage. You do not check them with your luggage. The kids remain in them all the way to the gate and you drop them right outside the door to the plane.

It is free to gate check.

 

[1hero2princesses]

Are you taking Disney transportation, or will you have a car? We are having this problem too. I just actually bought a new single for my 1 year old cause the old graco was killing me. I got a mcclaren on ebay, brand new. Great price. My problem is that I have a 3 year old and 4 year old too! I really don't think we want to lug the big graco double on disney buses plus where the heck would we store it in our POR room... I am seriously thinking about getting a Mcclaren double side by side. Folds like a umbrella stroller, has a carry handle. I don't know anything about that stroller you have but I looked at the picture and it looks huge! I don't want to rent, I think it would be a waste of money plus we want a stroller for the hotel. I don't think it will problem in the airport, I think the question is whether you would need it because of buses and for the hotel.

 

[Shleedogg]

We just booked our flight through Air Tran on Tuesday and I called to check on this exact issue. Stroller and carseat can be gate checked and are free. This was in response to a flight being reserved in Jan. I think you should just go w/ what you have especially since you won't have to pay the $79.

 

[Walt Disney Worlders]

Thanks for all the great responses! I haven't flown since having kids, so I am so happy to hear that strollers are FREE! Thanks for letting me know!

We are staying on site at the Poly, and will be using Disney transportation (from airport, to airport and the monorail, boats, etc.)

The stroller I have now is HUGE, which is going to be an issue getting in and out of EVERYWHERE! Ugh -- plus, my boys fight and pick at each other all the time in it, so I guess I need to just buy those Volos, even though it will cost me more $$ (I hope it will save me some sanity!)

 

[Disney maygirl]

Don't buy a new stroller. Use what you have and spend your money elsewhere in Disney. You can't bring the stroller into any of the attractions. You have to park the stroller outside in the designated areas. Also, you shouldn't have trouble maneurvering in the parks late Jan. (is that when I understood you were going) it's not crowded.

I am going to purchase an Instep or a Schwinn for our next trip. My boys will be 6 and 4. That stroller folds like a dream! My brother had one for his boys in 2005. He folded it up so easily to check it at the airport gate. We took it ON the train that goes around the MK so we wouldn't have to leave it behind. On the monorail, try to get in on the handicapped entrance if you can. Or since you are staying at the Poly, take the ferry from the TTC and I think you can roll it on and off without having to close it up. We are requesting to stay in the Tahiti longhouse since it is so close to the TTC. We will have 22 on our trip, 12 adults and 10 children ages 6 and under! Trust me, we have had several discussions on the "perfect" stroller. I will have one double, my brother will have 2 doubles and my sister will have one double as well. They will all be either Instep or Schwinn. My double now is an Baby Jogger which has no place in Disney. You can't fold it without taking off wheels.

Good luck!