Stroller delimma - need suggestions

[all4fun]

OK, so we have taken our Jeep Liberty 3-wheel all-terrain to WDW twice now. DS loves it. Last trip he would take 2-hr naps in it while we walked around (most days). It was wonderful. The only problem with it is how heavy and bulky it is. We rented a car but even so, it was a pain to get on and off the tram at MK and I have never liked how bulky it is when it's folded up. It takes up so much room, we had to put it in the front seat during the ride to and from the airport because it wouldn't fit in the trunk with the luggage (we would have to rent an SUV). We also have a Chicco Capri (similar to the Caddy) which IMO, is just too small for a trip to WDW at this point. Not only that, ds won't nap in it because it's just not comfy enough and also unlike the Jeep stroller, this thing has no suspension on those hard plastic wheels. I really do love the big air filled tires on the Jeep!

Here's my delimma: We are going again in January and this time we will have one extra person - our 9 year old neice. So this means extra person, extra luggage. We will be renting a car again. The only reason we don't rent an SUV is because of the cost - quite a bit higher from our research. At it seems silly to pay that much extra just because we have a big stroller, LOL.

Does anyone know of a stroller that has good suspension and smooth ride, that also folds up to a reasonable size for travel? I would also like to stay within a reasonable price range (under $150) I know I'm asking a lot but any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[long4disney]

We have the same stroller, the Jeep with 3 big wheels!!! Our daughter did great in it last year when she was 14 months old. She took great naps in it!!! I agree with you that it took up too much space in the trunk, and was a pain to fold up on the buses and trams. We are going to WDW in December this year. My dd will be 28 months and she still needs to nap in her stroller during the day. I would love to take my favorite Maclaren Volo which is only 8 pounds, but I know she will need to nap so I am going to take our Peg Perego Pliko P3 since it does recline, is very comfy, has a sun shade and a tray and cup holder for her and one for us, and a basket underneath for storage. It folds up like an umbrella stroller so it doesn't take up a lot of room and it pushes very well, especially since we are tall parents. We don't have to hunch over when we push! You might be able to find a 2003 still on clearance on many web sites in your price range. I know we paid around $249.99 for a 2004 from Babydealz.com with no sales tax and free shipping!!! I think they are around $229.99 now.

Many people on the boards here have the Pliko P3 and love it as much as we do!!!

 

[kldmom2000]

I just have to say I just purchased the best stroller I've ever owned!!! It's the Maclaren Quest and it is comfy as anything ( bought it for my 2 yr old DD, but my 4 yr old wants to ride in it!!) It folds up like an umbrella stroller and only weighs 10.5 lbs.. but it has many of the luxuries of the full strollers (basket, canopy, taller handles, etc) I love this stroller and wish I'd gotten it years ago!!!!! I think it does run about $200 though.

 

[gigi1313]

by the time you spend an extra $150-200 for a new stroller (when you already have one you love and know your child will nap in) why not just spend the same $ on a larger rental car/suv? especially if you don't really need a new stroller!

 

[alloyd1170]

Ive been eyeing Macs Quest and Triumph but cant decide on which to buy. What is the max weight on the Quest? I have a 2.5 yr old ~35+ lbs and am going to need a better stroller for Disney (and hopefully another baby eventually). I have a Caddy but hate it as I have to hunch over to push it and kick the wheels. I tried out a few at BRU but half of my son's head was already above the top of the seat. Is this normal for others? Thanks!

alison

 

[kldmom2000]

Alison-I went with the Quest because my 4 yr old DD is very tall (43" and 41 lbs). Most strollers won't accomodate her and I wanted a stroller that would work for either DD (my other DD is 2 yrs old). The insert with the Quest says it holds up to 55 lbs. One of the websites I looked at confirmed it as well, but there were a few websites selling it that said only up to 40 lbs. I can attest though that Kate (4 yr old) rides in it and the stroller glides along almost effortlessly. It is my "Cadillac" of a stroller and I only wish I'd discovered it sooner!

-Tracey

 

[julieboolie]

I bought the Combi Savvy for WDW. It's so light and a great stroller. It wouldn't work w/ a baby over 35 lbs though. We use it for the baby who's 25 lbs. She is great in it! Sleeps like a charm, it reclines fully. It has a little basket and all. The best part is that it folds up really small w/ a carrying strap built it - which will be perfect for the trams in WDW.

The only dilema we have is what to do w/ DD#1, who's 4 and 45 lbs. We have a larger stroller we may bring that she can use. Mostly for MK and Epcot I suspect. Maybe we'll just rent one for her there. I haven't decided about that one yet.

Have a good trip!

 

[DisneyPhD]

For the extra price of the SUV she can buy a new stroller that she will continue have have after the trip. Also even if you have a rental car it is nice to take WDW transportation to many place (MK is one, if you drive you still have to take a boat or monorail from the TTC anyway, busses are the fastest way to and from MK.)

I have a combi travel savy DX that we bought 2002 and have used for 3 WDW trips. It has served us well and DD loves it. The basket is no help what soever so we hang bags off the back. Other then that it is good travel stroller. (cup holders good canapy folds down great.)

The other one I would recomend I don't have, but have heard good things about. The Peg Perego Pliko P3 sounds like it has everything you need. However I recenlty heard of a women who had very bad service from babydealz.com (sent her a stroller that apeared used with no reciet.) Just a warning. I have a peg pergo Aira twin and really like that, we plan on brining it to our next WDW trip. We got it from a runningstroller.com and I can't say enought good stuff about that place.

Mary

 

[empersmom]

You don't say how old little DS is. my experience is that they will sleep in the chicco if tired. it is not as comfy but pushing a 27 lb kid and a 15 pound stroller is more than any mom or day (or even a 2nd cousin) should have to endure. EL does not nap but when exhausted she will sleep fine in the chicco - and it is light and convenient and will do the job. I say save the money and buy the kidlets a gift!
LL

 

[lovethattink]

We just got a Combi. I love it. We have annual passes and go to the parks alot. It's very easy to navigate the crowds since the stroller is not bulky. As far as getting it in the car, it doesn't take up near as much room as other strollers. It folds in half, and then in half again. We got the ultra saavy because we needed to put the infant seat in it. They do make a combi that only weighs 7 pounds and folds to 10 inches. To do it again, I would have gotten that one. One cool feature on most of the combis is an accoustic stereo system for the canopy. So ds can listen to music when we go for walks. I think their website is combistrollers.com They were very fast with the shipping too. 10 years ago, I had bought the 7 pound stroller for my son. That stroller went through 3 children and is in great condition. The only difference from those old models to now is that now the seat cushions are removable for washing. The old one wasn't, and the seat doesn't look clean. Our model fully reclines for our baby to sleep. Some of the other models only recline partially. The 7 pounder is only partially.

 

[robinb]

You can also rent a stroller at WDW for less than the cost of a new stroller. Bring a fleece blanket to line it with and keep you DS warm since it'll be January. In my experience, my DD napped in just about anything when she was tired enough .

 

[ZuZugal]

Another vote for the Triumph. Babies R us carries the Maclaren strollers. Also bought the Prince Lionhart insulated cup to attach to the side for our drink. The rain cover and carrry strap are both a plus.

 

[alloyd1170]

Thanks for the info Tracey. Ive been looking for the max weights and most say 40 lbs, which I knew wasnt the case with some of them. Im going to go check out the Quest again. My 2 yr old rarely uses the stroller anymore, but will at WDW. Im so sore after pushing him in the Caddy after awhile since I have to hunch over-not the case with the Macs. Plus if we have another baby it will be well worth the money!

alison

 

[JennsBabySky]

I wouldn't worry too much about posted weight limits for the strollers. Many strollers sold in the US have a limit of 40# and overseas they have much higher weigh limits.

Good luck,
Jennifer

By the way, my 2 cents for which stoller -- I have a P3 which I love. It is super comfy and has the best paddinig ever. However, my Maclaren Triumph has awesome steering, is super small, and has the best fold. The padding (or lack thereof) leaves something to be desired).

 

[all4fun]

Thanks for all your replies! We did go stroller shopping this past weekend but didn't buy anything. :-( My dh is running out of patience and is now saying "we don't need another stroller" but I still disagree.

I really like the look of the Peg P3 and while I'll admit it does look nice, one thing I have noticed about the many of the lightweights is that there is very little storage space. The Combi Soho we tried just seem a little wobbly to me and ds didn't look very comfortable in it. Also had trouble not kicking the wheels when walking with it.

After looking what seems like endlessly online and in the stores in my area, I have narrowed the features that are "must haves" for me:
A comfortable seat that ds can sleep in (read: reclines),
a really nice suspension to smooth bumpy rides,
a decent basket that can at least hold one large diaper bag or backpack,
handles that are a decent height (dh is 6'2"),
a good canopy.

Secondary - it would be nice if this stroller would work for a long legged child. DS is 17-1/2 mos and 32" currently. Maybe a little short now but I expect he'll have long legs like his daddy.
weight 20lbs or less
fold - flat (like a lawn chair) is ok, doesn't have to be umbrella fold.

Can anyone tell me if this stroller exists?

As for the Chicco Capri - We used it one afternoon last weekend and we both kept kicking the wheels, or hunching over to push, which just gives me a sore back. We both have decided this stroller just won't work for us at WDW. (so at least we agree on that!) Plus ds was sleeping when I put him in it and after running it across the parking lot pavement (which wasn't super bumpy), he woke up. He actually will sleep in it, however the suspension is such that we couldn't really expect him to get a good nap in it like he does the Jeep. And we all know that Naps are essential!

Sorry this is so long, and thanks again,
Cheryl

 

[long4disney]

If I were you I would get the Peg Perego P3, because it is one of the most comfortable strollers for the children, and it has the handle extensions for us tall parents, I'm 5'8" and my dh is 6'3" and we love the handles on this stroller and your feet do not kick the back wheels. The recline is the best I've seen and when they are sitting up it supports their back nice and straight. The wheels and suspension are superb, as well as the steering too!!! The sun shade is totally flexable and can be pushed down as far as you need to, to completely block the sun out!!! I love the Maclarens too, but their sun shades are worthless.

You seemed disappointed in the storage basket underneath. I thought it was on the small size too, but you would be surprised how much you can fit in it and I just hang my diaper bag on the handle bars, and it doesn't tip over since the stroller is solid, even though it is considered a lighter weight stroller.

One thing I really like about the P3 is the way the snack tray opens in the front so you can put your child in very easily or in my daughter's case, she likes to climb in herself!!! I know we will not have to buy another stroller again since this seems to provide a lot of growing room for the tall childen. This was one of the only strollers out there that my 38" tall, two year old could sit in without her feet touching the wheels!!!

The P3 folds up so nice and small for such a decent size stroller. I really didn't need to buy the P3 since my daughter loves her 3 wheel jeep stroller, but my dh and I couldn't agree more on the fact that the 3 wheel jeep is too bulky and heavy to travel with. Those wheels take up soooooo much space in the car and a pain to take on and off the trams and buses.

One more thing about the P3, you can order a rain cover for it that fits perfectly. It is such a great accessory for Disney, because you know how it can rain at the drop of a hat!!!

Good Luck with your search!!!

 

[BevS97]

I have a chicco 2003 (also called trekking) it's pretty similiar to the Pliko - I think it's a superb pushchair and wouldn't consider anythign else for disney with a little one. It's very very comfy and padded, reclines completely flat, very good hood, the rain cover is quite small and fits easily in the basket, or on the trekking I think it's actually built into the hood.

We have a backpack style diaper bag which hangs on the handles and there is plenty of room in the basket for a small cooler bag, or some shopping - it doesn't have the massive basket you get on a Graco but it's more than sufficent.

My Chicco doesn't have cupholders (they are not very common in the UK) but the Pliko does

 

[alloyd1170]

Tracey-Thanks for all your help. I took the plunge and bought the Quest today. I went to BRU to try them out again, not really planning on buying one. I tried it and the Triumph again, but went with the Quest for many reasons. My son's head was half above the seat top in the Triumph and it was narrower than the Quest. Also it didnt recline as much or as smoothly (thinking ahead for baby #2). They had a manual there and I read through it finding even more things I liked about it ( ie the leg extender, weight limit is 55 lbs height 44"). What I really liked : I can push it so easily with one hand, I dont kick the wheels, my son cant put his feet on the wheels, and I dont hunch over! Also, I accidently discovered that the sunshade slides up and down, and can tilt forward. This is a huge plus when my son naps or is out in the sun and I didnt see that on the Triumph. The price was not pretty, but there were only 3 left so I thought Id better get one in case they dont get anymore in that color. Thanks again!

alison