stroller dilemma--kinda long

[lovetoscrap]

I have 2 DD, 3 and 7. The 7 yr. old is VERY tall for her age (more like a 9yr old).

We have been debating what to do about bringing/renting strollers. The 3 yr old will use the stroller ALOT--for most of the walking. The 7yr old will probably want a stroller later in the day as she gets tired. DH wanted to just rent a double at the parks (until he found out how much it cost!). I really like my stroller with a parent and child tray and 3 cup holders, and a basket on the bottom. It is lightweight but difficult to fold up (requires 2 hands and is tricky to get flat). I LOVE this stroller and would be unhappy if something happened to it but figured it is worth the risk. We could just rent an additional single at the parks if needed for DD7.

WELL.......

I was at Walmart the other day and found a $60 stroller on clearance for $15! The picture on the box looked similar to mine so I grabbed it and figured I would take it with us and not "risk" my more expensive one. When I put it together I found out that it is REALLY nice--very comfortable for child and parent. Shocks on the front, very easy to push. Bigger trays and cup holders than mine, HUGE storage basket and higher up seat that my DD will love. The downside? It is HUGE!!! The handle and canopy come up to my chest-and I am average height! It is also heavy--not prohibitively so but still heavy and folded up (one hand folding) it is still HUGE! (probably more like the size of a double when folded) But because it is so big my 7 yr old will fit in it, and if necessary (like leaving the parks at night) I could put both of them in it--the big one can hold the little one.

DH took one look at it and said "Don't even think about taking that one!" But I think my DD3 will be much more comfortable in it and we will appreciate the easier handling for as much as we will use it. We will be in the parks from dawn to dusk (and beyond!) each day so DD will spend most of her time in the stroller. The only time it will be a pain will be in "transporting"--the buses, monorail, WDW Railroad, airplane etc...

Should I take the lightweight one (smaller, harder to fold) or take the bigger, more comfortable one (big and heavy)?????

What are your experiences?

 

[stacy6552]

hmmmmmm, not sure what i'd advise, but here are some things to consider.....

Will you be obsessing over the safety of your favorite stroller everytime you leave it?

Will your husband be nashing his teeth every time he has to deal with the new stroller?

if you answer yes to either its not worth it.

as for your older child, i wouldnt take a stroller and only rent one if she needs it. our 6 yr old only used one one day.

 

[stacy6552]

ok a question. ive just been to walmart.com looking for your deal. i couldnt find it, but i thought of something. is there a plaform behind the storage basket? it sounds like a stroller i saw once that was made for an older child to stand behind. its not as nice as the sit-n-stand, but that may be why the handle is so high.

 

[CRCrazy]

I would take the bigger/heavy one - as you say - the only problem will be on the buses. I think you can leave it open on the monorail in the w/c cars - not sure as we didn't have a stroller big enough for our tall DD (51/2 in March, 6 in Dec). On the plane - you can gate check it - the baggage handlers will have to lug it to the location - if it is easy to fold - no problem! It will work out well in the parks - especially as it is big enough for your 7 year old. Our youngest hasn't used a stroller in years - we didn't even think of bringing a stroller on our first trip as a family in March, when she was 5 1/2. After 2 days of her pleading - please can I ride - we ended up renting almost every day. In December, even though she was 6, we still used the rentals - but she would fall asleep at the end of the day quite frequently - the walk to the buses, and back to the room was quite long toting an out cold 50 lb. child! I would have paid a lot for a stroller that could hold her!

Happy travelling!

 

[lovetoscrap]

stacy6552- This was special clearance at our local store--they were clearing out and had a variety of stuff dirt cheap! They only had 3 strollers left and a friend and I grabbed 2 because we happened to be there when they marked them down. I don't think this was a company wide thing--just a local store decision. The stroller is an Evenflo InSight. No place for child in the back. It is designed to be used with an infant car seat, but didn't come with one.

I did take the stroller out for a "test run" today. We went to the park and I pushed it around the walking path, concrete and asphalt, uneven, up and down hills and over a narrow wooden bridge. It is SWEET! It pushes and turns like a dream! The higher handle is very comfortable and my 3yr old was very comfortable--there is a lot more room on the sides for her. I also tried it with both kids doing a "race walk" around the path (to simulate getting to our PS in time!). It was harder to push but still was wonderful!

I think DH may not get a vote! He will nash his teeth every time he has to deal with it, but then he doesn't want to go to WDW in the first place and has adopted the attitude of "just tell me where to be when, and what you want me to do to get us there"!

I would be worried about my other one getting "borrowed" (I know that rarely happens) and mostly about it gettting damaged on the plane (I have had bad luck with strollers on planes). I would rather use it for quick trips to the mall or grocery store etc... because it is very lightweight to get in and out of the van, I don't even have to fold it. I would rather nothing happened to it.

This stroller seems perfect for long periods of sitting (on DD part) and pushing (on my part!), like for amusement parks and other vacation activities. Since I only paid $15 I won't be to upset if something happens to it.

I guess the new stroller seems like a "special occasion" stroller and my lightweight one is more of an "everyday" stroller.

Kind of sounds like I have made up my mind, doesn't it??? Now I just have to convince DH.

 

[MinniMama]

having brought every type of stroller to Disney and even bought one there I think the heavyness will be an issue for all of you by the end of the week remember every time you get on a bus or off it has to be lifted and folded plus someone has to guide or hold the kids. I stupidly brought a honkin double stroller one year and by the end all our backs hurt as well as our feet. I would never do it again. I bought a combi 11 pound one that folds up tiny and has a carry strap and it has made all the difference in the world. LOL it was 70$ and worth every penny to save my back. Many people bring mccalrin (SP) strollers for the same reason. I would really reconsider the heavy one or DH may be mashing you instead of his teeth LOL. good luck go lighter LOL

 

[NotUrsula]

Not that this has much to do with deciding between the two strollers you have, but as the decision has to do with widely spaced children and an older child who may walk most of the time, here's a thought I'd like to throw out for others who may be interested.

There are devices on the market that attach to the back of a stroller to allow another, older child to ride standing up. The two most common are the Buggy Board, and the Seat2Go. They cost around $50. I borrowed a buggy board when we took a nephew with us to WDW, and it worked very well.

 

[Kallison]

Wow you sure did get a great deal on the stroller. Take the one you are most comfortable with, tell Dh not to fret. You just have to fold up the strollers so they are not extended on the busses, it is really no big deal. We took a double stroller when our kids were using them, and they are pretty big and hefty too. Have fun on your trip. I would much rather bring my own than rent, I hated seeing those long rental lines first thing when you get into the park.

 

[deb305]

If you can handle taking your stroller take it for the 3 year old. We took our 7 yr old cousin, and she could go a long time in the park. 3 yr old got exhausted by early afternoon, and the rental strollers are molded plastic that do not recline. We nearly ruined the vacation by not providing a nap for 3 yr old. This time I took our beat up old reclining stroller from home for our 1 yr old ds. He was able to nap at will, and never had a melt down.We rented a stroller for the now 4.5yr DD. She lasted much longer, and also avoided melt down. Finally, not having a stroller in the airport was a disaster. Trying to carry car seats, emergency bag and tired kid was not a lot of fun. There are some long concourses out there!

Good Luck