Stroller Dilemma

[MG3G]

I have spent weeks trying to decide what to do and could use some suggestions--

I have 3 DS`s. They are 7,6 and the little one will be 6months when we are at DL.

I will need a stroller for DS3. DS1 will walk most of the time but I could see him sitting down in the stroller maybe at night or just to use as a chair sometimes. DS2 has chronic illness and will for sure need a ride at points during our trip.

Options- Bring our expensive stroller from home and buy the buggy board attachment. Problems- it is VERY expensive we couldn`t afford to replace it - it might get damaged on the plane and isn`t very small for travel. AND only one kid can sit at a time.

Option 2- Rent 2 DLR strollers - Problem- no way to transport DS3 when we are doing non-disney days.

Option 3 - Buy smaller lighter strollers x2 - Problem- All the cheaper (as in, in our price range strollers) do not fit DS2 who is 41 pounds, 44 inches - he hits his head or drags his feet on any of the cheaper strollers we have seen.

Option 4- Rent a double jogger from a local renal company. I am guessing there must be a few in the area. Problem - What if it gets stolen or damaged.

SOOOOO what to do

 

[disheadz]

WOW.... My wife and I hashed this out and we would buy a sit n stand style (we love our joovy caboose) and rent a DLR stroller. I am sure you will have a great time whatever you decide!

 

[Amommy21]

What kind of illness does your second son have that he needs a stroller? I would just use a disney rental for him and put the baby in the sling.

 

[samkj]

Is it possible to rent a pediatric wheelchair for your son? They have ones that are larger umbrella type chairs and honestly he will be much more comfortable in it. Our daughter(11) has had a wheelchair since she was 3 and it has been wonderful. We have been to Disneyland many times and never had a problem with damage or theft.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

WOW.... My wife and I hashed this out and we would buy a sit n stand style (we love our joovy caboose) and rent a DLR stroller. I am sure you will have a great time whatever you decide!

I second the Joovy Caboose (especially the ultralight). We used it on our five day trip last December with our 7 year old and almost 4 year old. Neither one rode all the time, but it was very handy when they just got tired. If you've got some time before your trip, keep an eye on Craigslist and eBay for a good deal. I know there are some rental companies, too.

We've never had a problem with our stroller at Disneyland Resort or on the airlines. If you take the stroller with you to the gate, they can gate check it for you so it doesn't get thrown in with everyone's suitcases. Then it's there and waiting for you right when you get off the plane, too, which can be quite handy.

If I had my two girls and a six month old, I would definitely plan on bringing a sling or, even better, something like the Ergo baby carrier. See if you can find a friend who has an Ergo you can borrow. Or, again, start haunting eBay and Craigslist to see if you can find a good deal on one. You might even consider it a good investment for your trip.

 

[CrazyDuck]

If you go with option 1 double check your airline's baggage and gate claim disclaimers. We gate claimed our bugaboo on a flight hone from LAX and when we went to pick it up after the flight it was literally in 2 pieces. There was white paint scrape marks all over it as if the hydraulic cargo doors cut it in half. We went to file a claim at United's baggage office and were told that in the gate claim ticket, that we signed, is a disclaimer stating that they are not responsible for damage to ANY items that are gate checked. it didn't bother me too much because it wasn't the most expensive stroller, and our son was nearly done with it. But still we coulda handed it down to someone else.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

My DD still uses a Mac Volo for Disney ~ she weighs 44 lbs ~ it's a great stroller.

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

One negative with renting strollers from disney is the walk from the park back to the hotel....with 3 kids and gear/stuff.....that would be difficult without at least one stroller. Also, Disney doesn't let kids sit together in their strollers. A couple of year ago we were pushing both are kids around at the end of the night when our oldest was super tired. A CM kindly told us that it wasn't allowed.

 

[bumbershoot]

We also use a Volo. DS is 5 now and will be 6 for our WDW trip, and we will be bringing it! When he's tired and leans his head back, he has to sort of finagle it to get comfy; looks like it's hanging back too far b/c of his height and the back of the seat's height, but he says it's comfy!

 

[gethane]

I'm still half looking for strollers to use (hopefully used off craigslist) for my 4 and 6 year old. But while they easily meet the weight requirements, neither of them meet the height requirements (of the joovy at least). Are tall kids just out of luck?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

neither of them meet the height requirements (of the joovy at least). Are tall kids just out of luck?

I wouldn't worry about height limit too much, even a couple lbs over the weight limit is probably OK.

 

[sway_559]

Just a couple ideas (not sure how plausible they are, but it's worth a shot?)

If you can find a stroller rental OUTSIDE of the park that might be a better option, so you can take it to hotel etc. Maybe rent a single and a double? I'm pretty sure they'd have insurance policies for a couple extra bucks to protect against theft?
OR-
What about shipping the stroller a couple days prior to your trip and that way it would be at the hotel when you get there? I'm assuming (although I've never done either) that it might be a safer bet than dealing with airline handling and policies?? If you needed a stroller or 2 just for the airport you could buy just a couple of those cheapy $20 stroller just to get you through?
Just a couple ideas Good luck and have fun!

Edited: Also as far as using your own, I'm pretty sure you can't lock them to anything at the park but I read somewhere about just locking up one back wheel, that way CM's can maneuver it around if need be, but it's be pretty obvious if someone stole it and had to push it around using just the front wheels

 

[CrazyDuck]

Here is a thought... I'll just throw it out there... You could rent a wheelchair for your DS6. It is actually cheaper to rent a wheelchair in DLR than it is to rent a stroller. Wheelchairs you can rent for $12/day + $20 deposit. Strollers rent for $15/day. Also you can do a loan agreement for the wheelchair which would allow you to take it beyond the security gates. Another thing to consider, if your sons chonic ailments prevent him from waiting 45 minutes in line for Peter Pan, if you have a wheelchair, you can go up the exit and wait 5 minutes.

 

[todzwife]

My DD still uses a Mac Volo for Disney ~ she weighs 44 lbs ~ it's a great stroller.

This is my suggestion as well

 

[disheadz]

neither of them meet the height requirements (of the joovy at least). Are tall kids just out of luck?

The back seat of the joovy is usable for pretty tall kids, and the front is much roomier w/ the tray removed. Perhaps you have a Babies R Us nearby- they carry them and you could try one!

 

[lb2000]

My DD still uses a Mac Volo for Disney ~ she weighs 44 lbs ~ it's a great stroller.

We used Volos the past few times we went for my HUGE 4 year old and my average size 6 year old. The 7 year old walked. She did get somewhat tired at times, but did not need a stroller. The Volo is very easy to use around Disney and fits the bigger kids.

 

[MG3G]

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas.

I had no idea that wheelchairs are cheaper then strollers! That seems odd.

We thought about taking our stroller and taking a tire off and bringing it with us on the rides -- odd I know but then again I am sure stranger thins happen in the parks

I have found an outside rental company which sounds good BUT you are on the hook for any loss or damage so unless they sell insurance I am too afraid to go that route because it is no different then just bringing our own stroller.
I have contacted them but haven't heard back yet.

We are planning on getting DS2 a GAC so that we can use if it need be. Depending on how he is doing we may need to have some creative line waiting. For example he may not be able to stand in the line if he is having a bad day. AND if it is hot out he can not be in the sun if he is sick.

Someone asked what he has -- He has asthma, thyroid disease and hypoglycemia which are all basically no big deal. BUT he was just diagnosed with a rare disorder called PFAPA - which is a disease that causes children to have VERY high fevers on a regular basis and a sore throat. He also has some other things going on which they haven't been able to trace yet -- he has severe fatigue, dizzy spells and stomach pains. Also it looks like he has some form of arthritis (they are working on a diagnosis) as he has severe muscle and joint pain. The bulk of his symptoms have happened in the last 3 months or so - so we are still working out how to deal with everything.

Our last (first) DLR trip was when he was 4 and other then his asthma bothering him he was basically a very healthy guy. I don't want this trip to seem any different to him, he is one of those kids who knows that he gets sick a lot but has no idea that there are some very serious things wrong with him. We would prefer it to stay this way as there is no cure and only experimental treatments so we don't want him to get into the mindset of being "sick". (The good thing is he has a huge team of specialists AND he LOVES going to the hospital here so at least he has fun while they try to sort him out )

Thanks

 

[momSandy]

You can always use a stroller lock too, like the ones from buggyguard.

 

[sahbushka]

I only read the initial post, but what worked for my family was to bring 1 cheapo stroller with us and rent one at Disneyland so then you would have one designated for the baby and would have it even when not at the parks and you would have a second stroller (big and strong) when you are at the parks for the bigger kids to share.

Hope that helps...have a great trip!

SarahMay

 

[summer0407]

I am so glad you started this post I have been wondering the same thing. I have a small stroller for my 2 year old but my son is almost 6 and just hit 60 lbs I have no idea what I can bring for him I know he will not be able to walk the whole time does anyone know if the rental strollers will hold 60lbs?