Stroller Dilemma

[cbeehler3]

Hi Dissers.
I need help deciding on stroller usage.
We are avid Disney goers. The last time we went with the whole family was when my third daughter was 2. Well now she is 5 1/2 and I have a 2 1/2 year old son. (in addition to a 12 and 15 year old but they won't want the stroller)

I can't decide on our Graco double light rider side by side or two strollers.
One with a basket etc..and one small umbrella for the 5 year old.

I would love all and any advice and what works for your family.
Here are my concerns on a double.
1. Really challenging on the bus.
2. Can't separate.
3. Hard to bring in bathroom if 2 year old is asleep and 5 year old needs to pee. (just sayin').

Thanks everyone!
Christie

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

I would take whichever is the most comfortable for the kids to sleep and elax in, and if they are equally comfortable the one with the biggest basket and the one that is the most comfortable to push/use. I know it is a pain for busses but that will be a small portion of your day-the comfort of you and your children is going to have to be more important throughout your stay.

I would also say to factor in which woud give you the best sun protection when you go for the kiddos comfort-sometimes aiming a fan on the kids and letting them recline in some shade is a great thing (we went in Jan. and we did nt have issues with the heat, but my daughter could recline in the strller we rented for the week).

If you and your DH are together the bathroom issue should not be a problem.

Our 4yo DD uses an umbrealla stroller now when we need one, but when we go for sure we are taking her big one for the comfort factor.

 

[Geomom]

If you bring the double stroller, after going on rides, you'll only have to find 1 stroller in the 'stroller parking' areas--and it'll probably be easier to find a double stroller than a single one in the mass of strollers. (Cast members are constantly moving the strollers around in those stroller parking areas, which makes it difficult to find your own stroller when it's no longer where you left it!)

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[thebwit]

My last trip in September we had a double stroller due to the fact that DS was just 6months old. This upcoming trip we are going with two separate strollers. These to be specific:

We thought a lot about this and had the following thought process for why the two strollers versus the single double stroller.
1. The double stroller is heavy at about 40lbs, these two strollers combined are about 32lbs
2. The double stroller takes up a lot of space and the two strollers take up much less space
3. Each stroller has a shade and a basket so each child can do what they want to their stroller and we can bring two smaller bags for each child (versus 1 big bag)
4. The smaller strollers are more maneuverable and can actually be pushed faster than the large stroller

The only plus the double stroller has is that when you get off a ride, it will be easier to find. Thus we plan to decorate the strollers.

 

[Wiloughby1]

We're bringing all 3!

DS is nearly 4 and DD is 18mos. We're taking the Auto Train. I'm bring a Bumbleride Indie Twin (HUGE!!!) for Epcot, AK, and HS. We'll use a Maclaren Triumph and a Britax Blink for MK.

I know, crazy, but I had the same thoughts as you, plus the crowd departing MK with a double.

I guess I'm lucky that I don't pack much other stuff!

Good luck deciding! I would probably go with the double though. The 5 yr could walk if you split the two little ones, and then only one person has to push.

 

[feezle]

We took 2 jogging strollers. Much more maneuverable and the party can split up if necessary.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

We've never taken a double to WDW. We used 2 lightweight Maclaren strollers that we specifically bought for the trip - we have twins. With your kids being further apart in age you might consider one of those sit n stand type of strollers. Your 5 year old probably won't want to sit the whole time but will need a rest from walking sometimes. The 5 year old could use the stand piece of the stroller when he/she gets tired of walking.

 

[DisneyDarcy]

After much research, we purchased the Joovy Caboose Tandem . It is a sit and stand stroller with a bench seat in the back for the 2nd child in case they want to sit. They come in great colors and are EASY to move about. We actually used it just for 1 child, but it was nice for her to have the option to sit in the front or stand in the back.

 

[lsenquiz]

My husband would laugh at the fact that I am giving someone advice on a stroller. My son is 6 1/2 and we have owned 10 different strollers! I would not recommend the double unless you are staying somewhere where you do not have to use the buses often. I just purchased an umbrella two months ago for our up coming trip to disney in september. I wanted one that had a high weight limit because we like to do the EMH evening hours and I don't care if my son is 10 if he still fits in it he will ride in it at the end of the night. My most recent purchase was the britax blink. We got it in time for a trip we took to orlando over springbreak. We visited seaworld and busch gardens while we were there and the stroller was perfect. I even let my 12 year old niece sit in it for a while and was able to push her around with no problem(she weighs 90 lbs). The blink is an umbrella stroller with a basket. It weighs about 8lbs and is easy to fold. The handle bars are also very high which helps with the back pain I usually get from pushing an upbrella. It also comes with a carry strap which should help with getting on and off transporation. I can not wait to go to Disney and try it out!! This stroller usually sells for $149.00 but I found it at Albee baby for $69.00. http://www.albeebaby.com/britax-bli...ts&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=GoogleProducts

 

[AnitaDisneyVacation]

We bought a kiddie board for our DDs when they were around that age. Our (then) 5 year old never napped, so she didn't need a stroller. The kiddie board attached to the rear axle, so she stood on that while we pushed her sister in the stroller. It came off with the push of a button and then we collapsed the regular single stroller to ride the shuttle buses. It worked really well for us - used it for several years.