Stroller for 2 1/2 yr old

[ejgmom]

Hi everyone! We are leaving Sat. for a week in Disney and are debating whether or not to bring a stroller or rent one for our 2 1/2 yr. old.
He really loves to be walking everywhere, but I know witht the heat and the length of day that he will need a stroller.
Anyone with independent 2 yr olds out there let me know what you did that worked.
My DH would rather not bring one. Extra thing to carry/pack, taking the WDW busses, etc. I'm undecided. We don't need it for the airport (direct flight, small home airport and he'd rather walk). I'm soooooo torn.

Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[prplcrzy]

I would say bring yours from home, especially if you have a lightweight one.

My ds was 2 last year and we rented one for a day and he didn't like it. It was too hard and he never could get comfortable.

My ds still naps, so it was much easier having his normal stroller with us so he could sleep whenever he needed to. The Disney strollers didn't seem like they were good for sleeping in. The Epcot ones may be better since they are more like a jogging stroller type.

With all the walking, they will get tired and you'd rather have them conserve some of their energy so they don't have too many melt downs. Plus, they're easier to keep track of in the stroller.

There is so much to do and see that I'm sure they won't mind riding around.

Have a great trip!

Nancy

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I am taking one for my 3 year old in October. She likes to walk also, but I will feel better having one for crowds after parades. And if she gets really hot she can sit in it and take a break, have a snack, drink some water. Plus I don't want her to get over tired. It is a lot of walking for little legs.

 

[megan2346]

I agree you should take one. I brought ours from home for my 3 1/2 year old he was happy to be able to sit down and never fought us about walking. He also fell asleep in Epcot and it was great pushing him around. I don't know what kind of stroller you have but we have the Chicco Caddy and it worked great. It fold small so you are not carry a big heavy stroller. You will be glad to have yours from home.
Megan

 

[laughinplace199]

I say take your own stroller. The walk between the bus area and the park entrances can be long, especially if you have to carry a hot, tired toddler!

 

[Schmeck]

The walk back to your hotel room is even longer...

So I vote for bringing a stroller from home as well!

 

[SKFamily]

We're taking our 3 year old to Disneyland, and taking our own stroller. He likes to walk, too, but his rear-end will be parked in the stroller whenever we are in a crowd of people. Airport, Disneyland, Knott's, wherever. Much easier to keep track of him that way.

 

[CEDmom]

I also think it's a good idea to bring your own. I can't tell you the number of times DD fell asleep on the way back to our resort at night. She's not a heavy child but it still would have been tough carrying her. If you don't have an inexpensive umbrella stroller you can get one at Toys R Us for about $20. It'll pay for itself after just a few days.

 

[bartleby1]

Another vote for bringing your own. The park rentals in my opinion are not suitable for a 2 year old. And no matter how much your 2 year old likes to walk, he will get tired at WDW. Heck, even the adults legs get tired! Last time we went, we brought a single for my 14 month old and a single for my 3-1/2 year old. This time we are definitely bringing one for my 2 year old and are debating about bringing or renting for our 4-1/2 year old. I'm sure even my older one will take a nap in the stroller at some point.

 

[Schmeck]

On our first WDW family trip, when youngest DD was 2 1/2, we did an evening at EPCOT without a stroller - don't know why we were so dumb, but at the time it seemed like a good idea

Anyways, DD ended up on her Daddy's shoulders for the long walk back to the bus stop after Illuminations, and promptly fell asleep on his head! While she did look really cute up there (many people actually took pictures of her, LOL! She has a darling little face, especially when she's asleep...) I was so worried that she'd fall over backwards, etc, that I walked right behind them on the way out, holding DD5's hand. (And nagging hubby to get her down as well) Finally, hubby cradled her in his arms the rest of the way.

By the time we got back to our room at CBR, hubby was so tired and achy in the shoulders and neck that he had to take a hot shower to loosen the muscles up.

We made sure we had the stroller handy for the rest of the trip, that's for sure!

 

[Gillian]

Our 3 year old loves to walk and hates his stroller, but on our last trip (mostly Universal, pretty slow paced) he kept asking us to carry his sister so he could sit in the stroller! We used a Baby Bjorn for her so he could ride.

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

Another vote for bringing a stroller from home. If you bring a lightweight one, then it really isn't too much hassle to carry with you. Our son is also a very active 2 year old, who will be 2 1/2 for our trip in August. He definitely will use the stroller when his legs wear out, and it is also nice when you need to get somewhere quickly, like through the airport!

 

[Cailin'sMom]

Definitely bring the stroller. My DD is very outgoing and likes to get out and walk with us. However, at the zoo she got nervous and wanted to get into her stroller. Also, she will sometimes tell us that she needs to ride. I would much rather have it available. This is my first trip with a small child, however from what I remember the rental strollers did not look very comfortable. DD will nap in the stroller sometimes and I would rather know that she is comfortable. She is growing so fast that she can be pretty heavy and I know that I can not carry her everywhere either.

Also, like the other posters stated...anytime we are in a crowd she will be in the stroller. It is so much easier to keep up with her that way.

 

[grammagail]

We have a similar problem. My 4 yo grandson basically no longer uses a stroller. However, I KNOW he'll need some help in the parks. The rental ones didn't look very comfortable from the pix. My daughter didn't really want to lug one from home (checking on the plane, etc.)

So - we are renting one from our towncar company. $20.00 for the entire week - for a deluxe stroller. So, sorta the best of both worlds - won't have to lug our from home, but will have it whenever we need it.

 

[mamalle]

I would suggest a lightweight or a stroller. I always think renting would be a good idea until I remember that hum.. one of us will be carrying everything back onto the bus and back to our room plus a child! I have been using my double jogging stroller and its a real pita to load on the buses and have been thinking of getting a reclining double umbrella stroller instead for our next trip in July since it will be way crowded for sure on the buses!