Stroller for 2 yr old & sometimes 6 yr old Mom only

[lpandorf]

I am taking my two kids to Disney the week before Thanksgiving for 5 days on my own. My husband has a disability and walks with a cane and does not like to travel on vacations much due to this. I have taken my daughter who was 4 and then 5 the past two years and left son at home with Dad. Daughter is now 6 and son will be almost 3 at time of trip and taking him this time. We are flying.

I realize 6 year old is kind of old for a stroller and she does not ride in one when we go to the local amusement park for the day. Only son gets one. Don't ever offer and she never asks. However, the past two years I have taken the stroller for her to Disney and have been very thankful I have had it, esp at night as there is just so much walking around the parks and resorts. Now with the two of them I am wondering if there is some sort of stroller that could accomodate her when she gets tired. Saw a Sit and Stand - they looked nice and thought it would work. She won't be riding all the time - just maybe at night. Plus if she gets tired and I have two of them on my own was worried and thought better to have something.

Any ideas of what I should take?

Thanks!

Lisa

 

[peacelovemickey]

I used the Joovy with my 6 and 4 year old in June. It was great because my DD6 could sit or stand in the back. She walked a lot, but the option was always there to ride and I think we got to see more because of it. Have fun!!

 

[jayhjay]

I think a sit and stand is a good option for you (or something equivalent of a different brand). It would allow her to ride when she wanted but you don't have to push around a double. I have seen some that are fairly streamlined. I guess it is just a question of whether it is worth the investment and if you will use it other times. Getting a "kiddie board" that attaches to the back will also work if she can stand, but probably not too helpful at night if she needs to crash.

 

[dijid]

I think a lot depends on how large your 6yo is and how much walking she is capable of doing. I've owned a buggy board and it was nice, but my personal preference is the Peg Perego Pliko P3. My DD was 4 and managed only with standing on the back of the Pliko, but we never went commando and took a break each day.

 

[Phalene]

I'm in a similar situation, but we're going for 11 days. In my case, the cost to rent a double stroller for the entire trip is equal to the cost of buying a stroller, so that's what I'm doing.

I'm planning on getting a Maclaren Twin to take to the park, it goes up to 55 pounds per child, depending on how much your 6 year old weighs, this might work. I like it because it doesn't have the bar in front, which looks easier for the older child to get in and out.

I'm considering selling the stroller when we get home, which will reduce most of my cost, maybe you could do something similar? I've been watching eBay for 1-2 year old strollers, which will work perfectly for us.

 

[eeyoregon]

My son loved the double rental strollers at the parks up until around age 7 or 8!!! He suffers from leg weakness/pain from a brain tumor (removed at age 2) and can "poop" out pretty quick. He thought the rental strollers were soooooo cool. They worked out great - although he has always been VERY tall for his age so he had to sit sort of diagonal but it still worked.

 

[RockyMtnMaria]

We have 3 and 5 yo's to take care of. Our 5yo is used to walking. Our plan is to bring one stroller (probably Maclaren Volo because of the extra weight capacity, none of the other umbrellas go past 40 lbs.) and let the 3 yo ride most of the time, but give our 5 yo breaks while the 3 yo walks. If we really get despirate at the end of the night, I will take it as a sign we were out too late, and he can hold her on his lap briefly. They both would like this, tee hee hee.

 

[jnordan]

I have been going back and forth and back and forth about this, too. When we go, I'll have a 2.5 and a 4.5 year old. I have the sit n' stand, but I'm not thinking that it'll be great for Disney. My 2.5 year old won't sleep in it (it doesn't recline well, the back doesn't go high enough to support her head, and it's just not cozy in that way at all), and it's a real pain to even get in a and out of my van, much less lug around. I also find it a real pain to push with them both in it unless it's just around a mall going shop to shop.

I need a single stroller (the only one I have is broken) anyways, because my now almost-4 year old usually just wants to walk anyways. However, sometimes she really does need/want to ride. We take other trips throughout the year, and I'm even hoping to visit some friends in Europe with frequent flier miles that we have within the next year . . . So it's been such a dilemma!

I was debating getting two Mac Volos with a connector for the rare occasion that I needed both because I was alone with them. Buying a really expensive Phil and Ted E3 (which I LOVE, but this is just not in our budget, especially with the girls already being almost 2 and 4 years old), or the Pliko P3.

Anyways, I just ordered the Peg Perego Pliko P3. The big one was a) too expensive, and b) would be hard to travel with at Disney or anywhere else if were trying to pack up myself, and c) was already, really, pushing the sizes of my two girls. The two volos would be GREAT on occasion, but would be hassle, and I'm still not sure my youngest would sleep great in it. The Pliko, I'm hoping will work. My 2.5 year old will be able ro sleep and it will be comfy, my 4.5 year old will be able to hop on the back as desired, and it shouldn't be too bad to take on the busses. In any case, it'll be great for what we need MOST of the time, and in our 8-day trip to Disney, I'm only planning one or two FULL days at the parks (we want to hang out at the pool, too, since we'll be there in May an staying at a BCV), so I'm not planning on pushing the girls too much and hopefully it'll work. If we need more, or I think we'll need more, I'll buy a second REALLY cheap umbrella, or rent one as needed at the parks.

So, that was my saga. I could be totally wrong! I've never seemed to get this stroller thing just right . . . But I really think maybe this time I've done what will work for us! Good luck!

 

[2dogmom]

I traveled to WDW last Dec alone with my then 5yo and 2yo and I bought the Jeep double stroller. I will be going again this December alone with now 6yo and 3yo, and I plan on bringing the same stroller. You 6yo doesn't use a stroller for anything now, but I do know her and if she is tired she will fall asleep ANYWHERE. I can't tell you how many firework shows she has missed because she has passed out. LOL I decided on a double because she can sleep. With a Sit and Stand or a board on the back, she is forced to sit up and would probably get upset that her sister gets to sleep/lay back. My biggest concern was getting back to the resort with sleeping kids at night so renting just wouldn't work for me.

 

[RockyMtnMaria]

To be honest, somehow the single parent portion didn't register. I'd probably choose to rent a double sports stroller from this placehttp://www.abbf.com/equipment.php?item=joggerx2, or rent a double in the park if the bar or weight is a problem on this one.

I take it that your husband is not willing to rent an ECV? I have health problems too, and it was VERY difficult to accept that I would need to rent one at Disney, but it was that or stay home, and I'm tired of missing out on special times with my family. I TOTALLY understand where your husband is coming from, but Disney is one of the most disability friendly places in the world.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Another fan of the Peg Perego Pliko P3 here. One huge advantage of this that noone has mentioned yet is that this stroller stands when folded.

I also have a MacLaren Rally Twin but I would NOT take that to Disney by myself with 2 kids. It is still quite large folded and I just can't see how you'ld get that stroller, your bag, your not quite 3 yo, and 6yo on the bus by yourself-especially at night. BUT I'm more of a whimp than some other moms out there.

I would actually consider a MacLaren Volo for your 3yo and renting a double in the parks when/if needed for your 6yo. I think the cost of renting a double would be worth it for the convenience. You could fold the volo and put it on top of the rental but still have it for the walk back to the hotel room for the 3 yo.

Good luck! Have a great trip!

 

[lpandorf]

Thank you everyone for your helpful tips!!
Lisa :O)

 

[Gillian]

The Joovy Caboose looks really cool - not too big. I know my 5 1/2 year old would like us to have one, so he doesn't have to fight with his little sister to sit in her stroller.

 

[jnordan]

Hi, it's me again! I just wanted to update since I went ahead and got the Pliko P3 from a shop today instead of waiting the 3 weeks for it to be shipped (in my defense, we're going away next weekend and I really wanted it for that mini-trip!).

I LOVE IT! We just went for a 45-minute walk that included hills. I pushed my 2 year old, and my 4-year old (about 33-34 pounds) stood on the back for the entire walk. She was totally fine, and pushing the stroller could not have been easier!

If you're considering the Joovy, please try this out, too! It's more money, but I think it is so much better for your situation.

It will be comfortable for my 2 year old to sleep in (though, to be fair, when reclined the older child can't stand on the back). The Joovy is not. It will be easy to travel with. The Joovy is not (it's heavy, big, and the wheels don't roll when it's folded up). It's WAY easier to push. I think because the Joovy is so long, that when there's a lot of weight on the back, it's awkward. The only advantages to the Joovy are price, and the fact that the older child can sit. . .

Anyways, good luck!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Based on advice I had read here on the Dis I did buy the transport bag for my Pliko for the plane. Another Diser said that her canopy got damaged on the plane without a bag. I also got the rain cover since we are going in August and it tends to rain daily.

Enjoy your Pliko!

 

[jayhjay]

I have a P3 too and love it. My DD rides on the back all the time and it is very comfy for my little one. JJ