Stroller for 3 yo DS?

[DutchsMommy]

I know this question has been asked before, but I would really appreciate suggestions on my situation. DS will be turning 3 while we are in WDW. We are travelling by plane from Toronto Canada and are doing 6 nights in WDW and then a 4 night DCL cruise. We are not bringing DSs carsear - we will rent one from the towncar company. I am trying to decide whether to bring a stroller for DS or rent. If I bring, I would have to buy one as we only have a heavy-duty Bebecar Raider XT at home and it is much too big and heavy to lug around. We will be staying at AKL for 3 nights and the Poly for 3 nights. We plan on visiting all 4 parks and possibly DTD for a few hours when we arrive. I cannot decide whether to bring a stroller or rent one as we need it. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[the kabuki]

I have always brought my own, find one that is lightweight, easy to fold, has a basket, and is cheap. Think I got mine for $50, but it was worth it as I did not have to lug that heavy duty one around. And at 3 yrs. old, mine always fell asleep for a good nap or in the evening. The rental ones don't recline so keep that in mind too. They're just plastic seats. Oh, it's a good idea to get some of those stroller hooks that attach onto the stroller. Comes in handy with the extra bags you'll have. And a cup holder is great.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

ABSOLUTELY!!! Bring one!!!

 

[BevS97]

definitely bring your own, you will need it at the hotel in non-park areas, plus the rentals are not nice for napping in

 

[swilphil]

Definitely bring one. Target has decent Chicco umbrella strollers for around $50. They're not the flimsy strollers. I'd bring one that is lightweight and easy to fold up. You definitely will want it outside the parks and maybe even on the cruise ship.

 

[jtdl]

Yes, definately take your own. I am in the same situation. The one I have is much to big and heavy to cart around. Since you are also in Canada, I know you won't find a "good" one for less than $100-150. We have 2nd hand baby stores where I am and I got one there for $40. If you don't have any of these types of stores where you are try the Goodwill or a thrift store. Or you could wait until you arrive in Orlando and go to Target or Walmart and buy one.

 

[mjmcca]

Bring your own. Late at night when you are going back to your room you dont want to ahave to cary your little one. The 3 nights at the oly you an just walk on to he monorail with your child staying in the stroller no need to break it down. I would save your MK and or Epcot days for then and just walk on and of the monorail to those parks.

 

[jodifla]

Yes, definitely bring a stroller. Since DS is older, you could even get an umbrella stroller for around $20 that has a canopy and a carrying bag on the bag. They're small and fold up easily.

 

[daisylove]

I posted this in another thread but thought it may help.I had this debate as well not to long ago. Dd is 5 45 lbs and 47 inches. I found the chicco was too narrow and others were not tall enough nor had the right weight limit. We went ahead and got the volo from Maclaren. Perfect stroller. Just got back from our 3rd WDW trip with it and it was great. We added the canopy accessory pack but all total got everything for $100. This should still be less than if you rent every day and the added convenience will be worth it. There are bargains out there just do some searches. Another poster in my debate suggested the silver cross mini or micro. Similar to the volo but canopy etc already a part of the price and I think the wheels are bigger. Whatever you get make sure it has a canopy. Even in February the sun down here can be brutal on kids. Good luck! HAve a great trip!

 

[disneymcgraw]

We took dd when she was 3 1/2 and we brought a cheap walmart umbrella stroller. It was perfect. If she chose to sit in it or it was holding bags and water bottles. It was especially nice after a long day and tired little feet.

 

[bubbasmom99]

You can either buy and bring an umbrella, purchase one during your trip (they sell them at Downtown Disney for about $30), or rent. If you want to travel light, then consider renting. We rented on our trip earlier this month and our 2 1/2 year old did not have a problem getting comfortable napping in the stroller, nor did our 5 year old. The carrying back to the room is the only downside, but we did find it pretty liberating to travel without a stroller in tow.

 

[daisylove]

Just have to say Disneymcgraw love your name!!! I love Tim Mcgraw as well. Saw him this summer. Welcome to the Dis!
Sorry off topic.

 

[TiggerStac]

We got one for our DS at Babiesrus, It is a eurotrend. It is exclusive to the rus stores. It says online it is 69.99. I know I got mine on sale in Feb of last year..and I believe I paid 49.99 (sale price). I did a lot of investigating on this one. because of the height/weight restrictions.
The Chicco, has a much lower weight limit, I believe it was 35 lbs. This one I believe goes to 50 lbs, it is nice and light, folds up like an umbrella stroller, has a good size basket underneath, 5 point harness . We got it for our cruise last year. I did not want to lug our huge stroller...and I actually have not used the graco ever since!! We have brought it to WDW, also.

 

[sconstantz]

And buy it at home and use it all the way. We always used the stoller in the airports before boarding. We gate check the stroller. When we get off the plane, it is waiting for us on the walk way. It is very convenient.

also, you will use the stoller everywhere. Walking to and FROM the bus to your hotel. At DD. Everywhere. And, if you are lucky, your child may take a nap in the afternoon. Even my non-napping son took naps at WDW when he was 3 and 4. Not at 5.

Good Luck. And have a great time.

shelly

 

[DutchsMommy]

Thanks to all for your feedback - a resounding YES! Well, I took the initiative and ended up doing some local web surfing, after calling local used baby stuff places who really had nothing, and lo-and-behold on a website for local mothers of multiples no less, I found a woman selling a pretty much brand new Inglesina Zippy for really cheap. Well I jumped all over that as soon as I searched and found how much these suckers are going for on ebay (around $230 plus shipping!!) and the seller sent me some pics and lives only about 1/2hr drive from us, so I will be picking up my super-lightweight, folds with one hand, reclines and has a sunshade, fancy-pancy stroller on the weekend. Now all I have to worry about is *misplacing* it at Disney! LOL

 

[daisylove]

Congrats! Dont you love a great deal. Prior to the volo when my daughter was smaller I got an Aprica at our consignment store for $35. That was our WDW stroller for a long time. HAve agreat trip. Since it is a new stroller you may not be really familier with its looks when you go. Tie a scarf or ribbon on the handles so you can spot it. Some people say bandana but everyone has a banadana it seems when you get there. A flowery or bright scarf works best for me.