Stroller for 5 & 8 year olds? Maclaren Triumph?

[Sacha_L]

I know they are kinda old for it but DH and I are BIG belivers in the strollers at theme parks. However I just priced Disneys and $248 for 8 days! so I am now looking for a double stroller for them. I'd prefer to avoid the jogger and like the look of the maclaren triumph. They will be under the combined weight of 110lbs...but will they fit?? Ds 8 is 49in and about 50lbs and Ds5 is 40in and about 40lbs...TIA!

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

I bought the Twin Triumph in January for the same reason you mentioned - it was cheaper than renting for 2 weeks! My boys are 2 yo and 28lbs and 5 yo and 44 in, 44 lbs. They seem to like the stroller. It fits through standard doorways and it has a great turning radius. It also pushes well empty, with 1 kid, or with 2 kids in it. (I was concerned that it would be difficult to push if the larger kid was on one side and no one on the other). I have been pretty happy with it so far. I did get a better sun shade for it - the shades that come with it do not provide much protection - and it dosen't have many accessories (parent tray or cup holder, kid tray/cupholder). I added a "carry you" parent organier and side saddle bag to mine.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. My biggest problem is my 2yo picking on my 5yo because they sit so close to each other!

 

[WantToGoNow]

I had my kids sit in a Triumph before our last trip (they were 5.5 and almost 3). My son was fairly small at that point and he did not fit well - said he was too squished. I ended up buying 2 Volos - his head was above the back but he fit comfortably in it.

My kids are the same age as yours and we are not planning to take a stroller this trip. I don't even know if I could find one that they would fit in anyway.

 

[Skwinkles]

I can't really think of any double strollers that would easily accommodate both of your kids, at least comfortably. I would imagine at 8, your DS would not need a stroller for the majority of the time in the park. Have you thought of just getting a good single stroller and the having the kids trade off if DS gets tired and needs a break?

 

[Sacha_L]

I was afraid of them not fitting and I am just unsure as how ds8 (he will be just turned 8) will do...we needed it at our last theme park (not disney) last year and I just don't want him to poop out on us ...guess I will be taking them to babies r us this weekend and putting them in strollers I can just see the looks now! Thanks to everyone who has replied!

 

[surfgirl]

I would vote no stroller... they are old enough to walk. If this isn't the 'trip of a lifetime' (and it looks like it isn't from your sig), have them make choices, slow down, don't rush to do it all. It is liberating not dealing with a stroller, parking it, stopping to get them in, etc. The exercise is good for them and teaches them what a healthier lifestyle is about. At the least, don't get them both in a stroller and give them high calorie snacks... they would get a double whammy of no exercise and instead eating more food. I may not be on the giving end of a 'look', but I would be embarrassed to put an 8yo in a stroller. We have a societal obesity problems and sticking kids at that age in a stroller isn't moving the right direction (not saying your kids specifically are a problem, but it is a societal problem).

bottom line is your kids, your call, but think of the cool things that you could do with that $$$ instead. (ask them if they would rather have a stroller or a nintendo ds and if they don't use a stroller, they can get them.). ? just a thought.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

Mickeymom2boys~ What kind of cupholder did you get for your stroller. I have a single Maclaren Triumph and would like to get a cupholder for it.

 

[Ava]

I can't really think of any double strollers that would easily accommodate both of your kids, at least comfortably. I would imagine at 8, your DS would not need a stroller for the majority of the time in the park. Have you thought of just getting a good single stroller and the having the kids trade off if DS gets tired and needs a break?

That was going to be my suggestion as well. I know when I was 8 years old I wouldn't have been caught dead riding in a stroller. (We also went to Disney the summer I was 8, and I walked the whole time.) You know your kids best, but I can't imagine an 8-year-old would need/want a stroller the whole time. If you really think your 5-year-old will need one, get a single and have them take turns. Both are old enough to walk for at least half of the time you're in the parks.

 

[Sacha_L]

Disney is a lot of walking...in 2007 I wore a pedometer and logged 25,000+ steps a day on average...that is why I am looking for a stroller for an 8 year old. Will he be in it the whole time? No of course not, but I do want the option and I know he will hop in. He is the farthest thing from over weight..plays soccer, baseball,tennis and has been skiing blacks since he was 5. It is also for our convenience...less whining at the end of the day, places to put all our stuff..heck I would like the stroller at the end of a disney day! Thanks to everyone who has replied!

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

Mickeymom2boys~ What kind of cupholder did you get for your stroller. I have a single Maclaren Triumph and would like to get a cupholder for it.

I got this one for the kids:
http://www.amazon.com/Dual-Cup-Hold...ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1241013625&sr=8-1

and this one for me:
http://www.amazon.com/Sicily-Double...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1241013625&sr=8-6

I picked these because they are fabric and fold up with the stroller. They will fit fountain drinks, but bottled drinks/hard cups are definitely better in them. It does take 2 hands to put the cup in them - hold the elastic out and slip the cup in. There are hard plastic cup holders out there, but I was afraid they would get in the way when you fold up the stroller. These aren't perfect, but they work.

 

[cuppycake]

I can't really think of any double strollers that would easily accommodate both of your kids, at least comfortably. I would imagine at 8, your DS would not need a stroller for the majority of the time in the park. Have you thought of just getting a good single stroller and the having the kids trade off if DS gets tired and needs a break?

We have a single Maclaren Triumph that we've had for Disney for a few years. This year my girls are 6 and 4, and this is exactly what we plan on doing for our big days at the parks (probably more so at MK and Epcot than the others). It's just so much easier at the end of the night after the shows to get them to the buses quickly, safely, and without having to carry them. One of us will give the 4 year old a "shoulder ride" and then we'll push the 6 year old. Plus, it gives us a small space to put our little cooler with a few bottles of water and to hang our camera bag, rather than carry it.

As a side (and personal) note, I need to point out that for most people, this really isn't about lazy kids. My kids would walk the entire day just fine (although we do tend to stay ALL DAY at the parks starting at rope drop...it is what works for us). This just makes it more pleasant for everyone, esp. at the end of the night, and allows them to not get pooped out after 2 days of touring. Yep...we could slow down, take our time, not use strollers....it's just not the way we like to do Disney (kids included).

ETA: And, remember....you never know about special circumstances that might put an 8 year old into a stroller....my daughter has a friend (who lives with her grandmother) who has only one lung that works (girl's mom didn't take care of herself while she was pregnant and it caused many issues for the little girl). She can't go go go like many kids and it would be VERY hard on her to walk all day at Disney. There are sooooooo many things that aren't obvious on the outside. I just get so tired of the remarks that a 5/6/7/8 year old is "too old" for a stroller. If it's not your kid, it's not your business to make that call.

 

[zarvgirl]

orlandostrollerrental.com

They offer strollers at a much better rate then Disney and seem to have been given very good reviews, on Disboards. I believe that they deliver it to you, at your resort too.

Also, there are several stroller swaps that are still going, on the budget board, they may have an opening for you with something that would work for you.

Strollers all have different weight limits, so as long as you check to be sure your guys will fit you may find something.

Have a great trip.

 

[MJAJmom]

I recommend orlandostrollerrentals!!! With 2 bigger kids, you really need a sturdy jogging type stroller. I found the umbrella side by sides to be too flimsy. I rented a double stroller from OSR last October for my 2 boys. It was great, and I'll be renting one again in June. Here is my review with pictures:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1995724

 

[CarlisleMom]

My DD was 6 in 2007. This year (Leave on Saturday) she will be 7 1/2. No stroller both times. Yes she fell asleep sometimes on the bus to the resort (DH or I carried her to the room. She would never ride in one. Her words at 4 1/2 : Strollers are for babies!

 

[AmyBWV99]

ETA: And, remember....you never know about special circumstances that might put an 8 year old into a stroller....my daughter has a friend (who lives with her grandmother) who has only one lung that works (girl's mom didn't take care of herself while she was pregnant and it caused many issues for the little girl). She can't go go go like many kids and it would be VERY hard on her to walk all day at Disney. There are sooooooo many things that aren't obvious on the outside. I just get so tired of the remarks that a 5/6/7/8 year old is "too old" for a stroller. If it's not your kid, it's not your business to make that call.

This would be my oldest, just turned 4 and while he looks like every other kid he has issues with stamina due to low tone. I'm sure we'll be getting 'the look' when he's still stroller riding at 8 many people just don't get it just b/c their kid can walk 15 miles a morning doesn't mean they all can even if they are not wheelchair bound. What really makes me wonder is why people feel the need to express an opinon that wasn't even requested.

 

[nilseks]

Have you thought about using one single stroller and having them switch off? We did this last November, when my boys were 5 and 7. The Maclaren Triumph worked GREAT for them. I brought it primarily for my 5 year old, because he is very slow. But lots of times he wanted to walk, and then sometimes my 7 year-old would jump in for a bit and take a load off. I agree it is nice to have the stroller to put a few things in the bottom, hold the water bottles, etc. I probably spent at least 50% of the time pushing an empty stroller, but it was nice to have when we needed it. And I also agree that there are LOTS of unseen issues that could lead an older child to need a stroller. Both of my boys have sensory issues and a few times my older son felt the need to jump in the stroller and just pull the 'hood' down to cover his face and block everything out for a few minutes, because it was a bit of sensory overload for him. Both of my sons are thin and active--I don't really care what other people thought.

 

[Sacha_L]

I recommend orlandostrollerrentals!!! With 2 bigger kids, you really need a sturdy jogging type stroller. I found the umbrella side by sides to be too flimsy. I rented a double stroller from OSR last October for my 2 boys. It was great, and I'll be renting one again in June. Here is my review with pictures:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1995724

thanks! I will check them out how were the joggers on the busses?

 

[Sacha_L]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who responed to my questions I am pretty much a live and let live person and to be honest if we get any strange looks from my boys riding in a stroller at times at Disney I will be more entertained that they care to take the time out of their vacation to look or comment than embarassed. I'm off to check out Orlando stroller rentals and welcome any tips on how to get a double jogger on and off disney busses!

 

[my3cinderellas]

What about just getting a single stroller? Since most of the time they'll be walking it will be easier to get around and you could fold it up if they dont need it afterall? i just know last time when i brought a double it stunk it was so bulky and it wasnt worth it. i felt like i was just lugging it around most of the time and the only time they needed it was when we were leaving!.

JMO thought