Stroller for a 3 1/2 year old

[lilrooster]

Ok, I know it's a silly question, but can you buy a stroller big enough for a 3 1/2 year old? He is 42lbs.

 

[beattyfamily]

A really good stroller for older kids is the Maclaren Quest. I got one last year for my 5 year old. I LOVE it and wish I got it sooner.

I got it online for only $129 and free shipping. It's good for up to 55 lbs.

Good lucking picking the perfect stroller!!

ETA: HERE's a link the the cheapest one I could find online. The place I got mine at last year has gone up to $169 so this place is $20 cheaper.

 

[blessedby3]

Maclaren Volo. We got this for our DD6(at the time- now is 7) to take to Disney last November. DD weighs 46-47 pounds and this pushes like a dream. I got one that was an '04 model during 2005 and got it for $68. It is a bit pricy for an umbrella stroller, but it is VERY sturdy and I wish I had known about these when my oldest DD was a baby and we might not have bought so many "duds" over the years (and 3 kids). It has a basket underneath and the handles are extra tall (DH is very tall and it fits him well). There are other models by Maclaren that might fit you certain needs better, but the Volo is the basic and cheapest. It holds up to 55 pounds. I am so glad we got this because I will use it again this year and definately get our $ worth out of it. If I had rented for 2 years in a row we would have spent more.

 

[robinb]

I love my Mac, but why buy one just for WDW? I would highly recommend a cheap Kolcraft umbrella stroller.

I accidently left my Maclaren Techno at home on our last trip. We go into "commando" mode when we go to WDW over New Years Eve and my DD needed a stroller. I went to a local Babies R Us in Tampa (we were visiting family) and I *thought* about buying a Volo. It steered nicely and my 46" 48lb 6-year-old fit in it without having her knees around her chin. It was $100. My husband said, "What about a cheap umbrella stroller?" I sighed. "No way! Look! It won't hold up. It has junky plastic wheels. It will be hard to push. She won't fit." To prove my point, I unfolded it and had my DD climb in. I was shocked. It was fine! It was just a little harder to push than the Volo and the mesh bag on back wasn't as nice as the Volo's basket ... but my DD fit in it and it was less than $20. Sold! And it did hold up. It worked like a champ for 10 full days at WDW.

So ... you really don't need to buy an expensive stroller if you don't need to. I can't say if the umbrella strollers at Target or Wal*Mart are as sturdy as the Kolcraft brand (or if they are really the same ... you never know!). I would suggest that you take your son to the store with you to see what works best for you. You can test drive both a Volo and a Kolcraft at your local Babies R Us.

 

[Banshee]

We have a silver cross micro that was 109.00 with free shipping I bought it to just be used on our disney vacations but we use it all the time! It has held up beautifully so far. Our 3 1/2 year old DS was fine with it at disney,though it does not recline he was able to snuggle right into it and nap comfortably. It was also very easy for him to get in and out of. If your DS is anything like ours he might not be in the stroller all that much!! The last time we went he really did A LOT of walking I was amazed! But because the silver cross weighs about 9 lbs folds like an umbrella stroller and has a shoulder strap it was no problem bringing it around on the bus monorail etc. And the basket underneath is a decent size. Good luck on your stroller search! And have fun on vacation!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I've used cheap umbrella strollers the past few trips. I highly recommend this. I don't worry about them like I do my Maclaren double. Their lightweight, easy to fold, inexpensive ($13 at the Publix near WDW!!!), etc. BTM, my younger ds is 5 and fits perfectly in the umbrella stroller.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I agree with a previous poster. Grandma and Grandpa have a cheap one that we use while at their house and our dd is 3.5, 43 lbs as well.

But remember to find one that you will be comfy pushing the whole week. We brought our large one, just for the storage and the fact that it was high and easy to push.

 

[utahkennedys]

I couldn't agree more about the Maclaren Volo - one of my BEST purchases ever! I always say if something happened to it, I will run out and buy another! I never use my very expensive Peg Perego anymore! It should hold up to a 55 lb. child. The best thing about it though is the handles are high enough to actually push (unlike the cheap umbrella strollers that break my back at 5'7" and DH at 6 feet refuses to use them!), it is ultra-light, ultra compact when folded, and maneuvers like a dream. Got in on ebay shipped for $70. DD#2 is on the way and I will buy another for her just for trips.

 

[Wendy31]

Last year, we purchased 2 Chicco Caddy Umbrella Strollers for $49.99/each from Babies-r-Us for our 5 1/2 year old DD & our 3 (almost 4) year old DS. We couldn't have been happier.

Very easy to push & fold, lightweight (11 lbs), storage basket underneath, easy for them to get in & out of, sun shade,...

I'm hoping that they both still fit in the strollers this year.

 

[poohfriend]

When he was 18 months old. BEST INVESTMENT IN A BABY PRODUCT I ever made.

I loved it at Disney. I love it at the mall. I love it walking at the park. I have adjustable handles and my 6' DH can push without back discomfort. My son is happy. The seat is comfortable. Our seat reclines. There is a basket.

STEERING IS A DREAM.

He is now over 30lbs at 2. I can't carry him. I use the stroller A LOT.

I cannot believe all the money I spent on cheap strollers (including those Graco ones that hold the car seat). The best part is that because I found last year's model on an internet site, I got it for a good price. When I sell this one in a few years I bet I get a great return on my used stroller!

I really felt like I was splurging when I bought it...now I just think I was being smart!

We still rent strollers at Disney for our older kids, but the 2 year old could take a comfy nap in our Maclaren! Only negative, no cupholder! But I have a stroller bag that I can hang on it and a beverage will fit in it.

 

[robinb]

When he was 18 months old. BEST INVESTMENT IN A BABY PRODUCT I ever made.
{snip}
I cannot believe all the money I spent on cheap strollers (including those Graco ones that hold the car seat).

I also spent a lot of other strollers that couldn't stand up to the rigors of travel. I also bought my Mac when my DD was about 14 months old and at 6 she still fits and it still steers well. I tell people looking at the expensive systems not to waste their money but to buy a Snap-N-Go and a Maclaren but they never listen to me, LOL! Then they end up pushing a Pram-zilla everywhere.

Since the OP doesn't say that she expects more kids, I still do not think a Maclaren is worth it for her. Her child is 3 1/2, not 1 1/2. His stroller riding days are pretty much over. It would be foolish, IMO, to buy a $100+ stroller for a few days at WDW and a trip or two to the zoo. Especially foolish when a $20 stroller will work perfectly well.

 

[44disney]

Buy a Graco with large wheels from a consignment store! I did this 3 years ago for my kids , and it has gone with us on several trips, most recently in Oct. My DD is now 6 and weighs 53 lbs and we had no problems pushing it (although she was not in it constantly), and even my DS8 (63 lbs) used it occassionally. It also has a very large basket which we somehow manage to fill with sweatshirts, rain gear, snacks, etc.

The best thing about it is it only cost $25!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I also spent a lot of other strollers that couldn't stand up to the rigors of travel. I also bought my Mac when my DD was about 14 months old and at 6 she still fits and it still steers well. I tell people looking at the expensive systems not to waste their money but to buy a Snap-N-Go and a Maclaren but they never listen to me, LOL! Then they end up pushing a Pram-zilla everywhere.

I've been trying for months to tell my Dniece (only 17 ) that a travel system is a waste of money. I gave her my old travel system that is in great shape because it didn't get much use but she still wants the one she registered for and got at her baby shower. She also got a Snap N Go too. I have a Maclaren single that has seen lots of use at Disney and a Peg Perego Pliko P3 that I bought for my youngest because she hated the umbrella style stroller. I love the Peg Perego-especially the running board for an older child- but don't think it is a good option for the OP. I too think the OP should go try out a few strollers with her DS and see what seems comfortable for them.

 

[kizmac]

Any of the Maclarens would be your best bet! I think for your childs age the Volo would be just fine. I use a Volo for my my older boys and it is wonderful. The height is perfect and it is a pleasure to push. If you push a Mac you will never want to push a cheap umbrella stroller again. I paid $99 at BRU but didn't regret it one bit. Before I tried them out I had thought no way would I spend that for an umbrella stroller but believe me.....it is so worth it. Especailly to use at Disney.

I also have to say I have a Peg P3 and love that too but used it for my 18 mth old. It is a wonderful stroller but much pricer than the Volo. If you do plan on having more kids though you really may want to consider the P3 too.

 

[dcgrumpy]

If you're only going to use it for this trip I wouldn't spend a lot of money

here are a few cheaper options

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3765492

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3989246

http://www.babysupermarket.com/baby/product.asp?s_id=0,&dept_id=297&pf_id=PAAAAABLEJICJABM&

On our last trip my sister bought the reclining jeep one and I have the Combi strolee, they are both fine. They push easily, fold up small are lightweight, they're good for vacations

If you will be using it after the trip or are planning on having more kids than I would invest in a better stroller

 

[WantToGoNow]

I have a Jeep jogging stroller that I bought at a going-out-of-business sale at the local Toys R Us. I paid $60 for it (floor model) and I love it. It folds up nicely and if I pop the foot rest loose it fits easily into the trunk of my Dodge Neon. My children are 4.5 and 2 – together they weigh 70 lbs. and it still pushes easily with both in (it’s not a double stroller – my dd just scoots back and her brother sits in front of her. My dd will be turning 3 while we are at WDW and I plan to take this stroller. I’m not excited about lugging it on and off the busses but it’s not that heavy and will serve our purpose well. My son will be 5 then and will not need a stroller all the time – when he is tired, he can climb on in with his sister.

 

[crazywig]

you can get an '04 Volo off ebay for $70 shipped from seller 'babysurplus' (they are a real store as well...albeebaby.com ). no hood but i don't find one necessary with my 3.5yr old.

if you plan to do disney again it's worth it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Maclaren-2004-V...ryZ66703QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Beca]

I think the Maclaren Volo's are great, but they do not suit our needs in WDW. My dd just turned 4, and she LOVES her Peg Perego Pliko P3. We looked at a lot of strollers, but she still loves being in the shade when she can (although some Volo's have hoods). She also loves the option of laying down or sitting up. This has come in really handy sometimes at WDW when she is tired, but we would rather walk around than go back to the room....she lays back, we prop the leg extenders, cover her with her hood, open the back of the hood for ventilation...and mommy and daddy get a little "quiet time" as we walk around with a sleeping child.

Now, my dd is average height for her age (about 40"), but she has a very thin build (about 33 lbs), so I don't know how well this stroller would hold up with someone who weighs 55lbs....but, I'll let you know in a couple of years!!!

Good luck on your search!!



Beca

 

[pluto10]

I have been lurking for some time now gathering wonderful tips for our Feb. trip. I need to purchase an umbrella stroller for DS (turning 4 in WDW). I really like the MAC Volo. I just have a question for those who own one. Is the mesh seating uncomfortable especially in the summer when wearing shorts? I am also considering the Triumph for just that reason. Any input is appreciated!