Stroller for a 4yo

[DRRluvsWDW]

I definitely plan to use a stroller for my 4yo this Dec. For him and our stuff. (Coats, etc.) I don't think my old dbl will be necessary, but with the cost of renting, I am thinking that buying a new jogging stroller might be a good idea. Do any of those fold up? Any suggestions?
TIA!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We have a McClaren triumph.

I bought it about 1 1/2 years ago, but plan to use it this october in WDW for my 4 yo DD.

 

[James Goddard]

I definitely plan to use a stroller for my 4yo this Dec. For him and our stuff. (Coats, etc.) I don't think my old dbl will be necessary, but with the cost of renting, I am thinking that buying a new jogging stroller might be a good idea. Do any of those fold up? Any suggestions?
TIA!

Jogging strollers have some pros and cons but I don't think I'd recommend one for the parks. The biggest advantage is that the big wheels are fantastic for rolling over just about anything but here are some of the cons:

1. They fold but they're still really big when folded.
2. On most of the good ones, the front wheel doesn't swivel. You have to push down on the back and raise the front wheel to turn them. Fine for jogging where you go strait more often than not but not so good for maneuvering crowds.
3. They tend to be cramped. I'm guessing it's a safety feature but my 3yo really has no elbow room in the jogging stroller. I don't think she'd be happy spending all day in it.
4. Most of the good ones use bicycle tires. Not a big deal if you're driving but if you're flying you'll loose some space to a pump.

We have a big convertible stroller, a jogging stroller, 3-4 cheap umbrella strollers and a higher quality umbrella. The latter is our choice for 99% of activities.

 

[DRRluvsWDW]

We have a McClaren triumph.

I bought it about 1 1/2 years ago, but plan to use it this october in WDW for my 4 yo DD.

I will look that one up, thanks!

 

[DRRluvsWDW]

Jogging strollers have some pros and cons but I don't think I'd recommend one for the parks. The biggest advantage is that the big wheels are fantastic for rolling over just about anything but here are some of the cons:

1. They fold but they're still really big when folded.
2. On most of the good ones, the front wheel doesn't swivel. You have to push down on the back and raise the front wheel to turn them. Fine for jogging where you go strait more often than not but not so good for maneuvering crowds.
3. They tend to be cramped. I'm guessing it's a safety feature but my 3yo really has no elbow room in the jogging stroller. I don't think she'd be happy spending all day in it.
4. Most of the good ones use bicycle tires. Not a big deal if you're driving but if you're flying you'll loose some space to a pump.

We have a big convertible stroller, a jogging stroller, 3-4 cheap umbrella strollers and a higher quality umbrella. The latter is our choice for 99% of activities.

What brand of umbrella stroller? What I have found are all for smaller kids, DS4 is 43 in now. Does it have storage?
Thanks!

 

[James Goddard]

What brand of umbrella stroller? What I have found are all for smaller kids, DS4 is 43 in now. Does it have storage?
Thanks!

I've got the MacLaren Volo. My daughter is on the short side so I can't guarantee it will be comfortable for your son. We went to the local baby superstore and let her sit in them. It does have a small basket under the seat.

 

[DRRluvsWDW]

Thanks for the info, I looked at the Maclarens. Not sure what to do. I definitely want a large basket underneath. (going in Dec, need layers and I don't want to be going back and forth to lockers)
I found some good web sites while looking up the Maclaren. Maybe I will go with the dbl. DD6 may need a break too.

 

[sunlover13]

Thanks for the info, I looked at the Maclarens. Not sure what to do. I definitely want a large basket underneath. (going in Dec, need layers and I don't want to be going back and forth to lockers)
I found some good web sites while looking up the Maclaren. Maybe I will go with the dbl. DD6 may need a break too.

We have a Marclaren Triumph & purchased the Universal Organizer which is 19.99 and hangs on the back. You could fit a lot of jackets in there & they have 2 cupholders. The only disadvantage is the weight will tip your stroller when your little one gets out so be prepared for that. We love the Triumph. Only used it twice for Disney and still worth the money. Check out babydealz.com. No sales tax & free shipping and you could get a deal on an older model.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We use our Maclaren Triumph for DD (who's 4). We've been using it for 2 years and love it. Only problem is that it's become a security blanket for me to have DD in there...and I think I'm making her lazy!!! But at Disney, a stroller is a must!

 

[Msslaydbug]

We have a stroller corral here at our house. I really find the Maclarens to be too tippy. When we took our Techno it drove me crazy and all I had on the back was a Skip Hop. We ended up at WalMart and bought walking weights for the front two wheels.

Now we always take our Peg Perego P3. The main reason is the huge sun shade. it does have a basket too ( but not as big or accessible as the maclarens). It is also very easy to fold.

 

[lucigo]

My big carseat stroller combo, jogging stroller and old umbrella stroller have all gone into storage. I absolutely LOVE our Britax Esprit. Its nice and big for my 4yo, has a basket and it reclines if he falls asleep or needs extra room for his toys.

http://www.netkidswear.com/jsusqdetrstb.html

 

[all4fun]

We decided to get a jogging stroller last spring for our trips to WDW because dh always kicks the back wheels on the stroller (and the one we have - a Kidco LS2000 - has TALL handles - taller than the Maclarens actually). DH kicked the back wheels so many time he broke the brakes on them. Also ds was getting too leggy for it - his feet were practically dragging the ground and when he wanted us to stop, he'd just put his feet down (little stinker, lol). Anyway, we bought a Dreamer Design Manhattan lite off of ebay for about $180, came w/a rain cover, and it has a huge canopy with panels that can be folded up to allow air flow. It's really a nice stroller. My only real complaint about it is they didn't put a locking mechanism on it so when you fold it up, it doesn't lock closed (we use a bungie cord). I read somewhere that newer models are supposed to have this though. You can see their strollers at www.dreamerdesign.net. Almost everything the pp wrote about joggers is true - they are bulky when folded, the non-swivel wheels are not as easy to maneuver (ours has a lockable swivel wheel). I don't agree that a pump takes up that much space. Ours is about the size of a folded up compact umbrella. My ds isn't cramped in his DD - it's a decent size stroller. $180 isn't cheap but we take enough trips to WDW that renting is cost prohibitive plus we like having a stroller outside the parks anyway. We usually stay at the Boardwalk Villas and walk to both Epcot and Disney Studios from there typically, rather than using transportation. I have to burn off that creme brulee some how! LOL

 

[hannah03]

We bought the Maclaren Volo last year for our DD who turned 4 during our trip. We will be using it again this year. We love it! It's lightweight and has the carry strap for convenience

 

[juliana_sd]

I took some pics of my DS in his Volo. He's about 46 inches and 52 lbs (yes, he's big for 4.5, his dad is 6'4" so that's where that came from)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/98486746@N00/2315878992/in/photostream/

 

[carrie6466]

We bought a Triumph last year for our trip for DD's bd. We will be using it again this year. She is 42 inches and 38 lbs, 4 yo. I love it and the fact that it doesn't kill my back to push it, due to taller handles.

 

[momto28weeker+1]

I just bought a Combi Urban for my ds 3yrs old. 41in and @40 lbs. I like it so far and I can't complain about the price. It goes to 55lbs.

 

[only1alexa]

I definitely plan to use a stroller for my 4yo this Dec. For him and our stuff. (Coats, etc.) I don't think my old dbl will be necessary, but with the cost of renting, I am thinking that buying a new jogging stroller might be a good idea. Do any of those fold up? Any suggestions?
TIA!

I have two Baby Jogger City Series strollers - one for each of my children. I think the Macs are incredibly small and many older kids looked like stuffed sausages in them IMO. (Flame away!) The Baby Jogger is awesome in steering, size, fold, and comfort. It has a swivel front wheel, very nice sized seat (plenty of room for my almost 4 and 5 year olds) and a one handed, extremely easy, fold. It also has a latch to keep it closed.

 

[DRRluvsWDW]

Thankyou everyone for all the advice!
The pictures and websites are SO helpful!
The right stroller is a huge deal for me, I feel more organized and the children need a break in the comfort of their "own space." Plus, as I previously mentioned, a place for jackets,etc.
I REALLY appreciate all the responses!