Stroller for Big Kids

[NikiM20]

DD is 4 and big for her age, she is 42 inches tall and weighs almost 52 lbs, however most strollers only go up to 40 lbs. We are on a budget and dont want to spend more than $60.We also dont want to rent. Any ideas? TIA

 

[jacksonsmom]

We are in the same boat. My son, who is also 4, is big for his age also (45 inches & 44 pounds) We do have a sroller that goes up to 45 pounds but because of his height, he isn't too comfortable in there.

After thinking long & hard, we decided NOT to bring the stroller this time around. We think the only time he will need the stroller would be in Epcot & Animal Kingdom. I believe he can do MGM & Magic Kingdom stroller-free. We were there in December & the only time he wanted a stroller was in Epcot & I think that was because the night before we were at MVMCP & it was a late night, he was tired.
Now, of course, it will be much warmer in June, so he might need a stroller everyday!

So instead of bringing our stroller, we decided we will rent one as needed. I think he will be more comfortable in one of WDW's strollers then squished in his....which is just collecting dust because he NEVER uses it anymore!

Good Luck for your search! It is hard finding a stroller for bigger kids.

 

[CEDmom]

I hate to say this but I think you're going to have real trouble finding anything for under $60 that will accomodate your DD. We just bought a new umbrella stroller for our DD because our Combi had taken 1 too many beatings. DD is 4 as well but on the small side (37"/29lb) and we had trouble finding one with a canopy that she'd fit into. Even with her small stature she was just too tall for most.

I'd focus on planning your schedule to allow for breaks to rest tired little legs and to accomodate a $60 stroller rental budget. Good luck.

 

[ThwTwinsMom]

I would highly recommend taking umbrella strollers. My best friend suggested it to me. My boys were 4.5 yo and hadn't been in strollers for a long time. I still had the umbrella strollers and they were wonderful. We were able to move at our pace (adult). They never got tired. I didn't have one whine the whole week. We folded them up quickly and easily for the bus rides. It was so very worth it! As inexpensive as they are, we didn't have to worry about anyone walking off with them.

Hope this helps!

 

[DVC-LEROY]

Our DS is 5 and we still need a stroller and ours has held up pretty well for only costing $12 (on sale) and has lasted 6 trips and then some. He barely fits in it - probably at the weight limit too - we removed the sun shade portion because he's too tall for it - but there are times when he's dragging and needs a rest. I'll keep it until it falls apart. Money well spent.

 

[jsjohnso]

Hi! We're in the same boat. DS will be 4 when we go to WDW in May, but he is already over the 35 lb limit for our umbrella stroller, and I didn't want to spend the money for a stroller which has a weight limit of 40 lbs., knowing he can reach that weight by summer time. The problem is he doesn't want a new stroller, so when we went to BabysRUS and saw a stroller that has the 45 lb. limit, he didn't want to get in it for us to see if it would work. That stroller was about $50, not a name brand, so I forgot the name already. It had the word Euro in the name. I think BabysRUS is having a $10 off sale on strollers through this weekend (2/29) too (though I'm not sure if it's only for the more expensive strollers or not.)
Also, I did a web search and found this website:

http://store.yahoo.com/albee-baby/cotrsa21umst.html

I don't know if they still have this stroller in stock, or if there's anything wrong with it. It's the 2002 version of a Combi Saavy and is $50 (although with shipping, etc...it might go over $60). People on this board had said good things about the Combi, soo... this is just FYI, I guess. I'm a little wary of buying over the internet when I'm no 100% sure that I want the item; 'cause returns may be a pain. I hope you find something!

(I guess the other option of getting DH to go through weight training so he can carry the boy when necessary is out.. )
P.S. Our umbrella stroller seems to still hold, but I wanted one of those baskets on the bottom of the stroller...

 

[NotUrsula]

I'd be really careful with a Combi for a large child; Combis ride rather low to the ground, and if a child is tall his knees are going to be right under his chin; also the hood may not go over his head.

Do you have any Once Upon A Child stores in your area? You might be able to get a used jogger for a decent price there. Failing that, I'd go with eBay.

 

[Kermit]

I'd also search eBay and consignment shops. Around here, all of the clubs and organizations have big consignment sales in the spring and fall, and they've just started now. I'd go to those if you have them.

Your other option might be to start taking daily walks so that he can walk for longer periods of time. Then you can rent one on the days that you need it and skip it the other days.

 

[Macnjac87]

Last year when youngest DS was 6 (probably weighed about 48 lbs, about average height) we brought the umbrella stroller from home, (it did not have a sun canopy) for use around the Beach Club/Boardwalk area (we stayed at BCV) we rented the park strollers while in the park. I knew there was no way he was walking a whole day in any of the theme parks. Some kids may be able to do it but to be honest with you, I'm beat by about 1 pm!! The umbrella stroller was cheap, only $15 at Walmart and the stroller rental was around $8 per day I think. Well worth it!

 

[2002Disneybride]

I have the same problem my DS is 39.5" tall and 38 lbs. but he is 2! So, trying to find a stroller to accommodate both him and his brother who is only 6 weeks old is a challenge.

 

[Liltx]

Don't buy a Combi. I got ours yesterday in the mail and we will only be able to use it this time to WDW for our not quite 2 year old. It is very small. Good thing I only paid $21 for it. We are also going to have another baby so I don't feel too bad about the purchase.

I would just rent when you need to. I can't imagine puching a child that big in an umbrella stroller. It's hard enough with a 30 pound kid.

Monica

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Maclaren strollers have a 55 lbs weight limit (a new model goes up to 65).

We have a Maclaren Quest for our dd and it pushes like a dream.

Stay away from Combi strollers, they are impossible to push with a heavier child in them. We bought ours when dd was 2 and it was so bad, that we left it at home when we took her to WDW for her 3 birthday and rented from abbf.com

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Check Craigslist in your area. A used Peg Perego pliko or p3 would work. My older DD fits in our P3, she's 50 pounds and 49 inches tall.

These are the ones with the step on the back, they're designed to hold up to 100 pounds. Our P3 had our 30 pound two year old and DD on the back step and it still pushed like a dream!

 

[Schmeck]

You'd think that with the child obesity problem in this country, stroller manufacturers would make strollers to hold a heavier child. Hmm, maybe I'll go into the XL stroller business!

You could try a medical supply company - they have strollers for larger children, and they may have a clearance section. Or you could check out some disability forums and see if anyone is selling an old medical stroller?

 

[twinspluscade]

OP--I'd probably just rent a single stroller while you're there. They are quite roomy (could easily--and often do--fit kids up to age 8 or so), and I think the length of stay rental is only $8 or $10/day.

I personally wouldn't buy one, especially if this is the only time you'll ever use it.