Stroller for older kids?

[Scarlet_M]

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping for some opinions from those of you who travel with more than one child.

What do you all do when you have a younger child who must have a stroller and an older child who still likes to ride but isn't exactly doing time in the stroller?

We're headed for DW in October. Our youngest will be 2 so the stroller is a must for him. If I bring the single, it's a Peg Pilko P3 that has a small standing board on the back for the older one (5 y/o) so he can always hitch a ride when he gets tired of walking. But he'll have no where to sit. I can't do a sit n stand stroller because the front seat doesn't recline all the way and the baby will need to nap laying down. We brought the double last year (Baby Planet Unity Sport). He definitely got tired here and there and chose to ride with this brother. So I'm not sure if I should bring the double again or if he'll be fine standing on the back of the Pilko.

The reason I'm asking is that the double we have is a bit bulky for the trams so it would be nice to not travel with it this year. I've tried the lighter more compact doubles (Aria, Mac, etc) but they don't fit my older guy's height (his head hangs off the back). So I'm left with these choices. 1) Picking up a lighter stroller that he won't be able to recline in because of the seat back height issue. 2) Bringing the BP double stroller and just dealing with it. 3) Bringing the Pilko and he just won't get to sit at all. I don't want to rent because again, I need a full recline for the little guy...

So what do you all do?

TIA for your thoughts...

 

[perkinsrose]

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping for some opinions from those of you who travel with more than one child.

What do you all do when you have a younger child who must have a stroller and an older child who still likes to ride but isn't exactly doing time in the stroller?

We're headed for DW in October. Our youngest will be 2 so the stroller is a must for him. If I bring the single, it's a Peg Pilko P3 that has a small standing board on the back for the older one (5 y/o) so he can always hitch a ride when he gets tired of walking. But he'll have no where to sit. I can't do a sit n stand stroller because the front seat doesn't recline all the way and the baby will need to nap laying down. We brought the double last year (Baby Planet Unity Sport). He definitely got tired here and there and chose to ride with this brother. So I'm not sure if I should bring the double again or if he'll be fine standing on the back of the Pilko.

The reason I'm asking is that the double we have is a bit bulky for the trams so it would be nice to not travel with it this year. I've tried the lighter more compact doubles (Aria, Mac, etc) but they don't fit my older guy's height (his head hangs off the back). So I'm left with these choices. 1) Picking up a lighter stroller that he won't be able to recline in because of the seat back height issue. 2) Bringing the BP double stroller and just dealing with it. 3) Bringing the Pilko and he just won't get to sit at all. I don't want to rent because again, I need a full recline for the little guy...

So what do you all do?

TIA for your thoughts...

No answer specific to your question.

So your two year old is the "baby" that needs to recline? Only thought on that is --I've used an airline/travel "c-shaped" pillow (the kind that goes around neck) and a towel or small blanket rolled up to let kids sleep sitting up & somewhat comfortable. We did this in an upright stroller as well as A Disney stroller--where at least their legs are fully stretched out.

With 3 yrs and up, we've done okay with an upright and kids taking turns walking/riding. Not sure how much a 2 yr old will walk??

Rented stroller price increase this year --I think $15 for single & $31 for double.

Also, watch for obviously abandoned strollers. One night in Epcot, i was able to use one in world showcase a family was done with. Many would rather dump the rented stroller than walk it back to get your $2 or $3 deposit.

Decisions, decisions... traveling with kids. Not sure if this helps at all...

 

[carj]

No answer specific to your question.

So your two year old is the "baby" that needs to recline? Only thought on that is --I've used an airline/travel "c-shaped" pillow (the kind that goes around neck) and a towel or small blanket rolled up to let kids sleep sitting up & somewhat comfortable. We did this in an upright stroller as well as A Disney stroller--where at least their legs are fully stretched out.

With 3 yrs and up, we've done okay with an upright and kids taking turns walking/riding. Not sure how much a 2 yr old will walk??

Rented stroller price increase this year --I think $15 for single & $31 for double.

Also, watch for obviously abandoned strollers. One night in Epcot, i was able to use one in world showcase a family was done with. Many would rather dump the rented stroller than walk it back to get your $2 or $3 deposit.

Decisions, decisions... traveling with kids. Not sure if this helps at all...

Hey, I was just wondering how you know that a stroller is abandoned and not parked for a family that just hasn't made it back yet?

Is there something that I need to do to my stroller to make sure that it doesn't look abandoned? I would hate to come out of an attraction and find my stroller missing!

 

[perkinsrose]

I would never just take a stroller that was just parked! I bring my own unbrella one but that day-i used the extra for my then 6 yr old to sit in during illuminations.

The "abandoned stroller"had belonged to a family's toddler was having a meltdown at dinnertime, they were done with it & took their nametag off and carried him out of park. Castmember nearby said it was my lucky day. That toddler did NOT want to sit down in stroller. I guess i've been lucky that mine didn't mind it as toddlers.

As for marking your stroller--I think rented ones come with a big name tag to write your last name. I've also tied to bandana to mine to make it easy to find.

 

[laughinplace199]

Could you bring a cheap umbrella stroller for your older one and the Pliko3 for the baby?

 

[my2princessgirls]

Will the youngest be barely 2, or maybe closer to 2.5 or 3?

We have the Pliko, and have taken it on 3 trips. The first was when my youngest was 2 years and 4 months. She and her sister (barely 4 that first trip with the Pliko) take turns riding "up front" and standing on the back. They both like to ride sitting, and they both like to be the one standing, so it works for us to let them take turns. This way, they both get a break.

 

[Scarlet_M]

Could you bring a cheap umbrella stroller for your older one and the Pliko3 for the baby?

This is a good idea. The single Mac Triumph was an ideal fit for him (not that it's cheap but I've seen them second hand for a nice price). I don't know why the twin version is so much shorter... Anyway, I digress, I think I'll pay a visit to BRU again and see what it would be like to carry an extra on the Pilko.

Thanks

Will the youngest be barely 2, or maybe closer to 2.5 or 3?

We have the Pliko, and have taken it on 3 trips. The first was when my youngest was 2 years and 4 months. She and her sister (barely 4 that first trip with the Pliko) take turns riding "up front" and standing on the back. They both like to ride sitting, and they both like to be the one standing, so it works for us to let them take turns. This way, they both get a break.

He'll just be turning 2 that month so I don't think he'd be ready to ride on the back . But I do bring my sling (I can still hip carry him with it) and that will free up the single for the older one at times. I'm just not sure if I'll be shooting myself in the foot by not having a place for him to sit when/if he needs to... So that's why I'm agonizing over bringing the double.

I've even been thinking about just getting a new twin stroller regardless of whether or not he can recline all the way in it. He really only needs a place to sit. I doubt he'll nap. He didn't nap a lick the last time we went. See, now I'm talking to myself. Stroller business makes me nutty.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

My DS will be 7 and DD will be 3 1/2 when we go in November. I'll be bringing my Maclaren Double. Holds up to 55 pounds per seat (even more, I heard!). DS is only 48 pounds right now, at 48 inches. He fits JUST fine.

 

[racheyk]

We were last in WDW in January with my 3 and 5-year-old children. My 5 year old needed the stroller, even though she has not ridden in a stroller in over a year. She just got tired and having the double stroller was great because there was space for her to sit down too! I really would recommend the double stroller- just incase. We rented- but next year we might bring our double considering the increases.

 

[all4fun]

Nobody's mentioned it yet but www.abbf.com has rental strollers too. Maybe one of their side by side double joggers would work for your situation? Just a thought.

hth

 

[Scarlet_M]

OK. Thanks Everyone. I am definitely going to bring a double. Now, what double to bring...

My DS will be 7 and DD will be 3 1/2 when we go in November. I'll be bringing my Maclaren Double. Holds up to 55 pounds per seat (even more, I heard!). DS is only 48 pounds right now, at 48 inches. He fits JUST fine.

Which Mac do you have?
I tried the Mac Techno Twin and the Triumph Twin at a store a few days ago. DS' head was above the seat backs on both. The Triumph had a shorter seat back than the Techno. But the even in the Techno he complained because he felt more squished. At this point, I think he's just going to have to be thankful for a place to sit.

I also tried the Aria Twin. Same seat back issues as the Mac. But the basket space is much larger than the Mac's and had the added benefit of snack tray which is great for my little guy. But the seat limits are less than the Mac's.

Question for All
I can pick up a 2007 Aria Twin for $160 second hand. I've also seen a second hand 2007 Mac Twin Triumph for $170. Which do you all think is a better Dis stroller? I'll have a couple of med sized back packs to stuff into the baskets (changes of clothes, extra diapers, water, snacks...)

 

[mea1179]

OK. Thanks Everyone. I am definitely going to bring a double. Now, what double to bring...



Which Mac do you have?
I tried the Mac Techno Twin and the Triumph Twin at a store a few days ago. DS' head was above the seat backs on both. The Triumph had a shorter seat back than the Techno. But the even in the Techno he complained because he felt more squished. At this point, I think he's just going to have to be thankful for a place to sit.

I also tried the Aria Twin. Same seat back issues as the Mac. But the basket space is much larger than the Mac's and had the added benefit of snack tray which is great for my little guy. But the seat limits are less than the Mac's.

Question for All
I can pick up a 2007 Aria Twin for $160 second hand. I've also seen a second hand 2007 Mac Twin Triumph for $170. Which do you all think is a better Dis stroller? I'll have a couple of med sized back packs to stuff into the baskets (changes of clothes, extra diapers, water, snacks...)

Gosh no, not the Aria Twin...we had it back in 2005 when we went and our boys were 7mo and 2. They weighed about 23lbs and 35lbs, and it was starting to get hard to push around. It felt like their weight might brake it...clearly it didnt. We loved it for them at that age, but have recently purchased a used Mac Traveler for our 3, now 4 and 45lbs, 3 and 36lbs, and 18mo and 28lbs.
Here is them in the Aria Ahh memories

 

[abouley]

I have heard bad things about the Aria as well. Have you looked at the Inglesina twin? It's very similar to the Maclaren. My friend took her sun shade off to better accomodate her older son (separate so you can leave the 2 yr old's on).

We are going in Dec with my son who will be just shy of 5 and our DD barely 2. We are most likely going to take our p3 and our maclaren. We are thinking that in the am we may just take the p3 into the park and the older child can walk or ride on the back. In the evening, we'll take both strollers in. If the older one is walking, we can always just carry the mac on the p3. We usually take our double jogger to DL (we live in CA so we drive and stay within walking distance so no busses/shuttles). I love having the jogger but I can't see dealing with it on the buses. 5 seems to be a hard age with the stroller/no stroller debate. I just can't see not having a stroller with an actual seat (not a sit-n-stand) that he can rest in.

Alison

 

[crazywig]

Our last trip my kids were 5.5 and 3. I took an Inglesina Swift for my 5.5yr old (about 50lbs at the time) 'just in case' and I had a Pliko lite for dd3. We did not take the Swift for ds into the parks for the first two days and that was a mistake. He was cranky, it was hot (first week of October). Glad I brought it with us, after we started bringing it he was much happier.

He's 6 now and our next trip is in December and we are not bringing one for him this time. With his age and the cooler weather, he won't need it.

 

[tiggger1]

OP I am in the same boat as you. My son will be 21 month ( he had a gross motor delay and cant walk for long period dues.) My daughter is 5 but loves to ride in the stroller. I am having a hard time finding a stroller that works...My sister has a twin combi sport but my dd is too big for it. I want to get a double jogger but they are huge and I cant hold 2 kids while Hubby carries the stroller

 

[Scarlet_M]

I went back out the stores last night trying strollers. The seat backs on the Macs are just not tall enough. DS kept complaining that the black support at the top in the back was hurting his head... If I could rationalize the price, I would have grabbed the new City Jogger Mini in a heartbeat. Light as a feather and so incredibly easy and compact on the fold.... But alas, I am not made out of money. Sooo after I drooled and cried a bit, I decided to give the Combi Twin Savvy a try. I'm not a fan of Combi and DS' knees are too high for the tray. But he doesn't use one anyway. Wouldn't you know, a perfect fit. He's narrow, so the seat widths are fine for him. And the seat heights are tall enough that they come to above midline with his noggin. I ordered one in black from Stroller Depot last night. I only paid $209.

I'm really happy with this stroller. It folds up super thin and then folds over on itself to look more like a single and has a carry strap. It also has cup holders that I can use for snacks and a cup. The baskets are sizable enough to carry my backpacks. And the canopies are huge. I sure hope it pushes nice. The proof will be in the pudding in October. But I'll give a trial run in the neighborhood here once it arrives. I should have it by next week.

everyone for all of your replies.