Stroller on bus

[ErinInCT]

I was planning to take my sit-n-stand stroller which is pretty big & bulky. I read another thread where someone mentioned dh having to carry the stroller over his head & hold it on the bus. I guess I assumed that there was a luggage type compartment on the bus where you could leave the stroller. How does this work? Where does the stroller go? Do you have to hold it the whole ride? I may be re-thinking the sit-n-stand & making dd4 walk & take the umbrella for dd11 mo!
Thanks for the advice!
Erin

 

[B'rer Karen]

There is not a luggage rack. And you are asked to fold your stroller up before bringing it on the bus. I see a lot of people who try and get the seats that face towards the middle of the bus as it is easier to hold the folded up stroller right in front of them that way. Or they stand and hold it against them. The guy who held it up over his head must been on a packed bus.

 

[kparc]

You hold it the whole ride. And if the bus is crowded, it can be a pain to get on and off. I'd just rent a stroller at the park. It may cost a little more and take a little more time to pick up and return, but I think it's worth it. That's just my opinion and observation.

 

[kimwim8]

are you asking about the WDW buses? Or like a Mears transportation bus?

With the WDW buses, there is no compartment that I know of. Everyone holds on to their belongings (including strollers). I would recommend not bringing a bulky stroller, if you have another option available. I've never seen anyone hold thier stroller above their head during the bus ride. Worst case scenario is: if you can't fit yourselves & your stroller on the bus, wait for the next one!

 

[Pink Flamingo]

I would recommend taking 2 small unbrella type strollers if you have someone to push each one. I did this when my DS's were your childrens ages & it worked out fine. I had a sit & stand, but chose not to bring it & was glad I didn't. I think it would have been very difficult to get on/off the bus because of it's size. I think it might also have been more difficult to maneuver around in the crowds in the parks. Happy planning!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Well I wouldn't want to carry the Sit-n-stand on a bus along with anything that you might have in the basket-since you have to fold it up and still deal with a baby and toddler....

I just bought a Peg Perego Pliko P3 for our trip in October. My DD (18 months) hates my Maclaren umbrella stroller. I think she doesn't like sitting in that reclined position while her older siblings are running around but she can't keep up with them...So the Pliko has a huge canopy, a snack track, stands when folded, comfy seat and it has a running board on the back for an older child. It also folds like an umbrella, has a carry handle and weighs only 12 pounds. They are expensive ($269 new) but there is a thread on the Family board that points to a dealer on Ebay who sells a new but older 2002 model for around $100. I would think you'd get lots of use out of this stroller since your baby is only 11 months old. I figured between airfare, park tickets, resort costs, food...I've got $1,000's invested in this trip and it was worth the money on the new stroller to keep baby happy. BTW she LOVES the Pliko.

In addition to the baby I've got a DD(5 1/2) and DS(3 3/4). I plan an renting in the parks when needed for them. If they are all tired going back to the resort we can carry the baby and put older 2 in/on the Pliko.

Here's a link to that other thread:Stroller thread

 

[ErinInCT]

BOY AM I GLAD I POSTED!! I had NO IDEA there was no place to store the stroller on the WDW busses! Yikes! Ok, now I am thinking of maybe renting a car. We'll be at VWL so we can take the boat (where you can roll the stroller right on the boat) to MK & maybe we'll use the car for the other parks (planning EPCOT & MGM only & I think they have decent parking). After all is said & done with either buying a new stroller/renting a stroller/paying the town car to get to & from MCO, etc seems like a car may be the way to go. I am going in Sept which I am sure is not as busy but the thought of standing for a bus ride (some books say to allow 45 min on the bus!!!) holding 2 kids, contents of stroller & stroller itself is enough to put me over the edge!!
Whew, thanks for the info!!!

 

[Jen D]

I am going in Sept which I am sure is not as busy but the thought of standing for a bus ride (some books say to allow 45 min on the bus!!!) holding 2 kids, contents of stroller & stroller itself is enough to put me over the edge!!

September is not busy but you never know when you're going to meet a SRO bus, especially if you leave at park closing. Often people loaded down with kids and strollers are offered seats but you certainly can't depend on that.

The books might say to allow 45 minutes, but usually you won't actually be ON the bus that lond-- that includes time waiting for the bus. Maybe I've got pixie dust in my memory but I can't remember any trip taking longer than 20 minutes, and usually they were much less. But... I never really timed them.

It sounds like a car might be better for your peace of mind. But keep in mind, you can get cheapo umbrella strollers for very, very cheap- not a great option for infants who need to recline and nap but might be good for toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Good luck!

 

[NotUrsula]

The boats are WL are small launches, NOT the size of the Friendship boats you get from Epcot. The normal procedure at WL when I've been there is that while wheelchairs can roll on using a special ramp, strollers have to be folded and carried aboard. (Wheelchairs can be denied access to the boats if the water level in the lake is too low to allow the rolling transfer.)

I've seen people take sit n' stands on the busses all the time; the normal way that they handle it is to have one parent take the children, and the other handle the stroller. You keep it folded and stand it on end right in front of your feet. The most important thing is NOT to load up the basket; keep your stuff to the amount that will fit in a backpack, and the person who takes the kids takes that, too. Essentially, if the bus is very crowded, your family doesn't get on; you wait for the next bus so that you will have more room.