Stroller or Wagon or something else

[Shell4624]

I'm full of questions this morning, but what a better place to ask, then to a group of DL experts.

Situation, we are staying off-site at HoJo's will be walking back and forth to the park daily and may even take a mid day break if my little one needs it

She is 3.5 yo and walks just fine, but she may get tired and not want to walk and she is heavy! She's 39lbs. So should we get a lightweight stroller to push around a wagon?

I'll probably sell the item on ebay, donate it or give it away when we return.

 

[BrerMama]

Get an umbrella stroller. I don't think they allow wagons, it has to be something you push rather than pull.

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Definitely BRING THE STROLLER!!!

My new policy after our trip last year is: Wheeled transportation for every person under 7! Even my dh wanted to ride in the stroller on the way back from watching the fireworks and F! last year! I can't count the number of parents I saw dragging their poor tired kids back to the hotel - ones that were too big to carry were crying with sore feet, and I remember seeing one dad carring a sleeping toddler on his chest while piggy backing an older child!

If they can't be carried long distances, you will really appreciate having a stroller! Even my dh agreed (one of those "travel lite, leave everything at home, the kids will handle it or be left behind" kind of guys! )

 

[noga]

DD is 4 and we will be using a stroller. There is just way too much walking at DL and if somebody would push me in a stroller I would do it too
It is just too much to expect them to walk for so long.
Take whatever storller you already have (we are taking our jogging stroller).
If you don't have a stroller already you can rent one of the ones at DL or you can just get a umbrella stroller off craig's list or cheap one at the store.
Have fun.

 

[goofycathy]

I personally would go with an umbrella stroller, they are inexpensive and lightweight and I think would be the perfect answer....unless you are taller. I am 5'9" and everytime I try and push an umbrella stroller my back ends up hurting from kinda bending over....just my thoughts, if your not on the taller side I would def. go with that! I love the fact that they are lightweight! very easy if you need to fold it up for some reason like riding the train....

just my two cents!

 

[pixiewings71]

They don't allow wagons so you'll have to do the stroller. My girls have always walked while at DL, even when DD9 was 6 she was walking. But many kids aren't up to that level of walking so strollers are good, umbrella strollers are the best. fyi, if you have a Disney Visa you get 2 free stroller rentals per day.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I'd suggest a nicer umbrella stroller ~ some are so teeny they look like doll strollers. DD still uses a stroller when we visit DLR. I really like the Mac Volo (holds up to 55 lbs), I also have a Silver Cross Micro (40 lb weight limit) & a Baby Planet Solo (holds up to 55 lbs) ~ all are great for Disney.

 

[dmked]

We have a nicer umbrella stroller from Babies R Us that was around $20, that my 3 y/o uses (she is 35 lbs.) Or you could get a cheaper one from Walmart for about $10, I think it's worth it to spend the extra $10 and get a little bit nicer one.

 

[ORMom2Four]

I would get a stroller. Don't bring a wagon. They will turn you around at the security gate and tell you there that wagons are not allowed (saw it happen in October)

Personally, I would check Craigslist for a gently used stroller that has a basket underneath and a cup holder up top for the adults. It's SO helpful to have a place to put snacks/drinks or a change of clothes.

 

[Chickysmom]

If you have a Disney Visa you can get free stroller rentals at the parks....

 

[avalon451]

Here it is, the ultimate stroller plan!!!

First, get a Disney Visa. You don't have to use it; just get it and you get 2 free stroller rentals a day (plus a meet 'n greet with a free picture with a Disney character, but that's a different story).

Next, get a cheapie umbrella stroller. If you're flying, it works great to hang your various purses, diaper bags, carry-ons while your little one rides in style to the gate. Then you gate-check it, and it's ready to go when you get off.

Use your umbrella stroller to and from HoJo to DL. That stoplight down at Manchester looks SOOOOO far away at night! You'll be glad to have a stroller! As a PP said, if somebody would offer to push me around in a stroller, I'd take it in a second! DD was nearly 6 and she fit comfortably in the Disney rentals.

So, when you get to DL, rent your stroller. You can fold up your umbrella and leave it there at the rental place; they'll put it aside for you. The rental strollers are sturdy, comfortable joggers with canopies and storage bins; very steerable, and much better than a cheap umbrella! When you go back for your midday break (I HIGHLY recommend doing this-- again, the kids weren't the only ones who badly needed this in our family! We ALL napped!) take your nametag out of the rental and hang onto it, as well as your receipt. When you get back from your midday break, you can go to the person handing out the strollers (rather than standing in line) and show them the receipt, and get another stroller. Alternatively, you can grab an abandoned one from the raft of strollers next to the security tables on your way back in. Put your nametag in, and it's yours. Ditch your umbrella near the rental place again. Nobody's going to steal a cheapie umbrella.

Tie a bright bandana or scarf on the handle so you can recognize your stroller quickly outside a ride entrance. They can be hard to pick out, in a crowd of 50 or so! And the CMs have to move them around sometimes.

This is how we did it, and it worked great for several reasons. We didn't have to lug along our big, bulky stroller (which would have been nice to use, but a large pain to transport). We got our rentals free, but still had transportation to and from the hotel at night. I gleaned all the tips off the DISboards here, and I was very grateful for how it all worked out!

 

[ballarinamom]

This is exactly what we did. DD is 7 but VERY tall- 54 inches and 70 lbs!! We were there for 6 days and stayed at the Desert Inn. I don't care how old you are but if you do rope drop to near close very night, that's alot of walking. Our Jeep umbrella stroller was on it's last legs. We ups it to the hotel and only used it to go back and forth from the hotel. We used the larger Disney strollers (free with the Disney Visa) to get around the park. You can actually take it all the way to security. It was actually kind of funny. We would pass our stroller parked from time to time and say "HI" or "Sorry" and even took a picture of the sad lonely stroller! We left it to a family in line on our way out on our last day.

By using a stroller every one is much less stressed. You will see so many poor tired kids who are grouchy and miserable. Their parents look just as miserable!

 

[Shell4624]

Avalon, what an awesome plan! Thanks for sharing. I have a quick question. Since this thread has been started I've been eyeballing a Maclaren Volo stroller used in my city for $25.

Tell me this. Can we use the Disney rental strollers in both DL and DCA or do we have to check in a stroller and get a new one when we park hop?

Also, in we go during peak time are we at risk of not having a stroller available?

Here it is, the ultimate stroller plan!!!

First, get a Disney Visa. You don't have to use it; just get it and you get 2 free stroller rentals a day (plus a meet 'n greet with a free picture with a Disney character, but that's a different story).

Next, get a cheapie umbrella stroller. If you're flying, it works great to hang your various purses, diaper bags, carry-ons while your little one rides in style to the gate. Then you gate-check it, and it's ready to go when you get off.

Use your umbrella stroller to and from HoJo to DL. That stoplight down at Manchester looks SOOOOO far away at night! You'll be glad to have a stroller! As a PP said, if somebody would offer to push me around in a stroller, I'd take it in a second! DD was nearly 6 and she fit comfortably in the Disney rentals.

So, when you get to DL, rent your stroller. You can fold up your umbrella and leave it there at the rental place; they'll put it aside for you. The rental strollers are sturdy, comfortable joggers with canopies and storage bins; very steerable, and much better than a cheap umbrella! When you go back for your midday break (I HIGHLY recommend doing this-- again, the kids weren't the only ones who badly needed this in our family! We ALL napped!) take your nametag out of the rental and hang onto it, as well as your receipt. When you get back from your midday break, you can go to the person handing out the strollers (rather than standing in line) and show them the receipt, and get another stroller. Alternatively, you can grab an abandoned one from the raft of strollers next to the security tables on your way back in. Put your nametag in, and it's yours. Ditch your umbrella near the rental place again. Nobody's going to steal a cheapie umbrella.

Tie a bright bandana or scarf on the handle so you can recognize your stroller quickly outside a ride entrance. They can be hard to pick out, in a crowd of 50 or so! And the CMs have to move them around sometimes.

This is how we did it, and it worked great for several reasons. We didn't have to lug along our big, bulky stroller (which would have been nice to use, but a large pain to transport). We got our rentals free, but still had transportation to and from the hotel at night. I gleaned all the tips off the DISboards here, and I was very grateful for how it all worked out!

 

[LavenderPeach]

Avalon, what an awesome plan! Thanks for sharing. I have a quick question. Since this thread has been started I've been eyeballing a Maclaren Volo stroller used in my city for $25.

Tell me this. Can we use the Disney rental strollers in both DL and DCA or do we have to check in a stroller and get a new one when we park hop?

Also, in we go during peak time are we at risk of not having a stroller available?

You can park hop with the stroller but you can't take them past the security check area into DTD.

I'm not sure about availability of the rentals. We haven't had a problem so far but we haven't gone during peak time yet. I would think that if you got the stroller first thing in the morning, there wouldn't be a problem. They might run out of rentals later in the day though.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Avalon, what an awesome plan! Thanks for sharing. I have a quick question. Since this thread has been started I've been eyeballing a Maclaren Volo stroller used in my city for $25.

Tell me this. Can we use the Disney rental strollers in both DL and DCA or do we have to check in a stroller and get a new one when we park hop?

Also, in we go during peak time are we at risk of not having a stroller available?

The Volo is a great DLR stroller ~ not one I'd stow at the parks and use a DLR stroller ~ I'd just use the Volo all day. Anyways for $25 I'd pick it up ~ whether you just use it to get to and from DLR or use it the whole time.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I understand that people enjoy using strollers, but don't lose the opportunity to use your trip to encourage regular exercise. Many families go on "getting ready for Disney" walks and it is a great time to build up excitement and talk about trip planning. A child 4 or older with a reasonable level of fitness will do fine walking as long as you avoid a commando pace.
Of course if you really do only have a 1-2 day trip that demands commando, a stroller may be more necessary for the 4-5 yo set.