Stroller question.......need advice from experienced moms.

[jultomzach]

Take two strollers. When my son was 5 he needed it sometimes! Make sure you "mark" it so it is easy to identify in a crowd. I bought a cheaper stroller when he was that age (not so cheap it could not handle his larger size) and left it in a stroller area, only to return when we needed it. I didn't fret about it getting stolen as I had not paid much for it. Another place I found strollers priceless was in the airport. The kids did not get out of the strollers as we checked luggage, etc. The airports are crowded and the kids were excited. I was nervous about commotion, etc. Yes, they need to come out of them to go through security but simply gate check them at the plane.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Can anyone recommend a good cheap stroller for a 6 y.o.??? My ds will actually turn 7 while we're at WDW but he is not big on walking. I'll have to buy one for 3 1/2 y.o. dd too as the only strollers I have are the sit-n-stand and a larger graco one.

 

[Pocahontas1]

I had the same dilemma when I went in December, except I'm a single parent so two stroller wasn't an option for me. DS was 5 and DD was 18 months. I decided to take the big double stroller (that is a pain on buses and doesn't fit on trams) and also an umbrella stroller. When we were at places like DTD, I used the umbrella stroller since there would be shorter trips and I though DS would be better able to handle the distance.

Well, on our first day in the parks, my tires were low, so I asked the nice guy at the stroller rental place to fill my tires. He kindly did and maybe filled them a little too much. One of the rear tires blew out on the way to the car (scared the doodoo out of me - thought I had been shot). So, the double stroller spent the rest of the week in the minivan and we just used the umbrella. I was worried that DS would have trouble keeping up, but he didn't have any problems, whine, complain. I was sort of surprised.

Headed back in June and I'll definitely bring both again. We're going with a friend that has kids my son's age, so I don't see him riding in a stroller if they don't ride in one, but its nice to have in case I need it. It has a lot more storage than the umbrella stroller.

On a side note, if DD had her way, I wouldn't bring one at all. She'd walk all day if I let her!

 

[Kadillac]

I go to the parks about 4-6 times a month.I have a 8 and 6 year old boys.I bought a cheap stroller with a large area underneath for cooler,clothes.We usually arrive at MK right as the 3pm parade ends and you will be surprised at how many people desert the stroller they are returning.So,we just kinda snag one.Strollers are a pain but,nothing is worse than a tired cranky child who is too tired to continue, but the parents keep going to get the most(so they think)out of there vacation.If we are in Tommorrow land we park the stroller directly across from Buzz and walk to everything around that area.Kids hope in stroller and we park near Dumbo.Everyone out.Next stop Splash and BTM.When we finish,up onto the train and to the station at the front of the park.So,I guess I'm in favor of strollers.Just my 2 cents.Even the 8 year old gets tired sometimes we go.(especially when it is hot out)Epcot-ton of walking-MGM not that big-AK I'd stroller it.(I don't do the buses so I guess that is a pain)

 

[MinnieGi]

I had this dilemma too and our children are 5yo and 17 months. We borrowed a friends double stroller with storage basket. We made two trips with it. The one in October was mostly just me and the kids going to the parks as DH was at a conference during the day. Our family trip was second week in Jan. I liked the double so that one parent could push and the other was free and we could take turns. Honestly though our 5yo DD mostly walked the entire time!! She was a trooper. However the double was convenient for the airport so we could move fast and both kids were in one spot. Also at the end of a park day DD would climb in as we exited the park and this made leaving lots easier.

The double does take up more room and can be a pain on Disney transport, but it does fit! Even when I was by myself at the parks some nice gentleman always helped me load the double onto the tram. When DH was there he held the stroller and I held DS and diaper bag and DD could handle herself for the tram or bus. Most boat transport and the monorail do not require fold up of the stroller.

It is definetly a personal preference. Have a fun trip!

 

[Petmd]

We've been to Disney 5 years in a row now, last year my DS was 5 and it was the first time we didn't get him a stroller. This year we are taking our own for our 9month old.

I hate the double strollers at the park- esp. for your 1 1/2 year old- they are bulking and hard to move around- esp. w/ kids in them. They can also get hot in the sun- they are plastic with not too much shade. I think your smaller child would do better in a stroller that would recline. Your DS should be fine walking the whole time.


Definately take the umbrella for the airport though.

have fun

 

[ReneeA]

We took 2 umbrella strollers for our 3 1/2 and 2 y.o. It was great since DS3 was tall enough to ride all of the "big" rides and loved the thrill rides but DD2 was not. DH went one way, I went another and then we met up in the middle when we were done. It worked out great, and nobody was stuck waiting around a long time. We did almost everything together, and allowed the kids to walk when they wanted to...however, we went in Aug. and it was HOT. They both wanted to sit in the strollers and turn the misting fans on themselves most of the time.

 

[TikiGoddess]

Personally, I'd rent the double stroller and pay for all the days at once. We did this and it was great. Our oldest was going on five and he needed to ride a lot. I felt sorry for the people lugging the big strollers on and off the bus only to have to balance them and a kid while standing. That's just me. For me the convenience of renting was worth the cost and I think your five year old may use it more than you think...I was surprised with ours. Have fun whatever you do!

 

[LIZZIEANDTOMMYSMOM]

We have also done all these things. This year we have 3 kids. DD5, DS3, and DD6mo. Our plan is to take the single Graco and rent a double probably for the week. We are staying at the Poly so I think we will be all right with the single at the resort.

Can't wait! 6 more days!

 

[southjerseymom]

What ever you decide get some sort of "ride" for your 5 yo. Even is he is a good walker - Disney gets really crowded and sometimes it is hard to keep your eye on the little guys. I like knowing my guys are where I can see them. This will be or 3rd trip with DD 3 and DS 5. We gate check an umbrella for DD to use in the airport and the resort. We do the multiple day double stoller rental at the parks. We hate hauling the stroller on to the busses, and we find the doubles at the parks are easy to manuever and they hold our stuff. Does Disney take you to the cleaners with the price of the rental....yes....is it worth it?.....to us yes. Have fun.

 

[Twinprincesses]

I have twins and we took the double stroller. The double stroller and trying to juggle our kids on the bus was so hard. That on top of all the suveniors we had to lug around. THis year we are only taking umbrella strollers.