Stroller question - what to do

[tomkatgirl]

Hey everyone - I am leaving in 2 weeks and will have a 3 1/2 yo and an 18 mo old. I've heard that the strollers at WDW are not comfortable enough to sleep in. I am sure both of mine will want stroller time - Do you suggest I find a double stroller to bring? Or maybe just bring a little umbrella stroller along with my single stroller?

Help!

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

If you think the kids will take a nap in the stroller definitely bring two. If they won't and you will be going back to the hotel renting may be an option, but they are not very nap friendly. I'm going with a 3 1/2yo and a 11 month and will definitely be taking two. I like to use them in other places besides the parks, like downtown disney, boardwalk and for just walking around the huge disney resorts. My 3yo says he wants to walk but I know better, as soon as he sees his brother riding he will want to ride also.

 

[Schmeck]

If you use a double stroller you won't be able to split up when the littlest one is napping, but the older one is raring to go.

 

[2dogmom]

If you have 2 umbrella strollers, you can purchases stroller connectors to use when you want to push 2 and separate when you want to split up. That worked very well for us on our last trip, and we plan on doing it again on the next one. I would definitely bring my own if I were going through an airport, using WDW transportation, or going to DTD.

 

[3lilprincesses]

another vote for 2 umbrella strollers. they are lightweight, easy to get on monorail with, easy to carry on bus, you can split up when necessary, you'll have it at resorts, airport, downtown disney, and NO WAITING IN LINE TO RENT!!

have a great trip!!

 

[tomkatgirl]

Thanks for the advice - my concern with 2 separate strollers was that my DH and DS 13 will probably go off and ride the big rides at some point, leaving me with the little ones - so I need to have control of them. That's why I was thinking of a double stroller. I was concerned that umbrella strollers wouldn't be comfy either - oh what to do?

 

[tomkatgirl]

OK - so what type of umbrella strollers are we talking about? Ones that recline with baskets - what do you guys recommend? Thanks!

 

[Disneyrsh]

THe only problem with the umbrella strollers is that there's no place to stash your stuff, and if you hang bags off the handles the strollers always tip over. And there's no relief from the sun, a big negative for me!

We have a battleworn graco doublewide stroller (that's narrow enough to fit through all doorways) that we always bring with us. It carries now 50 and 35 lb kids, tons of water, hats, and sunscreen in the basket underneath, and when we are on the monorail or busses we just hop the kids off the stroller, collapse it and trap the stuff inside, and we're off.

We rented a double stroller just once and didn't like the wait to rent, the wait to return, and it wasn't as comfortable as ours. Plus, you can't personalize it like you can your own and you spend ten minutes reading every name on the back of every identical rental stroller trying to find your own.

 

[lab_girl]

If you have 2 umbrella strollers, you can purchases stroller connectors...

Not to get off topic but....
Where did you buy the 'connector'?

 

[crisi]

We found the Disney strollers to be just as "nappable" as an umbrella stroller. At 3 1/2 my kids didn't fit comfortably in their umbrella strollers and were much happier in the larger Disney strollers. The traditional "big" strollers also aren't very nappable - sure they recline, but what does junior do with his legs?

 

[happynewyorker]

We are going to Florida in June 2005, and I've read all over the place to take your stroller. If you can some people have placed color tags or used locks on their strollers. I plan on bring our stroller since my daughter is 18 months. Have a great time.

 

[Momma2Britt]

We have a 13 month old and a 3 1/2 year old and we were in the same position. We decided to take our Graco lightweight single stroller (for napping) and a lightweight umbrella stroller w/a canopy for riding. Our kids refuse to nap at the same time (the 3 1/2 dd does not nap regularly anymore but I know she will get tired at the park). The umbrella stroller will fit in the basket underneath the single stroller (although I wish it were a little smaller) so that we can carry it that way when not in use. Since the umbrella doesn't recline, we were going to put which ever kid was awake in that one and the sleeping one in the other one. We have a tall 3 1/2 yo (42") and she fits good in the umbrella stroller (it is a Kolcraft from Toys-R-Us, which seems to be taller and better made than the other ones - and more expensive, of course). We have the Graco Douglider double stroller but that is like trying to drive a tank - it is heavy and hard to turn. Since I am normally the stroller pusher, I refuse to take that to Disney. Good luck on whatever you decide....we only have 10 more days to go!!!!!

 

[pooh4evr]

We rented a side by side double from a baby's best friend and it was great! DD are 1 and 4, both side recline seprately, had a canopy and plenty of storage. Both napped on it fine and it fit through all doors and stores. It was also noce because they could sit side by side during the parade,instead of one being in back of the other like with most doubles. I think it was $75 to rent for 7 days- you pay i think 15 a day in the parks for a double.

 

[2dogmom]

Here is what the connectors look like. This is the company that makes them. http://www.princelionheart.com/site/t_str_6550.html I just searched online for the best price. I heard Babies R Us carries them but mine didn't have them. PM or email me if you have questions about them.

 

[tomkatgirl]

thanks everybody - i'm researching strollers now -

Pooh4evr what brand was the double stroller you rented? Just curious.

Thanks!

 

[DW2006]

and it by no means is exaustive I think a stroller rental at the parks could accomadate your 3.5 yr old and you could bring a umbrella stroller for you little one. The thing with the double stroller is that it will be bulky. Depending on where you are staying and if you are using onsite transportation etc. From what I've gathered you have to fold up stroller on the buses (that could be a hassle with a bulky double stroller) At the time of our trip we will have a 7, 5 and 3 yr old and also a 6 month old. Our plan is to take a sturdy umbrella stroller (currently researching and probably going with the Maclauren Triumph) and also a baby bjorn. So that the baby will be in the bjorn or stroller...and so that if the 3 yr old gets tired then we have the option of him riding. We plan to do family walks starting in November but I fairly certain our older two will be fine with the walking as they are accustomed to walking up to 3 miles at our local park.

 

[LisaGoeke]

You can also find the stroller connectors at Baby Depot.

I have a double "umbrella type" stroller that has the separate seats that recline and separate sun shades and bottom baskets. I love it! Check it out here. If you have any questions about it I'd be happy to answer them.

Schwinn SC700

 

[DisneyPhD]

I am one for taking your own stroller to WDW, there are times besides in the park that you will want them.

I am also one for having a comfortalbe ride for the kiddies (and easy to push for you.)

We got a peg pergo aira twin side by side and saw tons of them also on this last trip. It wasn't cheap, but considering that 15 a day for rental's add up it is almost paid for, and we get to use it at other places too. (with our AP so far we have been at WDW 14 days so far this year!)

Graco has a good side by side for around 1/2 the price of the peg pergo.

Also you can get some combis really cheap now and get stroller conectors for $10, conect them when you need to (when someone is alone with the kids) and leave them single otherwise.

Good luck.

 

[tjmw2727]

Hey everyone - I am leaving in 2 weeks and will have a 3 1/2 yo and an 18 mo old. I've heard that the strollers at WDW are not comfortable enough to sleep in. I am sure both of mine will want stroller time - Do you suggest I find a double stroller to bring? Or maybe just bring a little umbrella stroller along with my single stroller?

Help!

With the ages of your kids it could go either way but I would probably rent or borrow a double if you can.

Here is a link to the stroller faq from another great webiste:
http://allearsnet.com/pl/strol_faq.htm
fwiw this site also has great advice on traveling with babies and preschoolers.

Anyway - when my kids were your ages I used a sit n stand - it was perfect as my older dd could sit or stand and I didn't have the hassle of a double. We also loved our Pliko 3 at about ages 2 and 4 so the older dd could just hop on and off an I could keep track of her - your kids may be a tad to young for that.

If you have a network of friends that would be willing, try and borrow a double -this is ideal if it folds small and is easy to transport.

Second choice is to rent from an offisite rental www.abbf.com is a good start as well as baby's away and kiss - you can have a double or sit n stand delivered to your resort and picked up for less than park rentals. This way you have it for the resort and dtd as well as the parks.

If your staying at a value resort I would bring a stroller for the baby and rent a double for the parks. You will have use of the stroller for dtd and the resort without the hassle of hauling the stroller on and off the bus.

Wow - so many choices but don't worry you will have a great time. As long as you have a comfy reclining stroller for the baby/toddler you will be ok.
TJ

 

[rt2dz]

I hate umbrella strollers. I'm too tall (5'8") for them and the stroller extenders just don't seem sturdy to me. Just something to consider. I also am not a fan of having two strollers if you don't have to have one.

This next trip I'm bringing my double jogger. I love that stroller. But if you don't want to buy a double, look into renting one from a company that rents baby supplies for travelers. Bonus would be you would be not only would you have a comfortable stroller for napping and storage, but a stroller that can be used where Disney rentals can't be (hotels, dtd).

I can't currenlty think of the names of companies that do so, but do a search here and some will turn up (or google it). It may be more cost efficient than buying if only for just this trip--although you could sell it a consignment shop, garage sale or on ebay when you get back and recoup some costs (especially if you buy it from one of these in the first place).