Stroller question

[goofy1991]

We just got back from a Disney trip and are headed back there in July. I'm rethinking our stroller situation. I have a 6 and a 3 year old. I will be by myself, w/o DH for this trip, so I want both kids in a stroller. Do you think I'll have an easier time with a sit and stand or a double stroller, getting on and off buses, etc.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you will be having your own stroller, just be aware that all strollers must be folded before getting on a bus. You might want to see what sort of work is involved before getting one.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd use a cheap umbrella stroller for the 3 yr old and let the 6 yr old walk. Let the 6 yr old help you with loading the 3 yr old on the buses and the cheaper umbrella stroller wouldn't let you haul so much stuff that you'd be carrying that and the little one to get on the bus. Minimize your stuff as much as possible.

 

[MissionMouse]

... I have a 6 and a 3 year old. I will be by myself, w/o DH for this trip, so I want both kids in a stroller...

Our girls were this age when we decided just to rent Disney strollers, especially since the youngest was potty trained too. We did many trips before this and we have to say bring your own is well...at times a lot of work. You would just have to gauge what it would be like for you outside the park, but we found it overall-easier. There was just a few times I carried the youngest to a bus or monorail...but no stroller to carry, fold or lift. We also didn't worry about our stroller as much too.

 

[Madisonsmom926]

The first year that we went we drug our stoller along with us, and let me just begin to tell you what a pain that is. We got in out in the parking lot, unfolded, walked to the tram, folded it back up, got off, unfolded it again, then most times took the ferry because we didn't want to have to fold it up again to ride the monorail (although a few times we did because the DD's wanted to ride it.) So, needless to say if you are going to take your own, be prepared to do alot of shuffling around with it. Now, we just rent a double stroller at which ever park we go to. They also will sell you a pass for the week for strollers at the stroller rental. The doubles are nice, because the kids sit side-by-side instead of (like our double) one if front of the other. Whoever was in the back would ALWAYS holler that they couldn't see over the other ones head. ARGH!! When you return the stroller they also give your deposit back in the form of a disney dollar. I think that was one of my oldest DD's favorite parts, once we got home we had to hang them all up in her room!!

 

[davisdenyel]

I would also make the 6 year old walk. I took my son when he was 5 and he walked the parks just fine. Your son is also at the age where he can be some good help with loading and unloading and mabie even pushing the stroller at times. I would get a lightweight stroller for the 3 year old. Kolcraft makes an inexpensive one for around $30.00- $40.00 . It has a basket on the bottom, a parent tray with a cupholder and is vey compact and lightweight. Here is a couple that I found.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...ical=BABY&subcat=Strollers&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

http://www.amazon.com/Kolcraft-Trav...ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1178908423&sr=8-1

 

[MeLaNie9]

On our next family trip, one DS will be 4 and the other will be just 2. We were debating the same thing. So far we have only been to WDW with our older son (twice) and took our own lightweight stroller. We found this to be great for us because we also had it in the airport and to and from the resorts. We have been discussing the merits of the double stroller for that next family trip and for current outings to the zoo, etc. The "single file" double strollers just seem so huge and difficult to fold up to get onto transportation. The side by side double strollers seem to just take up so much width to navigate through crowds. We decided that the sit and stand would be the best way to go - we've seen these, but cannot find any in our area stores, so we haven't been able to test any out yet.

 

[mill4023]

It really depends on the kid. My oldest daughter would have been fine walking the whole day when she was 5. Our middle daughter will turn 7 this summer and she'll probably spend at least some time riding in a stroller for our september trip. She's very small (only weighs about 10 lbs more than our 3 yr old) and there's no way she's walking around the parks all day.

If you do think you need a stroller, you might think about renting a double stroller at the parks. It would be much easier to not have to haul your own double stroller on the buses. The only problem is getting them from the parks to the buses if they fall asleep or something.

One thing you could do is bring an umbrella stroller for the 3 yr old. Then if there are days when the 6 yr old is up for walking (MGM is pretty small, with lots of sit down shows), you can just use the umbrella for the 3 yr old. And when you visit parks like Epcot and want them both in a stroller, you can use the umbrella for hotel->bus and bus->park, then rent a double and stick the umbrella stroller in the basket.

Actually, I might do that in September since we'll have a 3.5 yr old and 7 yr old.

 

[mill4023]

I've never tried one, but the sit and stand's don't seem like a very good option to me. Especially at WDW. It seems to me like the reason you need something for a 4, 5, or 6 yr old is to give them a rest and let them get off their feet. Standing doesn't sound like it would give them that break. I know kids are different, but my feet hurt more from standing than they do from walking.

 

[MicNut713]

We have a 6 and 3 year old as well. We just got a sit and stand stroller and love it. WE have taken it on day trips to the zoo. It has been handy. When our 6 year old gets tired he just hops on and he loves that he can stand up and see. The stroller folds easy and is not heavy at all. We have always taken a stroller with us to the World and last time we used a double jogging stroller and that was a hastle. Hope this helps

 

[kileybeth]

we took our graco double last time as youngest was only 5 months and on a heavy heart monitor, and her brother was only 2.5. (2 in diapers) It was so heavy but I have to say we could not have gone without it. And although some will disagree, people at Disney are just usually so happy to help, be polite and wait as you load, unload each time. By day #2 of our trip we had it down to a science. And being as you are alone, it will afford abit more control of the kiddos too.

I have also owned the Baby Trend and the Joovy sit and stands. I find them to still be very heavy as well as exceptionally long. The Baby Trend is nicer for the toddler as the Joovy seat seems to slide back and forth with no way to secure it. I ended up returning the Joovy and sellign the Baby Trend. <sigh>

This trips the little ones will be 2 and 4. No way my 4 year old would walk (others of mine have with no trouble) so it is an individual child decision.

We are "graduating" to 2 Maclarens this trip. At least they are lightweight when I am left alone with them and DS4 can actually push his own if he doesn't want to ride! They steer like a dream!

If you rent, still bring a cheap umbrella for to/from parks as you can leave it at rental place until you drop off rental at end of day!

don't know if that was any new information or not, hope it helped.

I'd love to go along and help you if you're looking for a nanny!

 

[Ziggie]

I could offer you advice on stroller options, but it seems you've received enough on that already

I do want to comment on you "going alone with a 6 yr old and 3 yr old" though ~

You're brave!

 

[goofy1991]

I could offer you advice on stroller options, but it seems you've received enough on that already

I do want to comment on you "going alone with a 6 yr old and 3 yr old" though ~

You're brave!

It's going to be an all expense paid trip from my stepmom, so I couldn't refuse.

 

[Hannathy]

I'd use a cheap umbrella stroller for the 3 yr old and let the 6 yr old walk. Let the 6 yr old help you with loading the 3 yr old on the buses and the cheaper umbrella stroller wouldn't let you haul so much stuff that you'd be carrying that and the little one to get on the bus. Minimize your stuff as much as possible.

This is the route I would take also. You'll be by yourself so you can set the speed for walking. My DS did just fine when he was 5 without a stroller, and not that it actually matters one bit but he was about as small as you can get and had no problems walking every day.

 

[Schmeck]

One thing you could do is bring an umbrella stroller for the 3 yr old. Then if there are days when the 6 yr old is up for walking (MGM is pretty small, with lots of sit down shows), you can just use the umbrella for the 3 yr old. And when you visit parks like Epcot and want them both in a stroller, you can use the umbrella for hotel->bus and bus->park, then rent a double and stick the umbrella stroller in the basket.

I don't think the rental strollers had baskets - they are hard plastic and the seating area is very low to the ground. At least that's what they were like on our last trip!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

We just came back a few weeks ago from WDW and we brought our own stroller but we ended up renting Disney's strollers b/c they were more comfortable for dd and it was so easy to just get one at the entrance then carry ours around.

 

[goofy1991]

Thanks everyone for your response. I think I may have found a solution. A friend of mine is selling her Peg Perego sit and stand stroller. It's a compact sit and stand and collapses very easy with one hand, I think I'm going to try that and hopefully it will work.

 

[swilphil]

I have a Peg Perego double and it's very easy to fold and pretty lightweight. Make sure you "practice" folding it before leaving though. It's also lasted us through 4 Disney trips! I almost didn't take it on our last trip because our oldest was 6, but he did use it often enough to make me glad that we took it!

 

[goofy1991]

I have a Peg Perego double and it's very easy to fold and pretty lightweight. Make sure you "practice" folding it before leaving though. It's also lasted us through 4 Disney trips! I almost didn't take it on our last trip because our oldest was 6, but he did use it often enough to make me glad that we took it!

I Definitely plan on practicing! Thanks for the advice.

 

[handicap18]

When we went with the kids in Nov '05 (they were 3 1/2 and 12 months at the time) we brought our InStep (I belive is the brand) double stroller. It is big, but moves easy (only 3 wheels) and very comfortable for the kids. It can be tough getting it on and off the busses, but it is very worth it, especially for that long walk from Fantasyland to the bus stop at the end of the night. It is big even when folded up, but while on the bus I made sure I put it in a spot (when I could) that was out of the way and always stood with it.

We are going again this Nov, but with 3 kids this time (5 1/2, 3 and 15 months) the stroller will be coming with us again no doubt. At the end of the night it will hold all 3 kids and I'd certainly rather push a tired by happy and comfortable 5 1/2 year old than carry him back to the bus at the end of a long day at MK.

We used it from the time we got out of our car at the airport in Boston till we got back to our car at the end of the trip. It got checked right before we got on the plane in the jetway and it was waiting for us in MCO when we walked off the plane right in the jetway. Kids hopped in and away we went.'

It was very convenient during our trip.