Stroller question

[Imoutnumbered]

We will need two strollers with us. What is best? A double or two singles? If a double, what kind? Jogger, umbrella, tandem, side by side, brand? Right now we have a single bob and a single mcclaren knock off. We will be doing a lot of air travel in the next year or so.

 

[smiles33]

How old are your kids? Greatest flexibility is with 2 singles, as then parents can split up if necessary (e.g., one is touring the park with an older kid and the other takes the younger kid to a kiddie ride). However, we brought our Baby Jogger City Mini double because DH was in an ECV due to impending hip surgery and couldn't push a stroller anyway. I highly recommend it as it's easy to fold and relatively lightweight compared to the all-terrain jogging strollers like Bob. I wrote a long review of it on Epinions.com here.

Pros for a double at DLR:
- one person can push it while the other is busy (mom wants to ride ToT so dad takes 2 kids to Bug's Land)
- keep both kids in one stroller (my kids preferred it)

Cons:
- double wide or double long, which is harder to navigate in bad crowds (we did fine after WOC but it was hard to stay right behind DH in his ECV as folks kept cutting in front of us)
- It's heavier to push 2 kids

HTH!

 

[Imoutnumbered]

How old are your kids? Greatest flexibility is with 2 singles, as then parents can split up if necessary (e.g., one is touring the park with an older kid and the other takes the younger kid to a kiddie ride). However, we brought our Baby Jogger City Mini double because DH was in an ECV due to impending hip surgery and couldn't push a stroller anyway. I highly recommend it as it's easy to fold and relatively lightweight compared to the all-terrain jogging strollers like Bob. I wrote a long review of it on Epinions.com here.

Pros for a double at DLR:
- one person can push it while the other is busy (mom wants to ride ToT so dad takes 2 kids to Bug's Land)
- keep both kids in one stroller (my kids preferred it)

Cons:
- double wide or double long, which is harder to navigate in bad crowds (we did fine after WOC but it was hard to stay right behind DH in his ECV as folks kept cutting in front of us)
- It's heavier to push 2 kids

HTH!

Our kids are 11 months, 3 and 5. The 3 and 5 both have autism and additional medical issues that require medical treatments that make them tire easy. I can see us needing the double for a break in case one of the older ones gets to overstimulated.

 

[hollyshoffbrau]

Maybe bring an ergo or other baby carrier and a double stroller. That would leave one set of adult hands free.

We have the joovy x2 and love it. It had a big canopy that covers the kiddos which would help your kiddos if they get over stimulated with the crowds and noises. The little one can pop in the baby carrier if the older kids both need a reprieve in the double for a while too.

 

[lisachrystine]

We were happy with our Sit and Stand when kids were 2, 4 and 6. The little one sat in the front most of the time and the older ones could take turns hopping on and off the back when they needed a break. It is a pain to navigate with a big stroller, but a lot of the time the two older ones were walking, so having one set of adult hands free at all times was helpful. If we both had strollers, it would have been hard to hang on to the kids that weren't in the stroller.

 

[MommyLove]

The decision I made was to get a double. Tandem, NOT a double wide. I think a double-wide would be way more difficult to navigate to navigate through crowds and narrow areas. We got a Graco on Craigslist (great price)! I've already taken the kids out of tons of walks in it since then and I really like it. It was a must to have at least one of the seats do a full recline for naps, and to have a decent sized basket, and the Graco has both. I think we made the right choice and I think it will do us well for our DL trips!

 

[smiles33]

Given that you have 3 (and the two eldest may want to ride at some points given their lower endurance), I'd definitely do some test drives with whatever stroller you're considering--including turns like you're on a slalom course! Every stroller does well going in straight lines, but many of the cheaper ones do not turn well. You need a stroller that maneuvers well--especially with heavy kids in it. I know some do NOT turn on a dime and given how crowded the park is lately, you need to be able to weave in and out of crowds. My BJCMD could do that easily and I found the double-wide fit through every single doorway, so don't assume all double-wides are made the same width.

Finally, I know I love the air-filled tires on my single Bob (makes it easier to push with heavy kids), but a new double with air-filled tires will likely be $500+. Do you have a budget? Have you looked on your local Craiglist? I ended up selling my BJCMD for about $300 on my local CL and I know I've seen used Mountain Buggy doubles (with air tires!) for around $300 as well. That may be too much for your budget, but keep in mind re-sale value. I bought mine during an Amazon sale for $300, used it for 6 months (including 3 days at DLR), and sold it for the same price on CL!

 

[dmband]

You will need o check the recommended weight limits too
I have had two different double strollers ( ones the graco) and both said for 40 lbs (each)or less
does it Ok with heavy kids, yes
Is it a total pain to turn, double yes (put hte heavier one in the back)
If you re not careful with heavy kids the back wheels will get wiggly and poss come off

 

[ImNoPrince]

We got back Sunday from DL. We took the Sit & Stand for our two kids who just turned 7 and 3 earlier in the month. DD3 rode most of the time, and DS7 walked in the park. DS used the standing part of the stroller to rest occasionally and did sit down on the little back seat some. It was nice to have a set at the ready for him. At the end of WOC one night and F!/fireworks the next, we made him walk through the crowds until we exited the park because the S&S stroller with 90 pounds of kids on it is hard to maneuver through thousands of people. DS got to hop on for the walk back to the hotel.

Another consideration for you is cargo space. With three kids and some extra medical items for the older ones, you'll need a decent amount of storage. We brought the backpack with us, but always unloaded some of it into the stroller basket after entering the park. We always left the diaper changer, snacks, jackets, and water in the stroller when we parked it. The backpack was much less heavy and awkward to take on rides that way.

Also, when DS was walking with me through thick crowds, I was always concerned that we'd get separated. He's a tall, sturdy guy, but I was still worried. Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable with a small 5 y.o. having to walk the entire park.

If I were you, I would be tempted to take enough stroller space to give them all a ride. A S&S and a smaller umbrella could do the trick.