Stroller Recommendation for Big Boy 40+ Pounds

[herprettiness]

We are going to WDW in March just two days after my son turns three.

Anyhow, the old Peg Perego has seen better days. I'll never by one of those again.

I went shopping for a lightweight stroller today. Something a little more substantial then a cheap umbrella, but I didn't want to take out a 2nd mortgage.

Well my son is a big guy. 40 lbs, 40", not chubby just a lot of mass. Nearly all of the strollers I looked at are not recommended for over 40 Lbs. The only one I found was a Maclearan at about $135.00.

We definately need a stroller. I thought about rentals, but the idea of waiting in an extra line daily is unappealing. Also, we definately need to have the stroller at the airport. Got to strap him down. Those of you with 2 year olds know what I mean.

So any ideas? How about strollers that aren't suppose to hold more then 40 pounds but do. Can anyone recommend a stroller that they are using that is holding up despite a heavier weight then the recommended amount?

 

[ybcart7]

I have a DD5 who is over 4 ft tall and weighs over 70 lbs - I am also looking for a stroller and would love some suggestions!!

 

[maja36]

I swear by the Graco lite rider models, they seem to hold up to 110 lbs because I could push my nephew in the seat (90 lbs), my niece on the cover (40 lbs) and a bag underneath. Well that doesn't add up right, even more! I live in Canada, but check their website, their strollers are great. In fact our model is about 12 years old and it is travelling with us tomorrow for my 6 year old who weighs about 48 lbs. These strollers last forever, and you can probably get one used for dirt cheap.

 

[mrsgus06]

I have that problem also. My three year old is very long (and heavy). Because we spend a lot of times in the parks it was too expensive to rent a stroller every day. I actually went to Once Upon a Child, kind of like a used store for baby stuff and found a jogging stroller. It folds very easily and has a storage bag underneath. I went to toys r us and bought two bags (that you wash socks in) that zip up and tied them to the stroller. Also bought two drink holders for the handle. We took the stroller in December and she loved it! It sticks out in the front so it give her the extra room for her feet. I paid $45.00 for it and after 1 week in the parks, it has paid for itself.

 

[all4fun]

Maclarens have a 55lbs weight limit. You can get a Volo (simple umbrella style) stroller at Albeebaby.com for about $70.00 if you don't mind getting an older model - they still have some 2003 models they're clearing out.

 

[Colinsmom]

I'd say a Maclaren Volo or Quest. Both go up to 55lbs and are good toddler strollers, though the Volo does not come with a canopy, which can be important in the Florida sun. You can get 2004's on clearance pretty cheap these days. Check eBay (seller babysurplus is Albee Baby and is sometimes cheaper to buy from on eBay), albeebaby.com, etc. for good prices.

 

[Flo_and_co]

eeeek - my 2 and a half year old weighs 50lb!!!! Reading this thread makes me feel like he must be HUGE!! He is extremely tall for his age, but also a bit chubby! Not really fat though. Now I'm wondering what we'll do in the parks....I wasn't planning to bring a stroller as he never uses one at home - he likes to walk everywhere. Maybe I'll see how he lasts on our first long park day, and if it seems too much for him I'll see if I can buy something suitable over there....

 

[Lesley]

It seems as if there really need to be more strollers on the market for larger children. I assume you have the same trouble with car seats...I had a heck of a time getting one to fit my tall, but not yet 40lb 4yo...but perhaps that's an opposite problem.

I got a maclaren back in 2000 for my then 5yo 40lb son and it has held up reasonably well...I expect it to last through the next 4-5 years of WDW trips (until our baby is 5yo or so...). One brake is broken and the labels have peeled off but it still pushes smoothly with a bigger child. The one I have is a Techno, but the volo really doesn't look that different other than not having a canopy, reclining seat and the fabric being not as heavy. They have changed the design of the brakes so our problem shouldn't happen with the newer models. A friend has a volo that she bought for travelling and she seems to like it. We did hit a stage where we rented double strollers...when our son was 7yo and our older daughter 2yo. Our son didn't have the same stamina for the walking that my dh and I did so we mainly used the stroller for our convenience...so we could do as much as we wanted to without tiring him out too much. Now it seems we're the ones who get tired more quickly!

 

[HappyMommy2]

My son was 40lbs and 44 inches at age 4 on our trip last summer. He fit very well in our Maclaren Volo--the top of his head was above the backrest but there were no problems pushing the stroller, turning, and so on. I would highly recommend that stroller. I was afraid DS would not want to ride in it since he hasn't ridden in a stroller regularly since age 2, but he thought it was great at WDW.

 

[alloyd1170]

My just 3 yr old is the same- 38 lbs, 40+". I got him the Mac Quest for WDW and love it. He slept in it comfortably thanks to the recline and we were able to pull the sunshade down to cover his head. Its good to 55 lbs. It is pricey, but with another one on the way, Im sure it we will get our moneys worth!

alison

 

[daisylove]

Another vote for the volo here. DD is 5 1/2, 52lbs,46 1/2 inches. Volo still pushes like a dream. We purchased it and the accessory pack (canopy,rain sheild, padded seat) all online for $100 free shipping. There are deals out there. Just checked ebay and the 2004s are going for around $50 with accessory packs at around $30. Also, the new 2005s come with canopys already. So there are different ways of putting to gether what would be the most cost effective version for your family. Good luck.

 

[chop456]

Just a question re. strollers and the age of a child. I took a stroller for my 5 1/2 year old DD last year (50"/50 lbs). She needed the stroller, since she is not used to walking for long amounts of time. I needed the stroller so I could have a better handle on where she was at all times. We reclined the stroller shen she needed to rest and it worked out great. However, I remember getting "the look" from a few people and it made me very uncomfortable. I also remember a rather rude teen-ager commenting on the fact that my DD was not a "baby" and did not need a stroller. Was I wrong for letting her go in the stroller???

 

[daisylove]

I am so oblivious that I have probably gotten "the look" and just did not notice. I really dont care if I do. My kid. Our needs. My rules. She will be 6 when we go in June justher and I and I will have the stroller. I will have it as long as she fits probably. We go on mommy and me trips so it gives me extra security knowing she is limited to a certain area where I know she is safe. If I had an extra pair of eyes maybe it would be different but DH went with us in DEC and we still used it. I have not come up with any perefct one liner to smart back at those who think it is their business what I do with my child so I will say ignore them and dont let them bother you at the happiest place on earth. Ifyou are like me who would get hot under the collar my advice: walk it off ,deep breaths, look at the castle and then at you child's happy face just where you expect it to be. In the stroller safe and sound.. Works like a charm.

 

[tmatthews]

WOW what a timely thread! We just went stroller shopping for my 19 month old (30 lbs) to replace it for Disney! What a shock when I saw the weight limit of 40 pounds PLUS he looked stuffed into the strollers that didn't come w/ infant car seats! I ended up buying a stroller that came w/ an infant car seat since they appear wider at Toys r us...20 off stollers and a free umbrella stroller! Worked for us ......for now!!!!!!!!! We had a hard time finding DS walkers as well b/c of his size (again not chubby, just big)....this should be a wake up call to manufacturers.

 

[herprettiness]

This is my funny story about "The Look".

When I was 5 months pregnant with my Son (who inspired this thread), my husband and I went to WDW. We were staying at the Contemporary and had just gotten on the monorail with a couple. They had a little boy who was probably 18 months. The boy was walking and had a pacifier in his mouth. I remember whispering to my husband "There is NO WAY our child is gonna walk around with a pacifier, As soon as they can walk that pacifier is GONE".

I probably gave "the Look" or at least wore the expression on my face.

Well to this day my almost 3 year old son still needs his pacifier to go to bed.

I learned my lesson from this, especially about parenting. People who are quick to judge will get theirs.

 

[alloyd1170]

I wouldnt mind riding in a stroller myself at WDW! Thats a lot of walking for any child. My 3 yr old normally walks when we go to the mall/store/etc, but at WDW, he immediately plops himself in the stroller. Hes not dumb! The heck with people giving looks. You know your children better than anyone. Their comfort makes them happy, and their security makes you happy. What more could you ask for?

alison

 

[Beca]

I'm not sure if this will help, but my dd is TALL...about 38 inches, but very slender 27lbs. She turned 3 in December. What I have found most helpful at WDW is a stroller that fully reclines, with a FOOT rest that elevates. I am not sure who the maker is, but the "Eddie Bauer" line suits our needs very well. She is the stroller which is "familiar", and when she falls asleep in it, we can recline, prop her feet up, and "keep on going" while she gets are REALLY good nap in. It has been a "lifesaver".



Beca

 

[jennz]

I'll tell you - I'm sure I have given "the look" but it's to parents who DON'T have strollers! This is unfair of me I know, some kids do great without them. But I see so many kids miserable and hot and tired, and Mom and Dad are the same...DD will be 7 when we go next and we will be renting a stroller again. We rented one for the last two trips also - we (like the rest of you!) couldn't find one big enough for her. She's now 50 inches, 52 pounds, and the WDW ones are great although the cost adds up quick. Sometimes she walks, sometimes she rides, plus we can clip a fan on and stash the backpack, cameras, etc...why give that up?!