Stroller recommendations please!

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

We are going to Disney this April. My kids will be 4.5 and 5.5 (almost 6) at that time. Do you suggest a stroller for my 4 year old? He can get pretty cranky after a long day. What's a good/affordable stroller that I can get? We haven't used one in a while. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[lovethedisneymagic]

Hi,
DH & I rented a WDW double stroller instead of packing one for the trip. I would recommend doing that to save the hassle. We purchased a multiple day rental at the 1st park we visited & the rental was good at all WDW parks. Their strollers have a storage area for a backpack & other misc bags. Our kids are slightly older (8 & 4) and walked most of the time,but it was nice to have a place for them to rest when they wanted. Most attractions/rides have an area to park strollers while enjoying the rider so that someone doesn't have to "babysit" the stroller.

Hope this helps... Enjoy your trip!

 

[Disneyolic]

I would definitely recommend renting a double stroller. On our last trip, my kids were 2, 5 & 7. We made the boys (5 & 7) take turns riding with their sisters. They definitely wanted/needed to ride at times.

Here's a picture of my kids with the stroller:

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I would definitely recommend renting a double stroller. On our last trip, my kids were 2, 5 & 7. We made the boys (5 & 7) take turns riding with their sisters. They definitely wanted/needed to ride at times.

Here's a picture of my kids with the stroller:

That is a great picture! I just looked at the prices for a double stroller for our entire stay and it came out to about $95! Do you remember how much you spent in total for the stroller?

 

[Disneyolic]

That is a great picture! I just looked at the prices for a double stroller for our entire stay and it came out to about $95! Do you remember how much you spent in total for the stroller?

Ack! Sorry. This was a 1-day trip for that one. It cost $18 (I believe). But, I think I would still consider the renting option. Sounds like a lot of money but it's worth it if you don't have to worry about your kids "pooping out". I know I would not want to lug our strollers on the busses again. We did that back in 2003 with a double stroller and, while it was great at the parks, the lugging it back and forth on the busses really was hard.

 

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

I also recommend renting the double. We got it for my 1.5 and 5 year old girls instead of using my little one's stroller. It was clear that the 5 year old was just not going to make it on her own! My 5 year old said it was pretty comfortable. I think it was $18 per day, but if you purchase a "length of stay" coupon, it's $16 per day. Not cheap, but definitely a worthwhile investment.

They were even both able to fall asleep in it!

 

[corey2]

The strollers are worth the extra money. You spend so much money getting into the parks, so you really don't want a tired cranky child begging to go back to the hotel. The stroller allows them to rest and you to walk fast when needed. I think my kids can last much longer riding in the stroller. We opted for two single strollers. Then stroller isn't as heavy and I think it is easier to manuever. My kids were 4 & 6 when went last time. My DS6 was not ashamed to ride. We are planning on October this year and I still would like a a stroller for my DS, but he'll be 8. I think he'll say no way. So we'll probably get just one this time.

 

[seahero]

I think some sort of a stroller, whether your own or a rental, is a must at the parks, even for relatively older children...there is just so much walking and excitement that they really get worn out.

One other factor to consider is the airport experience. For our previous trips, the distance between parking and the gate was much too far to do without strollers, particularly with a late return flight (the kiddos were predictably zonked out coming off the plane). There's no way to carry both them and your luggage!

We have had good luck bringing two lightweight, inexpensive umbrella strollers for our two children. Last time, we rolled them right to the plane entrance and checked the strollers right there. Then at WDW, the strollers are easy to fold and bring on the bus with you.

Chris

 

[aurorasleeping]

We just found these strollers yesterday,
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/86216/438755/117.html
and are thinking of ordering 2 in pink for my BF's nieces (3 & 4), who we're taking to WDW this fall. Each stroller holds up to 45lbs and right now their on sale for $55 each. Judging from the pictures it folds up very small and is lightweight with a shoulder strap!
We considered just renting a double stroller, but this seems like it might work out cheaper. Plus we can use it in the airport, the resort and downtown disney, which I think will be a real life saver for all involved.
After the trip we'll probably either e-bay it or give it to friends who are expecting.

 

[JenEeyore]

I vote for bringing one from home. Our DS is just turning 5, but I still wouldn't do without one. Make sure yours had some sort of storage bin below to haul your WDW purchases too (even if the kids don't ride, it is great for hauling bags, jackets, etc etc during the day. We even bring a plastic cover that we bought years ago in case it rains. It is MUCH cheaper if you can bring your own, or even purchase one down there than the rental, and to us, the inconvenience of the stroller onthe bus experience doesn't deter. You can gate check them at the airport, so they don't count in your luggage allowance at all, and it is good for helping to tote your carry-ons while hiking through the airport.

Best wishes for your trip planning!

Jen

 

[northriver]

I have a Maclaren Volo and I love it. It is super lightweight. It has a "one hand fold" except that you have to bend down to make it latch, which isn't that big of deal. Not sure the weight limit but it is comfortable for older kids. Mine is older, without the canopy. I did just buy a rain cover for Disney. It handles well, and manuvers well in tight spaces, around stores etc. It comes with a little strap so you can carry it easily and it is really small so it isn't a problem on public transportation. Here is a link to BRU with more info. http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...origkw=maclaren&kw=maclaren&parentPage=search

 

[blessedby3]

I also bought the Maclaren Volo for our last two trips. I spent $68 on it in 2005 and used it only for our 2 Disney trips (in 2005 and 2006). DD was just turning 7 when we went in 2005 and I knew we wouldnt be using it at home, but I also didnt see the benefit of paying for an expensive rental when I could get a GREAT stroller for 2 trips for less than rental of one. This stroller holds up to 55 pounds, although I think it holds more. DD was 50 pounds on our last trip and we had lots of stuff hooked to the stroller and in the basket and it still pushed like no one was in it. I like having my own stroller because when we would leave the parks very late at night my DD would often be asleep in the stroller. No one in my family would want to carry her to the busses and hold her waiting in line. It is no problem to fold up the stroller and bring it on board the bus. It folds up small. If you dont want to invest in a Maclaren, I would consider two inexpensive umbrellas. Even your 5 yr old will probably get tired. If you go with one, they can take turns, but I can see my kids arguing about who can ride in it by day 2.

Looking at the link that the pp gave, you could buy a Volo for $99 and get another umbrella stroller for free. Thats a good deal

 

[Ariel8676]

I bought a Chicco CT 0.5 before our trip last August..i think it may have been $80 had a coupon or caught a sale...it has high handles, a nice size basket, nice size shade,a rain cover and my 4 yo and 5 yo fit in it just as well as my 1 yo and it reclines almost flat. My older two say its very comfy
http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...rollers&kw=chicco+strollers&parentPage=search its like this but i have the beige and orangey one

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I also recommend renting the double. We got it for my 1.5 and 5 year old girls instead of using my little one's stroller. It was clear that the 5 year old was just not going to make it on her own! My 5 year old said it was pretty comfortable. I think it was $18 per day, but if you purchase a "length of stay" coupon, it's $16 per day. Not cheap, but definitely a worthwhile investment.

They were even both able to fall asleep in it!

I just have to tell you how stinkin' cute that picture is! So I guess we will be renting What's another $96 in the grand scheme of things right?

 

[mericletwins]

You are going to want a double stroller. When we went last Easter, all three of our kids, who were 5, 6 and 6 asked to have the stroller. We wanted to go into Epcot for a couple hours one night and leave the strollers at the hotel and they begged to take them. Not only does it help the kids last longer, I need it for peace of mind in the crowds. I never considered letting my kids walk around the park when they were younger then this last trip. They had to be in the stroller. Even this last trip was iffy, but we had four adults and three kids.

 

[TheDizMom]

That is a great picture! I just looked at the prices for a double stroller for our entire stay and it came out to about $95! Do you remember how much you spent in total for the stroller?

If you buy your rentals all at one time you save $2 a day so it's $16 and well worth the money when you think about how hard it is to get your stroller on and off the D transportation system . If you are there at a busy time it can be hard enough to get you on the bus much less your stroller and definintely not worth the aggravation especially at the end of a long day of fun in the parks. The nice thing is after the first day if you purchase all your rentals at one time you don't ever have to go to the purchase line again but straight to the pick-up line which rarely takes long .

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I bought the Jeep twin umbrella stroller for my girls and love it. The seats recline and have a padded back panel that rolls up and makes a pillow, the seats are also made of nylon which makes it easy to clean. This stroller sells for 79.99 on walmarts website as well as in toysrus and babiesrus (they often have coupons for 10 dollars off).

This is the jeep stroller.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3765493

I also found this one at walmarts website.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4308578

Keep in mind that renting only allows you to use it in the park. They always fall asleep on the way back to the resort then you have to walk to your room with them.

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

I also bought the Maclaren Volo for our last two trips. I spent $68 on it in 2005 and used it only for our 2 Disney trips (in 2005 and 2006). DD was just turning 7 when we went in 2005 and I knew we wouldnt be using it at home, but I also didnt see the benefit of paying for an expensive rental when I could get a GREAT stroller for 2 trips for less than rental of one. This stroller holds up to 55 pounds, although I think it holds more. DD was 50 pounds on our last trip and we had lots of stuff hooked to the stroller and in the basket and it still pushed like no one was in it. I like having my own stroller because when we would leave the parks very late at night my DD would often be asleep in the stroller. No one in my family would want to carry her to the busses and hold her waiting in line. It is no problem to fold up the stroller and bring it on board the bus. It folds up small. If you dont want to invest in a Maclaren, I would consider two inexpensive umbrellas. Even your 5 yr old will probably get tired. If you go with one, they can take turns, but I can see my kids arguing about who can ride in it by day 2.

Looking at the link that the pp gave, you could buy a Volo for $99 and get another umbrella stroller for free. Thats a good deal

Another vote for the Volo! I have it for DD 6 for Disney trips and I love it! I prefer bringing my own to renting because the times we need the stroller the most are when we've left the park, walking to the bus and it's very crowded and she's very tired, and once we're off the bus, she's fallen asleep on the bus and we can just put her in the stroller for the walk back to the room. I would definitely go for a Volo or something like it. It's really no big deal at all getting it on and off the busses, folds up quickly and rather small, even has a shoulder strap to carry it with, and fits right in the bus seat with me. I know what a hassle a bigger stroller could be, for a few trips when the kids were younger we hauled the Graco Duo Glide double stroller and that thing took up a lot of room!

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Ok, now I'm even more confused so I have a question. Just how far are the bus stops from the parks? For example, if we're at MK, how far is the bus stop from the exit of the park? I think that would play a big role in my decision whether to bring my own or rent.

 

[Disneyolic]

Ok, now I'm even more confused so I have a question. Just how far are the bus stops from the parks? For example, if we're at MK, how far is the bus stop from the exit of the park? I think that would play a big role in my decision whether to bring my own or rent.

Good point. The bus stops are not that far away. I guess it depends on what someone perceives as far. A very tired child on hand, the walk could seem very far.

From experience when we brought our double stroller the first time, it was nice to have that extra stroll to/from the bus stop. But both my husband and I were very frustrated carrying the stroller onto the busses. It was a Grace Duo-Glider. It took up a lot of room and was very bulky. Bringing our own stroller now is not an option as our kids are just too heavy for the traditional strollers. The double strollers at the parks works for us.