Stroller recommendations?

[Luv2trav]

I am looking for a cheap yet quality stroller for my will be 3 year old. I will have a 9 month old at the time of the trip and unfortunately he is using his stroller and I refuse to buy a double stroller... This stroller is huge so we are looking for something compact for my 3year old... No umbrella stollers though..

Any recommendations for something that is "sturdy" yet inexpensive that if we decide to leave it behind it's not a big deal....

Wendy

 

[deb305]

When we went in January 03 we toke DS 1yr's stroller, and rented in the parks for the 4yr DD. It worked out great. We splurged on a double stroller, gave her room to stretch out, and a place to carry extras. If you staying on site and spending most of your time in the park this works out great. When she was 3 we also just rented in the parks. She never had to walk far to or from bus stops.
Sorry this doesn't answer your question directly, just thought I'd give you another alternative

 

[N&B'smom]

Someone on here gave me advice about a place called ababysbestfriend.com, I originally was just going to get a full size crib through them but also opted to get a sit/stand stroller. The stroller portion will work for my then 13 month old and the stand part will work for my older child for when he gets tired! Just a thought in case you're interested. They deliver the stroller or whatever you order to your resort so it'll be there when you check in.

Shelby

 

[Jacksmom99]

We also rented for DS when he was 3 and 4. I too refused to buy a double stroller. Renting worked out fine for us, worth the $ not to have to travel with two strollers or one big double.

 

[NotUrsula]

Given the requirements you describe, I'd say your best bet would be to use a Kiddyboard, but quite honestly, that's more an option for a 5-6 yo than a just turned 3 yo. I think that a 3 yo is likely to need a stroller pretty much f/t at WDW.

I think that renting a double offsite from a company like ABBF is a good option, as others have already suggested. (Depending on where you are staying, getting 2 sleeping small ones back to your resort could be exhausting without a stroller spot for each of them.)

Just curious, why the prejudice against umbrella-fold strollers? If you are hauling a big tank around for the baby, an umbrella-fold that you can hook between the basket and handle of the bigger stroller when folded is the most logical type of extra stroller to take with you. (Well, that or a Combi, but you said you wanted inexpensive.)

My recommendation for your cheaper second stroller would be a Chicco Caddy, but that is an umbrella-fold, and it's not so cheap that it would be disposable; it will cost around $50. The bright side is that when your younger child is 3, you wouldn't have to haul that big tank; you could take your lightweight Caddy, instead (and perhaps put a buggy board on it for the 5 yo!) They do have decent resale value; people always want a larger reclining umbrella stroller w/ a canopy.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005QXQC/002-9077549-3558404?v=glance
(There's a $10 off sale on strollers at Amazon right now, not a bad deal.)

 

[megan2346]

I agree with the last thread. The Chicco Caddy is a great stroller. I bought it for my DS when he was 2, we brought it to Italy and it worked great. This past summer we took it to Busch Gardens and were able to fit everything we wanted into it. I bought a mesh bag for the back. My son id now 3 1/2 we still use the stroller and will be bring it to WDW along with our bulky stroller for my 6 month old. I can fit the stroller under the seat of the big stroller so if my 3 year old wants to walk we don't have to push the Chicco. Another bonus is it has a five point harness so it makes it hard for my three year old to climb out of. I have to say the Chicco is a good stroller.
Megan

 

[Luv2trav]

I have nothing against umbrella strollers and I would actually perfer them if they reclined. I want to make sure I get a stroller my 3 yr old can nap in if neccessary.

I have thought about renting 2 strollers and leaving my other son's stroller at home as well.. We really want 2 strollers just in case one of us (Grandma and aunt is coming with us) wants to head back to the hotel if one of the kids are not doing too well.

 

[Mad4Dizne]

We made a big mistake this time!!!! taking our umbrella stroller--I think I've since thrown it away, our backs were sooo hunched over!!!! We will definately be taking one of our better strollers on our next trip. I prefer one of the "lightweights"...I think we got ours at Toys R Us for around $45. and it reclines, has a canopy and small area underneath for storage. I think it is a Graco brand one.

Have a nice trip!!!!!!!
Flo

(we found having our own stroller priceless --as the trip to the park and around the sites would of not been possible without it!!!!)

 

[NotUrsula]

Though it doesn't have padded handgrips, the Caddy is not a "short" umbrella stroller; I'm not sure of the exact handle height, but it is at least about 6" taller than generic sling-seat umbrellas. It does recline (1 position), and also has the slightly larger tires, which make steering a bit easier.

Full-featured umbrella strollers, such as Macs, the Pliko or the excellent-value Inglesina Swift have a handle height of 42", which is a consideration for those over ~ 5'9". Men tend to forgive the expense of these once they discover how easy they are to push and to to carry/store when folded. It took about 5 minutes flat for my husband to become a solid Mac convert once he pushed DS in it.

FYI: Probably not for the OP, but for anyone interested, the Swift is available online from several sources for $99, which is an EXCELLENT value for a full-featured aluminum umbrella-fold travel stroller. Full-featured means that it has 3 pos. recline, comfy padding, a legrest, double wheels fore and aft, a full hood, a 5-pt harness and a basket. I've even found some 2003 models left from one dealer for $85 (http://store.yahoo.com/comfort1st/inglesina.html)
The Swift is also available in a twin model, which can usually be found for ~$199.

 

[TammyC]

I agree that a double is hard to handle.. I saw many people trying to get them on the Disney busses! We took our Combi SUBV for our 2 1/2 year old and it was perfect. It is lightweight, folds small, reclines, has a sun shade and a small basket, cost $40. I do not think they make this model anymore, but you might find one left over or on ebay. The also make a travel savvy model - similar but doesn't fold as small and costs about $99. These, like umbrella strollers, may cause problems for taller people though. I am 5'2" so I cannot judge that!

Tammy

 

[Naisy68]

We are also looking for a good lightweight stroller for our DD who will be turning three on our trip. My DH and I hate the umbrella stroller and any stroller that has a lower handle. We need a cup holder and a taller handle. At the same time, since our DD is going to be three, we don't want to pay too much.
*We'd like to have our own stroller because it would be cheaper to do it that way and that way I can roam around the resort a little easier. My wonderful DD loves to stop and look at every single rock and bug, bless her little heart. I love that about her but sometimes I just like her to be in a stroller if you know what I mean.
If anyone knows of a good srtoller that meets these requirements, please feel free to pm me. Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

Other than the Pliko, no umbrella-fold stroller is going to come with an attached cupholder. It isn't worth using that reason to dictate your choice, since you can add one (or more) onto any stroller for just a few dollars; several types are sold at any baby-goods store.

If you want the top-of-the-line add-on cupholder/tray, which can be used on an umbrella-fold stroller (though you'll need to disconnect one side to fold it), this is your dream realized:
http://www.babubabu.com/tray.html

BTW, I agree with the other poster who mentioned that Combis are for the short; not only a short parent, but also a short child; taller kids end up really scrunched in them, even w/ the hood back.