Stroller/Ride Swap Question

[DCTM]

Sorry, wasn't certain where these questions would go on the Board, so I am starting here. This is our first trip to Disney (May 2010).

We have a 2 year old and 13 year old. My 2 yr old w/ be in a stroller and we are planning on placing some type of cooler in the bottom part of the stroller to hold water, his juice, etc. Where are strollers parked when riding rides (if we are all riding the same ride at the same time)? Are they safe from individuals taking items out of the stroller, etc? Also, what about table service restaurtants - are strollers allowed inside or have to be left outside?

Also, re: riding rides. My 13 yr old is going to want to ride everything and both my husband and I want to ride with her. So, could be do a parent swap on the ride instead of doing a child swap? Does this make sense?

Thanks!

 

[design_mom]

The strollers are usually parked in designated "stroller parking areas" while you are on an attraction or in a table-service restaurant. The cast members do their best to keep the strollers organized in those areas -- sometimes moving strollers to "fill in" when people leave, etc. Your stroller might not be exactly where you left it when you return, but don't freak out. Just look for it.

Leaving a cooler in the bottom of your stroller is probably pretty safe, but there are no guarantees. There are some people who have had things taken from their strollers, but not a lot. I would think that a cooler full of juice would have low value to potential thieves, so I'd feel comfortable leaving it in the stroller... but I would never leave something valuable unattended.

For rides that your 2yo is unable to ride, you should be able to do the child/parent swap. You should be able to work it so your 13yo can ride with both parents. When you get your child swap pass, it's good for up to 4 (I think) riders. If your DH and 13yo go on the ride while you wait with the 2yo, you can take the 13yo back through with you when you use the rider swap ticket.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

Interesting question about TS places and strollers, I never thought about this. If DS is sound asleep in his stroller, I'm going to have to take him out so we can leave the stroller outside?

 

[design_mom]

If DS is sound asleep in his stroller, I'm going to have to take him out so we can leave the stroller outside?

It appears from this thread that they might make exceptions for sleeping babies: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=1224881

But I don't remember seeing any strollers in the table-service restaurants on our recent trip, and I remember watching some people park their strollers before going in.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

oh good! Thanks for that link! It would only make sense, because who'd want to intentionally wake a sleeping baby/child to go into a restaurant!

 

[ajjollie23]

We have had a sleeping child during a TS before and the restaurant did allow us to bring our stroller. When he woke up we took it upon ourselves to bring the stroller back outside (they did not ask us to). Generally speaking the people have been very accommodating in those situations. I can see where in a smaller restaurant it may be difficult to maneuver a stroller around. We have had a situation where we had to wait a little longer but then they gave us a table right on the end so we could fit out stroller with sleeping child.
As far as leaving things in the stroller we have always had coolers that we left in the basket, as well as the diaper bag sometimes. We just make sure that anything valuable (wallets, phones, cameras) are not in the bag. We have never had a problem with anything being taken in our 6+ trips that we have taken since having our children.