Stroller ??s

[RobinFabulous]

Hi all! We're planning a trip in December 2008. I need to decide what to do about a stroller. Should I rent or buy? DS (6) is stocky and heavy, is classified somewhere on the Autism spectrum. He tends to get touchy and gets easily distracted by shiny or cool things. He also tires easily. DD (3) is tiny and will, of course, tire easily. The heat shouldn't be an issue. I'm thinking of renting only because he is so large that I can't imagine him sitting in a regular doubler stroller. Weight is also an issue with lugging it back and forth to the hotel. FTR we just have a lightweight umbrella stroller that we use at home because DD prefers to walk.

WWYD?

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

would you be interested in renting the McClaren Major? It is a special needs stroller but it will accomodate a larger child. My son is 55lbs and skinny but it will hold over 120 lbs I think 145 to be exact. I think there is a thread with a link that has the rental place others used in Orlando.

 

[of2dbeach]

here is a link alot of people use for there baby needs. I have heard great things about them but never used them seeing we live in Florida.if I can be of any help feel free to message me
http://www.abbf.com/

 

[SueM in MN]

I think abbf used to rent special needs strollers a long time ago, but have not for at least a couple of years.
There are several companies listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, in post #2, after the wheelchair rental companies are listed.

Since you have until December, you might also want to look into whether your insurance will pay some of the cost of a Maclaren Major or similar stroller. It becomes a health and safety need for many children with ASD and your doctor would likely write a prescription for one. If you look around on the disABILITIES Community Board, you will find a couple of recent threads about getting special needs strollers.

Also, check out the information about Guest Assistance Cards in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Being able to use a stroller in lines the same as a wheelchair would probably be very helpful for you.

 

[RobinFabulous]

Thanks! I really need a double stroller though. I don't even know if DS will want to ride, but I thought he might if the baby did.

 

[mechurchlady]

You would not be lugging the stroller. The stroller would be wheeled out to a bus where either it is folded and carried up the steps or the wheelchair lift can be use to get the stroller into the bus. The monorail would allow the stroller to be wheeled on the monorail and the kids removed.

There is no GAC for WDW transportation unfortunately. Either way you would not be lugging the stroller. Worst you would have to do is fold it and hoist it onto a bus but if you explained to the driver the situation they might let you use the lift.

The stroller will come in handy as it is a lot of walking from the hotel to bus stop to park stroller rental which accumulates. Renting the stroller also gives you something to carry bags and water bottles. Some kids like the privacy of strollers and find them good places to hide from the overwhelming world.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks! I really need a double stroller though. I don't even know if DS will want to ride, but I thought he might if the baby did.

A double stroller with a heavy, stocky 6 yr old is going to be hard. There are some that have a pretty high weight limit (like 70 to 80 pounds), but many of them have a limit of 35 to 40 pounds for each seat. So, even if the 2 children together are below the total weight, it won't work if he is over the individual limit.
You might want to consider renting a WDW park double stroller. There is a picture of the single stroller in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. The double looks the same, but is twice as wide. Even with a heavy load, they push easily and many children with ASD like the firm plastic surface and the canopy with side shields.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

A double stroller with a heavy, stocky 6 yr old is going to be hard. There are some that have a pretty high weight limit (like 70 to 80 pounds), but many of them have a limit of 35 to 40 pounds for each seat. So, even if the 2 children together are below the total weight, it won't work if he is over the individual limit.
You might want to consider renting a WDW park double stroller. There is a picture of the single stroller in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. The double looks the same, but is twice as wide. Even with a heavy load, they push easily and many children with ASD like the firm plastic surface and the canopy with side shields.

I don't think he weighs that much, maybe 50lbs, but probably not quite. I know the 2 of them together would be close to the 70lbs. The little princess is small and petite, in looks only

I told her that the parks double stroller would work out just fine for them, but I'm not sure she will listen to me. I will take a picture of them next month when we go down.

Suzanne

 

[livndisney]

I don't think he weighs that much, maybe 50lbs, but probably not quite. I know the 2 of them together would be close to the 70lbs. The little princess is small and petite, in looks only

I told her that the parks double stroller would work out just fine for them, but I'm not sure she will listen to me. I will take a picture of them next month when we go down.

Suzanne

from Allears here is a pic of the double stroller.
http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/mk/mk_stro2.jpg

 

[RobinFabulous]

I don't think he weighs that much, maybe 50lbs, but probably not quite. I know the 2 of them together would be close to the 70lbs. The little princess is small and petite, in looks only

I told her that the parks double stroller would work out just fine for them, but I'm not sure she will listen to me. I will take a picture of them next month when we go down.

Suzanne

He weighs almost 60. I just weighed him. He was 57 with jammies and no shoes. She weighs 23. It's just that I'm looking for the most cost EFFECTIVE way. If I bought a stroller I could resell it, but then, you know. He may not even sit in it anyway....

 

[SueM in MN]

He weighs almost 60. I just weighed him. He was 57 with jammies and no shoes. She weighs 23. It's just that I'm looking for the most cost EFFECTIVE way. If I bought a stroller I could resell it, but then, you know. He may not even sit in it anyway....

In that case, there is no double stroller you could buy that would hold both of them.
He would not be able to sit in most of the double strollers you can buy because he would be well over the weight limit for one side; most are 35-40 pound for each side. Even if he fit, the tires and frame are not designed to take that much weight on one side and the stroller could break. People have also posted that it's harder to push a stroller that is close to the weight limit or has children with very different weight.

The only option I can see for a double stroller would be renting one of the WDW park strollers.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

what about this? It is a little big but maybe get it home and try it out in the house and return it if he seems to object to it.

http://www.adaptivemall.com/bajodost20wh.html

 

[pilgrimr]

I was in the same situation last year. My DS age 5 and autistic was about 60 lbs and DD age 2 was about 25 lbs. We used the double stroller from WDW. It was very sturdy and it was nice to have one stroller for both of them. this allowed either my wife or I go and do a child swap and have both contained. The only problem was waking to the park where they had the strollers.

 

[RobinFabulous]

Thanks guys! I think we're just going to rent while we're there. I just hated to spend that $$ if I could buy one and then maybe recoup some of the investment.