Stroller swap! Is it still around?

[henstajay]

Like 2 years or so ago... I remembered seeing a post about a stroller that is basically donated to the use of families traveling to DW. Everyone shared it and took turns and it just rotated throughout the year, passing it along from one family to the next....

Does anyone know if there is still this idea out there? If so TELL ME!!!!! Also.. is there a double stroller one? I thought it was the greatest idea... and now that we are going to be there with two kiddo's we could really save in the hassell of not traveling with all 500 strollers and gadgets of our own! LOL!

Thanks!

Stacy Jason DH Caleb 3 1/2 DS Cole 18m DS

 

[kejoda]

no the stroller disapeared a couple of years ago.

 

[disneyfan551]

How sad... During my trip next month, would have been the perfect time for me to use the stroller! My friend and I are taking our 2 kids down and won't have much room for our strollers too! (She always packs waaaaay too much!!! ) If I even had room during this trip, I would take mine to leave behind, because I don't really use them at home anymore, just for theme parks!

 

[HeatherFeather]

I actually bought one at a yard sale for like $5 and brought it with us for our 5 year old. We wound up hardly using it, but if I hadn't have brought it we would have wanted it every day. When we left, I gave it to housekeeping to someone with a small child. That way I had room for all my souvvies I had bought on vaca on the way home. Could you maybe find a cheapie, squeeze it in for the trip down and then leave it?

 

[HeatherFeather]

I'm a dummy who didn't read your last post before I posted. Sorry for the not so helpful advice.

 

[UtahMama]

I have only rented once and wont ever waste that much money again! I've also had a nice new one's axle bent when the baggage dude HUCK it into the belly of the airplane! SOOO, I found a NICE used one at a yard sale (with a huge basket and drink holders and a snack tray!) I only paid $10.00 for it!!!! I need it for the airport or I'd leave it for the cause! But doing my fuzzy disney math...I saved $160.00 for a double rental for 10 days- which is $160.00 for souvineers! Just kidding on that! But bring your own if you can and save big time!!!

 

[crl]

Why not head to Walmart for an umbrella stroller. They usually have some for less than $15. Then just leave it for another guest. It's cheaper than renting one.

 

[jessica52877]

I just read on the families board the other day about someone having a double and asking if anyone would need it when they were done, didn't want to bring it home. Might want to try a search there and maybe get a new swap going with that double.

 

[safetymom]

Organizing and keeping track of a stroller for a swap is a lot of work. Mom2of2 was a great manager of the last stroller swap. I was a babysitter for the stroller when it wasn't being used.

You can't believe the attitude of the renters. The stroller was sometimes returned dirty, broken pieces,etc. and nothing was mentioned. Also some people expected a high end fancy stroller and were upset when they saw it. People also didn't follow through when it was time to get the stroller to the next person. They expected the babysitters to deliver it all over WDW for them like a rental service.

It went missing in MK because a swapper just left it there and didn't connect with someone to swap.

It was started by Mom2of2 to foster the community spirit of the DIS but it showed that some people just didn't appreciate the free stroller. Hats off to her for her hard work.

 

[disneyfan551]

Umbrella strollers just don't seem to be strong enough for our needs. My dd is 5yo, and even though she is underweight for her age, we always take in a small cooler for drinks too. I usually take my big "monster" stroller down, but during a trip a few yrs ago, something happened to a wheel coming off the monorail. The wonderful stroller repair man at MK temporarily fixed it (bless his heart!! ), but it just hasn't been the same since. And, when I've taken a small stroller, it just gets heavy to push! I really hate forking out the extra dollars for a double, but it doesn't look like I have much of a choice.

I hope Mom2of2 realizes how much DISer's did appreciate her efforts, even if some were too rude to take care of it, or exchange it properly!

 

[HillPete]

It went missing in MK because a swapper just left it there and didn't connect with someone to swap.

.

Just to clarify, the person who was supposed to pick it up didn't show up at the appointed time. We went into LTT for dinner (it was parked with all the other strollers) and when we got out it was gone. How were we to know it had been stolen and not picked up by the appropriate person? I certainly held up my end of the swap, I didn't 'just leave it there'.

 

[DisneyfamilyinMI]

Hey, henstajay! When are you going to Disney? We are going December 6-12 and also looking to participate in a stroller swap, especially a double stroller...Let me know!

--Stephanie

 

[henstajay]

We are going Aug 31-Sept.9th. Sorry the times won't work out to swap. But I am sad to hear the swap is no longer availible. I can't believe the outcome of some of it! That is really sad that some people act like that as far as breaking pieces and not saying anything. I couldn't imagine having to organize the whole idea myself... so it was a good idea though.

I will bring my own double.... (pray that it doesn't get lost, dammaged, or broken during travel) and do what we normally do. Fit all of our crap in the stroller and take it all out each time a bus comes to fold it up and barely get on with a seat without losing anything, watch my hubby struggle to manage one kid, a stroller (big one) all while standing because I got the last seat in which I'm juggling our other child, 10 bags, sippy cups, lighted swords, coats jackets etc...(don't forget one or both of them crying because of some meltdown)..... I can go on and on! That actually has nothing to do with a stroller swap, but I had to share!

I wish stroller rentals were cheaper! I refuse to pay for one. That adds up! When we visit DW we go for 10+ days, so I just can't bring myself to spend another chunk on $$$ for something. Plus there are a lot of times we are outside of the parks and need a stroller. My 17m old HAS to be strapped into something or he is into everything, and my 3 1/2 year old... thinks he's going to DIE if he walks for more than 2 minutes. Sometimes he's great, but we can't assune he will walk all over Disneyworld for 10 days so that is why we need a double. We can't stand the umbrella ones, for lack of storage and they hurt our back from bending over (we are taller people) but if it wasn't for that we would have 2 doubles.

We did decide that since we travel to DW at least once a year we got a double stroller that is the best we have found so far... that can handle in town local shopping and traveling. It's a Safety first one that folds up like an umbrella.... a lot lighter than most doubles... and hold both kids comfortably. It is lacking in the storage and no DRINK HOLDERS for mom and dad... but it folds nicely and compact, gets us what we need! Unless you are traveling with lots of family for help with these sticky rushed bus trips.... it's hard when doing it alone. =)

 

[left210]

It is lacking in the storage and no DRINK HOLDERS for mom and dad...

FYI - we have a Maclaren stroller that did not have cup holders and we bought an attachment at Babies R Us and it works great.

 

[wewantmore]

Hey, henstajay! When are you going to Disney? We are going December 6-12 and also looking to participate in a stroller swap, especially a double stroller...Let me know!

--Stephanie

OHOHOH, we are going December 11-14 and are VERY interested in a double to swap. (I don't have one, looking for one)

Michelle

 

[mom2of2]

thanks for the kind words Safetymom and for all your help stroller sittin'

 

[DisneyBaby2004]

OHOHOH, we are going December 11-14 and are VERY interested in a double to swap. (I don't have one, looking for one)

Michelle

Hey I will be there from Dec 14 - 17 staying at CSR as well and also interested.