Stroller Tips

[jacobsDISNEYmama]

Hi everyone, sorry if this question has been asked before, but obviously I noticed the search button isn't working!

I'm having a stroller dilemma: Our trip is next week, and I'm debating whether to:

1) Rent a stroller
2) Bring our Graco stroller
3) Bring a cheap umbrella stroller

My main concerns are comfort, security of the stroller, and convenience of bringing the stroller on the airplane. I wouldn't mind bringing the Graco but I don't know how much of a hassle it will be lugging it around the airport and call me paranoid, I am afraid of it being stolen in the parks. I am in San Diego and stroller thefts (low end to high end) are high at both Disneyland and Sea World. I also own a BOB and we hardly leave it unattended. The problem with the cheap umbrella stroller is that it's not comfortable and DS won't be able to sleep comfortably in it if needed. Prob with renting is just finances, I'd rather use the money for something else.

What do you all think? TIA.

 

[dsneybride]

We will be going in a few weeks and I am choosing (I think!!) to bring the umbrella stroller. I dont know how old your child(ren) is but my little one is 3. The prob with the big stroller is its a major pain on the buses. The prob with renting one (other than having to pay for it) is I like her to be strapped in while waiting for the bus. So umbrella stroller it is. Good Luck!!

 

[Amy162]

I'd bring the Graco. We flew last May and brought a jogging stroller. It was easy peasy to just check it at the gate, you don't have to check it with the regular baggage, and no extra fee. It was also convenient to have it for dd when walking around the airport. I have also participated in stroller swaps in the past, and had no problems with stolen strollers. I wouldn't want to rent one due to the cost and unless it reclines, the umbrella ones probably wouldn't be comfy for the little ones to sleep in!

 

[Elmo888]

How old is your child?

I think that I would bring the Graco. If your child might nap in the stroller, he will be more comfortable. Strollers aren't stolen often, esp. if you put something on the stroller that will keep someone from taking it by mistake.

If you decide to go with renting, I would look into http://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com/ before renting from the parks. There are some great reviews on the Dis Family Board. It is less expensive than renting from Disney, and you will have the stroller outside the parks, which you wouldn't have if you rented from Disney.

At the airport, you can take the stroller to the gate and gate check. It is rather convenient. I like having the stroller in the airport because I know where my child is!

 

[tcp_dpm]

Not to thread hijack, but I had a thought. Can you put a combination bike lock through a stroller wheel when you leave it somewhere or would that be a "no-no" in Disney. How much to the CM's move the strollers around? Thanks.

The lock I have in mind is about 3-4 ft long and could be threaded through one or two wheels to prevent (or at least make it harder) for someone to steal.

Or even collapse the stroller and lock it that way?

Thanks in advance for any help and tips and I hope this thought helps others at the same time.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

I visited WDW last week for 9 wonderful days and was in a stroller swap from this board, I was very anxious that the stroller would be stollen whil in my posession but had no issues at all, I loved the swapping and it was easy,convenient, and CHEAP!!
My advice is...swap!

 

[PrncessA]

If you have a Graco I would either bring it or rent from Orlando Stroller rentals. We used them for our trip and LOVED them. The stroller was very comfy and easy to push! There is no way I would bring a umbrella stroller since like you said it is not as comfortable.

I was worried about theft as well, but as soon as we got there it was far from my mind. Most people not only left our stroller alone but were very respectful of moving or bumping it even.

 

[DominicaAnne]

We just flew for the first time with our Chicco Trevi stroller and we had no problems with gate checking it. We put the stroller in a JR Childress gate check bag (like $12.99 from Amazon) and the bag kept the stroller from unfolding or getting damaged during handling. I believe that the Graco folds flat instead of umbrella-style, so you would need to look for a differently shaped bag, but I know they have those too. I felt much better about gate checking the stroller in the bag, because I knew that it would not come unfolded and that all the more delicate parts were contained in the bag and not sticking out waiting to catch on things.

I'm a little concerned about taking the stroller on and off the buses at Disney, but decided that we'll deal with the inconvenience so that my 1 year old can sleep comfortably. I was originally going to rent from Orlando Strollers and would totally still be doing that, but we are moving unexpectedly right after our vacation, and just didn't want to spend the extra $100. If you rent, I'd go with them over Disney, those strollers look awesome.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[2binak]

I would bring the stroller your child knows and is comfortable with. You can always use it in the airport up until the gate to keep your little one in one place

Another option for renting is a company that just started renting the same strollers as orlando stroller rentals, but for less. I can't remember the name right now, but they are listed on mousesavers.com

 

[maxiesmom]

If you decide to bring your own stroller, you can always lock a couple of the wheels together. That way it will be useless to a theif, but the CMs will still be able to move it if they need to. Just don't lock it to anything, or else they will cut your lock.

Be aware too that having a stroller on the busses can be a little bit of a hassle. The stroller has to be folded, so someone has to hold on to all the stuff that ends up in the stroller plus the stroller, and someone has to hold onto the child. That can be tricky, especially if you end up standing on a bus.

 

[jacobsDISNEYmama]

Thanks for your input everyone! I think I am leaning towards bringing the Graco then, but I haven't seen any stroller bags for that odd of size.

@tcp_dpm: yeah, we actually have a bike lock i have for our BOB, I have never locked the wheels before (yet) because we haven't left it alone, but I will probably bring it to WDW in order to lock it there, or I can just remove a wheel like I've had people suggest. Even OrlandoStrollerRentals suggests removing a wheel!

 

[dkbnyc]

take the graco- dont bother with a bag, its unnecessary IMO. we fly all the time and always gate check our stroller. never a problem

 

[yrdlyprincess]

I wouldn't bring the umberella-- I was thinking of that too but it doesn't even look comfortable-but if someone was going to push me I wouldn't complain. I'm bringing down our Graco and tying a BIG, BRIGHT ribbon on it-- ok it's not a theft lock- but ....

 

[becfehr]

Your own is a must! Whichever you decide that you have, bring it. Getting off the buses after a long day at the park... you do NOT want to carry your child all the way to your room... they tend to be a nice walk back to the room.

As for stealing it... tie something noticable to make it more identifiable, it will deter them from stealing YOURS! Like a bright scarf/hankie. The more yours sticks out, the less likely they will get yours... since it gets more attention. It is also very helpful to ID it when it is in a SEA OF STROLLERS outside of a ride. ANd YES the CM's will more than likely move your stroller, so a lock probably won't be a good idea... but locking the wheels would be a good idea... if a thief tries to push it off quickly, and can't, they will more than likely leave it.

 

[GAMC369]

Definitely bring your own stroller. We plan on putting a lock through the wheels on ours this trip. We've flown multiple times with a stroller and you really don't need a bag. Just gate check it and it'll be waiting for you when you get off the plane.

 

[dunbarfamily]

Having lots of small children, we've always taken our own stroller to WDW, either our double or single, depending on how old the children are. We've never locked the wheels. I've never had a problem. If I remember, I'll tie something to the handle to make it easier to spot, but this usually isn't needed because my husband has eagle eyes and can spot it 100 miles away in the "sea" of strollers.

If we have to catch a connecting plane, we planeside check it, otherwise, we check it with our luggage. We either have the child walk or carry the child to the luggage claim to get the stroller and luggage.

Hope this helps!

 

[marshmellow86]

Bring the big Graco!!!!! We do it all of the time. It is more comfortable and they are really light and easy to fold these days. the kids are more comfortable and it is much easier for us, the parents, to push and get around with it than an umbrella stroller. It is also nice to have somewhere to stash all of your stuff. We have probably been to Disney 80+ times with a stroller and NEVER had a problem with anyone messing with our stroller. (knock on wood) (I did however one time almost take someone else's that looked exactly like mine!!!! so the idea to put a ribbon or something to easily identify it is good)

The rental strollers are hard plastic, so not comfortable to sleep or rest in. They have to be hot too!

CM do move strollers around frequently, so make sure they can move yours as needed.

 

[tam626]

We bring our Graco. Use it the whole time in the airport except at security & to board the plane of course. I had my MIL make us a canvas bag to cover it. We stay at FW & do a lot of walking there so we have to have our own stroller. It's been great the past two years.