stroller

[jksky4]

My family will be leaving in 3 weeks for our 1st trip staying at OKW without a car. One of my dd is 2 so I will need a stroller for the parks but also for Dtn Disney as well. I really want to bring a stroller but have read on this board about renting them at the parks. However, if I do rent them, then I won't have one for other places. Help!!! Any other 1st timer tips would also be helpful on any subject. Thanks so much.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Check out the family board - there are a ton of stroller threads over there.

Personally I'm a fan of light weight umbrella strollers for in and out of the parks. We got a 2005 Volo for our last trip. I think it is even cheaper now. As I mentioned - lots more info on the family boards.

 

[JMCDisneyBound]

Bring your own stroller!!! You will be thankful you have it not only for DTD but for walking to and from bus stops and around your resort. I went through this same dilema our first time and I'm glad I took the advice from other Disers and brought our own. We bought one at BabiesRUs for around $40. Lightweight, umbrella type that has a basket underneath (Priceless!!!) Also, FYI, tie a bandana or ribbon around the handle to mark it in some way. SOOOO much easier to find in stroller parking this way!!! Have a great trip!

 

[Kimmumum]

Stop at Walmart (in Orlando) and buy an umbrella stroller. I think they cost around $10. We hated lugging anything more than we had to from home and $10 was cheaper than renting. When our trip was over we would drop the stroller off at valet parking and ask them to give it to a family (or an employee) that could use it. $10 was way worth it for us and then someone else got use out of it too.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

Stop at Walmart (in Orlando) and buy an umbrella stroller. I think they cost around $10. We hated lugging anything more than we had to from home and $10 was cheaper than renting. When our trip was over we would drop the stroller off at valet parking and ask them to give it to a family (or an employee) that could use it. $10 was way worth it for us and then someone else got use out of it too.

We did the same. With all the luggage and car seats that we have to bring on the plane, we do not want to also bring a stroller on board. We stop at the local Walmart on the way to the resort, pick up groceries, some souveneirs and a cheap umbrella stroller. When our trip is done we leave it at the resort hoping that another family will be able to use it too! I find that buying a stroller down there and then leaving it does make sense to us. Some may think we are wasting it, but paying to rent one would be much more costly and we can use it for DTD also.

 

[Tinkbellfan]

I still bring my stoller for my 6yo DD. The rented strollers have to be returned before you leave the park. This leaves you with a tired child that wants to be carried to the buses and then to the room (most of the time this is a very far walk). You do have to fold up the stroller to get on the bus. Definately bring your own stroller!!

 

[jessica52877]

We went and purchased a special stroller just for our disney trips, $30 at Kmart (or Target), it was umbrella like but a bit sturdier. Basket underneath and reclined, also had a cup holder (for those who must have that). I wanted something a bit stronger then regular umbrella. I would easily even spend the $30 and then leave it for someone else, so worth it and better then renting, small and easy to manuever. I found I liked the Sesame street version from Kmart a bit more then Costco from Target, we had both.

I actually prefer to have one at the airport with me too! So hard to lug everything and hold on to the child, with the stroller I could also balance a ton of stuff on it and sling car seat over my shoulder! Folded it at the gate and it was waiting for me upon arrival.

 

[ImagineEar]

Bring and umbrella stroller... You'll be sorry if you don't. I made the decicion to leave it home for the same reason you are considring it - too much to lug. Well - we were at BWV for 12 days and by the 2nd day I had my sister FED Ex it to me. (we had no car to get one and didn't want to watse vacation time searching Orlando for one by cab.) Just getting DS 3 over to the park where you could rent one was more walking than he could handle and more carrying than I could handle!

 

[momanddadof2girls]

I'm so glad I brought my own stroller. I have a huge one with big wheels and after reading the posts, I was worried that it would be too hard to open and close and getting onto the buses. So I went to a local resale shop and purchased one for $20.00. It was sturdier than the typical umbrella strollers (the children seemed so squished in those) The one I purchased reclined, had a small basket and cup holder. All of these were lifesavers! Putting my DD2 in it from the room to the bus stop, leaving the park to the bus stop and back to our room was a lifesaver. After leaving the parks, I'm glad I had a stroller for my tired little one. Plus, we went to Downtown Disney one night, and again, it was great to have a stroller (plus is was very crowded and if I didn't have her in a stroller, I would have been nervous trying to keep up with her.) Most of the strollers at the parks are "hard". To me, they didn't look that comfortable. Plus, the $20.00 I spent was cheaper than renting one for 5 days. You can "gate check" your stroller at the airport if you are flying. Just put your child in the stroller and when they board the plane , they will tell you to leave it at the end of the walkway to the plane. When the plane lands, they have it ready for you. Very easy! I also was able to put my carry-on backpack with diapers etc, in the basket.
Now that my trip is over, I will take it back to the resale shop and try to get a few dollars for it! Good luck and have fun!

 

[mickey'sgirl]

We always take our own. It comes in so handy even when you haven't got a child sitting in it all the time. It is more trouble to be without one than it is to take one with you.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

Bring your own stroller!!! You will be thankful you have it not only for DTD but for walking to and from bus stops and around your resort. I went through this same dilema our first time and I'm glad I took the advice from other Disers and brought our own. We bought one at BabiesRUs for around $40. Lightweight, umbrella type that has a basket underneath (Priceless!!!) Also, FYI, tie a bandana or ribbon around the handle to mark it in some way. SOOOO much easier to find in stroller parking this way!!! Have a great trip!

I completely agree with Disneybound. We bought a Combi, a little more $$, but loved it! Make sure whatever you get has a basket! The bandana/ribbon works GREAT too...I thought that was just for those renting strollers...but we did this on ours and it was SO much easier to spot our stroller among the hundreds of others parked outside attractions.