Strollers and belongings at the parks

[11Tinkermom]

Ok, we have 2 DDs, 2 1/2 and 6...we will prob bring 2 umbrella strollers b/c I know half way thru the day DD 1 will whine that she can't possibly walk any longer. I think its ridiculous to push around a 6 yr old in a stroller, but I know this will end up happening.

What do you do with strollers?? Do you take them in the lines w/you or are the lines too narrow for that??
And do you take ALL your belongings onto every ride or do you chance it and leave it in the stroller?? (not talking purse, wallet, or camera) but like diaper bag and such??

I know we plan to get a locker for the princess dresses and stuff when we get there, but there are some things we should prob keep with us under the stroller basket like water bottle and diaper bag.

Thanks!

 

[soarinup]

I took the stroller all through the park when I knew it would be a long day. I parked it outside the attraction with things that I didn't care about.[water bottles, raincoat, diaper bag]
Now that I'm going with a 5 year old, I will still be taking the stroller, but leaving it at front of park in storage. I'm staying on the monorail this time, so its going with me to Florida, just gonna wing it as to when to use it.

 

[lsulindy]

You park your stroller outside of the attraction before you get in the queue. We left everything in it.

 

[11Tinkermom]

So, the storage they offer is large enough to fit a stroller???
I don't plan on walking around the park with 2 strollers i was just gonna make DH make the long treck back to the car if DD1 gets whiney on us...but if you can fit an umbrella stroller into some sort of storage locker that will save a TON of time!

 

[brockash]

So, the storage they offer is large enough to fit a stroller???
I don't plan on walking around the park with 2 strollers i was just gonna make DH make the long treck back to the car if DD1 gets whiney on us...but if you can fit an umbrella stroller into some sort of storage locker that will save a TON of time!

Have you thought about possibly take a sit n stand stroller? Honestly, I bought one specifically for our Disney trip, when my DS was 6 and dd 17 months. It really worked well. It really wasn't much bigger than 1 regular for size stroller, and when DS got tired or we had to get somewhere fast or when it was really crowded; he could just jump on the back and have a seat for a while. It worked so well that we took it the next year as well when he was 7 and dd was 2 1/2. That was the last year though, because DS was getting too heavy/big for it, but I would do it again in a second.

I don't know if the lockers would be big enough to fit an umbrella stroller (although I'm guessing not.) Going back to the car to get a 2nd stroller to me, would be a PITA, and pretty time consuming.

 

[LaurenT]

You can really take both strollers in and just leave one in one of the stroller parking areas until you need it....no reason to hike back to the car (which is rather convoluted when your at MK....get the monorail or boat, then wait for tram, then walk to car.....)
I used to leave anything that wasn't of particular value in the stroller...nothing ever went missing...but it does happen...just a chance I was prepared to take....

 

[ccgirl]

It is not easy to go back to the car. Take a few extra breaks and the older one shouldn't need the stroller. If you want to take the stroller, I would take it right from the onset. It can be quite a hike back to the car. Strollers are not allowed in any of the lines unless you are using a stroller as a wheelchair. There are parking areas outside of the rides. I would not leave anything valuable in it. I brought a backpack into the park. This had the diapers, wipes, water bottles, rain ponchos, camera and sweatshirts. We brought it with us on every ride.

 

[imthatgirl]

There are designated stroller "parking lots" conveniently located all around the parks. I left the strollers there and only took my money and camera with me. The years we had a diaper bag it stayed in the stroller.

Also I didn't take the stroller to and from each ride. I would find a parking spot centrally located near a few rides we planned to do and leave it there, then when we moved areas the kids would get in and we would go. They were expected to walk at times.

I also wouldn't leave the stroller in the car. If I thought that we would be using it it just came with us. However at the age of 6 we wouldn't have brought a second stroller. We would have instead taken tired cues as a need to take a break, and then break accordingly. Also there will probably be times when the 2 1/2 yo will want to walk, the 6yo can sit then, right?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Okay, here's my read.

If you are bringing a car, then the 'walk back to the car' from the front gate of the park will likely not be all that far. If you are not parked inthe first few rows, then there is a tram which will take you back to your car. You will be dropped off near the end of the row where you parked. that may seem far if youa re carrying a sleeping 6yr old, but relatively speaking it's not very far.(See below)

The part where the six year old would apprectiate the stroller is the part where you go from the last attraction your ride down what I call the 'Main St' part of each park and over to the tram or monorail. SO if the stroller is at the park exit - then it's really already most of the way there. Hopefully that makes sense.

In almost every case, there is designated 'stroller parking' near each attraction or set of attractions. You don't just leave your stroller at the exit to each ride, but inte designated area - which may be some distance form each attraction.

An alternative to bringing two strollers is a double stroller or one of those 'sit and ride strollers.' I suggest you find the lightest - but quality - stroller you can find. Cheap strollers a re pain to push. Heavy strollers are a pain to lift.IT may be worht renting from an offsite place, of findingn a friend who will loan a stroller, or getting one second hand.

A basket under the stroller is a key element. Alternately, you can hang a bag off the handles of most strollers.

When we go ina fmaily group with strollers, we typically leave everything inthe stroller basket except cameras,cash, and the like. Most Disney dresses you could leave inteh stroller as long they are out of plain sight. Although I recently read a post from a fmaily that was planning on brining multi-dresses for each day - not just one per child. If you are bringing lots of dresses each day, then yeah, a locker might be good. Again, the lockers are at the front of each park - so if you are inthe heart of each park - you are at least a 10-15min walk away from locker area. In Epcot's WS, you are more like a 30min walk away.

However - you don't have to cart your strollers to every attraction. Often you bring the strollers to each 'land' of each park and leave it there. Like there is one central spot in Tomorrowland for stroller parking. At Epcot's FW, you bring it to each pavillion (and must park it outside that pavillion). So even the two year old will spend a fair amount of time -out- of the stroller. There's nothing that says you can't leave the stroller in one spot for several hours.
Be aware though that often CM's move a stroller around within a given stroller 'parking lot'. Don't expect it to be in the exact spot you left it.

One last thought....if you do go with two individual strollers...it may be possible for your two kids to take turns with just one stroller at certain points of your vacation.

 

[cuchu2005]

So, the storage they offer is large enough to fit a stroller???
I don't plan on walking around the park with 2 strollers i was just gonna make DH make the long treck back to the car if DD1 gets whiney on us...but if you can fit an umbrella stroller into some sort of storage locker that will save a TON of time!

Hi, I don't know if I totally agree with that. Our strollers not only carry our DDs. We also hang all our things from them (shopping bags, clothes, etc.).

There are stroller parking spaces around the parks. We've always left our things on them and never had a problem. And you don't always have to carry them. For example, when doing Fantasyland we parked our strollers near Peter Pan, and we then moved without the strollers until we left Fantasyland. We did the same at Epcot with Soarin', Nemo and Figment. In the meantime, we left our things on the strollers.

We always carry our value items with us (cameras, ID, Tickets, Money, etc.).

Mx

 

[troynkasey]

The trek back to the car may not be bad, but could be time consuming. Especially if you're at say...AK and at Kali River Rapids and the child needs a ride, then you're going to walk the length of the park, outside, catch a tram to the car and then make the same trip back, but with entry back into the park. I would bring both strollers and if both aren't full, then put bags, souvenirs, etc. in the empty one. We always rent a double from Orlando Stroller Rentals (insert shameless commercial here) and when the oldest, who will be 6 in December, wants to ride, then we shift things around to the back and she hops in. It's very easy and it's right there with us the whole time. Plus it's a jogging stroller, so it's not one of those crazy bulky ones either.

 

[troynkasey]

Hi, I don't know if I totally agree with that. Our strollers not only carry our DDs. We also hang all our things from them (shopping bags, clothes, etc.).

There are stroller parking spaces around the parks. We've always left our things on them and never had a problem. And you don't always have to carry them. For example, when doing Fantasyland we parked our strollers near Peter Pan, and we then moved without the strollers until we left Fantasyland. We did the same at Epcot with Soarin', Nemo and Figment. In the meantime, we left our things on the strollers.

We always carry our value items with us (cameras, ID, Tickets, Money, etc.).

Mx

This is exactly what we do too. It's nice because the little ones get a little freedom out of the stroller and don't feel so confined to the stroller if they're always in it. And with the designated parking areas in each land, it's pretty easy to park it someone centrally located and be able to hit everything.

 

[puffkin]

Now that DS is older, we take our stroller to a Land, and park it there until we leave that land. Then we move it to the next Land. We leave everything in it except valuables, never had a problem in 10+ trips with a stroller.

I would never leave the stroller at the front of the park or in the car. You never know when they will need it and it can be far and time consuming to get to it depending on where you are. The stroller will not fit in lockers.

We will definitely miss the stroller when DS is too big for it. It is so nice to have a place to hold ponchos, drinks, coats, etc.

 

[chartle]

Okay, here's my read.

If you are bringing a car, then the 'walk back to the car' from the front gate of the park will likely not be all that far. If you are not parked inthe first few rows, then there is a tram which will take you back to your car. You will be dropped off near the end of the row where you parked. that may seem far if you are carrying a sleeping 6yr old, but relatively speaking it's not very far.(See below)

Have you forgotten about parking at the MK?

When you factor in the Monorail or ferry ride, it could take 45 minutes to an hour to go to the car and back.

 

[lsulindy]

We will definitely miss the stroller when DS is too big for it. It is so nice to have a place to hold ponchos, drinks, coats, etc.

This. I joke that I had another one just to get the stroller back. The first time I went to the mall after my DD outgrew the stroller I was like "What am I supposed to do with my jacket and bags?"

 

[Disneyhayes]

This. I joke that I had another one just to get the stroller back. The first time I went to the mall after my DD outgrew the stroller I was like "What am I supposed to do with my jacket and bags?"

bring the stoller anyways and put your stuff in it

 

[11Tinkermom]

Thanks everyone! I have never seen a sit and stand stroller, i heard about them awhile ago, but totally forgot about them...And yes...it does seem that whoever is in the stroller wants out and whoever is out of the stroller wants in...at times we find they both want in at the same time and others, we are just all walking around pushing an empty stroller, something that drives us CRAZY! So, since you have to park them in each area anyway and walk to the rides and stand in line (this is where i think DD1 will want to sit or be held) I will skip taking 2 and either buy one of the sit/stand ones or just have them take turns.

Anyone own a sit and stand stroller??? Where did you buy it? What brand?? Cost?? Don't want to spend alot of $$ on a stroller that prob won't be used much more for this trip.

 

[brockash]

Thanks everyone! I have never seen a sit and stand stroller, i heard about them awhile ago, but totally forgot about them...And yes...it does seem that whoever is in the stroller wants out and whoever is out of the stroller wants in...at times we find they both want in at the same time and others, we are just all walking around pushing an empty stroller, something that drives us CRAZY! So, since you have to park them in each area anyway and walk to the rides and stand in line (this is where i think DD1 will want to sit or be held) I will skip taking 2 and either buy one of the sit/stand ones or just have them take turns.

Anyone own a sit and stand stroller??? Where did you buy it? What brand?? Cost?? Don't want to spend alot of $$ on a stroller that prob won't be used much more for this trip.

We bought a "baby trend" sitnstand from Target about 3 years ago. It was $120. the only thing we ever used it for was our 2 Disney trips (when my ds was 6 and 7,) and it seems like a lot, but it was honestly worth every penny. You could probably look around online and possibly find it cheaper. Maybe even ask around (friends ect.) to see if any of them have one that they'd like to get rid of for a much cheaper price.

 

[11Tinkermom]

Ok, I just got some GREAT news!!! I have NO idea why I didn't think of this before...its my DUH moment I guess.....
I have a long time friend who lives in Orlando, who i haven't seen in 4 yrs and plan to see at some point on this trip...she has 3 girls, ages 4-9....so I just emailed her and yes they do still have their double stroller and her 9 yr old will still occasionally still sit in it at the end of the day and take turns w/the other girls. So problem solved!!!
Now...I just have to worry that nothing will happen to this stroller since it isn't mine!!!!!!!!!! Though, I highly doubt anything will happen and it won't get stolen...sometimes just borrowing things makes me nervous. Plus now we have to really make sure we see them when we get there and then again before we leave so we can return the stroller


soo...if we forgo a diaper bag and do backpack...you are allowed to take them on the rides??? what about a ride like space mountain??? Although, I won't be riding it w/my girls...DH might w/his brother and nephew..so i'm sure he would just leave the backpack with me....

 

[scarlet_ibis]

Ok, here's my two cents. Do NOT take a double stroller to Disney. You will hate it and people will hate you. They are heavy. They are bulky. They are very hard to steer and you will not easily be able to take it in and out of store and walk-through attractions (I'm thinking Epcot World Showcase, for instance). I had a double stroller once and used it once before selling it because it was soooo hard to use. I know you said you will have a car, but it might be relevant to someone else reading that larger, heavier strollers are extremely hard to manage while folded up on a Disney bus.

Having two strollers allows you maximum flexibilty for your party to split up, particularly if you have one child in the 5+ range who is taller and more adventurous and another who is either meek or too small for the big kid rides.

The advice on the stroller parking is sound. You can always drop one earlier in the day and it will certainly be closer than the car, which could be an hour round trip, as someone mentioned. That's a sad way to lose an hour of park time!!

Now, we always take a backpack but not a separate diaper bag. Diapers, wipes, and cream go into a large ziploc (waterproof for rides and rain!) which can be taken out and left in the stroller. Backpack with cameras and pins and any valuables goes with us. Any ride where we couldn't take it would be one where we'd rider swap anyway.