strollers and busses at Disney world

[jnordan]

Hi there,

I've been debating the stroller issue, too. What I've sort of decided on, I think, is renting a double jogger with swivel wheel from BBF in Orlando for the stay of our trip. I think my girls will be really comfy in it, and I can use it anywhere I want for the entire trip, both of which are really important to me.

The only thing I've read on these boards that is making my second-guess my decision is that the bigger strollers are tough on Disney busses. I've never stayed on property at Disney, so I have no experience with this. (This trip, we'll be staying at BCV.) We plan on getting an early start to our days, going to the parks, and when we leave, that's it -- we won't be returning for evening activities since my kids go to bed really early. So is this really a big deal? I figure, while we're waiting for the bus, we'll fold down the stroller, then I'll strap our "stuff" on my back and help my two girls (2.5 and 4.5) onto the bus while DH deals with the stroller. Am I missing something? I can tell this is a big issue for a lot of people, so I figure I must be!

Also, do you carry the strollers onto the bus, or are they tucked underneath?

Thanks!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

You carry the strollers onto the bus. The only time I found having a large stroller an issue is when the buses were already pretty full when we boarded. People were always kind and helpful though. I think your plan sounds fine.

 

[Mickster]

I have always taken an umbrella stroller or two. I have two kids and their first trip they were 14 months and 4. We used the strollers everyday, all day. My DD napped in hers! The real issue is that the stroller takes up so much valuable floor space on the bus. I have seen times when someone couldn't get it out of the aisle and it blocked the way for anyone else getting on. Or it blocks a seat from being taken. The umbrella strollers can fit between your legs. It worked for us. Good luck!

 

[golden1]

As long as your dh doesn't mind carrying it on and off the bus it should be fine, especially since you are going during non-busy bus hours.

 

[all4fun]

Well at least staying at BCV you can take the boats to MGM and walk or boat to Epcot, and you won't have to fold the stroller down for those. You will have to fold it and board with it on the buses to AK and MK. We personally found this to be a bit of a PITB with just a single umbrella-style stroller so I wouldn't (personally) want to do it with a big double, much less the jogging type since they typically have a pretty bulky fold.

On our next trip in a couple of weeks, we are there for two weeks and staying at BCV this time (last time it was ASMo) so we'll be utilizing the boats to MGM and walk or boat to Epcot. At Epcot, we may choose to use the Monorail to hop to MK. There are a few days that we are going to rent a car (from the agency at the Swan and Dolphin) and those are the days we will be driving to MK and AK. We're also using the car for some off property excursions. This is because we're utilizing DME to and from the airport but we still wanted to have the convenience of a rental car at least part of the time.

OH, and we have never had to fold our stroller for the Monorail but the double jogger might be too wide -- I'm not sure about that.

Hth.

 

[sweetinmaine]

You shouldn't have a problem...Your plan sounds fine...I wish I could convince my DD to bring the double stroller for my grandsons...It would be so nice for them to get comfy in instead of the hard plastic ones that we rent at WDW...

 

[NMMickeymom]

We brought our double jogger and did fine. We tour much like you and spend the day in the park and return in the evening. It makes a big difference for us when the kids can rest comfortably in the stroller so it's worth the inconvenience. Understanding that we took up a bit more room we tried to be considerate of those around us and would pack ourselves around the stroller in the bus. If we were first on, we could slide it under our seat. If it was too full we'd wait for the next one (if it's busy enough to be a full bus it's USUALLY busy enough to have another bus just seconds away.

 

[GoinToDisney]

I'm so glad I saw this post. I was wondering the same thing. I'm thinking about bringing our Graco Metrolite, since my dd naps in there. I have a smaller one, but it doesn't recline.

 

[jnordan]

Thanks, everyone! I think the kids being comfortable (which GREATLY impacts their moods, in our case) is definitely the most important. I'm bummed that the strollers can't be stored under the bus, but I think we'll manage. . .

 

[dsneygirl]

I just wanted to add we stayed at BCV and found it so convienent to boat or walk to MGM and Epcot, often we hopped to MK on the monorail so we probably used the bus for less than half our transportation needs.

 

[Waggy182]

I've been debating the stroller issue, too. What I've sort of decided on, I think, is renting a double jogger with swivel wheel from BBF in Orlando for the stay of our trip. I think my girls will be really comfy in it, and I can use it anywhere I want for the entire trip, both of which are really important to me.

If you mean ABBF (A Baby’s Best Friend) in Orlando, we rented the same double jogger from them last July. That is one nice stroller, with the front turning wheel and reclining seats. It was so easy to maneuver, and to answer your question it was a breeze on all the Disney transportation, including the busses.

ABBF was great to work with, also. Clean clean clean, and at our hotel luggage room before we were. Awesome and easy website, too. www.abbf.com

 

[jnordan]

ABBF is what I meant. Thank you! It's great to hear how much you liked using the stroller!

 

[Momof4girls]

you can boat to epcot?

 

[SueM in MN]

you can boat to epcot?

There are boats that go between Epcot and the MGM studios and the Epcot area resorts (Beach Club, Yaght Club, Boardwalk, Boardwalk Villas, Beach Club Villas, Swan or Dolphin). So, if you are staying at one of those resorts, you can either take the boats or it's a nice walk to either park.

Strollers and wheelchairs (ECVs too) can roll right onto those boats.

 

[Jaymie]

When we get on the busses with our stroller, my DH always tries to get as close to the back door as possible and I take our DS to sit with me. He finds it a lot easier than to try to move it around people. We were in WDW in Feb 06 and he found a spot to stand near the door almost every time. Or sometimes if there was a line, we would hold off on getting on the bus until we were the last guest allowed on. No one seemed to mind us letting them get on and take any available seat so we could stand next to the front door.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

www.abbf.com

How did I not know about this? Awesome!