strollers - Disney vs. Magic

[mastrolang]

Last time we went to Disney our kids were 3 and 6 and we rented a beautiful single stroller from Magic Strollers. It's held all our "stuff", was very conformable according to our son, and was very easy to maneuver. However, my husband - who was in charge of the enormous thing - said it was a pain to get on and off the shuttles with it. Yes, it folded up, but not very small and with all our "stuff" in it, it was quite a production to get the thing folded and the "stuff" secured and often he ended up having to stand just to deal with it.

This time around our son will be 5 and our daughter 8. Although we'll have a lot less "stuff" we'd still like to get a stroller to hold what little of it we bring, and in case of a much-needed nap. We thought about renting one through the parks this time, so we don't have to worry about lugging the thing back to the resort, but I've heard they're a pain to drive. Or simply buying a simple umbrella stroller, but there's the issue of traveling with the thing again. We're still debating the merits of both.

Thoughts???

 

[kmb584]

I would rent a stroller from a rental company (ie: Magic Strollers) or purchase a cheap umbrella stroller as they're comfortable and easier to navigate. The ones from Disney are just hunks of hard plastic and depending on the wheels can be downright impossible to turn.

 

[AmyB2006]

My kids were 7 and 5 the last few times we went. I do understand your plight! We loved being able to stash our stuff on the stroller. Much nicer than having to carry it on your back or shoulder. But yes they are a pain to fold up, park, maneuver on and off shuttles/buses/boats/monorails etc.

We went without the stroller on our last 2 trips, and I must say, it was SOOOO much nicer. Yes, we had to pair down what we took in the parks with us. I had to carry a backpack. But it worked. It was great not having a stroller. The kids didn't miss it at all.

 

[wdw4rfam]

My kids were 7 and 5 the last few times we went. I do understand your plight! We loved being able to stash our stuff on the stroller. Much nicer than having to carry it on your back or shoulder. But yes they are a pain to fold up, park, maneuver on and off shuttles/buses/boats/monorails etc.

We went without the stroller on our last 2 trips, and I must say, it was SOOOO much nicer. Yes, we had to pair down what we took in the parks with us. I had to carry a backpack. But it worked. It was great not having a stroller. The kids didn't miss it at all.

Good to hear. My kids are all 5 years apart, so we have NEVER done Disney without a stroller...this will be our first. I am nervous about no storage, but so exited to not have to find the stroller after every attraction while the CMs play musical strollers while we riding. Good to hear that someone else took the plunge, and it went well.
On the other hand, back to original question, the strollers from magic are SOOOO much nicer, but keep in mind they will need to be folded on buses and stored in your room. They are way cheaper too. But the convenience of Disney strollers are great, no folding on buses, taking room up in resort room, but those lines.......

 

[Cheert789]

My experience with park rented strollers is they are very easy to push. I have always been able to push and turn with one hand and we have always had the double stroller and yes even my 8 yr old would use it at times and it pushed just as easily as when my 4 yr old was in it

 

[skywaywaver]

I won a free stroller rental through a blog giveaway in 2011 from Kingdom Strollers. My kids were 5 and 3 so we rented a double Mini of some sort. I loved the handling and the kids thought it was comfy but yes, getting it onto buses was a problem. We had umbrella strollers too (one was a Maclaren simple umbrella, one a Walmart cheapie) for when we went back in the evenings and those were so much easier for bus and when we split up. We have a third child now who will be 18 months this trip and I really did debate whether or not to use our Graco (folds pretty flat and easily) or the Maclaren and I think the Maclaren will win. I am still a little worried to see how the two older ones hold up on their first trip involving walking.

I have never rented the park strollers as I always wanted something to get to and from buses with.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

We had a stroller last time because my youngest was one, but my four year old never went in a stroller at all and managed just fine. I guess you know your own kid, but I can't wait until we are stroller free.