Strollers; Gate Check, Ship or Rent?

[DisneyDahling]

Our DS 4 outgrew strollers last year but we are seriously considering getting a stroller for our upcoming October trip to Disney. Being 4, his little legs do tire easily so I'd rather fight the battle with the stroller than try to carry a preschooler for long periods of time.
That said, we have looked into purchasing a City Mini and either gate checking it or shipping it or renting one (From Kingdom Strollers most likely).

So has anyone shipped a stroller? If so, what was your cost?
If you have gate checked one, how does that work? Is it considered a carry on item? We are most likely flying Southwest, if that helps. I have seen "Gate Check Bags", would that be something you would recommend to protect the stroller?

Or do you just say forget all above and just rent?

TIA everyone!

 

[Alison Wunderland]

My son is the same age and I agree that a stroller at home isn't necessary but he is too little for all that walking at Disney. We decided to buy a lightweight full sized stroller from Walmart. I had it shipped to my parents house and they will bring it with them since I won't need it for the airport. We have gate checked a stroller before and you just bring it to the gate and at boarding or right before they will give you a tag. Once you land you just wait and they bring out all the gate checked items. I don't think I waited more than 15 minutes for them to bring me my stroller. I decided not to rent and bought a stroller because for less than the price of renting I have a stroller that I can use on future trips or can sell if I want.

 

[PrincesCJM]

Gate checking doesn't cost anything. If I remember correctly, checking a stroller (with the suitcases) doesn't cost anything either.

 

[NJlauren]

If you aren't going to use it again and don't need it in the airport I would think renting is best.

I am using kingdom strollers, but have heard Orlando strollers and apple strollers are good too.

 

[DisneyDahling]

My son is the same age and I agree that a stroller at home isn't necessary but he is too little for all that walking at Disney. We decided to buy a lightweight full sized stroller from Walmart. I had it shipped to my parents house and they will bring it with them since I won't need it for the airport. We have gate checked a stroller before and you just bring it to the gate and at boarding or right before they will give you a tag. Once you land you just wait and they bring out all the gate checked items. I don't think I waited more than 15 minutes for them to bring me my stroller. I decided not to rent and bought a stroller because for less than the price of renting I have a stroller that I can use on future trips or can sell if I want.

I think I saw a preliminary quote from Kingdom Strollers that the City Mini would be 85.00 for the 7 days I'd need it, which is FAR cheaper than the purchase of one, but my husband has been pointing out all these activities we do during the spring and summer months that a stroller would be handy for. I guess I got rid of everything "baby" related a bit early. Whooops. Thanks for your insight on the gate checking, I really appreciate it!

Gate checking doesn't cost anything. If I remember correctly, checking a stroller (with the suitcases) doesn't cost anything either.

Thank you! That's awesome.

If you aren't going to use it again and don't need it in the airport I would think renting is best.

I am using kingdom strollers, but have heard Orlando strollers and apple strollers are good too.

Right. After thinking of all the places where a stroller would have come in VERY handy last summer, I'm thinking we may just purchase. I'd like to find at least a gently used one though, as the thought of spending $300.00 for a something I know we only need for a few more years, at max, makes my stomach hurt! LOL.

 

[pooh4evr]

Gate check it- get a tag from the gate agent wheel it down the tunnel, fold it and leave it before you walk onto the plane. It will be waiting when you exit in Orlando. Doesn't cost anything and doesn't count as a bag or carry on.

 

[tink9702]

Definitely Gate check the stroller. It costs you nothing and doesn't count as your carry-on.

I'd check local mom swap boards on FB or consignment shops for a used stroller.

 

[MandiC]

If you got rid of your strollers and think you will use it prior to the trip I would buy it now and gate check it. Otherwise you *could* always buy it from somewhere like amazon with free shipping and have it shipped directly to your resort.

 

[DisneyDahling]

Definitely Gate check the stroller. It costs you nothing and doesn't count as your carry-on.

I'd check local mom swap boards on FB or consignment shops for a used stroller.

Thanks! Yup, I am currently checking my buy, sell, trade boards on Facebook. I found one on Ebay for half of what a new one costs, but it is a 2012 model. Not sure if there is a huge difference between the 2012 City Mini and the 2014.... Thanks again!

 

[VbChristy]

We gate check all the time. We use the red gate check bags you can buy on Amazon for like $12. I had read a review to use the large car seat ones for the citi mini sized strollers so we do that and it had worked wonderfully. Because otherwise you have to take the wheels off. We have traveled with my son for like 16 flights and have only had one incident. The bar we added snapped off during the flight. Delta had a check sent to our house for the bar plus delivery charges. We overnighted the bar to the hotel.

 

[Jenna319]

We gate check all the time. We use the red gate check bags you can buy on Amazon for like $12. I had read a review to use the large car seat ones for the citi mini sized strollers so we do that and it had worked wonderfully. Because otherwise you have to take the wheels off. We have traveled with my son for like 16 flights and have only had one incident. The bar we added snapped off during the flight. Delta had a check sent to our house for the bar plus delivery charges. We overnighted the bar to the hotel.

Stupid question - do you need a gate check bag if you gate check stroller? Can you just put a tag on it with your name?

 

[VbChristy]

Stupid question - do you need a gate check bag if you gate check stroller? Can you just put a tag on it with your name?

You don't. But it is worth it to me. Sometimes it's rainy- so the bag keeps it dry. And there are always marks and dirt on the bags, that would be on your stroller.

 

[luvmy2babies]

Also check ebay for a used one or check www.albeebaby.com if you want a new one for a little less. These things are like cars and a new model comes out each year. When that happens they put the previous models on sale. That's how we got our city mini for $150 in 2012. I bought a 2011 model marked down. Looks like they have the green and purple 2013 model marked down from $249 to $189.

 

[collcass]

gate check is a breeze......just put the tag on, roll the stroller down, fold it up, and leave it. they take care of it. we've never had a problem gate checking

 

[Crystal824]

If you want a stroller, I would buy and gate check. Actually that is exactly what we did. We have a four year old and a baby who will be 10 months when we go to Disney. We bought a double city mini right after the baby was born. My four year old doesn't really need a stroller at home, but she can't handle Disney. I have made her get in the stroller here at home when it was crowded at the zoo or a local amusement park if I was there with the kids by myself. We plan to gate check the stroller. We did buy a bag for the stroller. It is a little more durable than the red Amazon bag the prior poster mentioned, but we did get it from Amazon. We got the JL Childress stroller bag. It was more expensive than the red bag but much cheaper than the carry bags made by baby jogger. We will have to remove the wheels, but my DH said they just pop off so it is no big deal. We have a friend that is a flight attendant. She says definitely get a durable bag if you are going to bring your own stroller because the airline workers aren't careful with anything.

 

[casiemay07]

Checkout this post. I just bought a city mini for the $178 and got a free $75 gift card. If you don't use it you can sell it and get your money back.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/compact-stroller-recommendation-needed.3390040/#post-53268898

 

[DisneyDahling]

If you want a stroller, I would buy and gate check. Actually that is exactly what we did. We have a four year old and a baby who will be 10 months when we go to Disney. We bought a double city mini right after the baby was born. My four year old doesn't really need a stroller at home, but she can't handle Disney. I have made her get in the stroller here at home when it was crowded at the zoo or a local amusement park if I was there with the kids by myself. We plan to gate check the stroller. We did buy a bag for the stroller. It is a little more durable than the red Amazon bag the prior poster mentioned, but we did get it from Amazon. We got the JL Childress stroller bag. It was more expensive than the red bag but much cheaper than the carry bags made by baby jogger. We will have to remove the wheels, but my DH said they just pop off so it is no big deal. We have a friend that is a flight attendant. She says definitely get a durable bag if you are going to bring your own stroller because the airline workers aren't careful with anything.

Sounds like our 4 year olds are in the same boat. Thanks for the advise! I appreciate it. Have fun on your upcoming trip!!

 

[DisneyDahling]

Checkout this post. I just bought a city mini for the $178 and got a free $75 gift card. If you don't use it you can sell it and get your money back.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/compact-stroller-recommendation-needed.3390040/#post-53268898

I saw this yesterday too! I went to our Local BRU and played around with a City Mini they had there with the double front wheels. It wasn't labeled as the City Mini Lite though, so I'm not sure if it was a different model. It didn't seem to glide as well as the City Mini, but still maneuvered better than our old Gracco stroller ever did. I think I am going to purchase it today and if I hate it, since it is free returns, I'll send it back. And if I don't hate it, then I have $75 to purchase the travel bag and parent console Thanks CasieMay07!

 

[HotMama]

We used to gate check the stroller every time! The kiddos stay in the stroller all through the airport, and when we get to the gate we just check it in with the attendant and she puts a tag on it. Before we board the plane, we leave stroller for the attendants. After our flight our stroller is waiting for us right outside the plane. We pack our kids up in it, and stroll them right through the airport to where we need to be. Easy peasy!

 

[casiemay07]

With the $75 I bought a parent organizer and a bag to put the stroller in when we gate check it.

I still have money left over

FYI: I got my $75 the very next day!!!