strollers in the parks...

[MagicPrincess]

STROLLER ADVICE NEEDED!!!
Since you've all been so helpful around here- I need a little advice that's kinda off topic!

Is it better to use a smaller umbrella in ther parks, or is the larger type ok??? are they too big and bulky???
ALSO....

I'm a little concerned gate checking our nice stroller, but on the other hand, DD would be so much more comfortable. She's pretty tall for her age, and her feet nearly touch the ground with an umbrella stroller! Have you ever had any problems gate checking your stroller!


Any advice would be helpful!
Thanks!

 

[MacDalton]

I never have aproblem with getting around the park with one of the rented strollers, and we get a double. It's okay since everyone else is using them too. The childs feet don't hang down and there is plenty of space for all that extra stuff we seem to get! My kids were DD 4 DS 7 and they both rode in it off and on all day.

 

[sodaseller]

We always rent a double stroller so that we have room for bags, backpacks, etc.

 

[slo]

We have taken our DD at the ages of 2,3,&4 and we are going in Sept with her being 6 and a new DD being 13months. What we have done every year is we take a umbrella stroller to the airport and we us the Disney strollers in the theme parks.

Umbrella strollers are good for quick trips like spending a little time at Disney Marketplace or at the airport. But for the theme parks they are uncomfortable to push and they have no storage. We really like the WDW stollers. They provide a good amount of shade and they are easy to push around. Also, you have to leave the stroller out amoung other strollers at every ride and every restaurant and I don't want to risk somebody taking my good stroller. I would leave your good stroller home and take the umbrella stroller - they are much less expensive to replace if something happens to it.

Have a good day

 

[tjmw2727]

You didn't mention how old your dd is so I will be general.

After about age 3 we did not bring a stroller to WDW as the rentals worked fine. From about age 3-4 our dd's did fine in the mornings walking and at smaller parks esp MK and we really only had to rent in the eveing or at Epcot and AK as there is lots of walking. The rentals are easy to push, easy to dry if they get wet and fine for an older kid. I have also never run into a situation where they ran out. Keep your receipt and you can rent from park to park for just the daily fee. IIRC its $7 for a single and $15 for a double with a $1 refund if you return it to the rental place and keep your receipt.

OTOH, If you think your child will be that much more comfy in her regular stroller especially if you think she will nap then I would bring it. I have always used gate check for the stroller and never had a problem with damage. We rolled the stroller up to the door of the aircraft, folded it up and it would be waiting for us when we got off the aircraft. Dosen't get much better than that!!
Unless its a huge stroller or a jogger you will be fine on the bus or tram, just pack everything in a bag or backpack for easy folding.

I like the idea above about bringing an umbrella for the airport/dtd etc and renting in the parks - wish I had thought of that.

If you feel like visiting the Family board there are lots of other great ideas and tips for travling with the kiddos, just fyi.

TJ

 

[HillPete]

We gate checked our (borrowed) stroller and it was fine. Also, if you are concerned about someone stealing your nice stroller, you could always do what we did. We tied a clear plastic bag to the handle. In it was a dirty (well, wet, not really icky) diaper! No one touched it the whole time we were there, not even the CMs!!

It's amazing the tips you can pick up from this board! Have fun!!

 

[MagicPrincess]

love the plastic bag-icky diaper idea!!!
Love these boards!
thanks for all your great advice!

 

[DizBelle]

I have no children but I've always wondered.....

How often do strollers get "stolen" at the parks? Either your personal stroller or your rented stroller. It would be so easy for someone too cheap to rent their own to just take one of the hundreds parked at in the stroller parking areas.

 

[christophfam]

With a toddler, I would highly recommend bringing your own stroller. It is so nice to have the stroller to roll your tired child to the monorail or for that long walk back to the room. My question would be this. Is your child old enough to walk back to the room after a long day at the park maybe 5 and up or will he/she want to be carried and will you be willing?

One note about bringing your own though. I would not recommend one of those big bulky ones. You will have to fold it up at times and also push it through throngs of people. An umbrella one won't cut it when your child needs to rest though. The best bet is one like I have which is a light weight Combi that has a small basket underneath, but folds up almost like an umbrella. It lays down which is essential for a sleepy child and it is also very light weight.

Hope this helps. I know there have been threads in the family section that discuss what are the best brands to bring. It is where I found the type I wanted to buy and bring. I'm so glad I did and I've had and used it for 3 years now. I'm sure I'll get a lot of my money back when I sell it.

 

[MagicPrincess]

thanks for all your help!
I went out and bought a lightweight Graco model today!
It has a basket and cupholders, too!
Perfect- not too small, and not too big and bulky!
Perfect for DD who pretty tall for her age- 2!
Thanks again!

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

The first time we went to WDW with children, we toted along our double stroller. It worked out great in the parks. The only time we had problems with it being too bulky was getting on/off the bus, especially during crowded times.

This time, we brought along a lightweight single (bigger than an umbrella), and it was so much easier. We had planned to use this for our infant, and rent a double for the older children, but never ended up needing to rent one.

Keep in mind that the castmembers WILL move your stroller while you are on attractions. They have quite a stroller-parking system. I panicked when ours seemed to disappear, and was relieved to find it on the opposite side of the path in the "correct" stroller parking lot!

We did tie a bright scarf to the handle, just so we'd be able to locate our stroller quickly....and so it wouldn't accidently end up with another family since so many strollers look alike.

Oh, and we've never had a problem with gate checking the stroller. We've never had any damage, and it is so much easier to have it for use in the airport!