Strollers on buses, need help

[lucynme]

I was wondering if there was any limitations to stroller size on resort/park buses. I would like to bring my jogger (rather bulky) from home for my son. He no longer fits in an umbrella stroller, and is mortified at the thought of riding in a rental. The later doesn't bother me much, because I would need a stroller from the bus to resort/room since when he falls asleep he is out, and is WAY too big for me to carry. Any input would be greatly appreciated. (If this is in the wrong place, please forgive.)

 

[floydfamily4]

Hi there. Not sure how big the stroller is but I just got back and we used a double jogging stroller while at the parks. We were only at Pop 1 nigh so we only used the buses a day or so. I found it challenging when I was alone to manage the kids and handle the big stroller. It wasn't so bad with DH as I managed the kids and he had to deal with the stroller but it was kind of a pain. I wished I had a smaller one but my twins wouldn't have fit in it. Good luck. It can be done just not very easily

 

[amyj1024]

Are you sure you need a stroller? We took my DD at 5 and she walked the whole time with no problems. It seems kind of like a hassel to lug around a big jogging stroller, and if he gets REALLY tired you can rent a stroller, if he's that tired wouldn't he just use it because it would be that option or walk?

 

[Schmeck]

From WDW's FAQ's:

Are there any personal items I should not bring with me into the theme parks?


Items that you may not bring into the theme parks include but are not limited to:

•Items with wheels, such as:
•Wagons
•Skateboards
•Scooters
•Inline skates
•Shoes with built-in wheels
•Two-wheeled or three-wheeled conveyances
•Strollers larger than 36" x 52" (92 x 132 cm)
•Suitcases, coolers or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" (61 cm) long x 15" (38 cm) wide x 18" (46 cm) high. (Coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations.)
•Any trailer-like object that is pushed or towed by an ECV wheelchair or stroller
•Alcoholic beverages
•Weapons of any kind
•Folding chairs
•Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles)
•Pets (unless they are service animals)
In Disney's Animal Kingdom theme Park (for the safety of the wildlife), balloons, straws and drink lids are not permitted.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you think it is too big, it probably is. Remember that any stroller you use has to be empty and folded before you take it on the Disney busses. And there is a good chance that you will end up standing and holding onto that stroller, plus your tuckered out little one.

 

[candielips]

The stroller issue is one of the main reasons we drive ourselves to the parks when we stay on property.

 

[puffkin]

If he is old enough to be mortified by a Disney stroller than he is old enough to walk

We don't mind strollers on the busses because we have our Maclaren. But I hate those huge strollers more than anything because they take up so much room. I think your stroller would be more of a hassle than benefit. I would just rent one if needed in the parks and wake him up to walk back to the room

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Take the stroller as long as you have someone else to manage it. It is hard to hold a stroller that is a little larger on a bus and watch your child. We take a double side by side and a single Mac or sometimes a larger single stroller and the double. You'll be fine. We saw all kinds of strollers on buses. It's not a big deal. Take what you need to make your trip easy. Have a great time!

 

[jagafen]

Take the stroller as long as you have someone else to manage it. It is hard to hold a stroller that is a little larger on a bus and watch your child. We take a double side by side and a single Mac or sometimes a larger single stroller and the double. You'll be fine. We saw all kinds of strollers on buses. It's not a big deal. Take what you need to make your trip easy. Have a great time!

I agree, take what he will be comfortable in, and what will make your trip more enjoyable! have fun!

 

[dkbnyc]

if he is old enough to be mortified by a disney stroller than he is old enough to walk

we don't mind strollers on the busses because we have our maclaren. But i hate those huge strollers more than anything because they take up so much room. I think your stroller would be more of a hassle than benefit. I would just rent one if needed in the parks and wake him up to walk back to the room

itta

 

[Mrs D]

If you don't need the stroller at the airport perhaps you should consider renting one from Magic Strollers. They have super nice Baby Jogger Citi Mini's! I'm renting a double in 15 days !
The features on this stroller that sold me were: full recline, generous storage, VERY easy fold, lightweight, holds higher weight limits (good for older kids), easy to push and large sun canopy.

While I haven't traveled with a 5 year old and I've never done Disney without a stroller for the kids I can't imagine asking my DS4 to walk the entire trip and I can't see one year making that huge of a difference.

HTH!

 

[matt and beth]

We brought our double stroller two times. Both times we completely destroyed them. One even lost a wheel by the time we were done. It was like the doors falling off the blues brother's car. It was difficult folding and unfolding and dragging on and off the bus. And at times standing to hold the blasted thing. Really bad when the buses are full. People will blast right past you as it is your turn to get on the bus. I can hear their internal voices now, "Out of my way stroller boy." Seriously, you can do it and you will be fine. Might be difficult in the stores with such a large stroller. Might I suggest a Maclaren stroller. They have a much larger weight limit than the traditional umbrella. We bought one for our up coming trip for our three year old. We're going fast and light this time.

 

[garanorymom]

I don't know how big your 5 year old is, but my 8 year old 49"/55lbs. fits in my 3 year old's Maclaren volo. My advice is to get one of those. It will cost you about $80 on ebay, probably less than if you rent it there and when you get home you can resell it for almost as much. it has a large basket, a large shade, folds like an umbrella, turns on a dime, and.........weighs 6 lbs. You will be able to hop on and off of the bus holding your child and the stroller. Trust me we brought a large stroller to Disney....once......we've been taking volos ever since.

 

[brymolmom]

If falling asleep is one of your concerns, it'll be tough to get him onto the bus, fold down the stroller (I believe this is required), and then bring it and him both onto and off of the bus.

When it is both dh and I - he does the stroller thing and I do the kid thing. We always preferred taking the smaller strollers - because, let's face it, folding it down for the bus is kinda a pain, and for us it was a bigger pain with a bigger stroller (just think of all the more people you'll be bumping into getting down the aisle and the dirty looks from that). So, for simplicity, we always brought the smaller ones.

I would rent if needed if I were you. My kids have had a 'no stroller at WDW after age 5 rule' but they both fit into a Graco side by side until age 6 so we never had to consider bringing a bulkier one - but likely would have had them walk by then if we did. Not worth the hassle IMO.

But do whatever works best for your family.

 

[happymommy]

We brought our big double Peg Perego tandem one a couple of trips. It was a bit heavy when folded, but we managed the buses just fine. I was thankful to have it then at the parks.

I also liked having it when we walked around the Boardwalk to Epcot, as we were staying at the BWV. Definitely better than renting one!

Then we downsized when my son was 6 to our old single one, but it was a full size (very lightweight though) Aprica one. My kids too turns basically. Or a couple of times they were tired, so I reclined it and they both rode on it - it was a very strong stroller!

I think for the hassle of getting on and off a bus, it's worth it to have your own stroller. But that's just me, as they say YMMV.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

Another vote for Maclaren volo..we used one for our ds who was 4yrs. old on our last trip. For people driving to the parks, don't forget that strollers have to be folded up on trams as well. The Volo was very easy to fold up and so lightweight!

 

[amyj1024]

Just a note, I love my Mac Volo, but my 5 year old broke the footrest/strap by putting too much weight on it, even when she was under the weight limit for the stroller. I use it for my son who is almost 3 and is a great stroller. But I wouldn't buy it for my 5 year old.

 

[lucynme]

Thanks everyone for all your input. I understand (now) that "strollers for older kids" is a VERY hot topic on here. Although my little guy is a BIG 5 year old, he does have an issue with "growing pains" (as a result of being so) and is over whelmed easily. Although he has been many times already, I know his stroller has been a "safe" place for him in the past and am not prepared to take that from him at this time. I am going to continue looking into a few different strollers, and have decided after looking at my jogger that it is just too big to be dragging around on a crowded bus. Please keep any and all info coming, it is greatly appreciated!

 

[Pixie Princess]

I don't know how big your 5 year old is, but my 8 year old 49"/55lbs. fits in my 3 year old's Maclaren volo. My advice is to get one of those. It will cost you about $80 on ebay, probably less than if you rent it there and when you get home you can resell it for almost as much. it has a large basket, a large shade, folds like an umbrella, turns on a dime, and.........weighs 6 lbs. You will be able to hop on and off of the bus holding your child and the stroller. Trust me we brought a large stroller to Disney....once......we've been taking volos ever since.

This is a great suggestion. Our first trip was when my DD was 6 and I also had my niece, 4. We went in May right when school let out, and intended for the kids to walk. Well we weren't halfway through our first day and the 4 year old was complaining about her feet hurting. My DD was not far behind. We rented strollers the rest of the week, and made the kids walk to the bus or car at the end of the night. When my DD is done for the night she is done, but she handled it well. I liked being able to be rid of the stoller at the end of the day, but if we had an option with us that was less costly it would have been nice.

 

[AdamsPrincess]

We have a big double stroller which I am thinking is probably even bigger than a jogger...could be wrong. But anyway...either way if you are looking to not have to carry your son if he falls asleep, it isn't going to make a difference because sleeping or not the stroller has to be folded up in order to be let on the bus. It is difficult but doable. This is just me and my husband and we have 2 toddlers...both have fallen asleep and I have had to hold both boys for a few minutes.

The bonus is we have always had a ton of help from someone who was in line that would bring the stroller on for us while we loaded and I would have both kids and then when we reached our resort DH would go and set the stroller up and we could lay down the boys again.

Good Luck!