strollers??

[carwesty]

I am looking to purchase a new lightweight stroller for our upcoming trip. I have read great things about the Maclaren. I went today to try it out and do like it. I thought I would go for the Triumph model but the recline feature is very slim. I figure if I get this one it would have to be the Quest. I have a 2.5 year old, weighs 27 lbs and would need to nap occasionally in the stroller. But I have to tell you, I HATE the way it folds up. So I also tried out the Aria, weighs less than the Quest, easy to fold up but in general seems more bulky. I really don't need a tray in front of him, he just throws stuff off it. Any other strollers I am missing? I am looking to spend less than $200. Any likes/dislikes on the Quest or Aria would be great. (Also, loved the handle height of Quest and Aria, looked at Combi but the handles are so low!) Thanks.

 

[Tink561]

I bought a Quest this past spring based on things I read. It has been okay using it around here but it's not my favorite. This past week we took it to Disney and I will say I didn't like using it. It tips! I put ankle weights on the front, I put lots of things in the basket underneath to keep so much weight off the back. It still tipped backwards with my camera and backpack. The lens filter on our camera shattered when it fell one time. Thank goodness the filter protected the lens.

I also don't like the way it folds. I much prefer a stroller with a little bulk to it. It gives me more places to put things and is more sturdy. I will be looking to sell the Maclaren very soon. It's sad too because it's one of the Lulu Guiness prints so it cost more than the regular ones.

 

[Family Loves Disney]

I just purchased a Joovy Groove stroller for my 4 yr old to use and I LOVE IT! It is a little over $200, but worth every penny. I love the way it reclines, with one hand. Here is the website: www.joovy.com.

 

[peemagg]

I just purchased on E-Bay 3 Combi Savvy strollers for our upcoming trip. They only weigh between 12 and 17 pounds, fully recline, and have a neat tri-fold system that folds it up like an umbrella stroller. They also have 2 cup holders on the bar and a pack on the handle for 2 water bottles and some small things, along with a basket underneath.

I LOVE these strollers!! My nieces and nephew (ages 2 at 26 pounds, age 9 months at 20 pounds, and age 9 months at 15 pounds) have all tried them out and seem very comfortable in them. In fact they are sometimes the only way we can get the younger two to sleep. They also have a carrying strap on them.

I highly recommend them. They are rated to 45 pounds too!

 

[blessedby3]

I had a Combi and hated it. Once the kids get a little bigger they will not push well at all. The handles are also not tall and my DH refused to push this stroller. The frame was made out of plastic and actually sounded like it was cracking most of the time. Very rickity! The Macs, on the other hand, have a metal frame and are VERY sturdy. The handles are tall and they hold up to 55 pounds (although I think much higher since we had DD8 and 53 pounds in it last Dec. as well as a backpack and tons of water in the basket). They push like there is not even a child in them- so smooth. I have a new Quest for our newest DD(expecting) and cant wait to use it. Had the Volo for older DD.

 

[designermv]

I have a Mac Techno, and I love it, but it is tippy. My mom has an Aria, and I am contemplating taking it on our trip Oct. 3. Things I like about the Aria are the accessible basket, weight, recline, and size. The fold is pretty easy too, but like you said, it is somewhat bulkier than the umbrella fold of the Mac.

Things I like about the Mac are the fold size, tall handles, looks, and maneuverability. The basket accessibility is a bit of a problem, but you will have that will most umbrella fold strollers.

I have heard that the Inglesina Swift is much less tippy than the Macs, you may want to check those out. Same price range as the Volo, and it has a 4position recline.

I've thought about this way too much lately, and I think I am going to go with the Aria. The basket is big, it has a nice recline, it's light, and it doesn't tip. You can get one online at Albeebaby for a very decent price right now, and they are a reputable retailer.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[minniesmama]

This might be a bit bigger than what you're looking at, but I have an Inglesina Zippy that I love (they have them at BRU now, I think). The best part about it is that it folds up vertically like an umbrella stroller - and with one hand! I can literally fold the stroller and get it into the trunk while holding DD1. It's amazing. I really recommend checking it out. It's about the same size as the Peg Perego P3, but much easier to use!

*I have never had it tip on me - and I am a chronic diaper bag over-filler*

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

We love our Quest.

The Pros of the Quest over the rest:
- higher weight limit - 55lbs (you want this to be your last stroller)
- pushes like a dream (definetly makes a huge diference at Disney)
- deeper seat (just compare it against other umbrella strollers)
- good canopy
- tall handles
- lightweight
- comes with a raincover (a must at WDW)
- foot rest at a very good height
- tall canopy
- tall backerest
- basket that can hold a lot of things (in smaller zip-lock bags)
- the seat cover and canopy are very easy to take out and wash

The Cons:
- can be tippy (I put everything underneath in many zip lock bags and fold the bigger bag to put under too and this way it won´t tip)
- you have to take everything out of the basket to fold the stroller
- when folded, the wheels rub agains the canopy and make it dirty

I bought a Combi stroller when DD was 2 and it was such a waste of $$$, they are impossible to push with a 30 lbs kid in them, the footrest is so tall that the kids have to make an effort to keep their feet there, DD´s feet dangled when she fell asleep and rubbed agains the wheels, it was a PITA and the seat is very narrow, so not comfy at all.

 

[brergnat]

Get the Triumph. For a 2.5 year old, the quest is really "too much stroller".

I have a Triumph AND a Quest. I have a 3 year old and an 18 month old. I bought the Quest when the baby was 9 months, I got it for the footrest (which he is very quickly outgrowing already) and the full recline.

I got the Triumph for my older son around when he was 2.5. He LOVES it, it actually reclines more than enough for a 2 year old to nap ,and a bonus is that the hood tilts farther forward than on the Quest for better sun protection, plus it is lighter and has a carry STRAP, rather than handle on the Quest. The carry handle makes it hard to carry the Quest AND manage a child, while with the Triumph, you can sling it over your shoulder and have both hands still free.

Honestly, too, the Quest does not recline ALL the way flat, it actually reclines about as much as the Triumph, so keep that in mind.

They both come with a raincover. All Maclarens tip easily, but it's easy enough to remedy that by using a backpack as a diaper bag and ONLY putting the bag on the handles when the child is IN the stroller. It behooves you to not store things in the basket anyway because if you need to fold up the stroller, you can't have stuff in there. Get used to carrying everything in a backpack so when you are at WDW you can just get your child out of the stroller, fold it up, and GO! We keep no more than maybe water bottles and a blanket in the Mac baskets, which are easy to put in the backpack when we need to.

I wonder what you didn't like about the folding mechanism on the Maclaren? I find it to be the best one there is. You can do it with one hand and the self locking mechanism is priceless! Plus, you can push it while it's folded or lock the wheels and it will stand up against a railing or wall. We use both our Mac strollers at Disneyland and DH and I actually both prefer the Triumph over the Quest, for it's ease in carrying around.

I paid full price for my Quest at Babies R Us, but I got a GREAT price on my Triumph at Albeebaby.com. ($109) Try there! Free shipping, no tax, and good prices.

 

[hebbynan]

I have a Mac Volo and I love it. It's just like a cheapy umbrella stroller, only it holds more weight. It too can be a little top heavy if you put too much on the handles, but it's very easy to push and extremely light weight to carry.

 

[Nanu57v]

I got a pink Jeep stroller. Love it. Only $50. Can't think of anyway I'd improve upon it. And its pink! (Comes in other colors too though).

 

[carwesty]

Thanks for the replies. You guys aren't making it any easier on me though!! I have been checking out the Inglesina Swift and Trip and they seem nice too. Anyone have either one and what is the difference? I really want one that reclines well for napping and is lightweight. The Joovy Groove looks great too but a little more than I want to spend. Anyone have the Chicco one that looks like an umbrella stroller, I saw that one online too. It is just a hard decision when you read both good and bad reviews about the same product. But I think I have it narrowed down to a few now: Quest, Trip, Swift, Chicco C5, or Combi Saavy. Thanks and keep the suggestions coming!

 

[clori]

I personally love my old combi savvy z which is a 7 1/2 lbs stroller with just a bit of recline (not suitable for newborns). It is a travel stroller but I used it as my only stroller once my 7 year old was 1. My now 3 year old still uses it when she needs a stroller though she has primarily walked for the past year other than on bad weather days (she hates high heat/humidity). I"m 5'2" so handle height isn't a concern but dh who is 6 feet can also push it. I highly recommend this stroller only it is long discontinued. It will always be my favorite stroller.

We also tried a maclaren triumph which none of us ended up liking. I do have a graco citilite deluxe I got for younger dd to use until she could use the combi. It is nice at 10lbs and a much bigger basket. This will probably be a good Disney stroller but only if you find the deluxe graco citilite deluxe since the regular citilite isn't as good. I have no idea if this is being produced now.

Combi has a new one that looks nice to me but I have no reason to get another one. If you look at http://www.combi-intl.com/ there is a 10lb urban stroller that holds up to 55lbs. It isn't a one hand fold but still easy to do and I much prefer how it folds over one that folds downward like the maclaren that I had did. It also has a new higher handle height. I know people complained that combis were narrow but maybe because I had small kids I never had a problem. My dd7 technically fits into it by width still but no way by height.

Now I have to admit that I take public transportation regularly and live on a hill so compact, lightweight strollers are very important to me. Extras like stroller trays are not.

 

[Shelly D.]

I have a Triumph and the Inglesina Swift. I bought the Triumph to use for our DS1 when we go to WDW in Dec. But then, I saw the Swift on sale at Toysrus.com for only $25 (a couple months ago) and decided to snag it so we'd have another lightweight stroller for DD5 on the same trip.

They are really similar and in fact the Inglesina almost seems like a knockoff of the Mac. It's lightweight, folds up nicely and the best part is that I haven't had it tip yet, even with my diaper bag hanging on the back and no baby in the seat. It reclines much further too. It's nice to push, although I would give the Mac a slight edge over ease of pushing. The only thing I dislike about it is that the canopy pops off sometimes, but it's not hard to snap back on if it does.

I would recommend the Swift, especially if you can find a good deal on one that would make it cheaper than the mac.

 

[MinnieTink]

I bought a Combi for our trip in August for our then 11 month old son. He was very comfy in it. The recline is deep and he slept in it comfortably. It folds compactly and has a strap so you can throw it over your shoulder while boarding those Disney buses. We are very happy with it.

 

[Disney_Princess1025]

I am looking to purchase a new lightweight stroller for our upcoming trip. I have read great things about the Maclaren. I went today to try it out and do like it. I thought I would go for the Triumph model but the recline feature is very slim. I figure if I get this one it would have to be the Quest. I have a 2.5 year old, weighs 27 lbs and would need to nap occasionally in the stroller. But I have to tell you, I HATE the way it folds up. So I also tried out the Aria, weighs less than the Quest, easy to fold up but in general seems more bulky. I really don't need a tray in front of him, he just throws stuff off it. Any other strollers I am missing? I am looking to spend less than $200. Any likes/dislikes on the Quest or Aria would be great. (Also, loved the handle height of Quest and Aria, looked at Combi but the handles are so low!) Thanks.

Rent a Disney Stroller you rent at the time you get to the park and give it back when you leave. When you go on rides, just leave it outside the entrance. Put a colored ribbon on the handle to get to it easy. Have an awesome time at WDW!

 

[michella]

This may sound stupid,but when flying to disney does the stroller count as part of your luggage or do you have to pay extra. In the past I never had to take a stroller with me, but it would be so much easier.

 

[hebbynan]

You can gate check your stroller. Just let them know when you check in that you will be gate checking it. We did this when we flew a few years ago. It made it nice because we left DS (then 10 months) in the stroller right up til the time we went through the door to the plane. We took DS out and then a stewardess took the stroller and put it with the other 4 strollers sitting there. Trust me, you won't be the only one with a stroller. And sometimes I carried DS and we piled all the carry on's in the stroller and pushed that. It made it very handy getting through the airports!!

I can't totally remember, but I think it did count as a carry on. We purchased a seat for our son and used his car seat on the plane, so we counted it as his carry on.

 

[michella]

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[tjlovespooh]

I've owned 2 Zoopers (waltz and twist), a Combi, and most recently a Mac Triumph. By far, my personal favorite is the Mac. It's recline is minimal but that's a non-issue for me (DS 21mo has never slept in a stroller). The fold was tricky at first but after a couple tries it became a cinch! I can easily fold it up one handed. It steers soooo easily - even one-handed, which is a big deal for me because I've always hated struggling to push a stroller through non-automatic-open doors. Plus - the Mac can hold up to a 55lb kid!
Actually, the only drawback I can think of in regards to my Mac is the "tippiness" - leaving a bag hanging off the back makes it tip easily. However, I've heard that simply placing wrist weights can resolve that issue.