Strollers

[shelbel95]

We are going to Disney in a couple months for a week with a 7-day park hopper pass. We are a family of 4 with our above-average-sized 4.5 year old (49lbs) and 2.5 year old (37lbs). We are flying and staying onsite and are planning to not take our double stroller, but then rent something down there.... either through Disney or through one of the local rental companies. So, I'm torn about whether to rent a double stroller through the parks or through an outside company.

I'm leaning toward renting the double through Disney for a few reasons:
1) I've used the type of double stroller they rent at another amusement park before and actually liked it quite a bit.
2) We wouldn't have to worry about lugging a stroller on/off shuttle buses.
3) We could return the stroller and pick up at any time throughout the day if we decided we didn't want it for any part of the day.
4) We wouldn't have to stress so much about someone snatching our stroller (not that it happens a lot, but I'm sure it happens on occasion).

But, I want to make sure I'm thinking this all through, so any thoughts or advice would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!

 

[NJlauren]

I think you should also consider your resort. Are you going to want the stroller walking around the resort or to the pool? If so I would rent from an outside company. When in the parks if you want to leave it for a while you can leave it at one of the stroller parking locations.

I know folding it up to get on the busses stinks but I think (and someone will correct me if I'm worng) you don't need to fold it up to go on the monorail or the boats, depending on where you're staying this may or may not matter.

 

[shelbel95]

We are staying at Coronado Springs.

 

[GatorMama]

I would want to have a stroller from bus to hotel room so I'm not carrying a kid at midnight when everyone is exhausted

 

[Betty Rohrer]

what about end of day everyone is tired, with Disney rental you have to leave it before you walk out the gate to buses or whatever transportation you are using are your kids going to want to walk there or are you going to have to carry them. also as someone said what about as you get off transportation and getting to your room. what if 4.5 year old fall asleep on way back are you ready to carry to room which can be a distance from the stop

 

[HCinKC]

I didn't look at Disney strollers, but most of the outside companies offer a City Mini. Even the double is easy to fold and pretty lightweight. Maybe check one out at a BRU or BBB and see what you think. My only other bit for outside rental would be to know about drop off/pick up. Some of them can leave the stroller for you at the front desk, but some require you to meet them at the front in person. This could be an issue depending upon your flight times (for instance, if you arrive in the evening but wanted to hit a park for fireworks).

 

[Crystal824]

I would rent from an offsite company. I will have a 4.5 year old and a 10 month old when we go. We are bringing our own double stroller, but if we didn't have that, I would rent a double from an offsite company. As others have mentioned, the walk from the gate (where you turn in your Disney rented stroller) to the bus can be a long one depending on the park. If you children fell asleep during a nighttime show, that walk just got longer because you will be carrying them. Your walk from the bus stop at CS to your room can be a long walk too. That is a huge resort. Also, keep in mind renting from an offsite company is usually cheaper than renting from Disney.

 

[North of Mouse]

I would rent from an offsite company. I will have a 4.5 year old and a 10 month old when we go. We are bringing our own double stroller, but if we didn't have that, I would rent a double from an offsite company. As others have mentioned, the walk from the gate (where you turn in your Disney rented stroller) to the bus can be a long one depending on the park. If you children fell asleep during a nighttime show, that walk just got longer because you will be carrying them. Your walk from the bus stop at CS to your room can be a long walk too. That is a huge resort. Also, keep in mind renting from an offsite company is usually cheaper than renting from Disney.

I would definitely rent offsite - you will need the stroller at other times than just inside the parks, especially when they are tired and sleepy and they are that heavy. The buses, transportation, will be a pain, but probably the 'lesser' of the pains!!!
The Disney rentals are 'very' uncomfortable and not conducive for the 2.5 yr. old to sleep.

 

[cdoc29]

We have a City Mini and I do not know how we could have done the parks without it. They fold down pretty small and carry a ton of stuff. Plus the ability to lay the seat back for our 2 1/2 year old when we were there was incredible. I do not think the ones disney rents are versatile enough and while they might work for a 4 1/2 y.o. your toddler will be much happier in a better stellar.

 

[Teacup53]

We were just there at the end of January and used and outside company (Orlando Strollers) and it was great - we rented the Citi Mini GT Double. It was a fantastic stroller and definitely the best $105 I spent for the week. My husband so was happy not to drag our double mcclaren through the airport. We had rented a car so we kept it in the trunk but it was a lifesaver at the end of the day. We didn't use Disney Transportation at all so I can't comment on that but the service we received was great even when our flight was cancelled they pushed out reservation out a day so we wouldn't have to pay for an extra day if we ended up leaving a day later.

We purchased the insurance and for $20 the piece of mind that if our stroller was stolen or broke it wasn't our headache. The GT had bigger wheels which made going over the trolley tracks in the Magic Kingdom (main street) much easier - kids both napped in it as we bounced over the rails. My boys are 4.5 & 3 and it fit both of them nicely - the GT is a little bigger than the regular. Also came with a parent console - cup holders and a mini cooler that we put water in and tossed in the storage underneath.

 

[mommd]

I agree with renting from an outside company. We were torn on whether to buy a double stroller or rent. We ended up renting City Mini GT double & it worked very well for our 4yo and 10 month old. It was a pain to fold up to get on the busses but well worth the hassle overall. I don't think we will ever rent a stroller from Disney.

 

[Lupeix]

I would rent a double citi mini from Apple strollers, it's only $7 a day including insurance. The park strollers do not recline and are much more expensive. With that age range it is likely that one of your kids will sleep on it at some point. You may also need to get from the bus to your room at the end of the night as people have already pointed out.