Surely talked baout B4 BUT- rent stroller or bring one?

[AllyCatTapia]

Ok, we have a 6 YO and 3 YO and we're sure one or both will get TIRED. plus we LOVE having a stroller around to hang bags on, etc.

Should we rent a disney stroller? then we don't have to deal with it at the airport, etc BUT we will have to stand in line to get it


Or should we buy one and bring it? Then we have to deal with it on the shuttles....



Also, think we should have a double stroller so the 6 YO can rest too, or will that be overkill?

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I would definitely use a stroller in your situation. Whether you bring it or rent one, is really your choice.

I actually went out and bought a new stroller prior to our Nov. '05 trip. It was cheaper to buy one than to rent one from WDW. When we rent, we always rent a double so we have someplace to store backpack, etc. However, I bought a single since it had a nice big basket, etc. My DD6 hasn't used a stroller at home, or anywhere else for a couple of years. However, there is a ton of walking at WDW and it helps keep her fresh. She walks when she wants and rides when she doesn't. It also prevents her asking for piggy-back rides, or to ride on our shoulders.

If you decide to rent, however, you can do a multi-day rental on your first day. They will provide you with coupons for as many days as you have rented. Thus, you no longer wait in line. You go straight to the stroller distribution area and hand them your coupon, grab your stroller, and away you go.

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

We have always rented, simply because I didn't want the hassle of dealing with a stroller on the airplane, bus, monorail, etc. Yes, you do end up having to carry them from the gate to the bus, from the bus to the room, but to me it was easier than having to deal with folding up and packing the stroller. It probably depends on your children and their size. Last trip we had a 7yo and 3yo. The 7yo did occasionally sit down in the stroller to rest, but did fine with walking.

 

[missymagic]

I would definitely use a stroller. I personally liked to take one myself. Never really had any problems at the airport they gate check it. It was nice to have when airports are busy easier to keep an eye on the girls especially if you have a quick transfer and are ina hurry easier to push fast then carry everything and walk with them.

The buses arent that bad if you are curtious others usually are also. Usually was the key word. You do alot of walking at the resorts and for the buses and sometimes you would rather not have your arms hurting as much as your feet.

Good luck

 

[dsnymomof4]

I would definitely recommend bringing one. We also went out and bought one before our last trip for DD4. It was cheaper than renting one every day. Besides, the ones you rent do not have a lot of storage - I think just a little netting on the back. We always carry a camera bag, extra clothes/snacks bag, water bottles, etc, so having the stroller comes in very handy. Also, we used it outside the parks as well, going from bus to room was quite a hike and many nights, she fell asleep in it (she slept completely through Illuminations!)

 

[Del]

You will need one that's for sure. We've never really had to wait to rent one and always got the double one. If you think you'll need it from the shuttle to the car or from the shuttle to your hotel room????? then bring one from home otherwise rent. Good luck in your choice.

Del

 

[bartleby1]

I would definitely rent a double. If your kids are anything like mine, they will start fighting about who gets to ride if you only get a single. If your 6 yr old doesn't need to ride all the time, it is still nice to have the extra room for stuff.

 

[loopner67]

My vote is to rent one. We rented one two years ago when my boys were ages 4 & 6. They really loved it and weren't tired then to walk to the bus or around the hotel. We're going in less than a month and I'll rent one again (they are now 5 & 7 years old). They fit really well in the double stroller together. I *love* all of the cup holders in the back of the rental stroller. Also, you get a discount if you rent for multiple days and we've never stood in line to rent one.

Whatever you decide - bringing a stroller or renting one - I think it's best to use one while you are in the parks. Makes for MUCH happier little people.

 

[Rachie0507]

We rented one for our 3 and 5 yr olds. The 5 yr old didn't ride in it much so we put the backpack in her place. But it was nice to have when she needed it! We thought it was easier to rent for two reasons. We didn't want to lug the stroller around the airport when they could walk on their own. They are great listeners and we just always kept a hand on each of them, even if it wasn't holding their hand. And also, our double stroller is a pain to push now that they are bigger. DD weighs 40 lbs. and DS weighs 28 lbs, so they aren't big kids but just too big for our stroller. The Disney strollers are definately meant for bigger kids! By the end of the week, we didn't even bother with a stroller and threw DS on our shoulders if we needed to go a longer distance than he was willing to do.

 

[tjmw2727]

We liked the rentals!

Just get to the park, rent a double stroller and have access all day, just show your receipt if you park hop and you get one at the next park. I have never had a long line or had them run out. They are easy to push and easy for the kids to get in and out of and if they get wet you just wipe them off or trade them in for a dry one. They now have a lenght of stay rental where you pay a discount price based on the number of days, fill out the paperwork once and cut down even more on lines.

Here is a link to a great stroller FAQ -
http://allearsnet.com/pl/strol_faq.htm

HTH
TJ

 

[la79al]

I am dealing with sort of the same question for our next trip. We went last year with a 4 year old and an 8 year old. We rented a single every day, it wasn't a debate for the little one. We did consider getting the double but did not. I was considering buying one this time instead of renting only because of the cost but am weighing it against having to lug it around and find room for it on the buses, etc. we never had any kind of wait to rent the stroller and we were there the last week of june last year. I would get the double if I were you, it provides a place to carry the stuff and it is easier to deal with a stroller rental than a complaining, tired child. As an FYI, the rentals did do amazingly well with being easy to push, steer, etc. Better than any we have tried around here in fact.

 

[BrerRabbit_fan]

We always bring it along. It comes in handy at the airport (long walkways and lots of people) and once we are off the bus at the resort, there is still a long walk. I've watched parents carry sleeping children out of the park and it can be difficult at closing time. I'm usually too tired anyway.

 

[shellyfive]

I have always brought my double stroller from home. If a child is in it, you can request to roll it right up to the door of the plane, and then they have it set up and waiting for you at the door again when you land. That in and of itself was great for us (the youngest was 3.5 the last trip we made)--with five kids could have one or two contained and then deal with the long corridors in the airports. it works out ok on the buses too, just have it folded ahead of time....we used that thing for everything---and since it is longer and not wider(the rentals are wider w/ 2 seats) i found i had an easy time in the stores that allowed strollers...it's really a personal choice....but we like to stay out late and that walk from the gate to the bustop can be LONG with a tired crying child...mine actually slept in it waiting for a bus....goodluck-----have a great trip!

 

[jenr812]

WE rented a strolled this past July 2-8 for our then 6 and 2 yo boys. It was wonderful. The double strollers were perfect and it was never a big hassle waiting in line for them. It was definitely worth it and I am glad I rented instead of bringing one.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

I bring one form home. It's easier to put my 3yo in it at the airport with a book & a snack while we wait for luggage, car rental, etc. then it is to chase her around the terminal. Also, at the end of a long day at the parks, it's nice to have it for her to ride in through the parking lots, waiting in line for the monorails, or at the hotel (esp. the long walk at the Poly!). Otherwise I would be carrying her the whole time! It's so easy to check at the gate when at the airport. Plus, places like Downtown Disney don't rent strollers, so if you go there at all it's nice to have your own.

 

[jenr812]

I bring one form home. It's easier to put my 3yo in it at the airport with a book & a snack while we wait for luggage, car rental, etc. then it is to chase her around the terminal. Also, at the end of a long day at the parks, it's nice to have it for her to ride in through the parking lots, waiting in line for the monorails, or at the hotel (esp. the long walk at the Poly!). Otherwise I would be carrying her the whole time! It's so easy to check at the gate when at the airport. Plus, places like Downtown Disney don't rent strollers, so if you go there at all it's nice to have your own.

We rented a stroller at DTD...it was a bit different from the rest of the parks and they didn't have doubles, but I know we rented one. It was in the big toy store - don't remember the name now

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we went with ds 6 and 2
the 6 year old only got tired at epcot so we rented a double on thise days
the rest of the time a single
when the 2 year old wanted a break we let ds6 sit in it
he rarely did
depends on your kids