Take your own stroller or rent them at the parks???

[angbuz]

We are going to WDW in May (me, DH, DD8, DS4) Last time we went, we brought our own stroller from home b/c DS was only 1 1/2 and we needed the convenience of the storage under the stroller.

This time my DS will be older and not too keen on riding in the stroller. I'm thinking of renting one in WDW. Do these strollers have a place to put stuff, basket for storage, etc?

I definitely will need a stroller though b/c DS gets tired of walking and will need to rest his tired legs often.

What do you recommend? Who has rented, who brings their own and why?

Thanks in advance!!!

Can't wait til May!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KariC]

We rented and wished we had brought our own. We paid $80 to rent....just for the convenience of not carting it on the bus, but it would have been so nice to have the extra storage space, the rain "hood" that fits our stroller (we made do with a rain parka), the comfortable seats. And...the number one reason I wish we had our own....we left our DD's wand from CRT in the rented stroller after the P&P party, and had no way to get it back!!

She doesn't know yet....any ideas on how to get a replacement wand?

 

[boysmom5150]

We have DS(4.5) and DS(1.5). When we were there in Oct DS was 4 and we still took our own from home.I obviously have one for DS1 so I just went and bought a cheap $30 one for DS4 to take along... The strollers you get at the parks are hard plastic and dont look to comfy and seem cramped in there and there is no storage space.Not to mention they didnt look the cleanest. My DS4 doesnt take a nap a home but did fall asleep several nights early at the parks and it was convenient to just stroll him back to the resort and into our room. I thought it was better to have it for length of stay then just inside the parks. It came in handy several times like at the end of a long day when we had to walk up the "hill" to get the monorail and he was tired. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[tiggersmom97]

We rented and wished we had brought our own. We paid $80 to rent....just for the convenience of not carting it on the bus, but it would have been so nice to have the extra storage space, the rain "hood" that fits our stroller (we made do with a rain parka), the comfortable seats. And...the number one reason I wish we had our own....we left our DD's wand from CRT in the rented stroller after the P&P party, and had no way to get it back!!

She doesn't know yet....any ideas on how to get a replacement wand?

I don't know about the strollers, we always rent. but as far as the wand I would call disney and maybe ask for the Guest Relations office for the MK. They may be able to help you.

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

We always rent also. One main reason for us is I don't have a double stroller, and I can rent on. Two seats works better than just one with our kids. Not to mention if someone takes it while you are there, you can get a replacement on the spot.

 

[Tink561]

I take my own but I really don't like the idea of renting. How often are they cleaned, etc?

 

[Disney4Drew]

DS was a few weeks shy of his 4th birthday when we went last year. We took our own folding stroller (Maclaren Triumph). It folded nicely for the bus. I wouldn't even consider renting. The WDW strollers don't look comfy at all, and I'm not forking out 10.00 a day or whatever the cost is to rent one. We're going again this year and he'll be almost 5....still bringing a stroller!

 

[LISAVWL]

We've always taken our own from home. Yea, they're a pain to fold up for the boats & busses but the kids are so much more comfortable. There's storage room and we have rain covers for ours too. To us, the benefits of bringing our own outweigh the convenience of renting.

 

[Schmeck]

How active is your 4 yr old? My just turned 5 yr old walked WDW for a 4 day trip, no problem. If your 4 yr old can keep up with you on a long walk, I'd just rent a stroller when needed (like at EPCOT). That is, unless you drag a ton of junk with you to the parks, then bring your own stroller, because the rented ones don't have any storage space.

There are photos od the strollers on allears, aren't there?

 

[luvdisneyalways]

I always take our stroller. I can't help but think that the cost to rent for 8 days is like buying a stroller, plus I know who cleans the one I take! My DDs are 5 and 2, we took 1 stroller last time and if they napped luckily it was a different times. Has anyone ever used a jogging stroller in Disney?

 

[angbuz]

How active is your 4 yr old? My just turned 5 yr old walked WDW for a 4 day trip, no problem. If your 4 yr old can keep up with you on a long walk, I'd just rent a stroller when needed (like at EPCOT). That is, unless you drag a ton of junk with you to the parks, then bring your own stroller, because the rented ones don't have any storage space.

There are photos od the strollers on allears, aren't there?

He's pretty active, but sometimes will complain that his legs are tired and then wants ME to carry him, that's not gonna work in Disney.

Thanks for all of your comments. I'm leaning towards bringing my own (maybe even buy a cheap one that folds up easily). I think he'll appreciate the opportunity to lay down in a comfy stroller rather than a hard one.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I think the stroller dilemma has been the most difficult issue in planning our vacation. The resort was probably the second most difficult (but fun!). We have 3 kids ages 2, 4 & 7. We've rented a single stroller from A Baby's Best Friend but have contemplated getting the sit n' stand or the double stroller. We're bringing our Mac Quest for the airport. I don't like the sun shade on the Mac for the parks.

But our plan (at this time) is to bring one stroller to the parks and rent a double for DD4 & DS7 if he gets tired walking around. I can't imagine carrying 2 strollers on the bus w/3 kids in tow plus the backpacks.

I wish they could make a lightweight stroller that folds small but has lots of storage, adjustable handles for the pusher, trays and not tippy. I thought it was the Mac Quest for me but it is dangerously tippy - I have to constantly remind myself to move stuff that I've drapped over the handles (storage lacking underneath) prior to taking out DD2. Sorry about the rambling on!

Have fun at Disney!

 

[bzzymom]

I have always flown to WDW and have had an umbrella stroller. I don't take it with me to the parks though because of the lack of storage space. I usually rent at the park, but, for our most recent trip this past Aug, I found a stroller at Walmart that was around $25. It folded up easily like an umbrella stroller, but it had a storage place that was handy. It was cheaper that renting a stroller at WDW.

 

[angbuz]

I have always flown to WDW and have had an umbrella stroller. I don't take it with me to the parks though because of the lack of storage space. I usually rent at the park, but, for our most recent trip this past Aug, I found a stroller at Walmart that was around $25. It folded up easily like an umbrella stroller, but it had a storage place that was handy. It was cheaper that renting a stroller at WDW.

Thanks!!! I'll be sure to check out my local WalMart store for that stroller. That's the problem with the umbrellas, not enough storage!!! I can handle $25 -- that's much cheaper than renting one.