Tell me about your stroller please...

[needpixiedust]

DD5 needs new stroller. Help please-I'm so out of date!

I knew that raising another small child in our late 40s and 50s would present challenges. Most have been fun and exciting - if a bit tiring - but today's stroller choices have just totally overwhelmed me. I'm hoping maybe some of you will take pity on me and offer a suggestion or two...

DS is 28 now and I shudder to remember the metal monsters of his toddlerhood when they didn't even make carseats!
DD16 hasn't needed a stroller in quite a while either, but DD5 still likes a stroller in the mall and at WDW.
She has had several of the full size evenflos because I love that one-handed-push-the-button & it instantly drops and folds flat feature.
I really like the handle-mounted double drink tray of full size strollers also as I'm never without my diet coke and want to be able to steer it without needing both hands all the time.

Now comes my quandry - I've looked at the maclareons, inglesinas, a zippy and an aria but at this point might buy anything with pink on it in a moment of weakness and regret it each time I use it. I can't even decide between a full size and a lightweight unit. Hence my request for some experienced advice.
It's ovbious the lightweight strollers have come a long way. Can you really push those umbrella handled new strollers thru the parks as easily as the old 3in1 style evenflo tanks? Do you need two hands all the time? The older umbrella strollers I've tried need two hands and take some effort to steer and push - has that changed?
DH hates carrying strollers on buses (or anywhere for that matter) so a smaller folding stroller would be nice, but not essential as we drive a minivan and live in the country in a neighborhood that doesn't even have sidewalks so the only buses we see are Disney's. He's 6 feet tall and does stroller duty too sometimes so we'd need something that doesn't have handles so low that it leaves you walking doubled over. With a heart condition, there's no way he can carry DD5 thru the parks whenever she lifts her arms for Daddy like he did with her older sister years ago so a stroller is neccessary.

DD5 doesn't use a stroller seat belt anymore, much less tolerate a 5point harness so (zipping up the flame suit here...) that would likely be removed in a traditional stroller BUT she does sit very nicely. A hinged child tray that flipped up might be nice for the easy (and often) entrance and exits. I'm guessing that without that front bar I'd want a seat belt around her waist but doubt she'd ever stay in a 5 pt harness very long so are any adjustable to remove the shoulder straps for older kids? At approx. 40 lbs and 45 inches tall I know she's at the far end of the stroller age and figure we're probably looking for something to last maybe only another year or two.

What do you take to the parks or use around town? Anything I should specifically look for or stay away from?

 

[fakereadhed]

I have a Combi Savvy Soho(compare to City Savvy) and I love it. It folds small, with a carrying strap built in, and weighs only 11#. It has a bottle holder built into the fabric on the back, as well as a CD/MP3 holder(comes with speakers for the canopy), but no heavy duty cup holder for coffee. (I know you aren't supposed to do that anyway, but mom needs the caffeine sometimes ) The great thing is I can actually push it with one hand and turn it on a dime, all with the Starbucks in the other hand. I think the top weight limit is #40, but I have mega DS2 that is pushing the limits and it works fine for us. As far as the harness goes, you can unbuckle the top straps and only use the waist harness if you want. The bar opens at either side for easy in and out. Good luck with your stroller hunt!

 

[MichelleChell]

I am a BIG Graco Mosaic fan! I searched everywhere for the perfect stroller. It is at Target and at Target.com. Check it out.

 

[spoiltrotten12]

We bought a Maclaren for our DD2 when our DS was born in April. Before our DS was born we used a Bugaboo for our DD, but now we use that for him. Maclarens are very lightweight and I'd say a good choice to go with if it's going to be your DD's final stroller. Good luck finding one and do let us know which stroller you choose! For some reason I like stroller discussions lol!!

P.S. Has anyone had any exprience using a double stroller in WDW? Please PM me, I'm not sure whether to get one or just use 2 strollers (Maclaren and Bugaboo). Thanks!

 

[KimberlyC]

My DS (almost 2) has 7, YES 7, strollers. 4 were purchased for him and 3 are cheap umbrella strollers that we received free from Toys R Us for purchasing a ton of stuff (so these don't really count but I know what you mean about being doubled over and not being able to navigate easily).

Stroller 1: Graco Metrolite. Great travel system with infant carrier outgrown at 4 months. Lighter than most travel systems, great features, but still too large to take to WDW IMHO.

Stroller 2: Jogging stroller. Grandma uses it for neighborhood walk and for cutting through friends' backyards to get to other friends' houses for visits. Nice for this purpose but still too bulky and large to take to WDW IMHO.

Stroller 3. Lightweight all purpose flat folding stroller. Grandma uses it at the mall. Nice and lightweight but still has decent size basket and cupholders. Folds flat like regular strollers but not as convenient as a good umbrella stroller.

Stroller 4. Chicco Umbrella Stroller. I bought for WDW after test driving every good umbrella stroller in the store. I liked the basket and folding mechanism better than the Macs. The downside is that it goes to 37 lbs only. This is fine for me as by the time DS outgrows it I'm hoping that we will have expanded our family and will be looking at a double. This will NOT work for your DD.

I think you will need to get one of the Macs that go to 55 lbs if you prefer lightweight umbrella style. The Volo is the most basic, Technos most decked out. I know Volo doesn't have the tray, can't recall the Quest and Technos (I tried sooooo many including Combi's with the tray). I didn't want a tray so DS could exit easier. Some may not agree but I converted his 5 point harness to a 3 point harness easily by pulling the shoulder straps back through the holes and not using them. He doesn't like the shoulder straps. He's fine with a 3 point harness as it keeps him put as easily as a tray. He wouldn't nose dive out of it if we hit a bump in the road. You can check out the McLaren website to see the differences in the models.

Also, since there are incidences of stroller theft/misappropriation I decided to personalize DS's stroller. I'm just too lazy to try to lock the wheels up with a bike chain or similar. It won't stop it from being taken but its a detterent since its no longer that valuable to someone wanting to re-sell it, less likely to be taken by someone too lazy to bring their own or rent one since its easily identifiable, and unlikely to be mistaken for someone else's stroller since it clearly has my kid's name on it. I lack time and talent so I just bought a little iron on patch (lion) and iron on letters (for his name). I ironed them on to the back of the sunshade, clearly in view of anyone who would want to walk off with his stroller. Simple, easy, cheap and cute!

Good luck with the great stroller hunt and enjoy your WDW vacation!

 

[allonte]

I love my Graco MetroLite and my Graco LiteRider. I too had the Evenflo tank (and that is exactly what it was) but sold it for a smaller lighter stroller (MetroLite). IT IS GREAT!!! has a great one hand fold, folds flat (for the most part) and has all the great stuff that the Evenflo stroller did. You really can do the one hand steering on it if you get your hand in the right position. I also like my LiteRider. It's good for mall riding and light terrain. Slightly smaller and about 3 pounds lighter than the MetroLite, it works great especially for the money. We're taking that one to Disney with us (my DD is 1). Good luck... oh and Graco has GREAT customer service and a good repuatation.

 

[timmyhuh]

We bought a McClaren Triumph last year and it was the best purchase we ever made with regards to strollers. It is lightweight and folds down to where you can just throw it over your shoulder with the attached shoulder strap and hop on the bus. We have a DS who is almost 5 and a DD who is 18 months and will be leaving for WDW in 2 weeks and only plan on taking the McClaren stroller since it can accomodate children up to 55# so most of the time we will have the DD in the stroller but it's nice if the DS wants to ride we can let the little one walk and let the big one ride.

 

[allysmom1218]

I also have been learning about all the new baby stuff. Things have sure changed from years ago. I am 41 yrs old with a DS22, DD20 and a DD2yrs old. I went crazy for 2 weeks or more trying to figure out which stroller to buy. My DH (whose 28 yrs old) thought I was going to loose it. We finally bought a 06 Macalren Triump (and I did buy a pink one) from Travelingtikes.com. It cost $137. with free shipping. The Babiesrus here in Tulsa were we live, had the Triump in their store for $139.99, but it was an ugly red. It has only taken 10 days for my stroller to get here. I really hated investing in another stroller, but I have heard nothing but praises about the Macalrens. I never even found 1 bad review about them. So my words of advise to you is "GOOD LUCK" and don't let this decision drive you crazy like I did.