The Always Present Stroller Dilemma

[becka]

On our last trip DS was 21 months old and we bought a Combi Savvy stoller that I just love and it was perfect for WDW - lightweight and comfortable. However, since we got back from our trip DS has decided that he is too big for his stroller and HATES to ride in it.

We now have DD and for our December trip DD will be using the Combi stroller. DS (will be 3 1/2) has not used a stroller in over a year and I just am not sure he will be able to handle all of the walking at WDW. I am sure it would be nice at least for parts of the day for him to have the option of using a stroller to just rest for a bit. I don't want to rent a double stroller because DD will only be 10 months and I think she really needs a better stroller that will recline than the park strollers. Combi makes a double Savvy stroller but it is almost $300. Even if I buy one used from Ebay I am sure we will pay close to $200. I hate to pay that much for a stroller I will only be using for a WDW trip because I know DS will refuse to be in it here at home. We might be able to get one additional trip with the double stroller but our kids might exceed the weight limit by the time of our next trip. Plus even though my single combi folds really compactly the double stroller has to be a lot bigger - would it be a pain on the busses? I guess we could just rent a single stroller for DS but it seems like it will be such a pain to have to keep track of two strollers especially when one will probably be empty most of the day.

Any advice from others who have been in similiar situations?

 

[ryan840]

Just a thought- don't they make a little seat/step to add to your single stroller for older children? I'm not sure how if it would work on a Combi or not... A little off topic- We bought a Soho Sport for our trip to WDW in May, and we LOVE it! The carry strap is what made my husband decide to spend $70 on a glorified umbrella stroller... HTH!!

 

[DisneyDW]

Have you seen the Sit & Stand stroller? The front seat is a traditional stroller and the back is a little bench seat and also a foot rest where an older toddler can actually stand and ride. We took our traditional stroller on our first trip with both kids and DS (just turned 3) refused to sit in the stroller because he was too big. He did fine walking around the parks all day but I think he would have been more comfortable taking a seat for part of the time. I sure wish I had that option sometimes! We got the Sit & Stand and he likes that and still feels like a big boy. They still use it occasionally now and especially for trips at ages 3 and 5. It is still pricey though - I think we spent around $130.

 

[NJDisneymom]

I don't think a 3 1/2 year old would be able to walk in Disney. Heck, I'm trying to decide if my 5 year old can do it, LOL!!!!

Last trip my kids were 5 months and 3 1/2 and we used the Sit N Stand. Yes, it was big and heavy to get on the buses, but it was a godsend in the park. I am not a fan of side by side doubles, they are just too wide for my short arms and a pain to get thru crowds. I'd rather have a front/back stroller even though they aren't always the easiest to navigate.

I know you said you don't want to spend a lot on a stroller just for Disney, but at 3.5 I think you could get a lot of use out of something like the sit n stand. My daughter used it until she was 4.5 and would still like to use it if we brought it. I've switched to the Peg Perego P3 that has a small step on the back. DD doesn't need a stroller anymore, but its great to have her jump on while we are zooming thru parking lots, etc.

I'm considering bringing an umbrella stroller this trip because I'm not sure the step on the P3 will be enough for her.

 

[ninaeve]

We bought 2 single Maclaren Triumphs for our trip. (We did not want the hassle of a double, plus wanted to be able to split up with the kids if needed)
We first picked out the Combi Savvy, but dd(4.5 yr - 42 lb & 41 in) did not fit well in it at all. So we decided on the Mac Quest until we found out it has a carry handle not strap.

try www.albeebaby.com for free shipping and discounted prices on last yrs models.
we also purchased stroller connectors($10 at Babiesrus) for just in case one of us has the kids alone.

HTH

 

[SleepyatDVC]

becka,

You could always rent a single at the parks if he needs it.

Personally, if I think that he will need a stroller but don't want to invest a lot of $$ in getting one in case he doesn't use it (trust me he will) I would buy a cheap umbrella stroller. You can use the umbrella stroller when he gets tired or fold it up and hang it on the combi's handle bar when he's not using it. That way you have the convenience of 2 separate strollers when you need it but don't have to keep track of 2 strollers when you don't need it.

My DD's are 4 and 6 and haven't used strollers iin ages. I know DD4 is lazy and DD6 will want to be pushed if her sister is. We have a combi ultra savvy and 2 cheap umbrella strollers somewhere in the house. We are driving down to WDW in less than 2 weeks. If there is room in the car, we may try to bring the combi for the DD4 for the canopy and the teeny basket. DH may need to "break" the front bar off. Our model doesn't have the detachable bar. The girls don't like not being able to climb in and out by themselves.

If DH "breaks" the combi (LOL!) or if there's no room, we will just bring the 2 umbrella strollers and chuck them if they break down in the World. The girls like everything the "same." I like it all the same too - less fighting over who gets what!! I'm not crazy about the umbrellas because there is no canopy on ours. So, I'm kind of hoping they break early in the trip so that I can stop at Walmart and pick up new cheap umbrella strollers WITH a canopy!

I hate having to deal with lugging a heavy stroller everywhere and keeping track of it. But I like the convenience of an umbrella stroller so that I don't have to lug around my heavy kids! Lol!

I have used a borrowed MacClaren basic, no frills, older model, no canopy umbrella stroller before. It pushed my heavy DD6 like a dream!!! She was about 45 lbs then - she is 50 lbs now. Alas, I had to return it. It made me really want to get a newer MacClaren umbrella model. But I just couldn't justify getting another stroller just for WDW and the $$$ cost - especially since I wasn't planning on having any more children. My girls don't use strollers anymore.

Good luck.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

We bought 2 single Maclaren Triumphs for our trip. (We did not want the hassle of a double, plus wanted to be able to split up with the kids if needed)
We first picked out the Combi Savvy, but dd(4.5 yr - 42 lb & 41 in) did not fit well in it at all. So we decided on the Mac Quest until we found out it has a carry handle not strap.

try www.albeebaby.com for free shipping and discounted prices on last yrs models.
we also purchased stroller connectors($10 at Babiesrus) for just in case one of us has the kids alone.

HTH

We bought the stroller connections for a trip 2 years ago when DH had a convention to go to in Orlando. We stayed at the VWL and I took the kids to WDW during the day by myself. It would have worked well except that I'm so punny (sp?). DD4 at the time was already pretty heavy and I could push her in the umbrella stroller fine. DD2 was a lightweight. For some reason it was very hard for me to push the 2 of them together with the connector. Either they were just too heavy combined for me or the weight was too one-sided to push straight.

In any case, on the first day, DD4 "helped me" push the empty side of the stroller and we put stuff in her seat. She understood that Dad would push her when he came, but when it was just Mom, she had to walk or we would stay back at the hotel. After the first day, we left the 2nd stroller back in the room and just took one. DD4 still "helped" me push by keeping her hand on one of the handle bars so that I would always know where she was since I couldn't hold her hand while pushing the stoller. In the evenings, we took 2 strollers and DH and I each pushed one.

 

[shelly3girls]

We had the Combi Twin Savvy and loved it but I would definitely not purchase it if your oldest is average to above average in size. My oldest DD is tall but slim and she started to feel confined by around age 4. I do not think you will get much use out of it. We bring our Mac Triumph for our youngest DD4 and then rent a stroller if need be for our DD6. I always prefer to have strollers that recline so I never like the umbrella stroller option although I have seen many people attach two of them with the connectors.

 

[Kermit]

Regarding double strollers, if you do decide to buy one, I'd go with the Peg Perego. It's the only one without 3 sets of wheels across the back. We had one with wheels in the middle (between the 2 seats), and DH was always getting his foot caught in it. I was fine because I'm short, but DH's stride is longer. From reviews I've read online, that's a pretty common problem.

Double strollers have pretty narrow seats. I would definitely try him in one in a store before you buy one off of eBay or something to make sure it would be comfortable. Jacob has just about outgrown our double stroller at 27 months. He wears a 4T or a 5, though. He's tall like his daddy.

I think if I were in your shoes, I would try to put your DD in a carrier of some sort (I like the Kozy) and take a good stroller that both of the kids like. They can take turns in the stroller, and you'll have the carrier when Nathan wants to sit. Of course, that will only work if you think he'll walk most of the time and if you think she'd like being worn.

 

[blessedby3]

I agree with the previous poster about the "basic" Maclaren. I just ordered one (a volo) about a month ago for my DD6 1/2 for our Nov. trip and it pushes like a dream. I wish I had seen these 3 kids ago!!!!! It is has a very sturdy frame, a netted basket and fits her perfectly. I got it from babydealz.com for under $70.00 with s&h. It is an '04 model. Only '04 and '05 have been tested for the 55 pound weight limit. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ask"WhyNot?"]

My oldest barely used a stroller when we had the second. I opted to buy a sit-n-stand for those times when DS#1 would need a stroller. I hated it. It is so much harder to use than a double. I would recommend the buggy board attachment for a single stroller in that case. Much less $$$ than a sit-n-stand, only down when you need it, attaches to any stroller & detaches when you don't want it. They sell them at babies-r-us &, I think, the right start or one step ahead. I'm sure you can find them elsewhere too.

That said, when we were there last I saw someone else who used a nice single and then had a cheap umbrella for an older child strapped to the side with bungy cords for when needed. Looked like a great idea to me.

If the baby is still small enough, you might want to consider a front pack or side carrier (sling, platex hip hamock, etc) for the times when your older child does want the stroller.