Theme Park Strollers vs Other Companies

[rlu929s]

We have 2 kids that will be 5 and 7 (nearly 8) when we go in Nov/Dec. Would you suggest just renting strollers in the parks if needed or getting something from Magic Strollers or Orlando strollers.

I don't think we'll need it while outside the park as they can handle our local theme park (Silver Dollar City) just fine without a stroller. We do have some fairly longer days planned, but we'll stop and rest quite a bit.

I'm guessing the best option is to probably rent strollers inside the park only if they really need them. Some parks they may get by without like Hollywood or Animal Kingdom.

They don't every fall asleep in strollers, so I don't think i'd help in that regard.

Thoughts?

 

[DYOBL0305]

I think that if you feel they might not need one, or if the ones from the park will do just fine in case they do need to take a break, go that route. We're renting one (double stroller) from Orlando strollers, my girls will be 1, 3, and 6 by the time of our trip and although I know my oldest will do just fine walking (she can run laps around us all day lol), my 3 year old gets tired very quickly. We've been taking them to the park every day walking about a mile and a half just to get them used to all the walking and my 3 year old doesn't make it a quarter of the way before asking to ride in our double stroller with her baby sister. I don't know how good the strollers from the park are, I imagine not very comfortable though, and it would get quite expensive for us renting one every day, which is why we decided that renting out was a better choice for us.

 

[WeAreThosePeople]

When we went this past February, my daughter was not quite 3. We had our kinderpack, which SAVED us when we were in lines and couldn't use the stroller. It also was great for naps. But then we ended up renting a stroller from the park every day. It was somewhere around $10/day (I can't remember exactly how much), but it added up fast. It was also pretty uncomfortable for her, with hardly any shade and very little storage. She couldn't relax her head at all unless I put something in there for her to rest her head on.

We're planning a trip for next February, and we looked at the rental companies in Orlando. I had a little bit of sticker shock. I don't think we'd save much money going that route, although the strollers look really nice.

We decided to just bring a stroller along with us from home. We don't keep a stroller any more, but we figured buying a small one (like one step up from an umbrella stroller- something with storage) would be fine. The day after we decided to do that, a friend posted that she had her jeep jogging stroller for sale for $15. I bought it immediately.

We'll bring it to the airport with us, and they'll check it at the gate for free (even if we fly Spirit, which nickels and dimes you to death). So we'll be able to easily walk through the airport and have it all throughout our time there.
After our trip, I can re-sell it, probably for more than I bought it for, or just keep it for next time. Hooray!

 

[jbethel77]

As far as determining if you will need a stroller will probably have to be your call. I'm sure you are the best just on your children and how much they can handle walking. One difference between Silver Dollar City and Disney is that Disney is mostly flat, compared to the many hills in SDC. If that helps...


If you do decide to rent a stroller...We took our 4 year old last year, and taking her agian this year. We rented from Theme Park Strollers and they were WONDERFUL! We are using them again this year. The stroller rolled as smooth as a luxury car!
We didn't have the stroller on our last day and rented one from Animal Kingdom...it was aweful to push around! The price is about the same in the parks and renting from outside...

The nicest part was that we paid the $15 loss/damage fee so we were worry-free about it being damaged or stolen. So we could often park it at one of the many stroller parking stations and walk around for a while.

Sorry for so much info! Hope it helps! Have a great vacation!