This stroller thing is stressing me out

[reneempayne]

I only have a bugaboo stroller which everyone says that I shouldn't bring to Dis. I have a DS2 and DS6. I am hoping that DS2 will nap in his stroller some days as he does that now we got and visit museums and the aquarium. I am also concered that me DS6 may want to occasionally use a stroller. Do I buy them each a stroller at home or do a rent a double in the parks even if we don't use one side, it is a place to put stuff. Are there canopies on the rentals, of are they fully exposed. I can't seem to remember. I would still need to purchase another stroller for walking around DTD and going to meals at the other resorts etc. HELP!!!!

 

[LadyShea]

There are canopies on the rentals, however they are made of hard molded plastic so may not be conducive to napping (though I have seen kids napping in them, it didn't look comfortable!). Perhaps yu could take some kind of cushion or pillow?

 

[DVCsince02]

Okay, this is what I have done on many trips to WDW with 4 year old and 2 year old.

Our 4 year old likes to walk, but only so far, so my suggestion is rent a stoller for your 6yo at the parks and DTD. Yes, there are small canopies, and a pocket to hold drinks and other stuff, but they do not recline. We have rented the double stoller for our 4yo so she has room to lay down if she wants. You can rent stollers in DTD if needed, but usually they like to run around.

For your 2yo, bring your own stroller that is light weight and can recline (we have a PegPergo). This way you always have storage and it can recline for naps.

I hope that helps!
Check this out too.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/wdwguide/7_Children/general/strollers.htm

 

[Skwinkles]

I have to agree with the previous poster. Definitely bring a stroller of your own for your 2yo. I, too, would not bring a bugaboo to WDW...I'd be afraid someone would take it. We chose to not bring our Peg Perego and that's half the price of the bugaboo.) Might I suggest the Inglesina Swift. It's a great lightweight stroller, has a good bit of recline, and is a little over $100 at BabiesRUs . com. We bought one for our DD last trip and she did great in it, napping twice a day in it.

As for your 6 yo, I would just rent a single stroller as needed on a daily basis, depending on how he/she does with all the walking.

Try not to stress (I know it's hard...I'm a total worrier too!) and enjoy your trip!

 

[Corjack]

This is a stressful thing to decide. I had a hard time too. My kiddos are a bit younger but we ought a Baby Trend Sit and Stand. We have used it at home a few times and so far so GREAT! It depends on how big DS's are. We went and tried it out at Baby Depot first. Luckily my DD is small for 4 years old and DS is only 6mo.

I would think you could just rent a double and bring a inexpensive unmbrella for other times. If your 2yo is tired, then he will sleep int he rental. Just bring a little blankey to help him get comfy.

 

[reneempayne]

Any suggestions on which stroller to buy for DS2?

 

[DVCsince02]

This is a stressful thing to decide. I had a hard time too. My kiddos are a bit younger but we ought a Baby Trend Sit and Stand. We have used it at home a few times and so far so GREAT! It depends on how big DS's are. We went and tried it out at Baby Depot first. Luckily my DD is small for 4 years old and DS is only 6mo.

I would think you could just rent a double and bring a inexpensive unmbrella for other times. If your 2yo is tired, then he will sleep int he rental. Just bring a little blankey to help him get comfy.

A Sit & Stand is also a good idea, but I have to disagree about a 2yo sleeping in the rented stroller. If you look at the link I posted above, they are molded plastic and terribly uncomfortable to rest in. Plus not a lot of shade is provided unless you use the blanket to cover it up. Also the umbrella stroller usually won't recline or provide much storage.

Do what you think works best. I can only speak from lots of experience (taking our 4year old for the 6th time next month).

As far as what to buy for your 2yo, one that folds easily, is lightweight and reclines with parent and child trays. I did a ton of research and got the Peg Pergo Aria on clearance. Yes it was pricy, but I use it all the time, and it's very sturdy for the gate check at the airport. I'm sure there are cheaper options other posters can suggest.

 

[laughinplace199]

OP, I'd bring a lightweight stroller for the 2 yr old and rent for the 6 yr old if necessary. I have 3 kids and we're going to WDW in 2 weeks. My 8 yr old will be walking. My 6 yr old will start off walking. If he gets tired, we'll rent a stroller for him. I just bought a Peg Perego Aria for the baby. It's small and very light, reclines, has a good canopy and a snack tray - everything I wanted in a stroller. Albeebaby.com had the 2007 models on sale.

As far as what to buy for your 2yo, one that folds easily, is lightweight and reclines with parent and child trays. I did a ton of research and got the Peg Pergo Aria on clearance. Yes it was pricy, but I use it all the time, and it's very sturdy for the gate check at the airport. I'm sure there are cheaper options other posters can suggest.

I just bought an Aria for DS (17 mos) for our WDW trip. I haven't used it yet, but it seems like a nice little stroller.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

We have a Maclaren that we bought for our DS when he was 18 mos old. He is now 4 and still enjoys riding in it. At that time we were living in CA and traveling to TX and IN a lot to visit family and the bulky Graco just wasn't cutting it. Especially when I traveled alone to IN. So we bought a Mac Triumph. It's lightweight - made of titanium and reclines so that DS can still crash in it if he needs too. The other thing I really like about it is that the straps are similar to a 5-pt harness system in car seats. We're taking it with us in 3 weeks because we know DS will get tired at WDW and will want somewhere to sit. Its weight limit is 55 lbs which was another seller for us. DS is just over 40 lbs now, but I'm hoping that he'll not need it by the time he's 5 and we can put it in storage for a 2nd kiddo. The price for it is right around $130. I will never again by another brand of stroller I love it so much!

 

[A M&Asmom]

Here is my daughter sleeping in one at the Magic Kingdom. She didn't look comfy, but she didn't seem to mind. I brought an umbrella stroller with us...was great going through the airport, but never used it once we got to WDW. We rented everyday. Always a double so we could throw all stuff on it also.

 

[Anna'smom]

I can totally relate to you! I think I had replied to your original post about bringing the Bugaboo. Since I am not bringing mine, we're going back and forth trying to figure out what we are going to do. I'm looking at just buying a McLaren or a Peg Perego for the trip. They seem to be pretty good strollers that would work. We'll see. Now I just have to find a decent price for one, since I won't really need it after the trip. Then again, I might get used to the lightweight and portable features. The Bugaboo is a great stroller, but it is such a hassle to deal with sometimes. Good luck!

Laura

 

[strmtroopr96]

For our last two trips, we have a used a Peg Perego P3 for our youngest DD when she was 3 months and 15 months. Mind you, it was TWO different P3's! LOL Let's just say that I have a stroller obsession and currently have 8 of them (but still have yet to persuade DH to buy me my coveted BUGABOO!!).

The P3 is great for WDW...not too heavy, great recline, and the canopy is really nice for totally covering your child if needed.

You also see tons of Maclarens there. We actually bought a Quest for the trip when DD was 3 months old but once we got it, I knew it wasn't right for her yet (actually she still slips around in it due to the really cute but slippery fabric and we have yet to really use it). But I can see that for most others, it is perfect! Lightweight and easy to steer!

My current favorite stroller is my Quinny Zapp. It doesn't recline but my tiny DD has been in it since she was 10 months old and way under 20 pounds and has always been comfy (something that she still isn't in the Quest). She is now almost 22 months and 21 pounds. It folds really small but is an odd shaped fold so might be cumbersome for WDW. I have seen one down there before though.

For our upcoming trip, I plan on buying a Baby Jogger City Mini for DD. It is only about 16 pounds, has a great canopy, and most importantly has a really easy and compact fold! You might want to look into one of those. They are about $199 and I have been getting great reviews from others who already own one.

 

[SueM in MN]

Even though kids might not look comfortable in the park rental strollers, kids often sleep in positions that don't look comfortable to adults. You'll see lots of kids sleeping in them. If the strollers were so uncomfortable, kids wouldn't be. (Although the rental strollers are not really as well suited for kids 2 and under).
Many of the kids sleeping in their own strollers don't look that comfortable either; they have to sit straight with their legs straight and can't really be in any position but that. I've seen kids in the rental strollers are curled up in a little ball between the foot and seat part of the rental strollers. If you've got a 'curler' the rental stroller may actually be a more comfortable spot than a traditional stroller; especially for older/bigger kids.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I'd bring your own stroller for your 2 year and then play it by ear with your oldest. At 6, I bet she can handle it for the most part. You can always rent a single if she needs one.

If you want an inexpensive single, take a look at the Maclaren Volo. Nice stroller, comfy, easy to push. Holds up to 55 lbs.

 

[DisFam95]

I'm in the same boat on deciding. DH thinks I'm bonkers. I was all set to bring 2 strollers then went to our zoo and saw the doubles there. They are the same as Disney's. I said we are sooo renting a double and having no stroller to carry on the bus and 1 thing to push.

Then our DS2 is getting really bossy and likes to hit DS5 so I can only image a week of togetherness might be too much. Then I thought we always are at the parks late and the kids always crash in the strollers at the park and we can just push them out to the bus and through the hotel. My brother always had to carry his 5yr old out of the park and down to the bus stops and across the hotel complex. That's a lot of carrying when you are tired too!

I bought a second Mac Quest (we have 1 already) but I'm leaving it in the box until I make up my mind (I had a coupon).

So we're either...
- bringing 1 Quest for DS and renting for DS5
pros: 1 thing to carry on bus
cons: carrying DS5 at the end of the day

- bringing 2 Quests
pros: not having to carry DS5, don't have to waste time in rental lines
cons: carrying 2 strollers on bus (we've done it before and it was still lighter than carrying 1 big stroller that I see people lug around)

So either way we carry something and 2 strollers is only 26 pounds total where DS is 50 and does not have wheels so I'm leaning towards the 2 strollers.

Ask me next week though

 

[DVCsince02]

I'm in the same boat on deciding. DH thinks I'm bonkers. I was all set to bring 2 strollers then went to our zoo and saw the doubles there. They are the same as Disney's. I said we are sooo renting a double and having no stroller to carry on the bus and 1 thing to push.

Then our DS2 is getting really bossy and likes to hit DS5 so I can only image a week of togetherness might be too much. Then I thought we always are at the parks late and the kids always crash in the strollers at the park and we can just push them out to the bus and through the hotel. My brother always had to carry his 5yr old out of the park and down to the bus stops and across the hotel complex. That's a lot of carrying when you are tired too!

I bought a second Mac Quest (we have 1 already) but I'm leaving it in the box until I make up my mind (I had a coupon).

So we're either...
- bringing 1 Quest for DS and renting for DS5
pros: 1 thing to carry on bus
cons: carrying DS5 at the end of the day

- bringing 2 Quests
pros: not having to carry DS5, don't have to waste time in rental lines
cons: carrying 2 strollers on bus (we've done it before and it was still lighter than carrying 1 big stroller that I see people lug around)

So either way we carry something and 2 strollers is only 26 pounds total where DS is 50 and does not have wheels so I'm leaning towards the 2 strollers.

Ask me next week though

My opinion..... take one and rent one. Let us know what you decide.

 

[TheDizMom]

We have always used the rentals, but our kids were older and so not likely to nap anyway. They can also handle the walk to the shuttle bus or monorail. They are good sized and last year we got a 7,6 and 5 year old in one at one time. I really find that even at 6 they just get tired of walking and it is helpful when you are trying to get somewhere fast to be able to put them in and go. I also like it when it's crowded because I know I won't lose anyone if their in a stroller and for parades because it gives them someplace to sit while their waiting. As for the stroller for the 2 year old, I would find something light weight and smaller because they can be hard to get on and off a crowded shuttle bus.

 

[PADISFAM]

We don't go until Oct & I'm obsessing about it Our boys will be 6 & 4, & did ya see the price increase on the rentals.........I just can't see paying that & not being able to keep it. We'd be at >$120 for our Oct trip.......ugg....

 

[DVCsince02]

We don't go until Oct & I'm obsessing about it Our boys will be 6 & 4, & did ya see the price increase on the rentals.........I just can't see paying that & not being able to keep it. We'd be at >$120 for our Oct trip.......ugg....

I find it very interesting how many Moms stress about the strollers. I did too. I agree it's expensive to rent, but if it makes my life a little easier I'll spend the cash.