thought on bringing our double stroller vs renting one?

[dawnmommy]

we are flying to Orlando and staying on property at the Poly Our kids will be 3 and 5. From what I've read, a lot of 5 year olds get tired, and sometimes like a stroller ride at the parks.

We have a double maclaren that holds both kids fine. I'm torn between getting that, or renting through Orlando Stroller rental. We likely could get the kids through the airport ok without a stroller. on the other hand, it might be helpful to lug our carry-ons to the plane, restrain our crazy 3 year old, then gate-check the stroller.

thoughts or advice? This is our first trip to Disney!!

 

[cmskok]

Hi!

We have traveled to Disney every year since our kids were born and I would advise that you bring your own stroller...here's why:

It makes navigating the airport much easier and;
If your kids fall asleep on the bus (which happens a lot) you can put them in the stroller that they are used to, so that they can sleep during the walk back to your room.

In addition, you know where your stroller has been (yes, I am a germaphobe!)
Happy travels!

 

[Dawg91]

I second taking your own stroller for the reasons already listed. It can be a long, tiring walk from the bus stop or monorail to your room. We learned the hard way one evening when we didn't take the strollers to dinner and had to carry a 2 yr old and 5 yr old from the monorail station to the bus and then from the bus to the room.

It was well worth the hassle of having something extra at the airport. We flew out of Chattanooga, TN into Sanford, FL so we didn't have a lot of walking at the airport. Both were pretty small.

 

[Mandychelle79]

I hated taking strollers on the bus the first time I went so we rented them this time. BTW renting 2 singles is more cost effective than renting one double

 

[bdiddy]

Our kids are 3 and 5 and we just got back. We took a double umbrella with us. I won't lie - it was a pain at times especially on the Disney buses when it was crowded but it is hard to justify the expense of renting a double stroller every day for a week. I'm just too cheap (or I guess I should say I'd rather spend that money elsewhere) so I would rather deal with the few annoyances of taking our own stroller.

There is no way we could have done without a double though - our 5 yr old DD complains about walking around the mall and we have a wild 3 yr old boy so we needed something for both of them. It was great having it in the airport - I will say that. We also took our 3 yr olds car seat on the plane so we actually had DD walk in the airport, strapped our son in and I balanced the car seat in the other seat, put my bag on the back and we were set.

The ONLY times it was a pain was we were on the 2nd floor at Caribbean Beach so we had to carry it up and down the steps twice a day, and then on the buses when it was really busy although there was twice that we waited for a new bus so we could sit down. The buses is a whole other issue with us though - we drove last year on our first trip and we liked it 1000x better. We did not like all the waiting that is involved with the buses as well as all the transferring if you go to other resorts. Big waste of time - and then you throw in standing a lot with two tired kids, a bag and a stroller and it was not fun!

Anyway - if you have the money and don't mind forking it out I'd rent one. But if money is an issue or you are just not sure I'd take your own - it really wasn't that bad.

 

[jackets9]

I'm going to offer a differing opinion. If your stroller does not compact when folded, fold easily and is not light, I would rent the double stroller from Orlando Stroller rental. We had a 15 month old and a 4 year old when we were at Disney over the summer and rented from Orlando Stroller Rental. It was wonderful. We used an umbrella stroller for the baby in the airport. The 4 year old was fine in the airport. When we got to the Poly, the double stroller was waiting for us. The stroller was easy to use, folds up easily and was very light. It was about $100 or so to rent for the week. Well worth the money in my opinion. Further, the customer service was great. We lost a wheel one morning and did not realize it until we were in Animal Kingdom. I called and within 15 minutes, they had someone meet me in the parking lot with a new wheel.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

we took our own- actually we bought our first double just for our trip to disney. we have a 4 yr old and a busy 2 yr old- who really didnt like the stroller. but it was a god send. esp leaving here(ns) early going to newark needing to get from a to c then naviagating through mco. surprisingly it was our 4 yr old who ended up loving it!
it was great to have a place to stick our junk at during ride times. we compared the prices and it was actually cheaper to buy one here then rent one either at disney or osr. and now we haev it for home use!

 

[starsweeper]

We own a Graco front-to back double and a Combi lightweight side-by-side double, but bought Combi Urban single strollers for our trip and were so glad we did. The strollers fold over on themselves in 2 seconds and only weigh 10 pounds, so getting them on and off the bus with two 2.5-year-olds was no problem. We also liked that one parent could take one kid to the restroom for a change, while the other parent let a child play, eat, etc. The strollers also fit easily in the stores and eateries. Lastly, if one child gets sick or tired, you would have one stroller for returning the room and one stroller for the park.

 

[Holly]

Another vote for bringing your own. I brought the maclaren double several times and was always glad I had it. The Mac folds up nice, too, and is convenient for the buses.

 

[happymommy]

We brought our own when our kids were that age. I really, really loved having it! It was a heavy one (Peg Perego Tandem Twin), but both seats recline nicely. My friend rented a double tandem one once, and mine was much larger and more comfortable for naps.

Yes, it was a pain to fold it and carry it onto a bus. We're only on the bus for a short time, though, and having the stroller was very worth it to me! The kids fell asleep in it every day.

We stayed at the Boardwalk area, as well as the Contemporary once, when they were little. I loved being able to push them from the Boardwalk to Epcot and MGM (now DHS), and on the monorail you just roll it right on board.

If I could do it over again, I'd definitely bring it again.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

I've heard that OWNER'S LOCKER now have strollers for rent at very reasonable prices. They will deliver it right to your hotel and pick it up there at the end of your trip. I would check them out.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would bring your own if the thought of standing on a bus holding the stroller and 2 kids doesn't scare you. Or if you don't mind waiting for another bus to come along so that you can have a seat. If neither of those things appeal to you, then you are better off renting a stroller.

Be aware too that the strollers need to be empty and folded before they are allowed onto the busses. So you need to be able to hold onto it, all your stuff, and your 2 kids.