To bring a stroller, or not bring a stroller....

[angelhair45]

My son is about 2.5. We had planned on bringing the stroller to the parks. So when you go on rides to you just leave your stroller? Is that relatively safe to do? I've also heard that some areas don't allow strollers. Would we just leave it outside that area? Or do we just have to avoid that attraction?

 

[pixiewytch]

Every attraction has a roped off area for strollers. You must always leave a stroller in this area outside the attraction.

At that age I wouldn't recommend NOT bringing a stroller. They come quite in handy when the little one gets tired and fussy, even if dropping off the strollers and picking them back up all day is a pain in the you know what.

 

[cdrn1]

We took a stroller for DGD 2.5 in May and I can't imagine NOT having one. We took a small light one that was easy to manage on the buses. We never worried about leaving it outside of rides and attractions and no one ever bothered it.

 

[BamaFan121s]

At 2 1/2 ? Oh yeah, you'd be nuts to attempt it without one, IMO. There are some areas where they aren't allowed, but you just leave them outside the area. I've never heard of a stroller being stolen. The biggest problem I've had is trying to find it when I come back out sometimes. The CM's "claim" they move them to condense and save room as emply space becomes available....I think they occupy themselves by moving all the stollers around and watching people try to find them.

 

[indigoxtreme]

Put a lime green ribbon on the stroller and something else that is eye catching so you will recognize your. We just had a little tote bag in the stoller that contained camera, wallet etc and I took this on the rides with us, left everything else in the stroller. Also puchase some of the dollar store ponchos to cover the stroller if it rains. In FL you never know when a shower will pop up. We covered the seat area with one and tied it around and then one over the top and tied it on. We had the big evenflo stroller.

 

[angelhair45]

I have the big evenflow stroller too. My dh thinks it may be to bulky and thinks we should get a cheap lightweight one, but I'm thinking our son might grow uncomfortable in those. So the big ones aren't much of a problem?

 

[WaltD4Me]

Defintely put a ribbon on your stroller! Mine was purple with green polka dots and it made it SO easy to spot our stroller in the crowd!

Also I think going with the Evenflow is worth the extra bulk. If you are bringing a stroller anyway, go for comfort for your little guy. Plus you'll have room to put some of your stuff. We got one of those little thermal lunch box type things and kept juice boxes and a few snacks in it and kept it in the stroller basket which was very handy.

 

[tripplanner]

The big ones are fine if you are driving and don't need to use the Disney transportation often. If you're riding the buses and need to be able to get on and off easily, we found that the cheap lightweight umbrella strollers worked great. The kids really weren't uncomfortable since they really didn't stay in them for extremely long periods of time. It seems like we were constantly putting them in, buckling them up, and then getting them out again to get on another ride.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

Another vote to bring a stroller!! We brought our double stroller last year and will be bringing it again. It's bright yellow and blue so we never have any trouble spotting it, except for when the CM's move them and you think you're going crazy for minute. We usually leave our backpack attached to it though. When we went in 2003, we didn't bring a stroller for my DD4 who was 1 at the time. I had one of those things that straps her on to me and we were fine with that until she got sick. The day after she got sick and had to go to the hospital, she was pretty tired so we rented a stroller, but they were just not comfortable for her. HTH

 

[Ariel8676]

Definitely bring your own stroller. If you plan on getting a new lightweight stroller make sure you don't get a regular umbrella stroller, i would get one that has a small basket and reclines!!

 

[TwoMonkeys]

We've taken the stroller we used to use several times. It was one of those strollers that's a step up from an umbrella. I think it was called a Lightrider. It reclined and had a canopy with a basket underneath. It was a pain trying to get it on and off the buses though. I usually carried ds and kept an eye on dd while hubby carried on the folded up stroller. But it's so much more comfortable for them to have their familiar, comfy stroller to sit in, especially for napping. I tied a ribbon on the handle and we always carry a backpack with us which I took on the rides. No one ever messed with our stroller and it was easy to find if the CM moved it with the ribbon on the handle. We're going to rent the park strollers when we go this month for my ds (5). We don't use a stroller for him anymore but he's not going to make it trying to walk all day. The past several times we've gone, we've just rented the park strollers since ds was getting older (walking, staying out of the stroller more) and my dh hated having to carry a stroller on and off the buses (even an umbrella stroller). I would say, at your little one's age, bring your own stroller so he'll be comfortable and don't forget to tie that ribbon on the handle so you can spot it quickly. I even do that with the rented ones, especially since they all look alike. Oh, we also had a sturdy clear plastic rain cover that fit entirely over the stroller with the canopy out. It had netted air holes on the sides and ds could see through it since it was clear plastic. I loved that thing when it rained in the park. DS was the only one who wasn't wet. LOL I'm pretty sure you can find those at Toys-R-Us if you don't have one already. It wasn't very expensive.

 

[seven dwarfs]

We use the cheep umbrella strollers. You can put a mess bag on the back to hold things. My kids took naps in them fine. They are the best for folding for the bus. You just hit it with your foot and it folds. Light for the bus and best of all does not take up to much room. Those big strollers on a full bus are a lot to handle. We have clips that hook two together which is great. For us it works. No one has ever messed with our 'stuff' on them before. We also use a rain poncho to cover it if it rains. We try to limit what we take in the parks. We do take a bag with frozen water and as it melts it is great. And we take little snacks to use when needed. Our trip in Sept will be the first with no diapers! YEAH. But we would just put them in a plastic bag with some wipes so if it rained they were ok.

This works for us but I know others like the big strollers. I guess it is what works best for you. Sometimes it take a second trip there to master it.

 

[sticker231]

bring the stroller! we bring one for our kids(5/4/3). If they get fussy, they can just hang out and it is easy for a quick nap. Just make sure you are familiar with opening and closing it.

 

[Mommyto2Princesses]

IMO, having your own stroller is great - It's your germs, not everyone elses. I've never thought of tying a ribbon onto it though - woohoo new idea for me! IN 2003, DD was turning 4 while at WDW and we took our "pink" umbrella stroller. She didn't really use it a whole lot, but was nice to have it. Someone in the parks actually told us not to leave ANYTHING in the stroller when you leave it. She said they had had a wet t-shirt taken from their stroller once. Who would want a wet t-shirt?

This time we are taking our new addition - 2.5 yr old DD and will definatley take our big stroller. Our big stroller is not too big, but it does have a basket to hold things and it also has 2 drink holders.

I wouldn't worry with unfolding (if using Disney Buses) until you get to the park. Just carry the princes and princesses - they're only little once!

 

[Daydreamer]

Another vote for bringing your own stroller. I think it depends on your mode of transportation as to what style to bring. Speaking from experience, the bulky models (we had a twenty-five pound double stroller) are a nightmare to get on and off Disney transportation. So, if you are using the buses I would definitely go with a smaller version; one-hand fold-up is absolutely a necessity.

 

[Grumpy92]

Think you are going to find mixed opinions on this issue.
I went recently with a 4 year old and we took his stroller. We didnt really worry about leaving it outside attractions, but we also left nothing of value in it either. It did seem like more of an inconvenience. When we wanted to ride the train, bus or monorail, we had one person get him, the other the stuff in the stroller and another to fold it up. We seemed to block other people who were enter for a example the buses. I will never again take a stroller, next time we will just rent it. The only kind I would take if it was absolutely necessary is one of the umbrella type.

 

[ctnurse]

We are taking our 2&1/2 yr old ds and I would never not bring a stroller. I have a big one which I never use and an umbrella one. Im buying a new one a nice lightweight reclining one. Just dont know which one yet. Anyone have any ideas?? I dont think that ds will sleep in his umbrella stroller now but if it reclines I think he will be okay. Just dont want to always have to go back to the resort.

 

[DeniseinMich]

I am going to Disney in 10 days, and was struggling with this decision. My son is almost 5, but on the short side, maybe 42". I had no problem with the idea of renting a stroller, cause I know the park rentals would fit him since they are on the bigger side. This was my plan. UNTIL-I wondered how the heck I was going to carry a sleeping 37 pound kid back to the car ALL THAT WAY, or the bus system, if we use it. I know he'll be walking a lot too, but I'll enjoy the fact that I can put him the stroller, so he can keep up with our pace when necessary. His legs don't move too fast. LOL. So last night I purchased the Maclaren Triumph Umbrella Stroller at BRU. It weighs 11 lbs. It fits a child until they are 55 pounds, I'ld say 45 pounds personally. BUT, it does "recline" 45 degrees, for when he does decide to konk out. And at least his head won't be bopping around. It cost 129.00 with a 10 dollar coupon I had. Since I won't be renting now for $8.00 bucks a day at 5 days, I figure my $40.00 went towards that $129.00 anyways. Now I'll have this stroller for Downtown Disney too.

 

[MeLaNie9]

Definitely take the stroller. We went in May with DS2 and were so, so glad to have it. Not that we ever considered not taking it. It was great because he is still at an age where he will nap in it and so we didn't always go back to the room for his nap time - he would nap while DH and I relaxed on a bench with a snack or split up to ride some rides that DS wouldn't be able to go on. We bought a fairly lightweight umbrella-type for the trip (Graco Mosaic). It was easy to fit on and off the monorail (even when it was crowded) and folded up easily to carry onto the buses. When going on the rides, you just leave your stroller in the cordoned off areas. In Fantasyland, there is one big stroller parking lot that we just left ours in while making our way from ride to ride. We had no fear of it being stolen, but we didn't leave purchases or any valuables in it.

 

[MycatlovesEeyore]

Always take a stroller! Always take a stroller or strollers with enough seats for all kids who may want to ride. On my youngest DD first trip, we carried one single stroller even though DD2 was 4 months and DD1 was almost three. We had relatives who convinced me to take only one stroller because with four adults, one of us could always carry DD2 if DD1 wanted to ride. Well you know what happened. We went to EMH and the DD's tuckered out. DW and relatives all wanted to stay and play in the park. I said OK, both girls are tired and headed for the room @ VWL, DD@ in the stroller and DD1 walking. That lasted about 10 feet. So now here I go up Mian Street with a sleeping DD2 in my arms pushing the stroller with DD1 in it. Has anyone ever tried to use Disney Trans with this set-up? I cussed my relatives all the way to the room as I balanced DD2 while holding onto the stroller with DD1. It made the boat ride three times as long! When we got home, I told my wife that her mission was to find a light-weight double stroller at a consignment sale. She found a Peg Perego side-by-side and it has been the greatest investment we ever made. It has gone with us everywhere since.