To bring a stroller or not to bring a stroller?

[christophfam]

I have two children ages at Disney time almost 7 and almost 4. We will be staying at the AKL and doing most of the parks and some park hopping. My question is this. Should I bring my single stroller for my DD almost 4 who I think will definitely need stroller breaks or should I rent a double stroller at the parks so both can rest their tired feet? I think my DS almost 7 will want some breaks especially since little sister is taking them. I also am thinking it might be nice not to have to fold up my stroller every time we ride the bus back to the resort.

Would love to hear what others have done.

Thanks

 

[Boo Mc]

We always take our own but I guess it depends on several things: where are you staying, do you drive your own car to the park and can they take turns sharing the single stroller. We stay at BWV and like to walk around at night and walk to Epcot and MGM so we need our own stroller for that. We also bring our own car to the parks so it's nice to just wheel them out to the car at night instead of having to carry them. You could always take yours and if they can't share it you could rent one. I also like ours because it reclines and is softer-those WDW strollers are plastic which doesn't seem too comfy to me. Just my 2 cents! Good luck.

P.S. Kids are almost 4 and almost 6 and the older one definitely still uses the stroller especially when it's hot. (And it's easier than constantly calling his name to make sure he's with us)

 

[rbuzzotta]

We just came from 15 days and left our stroller at home!! DD's are 4, 6 and 11. We rented a double for the 4 and 6 year old. My 6 year old has back problems and needed to rest of the stroller.

It was nice not having to pack it up everytime we got on the tram, monorail, bus or in the car. We rented at the park and when we park hopped we just saved our receipt and got one at the next park. It wasn't bad.

If your children take naps, it may be best to take your own stroller and rent a single at the parks. The rentals aren't very comfortable for nap time.

Also, consider the fact that it is $15.00 for a double (yes, you do get $1 disney dollar back). That can add up.

I wish there were a length of stay stroller rental. We spent $90. on stroller rentals!!! YIKES!!!

 

[Boo Mc]

OOPS - just reread your post and see that you're at AKL and are using the bus system so readons may not apply to you. I still think that it's nice to be able to wheel them on to the ferry or monorail at the end of the day (or from the back of WS if you're at Epcot).

 

[disneyvoice]

We brought a stroller last time only because our son was only 5 months old and couldn't sit up by himself yet. I have seen people rent the strollers and line them with heavy quilts and pillow to make them more comfortable. I guess it's kind of a toss up. I'm all for traveling as light as possible so for that reason I would say just rent them at the parks. But it's just as bulky to have to bring quilts and pillows!!

 

[dmonroe]

Last year we took ours, but left it in the room on the first day. We rented at MK and we all hated it. Ds thought it was uncomfortable and too low. I hated that it didn't have enough storage for diaperbag, backpack, camera, etc. I don't know how big/what kind yours is; but ours is really easy to handle and folds up really small so it was no big deal getting it on and off the buses.

 

[eller]

If by chance you are staying concierge, you can borrow one from them while you are there.

That's our basic plan. DSs (will be) 4 and 6. Last trip, two umbrella type strollers. Easy for the busses. Our big double stroller, three trips, ago was a mistake, too big for the busses. This trip, one stroller and if DS6 starts to tire or fuss we will rent one or borrow one while at the Polynesian.

Almost forget, AKL is wonderful! Enjoy!

Happy planning!

Lori

 

[crisi]

We rented. It was expensive - but a drop in the bucket compared to the whole vacation. And at the end of the day, when the kids were tired, you had to carry them back from the gate to the transportation and from the transportation to the room (ours were 2 and 3, though, yours are too big to carry and will need to do their own walking).

But we didn't have to worry about it on buses or boats. Didn't have to haul it through the airport, on and off the plane, or worry about the baggage handlers trashing it.

We liked the Disney double strollers every place but MGM. The strollers were easily big enough for my two (my son at 3 1/2 is pretty cramped in our double stroller, and kind of squished in an umbrella stroller). I liked not having to worry about my stroller getting stolen.

My suggestion is to look at the cost of renting in your overall budget. If renting is going to cost cash you can't really afford, bring a stroller. If the cost doesn't make that much difference to you, then you need to decide whether hauling your own stroller around when it isn't convienent is worth the convience of having it when you won't have a rental (and the added burden of renting it each morning).

 

[The Disney Bunch]

I would say bring an umbrella stroller- Your kids are big enough that you are not really looking for a stroller that recline for naps, you are looking more for rest for tired feet. Umbrella strollers aren't that expensive and you can buy a bag to hang off the back for all the stuff you wan to bring (which you would have to carry anyway) I brought a bike chain with me & chained my two strollers together when we went into places - I figured it would be harder for someone to walk off with two together. Bringing your own also relieves you of the stress of what to do if you get to a park & all the strollers are rented out. Good luck!

 

[Patsy1969]

Hi We took our 2 DGS last August ages 4 and 7.. I purchased a used double stroller at a local baby resale shop before we left. It was worth every penny. They would be full of energy when we left in the morning but they would get in later in the day. And it was nice not to have to carry them from the parks to the bus or car and then to the rooms. Also we could put the backpack in it when there was only one of them in it. When it rained they could be in it and we could cover it with a poncho. I got one that was the one seat behing the other. Itdid not take up as much room pushing it. When we got home I took it back to the baby shop and resold it so it only cost me $5 after the resale.

 

[4greatboys]

I bought 2 umbrella stollers to take on the trip. They will really be handy in the airport and in the parks. Actually they are coming in very handy now as they are light and easy to maneuver. I have a double stroller at home for my 2 youngest 2.5 yrs and 5 months but it is heavy, hard to fit in my car (and I have a suburban!) and hard to steer.

 

[christophfam]

Thanks so much for all of the tips! The used umbrella stroller idea sounds great. I think I will either do that or rent since this isn't a really long trip for us. I'll have to decide how much I would miss the stroller outside of the park if I rent.

You all are great! Thanks again for all of the good advice.