to bring vs rent a stroller & baby station changing stations ?'s

[mickey7]

Ok sorry to post 2 different questions in one, but thought I would save room.

We are bringing our two month old and are debating if we should just rent a stroller. Will they work for a 2 mo. old? We really did not want to bring ours due to they are so expensive and what if it gets stolen. Any and all advice would be great.

Also I once read somewhere all the different baby changing stations. Any advice on which ones to use and where are they located? I heard they are listed on the map, but some are better than others from what I have heard.

 

[sammatt]

Do you happen to have a Disney Visa Card? If so, you receive free stroller rentals, which can save you both some money and the hassles/worries of bringing your own.

 

[autumnbaby9]

For a two month old I would bring your own stroller. Disney's strollers are hard plastic and don't recline so they could be very uncomfortable for your baby.


I have only been to the baby station in DL and it was great! As far as I know there is only one in each park. The one in DL is at the end of Main street, on the right, by the photo store.

 

[wishonstars]

The only baby stations that I know of are the one at the end of Main Street in Disneyland, and also there is onekind of back by the Mission Tortilla place in California Adventure (I think I remember that right... it's been a while - on the CA one). They are wonderful. Places to change babies, feed them, and they have the dang cutest ever little tiny potties for little toddlers.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

We ended up renting a stroller for our 3 year old, and it was worth every penny. But I really wish we had bought an inexpensive stoller (that reclined) to take as it would have come in handy not only for DL, but also for the airport, the walk to and from DL, DTD etc.

 

[All American]

I highly recommend bringing your own stroller for three reasons.

1. Much more comfortable than Disney's.
2. If it reclines enough, you can change your baby on it rather than wait for a
changing table in the bathroom.
3. Storage. Disney's don't seem to have a great deal of room to pack stuff in,
not alot of room for a big diaper bag like I carry.

Regarding #2 and the baby care stations. I love them!!! They have everything you need: high chairs, rooms for nursing mothers, formula, a sink, microwave, mini-toilets, and changing tables with really high sides. The CM's are really nice too. I discovered this little gem all too late. Be aware that it can get a little crowded during around parade times and, I think, late afternoon. Try it. You'll love it.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Bring your own. There is nothing worse than seeing a newborn all cramped over in a stroller that does not recline. I hate when I am at the mall and see a 1 or 2 month old in an umbrella stroller with their poor little head all slumped over. Your baby will be much more comfortable in their own stroller.

Also storage is an issue as a PP stated. And then you will have it for to/from the hotel and DTD which you wouldn't if you rented. If you feel that bad about an expensive stroller, just buy a $35-40 dollar one at BRU or Sears. It is bigger than an umbrella but will recline for a little infant and has a little bit of storage.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[disney-super-mom]

For a 2 month old baby - BRING YOUR OWN STROLLER.

The strollers at DL are not designed for small infants like that. They're great for toddlers who don't nap as much, but for kids under the age of 2 years old, I wouldn't recommend them.

 

[Misskitty3]

I was worried the first time we went do DL and had to bring a stroller. I didn't want anyone stealing my expensive Maclaren while we were on a ride. However, once you get there, you will be surprised how many strollers are left safe and sound while people are on rides and nothing happens. I saw lots of strollers and electric vehicles stuffed with personal items and shopping bags and no one bothered to steal from them.

If you want, bring a little bike chain and chain two wheels together so it can't be pushed or I also read to tie a clear plastic bag onto the handle and put what looks like a dirty diaper into the bag - no one will come near your stroller then

 

[Trebor]

We've never had a problem with our personal stroller being stolen, but did get a bit of a scare when a CM moved it while we were on a ride.

For our most recent trips, we bought a folding stroller (from Corgi, I think). The advantage to this is that it folds down small enough to take on the train and monorail (which don't allow normal strollers), allowing us to make one-way trips and still have the stroller. I don't know if this kind of stroller would be appropriate for an infant, though -- our daughter was closer to three when we first used it.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I had the same debate with myself before we went. I needed a stroller for DS2, and possibly needed one at times for DS6 if he got really tired. We have 2 strollers, one a Maclaren (smaller basket, but very well built and easily carries DS6), and one that is just a step above an umbrella stroller; nice big basket, roomy enough for DS2, but does not manouver as well and not sturdy enough for DS6.

Renting is particularly nice if you have the Disney VISA card, because it's free. It would also be a nice option if, as in our case, you weren't sure an older child would really need it; rather than drag one along just in case, you can just rent one as needed. The drawback is that you won't have anything to carry your child when you leave the park (ie. mid-day for nap, or at the end of the day.)

I was concerned about the Maclaren being stolen, but we brought that one anyway, and made sure to take anything of value to us when we went on a ride. There was only one time it wasn't where we left it, and sure enough, it had just been "rearranged".

 

[bunninose]

No doubt at all - definitely bring your own. Not sure who said Disneyland's strollers are hard plastic, because they most certainly are NOT - they are green canvas. They offer NO support for an infant. They are fabulous strollers, but NOT for children who cannot sit up without support and assistance.

At only 2 mos, you want to be sure the stroller where your baby is will be clean, and your own will be. If you're flying, you'll need the carrier on the plane as well as in any vehicle you ride in to get from the airport to the hotel and to DL. And as others have mentioned, it will be a HUGE help in other places on your journey (airports, hotels, shopping, whatever else you have planned).

We have never once had our stroller disturbed while at the park (other than a CM moving it a bit during very busy times). That includes our parcels, etc. Not once = and we strollered it at DL every few weeks for 4 years. Now that DS is nearly 5, we rent (for free, thanks Disney Visa!) because we don't own one anymore. I have never ever once been concerned about our strollers at the park. Ever. Besides - your own will be much easier to find in the sea of green canvas strollers!

As for the changing stations . . . the Baby Care Centers are AWESOME! Each park has one. DL's is at the end of Main Street on the right side (when facing the Castle) right next to First Aid. DCA's is at the front left corner of the Mission Tortilla Factory in the Pacific Wharf area - also right next to First Aid. They are clean, the changing tables are huge and PADDED. The rooms are temperature controlled (heat/AC) so they're always comfortable, and they're big enough for more than one adult to go in. Extra nice with a squirmy baby . . . They also have stuff for sale (diapers, wipes, formula, jarred baby food, etc). It's not cheap, but a great relief when you really need it. They have private nursing rooms with rocking chairs, teensy toddler toilets, high chairs for less-chaotic feedings, and the most helpful staff ever. They even have rinse-sinks if you use cloth diapers (never ever seen those anywhere else in my whole life . . .) To this day I tell every adult with a diapered child about the BCCs.

If your babe needs a change before you can get to a BCC, then hit the closest restroom. ALL restrooms (as far as I know) have changing tables - MENS ROOMS INCLUDED, so Dad has no excuse. They are a slab of countertop - no padding and no belts. Nice and big, but cold and hard. Not a problem, but just so you know. But they have large changing pads (thick paper towels) and a few rolls of toilet paper handy. Another option would be to use the main part of your stroller in full recline (if you do this, please do us all a favor and throw the dirty diaper in a trash can and not in the nearest bush . . . ).

I will say that the restrooms next to the Matterhorn labeled 'Princes' and 'Princesses' are not a good choice - they're the oldest ones in the park, and they're just too small to get the stroller in there easily. Luckily, the BCC is not far away from there, so I'd just keep heading to Main Street . . .

My goodness . . . yada yada yada . . . hope this helps!!

 

[brandonbr]

When are you going? There may be a chance someone else is bringing a reclining stroller and after they were done with it they wanted to pass it on so my sister may use it for a week for my nephew. If times match up we'd be glad to pass it on yet again to someone else. We'll be there until the 28th.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

The baby changing stations are really nice but if you don't happen to be near main street you can also use the regular fold down ones they have in every bathroom.