to buy a double stroller or not?

[emmababy]

Ok, experienced mommies, need some advice. We are expecting number 2 in August. DD will be 2 when the new one comes.

As far as getting around, not just at disney, but the mall, festivals, etc... Should I buy a double stroller, sit n stand, or let them share our existing stroller?

As far as disney, how do you all handle that. We have two strollers we could bring, or we could rent one, or they could trade off? I am worried that a double stroller down there would be a pain with the bus systems. Please help!! I would rather not have two separate strollers. I don't want both of us always pushing something.

Thanks!

 

[Rylee]

"experienced mommies"... ummm... I guess I qualify!

When you are out shopping and such, by yourself, I think you will find a double stroller very convenient. When the new baby arrives, your firstborn will be at the age where she may start trying to exert her independence, better to have her safely strapped in than wandering off.

The side-by-side style, although wider, is actually easier to maneuver around than the ones that seat them one behind the other. I had a sit-n-stand, too... this great for local festivals, as the older child can easily jump on and off for rides, etc., but it makes it difficult for napping.

As for Disney, I would take a single rider stroller from home, to have at the resort and I would probably rent a double stroller at the parks.

 

[trivial]

I'm an inexperienced father, but I'd recommend a double stroller. Ours is a longer one (rather than side-by-side), but I find it fairly easy to navigate... I can't imagine trying to navigate some store aisles with a side-by-side, but perhaps I envision them being wider than they actually are.

At Disney World, I'd rent their double (side-by-side) strollers. You don't have to worry about flying a stroller, folding/unfolding and taking it on the bus, or having it stolen (although you'd have to carry the newborn when not in the parks). If you need a stroller when not in the parks, you could always bring a single with you, or even order a cheap one online and have it shipped to your resort (you could bring it back with you or give it away when you leave).

 

[thepeach80]

I've had 5 double strollers, 2 of those were Sit and Stands. My fave stroller by far is the one we have now, the Kolcraft Contours Tandem, but I do drool over some $300+ stollers. We took it to WDW w/ us w/ no problems, but thankfully we had extra adults b/c it would've been hard to do it w/ just DH and I and the 3 kids! We use ours all the time and we used it a lot in WDW for naps for the 2 youngest, holding the stuff we bought, and even my 4yo took a nap in it and he never naps.

 

[Mrs. T-i-double-g-er]

When you rent the stroller at WDW (which I strongly suggest), they will give you a certificate so that you don't have to pay for another one that day at another park. So you wouldn't have to worry about getting on the buses with one.

 

[emmababy]

I don't think the renting of strollers at the park would work for a couple of years. Our first trip with the second, he or she will be less than a year old. At what age have you all started renting strollers vs bringing your own? Is it worth the extra cost to not have to bring your own?

Also, any brands of doubles that you like? I have looked at the Graco and the Sit n Stand that converts from a double to a bench on the back. Any preferences?

 

[doulacandice]

Double stroller is a must.. I would stay away from the sit and stands.. A 2 yr old standing still? I know mine wouldn't.. Then again my 2 yr old is like 5 kids in one.. LOL I don't have a side by side but I hear they are easier to move.. I have the longer ones.. I like those because they can nap and it will recline back.

Good luck!

 

[Ariel8676]

I have a Maclaren twin and it has been great..we have taken it to WDW about 10+ times and have had no problems.
As far as renting a stroller at WDW, i wouldn't suggest it with 2 small children...think about at the end of the day having to carry 2 small(tired) children, diaper bag ( or whatever you have from the day) from the park to the bus and then to your room....wait to rent until the kids are older.
As for a double for quick errands...buy yourself a good sling (like a peanut shell or hotslings or a ring sling) for when the baby is small...sling the baby and take a singe stroller..so much easier!!! LOL

 

[DawnM]

My older 2 are less than 2 years apart and I couldn't have made it without a double stroller!

Side by Side strollers are very difficult to get through many doors and hard to manuver through crowds. I would stick with a 2 deep style. We had a Graco double stroller and I used it for almost 2 years!

Dawn

 

[katiesmom2]

Our DD was almost 2 when DS arrived and my double stroller was and still is my best friend....LOL

We have a Graco Duo Glider (rather than a side-by-side) and I love it. I don't find it hard to maneuver and it folds easily and isn't too heavy to lift into our minivan.

It is so wonderful for each child to have a seat for sleeping, snacking or just getting a break from walking. I would definitely NOT buy one of the ones that has the standing ledge for the older child. Trust me - at 2, he/she will have MANY times where they will want to sit or sleep.

For your Disney trip, you are right - it might be difficult to transport a large double stroller on a bus. I woiuld rent a stroller at the parks. Do you have other plans other than the parks - like hotel touring, Downtown Disney, shopping? You may/may not be able to rent at those locations.

Definitely, in my opinion, buy a double stroller. It will be a lifesaver for shopping, going for walks, etc.

Our DD is almost 5 and our DS just turned 3 and we (and THEY) are still enjoying the double stroller. Best investment we made!

 

[CarolinesMom]

I vote for having a double stroller. It will come in handy more than you realize (Halloween when there is only one parent taking the kids around).

 

[surfer_ed]

...As far as renting a stroller at WDW, i wouldn't suggest it with 2 small children...think about at the end of the day having to carry 2 small(tired) children, diaper bag ( or whatever you have from the day) from the park to the bus and then to your room....wait to rent until the kids are older.
As for a double for quick errands...buy yourself a good sling (like a peanut shell or hotslings or a ring sling) for when the baby is small...sling the baby and take a singe stroller..so much easier!!! LOL

This is an issue, our first trip with a stroller was a challenge getting on the bus trying to carry baby, 2 year old and stroller.

As a Dad who takes his kids everywhere...I vote no for the traditional double stroller. Most of my friends who have one, push around 1 kid and then end up carry the oldest who does not want to ride with the "baby".

We opted for the Joovy "Sit and Ride" and it is pretty compact, in fact it folds up smaller than my Graco. One downside is that the second kid can't sleep...which is a must at WDW. Of course your milage may vary.

Last trip we took the Joovy and rented a single, this worked well when both kids fell asleep. We still had a stroller for the commute but DD 2 slept in the WDW stroller for an hour or so before we left.

Also stayed at WL, which was great. I carried 1 child and DW pushed the stroller right on to the ferry and off again.

 

[trivial]

Just chiming in again to add support for the Graco Duo Glider. It's not exactly a Peg Perego, and can be a little unwieldly at times (such as when going forward again after going backward), but for the price it's a great choice. Oh, and I've heard some people having problems getting it into smaller-than-average trunks (just barely fits in our Sunfire).

As far as renting a stroller at WDW, i wouldn't suggest it with 2 small children...think about at the end of the day having to carry 2 small(tired) children, diaper bag ( or whatever you have from the day) from the park to the bus and then to your room....wait to rent until the kids are older.

This is a good point actually, although for us, carrying the boys and diaper bag a bit isn't a big deal; we'd rather do that than lug a stroller from home and on/off the buses.

 

[twinmom2]

We have been to WDW several times with my girls and we have used a side-by-side a couple of times and then bought 2 singles(maclarens). For us, having two strollers worked out just because they are twins and well, they like to get silly sometimes I also bought the clips that you can use to hook the strollers together if you need to.

we also flew several times with the side-by-side and really it is not that hard. You know where the kids are and check it right at the gate. When you get off, the stroller is there, put them in it and your off. I dont know what airport you will be using, but I could never see my two year old making it through the airport by walking.

Dont rent a stroller with an infant & 2 yr old...they will NEVER sleep in it comfortably. It is so hard and doesnt recline.

My vote is for the double maclaren. You will need it even when you are not at Disney...going to the mall alone, parks, zoos, etc. They also get through doors easily and my experience on the monorail.....they always let us get on with the girls in the stoller.

With twins, I did a lot of research on doubles. My other suggestion would be to go to the store and put the kids in and stroll around, fold it up, etc.

 

[twinmom2]

This is a good point actually, although for us, carrying the boys and diaper bag a bit isn't a big deal; we'd rather do that than lug a stroller from home and on/off the buses.[/QUOTE]

I give you about 6 more months/or 10 more pounds and you may rethink the stoller option

 

[Disney_luvin_family]

My vote is for the long (front and back) seat type of stroller- IMO, I HATE side by side strollers at disney!!!! We had one there twice and I would never do it again! They don't fit through the turnstyles, so you have to take one or both kids out, re-fold it up partially, then go through. It drove me nuts at the entrance of all parks! The front and back stroller fits through the turnstyles much better. Also, trying to fight through large crowds of people after parades, fireworks with an extra wide stroller is a huge pain! We now have a front/back stroller and LOVE it...but I guess it's personal preferance.
Our oldest is almost 6 and she still wants to sit in it off and on- heck I, myself would sit in it if I fit!!! There's A LOT of walking at Disney and if us as adults get tired out, just imagine with the little kiddo's feel like!

 

[rcraw45425]

Well, I guess I'm the Older experienced MOm here, our girls are now 10 & 12. Our first trip with them to Disney, they were 10 months and 32 months, we took a Graco Duo Glide Brougham. I loved that stroller! I could have the younger one lying down flat in the back and the older sitting up in the front, or Kelly in the back asleep with Amy. The canopy covered both girls, although I think the new ones have seperate canopies for each. That stroller took numerous trips, I still recall one, to the CR shortly after that first trip, when the valet opend the back of our Expedition, pulled out everything (diapers, stroller, you name it, counted and said, incredulously, 28 pieces of luggage?? Now there are days that I wish that they were that small again!

 

[mamawanavacation]

We've been struggling with this issue as well. Our two youngest will be 9 months and 2 1/2 years old when we go. We'll also be taking a disney cruise after doing the world. I read about this stroller recently, and although I haven't tested it out in person, I think it just might work out nicely. It's a double, lightweight, compact, and the right price for a travel stroller. We also have a graco dual glider which I LOVE, but I dread taking that bulky thing to disney world and definately not the cruise. I'm hoping this one will do the trick.

http://www.albeebaby.com/sa1stsilitas.html

Jan

 

[Camno's Mama]

I would say, definitely get one. Mine are two years apart, also, and I use it still! I bought a double jogger initially (Dreamer Design Ditto, which I love), but when I started watching a couple of my friend's daughters during the week I needed something more compact to fit in the car because all my seats are being used. I got a Maclaren.

I still prefer the double jogger...can take it anywhere (took it to Disney three times), fits through all doors, not too hard to fold down, etc. Plus, it's awesome for long walks, forest preserves, gravelly roads at fairs, etc. But the Maclaren is so easy to take places. Just depends on what you're looking for.

Just do your research and really think about what you need. FYI...I borrowed a tandem when my little one was just born and I hated it because it was so hard to maneuver.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Our oldest was 3 when the baby was born and we loved our double stroller (front/back type). I think it was a Graco but I don't remember for sure.

We put the baby in the back since the back seat could be reclined until he was ready to sit up. The oldest liked riding in the front so he could see everything that was going on. We used this stroller at Disneyland when they were 2 and 5 and it worked well even at those ages. If they big guy wanted to walk, we would plop the little one in front so he could have a better view.

I would never put two kids in a stroller that is designed for one. Each child should have his own seat and seat belt. I would also stay away from sit and stands, especially if your oldest will only be 2. They definitely need a place to sit when they get tired.