To rent or not to Rent? To buy or not to buy? Strollers that is...

[HELPDESKGUY]

I have a 2 year old and 3 year old they are both under 40lbs.

Should i rent? Can they sleep in the rentals? Should i buy a double? If so what brand would you suggest? All, any help is needed.

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

My personal opinion is to rent. We have gone twice with my daughter, the first time she was 2, second time 3 years old. We found it easier to not lug our own around and liked the fact that if it was taken, we could get a replacement. Our daughter did sleep in it, but the molded plastic of the stroller is a little awkward, so we brought a small towel or blanket to fold up for a pillow. One tip, if you do rent, bring a bright colored marker to put your name on the stroller nametag. Everyone uses the black sharpie, but we brought bright red, and could identify our stroller by color without having to read all the names.

Good Luck and have tons of fun!

 

[all4fun]

Questions... How many days will you be staying? Could you buy one for the same price as renting (or less)? Of course if $$ are not a concern then that's great but I have saved a lot of money by bringing my own stroller. Also, my ds still napped in the stroller when he was two and I don't think he would have in one of the rentals, but all kids are different of course. I can see the advantages of renting but just thought I'd share another POV. hth.

This site might also have some tips to help you:
Allearsnet Stroller FAQ

 

[rt2dz]

I would not rent WDW strollers for kids that age. Your 3 yo would probably be OK, but I think the 2 yo is too young for them. They are not comfortable and don't have a lot of storage space if you are still using a diaper bag.

That being said, I wouldn't necessarily buy one either. If you already have one, I'd use that. Or rent from a Baby's Best friend. Google it and I'm sure a website will pop up, or do a search on here. Of course, depending on the cost of renting one (wdw or another), buying might actually be a cheaper option. Plus there are plenty of advantages to having a stroller in the parks, at the resort, and in the airport.

 

[TravelinGal]

One thought is to watch ebay auctions a couple weeks prior to your trip and try to find someone in Orlando selling a double stroller! (local pickup - save on the shipping cost!) If it's a good deal send them a message and ask, if you win, can they deliver it to your hotel.

I wouldn't use a lpark rental for a 2 yr old. hard as a rock. (and a towel isn't much of a cushion.)

Baby rental places would be a good place to look too. I think the single stroller was about $65 for an 8 day trip (we decided to take our own - make it easier in the airports too)

 

[PrincessasMommy]

Aren't you going to need a stroller for the airport? Shopping? Just getting around? I would go to WalMart and get a cheap Tandem (although I personally use a jogger, I have both at home and the tandem is the less expensive option and will fit everywhere). I have an Evenflo Take Me Too for my 18 month old and 3 year old and couldn't imagine them napping comfortably in the hard plastic rentals. I've seen Tandems for less than $100 online, when you take into consideration stroller rental costs it might be worth it for you. If you do go the rental route, do take a sheet to shade the stroller (I use a fitted crib sheet over mine) for when they fall asleep and also padding as those things are hard.

Have Fun!

 

[Smoondancer]

We just got back from our trip and really enjoyed renting the strollers. I have a 3 year old and a 17 month old. They both did great in the rentals. I would suggest pre-renting for all the days that you will be in the parks so you don't have to wait in line everyday. Also, if you keep the same name plate it will save time each morning.

 

[2poohbears]

I bought 2 comfortable umbrella strollers for our 2 y/o twins. They wouldn't have been comfortable in the rentals, I don't think. Also, it was quite a walk from the bus drop to the park area, at least for kids their age...so buying was best for us. The strollers were also helpful at the end of the day when they were tired and we were waiting for a bus. We're planning to go back next year when they're 3 y/o and I'll be bringing the umbrella strollers again.

FYI---make sure if you bring umbrella strollers that they are tall enough that you're comfortable pushing them. The ones I previously owned were short & uncomfortable, so I found some with longer handles for $40 each online and they worked great!

 

[pooh4evr]

We took an unbrella stroller for the airport and gate checked it- then rented a side by side stroller form Baby's Best Friend for the parks- it worked great for us- both seats folded down, it had a canopy and good basket , nice padding it was perfect!!- I think it was $75 for 8 days.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

IMO, I would take one. I'd buy (if you don't already have) an inexpensive double stroller that reclines!! I saw a double umbrella one at Toys R Us that reclines. I think it was around $50 bucks. I think you will want it for around the resort and DD.

 

[MommySue]

We are going to DisneyWorld in October and my two youngest children will be 4 yrs. 0 months, and my older one will be 6.5 years. Are they too old or big for a double stroller? Everyone has suggested a double stroller for Disney because of the ages, but I don't know what to do about weight limits on double strollers whether they be rented or bought. Thank you in advance!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

We are going to DisneyWorld in October and my two youngest children will be 4 yrs. 0 months, and my older one will be 6.5 years. Are they too old or big for a double stroller? Everyone has suggested a double stroller for Disney because of the ages, but I don't know what to do about weight limits on double strollers whether they be rented or bought. Thank you in advance!

That would depend on how much your children weight. Most strollers only hold 35-40 pounds per seat. An exception is the Maclaren that holds 55 pounds per seat.

 

[gottalovethem]

I bought a Jeep twin (side by side) umbrella stroller for my kids -- it's one I can use in the airport and also around all the parks and downtown Disney. It was $80 at Toys R Us -- same price as if we rented for the week, plus I can use it over the summer for zoo trips and such.

 

[mizzougrad91]

I went to my local used kids clothing store and bought a very nice stroller for $35. If we aren't to hard on it while we are at Disney we can sell it back to them and they said they would take $15 for it. That is much better than paying the high prices for a Disney stroller.

 

[Vickie46]

To me just lugging that stroller of my own around has been horrible.. its so big to get on the busses.. this past trip when we went to the Halloween party and they gave us free rental... we loved that stroller.. much easier to get around.. it seemed to work much better for us that .. I even want to rent on our next trip!