To rent or to buy????

[Feelslikeadream]

We are having such a hard time deciding wether we buy a stroller or rent. Any advice?? There will be 3 smaller kids 3.4.5. We know there will be a need for all of them. But we are confused as far as cost, and conveince!!!! It seems like a silly issue to debate but as far a money there is quite a big difference!!! Thanks for your input!!!!

 

[JoyG]

I went through this last year. I didn't buy a stroller and decided to rent a double...and back then the Dis stroller swap was still going on, so I had one single stroller from the swap and the rented double. I still ended up spending over $100 for a week of rentals on one double stroller. I was so sick to my stomach about that.

This year I decided to buy a stroller. I just got a Jeep umbrella double stroller from Babyage.com for $65 total...they had a coupon code going on (May06) for 15% off. I know I saw a cheap single umbrella stroller at target for 10.99 so I'll pick that up to. Now for $76 I'll have a stroller for all my kids.

I plan on listing my strollers at the Orlando Craigslist the week I'm there and hopefully sell it to someone who can pick it up on my last day of vacation (June 27). Or perhaps I can meet someone on the boards who'd be willing to buy them off me.

 

[Disneymaniacs]

Take your own if you can. We thought we would rent strollers from Disney as a treat to our kids ( I remember how bad I wanted to ride in the whale strollers at Sea World when I was little but my parents always took ours). The strollers are hard plastic and not very comfortable. Animal Kingdom has joggers. My kids cried to not use the Disney strollers so we bought 2 Kolcraft umbrellas at the toy store in Downtown Disney for $50 each. These strollers cost about $35 online. They are surprisingly nice for the price. They turn very well, they recline, have a canopy and mesh bag for storage.

 

[Ariel8676]

Bring your own. So many people complain about taking the strollers on the buses..its not that big of a deal!
It is much more comfortable for the kids. Also they don't have strollers for rent in DTD...

 

[trennr]

I hope you don't take this the wrong way...but it basically depends on how wimpy your kids are.

We've Rented a Double the last 2 times we were there. and my littlest one has enjoyed it and he Naps pretty good in it too.

When hes not riding...it makes a nice place to toss all our extra junk.

HE's 6 this time so I doubt he'll need one...but my DW is still going to rent one just in case he needs a place to crash.

I'm not certain how much it cost, but if you do a "length of stay" rental it's nowhere near the $100 someone above mentioned.

 

[jillyjoey]

I hope you don't take this the wrong way...but it basically depends on how wimpy your kids are.

We've Rented a Double the last 2 times we were there. and my littlest one has enjoyed it and he Naps pretty good in it too.

When hes not riding...it makes a nice place to toss all our extra junk.

HE's 6 this time so I doubt he'll need one...but my DW is still going to rent one just in case he needs a place to crash.

I'm not certain how much it cost, but if you do a "length of stay" rental it's nowhere near the $100 someone above mentioned.

I am debating the rent/buy issue myself -- and had not heard of "length of stay" rental -- where can I get more info?

 

[trennr]

I am debating the rent/buy issue myself -- and had not heard of "length of stay" rental -- where can I get more info?

Try going to the MK website...near the bottom of the page you should find a Guest Services link on the left...then on the resulting page it should talk about stroller rentals. We only went to 2 parks last year and used this service...

Basically you rent a stroller for however many days you plan to be in any park.

i.e.

We rented at MK on Day1 ...then a couple of days later at Epcot we just showed them an pass/recept and we got a stroller for there too....not sure on pricing though.

Sure beats trying to find room for a dang stroller if you are driving.

 

[jillyjoey]

Thanks for info -- I am going to check this out. I have a 3 year old who will be 4 by the time of our next trip. Last trip - really was a pain when we were getting on and off Disney transportation -- can you say the Griswolds. DH got so frustrated by the second day that we drove to the parks the rest of the trip. I did purchase a Jeep umbrella stroller but my DD looks like she is busting out of the sides of it. I hate to buy a stroller just for the trip if it means spending $100 to get one big enough for her to be comfortable. Also, I really don't know how much she will be using it as she never uses one now. Thanks for info going to look into this option

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

as taken from the magic kingdom website:
(for us, it would be $56US to rent a stroller...which is about $60-$65CAD...or I can buy one (like I did) on sale for $70, and then sell it after we use it in Disney to get back some of the cost. For us buying a new stroller makes sense.

Stroller Rentals

For your convenience, strollers are available for rent. Quantities are limited and subject to availability. The stroller rental fee is $10.00 per day* for a single-passenger stroller and $18.00 per day for a double-passenger stroller**.

For Guests who require a stroller rental for multiple days, we offer a Length of Stay rental ticket where you make a one-time payment transaction for as many days of rental that you will need. Single-passenger strollers are available for $8.00* per day and double-passenger strollers** for $16.00 per day. Upon visiting a Theme Park, simply show your receipt at the stroller rental location and you will be expedited through the queue with little or no wait time.


Magic Kingdom® Park:
Rentals are available at the Stroller Shop just inside the main entrance to the Park. In case you misplace your stroller, stroller replacements (with rental receipt) are available in other areas.

Epcot®:
Rentals are available on the east side of the Entrance Plaza and at the International Gateway. In case you misplace your stroller, stroller replacements (with rental receipt) are available in other areas.

Disney-MGM Studios:
Rentals are available at Oscar's Super Service just inside the Main Entrance. In case you misplace your stroller, stroller replacements (with rental receipt) are available at the In Character Costume Shop.

Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park:
Rentals are available in limited quantities at Garden Gate Gifts at the Park entrance. In case you misplace your stroller, stroller replacements (with rental receipt) are available in other areas.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park:
Strollers are welcome at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon; however they are not available for rent.

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park:
Strollers are welcome at Disney's Blizzard Beach; however they are not available for rent.

Downtown Disney® area:
Rentals are available at Downtown Disney West Side Guest Relations, at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island near Mouse House, and at Downtown Disney Marketplace Guest Relations.

* A $250 credit card imprint is required for deposit when renting a stroller or wheelchair at Downtown Disney®.
** Double-passenger strollers are not available at Downtown Disney®. Select OnePreschoolersBig KidsTeensActive FunRomance & RelaxationCharacter ExperiencesWhat's NewMagical Gatherings Florida Residents | PassholdersHelp | Site Map | Contact Us | Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights | Internet Safety

 

[fran99999]

I do not have any stroller age kids anymore. Ok but when U rent at the park entrance U have to wait in a very long line then wait for the stroller to be brought out front for U. They also sell umbrella strollers in the same store ( no $$ info sorry). When it is time to leave there will be many strollers abandoned all around the park that U will be able to transport your kids to exit at end of night. The CM's encourage this as they have to return if U dont. I usually push one to the entrance with my stuff in it to help them/me.

If you bring your own U can use it to carry your stuff to the bus stop. Kids can walk to there. You will be able to just open and either put kids or stuff in to enter the park. When dining you can leave it outside with your stuff in it. I have never had anything stolen. I do put my stuff in a zippered bag or backpack.

When waiting for the end of night show the kids can settle into the carriage and relax while U relax also. They are at least guaranteed a seat. At the end of the night when you leave the park U will have a seat at the buses for the kids to sit in/sleep in. You will have to wake them up to get on the bus fold up the stroller as the bus arrives ( dont wait until boarding U will be run over or bypassed to get on the bus) When U get to your resort U will have the stroller to push your sleeping kids back to your room which will seem to be the longest trek U have ever walked in your life. U can leave the kids in the carriage as they are still asleep and put on your suits and trek back to the pool to swim a few laps to cool off your aching feet and sweating body. Go to bed and start all over again the next day.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

My son is 4 1/2 and my DD just turned 1. I just got a Maclaren Twin the other day, with Disney trips in mind. My son will be 5 when we go in December, but I still want to have a place for him to crash when he gets tired, or a place to hop in when he can't keep up with our pace. Thankfully, Macs hold up to 55 pounds and he is only 41 pounds right now. I will get a bunch of Disney trips out of it. Plus, I use it for trips to the mall when I'll be there a while.

Renting a double costs $18 per day and that can be EXPENSIVE. It's like throwing money away, IMHO.