To Stroller or Not to Stroller (or to Rent?)

[Tallent]

Going in July with dd5, ds who will have just turned 2 and a teenaged helper. I don't have a double stroller and would prefer not to buy one. SO our plan is to do MK in the mornings (only be there for 2 park days) and then pool/nap in the afternoon and then park for dinner and more riding. I know dd will want a stroller but not all of the time. I"m hopeful ds will ride in the stroller at all!

Here's what I'm currently thinking:
*Bring a single stroller with for ds for the airport and leave it at the hotel.
*Rent the double stroller at MK and carry/chase ds from resort to bus, bus to park and then park to bus, etc.
*Hope that the stroller isn't a waste of money.

What would you do?

Rachel

 

[Perditamarie]

I would bring your stroller for ds, then rent a single for dd if she needs it. I am not even sure if the rental strollers have straps, so if ds is a runner you could be chasing him all over the parks as well. You will want him secure to maneuver through crowds. Happy planning.

 

[Tallent]

Hmmmm, good point. I didn't know about the lack of straps. I'd better lock in my mothers helper for this trip so she can man one of the strollers!!

Rachel

 

[happymommy]

I used to bring a double when DD was 3 and DS was 5. Then switched to a single the following year - they would just take turns. It was a nicer full size stroller but lightweight and easy to fold (Aprica brand). They could actually tandem in it, one in back with legs separated then the other in front. Only if we were on our way somewhere and they were really pooped out.
I'd bring a single and have them share it. Did that actually till last year when they were 7 and 9 - good thing as they each got sick and DD fell asleep in it one afternoon.

 

[katiesmom2]

Just wanted to add my opinion that I think the rental strollers are VERY uncomfortable for kids - especially if they want to sleep. The strollers are hard plastic. If your child will sleep, be sure to bring some blankets for padding.

 

[CTDisneyFan]

My wife and I are debating on whether we need a stroller for DS(7) and DS(5). I hate to waste money renting a double stroller at the Kingdom, but it is better than dealing with 2 tired kids whose legs hurt from all the walking. Any suggestions?

57 days and counting

 

[SmallWorld71]

Talent - I, too, would bring DS2's stroller with you and then rent one for DD if she needs it. That way, if he falls asleep, you don't have to lug him back to your hotel room.

CTDisneyFan - You are in a gray area. There are many different opinions on these boards about whether or not kids that age need a stroller. Really, it depends on the kid and how much walking you do. That said, my own boys stopped using strollers at all at Disney at around 6. At 5 they used them for MK and Epcot only. On the other hand, DD4 will likely keep using hers longer as she has asthma and becomes winded easily and needs more frequent breaks. Good luck with your decision.

 

[dec181981]

My wife and I are debating on whether we need a stroller for DS(7) and DS(5). I hate to waste money renting a double stroller at the Kingdom, but it is better than dealing with 2 tired kids whose legs hurt from all the walking. Any suggestions?

57 days and counting

We went with 6 and 9 year old last september, what we found is that our kiddos just got wipped by the heat and humidity. It was also nice not to have to carry a backpack, but to be able to throw it into a stroller while we were walking. The other plusses are during high crowd density times I knew where my kids were and didnt stress out about holding their hands with death grips for fear of losing them (mostly the 6 year old). Lots of people have lots of different opinions on this. It worked well for us and our kids to have a stroller. We found one at a garage sale for about 75$ and it should make it through this next trip for us as well. It is a single jogger, so the kids had to take turns. Actually one day on the way out of AK they figured out a way to both fit in there (and fall asleep). The 9 year old almost never used it, only a couple of times when she was really tierd, and once when she got hit with a migraine.

 

[juliema]

My only question is what do you do with the stroller when you go on a ride? Do they have stroller parking at the rides?

 

[Tallent]

I think I've decided what to do about the stroller! I saw that one of the off site rental companies rent the sit n' stand stroller for less than I'd pay for a double at the parks. This way ds can sit in the stroller and dd can either sit or stand in the back if she needs a break. I'm going to see if anyone I know has one or if BRU has one out so I can see how easily it folds. I think I'm going to drive down so I won't have to worry about airport scenarios. My friend offered me her side by side double stroller to borrow for the trip but dd might be too big and the stroller itself intimidates me!

Rachel

 

[juliema]

Rachel - We have a sit and stand stroller and plan on bringing it. My boys love it and it works perfect for the older child. The only down side to it, is if your older child wants to nap, they can't do it on that stroller because it only has a seat with no back.