To stroller or Not to stroller: that is the question

[maps]

Hi all

This will be our first trip to Universal/IOA. My kids are 5 and 6 but they are tiny. Last year, my husband had the bright idea of not bringing the stroller and by mid day in EPCOT, the kids were dragging.

My question is this-- is Universal/IOA a small enough park that we wouldn't need a stroller? Dad is a fast walker and that is the main reason we normally use strollers (we use the small umbrella ones so they are not cumbersome)

Just curious as to others who have done this think.

 

[MrsMud]

I think a stroller might be a good idea, depending on your kids. We rented a double stroller (though we called it a carriage) for our girls up until they were 5 1/2 and 7 1/2 at WDW, even though they had not been in a regular stroller since they were 2. They didn't mind it at all, and the big plusses for me were being able to move along at OUR speed not theirs, and knowing where they were every second. The rental strollers are roomy and super easy to navigate, I don't know about umbrella strollers though. We didn't start going to Universal until they were 7 and 9 so we went without them at that point, but your kids are younger. Yes, the parks are smaller but there is still a lot of walking for little legs.

 

[yaytezIOA]

The way we used to do it, my kids are now 4 and 8. If the 4yo gets tired, she goes up on the shoulders......BUT....we used to take a wagon. Disney frowns on this, and usually wont let you in, we never had UO say anything about the wagon. Just the regular plastic redwagon....just make sure your name is on it somewhere and dont leave your stuff in it.

 

[robvia]

Rent the strollers. Kids tire out easily. My daughter was 9 and still wanted one until she couldn't fit anymore.

 

[Laurabearz]

We also like using strollers for our older kids (6&5)... make it much easier to keep track of them, and we can extend our park day by a couple of hours.

 

[Mainebound]

I agree, use a stroller. My boys were 3 and 5 when we went to Universal (both parks) in 2005 and we really needed it. They are just as large as the WDW parks. We used a cheap Kolcraft side-by-side double umbrella and it worked great.

We won't be able to use it this year as the boys, now 4 and 6, have gotten so big.

 

[Ametsfan18]

I know where your coming from that the stroller might be a pain, but i'll tell you, it's better to be safe. You never know, the kids might be so excited they might not even want to go near the stroller, or you know they my fall a sleep and you will wish you had the stroller. It's a huge park, If I were you i'd take it.

Don't they sell strollers to rent there?

Probebly really expensive.

 

[MrsMud]

I believe a double stroller rental is $13, unless they changed it from our last trip. Well worth it, IMHO. You can take the stroller from one park to the other, just let them know when you rent which park you will be leaving it at, and they will notify the other park to let them know. There is a deposit (I think a dollar or two), that you will get back when you return it.

 

[Puffy2]

Stroller for IOA. No stroller for Universal.

 

[maps]

thanks for all your replies

i'm going with my gut instinct to take the strollers. the umbrella ones are really lightweight and portable and it will be cheaper than renting

thanks again

 

[metsfan11]

Stroller for IOA. No stroller for Universal.

absolutely

there is NO shade at ioa and half the stuff at universal is inside OR sitting down OR both!

 

[pjfnme]

My daughter is about to be 6 but she is big for her age (very tall..over 50 inches.. and weighs around 60lbs). Will the rental strollers accomodate her? We own one that goes up to her weight range but my husband doesnt want to lug it around again this year. I know that she will tucker out and I want to take one..especially since we will be there two weeks and will be doing Disney for 10 of them!! What do you think? Should I take ours or rent one??

Her's has a canopy too by the way.

 

[MrsMud]

My daughter is about to be 6 but she is big for her age (very tall..over 50 inches.. and weighs around 60lbs). Will the rental strollers accomodate her? We own one that goes up to her weight range but my husband doesnt want to lug it around again this year. I know that she will tucker out and I want to take one..especially since we will be there two weeks and will be doing Disney for 10 of them!! What do you think? Should I take ours or rent one??

Her's has a canopy too by the way.

Absolutely! The rental strollers are made of hard plastic, (they are kind of like jogging strollers), and I'm sure they would hold much more than that. They also have a canopy. I always rented as we didn't have any strollers for our kids at that age, but if you have one that she is comfortable in, it's up to you. I agree with hubby on not wanting to lug one around, but that's JMO.

 

[pjfnme]

Wonderful!! That answered my question! Do you know how much it costs to rent a stroller at Universal/IOA????

 

[left210]

Does anyone have a picture of the strollers at US/IOA? My only concern about renting is you still have to get your children from the hotel to the park. I have not been to US yet but I do know when we went to WDW last year we were so glad that we took our own stroller instead of renting one because we would have been carrying a very tired child from the park exit to the bus stops/hotel room every night. Just something to think about.

 

[jlima]

Does anyone have a picture of the strollers at US/IOA?

We were at Universal last year, Memorial Day Weekend. Were were in the parks Friday & Saturday, at Blizzard Beach Sunday; back at the parks Sunday night and all day Monday. By noon on Monday DS5 had totally run out of gas and was dragging his feet so much we rented the stroller and everybody was much happier. I believe it was $11 to rent and was so worth it.

My only concern about renting is you still have to get your children from the hotel to the park. I have not been to US yet but I do know when we went to WDW last year we were so glad that we took our own stroller instead of renting one because we would have been carrying a very tired child from the park exit to the bus stops/hotel room every night. Just something to think about.

We have stayed at the HRH and you can bring your stroller to the hotel during the day. I have seen them left in the pool area and in the guest room corridors. However, they will not let you take it out of the park at the end of the day.