To stroller or not to stroller?

[melk]

Our youngest was 3 in the spring and pretty much never goes in her stroller anymore. Often I'll bring it to the mall but the only way she'll sit in it is if I have a snack on the tray for her to munch on. Then as soon as she's done she wants out...NOW!!

So the question is do I bring my own stroller from home to push around empty most of the time, or do I rent a stroller from Disney to push around empty most of the time?

I hate to pay for a rental but if I remember correctly, they're pretty big so even my older kids (8, 7) could hop in from time to time. I know DH will say bring our own, even just to have it in the airport, but I'm just wondering that at this point, is it more trouble than it's worth?

Thanks!

 

[JaxCon]

I am thinking about the same thing. DS is almost 3 and hates the stroller at home, but I think he will ride there, I know I can't carry him the whole time! But I am debating renting for the same reason, if it is late we can carry him and our dd(7) maybe can ride? Dh wanted to bring the baby jogger for this reason but I am not delating with that huge thing!

No real answer here, I too am still thinking. But I wonder if we are right that the big kids could fit in the rental???

 

[BevS97]

If the child was 5 then I would say wait and rent if you need it, but I think a 3 year old will ride in it more than you think. My dd never used her stroller at all when we went and she was 3 1/2 but she used it a lot at Disney.


edited cause it didn't make sense. She had stopped using the stroller at home, but she did use it while we were at Disney

 

[Barbday62]

I would bring it and use it in the airport as your husband said.

If you decide not to use it in the parks just leave it in the hotel room but at least its there in case you change your mind. I can see mornings being easier to let them run but I'll bet by afternoon or evening you will be glad to have a stroller. Also consider if you stay for fireworks and afterwards it may be nice to have the stroller then. I think a storller in your case is much like a rental car question. Will you use it all the time? Probably not. I woudl just do a combination of what works and theres nothing wrong with leaving it parked in the hotel room when it seems to work out.

 

[megan2346]

I would take it for a 3 year old. My DS does not sit in a stroller at home but used it in WDW. I had a unbrella stroller so he was able to get in and out as he pleased I would also tell him we would get to a ride quicker if he was in the stroller and that was enough to make him sit in. He also fell asleep in the Hall of Presidents in Ecpot and we were able to put him in the stroller and he slept almost through all of Ecpot. I would think by the end of the week your child will be tired and want it then.
Megan

 

[tjmw2727]

Personally I would bring a stroller for a 3yo. We just went to storyland here in NH and although my nephew hasn't used a stroller in a long time (he was 3 in May) he rode lots just during one day at storyland.

There is sooo much walking at WDW and so much to look at my kids liked to ride and take in the sights. Its nice to have a safe place for a toddler during the parade, especially the night time parade and during crowded exits.

You will also find it helpfull as you will probably have to carry more with a toddler than you will with older kids. Snacks and water as well as a change of clothing and such.

Have a great trip.
TJ

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

Rent the strollers at the parks. You WILL want them to get around faster and your child will be greatful to sit and rest in between rides.

My 3 and 4 year olds don't normally ride in strollers (they HATE ours) but at WDW they LOVE it! I will gladly pay the $$ not to have to drag mine from the airport then on Disney transportation.

 

[Taratink]

I have a 3 and a 5 yr old. I brought two umbrella strollers. My 5 year old used it all the time. I am so glad that I brought them. We used them everywere. We used them at the airport and Downtown Disney. There is way too much walking for the little kids, Take the sroller!
Tara

 

[ahutton]

We found when our older DD was 3 she rarely rode, only when it was past lunchtime on days where we started out early or when we were out late in the evening. On our last trip the girls were 2 & 4. We took no stroller out during the day, and went at kid pace. We rarely had to carry either one of them, they were just enjoying the surroundings so much they didn't notice they were moving for 4-5 hours at a time. We did take one stroller in the evening, and let the switch off as requested. Only once in the evening was I carrying our little one while the older one rode, and that was a 10 day trip, after Illuminations and a long day of parks and swimming. Next trip I'll have a new baby, DS will be just under 3 months old. We'll probably take just one stroller again, and then the Snugli carrier (or a sling if we get one). It will be for him mostly, but we can switch off and let the girls take a break if they need to.

So one day, when I am in your boat... I will not take a stroller. I will rent one if we find we need one or are planning a particularly long day. Otherwise we'll just slow down and relax through our vacation.

 

[swilshire]

I would bring the stroller from home. They're great to hang carry on bags on at the airport. Also great for all the bags at Disney. Even if you don't start out with a lot, you may shop. We always leave Epcot loaded down with masks, etc from the Kidcots tables. When the child gets tired, you'll be all ready. No hassles with renting and returning a Disney stroller each day.

Sheila

 

[madalex]

Bring the stroller. Kids will use, even if they never do at home, because there is so much walking at WDW. Stroller can be used to store extra bags and clothes. Stroller rental, while relatively convenient, is still a bit of a hassle.

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

I have twins who will be 5 when we go. And, I know they will get tired so I was going to bring a single stroller to share, plus to put our snacks in the basket. But, now reading some trip reports, I am reading that some 5-8 yr. olds get so tired they WANT to be in the stroller.

So, now my question is: do we bring a double stroller from home (meaning we'll have to lug it through the airport and to rental car) or do we rent from Disney? Which leads me to the next questions: 1) How much for a double stroller (and we can rent, return to our hotel for a rest, and then get a rental (without fee) later in the evening?
2) Is it really bulky and hard to push the double strollers ?
3) Does it have lots of storage room underneath ?
Please tell me what you have done during your WDW vacations in dealing with the stroller for two.....

 

[BevS97]

personally, I am not a fan of the rental strollers, and we bring our own - we find with the older dd, she only really needs the stroller at the end of the day when we are leaving the park and that's when we wouldn't have the rental anymore

you can rent and then get one for free when you return or at another park later that day

they cost $15/day which is another reason I won't rent - i think thats too much

could you get a double umbrella stroller? Or 2 singles? I would normally recommend a maclaren but I suspect a double maclaren will probably be expensive in the US
This looks good thoughWrangler Sport

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

Well we have a double umbrella, whcih has no storage at all ! And a double jogger which is so bulky to carry across the U.S. But, in a couple of weeks we are having our semi-annual Twin Sale, so I'm going to look for a compact double stroller with storage. If not, I'll go back to Plan A, and take a single with alot of storage and hope for the best !

 

[zurgswife]

My dd is 6 and we still use a stroller...she is the youngest of 4 and just slows everybody down...and I love the storage space....