To Stroller or not to Stroller?

[KeepSwimming]

Bring the stroller....trust me.....bring the stroller.

 

[Trixiezzz]

I love having my larger umbrella stoller at WDW.

It also serves as our "shopping cart" as much as a kid carrier! I wouldn't have as nice a time without it, because I'd end up having to HOLD all the stuff: drink bottles, camera, souvenirs, etc etc etc.


I love that BASKET as much as anything!

 

[jksky4]

I too am debating on renting or bringing my own when I go in February with my 2 year old. Is there pictures anywhere of the stollers you can rent? I just want to get an idea of what they are. Thanks...Kelly

 

[beattyfamily]

I too am debating on renting or bringing my own when I go in February with my 2 year old. Is there pictures anywhere of the stollers you can rent? I just want to get an idea of what they are. Thanks...Kelly

Here is FAQ and photos of the Disney strollers.

Here's Mk's stroller:

 

[jksky4]

Wow! Doesn't look very comfy. I think I may just bring my own even though it will be a hassle on the buses. Thanks.

 

[meghan74]

I started bringing my own stroller after my first trip with my dd (she was 13 months at the time, will be 5 on the next trip in Dec - and in her stroller!) and I learned:
1. It is a really, really, really long walk from security at Chicago's Midway airport to the gate. Why do Southwest and ATA consistently put the MCO flights at the very end of the terminal?!
2. I learned on later trips that it is a really, really, long walk from security to the gates at the Indianapolis airport.
3. The walk from the bus stop to the hotel room after MVMCP is the longest walk of your life.
4. I love the Disney strollers for all of the reasons mentioned above, but they really aren't comfortable for older kids, IMHO.
5. The buses are going to be too crowded with or without my stroller.

I recently purchased a Kidco Lifestyle stroller (got a great deal on "last year's" model) because it is still fairly compact, it has a 50 lb. weight limit, and the handles extend so I don't have to hunch over to push.

I strongly suggest bringing a stroller organizer with your stroller or to use with the Disney strollers. I got mine for about $10 at Walmart. It packs easily and we store everything in it. It is clear plastic (the security folks love it) and it has a bunch of separate pockets. I used it instead of a diaper bag when dd was younger. Now we use it for sunscreen, film, water bottles, etc. I don't put anything valuable in it, but I have never had a problem with theft and it helps our stroller to stand out in a crowd.

 

[JulieEck]

Hello! I am new to these boards and have just been soaking up all the wonderful info.
I am definitely bringing our own stroller, however my problem is deciding what stroller to buy. We currently have a Graco Literider, but the padding, canopy etc. got wet somehow when it was in our garage and has mold/mildew growing all over it. I was going to try to take it all off (which will involve screws) and wash it, but I'm not certain that that will work. I also figure that the Literider would be hard, if not impossible, to get onto the buses at Disney. Does anyone have any experience with that? So I've been stroller shopping online and can't make up my mind as to which one to get.
My daughter is almost 3, but only weighs 26 pounds and is 36 inches tall. I would love a stroller that will last until she's 5/6 so that we can use it at the parks then too, cupholders for her and us would be great, recline, good basket/storage, canopy and folds up compactly. Is that too much to ask???
Oh, and would rather not pay a fortune, but would probably go to about $150 if the perfect one was to be had. I'd just have to make sure DH didn't find out! His limit is probably about $50-60.
Thanks in advance for any help!

Visiting WDW 12/4 - 8/05 probably at POP

 

[beattyfamily]

A very popular stroller for older children is the Maclaren Quest because it can hold up to 55lbs and a taller child. It's so easy to push. It's got great handles even for a taller adult.

It can recline, has a canopy, but it doesn't have cup holders. It has a small basket. It folds like an umbrella stroller and it locks shut which is nice and it has a handle to carry it.

I got mine, after much research, at www.albeebaby.com for $129. At babies R Us it is $199.

Oh and it came with a raincover too!

 

[EthansMom]

How difficult is it to manuever stroller on and off the Disney transportation buses to and from airport,parks etc. It seems like it's not worth the hassle for us to take ours in Oct. for our DD just turning 3
She doesn't use one anymore at home for Zoo, Mall, etc. But I'm worried the ones at the park will be uncomfortable and I'll regret not having one for naps, etc. This is our first trip to Disney!!

Has anyone done both and have pros and cons list?

ANY help or suggestions will be appreciated!

We went last spring when DS was 3.5. He's a healthy, active child and I figured since we were taking breaks in the afternoon we might have to rent a stroller for any late evenings.

Boy, was I wrong! By day 3, DS was begging to use his baby sister's stroller and by evening, he was climbing up into the stroller to kick his sister out. We ended up having to carry DD13 mos. for at least an hour each day.

On our upcoming trip, I'm planning to take the most sturdy inexpensive umbrella stroller I can find for DS. If it breaks, we will rent a stroller for him. For DD, we'll take the same stroller we used last time.

Try to find an umbrella stroller that has a little storage basket for incidentals (drinks, snacks, jackets, etc.).

 

[tedj4]

When our twin girls were 3, we bought 2 $10 strollers on the plane with us. They were absolutely a lifesaver. We carried drinks and food in them and the girls were so happy to have their own space in such a crowded place! We threw them in the trash before boarding the plane home. Saved money renting!