Transportation Question -- Help!

[loles]

I am planning a trip with 18 mth old and 4 year old for spring. I have found lots of great tips, but one thing I thought of I have not seen -- How difficult is it to use WDW transportation (buses) with a stroller? Is there a storage place when you get on for your own stroller, do the drivers help, or are you stuck with a stroller in your lap for a crowded bus ride? This is critical, because if taking a car is easier, I might stay off site. Any input, at all, would help a bunch. Thanks!

 

[Disney_dude]

You will have to hold your stroller on the bus. Yes, it can be difficult. But people do it. If I had kids that needed a stoller I would just rent one at the parks, but that's just me.

 

[tjmouse]

Depends. Sometimes your 4 year old might want to rest too. I would rent a double stroller at the parks. The only problem with that is, what if they both fall asleep? Then you've got 2 to carry back from the bus to the resort. If you think your 4 yo can handle it without a stroller, I'd pack an umbrella stroller for the little one and maybe just rent one at Epcot for the 4 yo if needed. Most of the other parks are managable (for my 4 yo), but Epcot is just so much walking.

 

[marcij]

We always rented a car when our children were stroller bound so that we didn't have to wait in lines for buses and didn't have to struggle putting the strollers in the buses. We always found it easier to take our own strollers. They are usually more confortable and easier to push, and it's easier than carrying the kids around the resort.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

When our dd was younger we always took our own stroller. I would hold her while my dh would hold the stroller on the bus. We never had any trouble. Now that she's older (5 almost 6) she still needs a stroller occasionally, but now we rent them in the parks as she has outgrown hers. I agree with the above poster though, that usually after a day at the parks she fell asleep on the bus, and it was much easier to get her back to the room in the stroller rather than carrying her.

Also, just to add my experience of driving to the parks with a little one: we did this on our first trip even though we were staying onsite, and vowed never again. It was just too long of a walk back to the car with her and all her "stuff" (she was about 18 months at that time) after a long day of the parks. Plus, getting the stroller on that parking lot tram is a LOT harder than getting in on the buses IMO, then you have to wait in line behind all the other people leaving the parks in their cars.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Take the stroller, take the buses.
We had no problem taking the stroller onto the bus and holding it, and we had 5 kids under 9. The only thing I would recommend is if you are a sling user it helps to keep your littlest one secure if you have to stand on buses.
Onsite with kids is the way to go. Have fun!

 

[owtrbnks]

Definately use the car! Bus drivers do not help with strollers and what a pain it can be to carry a small child and lug the stroller onto the bus - especially if there's standing room only on the bus! Much easier with the car- IMHO.

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

I say if renting a car is no problem for you then I would go with that option. We have always taken our stroller on the bus, and it is a pain. We take our own stroller because DD will take a nap while in the park. We don't rent one because we use it so many other places than just in the park. Like: while she's asleep in line while waiting for the bus, at DTD, around the resorts.... I personally couldn't get by without it, I especially couldn't carry her around all those places.

DH is in charge of the stroller on the bus while I hold DD. He stresses about accidentally hitting people with it while we get on. Once we are on its no big deal to have with us its just the getting it on part, its almost impossible not to accidentally hit someone. We also always wait to be the last people off the bus so that we don't also hit people as we get off. Once we tried to go through the back double door after people had exited and the driver actually yelled at us. Even when he was already driving away he got on his speaker and continued to lecture us. I about died of embarrassment. We weren't trying to sneak on, there couldn't have been even 10 people on the bus, we were just trying to make it easier on everyone. Oh well..... a nice "Please don't use the back doors" would have been nicer and I wouldn't have gotten the point just as well. A few times I did ask the driver prior to boarding if we could use the back door, some said yes and some said no.

I am sure it would be much easier with an umbrella stroller but our stroller lays flat which is perfect for napping and I don't think DD would nap in an umbrella stroller.


Wow, I rambled a lot, sorry!

 

[loles]

Ramble away! Very helpful, thanks. I am also concerned about hitting people - I hate to inconvenience other vacationers! We plan to drive to WDW, so at this point, I think we may do the car option. The response I am getting is split, and I guess the deciding factor will be how crowded buses are based on time of year, etc. I really would hate to start each day stressed because I hit someone!

Any suggestion on a resort to stay in?

 

[asaj]

We drove last time we went, and took our own stroller for our then 4 yr old DD. We generally drove to the parks instead of taking the buses, but we did have to take the tram, or bus occasionally. Based on those few experiences, my recommendation would be to have a car if you are taking your own stroller, or rent one if you are going to take the buses.

I just found it to be a pain to lug the stroller onto the bus. I know it can be done, and it is all the time, but it was streddful for me to hurry up and get it folded, and then carried onto the bus while others were waiting.

We are renting this year, if we need it. My DD is 6 now, but I am sure she will still want a stroller at times.

Just my advice.