Two single strollers or one double?

[stuarbc]

Heading to the parks in December. We will have 5 year old and 8 month old daughters with us. The youngest will definitely need a stroller....and I think I need to have one there for the older as well as she tends to get whiny about her knees and such on long walks.

I am having trouble deciding whether we should rent/borrow a double stroller or whether we should plan on bringing two seperate strollers. The park is supposed to be really busy during our stay and I know how hard it was to push a single stroller through the crowds. I have worries about doing it with a double.

Part of me was thinking we could maybe swing just bringing single stroller for the 8 month old and rig something up to have an umbrella stroller strapped on where we could pull it out if needed and have two strollers for the kids. Another option would be to pick up a sit/stand double stroller?

What are your thoughts on double strollers during peak times?

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

When I went, my kids were 4 and almost 2. I rented a double stroller from Kingdom Strollers, and it was honestly one of my best decisions. The stroller I rented was a dream to move in and out of crowds, turned on a dime, and folded super easy. My 4 year old could walk when he wanted and then hopped in when it was overly warm or he was just tired. AND - i didn't have to haul it through the airport! We were there for 6 days, and by late day 2 my son really was wanting to ride more than walk - multiple park days in a row really got to him.

Can't speak to peak times with a stroller - i think our busiest day was a 6 out of 10.

 

[got15]

Just like the previous poster- we also rented from Kingdom Strollers (and still do). We have had great service and the strollers are wonderful. Our first visit, 2 years ago, was with our 18mo old and 4 year old. We rented a Citi Mini double- it was perfect! Honestly, between the walking and the stimulation- both boys napped in the stroller at the time, making a sit and stand difficult. We are also not 'park rangers' to give you some perspective. We picked it up at the bell hop and returned it to the bell hop at our hotel. Best decision ever! We still rent the stroller (boys are now 3 and 6)- but thats because the 3YO won't sit in it unless his brother does- and Im not into kid herding in the parks. Its a great way to keep them together in crowded areas (coming and going, monorail, parades, etc).

 

[MissMet]

I prefer two single umbrella strollers... really good quality ones that are lightweight, that fold with one hand, & recline. (I love the Graco Breaze!) Pushing an umbrella stroller is much easier to maneuver through the parks with high crowds than a double. Double strollers are so annoying to fold & carry on the buses especially when there are big crowds. Plus, I like the option of splitting up if we want.

 

[Kerriowl]

Are you ever going to want just one adult to have both kids? This was the reason we went with renting a double from Orlando Stroller Rental instead of two singles.

 

[kboo]

We rented a citi mini double from Kingdom strollers when we went in March, with a 4.5 yo and a 3 month old. We needed a double because *of course* when we put baby sister in the stroller, suddenly big sister needed the stroller too. It was a good decision, and Kingdom Strollers was terrific. That said, when we went again in April, we gate checked a Graco with a tray, and our Boba, and when DD1 wanted to sit in the stroller, we just put the baby in the carrier. Not sure if you think that would work for your kids. We have a sit/stand at home now, and we do use it on occasion, but it's too heavy to be gate checked (and too nice), so for our next trip we'll probably just use one stroller.

I would do a double stroller because DD1 enjoyed being in the same stroller as her little sister when she needed to rest. Two singles, you'll probably find that you could have managed with just a single stroller plus a carrier like an ergo or Boba.