Umbrella Stroller for 4 yr old..is there such thing?

[Minnie's Pal]

We are headed to WDW in just a few short weeks and, noticing how many stroller questions were posted, I was just wondering if there was such thing as an umbrella stroller for older children (aka a 4 year old.) Like the ones you get at Walmart (I know they don't hold up forever but they are soo easy to shut and don't take up any room at all--not to mention low cost & light weight.) Any tips??? I don't want to spend alot because chances are this will be the only time we really use it.

 

[NJDisneymom]

how much does your 4 year old weigh?? The problem with the cheapy umbrellas is they are not very strong and often are a real pain to push with a heavier child in them. There are none that are specifically made for an older child though.
If your 4 year old is a lightweight (my 5 year old is only 34 lbs but is too tall for the cheaper umbrellas) you might be able to manage with one for the week.

Your alternatives are the better made umbrella styles (maclaren volo comes to mind) but then you are of course talking more money (about $100). The best thing to do is bring your child and go give the stroller a test run.

If you decide on using the $20 umbrella at least you are going into it knowing it will probably be the only time you get to use it.

 

[sweetinmaine]

We bought an umbrella stroller at Walmart. We use it for our 3 year old grandson. It holds him up just fine. We paid less than $8 for it. When its wheels fall off, I'll just toss it. He's used it for 2 years now. I certainly have gotten my money worth from it. You should be just fine.

 

[laughinplace199]

We used umbrella strollers for both of our kids (DD5 and DS3)on our last trip to WDW. We'll be using the umbrella strollers again in Dec. when the kids are 6 and 4, provided the 6 yr. old is not too tall for it. The weight limit is supposed to be 35 lbs. on the strollers we have, but my oldest was about 40 lbs. on our last trip and it was not an issue.

The umbrella strollers that we have are made by Kolcraft. The recline a bit and have a canopy. They retail for about $30 each.

 

[DZNYMGCFAM]

I have bought two umbrella strollers from wal-mart within about 6 to 8 months for my 3 year old..both of them were junk!!! I bought the last one about two or three weeks ago and already the wheels are making noises and acting up. I too would like to have a nice umbrella stroller (or a stroller that folds up and is not bulky) with out a large cost as it will only be used for my youngest...not having anymore children. If I were on my first child...expense would not be such a deal as I would get more use out of it with future children. Graco used to make a lite rider that was like a umbrella stroller (I had one with my second child..got rid of it cause I thought we done having children..only God had a different plan for us !!), do they not make ones like that anymore?? This one was about $35 - 39 when we bought it. It was awesome!!

 

[DonaldDuckFan]

I don't have this stroller, but I've seen it in the One Step Ahead catalog and thought it seemed great for Disney. It supports up to 45 lbs. and folds very compact with a carry strap and reclines. It's $40. which I didn't think was too bad. I'll have a 3 1/2 year old and a 13 month old when we go in Disney and was considering it for the baby. Maybe someone who has it can let us know if it worked well for them?

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/27209/325755/117.html

 

[DZNYMGCFAM]

I don't have this stroller, but I've seen it in the One Step Ahead catalog and thought it seemed great for Disney. It supports up to 45 lbs. and folds very compact with a carry strap and reclines. It's $40. which I didn't think was too bad. I'll have a 3 1/2 year old and a 13 month old when we go in Disney and was considering it for the baby. Maybe someone who has it can let us know if it worked well for them?

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/27209/325755/117.html

WOW!!! Now that stroller looks like it would be perfect!!! Really like the way it folds!!! I, too, would like to know if anyone else has one or has used one!!!

 

[wright1baby]

bump...Curious myself. I have a 5 year old that will not hold up for all 7 days and don't want to invest $100 in a stroller we will not use again! Anyone have this one and can gives us review??

 

[sweetinmaine]

If everyone is talking about taking the strollers to Disney, is there any reason why you wouldn't just rent one in the parks? We brought a Graco Lite -rider stroller for a 1yr grandson this time to WDW and rented the plastic ones for my 3 yr old grandson. It worked fine. We keep 2 umbrella strollers in the car for malls etc. I know that on other threads there was all kind of talk about unsanitary strollers but we used them and no one got sick. IMO...

 

[wright1baby]

I don't think it has anyhing to do with cleanliness. At least not in my case.
#1 at $8 (x 7 =$56) Ican buy a stoller and have it when I get home to use, give a way or sell in a yard sale.
#2 If you rent in the park, you can't take it to the resort with you to use to and from the bus.

If everyone is talking about taking the strollers to Disney, is there any reason why you wouldn't just rent one in the parks? We brought a Graco Lite -rider stroller for a 1yr grandson this time to WDW and rented the plastic ones for my 3 yr old grandson. It worked fine. We keep 2 umbrella strollers in the car for malls etc. I know that on other threads there was all kind of talk about unsanitary strollers but we used them and no one got sick. IMO...

 

[sweetinmaine]

So true...you can't bring it with you. But as an FYI, if you do rent in the parks and are planning to at least 3 times, you get a discount on your rentals. I don't remember what exactly it was.

 

[long4disney]

I would highly recommend the Maclaren Volo umbrella stroller for your children who are taller and weigh more. My dd is almost 3 and we have had ours for over a year and love, love, love this stroller. I have several friends who have the same stroller for their 4, 5 and 6 year olds. Yes, they all fit comfortably in it, since it has a higher weight limit, and it is one of the only umbrellla strollers out there that is comfortable for very tall children. The best thing about the Volo is that it is so lightweight, only 8 pounds, has mesh like fabric, so it can get rained on and will dry instantly, and spills can be hosed off. We had many ice cream accidents with our stroller!!! It is honestly the best pushing umbrella stroller out there, and has the highest stroller handles for mom and dad, so you don't have to slouch down at all, and you won't kick the back wheels while you walk. It has a carrying strap too if you want to throw it over your shoulder while it is folded up!!!

The best news is my friend just bought a brand new 2004 on ebay for $39.99. These strollers retail for almost $100.00. If you go onto the ebay web site, type in Maclaren Volo Strollers and search what they have listed. There are many auctions ending in the next few hours, or days, and the strollers are listed for $39.99 or $49.99. You can't beat that deal!!!

Good Luck with your search!!!

 

[mommyarewegoingback]

Just an fyi, the stroller in the onestepahead link is the combi strolee that's on the other thread. It's also sold at target.com. Not in the stores though, even the SuperTarget. I had the same stroller problem. Mine just died and my daughter is only 14mos and my last so i didn't want it too expensive. I tried the new jeep one and some others and they are all tiny. Knees bump into the trays, the ones that have them. I ended up shelling out the $100 for the Graco Metrolite (I still wanted a recline for my daughter, otherwise I would have opted for the Volo)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../104-5730659-8871907?v=glance&s=baby&n=542444

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../104-5730659-8871907?v=glance&s=baby&n=542444

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../104-5730659-8871907?v=glance&s=baby&n=542444

Good Luck.
-Virginia

 

[wright1baby]

Thanks so much, I have been watching e bay closely for the last week or so. I think I will have to get the 2005 model because it has the sunshade. My DD5 is a red-head with VERY fair skin (see pic). I was concerned about the weight limit though and your post makes me feel better. My DD is petite, but still weighs about 35 or so pounds.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My 4 year old is still using his Kolcraft stroller without any problems. I think I paid around $30 for it. It is an umbrella stroller, but pretty well made. It has a canopy, reclining seat w/support, and an attached mesh stroller bag. That was the best $30 I ever spent.

 

[daisylove]

We have the volo for my now 6yr old. Hse used it last month at WDW and it was still great at 50 pounds.plus all the extra stuff I lug to the parks. Had to be at least 60 poundso onit and it stil pushed like a dream. The problem I found with others including the combis is that DD is tall!. Her head would push up the canopys in those other. Not comfy. With the volo(we bought in 2004 and got the accessory pack) there is room to spare for her head. I love it!!!

On another hand. Have you tried consignment stores around you. Prior to the Volo I bought a Aprica at one which was great.

 

[Minnie's Pal]

Thanks for all the tips.

Does anyone know the weight limit on the maclaren volo stroller through the link posted previously? It looks small but I know you can't tell by an internet picture. (My 4 1/2 yr old weighs a little over 40lbs.)

http://www.juststrollers.com/product.asp?3=102

I also saw this stroller (in the link posted above.)

Last time we were down, we bought a cheap umbrella stroller (which was stolen--another reason not to put too much money into something) that didn't "stroll" the greatest but we made it work. But that was awhile ago and he is too tall for those types anymore. I mean, if we had to make it work we would but when he sat in one at the store he had to push his elbows inward to fit. I know he will walk most of it but when it gets later in the afternoon, am I sure he is going to be pooped and we will be alternating carrying him (probably asleep) back to the hotel. That's what makes these boards soo great. I can speak with people who know exactly what I am talking about and I can get great advice without the "trial & error."

Thanks again!!

 

[dcgrumpy]

I don't have this stroller, but I've seen it in the One Step Ahead catalog and thought it seemed great for Disney. It supports up to 45 lbs. and folds very compact with a carry strap and reclines. It's $40. which I didn't think was too bad. I'll have a 3 1/2 year old and a 13 month old when we go in Disney and was considering it for the baby. Maybe someone who has it can let us know if it worked well for them?

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/27209/325755/117.html

That's the same model as the Combi Strolee just a different name. The Strolee retails for $30-$35. Target has it for $30, I just received mine from BabyUniverse. It was $35 but the shipping was cheaper than Target and they said it usually shipped in 2 days as opposed to Target who said 2-3 weeks.

 

[long4disney]

Minnie's Pal,

The weight limit on the volo is 55 pounds. That's what it says on their web site, and in my volo instruction book. Any other questions just ask!

 

[Aidensmom]

We bought the Baby Trend Euro Trend Sport at Babies R Us for our weeklong trip to WDW last year. It folds like an umbrella stroller, but unlike the typical umbrella stroller it is extremely sturdy, very easy to maneuver, has a large mesh basket underneath, and has a high weight limit (50 lbs I believe). We had bought it specifically to take to Disney so we had something not to hard to carry on the buses, etc., but it has ended up being the only stroller we use. It also has a great harness to hold the child in, which is not easy to unbuckle (DS can unbuckle just about anything but this). It costs about $60, but is well worth the money.