Umbrella Stroller in the park?

[hunter6009]

We're only doing MK for a half day after our cruise ends. With that being said, due to the plane ride prior, and the cruise, (i.e. limited space) we are brining the cheapo umbrella stroller....well it's not exactly an umbrella stroller b/c it doesn't fold up like an umbrella. It more or less folds in half. Anyways, back to my point...so are we going to hate life (and the cheap stroller) while at MK? It's supposed to rain that day, too. I've not seen rain covers for umbrella strollers. Has anyone else taken the "cheapo" stroller and been ok for the day?

Thanks!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Over the past year, el cheapo umbrella strollers have been all that we've taken for our younger children, now 3 and 5. I'm sooooo glad I made the switch! They are lightweight, easy to fold, and did I mention inexpensive. Thus, I don't worry about one being snitched. (Not that I've ever lost a stroller at WDW!!!) When it rains, we all just don our Poncho's. No problems.

 

[jworthy]

we took our regular stroller and were grateful we did

 

[staci]

We took our graco umbroller (essentially an umbrella-like stroller that folds in half) for our 6 day trip to the parks. It held up awesome, and I would never take a full size one after how convenient this one was. Ours does recline and have a small sunshade, ds was able to sleep, it was easy with the buses and the crowds as it was small. We used a standard rain cover and it worked fine - actually probably better than on a big one cuz i think it hung down over his feet further. We figured with travel we didnt want to risk hurting the big stroller, and this one has way exceeded our expectations for it. Hope that helps!

 

[mjh8955]

I bought a garage sale cheapo umbrella stroller with sunshade and basket to use in the parks. When we were leaving the parks on the last day we gave it to another family going in. That way we didn't have to mess with it on the return plane trip. Our youngest was around 4. I actually did this two different trips and it worked great. We could easily take it on all transportation and we used a garbage bag or poncho as a rain cover.

 

[goofygal531]

I personally would never use a cheapo stroller. For one thing, it's bad on your back due to the short handles, second there's no recline and third there's no storage.

I'd take a stroller that you and your child would be happy using.

I've taken my Zippy stroller on the cruise and it fit perfectly in the room (granted with a baby you remove furniture - side table and extra chairs).

I just purchased a Graco Mosaic for the trip we just returned from and it was a wonderful theme park stroller. Had a cup holder, large basket, full recline, umbrella fold - everything you could ask for. We were all happy with it. It folded easy on the buses and we were able to store it under the bus seats. Plus I loved that the basket was large enough to hold all our fleece jackets for the evening, plus a blanket, bottle cooler, etc...

Think of it this way, how much are you spending on the vacation? What's another $100 for your child's wheels?

I will definetely be using this stroller at the mall and on future WDW trips.

 

[Shells9]

Although we do not use a stroller any more, I remember the switch from the super size delux model to umbrella, and it was like night and day! Our umbrella stroller probably has more park miles on it than the TTA!

Okay, so maybe that is a *slight* exageration...but you get the idea!

 

[frayedend]

We rented a double in the parks for our 2 sons (5 and 2). After a day we realized that ds 2 was going to fall asleep in the stroller before going back to the resort just about every day. So inside the Contemporary Resort store they had an umbrella stroller (actually a bit more sturdy than an umbrella, that folded) for 40 bucks. Doing the math it was just a cheap to buy the $40 stroller and rent a single for ds 5 for the rest of our trip. It was the best thing we did. I didn't have to carry him back to the resort any more and having the separate strollers meant the kids weren't fighting and bothering eachother in a double. Just an idea if you don't want to bother with a stroller on the flight or in the car. Heck I'd even buy 2 of the $40 strollers next time. A double for 7 days at $18 a day is $126. Two at $40 is only 80 bucks.

One disclaimer...

My wife told me it was only $40. I did not see her pay or see the price. So it is possible that it was much more

 

[MayMom]

Why for the love of God - do they make any stroller with those short handles??? I have never found an umbrella stroller with handles long enough!! I would rather them be too long than too short!

 

[Aristocath]

When we only had two kids and went to Disney, our then youngest was 2 1/2 and our oldest was 4. We spent 8 days onsite and only used an umbrella stroller for that trip. It had a bag where we could store things and we had no problems. In fact, when we go to Disney in March with our 3, 6, and 8 year olds, we are buying an umbrella stroller just for this trip.

I think with just a half day in the MK, you will be fine with the umbrella stroller. Have a great time!

 

[Schmeck]

I think it depends on how old the child is that will be using it - a very young toddler would probably be more comfortable in a more 'deluxe' stroller, while an older child would be fine for half a day at MK.

When DD was 2 1/2 we used an umbrella stroller for the entire 4 day trip. It had a bag on the back for storage (how much crap do you need to lug around, anyways?) and we could hang stuff off the handles as well. I'm only 5'3" so the handles were at a perfect height, and it was very easy to get the stroller on and off the buses.

 

[turnlisa]

I think the OP has the stroller that I do. It folds in half, has a basket, has a taller handle than an umbrella stroller, and DOES recline. I love mine and took it last trip. It was cheap (about $30 at Toys R Us) and worked out great for touring. It folds up rather compact and is easy to get on and off Disney transportation. I don't think you will regret taking it -- I am taking mine next month!

 

[DisneyTarheel]

Since we have 3 kids, on our last trip we brought our el-cheapo umbrella stroller so they each would have a seat when DS2 and DS3 tired of walking. Ended up being very useful, except for 2 issues: (1) I did get tired of doing the "umbrella stroller stoop" (I am 6'1"); and (2) the footrest (cheap plastic strap) started to stretch from all the stepping on and off and, much to the enjoyment of my 2 boys, gave them their very own emergency brake. This added an extra painful element to the umbrella stroller stoop. The strap ended up snapping on the last day and I took great pleasure in putting ol 'brella out to pasture before we headed home.

 

[lorli]

We have always used the umbrella stroller for flexibility, comfort, and afordability. When flying we put dd in the stroller in the terminal and move much faster between flights. While in the park if it rains we fold it up and put it under an over hang or put a poncho over it and it stays dry. The down fall has been mentioned, short handles, but we work with it.

 

[lisametairie]

on our trip last year we had a 2,7,and 10 yr. which meant alot of bags with souv. drinks waiting for some kids at some rides the 2 yr old couldn't ride and if i had not brought my good stoller it would have been anightmare. She could recline and sleep, I had a place to put my drink so i could push the stroller, place to put bags, autographed books and pens, she had a cover for shade etc. An umbrella stroller would have never given me all that.





Lisa

 

[em'smom]

Last june I think I saw the same stollers as Frayedend for $40 at dtd. I remember pointing it out to my sister as a good value for her to have for her 4 yr old son. We had an old umbrella stoller that he was comfortable in, except when he fell asleep. They were stronger than your average umbrella stroller and offered a two position recline. Plus they were very comfortable to push around. I don't remeber if it had a storage basket or not. I wanted to get one even though I don't have a child that small anymore.
We had no problem using a poncho to cover my nephew in the umbrella stroller when it was raining, which it did every day of our week long trip. Only his feet got wet, but it was summer and he was wearing sandals, so not a problem there.
Hope that helps. Have a great trip!