Umbrella strollers?

[DznyLvr2005]

So I purchased a new umbrella stroller from Babies R Us, it has a shade, which I liked and also a little compartment to hold things. It was only $17.99 on sale. I bought it because we're going to Disney in October and didn't want to lug around her big Graco stroller. So today I take Emma out for a walk and man is this uncomfortable to wheel! It feels like I have to stretch my arms down alot just to grab onto the handles. it feels uncomfortable to me and if I have to use this my whole trip in October, I don't know if I can!
Tell me, do you use umbrella strollers in Disney or do you bring the other one, the strudy big stroller? Or do you just rent them? I didn't want to rent because I heard they are uncomfortable for little babies (Em will only be 13 months)
Thanks for any help!!

 

[DisneyMagicMommy]

I know what you mean about umbrella stroller being uncomfortable to wheel around. The handles are hard for me to reach and even harder for DH. When we went to WDW in November of 2007 we rented strollers from there for the simple fact that I didn't want to have to worry about lugging one on and off the tram (we drove) and on and off the monorail. All my boys (ages, 4, 3, and 17 months at the time) did fine in them. They are made of a hard plastic but we just brought along a blanket to sit on the seat of the stroller and that helped a ton. Just remember if you do rent to bring something you can tie to the handle or you'll have a hard time finding you stoller in the sea of rentals...especially if the cast member move it. Have Fun.

 

[verlee]

We did not bring our umbrella stroller for that very reason. I did not want to be hunch backed by the end of the trip. However, while we were at WDW both boys were not feeling well. So we ended up buying an umbrella stroller. (we had not expected to need one for ds6) It was much better then the one we already owned. It had higher, cushioned handles. Maybe you could look for a different umbrella stroller. We bought a disney/ pooh stroller from walmart for around $19.

We used the buses to and from our resorts. The umbrella stroller was SO SO much easier to take down and set up. I would not go back with a big stroller again.

 

[barnaby1]

I am an advocate of umbrella strollers for travelling (well for home too actually). I personally could never lug a huge stroller around, on and off buses etc. We bought a cossatto one when our dd was 7 months old for about £25. 2.5 years later it is still going stong and we (and dd) find it very comfortable. I think you may need to just find one that suits your height etc.

 

[altheatoldme]

I completely know what you're talking about, I'm pretty tall (5'9") and most umbrella strollers are sooooo uncomfortable to push, you're all hunched over and it kills your back. The thought of pushing one all day in the parks makes me cringe.

We have two strollers that I absolutely adore and both have pretty high handles and are super easy to push.

First is the Inglesina Swift, ours is a couple years old and it's held up really well, we took it to WDW twice, when my DD was 11 months and 23 months and it was great! It has the bonus of being a rare umbrella stroller that lays down pretty far for napping which I really liked, she napped in the park a lot. This is the newest version:

http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=16244821&

And now we have the Maclaren Volo, my DN (6) used this one last year for WDW and I loved it so much I bought one for my DD for this year's trip. It is so light and easy, and if you'll be there when it's hot it's mesh, so it's cooler and the sunshade is huge. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't lay back. But here it is:

http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=16302139&

Good luck in your search, I hope this helps!

 

[Aubrielle]

I have always just taken the full sized stroller. I figure that as long as I am having to haul somthing along anyway, may as well make it the one I really like.

 

[Ariel on Land]

If you want a "nicer," but still inexpensive umbrella stroller that pushes easier and has taller handles than the standard $10 cheapy kind, I'd suggest a Jeep All Weather or something similar. They're still pretty much an umbrella stroller, but it has better wheels, padded handles, and they're a bit taller as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Weather-Umbrella-Stroller-Pink/dp/B000BU4C9Y

http://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-X-Sport-Convenience-Stroller/dp/B000YZ61UY

http://www.strollersdirect.com/kolcraft-tour-sport-umbrella-stroller-in-red-and-black.htm

And the last one (the red/black one) is the one they sell at Disney World.

 

[CLR4321]

My suggestion is to find a lightweight stroller that is comfy for you and easy to travel with rather than using the cheap umbrella stroller. Umbrella strollers are easy to travel with and convenient for that fact, but sometimes not the most comfy to be pushing around all day. If you can't find a decent one, I suggest to use your regular stroller that you know works well.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

If you decided to rent check out www.orlandostrollerrentals.com the stroller they provide is awesome I have one of my own and sooo much better than the disney strollers. I have used an umbrella stroller once for my dd but my MIL has brought them for two trips which I think she was crazy for but that's just me and when I brought the umbrella I also had the other stroller. since em will just be 13mths the canopy will be awesome for her and it reclines and depending on the graco you have it may even be significantly lighter. Or for her age/size you might like a combi but I would try one out if you can before buying b/c I don't recommend them for kids older than two JMHO.

This is why I am against the umbrella strollers b/c this can't be comfy.

 

[scrapquitler]

There are extension handles that you can buy that attach to the handles of an umbrella stroller. That might make it more comfortable for you. http://www.happybabyproducts.com/adexhanbar.html I would imagine that Babies R Us might carry them.

 

[adventure_woman]

I have always been a big fan of my big and heavy Graco. Here's why:

1. I have someplace to put all our stuff. Diaper bag, camera bag, extra clothes, juice, water, sweatshirts, cups, etc.
2. Someplace for baby to nap/lay down if needed
3. I only change her diaper in the stroller (unless an icky #2). I don't like to have to clean all the germs off the diaper changing areas. This also allows me to change her anywhere.
4. More protection from sun.
5. If it rains, easy to put stroller rain cover and keep her dry.
6. More comfortable for her

Those are just some of the reasons why I like my Graco. I have never used an umbrella one in the parks. I do use the Disney busses, and last August it was just my DD (almost 2) and I, and I STILL lugged the stroller, diaper bag and a big backpack on the busses.

Just please, make sure you don't want to bring your big one down. I don't want you to regret it. =)

 

[DznyLvr2005]

Thanks for all the replies. I added a poll to see which is the more popular choice.
I'm thinking about those arm extentions. They might work good. I saw the link. I really liked the 'advanced' umbrella stroller one that someone posted, but it's too expensive just to spend on one trip, since now I already have 3 strollers!!!
I don't want to carry around the Graco. Apparently mine is really cheap and the top part always falls off when I fold it up (though it wasn't cheap, I'm just saying mine was made cheaply!) It folds outward, not inward like my friends Graco does. I like that one so much better!

 

[disneybridetobe]

I have always just taken the full sized stroller. I figure that as long as I am having to haul somthing along anyway, may as well make it the one I really like.

Agreed! 110%. We took DD's Graco(Alano) with us last time, and I won't hesitate to bring it again. Love it's storage, cupholders, fully reclining seat, tray, the whole 9. I can fold it up with one hand, and it's done.

 

[HGD24]

When I see LO's hunched over or trying to stretch out in umbrella strollers, it just breaks my heart. The lack of adequate shade also gets to me.

We went to BRU and tried every stroller they had and settled on the Peg Perego Pliko P3. Yes, it's bigger than an umbrella stroller, but our DD's comfort is what was most important to us. She was 8 months old when we went to WDW. We knew that she would be spending quite a bit of time in it while at WDW and we wanted her to be comfy. It has a great canopy and we also added the Rayshade for even more shade and it worked great for blocking out light and sound for naptime. The snack tray and storage area worked out well for us too. The handles are adjustable so my 6' tall DH and I (5' 1") can both push it easily.

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I completely know what you're talking about, I'm pretty tall (5'9") and most umbrella strollers are sooooo uncomfortable to push, you're all hunched over and it kills your back. The thought of pushing one all day in the parks makes me cringe.

We have two strollers that I absolutely adore and both have pretty high handles and are super easy to push.

First is the Inglesina Swift, ours is a couple years old and it's held up really well, we took it to WDW twice, when my DD was 11 months and 23 months and it was great! It has the bonus of being a rare umbrella stroller that lays down pretty far for napping which I really liked, she napped in the park a lot. This is the newest version:

http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=16244821&

And now we have the Maclaren Volo, my DN (6) used this one last year for WDW and I loved it so much I bought one for my DD for this year's trip. It is so light and easy, and if you'll be there when it's hot it's mesh, so it's cooler and the sunshade is huge. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't lay back. But here it is:

http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=16302139&

Good luck in your search, I hope this helps!

thank you for these links....
We purchased one of these today from amazon. It came out to be $170, we got the rain gear one. Well hubby picked it out. It looks really nice!!! I can't wait to get it!
Jamie

 

[princessmom29]

I bought an evenflo xsport for our Nov. Trip. It was like an umbrella , but I didn't have the short handles problem. There is a new model out that even has adjustable handles. They run around $30. Depending on how long you are going to be there it is probably much cheaper than renting, and it was really easy to fold up and transport.

 

[mrsheppo]

I bought a Silver Cross Dazzle for my 2 1/2 year old DD. It reclines and has a great canopy and even came with a rain cover. It has a basket underneath for our bags and DH doesn't have to hunch over to push it.


http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Cross-...ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1234673268&sr=8-1

Best of all, I was able to purchase one for $90!

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I got two for that price they are so much better than the mac IMO. I got the black one b/c I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get the grape one but I did so I will probably get rid of the black one.

 

[squirrel]

I really like the Cosco one I bought from Wal-Mart for $20 Canadian. It didn't fold like an umbrella stroller, but did fold in half like a full sized stroller.

It has a single handle, a small basket under the seat, reclines a bit, has a canopy and has a mesh parent tray. I also liked that the back was flat, doesn't curve like some of the cheep umbrella ones-can't imagine that feeling to comfy.

I used it for the DL trip with my niece who was 3.5 yrs old. It worked well for her at that age but last trip I had to get something bigger for her. She no longer fit under the canopy. I did see one other parent at WDW with the same stroller. There were quite a few people with them at DL also.

I miss that nice small stroller! It was so easy to fold and carry. I actually still have it, but don't have anyone to ride in it right now.

Here is this year one from Wal-Mart http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8342855

 

[akersten]

I voted Big Heavy Graco, but I'm bringing my Peg Perego Pliko along, so it's not as heavy as the Graco. My Peg is 5 years old, so I'm not worried about losing it. DS1 will use the Peg and we're bringing along our Chico Capri umbrella stroller for DD5. The Chico was $50 several years back, but is better quality and steers better than the cheapo umbrella strollers.