Umbrella vs Graco stroller....Which to bring?

[ksumn1]

Going to WDW in JUne and plan on bringing a stroller from home. We have 2 to choose from. Model #1 is an umbrella stroller with a small storage basket underneath and a sunshade. Model #2 is a full size single Graco stroller with cupholders, large storage basket, sunshade and double wheels. At first, DH and I agreed to bring the larger stroller. But now I'm having second thoughts.

We plan on leaving the parks at least once a day for a break, and possibly go back in the evening. So, 4 times we would have to remove stuff form stroller and fold up. I think even though we have more room for stuff in the Graco, it will be a pain in the butt. DD is 3 and is very active so I don't know that she will use or need the stroller all the time.

DH is convinced that we will need the extra storage. I've already told him that we can have any purchases sent back to the resort or held at package pickup so we don't have to carry them all day. I've also told him that myself, DD 7 and DD3 will have a fanny pack so there's not THAT much stuff to carry in the stroller. Maybe a change of clothes, pullups, and a couple of bottles of water.

My view is that the umbrella stroller would be more than adaquate, but for some reason DH is convince that we'll need all the extra space of the Graco.Any opinions, input.....What would you suggest?

 

[ptslp]

My first response was going to be take the bigger one, but if your child isn't going to sit a lot and you don't think you will have a lot to bring into the parks with you, I would go for the smaller one. We have always taken a big stroller, but have had a car, so it hasn't been a problem. If you like the way your umbrella works (the ones we have have been terrible- don't roll well- finally got a Mac that we love!), then I would go with that. For a 3 and 7 year old, you don't need much in the parks.

What about getting a mesh bag to hang on the back of the stroller? We used one and it was great. You can't put anything heavy in it, but you could put diapers and a change of clothes and put heavier stuff in the basket if you have it. We used a ziplock bag this past trip for a change of clothes amd one for diaper changing (diapers, cream, garbage bags, etc), rather than a bulky diaper bag and it was great!

Have a great time.

 

[Tam1067]

Getting the stroller on and off the busses is a huge hassle. You have to fold it up each time, and one of you will be carrying it up and down the steps and hanging onto it during the ride. We just bought a Maclaren Volo just for our upcoming July trip; I don't want to deal with the heavy cumbersome Graco again. Last time, we had the big Graco and struggled with it.

 

[luvmesometigger]

I am taking my full size Graco but my DD is still a baby (9 months) With any luck she will nap in it while we are walking through the park. And she is just not as comfortable in the umbrella stroller.
I have plenty of grown ups with me to help fold/unfold the stroller too. It sounds like your best bet is the umbrella stroller since you have an active little one!

 

[Schmeck]

Is the husband going to be responsible all the time for 'manhandling' the folded-up stroller on and off the buses and other WDW transportation? If so, let him take the big stroller. If you think you're going to get stuck with the stroller at any time, take the umbrella one. I found it much easier to deal with a sleeping pre-schooler and a folded umbrella stroller on the bus instead of a huge full size stroller.

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

We went in the later part of February with our then 23 month old Ds, and we were so glad that we had decided on taking our Graco. My Ds is really easy going, so him being in the stroller wasn't an issue. The Graco is bigger then the umbrella, but this time for us bigger was definatley better. The Graco was handy when our ds needed to take it down at the end of the day, it was priceless when we were eating Casey's and waiting for the parade (we put ds's food on the tray and he was able to feed himself without any issues), the canopy was awesome at keeping the sun off of his whole body-versus just his head, it was a smooth ride (our umbrella stroller catches each and every crack & bump), storage was priceless (pull-ups, clothes, wipes, jacket, rain ponchos, left over foods, drinks). The Graco is the only way for us, and we plan on taking it with us again in September for sure. We got up early enough at all of the parks that we were one of the first people to park in the lots, so it wasn't a hassle at all to get in and out of the rental. Have a great time!

 

[lady_hlh]

We brought our Chicco umbrella stroller with us last year for our 4 year old and it was more than adequate. I was so glad that we didn't bring a larger stroller when I watched other people struggle with getting the big strollers on the bus and then trying to find any space for the stroller on the bus when they were full.

 

[ChristusG]

We have both a large Graco stroller, and a smaller one. The smaller one folds like an umbrella, yet still has a small storage basket underneath and even a cup holder. However, that being said, I believe we will still take the larger Graco one. Yes, it will probably be a pain getting it on and off the bus, but in the parks it will be well worth it.

We tend to carry alot of stuff with us into the parks. We put it all into a duffell bag and then put that in the basket under the stroller. Plus, I have a camera and a video camera too that we put down there. I put snacks for our DD in the parent tray up top. Plus, there's 2 cupholders there. My daughter uses the tray in front of her for her sippy, snacks, and to play with toys. We can lay her back if she gets tired. One time we even bundled her up and pulled the sunshade in front of her to completely block her from the cold cold wind when we went in Feb. If we get really overloaded from buying things, we can always lay the seat down and store stuff behind her.

The advantages more than outweigh the disadvantages to us.