Update: I have a few question about the strollers at WDW....

[rescuetink]

We have a DS who is 6, and a DD who is 2. We plan to rent double strolles at the parks each day as we don't want to lug a big double stroller with us.

First... are they capable of carrying a 6 year old???

Second... do they sell/rent stroller covers in the event of rain that would fit them???

Third... if they don't have covers do you have any suggestions so that I can get one to have with us before we leave??

Thank all!!!

 

[happymommy]

We have a DS who is 6, and a DD who is 2. We plan to rent double strolles at the parks each day as we don't want to lug a big double stroller with us.

First... are they capable of carrying a 6 year old???

Absolutely! My DD slept in one when we rented it, and she was 8!

Second... do they sell/rent stroller covers in the event of rain that would fit them???

No.

Third... if they don't have covers do you have any suggestions so that I can get one to have with us before we leave??

Personally, with a two year old along, I'd lug my own double. We brought ours the first trip or two, and it was a Godsend. My kids both would fall asleep in it every afternoon, and we couldn't have gone far without it. We also couldn't get through the airport without a stroller for a two year old! It's also handy to toss bags in. If you absolutely don't want to bring a stroller, I think you can also look into renting a double for the week from one of the local area rental places; they deliver it to your resort and pick it up when you're done. My own double (Peg Perego Tandem Twin) was much much more roomy than theirs though (my friend rented one).

Thank all!!!

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[rescuetink]

I hope you have a great trip!

We'll have an umbrella stroller with us!! We're driving and we know we'll need it on the way, and around the hotel and DTD, but I know my DS will get tired in the parks eventually!! So we'll need to rent the strollers, and I don't want to get caught in the rain!!!

David

 

[Perditamarie]

The doubles are narrow, but I think a 6 yo would fit. If you think your 2 yo may take a nap in the stroller, bring your own. These are hard plastic....and expensive (like $31 a day for a double). This way you can bring a rain cover that will fit......I always found raincovers to be a godsend to keep stroller dry during rides/shows or keep kids dry as we were walking to rides/shows!

Happy planning!

 

[laughinplace199]

Since you'll already have an umbrella stroller, I'd use that for your younger child and rent a single as needed for your older child.

 

[rescuetink]

Since you'll already have an umbrella stroller, I'd use that for your younger child and rent a single as needed for your older child.

I'm affraid that taking the umbrellas in the park will destroy it!! And I know there will be times that one of us will be carrying my DD so it would be difficult with 2 strollers!!!

I'm suprised that WDW doesn't offer, for sale of course, a rain cover for their strollers!!! Maybe I'll just bring some clear plastic and figure a way to keep it loose on them just while we try and get around!!

How safe are your own strollers if you leave them outside during a show???

 

[happymommy]

In all our trips that we brought one, we never worried too much about rain. If our stroller got wet, we'd dry it off that night with towels and such.

We always brought regular strollers, not umbrella ones. The kids would always fall asleep in them, and I wanted to be able to recline them. At 6, my kids would still fall asleep in them!

My strollers were always fine; I never worried about them getting stolen or anything. I even left a diaper bag in them lots of times. Sometimes a cast member moves strollers, like during a show, but they are safe.

Do you have a double stroller? If so, I'd recommend that for your kids' ages. You can't rent one at Downtown Disney that I know of, but I have seen flimsy umbrella strollers for sale, probably for desperate folks needing them. For the price of renting one for a week, you could buy a double stroller (not a great one, but a halfway decent one!). $31 a day is a lot.

If you're worried about rain, you can also bring a bath towel from your room in a bag, so you'd have that just in case. Plus, a washcloth is handy for sticky faces and hands after treats like ice cream! I used to bring one in a ziploc bag, to wipe hands off with.

I have seen rain covers for sale at baby places, but don't remember if they were stroller-specific. I just never worried too much, and my son was born on the windward side of Hawaii! Rain showers there (and in Orlando) can be frequent, but short-lived. The main thing I'd worry about is having some sort of stroller for your 6 year old, even at Downtown Disney.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Its cheaper to rent 2 singles then it is to rent one double. My 6 yr old was in a stroller when we were at WDW in dec. Shes 47-48inches and is about 53 lbs.

 

[rescuetink]

In all our trips that we brought one, we never worried too much about rain. If our stroller got wet, we'd dry it off that night with towels and such.

We always brought regular strollers, not umbrella ones. The kids would always fall asleep in them, and I wanted to be able to recline them. At 6, my kids would still fall asleep in them!

My strollers were always fine; I never worried about them getting stolen or anything. I even left a diaper bag in them lots of times. Sometimes a cast member moves strollers, like during a show, but they are safe.

Do you have a double stroller? If so, I'd recommend that for your kids' ages. You can't rent one at Downtown Disney that I know of, but I have seen flimsy umbrella strollers for sale, probably for desperate folks needing them. For the price of renting one for a week, you could buy a double stroller (not a great one, but a halfway decent one!). $31 a day is a lot.

If you're worried about rain, you can also bring a bath towel from your room in a bag, so you'd have that just in case. Plus, a washcloth is handy for sticky faces and hands after treats like ice cream! I used to bring one in a ziploc bag, to wipe hands off with.

I have seen rain covers for sale at baby places, but don't remember if they were stroller-specific. I just never worried too much, and my son was born on the windward side of Hawaii! Rain showers there (and in Orlando) can be frequent, but short-lived. The main thing I'd worry about is having some sort of stroller for your 6 year old, even at Downtown Disney.

Its cheaper to rent 2 singles then it is to rent one double. My 6 yr old was in a stroller when we were at WDW in dec. Shes 47-48inches and is about 53 lbs.

I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CONFUSED!!!

We have a sit and stand stroller, but we're driving down and I didn't want to lug that with us!! Especially since I have a nephew and a niece that live in Fl and we're bringing a LOT of baby stuff that we don't use anymore to them for their new babies!!

I was just looking at the prices to rent strollers from Orlando Strollers Rental advertised at the top of this page and noticed it's cheaper then the WDW strollers. They have the double stroller and the sit and stand (like we own), so if we rent one there any suggestions??

On of our other concerns was lugging a big stroller on and off the busses and monorail at WDW. What's your experience with this??

We really want to stay away from getting two stroller so that one of us is always hands free.

Anyone know the weather forecast for May 8th thru May 14th so maybe I don't have to worry about any of this???

Thanks!!!!

 

[ajjollie23]

we have always brought our own b/c renting gets really expensive. we have 2 DS (5 yo and 2yo). A couple of years ago we brought a side by side double (Combi) and it was great. I bought it on craigslist for $80, so it wasn't a huge worry if something happened to it. Nothing happened to any of my strollers. Rain covers are a must even just to throw over it while you go into a restaurant or show you never know when a quick rain will come through and then everything is soaked. Having my own stroller is easier because the rentals you cannot take out of the park so being able to push all the way to the bus when they are asleep is wonderful.
Last year we did the 2 stroller thing. One was an umbrella and the other was a pretty big jogging type for my 5 yr old. that was slightly more difficult but i was able to hook the closed umbrella to the other one and push it that way if nobody was sitting in the umbrella. My husband had to carry the big one for the most part though and it was hard if I was alone with both kids. I think the easiest in our experience was the combi though because it was a trifold which made it really easy to get on the buses (they must fold to bring on the bus).
The rental strollers like others have mentioned are fine but they are very Hard plastic and do not look very comfortable for the kids.
There is also a stroller (borrow/rent) thread on here which i have never tried but looks interesting. You tell them what you are looking for when you arrive and leave and what resort you are staying at. They have the stroller shipped to the resort waiting for you upon arrival. At the end of the trip you put the next person's name on it and they ship it to that resort. It looks interesting and I may try it on my next trip.

 

[Manda]

We rented a single for one day with my 6 year old last October. He was only just 6 and he's very low-average sized (he was probably 45 inches tall then), and I don't see how he could have slept in that stroller. The back ended right around his neck and his knees were basically folded into his chest. He was comfy enough just being pushed around, but I don't think it would have been a good resting/sleeping situation. Personally, I just throw a poncho over it for a rain shield.

 

[deerhart]

my 52 in close to 60lb almost 7yo fit nicely into the single stroller at Disney. He only used one because we were at the late showing of Fantasmic and Disney had EVERY stroller they had out and waiting for anyone to use with kids after the show (for free!)

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I keep a dollar-store adult poncho in the bottom of our regular stroller for rain at Disney. I would get one of those.

I personally took a Sit-N-Stand stroller to WDW in 2007 when my kids were 18m and 5. Never again. You couldn't keep much in the basket and still have it fold to get on the bus. It was fairly heavy and with both my kids on it, it was pretty hard to push. The front seat was not comfortable for my younger son to nap; it didn't recline enough and didn't come up high enough behind his head.

The next year when my oldest was 6 he was able to walk the entire trip and we only took our single lightweight stroller for the toddler. Although, I did offer to rent my older son a single stroller at WDW if he needed it on long days, but he never did.

 

[2girlsmommy]

I rented from magic strollers and so have about 4 of my friends who have gone and we all loved it. They deliver to your resort and pick up. You will have it for DTD and at the resort, it is WAY cheaper than Disney's and much more comfortable, and unlike OSR, they give you a cupholder that attaches to the stroller and a rain cover for free. I loved the stroller itself, we had a double, I actually miss it when we go to the zoo or on outings around home. It was one of the best planning decisions I made!!!
Erica

ETA: it folded easily, but a stroller is a stroller on a bus so be ready for that, but still totally worth it! Also, when the buses weren't busy, we just rolled it on like a wheelchair!

 

[wlwilliams9]

If I were you, I would rent the City Mini side by side stroller for your kiddos. Your six year old may walk some of the time and may want to relax in the stroller sometimes. I wouldn't be surprised if your 6yo even napped at the parks. It gets hot and exhausting!

We have gone that same week in May for several years and have only experienced rain twice, once about 5 years ago, the other last year and both occurances were only quick showers in the afternoon on one day of our vacation...so rain is probably not going to be a factor, but you can rent a rain cover from Orlando Stroller Rentals for about $10 just to be safe.

As for the stroller and transportation, this will be our first year with a double stroller, but I have seen many people on buses, boats and the Monorail with doubles and there has never been a problem. On the busses & boats you have to fold them, but you can keep the kids in the stroller on the Monorail, it doesn't have to be collapsed.

Hope this helps make your decision easier!

 

[rescuetink]

If I were you, I would rent the City Mini side by side stroller for your kiddos. Your six year old may walk some of the time and may want to relax in the stroller sometimes. I wouldn't be surprised if your 6yo even napped at the parks. It gets hot and exhausting!

We have gone that same week in May for several years and have only experienced rain twice, once about 5 years ago, the other last year and both occurances were only quick showers in the afternoon on one day of our vacation...so rain is probably not going to be a factor, but you can rent a rain cover from Orlando Stroller Rentals for about $10 just to be safe.

As for the stroller and transportation, this will be our first year with a double stroller, but I have seen many people on buses, boats and the Monorail with doubles and there has never been a problem. On the busses & boats you have to fold them, but you can keep the kids in the stroller on the Monorail, it doesn't have to be collapsed.

Hope this helps make your decision easier!

I think I'm sold now!! It's obviously cheaper to rent from OSR, and I like the sun covers on them, and the fact that I can get a rain cover with it!! I just have to convince my DW that it's the right move!! She's still against lugging a stroller along, especially if I stay in the park with my DS and she wants to take my DD back to the room and has to lug the stroller on and off the bus by herself!!

What's the difference between the City Mini double stroller and the City Classic Double Stroller?? In looking at the pics the Classic looks to have bigger wheels, and the Mini has double front wheels!! Besides that, idea what else if differene, and any recomendations??

 

[pgumiela]

We rented from OSR last Sept. and got the city classic. We had requested the city mini, but something happened with the delivery and they substituted the classic. I have never used the mini but we loved the classic, and renting from them was the best descision, it was so easy and such a better deal than renting at the park. Our sons were 7 and a half and almost three and fit in it great. Our seven year old has long legs and he still fit into it great. Plus the sun shades come down far enough that you just about don't need a rain cover. We were lucky enough to not get much rain but only their ankles stuck out when we did have the cover down all the way.

We are looking at going back in November and will rent a double from them again, our older son is still under 50 pounds even at almost 8 years old so lucky him he gets to ride with his brother.

As far as folding it up, we had our own van with us so we didn't have to lug it onto a bus. I was able to fold it up and get it into the car myself, so it is not that heavy.

 

[rescuetink]

As far as folding it up, we had our own van with us so we didn't have to lug it onto a bus. I was able to fold it up and get it into the car myself, so it is not that heavy.

So did you stay in WDW and drive to the parks every day?? We'll be driving also, and staying at AKV!! So did you avoid the bus problem that way? And how difficuly is it driving around there, and getting from the parking lot to the parks??

Thanks so much for the input!!

 

[pgumiela]

We stay onsite and we really like driving. The previous year we had decided to fly and not rent a car, and took the busses everywhere. I know alot of people swear by the bus system, but we just weren't crazy about it. At park closing there are no seats on the bus, you have two tired kids, a stroller, diaper, bag etc. to haul on the crowded bus. It just seemed like a hassle.

So last year we drove, we are only about 9 hours away so it is not bad. And we go in the off season and get a AAA parking pass so it worked out really well. We were in and out of the parks in the amount of time it would take to get to the bus stop and wait for the bus. Every day at every park we got to park in the AAA lot and were literally right in front in view of the main gate or TTC. There was only one day that we were not within the first few rows of parking and that was at the Animal Kingdom. And even that day we were still within a comfortable walking distance to the gate. Plus with our own car there was never a chance that some one would have to stand holding a sleeping child. And no dirty looks at us for taking up space with the stroller!! We also tried to keep a cooler in the car with ice and bottles of water so our ride "home" came with cold drinks.

Getting around the area was not bad at all. Everything is fairly well marked and we had maps from our various books. Plus there was a property map in our information from when we checked in. We did get turned around one day and ended up on I4, but it was just one time, the other times we got araound without any problems.

I doubt that we will go without a car again anytime soon, we liked it that much.

 

[rescuetink]

We stay onsite and we really like driving. The previous year we had decided to fly and not rent a car, and took the busses everywhere. I know alot of people swear by the bus system, but we just weren't crazy about it. At park closing there are no seats on the bus, you have two tired kids, a stroller, diaper, bag etc. to haul on the crowded bus. It just seemed like a hassle.

So last year we drove, we are only about 9 hours away so it is not bad.
We have a 2 day drive, but we're headed to Tampa to visit my sister and family after we leave WDW, so we opted for the 2 day drive rather then flying and renting a car to go see her!!

And we go in the off season and get a AAA parking pass so it worked out really well.
What's a "AAA parking pass"??? Do you still pay for parking?? How much is it?? We belong to AAA, is it from them, and how do you get it??? I THINK that we're there in the "off season"... I'm not sure!!! May 8th - May 14th!?!?

We were in and out of the parks in the amount of time it would take to get to the bus stop and wait for the bus. Every day at every park we got to park in the AAA lot and were literally right in front in view of the main gate or TTC. There was only one day that we were not within the first few rows of parking and that was at the Animal Kingdom. And even that day we were still within a comfortable walking distance to the gate. Plus with our own car there was never a chance that some one would have to stand holding a sleeping child. And no dirty looks at us for taking up space with the stroller!! We also tried to keep a cooler in the car with ice and bottles of water so our ride "home" came with cold drinks.

Getting around the area was not bad at all. Everything is fairly well marked and we had maps from our various books. Plus there was a property map in our information from when we checked in. We did get turned around one day and ended up on I4, but it was just one time, the other times we got araound without any problems.

I doubt that we will go without a car again anytime soon, we liked it that much.

You have made a LOT of great points here!!