WDYT? Buy a cheap stroller when we get there?

[weinerranchers]

We are going to Disney for the first time with my 3 year old. Almost 4 when we go. I want to have a stroller just in case but I don't want to bring it on the plane. I'm scared it will get damaged or lost or who knows what else! So, what do you all think of just buying a cheap umbrella stroller when we get there? I'm thinking it is easy to fold up, light weight, easy to lug around.... what are your thoughts?

 

[Infamousmare]

Well, I'm kind of torn on this one. I totally get wanting to have a stroller - our first visit was when my little guy (now middle guy!) was 3.5. He still needed a stroller at times and it was just plain handy to have.

First, how big is your kiddo? Buying a cheap stroller there might mean discomfort for your little one, as many of the small cheapies are, well, small. Also, do you need a basket to lug stuff around, like water bottles, souvenirs, snacks, etc? Again, might have trouble getting a basket with a $15 throwaway umbrella stroller.

I've traveled by plane tons with my 3 kiddos and we've checked countless strollers. So far, we've had pretty good luck. I like to bring my Chicco Liteway and just tuck it into a bag (you can find these on Amazon.com or many baby gear websites) before gate-checking it. Of course, if you have a larger, more cumbersome stroller, this isn't going to be an option for you.

I've never done it, but I've heard really good things about the stroller rental places that cater to WDW visitors - perhaps this is an option? Or you might consider renting a stroller from WDW. I think these might provide one that's large enough to accommodate an older kiddo while still giving you a bit of storage room AND giving you peace of mind that your personal stroller isn't going to be chewed up by airplane travel.

 

[weinerranchers]

My "little" guy is 40 lbs already. I'm afraid he is to heavy for the stroller you recommended. I think I need to look into the weight limit for an umbrella stroller! I don't think we need a basket... we always just use a backpack. i was thinking that with an umbrella stroller that DH could just carry it around so we have free hands. I thought about renting one from one of the rental places. I don't want to rent one from the parks because I would like to have the stroller to push him out of the park and back to the resort.

 

[dduckfan1]

Umbrella strollers are nice but they don't offer a cover from the sun unless you spend more. We got a lightweight travel stroller from graco and its wonderful. Easy to pack around but offers some comfort and relief from the sun.

 

[GadgetTheInventor]

And here i thought riding in a stroller was supposed to be a bit uncomfortable to encourage use only when really tired. Maybe it was because I had a much younger sister before becoming a parent.

If your kid is used to an umbrella or similar at home, I don't see why a hat and sunglasses won't be sufficient at Disney because most of the queues are covered and/or air conditioned. The park rentals seem more uncomfortable than an umbrella IMO.

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

We are going to Disney for the first time with my 3 year old. Almost 4 when we go. I want to have a stroller just in case but I don't want to bring it on the plane. I'm scared it will get damaged or lost or who knows what else! So, what do you all think of just buying a cheap umbrella stroller when we get there? I'm thinking it is easy to fold up, light weight, easy to lug around.... what are your thoughts?

We picked up a cheap store brand umbrella stroller at toys r us and it was just fine when my son was 3 1/2 and weighed around 35 lbs.

He has never been much of a stroller rider, though. He has always preferred to walk or ride on daddy's shoulders--we really used the stroller more when we needed to move quickly, rather than at his choosing. Hat and sunnies did the trick as far as sun protection.

Ours was bright green, which made it easy to spot. It folded up quickly and easily and was easy to manage on busses and such. I really liked it, even though it didnt get much use.

Think about how you'll use it and know you can always rent a park one if you change your mind.

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

Double post :/

 

[Angel Ariel]

Does your 3 y/o still nap? Are you planning on staying in the parks and wanting him to sleep in a stroller, or are you going back for a midday break?

If he naps, and you want to try and stay in the parks at all, I'd rent a city mini from one of the rental companies so that you have a stroller that reclines. Apple's having a really great deal right now ($35 or so for a week, I think?). Kingdom Strollers is also great. I haven't used Orlando Stroller Rentals, but I hear good things about it. The CM is very easy to fold (one hand fold..just pull up on the strap and it folds), has a 50 lb weight limit, and is pretty easy to carry when folded (I had no problems getting it on and off the buses).

 

[sb682]

I wouldn't stress too much about the stroller getting broken on the plane. Just take it to the gate and "gate check" it before boarding. Put the little tag on it and leave it at the bottom of the jetway, and it will be waiting for you when you get off the plane. Since they go on last and come off first, there is less risk of them being crushed by luggage. We've flown with strollers several times and never had any damage.

If you don't want to do that, I'd just rent one from an outside company. Most of the companies rent Baby Joggers or BoBs and they will fit bigger kids, plus you'll have a bigger sunshade and you won't have to worry about what to do with the stroller when you go home. They will deliver to and pick up from your resort.

 

[Disneylover99]

We bought two cheap umbrella strollers for our two kids before we left. We gate checked them on the plane and used them on a few trips. They worked great!

 

[laughinplace199]

We bought the First Years Ignite stroller for DS a few years ago. It was about $50 and it's a "nice" umbrella stroller that reclines and has a basket and sunshade. Also, I believe it has a weight limit of 50 lbs.

We've always brought our own strollers and gate checked them and we've never had any issues.

 

[englishteacha]

If I were buying a new stroller, I'd get the First Years Ignite. We have a Jeep Cherokee Sport stroller that I really like, but if I were to get one to travel, I'd get the Ignite. 5 pt. harness, around $50-70 depending on the print, sun shade, reclines, folds small. You can find them on Craigslist sometimes.

The Jeep is great, too, but not as small. It does hold to 50 lbs. and is super lightweight. I can close it one handed and lift it with a finger. Cheap umbrella strollers often don't push very well. We tried 3 before we found a cheap one that pushed OK! We only use that one when we have to. We keep the Jeep one in my car and the umbrella stroller in DH's truck, just in case.

 

[dduckfan1]

And here i thought riding in a stroller was supposed to be a bit uncomfortable to encourage use only when really tired. Maybe it was because I had a much younger sister before becoming a parent.

If your kid is used to an umbrella or similar at home, I don't see why a hat and sunglasses won't be sufficient at Disney because most of the queues are covered and/or air conditioned. The park rentals seem more uncomfortable than an umbrella IMO.

If you want a happy kid, strollers should be somewhat comfortable so they will ride in them. Otherwise you may be carrying them when they get tired. Some umbrella strollers can be just fine. Just depends on your kid and what you want to deal with.
Also, if you have a kid who won't wear glasses and/or a hat, its nice to have extra shade. Not all of the parks and lines have shade. And its nice when you're child wants to take a quick nap but you don't want to trek clear back to the hotel for nap time and waste half your day. Kids like comfort too, especially if they are tired and worn out. It just totally depends on your kid.
The airlines do fine with gate checking strollers. Never had an issue or heard of someone having issues.

 

[ABCastillo]

We have had success with gate checking multiple strollers and this time plan on taking a double stroller. But the baby joggers you can rent from the outside company are pretty cool, big baskets, seats lay flat for naps and if nothing else some place for you to hang your back pack from. Also you wouldn't have to worry about getting it home or tossing it.

 

[englishteacha]

Me again. Why not scout craigslist before you go and see if you can find something suitable to take. It could be handy in the airport and then if you don't want to take it home, you can gift it to a family with a tired tot and no stroller!

 

[geraghty]

I would highly suggest renting a stroller. You can rent one for five bucks a day and if staying on site, they will deliver and pick up. I just used apple and have already reserved another stroller for the Spring, when we go back.

 

[Ginny Favers]

I don't know why people would go and buy a cheap umbrella stroller when the option exists to rent a really nice one for the same price. Apple Stroller is still offering their strollers for $5 a day. You don't have to worry about packing them, and they're way more comfortable than an umbrella stroller, which to me, is worthless for when the kids want to nap!

 

[texasroni75]

I would bring an umbrella stroller rather than try to buy one when you get there. It's better to bring one along rather than having to find one ASAP once you arrive.

That said, one year we bought two identical brand new Jeep umbrella strollers with sunshades just for the trip for our youngest kids. We literally took them out of the box and assembled them the night before we left. We closed them up, locked them closed and had them checked at the gate. The "helpful" gate agents at MCO opened them up at arrival (I guess as a courtesy so we could put the kids right in and ride away) - but they broke both sunshades off . Because they were out of their box, and when you sign the card to gate-check an item, you sign away any rights to complain if they break it. So we had no recourse. We were pretty annoyed that we had two brand new strollers without sunshades for out entire Disney trip Bring the box and put it together when you get there!

And - Five years later we still have both Jeep umbrella strollers - when we got home we ordered replacement sunshades from the manufacturer and they sent them to us for free. So I recommend the brand.

 

[QueenQueso]

I plan to try Apple Stroller, like some pp suggested. The city mini looks really nice, and for only $45, I can't be beat. I was skeptical at first (because it's so cheap, is it too good to be true?), but dozens of DISers have posted positive reviews.

A 'cheap' umbrella stroller is still roughly $25, and that won't give you a storage basket or sunshade. For another $10 or so, you'll get that snap on and off sunshade that won't be full coverage, plus a mesh bag on the back (that tore during our first trip with it). Add another $10 to that, and you'll be using a $200-$250 stroller for the week.

The reviews say it's really easy to push and folds up well (and fast) for getting on and off the busses, it has a higher weight limit (I think it was 50 or 60 for the single, I know the double has a 100 pound limit) than an umbrella would and you will be able to use it to stroll around your resort or at DTD also (unlike the park rental strollers). And the best part? Apple Strollers delivers it right to your resort at whatever time you specify so you don't need to pack it through the airport or make a special stop to buy one.

applestroller.com

 

[disneyshan]

We used A Baby's Best Friend when we were there. We rented a Double City Mini, so I'm not sure what single options they have, but they were decent. I've also used Orlando Crib Rental for a crib, they were amazing, but stroller rentals are much more than ABBF.