We leave tomorrow and I have "stroller" dilemma... help needed!

[moopdog]

This was posted as part of another thread on the family board...but there's a cat fight going on right now and my question got buried

So.....we have a 2 and 4 year old and can't decide what to do about strollers. I think my 4 year old will definitely need a stroller a lot of the time but not always. I hate the idea of bringing 2 umbrellas but in reality it might make more sense since sometimes we'll leave one in the room (for dinner, etc) and other times we'll take both singles and split up, each taking a kid in a stroller.

On the OTHER hand: the double is nice because of the large basket underneath... canopy over top... and the fact that the seats recline!

What should we DO??? We leave tomorrow!! Should we take a double and a single.... and check the big one, carryon the small one??

 

[asaj]

I don't know if this helps a ton or not, but I would count on your 4 yr old wanting to ride in the stroller more often than not. We went a couple years ago when my DD was 4, and she was in the stroller 95% of the time. It is so hot, and they get so exhausted, I would just plan on it. We are leaving in a couple weeks, and my DD is 6 now. We are going to rent a stroller this time, as I am sure she is going to get tired, and I don't want to end up carrying her all day.

Hopefully that helps a little in your decision.

Have fun!

Andy

 

[lisadisney2003]

I think I would take both. Better safe than sorry. You can check both at the gate which is nice. The only other option is to leave them both at home and just rent the strollers at the park. It is convenient but costs more money.

 

[jann1033]

depending on how large it is, would it be hard to fold and get on the buses? if not i'd take the double one..then if someone gets cranky and wants carried you only have one to push

 

[candmforever]

We opted to take our double when we go in Oct b/c it is just so much more convienent and the big reason is that the kids are just so much more comfy in it AND I can shade them, plus I can put things in the bottom. the umbrellas usually don't stroll as nicely as the doubles either, so it was just better all the way around for us.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would take the double, your 4yo likely will want to ride more than you anticipate, definately for those later evenings for fireworks etc. Epcot is a very large park to walk as is AK and my kids tired easily at that age. Your double will be much more comfortable especially if the baby wants to nap and the stroller can recline flat with the sunshade over him/her. An umbrella is great for the short trip to the mall, etc but not comfortable for all day in the parks. I also would not be as comfortable pushing an umbrella stroller all day vs a full size double.

If you plan for it, getting on/off the bus with a double isn't so bad, try using backpacks instead of several bags and don't load the basket with loose items.
For the bus you can board with the backpack and baby, your 4yo can walk on with you and your dh can bring on the stroller. Using a backpack (or 2) instead of a diaper bag and not loading the baskets helps alot. This way you can fold the stroller when necessary without fumbling with "the stuff!". We used two backpacks, one with camera and valuables that came on attractions and everywhere else with us. The other had the diapers, spare clothes and snacks etc that stayed in the stroller.

Either way - have a great trip

TJ

 

[DLKT]

If you're not riding the bus take whatever combo is the easiest to push and the most comfortable for the kids.
Give yourself a break.
It's funny, after always going with a stroller it was a pain NOT to have one.
I mean, there was no place to put all of our STUFF!!


At the very least take the single and an umbrella *AND* a strip of heavy velcro.
That way if your 4y old wants to walk you can fold the unbrella and attach it to the single. (hang it over the singles handles or something like that. It worked great for us once)
Just an idea.

 

[grimley1968]

To be honest, I have more problems folding up the stroller and getting all the junk out of it first, than I do with carrying and then holding strollers once on the bus. I don't think a stroller would be that much worse to deal with on the bus if it's a double stroller. As one poster mentioned above, just be careful about not putting a lot of junk in the basket at the bottom.

Double/single: that's up to you, really. I was actually thinking of trying to buy a double umbrella stroller for this trip! I think we've nixed that and are just going to take our 2 individual umbrella strollers, since our 6 YO won't need to be strolled quite so much on this trip and we can choose to leave one in the room if we're going for a short trip to a park, and just take the other one for our 2 YO.

 

[bevemjake]

Just make sure you don't let him ride in one when he's six!
People might be mocking you!!!

 

[tommygirl79]

For our trip this past Feb whether or not to take separate strollers or our double. After a TON of advice here on the DIS we opted to take separate strollers. We didn't take umbrella strollers as we find those a pain (literally) to push after awhile. We brought our Graco Stroller (the larger size that comes with the infant carseat we got when 2 yr old was born). Our 4 yr old was very comfortable in it as it lounges and she simply fell asleep for nap when she got tired. Plus, having the extra basket underneath and cup holder was especially nice for the adults. For our 18 mo old (at the time) we bought an inexpensive stroller at Toys R Us. It's the Kolcraft Travel About. ( http://www.kolcraft.com/products/onthego2.cfm?id=141&p=lw ) I'll look for a link to it. It's smaller than the other stroller, still has a basket and cup holders, still reclines and folded up incredibly easy!!!! We had never used this brand but it was so inexpensive and rolled sooo nice in the store we took it and we love it!!! They both took naps in their strollers without any problem and with umbrellas that would have NEVER happened and we would have spent a lot of time going back and forth to the resort to take naps.

The reason we did this instead of our double? Well, we took a spin through the mall and with small crowds it was harder to maneuver. One of us had to push at a time and it gets heavy a lot quicker than just pushing one. Also, we really were SO GLAD we took separate strollers when we had the occasion that we went separate ways at WDW. For example: 18 mo was sleeping and 4 yr old wanted to go into a store or on a ride. One of us could sit with the one sleeping and the other could push our other child to do something else. It didn't happen a ton, but we were SO HAPPY we had the option.

The only downside might be if you are relying on Disney Transportation and it's just the two of you. We were blessed to have my parents with us to help with the strollers and the kids on the bus. I think we could have done it by ourselves but it might have been a bit frustrating. We are driving down in January so we probably will drive ourselves most places and we are going with the same plan again this year.

Of course, everyone has their reason for making their own decision...go with what works best for you and have a great time!

 

[moopdog]

Just make sure you don't let him ride in one when he's six!
People might be mocking you!!!

Oh no! Even though I jumped ship on the other thread... one of the "crazies" found me!

Just Kidding of Course!!

 

[Brian Noble]

I think it is personal preference. We liked using two umbrellas in amusement parks for the ease of navigation, portability, and the much lower chance that they inadvertently become battering rams compared to our double.

Other people really dig having extra space for stuff and the better ergonomics for the (now only one) parent doing the pushing.

We solved the first problem with a diaper-bag backpack, and that met our stuff needs pretty adequately.

 

[mrsdisneyfan]

Mock away I can take it. I am taking 2 umbrella stollers. A new one for my DS who is 6 and one old one for my DD who is 4. I paid $30 for the new one and it is for this trip only. We do not need one for him at home but would never think to go to WDW without one for him. Actually if any one will be at POR on 10-1-2005 I will be happy to give both away to anybody that wants them. I was going to just go to the bus stop and look for some one without a stroller and ask if they would like either. So if anyone is interested please let me know.

 

[tjmw2727]

Mock away I can take it. I am taking 2 umbrella stollers. A new one for my DS who is 6 and one old one for my DD who is 4. I paid $30 for the new one and it is for this trip only. We do not need one for him at home but would never think to go to WDW without one for him. Actually if any one will be at POR on 10-1-2005 I will be happy to give both away to anybody that wants them. I was going to just go to the bus stop and look for some one without a stroller and ask if they would like either. So if anyone is interested please let me know.

Oh I hope you don't think I was saying umbrella strollers were somehow bad - and I certainly wouldn't mock anyone for not taking my suggestions?? I think I better start reading over my posts more carefully before hitting send !

I meant more for the OP with a 21mo being uncomfortable in an umbrella all day. FWIW I think an umbrella stroller is a great choice for an older child who will likely just need a rest now and then and not a comfy napping stroller.

I am sure the family you leave it to will enjoy your pay it forward and hopefully continue the trend.

TJ

 

[mrsdisneyfan]

TJ,

I did not take your post in that way. I was actually responding to bevemjake who was joking about a stroller for a 6 year old. I just don't know how to insert a quote from someone. I am quite helpless with the computer except for just typing words. Notice no smilies or signature.

 

[StephMK]

We took our large, bulky double last year when the kids were 2 & 4. It was great having the space & they did ride quite a bit. Plus it was nice in crowded situations to have them contained & close by. We didn't think the folding for buses was too bad since we also did as the other poster suggested & didn't leave stray items in the bottom. Easy to toss a backpack in an empty seat when they walked & seemed easier to find in the stroller roundups after rides too.

We'll be there Friday w/our 3 & 5 & the same big stroller!

 

[asaj]

Mock away I can take it. I am taking 2 umbrella stollers. A new one for my DS who is 6 and one old one for my DD who is 4. I paid $30 for the new one and it is for this trip only. We do not need one for him at home but would never think to go to WDW without one for him. Actually if any one will be at POR on 10-1-2005 I will be happy to give both away to anybody that wants them. I was going to just go to the bus stop and look for some one without a stroller and ask if they would like either. So if anyone is interested please let me know.

I sent you a PM about the stroller...

Andy

 

[mommyoeo]

We just bought 2 Baby Trend "Euro Trend" strollers from Babies R Us. They have a great basket, fully recline and have tall handles so you don't have to stoop over to push! They are doing away with the model so they are on sale for only $39. Since I bought 2 at one time, they gave me another 10% off (multiple discount) so I ended up spending $72. I have clips to hook them together and I like the option of using them seperately as well. The connectors cost around $10. I also bought a couple of cup holders that attach to each one. My favorite part is that it folds like an umbrella stroller so it is pretty small.

I will be the one joked-- I have DS1, DD4 and DD7 all planning on riding as much as possible. DD7 can take the old stroller that is falling apart. I can leave it in the trash at any point during the trip! We were going to toss it when we got them new one but then I decided to save it just in case we needed it there. I was going to buy a Buggy Board for DD7 in case she needed it but it cost as much as both strollers! I will have 6 adults and only 3 children so it will be fine to have 3 strollers, even if they only carry the junk we'll have for 9 people!

I say, if you have room, take them all and have as many options as you can. It's better than being stuck wishing you had made a different choice.

 

[riggins]

We went in August with our 2 and 4 year old and took 2 singles. In our previous trips we had always taken our double, but decided to give to singles a try. Honestly, we saw benefits and disadvantages to both. Both of our kids wanted to ride almost all the time. I can't recall a single time that our 2 year old was riding that our 4 year old didn't want to ride. We did split up a little so it was nice to have two strollers, but on other occaisions, having 2 strollers meant DH and I both had to push. We're going back down on Saturday with a lot of extended family and are going to take the 2 singles again b/c we expect we'll split up even more than we did last month. That said, if it were just the 4 of us, I'd probably take the double again. While its bigger and bulkier when getting on and off the bus, its just one stroller to push, so one adult has a free set of hands.

Good Luck.

 

[mrsdisneyfan]

To Andy,

I PM'd you back. Have a great trip.

I will still have the other umbrella stroller if any one wants that one. It is not new but it is in pretty good condition.

Missy