What kind of stroller

[christyB]

I will be at DL next week for the first time with kids. I have a 3 year old (just turned 3) and an 8 month old. We only have a sit and stand stroller so we want to borrow one from a friend. Do you guys suggest a jogging stroller or a tendem stroller? What about bringing your own vs. renting at the park? Can you even rent a double stroller at the park or would we be getting 2 single strollers?

 

[bumbershoot]

DLR has no double strollers.

I've never felt comfy with the idea of a jogger, b/c they are so bulky.

When DS was 1 we rented (he was in it for a grand total of about 30 minutes) a stroller and I wore him in a mei tai the whole day (day trip).

When DS was two we did the same, but I wore him in my Ergo (back carry) and it was MUCH better and easier (and he was on the ground much more).

The above is just to say that with the 8 month old, you'll probably have a better day if you get a really good baby carrier, like a mei tai or an Ergo. My guy was always extremely interested in things around him when out and about, when he was up at shoulder level rather than at bottom level.

For the 3 year old, we've now used the rentals (OK, but when you really need them is for the walk back to the hotel!), a BabyTrend (quite liked that, but he outgrew its max weight FAST), and now a Mac Volo. Like the volo best!


If you have the disney visa card you can get two FREE rentals every day. YOu have to spend the time each morning to wait in the line for them, which takes time away from solid touring time, but hey, free is nice, right? (we do not have a disney visa)

If you don't have the visa and you decide to rent...get the multi-day rental! You only have to wait in the main line once, and the other days you go right to the end, to the person passing out the strollers, hand over your ticket for that day and youv'e got yourself a stroller (or two...I personally wouldn't put an under-1 in the rentals, but others have)!

 

[Mugglemama]

we've used a single jogging stroller many, many times at DLR. it always worked out fine. the ones you rent at DLR are now like jogging strollers anyway, so they really aren't less bulky then what we were bringing.

however, i've never used a double stroller, so i don't know what that would be like. using two strollers probably wouldn't be tough, as long as you have two people to push them.

however, the previous suggestion to carry the baby in a front carrier is an excellent one, too. well, unless you will be going when the temps are really hot....in that case, i would think it would be sweaty and VERY uncomfortable for you both.

 

[mechurchlady]

$12 per stroller and if you want that stroller two days then you pay $20. That is per stroller. DLR as stated are only singles but you can take the strollers into the Esplanade as long as DCA is open and take strollers over to DCA and vice versus. Same is for wheelchairs and ECVs. At the end of the day all you do is empty the stroller by the gate then have some one drop it off near stroller drop off. That place gets so crowded at times with parents emptying strollers over there instead of near the gates.

Best stroller is a smaller comfortable one. I see some of them monster strollers and it looks like a pack train. Joggers are good because they are made for walking streets and rough terrain.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Bring a tandemm with you. There ar e lots of times that my 3.75 yr old doesn't use it, but it's always there when she does....

My girls are 19 months apart and when I tell you that I have always appreciated having my double stroller that had seats that reclined so they could sleep at the end of the day, know I am not exaggerating! Zoe is 3.75 now - Lily is 2.2, and they both crash at the end of the night. I let Zoe walk when she wants to, or ride shoulders, but in the end, we walk to the parking garage with two little snorers at the end of the day ( a relaxing .5 mile exactly - we GPS'ed it one day....) We have 2 doubles - a Graco Duo Quattro, that we bought for a WDW trip, and a Jane Double Jogger (tandem style). Both have been a blessing with as often as we go to the parks (biweekly to weekly).

Remember - the rentals don't have any recline to them That can be extremely uncomfortable for an 8 month old - Lily hated the Volo we had until almost 1.5 years of age for this reason.....

 

[christyB]

We do have a ergo carrier and I actually carried my 3 year old in it yesterday so it would work for both. I guess it sounds like we could get away with only 1 stroller if we wanted. My 3yo is not in a stroller much at home and if we do use one, it is usually a sit and stand and she is in and out of it all the time. Thanks for the ideas. I will have to think on it some. Feel free to weigh in if you have additional comments.

 

[clairabell29]

I won't go without my tandum stroller and my ergo. Your back does eventually get tired, remember you're there for 12-16 hours a day, and you really don't want to pack around a child that whole time. Then there is always the child swap issue where it might be nice to put the little one in the stroller. And if it's hot you will both want a break from the carrier. Just my experience.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I forgot to mention that we also have an ergo and used to use it frequently in the parks - when they were young enough that they didn't want to run around all the time!!!

I heartily agree with clairabell - tandem and ergo. Ergo (or a sling/pouch carrier) is the best for the standing in the queue areas.