What stroller did you take to DL?

[cooniez]

Not including rentals I would love to hear what type of stroller everyone used at DL. We'll be there for 5 days this coming June & I STILL haven't decided on what stroller I want to buy. I usually wear my peanut of a 2-yo in a toddler carrier, so I don't want to spend a fortune knowing I won't use the stroller that much when we get back. Any suggestions?

I would love a stroller that has the following:

- almost flat recline
- basket (small OK)
- lightweight
- standing fold (prefer a standing fold so the canopy doesn't touch the wheels, but would consider umbrella fold for the right price)

TIA!

 

[chrissiecutie]

We bought a Maclaren Quest just for DL and really liked it. Has 2 recline positions, basket underneath and taller handles vs. other umbrella type strollers.

The downside is that the canopy isn't very long reaching. I bought a RayShade and it worked great! Kept the August sun off my son and I got a ton of questions about it! Has UVA/UVB sun protection and you can get it at Babys R Us/Toys R Us and probably other baby retailers. The other negative is that it's a little tricky to fold. There's no quick latch or button to push and can be a pain when you're trying to get it folded down quickly. It's not impossible, just seemed to be beyond my capabilities after spending the day at DL and waiting for the tram at 12am.

It's pricey but I bought a used one off craigslist for about $60. I just turned around and sold it this year for the same price. So it basically cost me nothing!

 

[specialks]

We have taken our Graco Quattro both times and love it. It is NOT lightweight but not too bad. It has a large basket for our stuff and one hand collapse and the child can lay flat with one hand release lever. We love our "beast" as we call it. It collapses really nice too -- goes straight down onto its wheels which makes it easy to pick up and handle.

 

[Tablefor5]

When we only had one kid, our Peg-Perego worked great! It was easy enough to move, and folded slim to keep in the hotel room. It reclines enough for a nap and has a great pull-down shade and the basket/bag underneath worked well for the day.
I have also used a cheapy umbrella for my son when he was 4 and this was adequate.

However, after 2 additional kids, we most recently took our In-step Double Jogger.
I was afraid that it would be tooo big, but it worked out GREAT!!!
Our last trip, our kids were 18mos, 3, and 7. The stroller was wonderful for any one the three..lol
I have a great picture of the MTOTP when all three fell asleep and were in the stroller together (good times)

But, anyways, my point being, I know you stated you only have one child now and don't use the stroller very often. My advice would be to stroll the craigslist ads for a single jogger stroller type and pick-up something used. Although my Peg and the umbrella worked, the double stroller with the bigger wheels was sooo much easier to push around the park and swerve around people. Plus, if you are walking to and from the park, you want a comfortable stroller for you to push. It seemed like the smaller wheeled strollers would get stuck easier and I would get frustrated with turns.

Hope my .02 helps and have fun!!

 

[cooniez]

Thanks for the responses & please keep them coming! WE do have another child (a tween), but she's past the age where she could reasonably ride in a stroller. I was considering the Graco Ipo or Britax Blink because I found good deals on them, but I don't hear much feedback & had a hard time finding reviews on them. The feedback I did find on the Ipo is conflicting: some say it was great while others said they HATED it/had a hard time pushing it after a couple of days. The Peg Si was another I considered. The joggers I've seen were pretty pricey, so I just don't know if I can dish out that much $ at this time

 

[barefootmomma]

I have a Graco Metrolite right now that has been great and survived more trips than I can count to the parks. My son has just about outgrown it, so I'm getting ready to buy a Baby Jogger City Micro.

 

[Mom2Joce]

I also have taken the McClaren and love it bec even on the train you can collapse it and put it at your feet! Down side is that it doesn't have a cup holder!

I LOVE strollers for holding water bottles, diaper bags, snacks and our park purchases AND I don't have to hear whining at the end of the day!

There are several kinds out there that are "middle of the road" that would be great/meet your needs! Personally I'd try Craigslist first. Then if you have a Once Upon A Child or "like" store in your town then check there.

Another option is to rent one www.travelbabies.com or www.babysaway.com.

Best of luck!

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I used a Combi Cosmo for dozens of DLR visits with DS from age 8.5 months to 3.5 years. The seat recline wasn't spectacular, and the wheels were bent (which looked funny but didn't actually affect maneuverability), but it was easy to fold up, and locked when folded and had a carry strap, which was perfect for getting on the tram by myself with a toddler!

The basket was small, which I didn't like, and there was no parent cupholder. But overall it was a good stroller, and I definitely got a lot of use out of it.

Now I have a Graco MetroLite which I really like. It's not as easy to fold and carry on the tram, so I usually just go to the front car so I don't have to fold it up. And the best part is that I got it for $35 off Craigslist! When DS (almost 5) gets tired, I usually just put the baby in the sling and DS gets in the stroller.

 

[momtoatink]

Two years ago we took our Inglesina which is like a Maclaren. The last two years we have taken our Bob Revolution.

=)

 

[jeniferjuniper]

We take a metrolite also. We call "the Disneyland stroller" I don't think we use it anywhere else.

 

[kikiq]

My DD bought the Graco Mosaic Lemongrass which also comes in a Disney version. She's taken it to DL several times already and was able to handle the baby and the stroller herself. Not as light as an standard umbrella stroller but with a 20% coupon from Babies R Us was the right price. She was using a hand me down Combi that folded up nice but didn't recline as much as her new Graco.

 

[DisSarahK]

I used our Inglesina Zippy and it worked great.

 

[cooniez]

Thanks for your responses! I forgot to mention that DD tried a Maclaren Quest before & while I loved the steering, she just wasn't upright enough & looked lost in the seat. I know every child is different when it comes to strollers so maybe DD didn't fit the Mac because she's teeny? It is refreshing to hear Graco strolers as a rec...another forum I belong to is nothing but pro-Mac

 

[Lavender_and_Roses]

I've never been to DL (first trip in May) but we live in SoCal and have been to many other places (Legoland, Sea World, Zoo ect). A good sun shade is very important in SoCal imo. We bought a Peg Perego P3 for a good going places stroller and I've always loved it. If you choose a stroller without a good shade just be prepared to purchase one you can attach.

 

[jernysgirl]

We have a Joovy Groove for each of our kids and I absolutely LOVE our strollers. I bought it last year specifically because it was something that we could keep for awhile and it would fit our boys as they grew. Although when you google it now, they are expensive.... and it looks like Joovy has now discontinued that style, I would definitely look into other Joovy strollers, it has so been worth the money! (and our kids don't get in the strollers all that often) Here is an online description of our strollers:

The Groove sets a new standard for premium umbrella strollers. It includes all of the features you expect from a high end stroller: a lightweight aluminum frame, reclining seat, oversized canopy with extending sun visor, drink holders and zippered storage, linked parking brake.

These unexpected additions give your Groove the edge: all-season seat pad with warm soft fleece on one side and cool wicking fabric on the other side, a rain cover, and a zippered hanging storage bag to hold all of these accessories.

If that’s not enough, the Groove comes with two complete sets of seats and canopies. Yes, two seats, two canopies, two harnesses. That means you can remove your primary seat, clean it and still use the Groove with the second seat. Whether you choose the blue, green or pink Groove, you’ll get a black seat and canopy to go with it.

No other umbrella stroller offers the versatility, functionality or value of the Joovy Groove.

Features:

Lightweight, anodized aluminum frame
4-position, one hand reclining seat with 2-position leg rest
Oversized sun canopy with canopy stretchers, viewing window
2 Cup holders and zippered storage pocket for parents
Wide Seat - excellent for large children, toys, bottles and bundling up in winter
Deluxe fabric includes head support, harness covers and reflective tape
Deluxe 5-point harness with reflective stitching for night time safety
Ergonomically designed, foam covered handles
Large storage basket
Swivel front wheels can lock straight
Deluxe finished wheels
Multi-Seat features
Link rear parking brake
Removable washable seat pad
Compact umbrella fold and carry handle
Includes rain cover
Comes with additional black seat and canopy

I especially love the extra large canopy, removable & washable seat pads, and the additional seat pads.

 

[cooniez]

What do you guys think of the Graco Ipo, Britax Blink, or the Peg Perego Si? I know the Ipo & Blink fold like an umbrella stroller (where the wheels touch the canopy), but I've found great deals on these. Also, I will probably sell this stroller when we get back home anyway so maybe I can let that req't (standing fold) go. I might just have to do the plastic bag trick or only fold it when we're putting it in the trunk for the trip home. I've heard great things about the canopy on the Si, but I think it's almost $70 more than the Ipo!