What Would YOU Do - Stroller

[tmfranlk]

I think I know every pro and con for both sides and I am no closer to making a decision. So, my question is what would YOU, personally, do in this situation.

Trip - Nov. 23-Dec 4
Party - Me, 2.75yo DD (also 9yo DSis for 3 days)
Where - Nov. 23-27, Holiday Inn DTD; Nov 27-Dec 4, ASMo
Transportation - Disney buses/monorails/boats
Stroller - THAT is the question

Options:
1. Rental stroller (would take a nice soft blanket to cushion the stroller)
2. Our stroller - Peg Perego Pliko P3
3. New stroller of some kind to be bought without spending any more money than I would on a rental stroller.

Things to keep in mind:
- Loading onto and off of the bus by myself - with DD, diaper bag and potentially a stroller
- Possibility of DD being asleep when trying to load onto and off of the bus
- Strong possibility that DD will nap in the park

Thanks everyone!

 

[mom2cinderella]

For an almost 3 y.o., I'd probably just rent a WDW stroller.

Michele

 

[crazywig]

i think the peg is too big/heavy for you to handle yourself on and off buses. i would definately take an umbrella with some sort of recline. you can get a chicco capri for $50 at babies r us, or a baby trend eurotrend sport for about $60. (the eurotrend has more recline positions, more padding and nice foam handles but it's a little heavier).

my ds is just turned 3 and i would not go without a stroller!

 

[DZNYMGCFAM]

Well, stroller rentals are $8.00 per day (you get $1.00 back when you turn your stoller back in). You might keep in mind that you might want/need a stroller at DTD, and other places that do not rent them out. I was kinda in the same situation with our upcoming trip...however, I am on my third and final child. I did not want to put alot of money into a new stroller as I would not be using much longer (my youngest is 3 1/2). I finally decided on the Chicco Capri Stroller (got it at babies r us, your can go on to their site and check it out), I put my daughter in it and she fit very comfortably in it (she stands about 39 inches tall) and she had plenty of head room for the canopy and the back unzips to allow a child to lay back a little further for a nap. It is very light and folds up like an umbrella stroller and even came with a strap that you can use to carry it over your shoulder.

Anyway, Good luck!!

 

[Merriwind]

I would definitely bring a stroller. Otherwise, you could be carrying DD and all your stuff to and from the buses! We've brought a couple of different jogging strollers over the years, they are lightweight, easy to fold and push, but comfy and a good size. Our last trip was our first sans stroller--DD was 6.5. They are just handy to have in places other than the parks.

Maybe if you have a good summer for potty training, you might not need the diaper bag. We try to economize what we carry, especially when it's just me and DD.

Whatever you do will work fine. Enjoy!

 

[Colinsmom]

I'd take the P3. That's what we took for our 2.25 year old last December, and it was a great Disney stroller. Of course, we never had the problem of him falling asleep in the stroller on the way to the bus, but as long as you can fold the stroller while holding her, you should be fine. I'd definitely recommend a backpack diaper bag to keep your hands free!

 

[tmfranlk]

Thanks for the advice so far. Anymore would be wonderful as well!!

We will have a backpack diaper bag so that's a help. Also, I have takedn the P3 to Disney on my own before, but had DSis to help carry things if we needed her to. Also, DD could ride in her Hip Hammock so I had that to help when loading the bus. It may also be helpful to know that we load the stroller in and our of trains and buses all the time as we rarely drive anywhere, however, DD can ususally stay in the stroller on city buses. I guess I'm just anticipating a bigger, sleeping DD when loading the bus than I had last time at 14 months old.

Thanks again!

 

[hrmom26]

i would rent a stroller i have two kids when i went in 2004 they were 4 and 7 i got a double it would hold both my kids and all our stuff and/or my son laying down. it was great also everyone i saw with there own strollers on the buses hated it and said they wish they had left them. the busses are very crowded your lucky to get a seat but add a stoller and your in for a mess also you don't have to worry about someone stealling your stroller if its rented

 

[Tammi67]

I would rent a stroller from A Baby's Best Friend. We used them in December and it was wonderful. They deliver it to your resort and it is waiting for you at check-in. When you check out, you leave it at your resort and they come and pick it up. We rented a double side by side. It's was a Graco and was in excellent condition. $75 for a week. We are going back again this year and i will use them again.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I would rent a stroller at WDW. I'd only worry about bringing my own if my child was under 2.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I bought a Brighton Micro for my last trip. Weighs 9 lbs. has a shoulder strap. Folds well. Fit DD4 33lbs,42 inches. She didn't nap in it because we went back to hotel rooms. Wheels are 6 inches so easier to drive but are made of a foam so don't think would last long. Left in FL for my next trip.
IT was better than my jogging stroller(too bulky even folded for trams) and it was better than renting because I had it to and from car when didn't need trams, didn't have to wait to rent or return (when you return you get a Mickey Dollar)

 

[720L]

I'd rent a Disney one. Bring something to cushion it with in case DD wants to sleep. Definitely use a backpack for the diaper bag. If you had another adult with you I would say bring your own, but I wouldn't want to try and fold/carry the stroller while carrying a child! And on the buses (which will be crowded since your staying at AS-sorry!) trying to hold on to your stroller and kid--no thanks. Good luck!

 

[tmfranlk]

If you had another adult with you I would say bring your own, but I wouldn't want to try and fold/carry the stroller while carrying a child! And on the buses (which will be crowded since your staying at AS-sorry!) trying to hold on to your stroller and kid--no thanks. Good luck!

That is my thinking exactly (but evidently I'm still just not sure ). I was all set until Daddy bailed on us for the trip (thought I knew that he would, the theme park lover that he isN'T ) I am encouraged by the fact that last time, I often got other people (usually dads) volunteering to load the stoller for me, but the thought of folding and loading the stroller with a sleeping almost-3 year old instead of a just turned 1 year old is a little daunting. I'm thinking that carrying her to the bus or room would be easier than juggling her and a stroller.

Thanks for the continued advice. It is much appreciated!!

 

[rileyroosmom]

I say bring a stoller. Even if you need to buy a lighter weight one than what you have. Carrying a sleeping child and a backpack from the park to the bus, off the bus and to the room (which is almost always a long walk) is no fun to me! I'm sure someone would help you fold/lift stroller on bus for you. Last time I was on a bus, I held a woman's child!! She was traveling by herself with triplets and the bus was PACKED. She just handed the kids out to people and she held the stoller. It was a strange situation, but funny too.[

 

[mercydisney]

I Have 2dd's And Live An Hour From Disney, My Youngest Dd Was About 2 1/2 When I First Went To Disney W/out Dh (same Situation Dh Is Not As Thrilled As I Am To Visit The World). I Would Take Your Your Stroller For The Days You Will Not Be Staying In Asmo, If You Intend To Go To The Parks The Day You Will Not Be Staying In Disney Property You Might Not Even Need To Board The Tramcars Because You May Get A Close Parking Space (2 Parks I Usually Walk Into Are Mgm And Epcot) , If You Don't Walk In Don't Worry People Are Always So Nice They Will Help You..as For Getting On And Off The Bus Again Your In The Haapiest Place On Earth Everyone Is Nice And Friendly They Will Help Take It From Someone W/experience..also Don't Forget You Will Be Tired At Night So Carrying Her To The Hotel Room Will Also Be A Task, And When You Rent A Stroller You Will Have To Carry Her And Everything Else You Have With You Until You Get To Sroller Rental. And If You Think About It, If Your Not Happy With The Way Things Are Working Out You Can Still Rent A Stroller...also Remember About Eating. How Are You Going To Lug Your Baby And A Tray If You Plan To Eat At The Food Court...you Will Have A Great Time What Ever You Decide...i Love Trips Without Dh's You Can Be Free To Shop, Eat, And No Whining About How Many Times We've Done That Ride.....
I Just Reread The Post...sorry For The Rambling I Just Have So Much To Say Abiut The Subject...

 

[720L]

Good idea mercydisney! I agree you should bring your stroller, that way you have it in case you decide you need it. I hate the thought of trying to carry a sleeping 3 yr old also (did that not fun!!) AND a backpack. But like I said, I also hate the thought of trying to fold your stroller and get on the bus, then having your DD fall asleep on the bus, then trying to figure out how to get off the bus like that. And depending on where your room is, you may have quite a walk to the buses. Best not to tire your DD out before you get to the parks! Maybe you should consider going to your room for an afternoon nap, then maybe she wouldn't fall asleep on the bus at night.

 

[tmfranlk]

Maybe you should consider going to your room for an afternoon nap, then maybe she wouldn't fall asleep on the bus at night.

Not my DD! LOL! That girl can fall asleep anywhere at any time. Plus, if we go back to the room for a nap, the odds are high that she will sleep on the bus and then be done. Whereas if I let her fall asleep in the stroller, she will usually sleep 1-2 hours. Alot may change in the next 6 months, but that's exactly how it worked in California a couple of weeks ago. She does not transfer well at all (arms to stroller once we get off the bus), but will sleep forever in the stroller if left alone.

I guess that the deciding factor will probably (as usual) come down to what I end up needing at the airport. If I have to take my laptop, then I'll bring the stroller to help navigate the terminals. If I can get away with one small bag, then maybe we'll leave it home.

Thanks everyone!

 

[CleveRocks]

I just went May 8 - 14. For months I was unsure what to do and went back and forth and solicited advice. I went against the advice of about 80% of the people and decided to rent strollers at the parks. I'm very happy I did it.
Well, actually, I wanted to go with the majority but my wife felt very strongly about renting at the parks. My wife never reads message boards, but I told her about all the feedback advising us to bring our own or rent from www.abbf.com. She didn't convince me, it's just that I gave in to her, and I thought we were all going to regret it. As I said before, I'm very glad we rented at the parks.

I have a 5 year old and a 2.5 year old. We had no problem walking to and from buses. My 2.5 year old was asleep many times after the parks (regardless of time of day), and I (or my wife) had no problem carrying her AND wearing our backpack. There were times when we each carried one child (my 5 year old son because he asked, not because he NEEDED it). We just didn't see carrying her or them as a negative.

What we did see as a negative, however, was lugging strollers on the buses. I went during a relatively uncrowded time, but let me tell you, the buses were almost always crowded. It was standing room much of the time, and not only did the strollers take up valuable floor space, but if you happened to get on when it was SRO it was almost impossible to find space for the stroller to begin with! I was very relieved NOT to have the stroller with me on the buses.

We did bring a single umbrella stroller with us for use in the airports (we gate checked it), and we brought it with us to Downtown Disney, as well. Another thought I have now is recalling seeing other guests at CBR who had second floor rooms lugging their strollers up the steps. No thanks.

To each's own, but for me, I'm 100% satisfied with my, er ... my wife's decision to rent at the parks.

-- Eric

 

[lovesdumbo]

Whereas if I let her fall asleep in the stroller, she will usually sleep 1-2 hours.

So if she has a 1-2 hour nap in her stroller in the afternoon in the park would she be awake when you left the park?

I love my Pliko. I would take that with you and then if you find park rental strollers easier you could just leave it in the room. I think she'll nap better and be happier in the Pliko.

I did rent in the parks for my older 2 and brought Pliko for my then 21 month old. She loved riding in the rental stroller when she wasn't tired. I also love the convenience of park rentals and loved that they were so easy to push but I don't think she could nap well in the rental stroller. When I knew she needed a nap I had her ride in the Pliko.

 

[robinb]

I would take your own stroller. I did WDW mostly alone with my DD when she was about that age. My DH was with me, but working. Everything worked out fine for us.

Yes, you may find yourself in the situation where you have a sleeping child in the stroller which you then have to fold up. The kindness of strangers comes in BIG TIME at WDW in that situation. I have been helped by strangers who folded up the stroller or took a bag and I have offered help to overwelmed parents.

ETA: Your other options are worse, IMO. I would not want to carry a 2 1/2 year old from the parks to the busses along with a diaper bag, etc. I also think your Peg is much more comfortable than a cheapie umbrella stroller.

BTW, you probably won't need a full blown diaper bag. I carried a regular backpack with diapers, wipes and a change of clothes in separate ziplock bags. I also brought my own changing pad since the changing tables at WDW are hard, cold metal.