Which one do I take - umbrella or jogging? I'm stressing!

[emmismom05]

Hi all, this will be my first trip to WDW since I was 12. That was 14 years ago! So overdue . Anyway, I am wondering whether I should take our Chicco umbrella stroller or my new Babytrend jogging stroller. Here's what I figured so far but wanted your experienced opinions as well:

Umbrella Pros:
lightweight
has carrying case (for gate check at airport)
compact


Cons:
does not have a great canopy
virtually no storage space (basket, cupholders, snack tray)
reclines very little

Jogging Pros:
lots of storage for bags, snacks, drinks, etc.
reclines all the way
great canopy

Cons:
bulky and not as compact
front wheel sticks out...I don't want to trip anyone!

Here's a little info. about our trip first. We are staying off-site so we'll have a rental car. This means we probably won't be going back to the hotel for naps everyday so DD2 will have to nap in the stroller. I think she'd be a ble to do this much easier in the jogger. We will be going through a layover to get to WDW, which means two gate checks. Oh, the jogging stroller does have a front wheel swivel.

Help! I don't know why this is stressing me out so much but it is! What do you guys think? Is anyone else debating this?

 

[happypooh]

Definitely the umbrella. If you take the jogging stroller be aware that if you go to MK it is a pain in the .... to get from the parking lot to the TTC on the little tram thing with a larger stroller. We took our Peg aria and that was difficult to fit so I can imagine a jogger being worse! We took our Maclaren quest and our toddler slept real well in it...if they're tired they will sleep! Plus you won't be worried about damaging your jogger (which probably cost more than your umbrella) when you gate check it.

 

[gavsmom]

I would say if your jogger has a swivel front wheel-I'd go for that one for sure! My jogger doesn't and I decided against it because it would be kinda hard to steer through the crowds etc...And having your own car, you don't have to worry too often about buses and such. I think it being comfortable and the storage space will be invaluable. IMO

 

[thunderbird1]

Anything else is WAY to big and bulky. You'll be folding that thing up more times than you know. All the parking lot trams, at the MK to ride the train, and at AK to take the train to the conservation station, to name a few. You will also likely encounter stairs that you'll want to carry the stroller up and down to save time.

Odds are, your dd will be so wiped out from all the excitement that she'll fall asleep just fine no matter what type of stroller she's in. As for the no canopy, we had an umbrella with a canopy and it was a royal pain. Invest in a floppy hat and she'll be protected and your life will be easier. As for the no storage, you're better off minimizing your load anyway--all the various bags take forever to unload when you need to fold the stroller up (see above). When we had a big, heavy backpack full of baby supplies, snacks, drinks, etc. we hung it over the handles of the umbrella stroller. (Just remember to take it off before removing the child, or the stroller will flip back.)

You also won't worry as much about leaving an umbrella stroller outside while you eat dinner, having it out in the rain, or handing it over the airline employees. I love my jogging stroller and would hate it if anything happened to it.

Just my $.02. Good luck!

 

[momofbgtwins]

We took our double jogger to MK and MGM in September, and will do it again next month. We stay off-site and have a rental car, also. We didn't use Disney transportation (thank God!) so having the heavier jogging stroller wasn't really a problem. For the sake of the storage, and not feeling like a pack mule, and the sun shade, and most importantly - the children's comfort- take the jogger.

 

[emmismom05]

Thanks for your opinions so far! They are conflicting which doesn't help me ! I think there are just a lot of pros and cons to both. Anyone else?

 

[bradisgoofy]

Even though my kids are all grown, my granddaughter will be coming down for the first time and I vote for the umbroller. As a long time visitor to WDW, it bothers me a great deal to see parents bring in these big strollers and then run into people because it is so crowded. The comments about being able to fold it up and jump in and out of the trams, and the other transportation, make it more convenient for you and the other people around you.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I would base your decision on which stroller has the options you think are most important. I personally wouldn't make my decision based on the number of times you need to fold it up or going on the tram. How long is the tram ride? From what I remember not long. Its Disney - there are strollers everywhere and the CMs are used to people dealing w/strollers!

Having said that I bought a Mac Quest specifically for Disney because it was light and folds up easily for the buses. Big mistake! I honestly dislike this stroller - I guess it would be ok if I had only the stuff of one child to take but I have 3 and that can be a lot of stuff.
Has no child tray/no parent tray/very little storage and tippy tippy tippy!

Take whichever one is most comfortable for your child (a good sun shade too)and has the most storage so that you don't feel like a pack mule (to use the fitting words of a previous poster). We're bringing the Mac for the airport and then I've rented a Graco stroller from abbf.com for the parks. It weighs 23 lbs but thats all DH will carry on the bus. If we were staying offsite I wouldn't think twice about the stroller. I think onsite would be the most difficult.
Good luck!

 

[happypooh]

Having said that I bought a Mac Quest specifically for Disney because it was light and folds up easily for the buses. Big mistake! I honestly dislike this stroller - I guess it would be ok if I had only the stuff of one child to take but I have 3 and that can be a lot of stuff.
Has no child tray/no parent tray/very little storage and tippy tippy tippy!

Good luck!

I'd agree..if I had more than one child I wouldn't take the quest (which we used with a rayshade) but for one child it is fine as we only had one bagallini to hang on the back (which didn't make it as tippy as it would have been with a bigger bag!
We're going to WDW with free dining (therefore will not be getting a rental car) in Sept and will have two kids...so I'm trying to figure out whether to bring a double umbrella type or double jogger too so I do think the number of kids you are "hauling" makes a difference to your decision too.

 

[all4fun]

We took four trips to WDW between the time ds was 13mos - 24mos and he napped great in the stroller. When he hit two, stroller naps were sort of hit and miss. This might not be your experience but I thought I'd mention it. It just seemed like because he was bigger he didn't nap as well in the stroller any more. We also went the first couple of times with a jogging style stroller (it was the Jeep Liberty All-Terrain) and while I loved the storage on it and all the amenities one big issue we had was the fact it took up so much room in the rental car. It was a good thing there was only three of us because there wasn't enough room in the trunk for the stroller and the luggage (maybe we overpacked too though - FT parents after all). We rented a full size car too.

Also keep in mind this is something you'll be pushing all day long so if the umbrella handles are even a little bit too short for you then that will get old fast. I have a chicco umbrella too and dh and I never use the thing because we're always kicking the wheels. We now use a Kidco LS2000 when we travel. It has extendable handles so it's much more comfortable to push.

Just some more food for thought. hth.

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

i took 2 umbrella strollers for our 2 girls in sept. - neither one could nap comfortably. no storage. i hste to say it for the bulk but I will be bringing the double jogger(with swivel wheel) next time we go. The biggest reason - more comfortable for the girls.

 

[PrincessasMommy]

We took our double jogger to MK and MGM in September, and will do it again next month. We stay off-site and have a rental car, also. We didn't use Disney transportation (thank God!) so having the heavier jogging stroller wasn't really a problem. For the sake of the storage, and not feeling like a pack mule, and the sun shade, and most importantly - the children's comfort- take the jogger.

I could have written the above post! We went in April '05 and as much as I was concerned about the size of the double jogger (with no front swivel wheel) - it made it in the Toronto Airport, gate checked, in the Orlando airport, in our rental and in the parks and as much as it was a little heavier (and much wider than what you are bringing), it was also heavier duty and served as the packhorse instead of me for everything, I was so glad I brought it! My little ones napped great in it when they felt like it and a good nap is worth the inconvenience on the tram imo! We're taking it next time for sure!!!I say take the jogger too!

 

[northriver]

My umbrella is a Maclaren Volo and I love this stroller. The longer handles are the best feature and it is also lightweight and folds so small, it is great for traveling. The storage is reasonable too. I'm a big believer in packing light, normally I don't carry a diaper bag, just a disposable bib, wipes and a spare diaper in my purse and make do with resturant napkins, silverware, drinks etc. I bought a small sling style backpack for this trip and that holds the toddler basics including her light raincoat, spare clothes, plus my camera, a water bottle and some small snacks - packages will all go to package pickup. If you have more stuff, you can make use of the Disney lockers too. In my opinion a jogger is just too bulky for the mall or anywhere crowded. Maybe it is because I am an older single mom, I just dont have the energy to carry anything that isn't essential.

 

[emmismom05]

I just noticed that we're leaving for WDW at the exact time!

 

[emmismom05]

This is still quite the dilemma isn't it? I think we will end up going with the jogger. It is not huge and the front wheel is kind of underneath the stroller so it doesn't stick out too far. I didn't even think about it in the rental car though with all our luggage and everything. That should be interesting! Everyone made really good points. My DD does nap everyday still but when we're out and about she won't. She really only likes to nap in her bed. I think she'll get so worn out though that she will take a nap in the stroller so the whole reclining thing is a huge pro because it will be much easier for her. We do pack light but with a toddler how light can you pack?! I'd rather have the stroller carry a heavy backpack than me. Change of clothes, swimsuit, water, snacks, camera...I'm sure I'll think of more!

We usually take our umbrella stroller everywhere, especially on flights but we've never gone anywhere where we will be pushing it around everyday all day so the previous poster has a good point! You really can't take big strides with the umbrella. Does anyone else have any ideas or advice on this? You are all so great and it's awesome to be able to get some advice as it's been so long since I've been there. I've been to DLR a lot but never with kids so I've never paid any attention!

 

[tiggger1]

If you think she is the type to nap in the stroller then I would go with the Jogging stroller, We went with my dd who was almost 3 and she slept in the stroller a bunch of times. I enjoyed have the sun shade and the strage underneath as well as the drink trays. we stayed onsite and while it was a bit big to take on the buses, I would rather deal with that than having to carry a sleeping toddler back to our campsite..

If you dont think she would nap then go with the umbrella but like the above posts, make sure they have long enough handles and a sunshade or you will regret it.!

 

[girlegirl7101]

JOGGER ALL THE WAY!! We just got back and we had a double and a umbrella.(cause we have 3 kids under 3) Yet what i am getting at it our double is very very large so my husband would have to stand in the exit of the bus with it cause it was the size of 2 people. But it was worth it when the kids wanted to nap and for the baby bag and all the crap you know your going to need. just do it!

 

[girlegirl7101]

ANOTHER THING, the airport doesnt matter they bring the stroller right to you right where you get off. Just like the do for wheelchairs. so dont worry about that. its called gate checking! even if you transfer they bring it to you and then you gate check it at the next plane.

 

[Princess Roo]

I agree with the poster who said that if DD's chances of napping increase a lot by bringing the jogger then bring it!
DS won't nap when we're out and about, so we bring the umbrella. (We bought a large sun shade for it, put rain ponchos and some snacks in the small "saddle bags", and put water bottle holders over the handles.
Two things that I didn't notice mentioned...
1) The airlines can be pretty rough on the strollers. We have flown with three different sizes of strollers (gate check) and the larger two did get banged up a bit (small rips in fabric and banged up metal/plastic). So if you *love* your jogger, that could be a negative.
2) In the parks, you can park the stroller in the more crowded sections and DD can walk so that you don't need to maneuver. We found this especially helpful at AK, which just seems to have a lot of narrow spots, and in Fantasyland at MK.

 

[emmismom05]

Does anyone know if you can get a large bag to put your stroller in at gatecheck, you know similar to the ones they have when you check a carseat? I really do love my jogger and it's brand new, I'd hate for anything to happen to it, however, that's what we decided to take. Do you know if the airline reimburses if there is damage to a stroller? Maybe we will take the wheels off at the gate, it's pretty easy to do.