Which stroller should we buy?

[CastleLight]

We are heading to WDW with our 5 month old baby in November. We want to purchase a stroller to take with us. We are flying, but we aren't bringing the car seat.

I've been researching - but there are so many!! Anyone have a stroller they love for babies at WDW??

 

[mom2meiko]

When it was just my dd we had a graco travel system and I still love love love that stroller! It was comfortable and secure for dd and had so many great conveniences for the parents - I would highly recommend it! The only downside is the weight but as long as you are physically fit it shouldn't be an issue. (We brought this stroller when we took dd to wdw at 6 months and it was perfect for her! She napped in it, was comfortable sitting in it all day long, etc.)

I have severe back issues and had to downsize my stroller weight when we had ds and moved to a double stroller. We got a peg perego aria twin and love that it is so lightweight (14 lbs!) but it does not have the same features of the graco and i still miss it! If weight hadn't been a factor, I would have gone with a graco double.

Ultimately we spent a lot of time at babies-r-us researching and testing the various strollers - that would be my recommendation to you. See what you think will be the best and be sure to consider your use of it, where/how it will be used, your lo's comfort in it for long term periods, size/weight, etc.

Good luck!

 

[dismom2-3]

Not that you asked, but I would reconsider bringing the car seat(carrier). It was extremely helpful in the hotel room to have somewhere safe for our daughter to sit when we were trying to get ready. She would have rolled off the bed, and the thought of her playing on the floor was scary to me, and I am not a germ crazy mom either. It did not leave the room, we did not feel that it was needed other than that reason. I am not sure what the luggage rules are now, but at the time it did NOT count as a bag. That situation may sway your decision, and is one that I understand. I am not trying to start a debate about flying without the carseat, just commenting that our trip was made better by that one piece of equipment. Also, a stroller is necessary, but we also found the baby carrier very convenient for standing in line and riding some attractions. Sorry if I am telling you something you already know and plan on.!!

That being said, to your original question, When my daughter was this age, we had a baby trend umbrella that was great. They do not make it anymore, but I look all of the time at the current selections and the ones that look similar are the Graco IPO umbrella and the Mc Larens. I strongly suggest from our use at this age would be to make sure it has full recline and the 5pt harness. Also get a rain cover. The generic babies r us brand one was great, and not so expensive. I am glad you are taking a small baby. Many would pass b/c of age, and my daughter had a great time with the characters and watching all of the things going on around her. Enjoy your trip and I hope I was a little bit helpful.

PS - Another tip I can give you is to rent from Orlando stroller rentals. The citi mini jogger was a great stroller, and if my kids were the right age, I would buy it. They deliver to the hotel!!

 

[Perditamarie]

Consider a stroller that will last your child through to when they won't need one anymore!!!

My first stroller was the giant travel system that was a beast to haul in and out of the car, big, bulky, etc. After baby grows out of the carrier, which is QUICK!!!, I really didn't use that stroller again.

Pick one that is light, easy to fold and holds up to 55 lbs, manuevers easily, to get your baby through to age 5-6, so you won't be buying one every few years!

I loved our Maclaren...I recommend researching that brand to meet your needs now and in the future! Also, this usually comes w/a rain shield, and it is awesome, especially for Disney!

I would recommend a baby sling for lines, rides etc at WDW....it comes in super handy when you can't use a stroller.

Have a great trip!

 

[laughinplace199]

When DS was 5 mos, we brought our Graco Metrolite travel system w/car seat. We needed the car seat for the plane and we also used it in restaurants since DS was not able to sit in a high chair at that point.

For our next trip, we bought a Peg Perego Aria. I love this stroller for Disney. It's lightweight, yet the seat is comfy and reclines. It has a 5 pt harness, a good size canopy for protection from the sun, and a basket for storage. You can fold the stroller with one hand and it even has a little handle for carrying it once folded. The only downside it that you can't access the storage basket when the stroller is reclined. This wasn't a big deal though as we usually hung the diaper bag over the handles instead of putting it in the basket.

We've used this stroller for 3 trips so far (and we use it at home) and we'll be using it again in April.

Have a fun trip with your little one!

 

[Cedarmom]

I'm currently on the hunt for a second stroller for our three kiddos as well. We have a phil and ted's that we will not be bringing with us. The airlines have messed it up---twice. I won't be angry about the stroller again.

What we are eyeing: Maclaren. You just can't beat'em. They are lightweight, fold easily, have underseat storage, and have the widest seat out there--great as the kiddos get older. We bought one used at a garage sale we'll be taking with us. I'm looking for another one. Downside (and I'm thinking this is true of all lightweight strollers): it is tippy once the kid is out if you have a diaperbag hanging on the handlebars.

If I was buying a new one as my main stroller, I'd totally get the City Mini. That thing is fabulous!

Others I'm considering:

Combi Savvy. Very lightweight. Folds easily. It only has a 37 lb weight limit but my 48 lber sat in it today and it still rolled very easily. It does have quite a narrow seat, though.

Chicco Capri. Again with the narrow seat and the low weight limit. Once I figured out how to make it fold, I could get it folded easily. Rolls nicely.

Both of these have reasonably high handlebars--a must in our family as dh is quite tall. A regular umbrella kills his back.

 

[woodkins]

I would say to buy the Baby Jogger brand stroller: either city mini or city classic. They are amazing to push, easy to stear, fold by pulling one strap (can do it with one hand!!!), lightweight, hold up to 50-70lbs depending on if you get the mini or classic, fully reclining seat, Huge sun canopy, the list goes on and on.

I have had the Peg Perego Via Spiaggo, Maclaren Volo, Combi City and a Graco and by far the Baby Jogger is the best. We get comments all the time when we are folding it up as people are amazed at how easy it is.

 

[la_la]

We love our Babyplanet Solo Sport stroller. Take a look into it!

 

[AmyBWV99]

Peg Pliko bought it just for travel to WDW, you can get them at Albee Baby for only $199.

 

[lucigo]

We love our Babyplanet Solo Sport stroller. Take a look into it!

I will 2nd this one, we had a solo and a friend loved it so much she tried to buy one and could only find the endangered species so she bought it and traded with me..so now I have a green tree frog stroller. Its awesome, lightweight, large sunshade, reclines all the way back, nice basket, doesn't tip back, cup holder, 5 pt harness for a little one (we took it out).

And it looks so cool! LOL
http://www.liltulips.com/gear-31/strollers-32/strollers-74/baby-planet-endangered-species-stroller-112.html?zenid=efae811007b097e13cbe2d7981f40830
Try ebay, you can get one under $100.

 

[tigger51276]

If you want something lightweight and easy to carry I recommend a joovy groove stroller www.joovy.com. I bought this for my DD when she was 4 months old and I just love it. It is super lightweight and eay to use. It is basically a supped up umbrella stroller with lots of perks such as: fantastic sun shade, reclines, has nice built in organizer on the back, rain cover, and most important it comes with a spare hood and seat. This came in super handy when my DD got "sick" one day in the stroller while we were away. I stripped down the seat and put the extra one on (the black set) and also put the black hood on so that it all matched and was all set. I didn't have to worry about being without a stroller. When I got home I just threw the yucky seat in the washing machine and then hung it up to dry and it washed just beautiful. I would not pay $300 for the stroller as much as I love it, but if you go over to ebay you can get it there for half that price or even on BRU for around $200.
Now if you want something a little more robust, then I recommend one of the Jeep jogging strollers(you can find a few of them at BRU). I had one with my DD5 when she was little and it went with me everywhere. I used it for many Disney, camping, shopping trips. It was all terrain and even went to the beach with little trouble. It's downfall is that it's not very lightweight, however I was able to get it, myself and my daughter all on the bus (not easy but was doable).

 

[lolafrances]

I recommend a MacClaren. They are lightweight, easy to open and close and carry, and they come with a storage basket underneath and a rain shield. Just don't hang a bunch of stuff off the back when your child leaves the stroller, or else it will tip over!

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

IF you want a nice umbrella fold for the Mac techno is the best choice for you and you will get so much more use out of it however it is tippy. The babyplanet mentioned is nice I just bought the snow leoppard print from justkidsstuff.com for 107 free shipping and I had it in 5 days however after using it for two days the back wheel is squeaking horendisly (sp) and the seat is not as wide as the mac. My recommendation over these two would be the silver cross dazzle if you can find one they discontinued them sometime earlier this year but they are not tippy like the mac and the wheels were never squeaky. I love my baby jogger city mini we used it in disney in dec and by far it was great the awesome canopy and quick fold are awesome for the sun and buses while in disney and its not as tippy as the mac is. The valco or tfk (trends for kids) buggster is also a very nice option it is a wide egg type of seat that has a small recline but its a breeze to push, has good canopy. Last would be the peg perego the aria would be a good one for this trip its very lightweight and overall much nicer than the combi while it will not last as long the pliko would be a good choice.

mac techno classic

mac vs bjcm

bjcm

silver cross dazzle

baby planet endangered spieces snow leopard

I do have pics of Lily in the BP and the SC but they were not in my photobucket if you would like to see them just let me know. I don't have pics of my buggster but would be happy to take some for you. I have no pics of the pegs b/c I never owned the singles just a aria twin. feel free to ask any questions.


ETA~ the pic w/ my two girls in it they were 8 and 5 at the time the photos were taken. all strollers mentioned above have at least a 50 pound weight limit other than the pegs I am not sure on them.

 

[wmharley]

Combi Savvy. Very lightweight. Folds easily. It only has a 37 lb weight limit but my 48 lber sat in it today and it still rolled very easily. It does have quite a narrow seat, though. .

We have this as part of our 3 stroller garage...

The thing is lightweight enough.. easy to carry.. negatives is the storage is a paing to get to. They have the wheel mounts blocking some usable space on it. Also, it can be a pain to turn it. And the cover doesn't fold down far enough if you have sun facing you. It also doesn't recline fully.

We have our Graco "bertha" unit that is part of a travel system (we bought them seperate though to get the color we wanted). Our DD4 still uses this one at times if we go somewhere with just her for a long period of time. The storage on this is great, easy to manuever and the cover folds down to block the front. Very nice...


We also (not yet for you) a sit n stand unit. If we go a day trip we will use this one for our DS1 and DD. Storage is ok, but usable.

the last time we went to Disney, DS was 8mo and DD was still 4. We actually took both single strollers.. DD got the Combi with me pushing it and the DS got the graco. When DD wanted to walk, I folded it up, and slung it over the handles of the Graco. This way we could split up as needed.

I would say the most important thing for you are these two points..

1) get a stroller that FULLY RECLINES.. goot for changing diapers and for sleeping. especially a 5mo.

2) get one with sufficient cargo space.. if you look at the Combi (http://www.combistrollers.com/ProductImages/large/helio_carbon.jpg) look at the rear leg support where it cuts across to the storage area.. this pic has a bar running across, but ours doesnt but it has semi bars. This particular model is a pain to stick larger items in there..

 

[laughinplace199]

Here are some pics of the Peg Aria:

DS at 18 mos, asleep during fireworks:

DS at 2 yrs:

 

[2binak]

Peg Pliko bought it just for travel to WDW, you can get them at Albee Baby for only $199.

After spending some time at BRU trying out every stroller they had, we decided on the Peg Pliko P3. We then shopped the interenet and got it on Albee baby for $170 (we bought the previous year's model). It seemed to be the most comfortable stroller for both DD and us. DD was 8 months old when we went to WDW and she slept in it quite a bit and never complained about being in it. In fact, DD is 20 months old and actually asks to be put in if she happens to see it in the car or house.

 

[mjkacmom]

I've been done with strollers for a few years now, so I'm not up on the latest and greatest, but after going through about 11 (single, double, triple), I'd say get a quality umbrella (perego, combi, maclaren) that reclines and is lightweight. I also went through 2 (double) joggers for walks around our neighborhood. Most people I know ditched their strollers from the stroller systems by the time the child was 2 (both single and double).

 

[dhardawa]

I have a Maclaren Techno XT for Max and I love it.

 

[LoveBugs]

My favorite is the Inglesina. It fully reclines, has a huge canopy, good storage, won't tip, fairly lightweight, and collapses with one hand. It is the ultimate, and we've used a lot of strollers over the last few years.

My second favorite was the Combi. It was lightweight and had the good canopy and full recline, but I just prefer the Inglesina.

We did the Mac for a while but I wasn't a fan of the small shade (in Vegas, we needed a full canopy), how easily it tipped over if you put a slightly heavy bag on the handle bars, and how it didn't fully recline.

Here's the Inglesina link to their new colors. http://www.inglesina.com/us/content/new-zippy-colours-us