Why rent strollers?

[LaRapsodia]

It seems like a lot of people rent strollers, either from Disney or one of the outside companies, and I was wondering why. We're planning on bringing our folding double stroller, and we'll be able to use it while traveling and we can check it easily at the gate so it's really no bother. What's the appeal of renting?

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Some people aren't comfortable with the airlines handling their personal stroller, or they don't want to risk their personal stroller being stolen in the parks. Or they're driving and don't have room for it in their car with all their luggage. There's lots of reasons.

 

[LaRapsodia]

Yeah, I guess I'm not overly concerned about our stroller getting some wear, and don't think it's anything special anyone would bother to steal. ;-)

 

[LaRapsodia]

Although, that reminds me, I need to order bags for the stroller and carseats to protect them on the plane. Thank you!

 

[wallskm]

For us it's that we don't want to check it on the flight, and it's huge and heavy (a BOB revolution duallie) and would be a nightmare on the buses. The city mini we rent is much easier to use with Disney transportation.

 

[Habbott]

Because the last time our stroller was damaged in the airplane and closing it was a horrible issue. I am pretty sure my husband threw it at one point he was so frustrated. I will be renting the next time for our sanity.

I will add that I was pretty adamant about not renting my first two trips with kids. The first time we drove, but we flew the second time. Then I thought I'd not need to travel with one again because my kid would be six on the next trip...nope, new baby! All is well though, because I will rent. My mind was changed on our last adventure.

 

[Cupcakesmum]

We fly and we don't own a double so we actually rented 2 doubles for our 4 kids. Our stroller at home is a Bugaboo and it's a pain to fly with. We also wanted strollers that accommodated high weights and were easy to push.

 

[HopperFan]

I flew once with a nice stroller and they proceeded to damage it beyond usability, and they had even boxed it. I was now in a strange place with no stroller. I can understand someone not wanting to risk flying with their strollers.

After renting one time at Disney, I decided that I'd rather use my own stroller. Since we always drove to Disney, it was a must in the vehicle.

 

[jmccoy18]

We have a nice city select with the double seats. It is great for use at home and around town, but it would be a huge pain to fly with and on Disney busses. It can't fold with both seats attached, so we would have to take it apart every time we wanted to get on the bus. I also would not want it damaged on the plane as it costs a good amount of money. We will be renting a city mini double, which will be way easier to use in the parks and busses. The girls are old enough that not having one in the airport is not a problem.

When we went with just DD1, we had a regular stroller that came with the travel system. We took it with us and had no problem, but now that we have 2 using the stroller it is just easier to rent.

 

[Princess Minnie321]

I have a double bugaboo which is very bulky when folded and would be a nightmare on the buses. At home it is great because I need the big tires for the activities I use it for and have an SUV so it being bulky when folded is fine.

I also worry about it getting damaged with the airline. I paid $500 for it and see them sell used from $250-$300 so I do not want to damage it.

I am renting a city mini double. They fold nice and flat and are supposed to be lighter to carry then my big stroller so it will be easier for the buses.

 

[mjkacmom]

We rented from Disney when the youngest were 4, 4, and 6. No need to have a stroller for the airport or resort, and didn't want to deal with a stroller on the buses.

 

[yaya74]

My reason of renting a double stroller is that I rarely use a stroller at home for my kids... 8 and 4. But there is a lot of walking at Disney and the summer heat will make the walk even miserable for my kids. Thus we are renting... HOWEVER, if you have one at home and you want to bring it, go ahead, save some $$ and have a great trip!!!

 

[quagmire0]

We rent because we don't own a double stroller, and sometimes the older kids (that can still fit) need a break. Our first year we brought our Sit 'N Stand and it was an absolute BEAST when two kids were riding on it. Very hard to move/maneuver. The nice thing about the outside rental companies is they rent top of the line models that handle like a luxury car. We actually use the double and our Graco at the parks. Youngest usually rides in the Graco and then the double is there for the older kids. Graco helps in the airport with the youngest, who is usually in the crawling/toddler stage.

 

[Minnesota!]

No need for stroller outside the park, for us, so no need to bring it.

 

[maxiesmom]

It seems like a lot of people rent strollers, either from Disney or one of the outside companies, and I was wondering why. We're planning on bringing our folding double stroller, and we'll be able to use it while traveling and we can check it easily at the gate so it's really no bother. What's the appeal of renting?

Are you planning on using the Disney buses? Then you need to make sure it is one that can fold easily, and one that one person can stand and hold on to without a struggle. There is more standing space than seats on the buses, so odds are at some point your family will be standing on a bus. Meaning someone will have to be able to stand, hold the stroller, and some stuff while the other adult helps the little ones stand. And be able to hold all of your stuff at the same time.

 

[Misha72683]

We don't own a double. Other than Disney, we've never had much need. Even if we did, our car was packed to the gills and we wouldn't have had room for one. It was much easier/more convenient to rent one.

 

[rg35]

We have triplets. For our first trip we brought a folding double and single stroller because they were only 4 years old and wanted them for the airport, etc.

For the next two trips, we rented two double strollers from Disney because we were no longer using strollers at home. One for the girls to share and one for our son who is big for his age. The Disney strollers are really the only ones suitable for "bigger" kids. I know some folks seem to frown upon using strollers for kids that seem too old for them, but it definitely helps to have a more enjoyable day in the parks when your kids aren't exhausted from walking miles in the heat.

This year we will not be renting strollers. This is the first year they'll have to do their own walking, so it will definitely be a transition year as far as seeing how they adapt to that and we plan on taking it easier in the parks compared to other years.

 

[Atilley]

We are renting this year for 2 reasons. One we don't own a double and don't need one on a regular basis. Two we are driving with seven people in one vehicle. I'm not even sure where the luggage is going to go at this point. To add a stroller to pack on top of the luggage would just be too much of a hassle for us at this point.

 

[mcjaco]

Our kids (4 YO), had outgrown the umbrollers we bought. We rarely use strollers when home, but know that they'll either want to be carried of ride on our shoulders if we don't have one for WDW. We're renting the first day to see how it goes. If they don't use it, then we don't need to rent the rent the rest of the trip. And we won't have to pack one!

 

[Nancyg56]

We rented because we don't need one at home. For the few days we wanted to use one in Disney there was no way I was dragging a double around. Just leaving it at the stroller return as we walked back to the bus was worth every penny to me. Many times we never even got that far, you would be surprised how many parents were pretty darn happy to accept a free stroller as we were leaving.