Yet another stroller question

[Shortcake27]

I have been lurking here and had a couple of questions. We are going to WDW in September with my 2 year old dd (will be almost three) and my 9 month old son. Right now we are slinging the baby (pretty much exclusively, he hates the stroller) and using a maclaren (don't remember the model, an older one) with dd. So the question is, do I buy another single (we will have ample hands with dh, my mom, my step-dad, and I), or buy a double (which one maclaren twin rally, twin techno, or mountain buggy)? We are using disney transportation (buses from ft wilderness). I know the mountain buggy might be bigger but it also might be nice to have around home for longer brisk walks. What is your advice?

Thanks,
Shannon

 

[MikeWD]

I have to be honest -- after having taken several trips where we brought our own stroller from home with us, I have become a big fan of renting one in the parks.

We always had quite a time on the buses trying to carry everything (including 2 very tired tikes). Given that, at times, the buses were standing room only, having to worry about a stroller was a big pain.

Another issue is that we didn't have to worry so much about our stroller being damaged, stolen, or weathered by the occasional downpour. The hard plastic strollers dry quicker, and if someone takes it, you just have to take your receipt back to the stroller counter to get a replacement. When you are done with it, turn it in. If going to another park, you just show your receipt from that day and you can get another there. Far more convenient -- althouth admittedly a bit pricey.

Good luck!

 

[jj1403]

I would bring your own. With a 9 month old the rentals won't be very confortable... Your little one wouldn't be able to recline for name plus it would really offer him much support.

 

[kizmac]

My advice is to take your Mac and buy another single stroller since you have enough hands. It will be easier getting on the bus with the singles. We took two singles last year instead of our double and it was much better. Singles are easier to push around the park too. The rental strollers are great for older kids but not at all comfortable for younger kids that may nap. Unless you are planning on more kids, I would skip the double since your other child is almost three. The mountain buggy...I take it is a jogging stroller? I don't think it would be much fun fighting on the buses with it. JMO

Does your Mac recline? If it does, you may consider using that for the 9 month old and getting the Mac Volo for only $99 for the 3 yr old to use. Our Volo was great on our Disney trip for our 3 yr old. It doesn't recline but the position of the seat was good enough for them to catch a snooze in. If you want to drop some cash on a new single....I LOVE the Peg Pliko P3 and it has the foot pegs on the back which will come in handy for the older child to hop on in future trips when they are old enough to not need a stroller full time. P3 has the umbrella fold (which rocks for getting on the buses) and snack tray and the canopy is wonderful! It will completely cover the baby if you want.

Slings are great and I used mine a lot at Disney when I took my 9 month old! Have a great trip!

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Ditto kizmac.
We took a double in the same situation as you - don't do it, it's horrible on the bus. Same for any of the enormous strollers. I've used a sling to help carry a 3 year old too and one year the hiking child carrier packpack worked. I can't bring myself to rent a stroller when for about the same cost for the week, I can own the Volo with a 55# weight capacity. My favorite was to alternate kids in one (Peg Perego, which we've now outgrown by weight) stroller with the sling as backup, but if you'll get enough use out of another stroller, go for it. If the Pliko had the foot board for older kids when mine were the ages of yours, I might have bought it. Now I'm using only the Volo in which my DD 5 and DS 7 take turns. The one thing you will get the most use out of at WDW and home is the stroller - buy what you'll use and don't skimp.

 

[wisconsinmom]

I'm glad you asked this question. I am debating about taking our double stroller of buying two new light weight single strollers. What to do

 

[kizmac]

I'm glad you asked this question. I am debating about taking our double stroller of buying two new light weight single strollers. What to do

I've done the double stroller at Disney several times. I prefer two singles, but we have 4 adults and two teenagers in our group so I have a lot of stroller pushers if needed. If it is just you and DH and your kids are young, the double may be the better option. For instance, it would be more of a PITA on the bus with a big double stroller, BUT so would only having two adults and two single strollers and having to take take of two kids while on the bus. In that case, I would opt for DH to struggle with the double stroller while I took the kids. It also depends heavily on how old your kids are.

 

[cruisinpan55]

TWO SINGLES!!! Double stollers on a buss full of crowded people coming back from the parks is not fun. Good luck and have a wonderful trip.