Yet another Stroller thread

[buggy2727]

Our family is going to WDW early May and we have DS (8), DD (6) & DD (4). We don't really use a stroller but after reading on here a bit, figured we should probably rent one. I'm not too concerned about DS but both DD's would probably benefit. Any reason I should not spend the extra and get a double?? Are the double's harder to navigate through the parks / crowds, fold up for bus travel, etc? I never had a side by side so pardon the silly question.

I've read that most people use Orlando, Magic or Apple Strollers and seem to have positive feedback - anyone see any reason to use one of these companies over the other?

I'm guessing I should spring for insurance, just in case?? And what about extra's - do I need to order a rain poncho or parent tray (or whatever they are called), anything else??

Finally for the double's, how is the storage underneath? I'm thinking of our 5 ponchos, the strollers poncho, a small bag of necessities such as tissues, wipes, sunscreen... maybe even sweatshirts and some small snacks....

Thanks for hanging in there

 

[disneycraz]

We went in December with a 2 and 4 yr old. We rented two single strollers from Apple Stroller Rental. We just figured it would be easier for the bus and also navigating around the park. I believe we made the right decision of 2 singles. We also took the insurance, I was mostly concerned of the strollers being stolen. They provided rain covers for the strollers. We had no issues, the strollers were there when we arrived at our resort, and then we dropped them off at the required time on our last day.

 

[disneycraz]

maybe we used Orlando Stroller, I really don't remember. I know the strollers were gray with orange. Sorry I wasn't much help..

 

[AshleeH]

If you're renting one from Disney, you can't leave the parks with them. They don't fold - they're the hard molded plastic.

If you use a different stroller rental company, we like Orlando Stroller. They deliver it to the hotel and pick it up on your last day. The one we rented came with a cupholder and pockets. Storage was standard.

I would personally rent a single - your two little ones could take turns. Our younger son was four when we first went to Disney and he used his stroller quite a bit (this is a child who is very active - in-shape and does tae kwon do, but Disney exhausts him with 5+ miles of walking per day). The last trip we got him one to use to and from MK (we stayed in BLT) and at the end of the day, when he was worn out and DH would've had to carry him on his shoulders, this was when the stroller came in handy.

It's a hot button issue here (for reasons I don't understand), but you know your kids and you know what will make for a pleasant trip. We've never had a temper tantrum on vacation and I credit the stroller for part of the reason it's never happened. Happy kids = happy parents .

 

[mrsp1030]

If you rent the city mini, it has a great sunshade and our basket will fit quite a bit. We used an extra poncho as a rain cover last time. Also, it holds up to 100lbs so once last year our 6.5 year old and the 4 year old were in the single stroller together at the end of the day.

 

[buggy2727]

If you're renting one from Disney, you can't leave the parks with them. They don't fold - they're the hard molded plastic.

If you use a different stroller rental company, we like Orlando Stroller. They deliver it to the hotel and pick it up on your last day. The one we rented came with a cupholder and pockets. Storage was standard.

I would personally rent a single - your two little ones could take turns. Our younger son was four when we first went to Disney and he used his stroller quite a bit (this is a child who is very active - in-shape and does tae kwon do, but Disney exhausts him with 5+ miles of walking per day). The last trip we got him one to use to and from MK (we stayed in BLT) and at the end of the day, when he was worn out and DH would've had to carry him on his shoulders, this was when the stroller came in handy.

It's a hot button issue here (for reasons I don't understand), but you know your kids and you know what will make for a pleasant trip. We've never had a temper tantrum on vacation and I credit the stroller for part of the reason it's never happened. Happy kids = happy parents .

I've read some older posts and this topic does seem cause quite a stir sometimes! Our children are very active and we haven't used a stroller in a looong time... However being in WDW for 5 days with little legs, it's a nice insurance policy. We weren't going to bring or rent one but after reading some other people's experiences, we are thinking it may be a nice to have. I have thought about only getting one for the last 3 days of our trip as the first day or two they should be able to "leg" it out.

 

[mco65]

You only have to carry a sleeping 3 or 4 year old back to the Hotel from the parks once to know that a stroller is a MUST for toddlers..

 

[marivigi]

I found it easier to have 2 singles

Doubles are harder to navigate, wont work inside many stores because they dont fit through the aisles, and are a hassle on crowded buses.

also, having 2 singles gives the adults more flexibility if one kid needs a potty break, or if 2 kids are going on a ride and the smallest isnt, etc...

 

[luvmy2babies]

I haven't rented a double as my 2 are almost 7 years apart, but I was just wanted to say definitely get the insurance if you rent from an outside company. It's $20 or $25 for Orlando Strollers, which is the company I have used, but if the stroller is lost or "taken by accident" you'll owe the company the retail price on a new one.

Rain cover is included like another poster said and Orlando Stroller is currently including a cooler to hold drinks that you get to keep.

 

[AshleeH]

I've read some older posts and this topic does seem cause quite a stir sometimes! Our children are very active and we haven't used a stroller in a looong time... However being in WDW for 5 days with little legs, it's a nice insurance policy. We weren't going to bring or rent one but after reading some other people's experiences, we are thinking it may be a nice to have. I have thought about only getting one for the last 3 days of our trip as the first day or two they should be able to "leg" it out.

It's a good idea to think of all the options. One additional option could be to see how they do and then rent one in the parks if they need it.

 

[North of Mouse]

Doubles are definitely harder to navigate in the parks and on the Disney transportation. The 4 year old for sure would need a stroller IMO. I would bring a single, then occasionally let the 6 yr. old take a break in it while the 4 year old walks.

 

[JillShari]

We just got back and I have an 8 and 4. We rented a double for all but Hollywood Studios. That park they could both walk. And we didn't do Animal Kingdom. I knew we'd get a double because I didn't want to end up carrying one kid or having meltdowns about the lack of seats for both of them!

We rented the one from Disney because we didn't want to schlep one on and off transportation and I knew both kids would be fine with the distances from the park entrances to the buses and also from the bus to the hotel room.

The fact that it was hard plastic was fine...and easily fit my 8 year old in it. I wasn't sure if any of the others would really fit him realistically.

We used it mainly for large walks... in the magic kingdom.... from the stroller rental to the land we were heading to. Once in the land, we left it somewhere and went back to it. Epcot it was invaluable.

The only time it was hard to use was in the Magic Kingdom after all the night spectacles.... it was a very crowded main street... but I actually felt safer knowing my kids were in the stroller and not being lost in the crowd. So, I would say it was very convenient...and it must have worked too because neither of them complained the entire time about their feet hurting too much to continue!

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

Little kids are just that. Little! Full days at the park are hard. Even for adults. If you're kiddos would benefit from a stroller ride, get one. Happy kids make for a happy trip. Tired grumpy kids. Well we know how that goes. Lol.

Even if you park it at each land and then just use it to get from one land to another and for breaks rest time.

My daughter napped in our britax b ready every day on our last Disneyland trip. Granted she was 15 mos old and still very young. But still. Trips with out strollers are NOT anywhere in our near future. Lol.

 

[Lisa71]

We found the city mini that you rent easy to use and not bad to fold on the bus. The second trip we got the elite and it was more cumbersome. This trip we are only getting one for our 7 year old son as he has CP and cannot walk long. We have a stroller for him here too. I would get the double.