Stroller question....... About This Page:

[bayleesmom]

We will be traveling to DW in July and will have (2) 1 year olds and a 4 year old in our party. Does anyone have any suggestions on strollers? Should we get a double stroller for the little ones and an umbrella stroller for the 4 year old? If so....does anyone have any suggestions as to what kind would be best? The baby stroller will need to be comfy and recline . Any suggestions, pictures, etc. would be really appreciated.

[jhoshowski]

The Kolcraft Lite Sport is the size and weight of an umbrella stroller, but reclines like a larger one. The problem I noticed with my 4 year old is that his feet drag - but he is tall for his age (44 inches). So whatever you do, make sure the size of the stroller is appropriate. If you rent from Disney, the strollers are nice and big. DS9 (who is also big for his age) rode in one of the doubles part of the time with DS4 when they were 7 and 2. However, they are hard plastic and do not recline.
There are pluses to bringing your own and to renting - you will have to figure out what will work best for you. For instance, how many adults will be available to juggle kids, diaper bags, and (possibly) strollers when boarding buses or trams? If you don't have at least 4 - 5 adults, you may find renting easier, unless you will have a car and be willing to walk to it in the lots (instead of taking a tram).
I am sure lots of other Passporters will chime in with their opinions!

[GinaButtrfly]

My sister used a COMBI double stroller and was very happy with it for her two girls. I have a Chicco Umbrella stroller that I still use if my 3 yr old falls asleep in the car while I'm running errands. I have big kids and he's ok in that. I do STRONGLY SUGGEST bringing your own strollers. It was the BEST decision I made regarding my 1st Disney vacation with my boys. I loved having the stroller to keep them in one spot in the busy airports and when they fell asleep in the parks, I didn't have to remove them at the gate to give the stroller back.

[DISNEY03]

We have a graco duoglider (unsure of spelling). It is a lightweight doulble stroller that is perfect. We just took it to WDW in Sept with our 1 1/2 dd & 2 1/2ds. They recline and have double baskets for storage. We still use it and they are now almost 2 1/2 & 3 1/2. My son is very tall for his age and he still fits in it.
It was a little over $100 and worth every penny. Besides your twins, maybe you can fit the 4y/o in when he gets tired.
Good luck!

[disney_duke]

We have the luxury limo of double strollers. The Jeep tandem, I think Kolcraft makes it. It really is nice, I love it. It's kind of heavy, but that doesn't bother me. The back seat reclines and front seat has the detachable tray with steering wheel. I wouldn't go to WDW without it, we've done it three times now. It's is so incredibly helpful in the airports. Yes, it's a pain to unload all the stuff from the bottom at the end of the day, but that's only like 3 minutes of pain compared to an entire day of comfort for the kids. This past trip, we used the double for our 3 yr and 6 mos old, and rented for our 5 yr old. That worked too. I guess you'd just have to think through your days and really decide based on your projected itinerary what will work best for you.

[bayleesmom]

Thanks so much for the help.....21 days left and counting !!!!!!

[Chri5ti]

I can't comment on the doubles, but I have a combi lightweight that I bought when my DS was 4. She is the youngest of 4girls, and more than a little spoiled! I decided it was easier having a stroller than fighting with her. I like the combi because it goes to a higher weight, I think 60lbs off the top of my head. I used it when we went again when she was five, and this past May when she was 6. Although that will be the last time, she is just a little too long now! The best part is that it folds up nice, has a shoulder strap, and only weighs 9lbs. I had no problems taking it on trams because it was so light. I went to Babies R Us since they have a huge selection of strollers set up. You can go and practice folding, test weight, and even put the kids in to test how they fit.

Good luck and happy shopping!

[eff051102]

I can't comment on the double stroller either since I've been shopping for a single one, but I did find a few at Babies R Us that was a double stroller with an optional ride on back for a toddler. I think the brand name was Jovi (sp?) but it seemed real neat for 3 kids. When your 4 year old wanted a lift, they could ride on the back.

[scrapbookingmom]

Last year at Disney our children were 1, nearly 3 and nearly 6 years old. I had previously owned a tandem double and HATED it...so hard to push does not fold very small-ly hehe!! For Disney I went all out and purchased the Peg Perago Aria...it was about $289. It is awesome!! Both seats recline, has shoulder harnesses, huge storage basket, folds VERY flat and small....and weighs about 14 lbs. The tricky part about having your own stroller is getting it to the back of the bus. (yes the BACK....for some reason I still do not understand, the first people who get on the bus sit in the front...so then everyone else is bumping them with -ahem- diaper bags, kids, STROLLERS!!.....and of course they are grouchy about it...) Can you tell that is my pet peeve!!!hehe
So make sure the stroller folds FLAT. Anyway the aria actually has a handle on the side so once it is folded..you can flip it and carry it down the aisle nicely. This would be great for your twins and then you could either get an umbrella stroller for the 4 year old or wing and if he gets tired rent one. We ended up realizing that there was never a time (until night time) that all three kids wanted to ride anyway. SO you might try dealing with one and having them take turns.
Like someone mentioned...if it is only you and hubby I would only take one stroller of your own. Night time was the worst...imagine both 1 year olds are asleep so hubby is holding them and you have to get a 4 year old, 2 strollers and all of your bags on the bus!!!
Although you will probably be glad you have at least one double for the resort, waterparks, DD etc.
BTW-A driver insisted on helping us with the stroller, he slammed it shut (the wrong way) and broke off several pieces. It took months for Disney to reimburse us. So be careful if someone offers to help!!! LOL!

[Poohrabbit]

My children were 5, 7 and 9 the last time we did Disney. We rented the double stroller at each Disney park. I know it adds the expense of stroller rentals, but it is a real hassle taking your own stroller and having to fold it everytime you get on the monorail, launch, or bus. This was a lot more convenient. Now granted, your children are younger. The Disney strollers do not recline at all, but they are extremely roomy. My suggestion would be to take your own stroller and then evaluate the situation and your needs. The tandem strollers can become quite warm for the child in the back (little ventilation), or hot in the front (sunny). There are definitely tradeoffs either way.

[AbbysMom]

I second the peg prego aria twin. It is so nice to push. I would they just bring an umbrella stroller that you could fold up and hang off the back of the double one. Goto albeebaby.com they have the peg prego for $100 cheaper then anywhere else and you get free shipping. Stay away from the graco duoglider that thing is 27+lbs. Peg prego is only 14lb.

Erica

[applejenn]

We brought our own, I figured the lil one would be more comfortable in his own. Although this year is our first time flying with it, so we are going to gate check it so we have it in the airports as well