Bring own stroller for parks and airport?

[DisneyPhD]

Bring your own, but not a cheap umbrella one. There are many light weight folds down small ones ranging from 50 to $200. We have a combi travel savey Dx that we are happy with, but many people also like the MacClearns (higher end.) The best cheap one is is the Graco City Light. Look for a good basket, good canapy and cup holders and a bar across the front that opens and closes for easy getting in and out. For the price of rentals for a week you can get a new stroller and have it for DTD, the resort, in the parking lot and the airport. And yes gate checking the stroller is easy. Just be sure to take everything off it that can come off, I have heard many reports of stroller damage that way.

I haven't heard any reports of stroller theaft, but sometimes misplacing one. Be sure to have it easly identifed as yours (personalize some way.) As sugessted before have 2 bags, one for non important things, one for valuables and take that one with you every where. Cast members do sometimes move them, but will help you locate them after.

Another must is a rain cover for the stroller, in a pinch a clear shower curtain or poncho will work. Keep in on when you go in atractions during rainy times of days, or days when it rains on and off. You can go in a ride when it is sunny, and come out it is dumping rain. No kid wants to ride in a wet stroller.

Never rented, so I don't know but it seems like more of a pain then bringing your own. I guess with kids over 4 it might be ok.

 

[lamarvenoy]

We always take our stroller. We have a big stroller with tons of storage and we use it like a mule. Our stroller is also the one our baby is comfortable with so he is more comfortable and in a better mood. With all the padding and eating tray and sunshield and rain canopy it is literally a moving baby station. I feel that a happy baby translates out to a less stressful vacation for everybody :animwink:

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

A small, lightweight, folding stroller is the ideal solution. NEVER leave your valuables ANYWHERE, especially on an unattended stroller. My best advice is to leave a small bag (or even a luggage label) on the handles when you go to a ride / show, for ease of identification when you return

 

[cru5h]

I've found that if you bring your own umbrella stroller it's very easy to carry, load and unload and easy to navigate through the crowds. But then I had 2 children and thought bringing my enormous double stroller would be a grand idea. I'm still kicking myself. Honestly, it was a pain in the butt. Getting it on the tram in the parking lot *screams* getting it off, getting the kids into it after unfolding it - trying to fold it back later on after walking for 10 hours. The Ferry was ok but I felt kind of like a jerk for bringing this massive stroller on the Monorail, though no one said anything or gave me looks. So the next time we decided to rent a stroller. That was so much easier and the kids can just jump out when you hit an attraction. We hung a bright green visor on the handle of the stroller so we'd be able to pick ours out in the mess of them in Fantasyland. Just a thought. Some people are totally not bothered by the mechanics and weight of their strollers. I'm a whiner though...

 

[kknopp]

We just got back from Disney and didn't think to take a stroller for our 4 year old. BIG MISTAKE. He was tired by noon and wanting to go back and relax at the hotel pool :lol:

We rented strollers. Not having to haul an extra thing in and out of the parks is a big convenience. There were also no worries about having your own lost or stolen or beat to heck from slamming them around all day. We had no problems renting or returning them. Of course, it's the slow time of year right now.

While I'm sure theft isn't the norm, I'm a little leery about leaving anything expensive in the stollers. Food, diapers, ponchos and other park paraphenalia should be fine. I wouldn't worry a second about leaving that sort of thing around. There are cast members all around, and I'm sure it would rouse their attention if there were people looking in multiple strollers, taking things out, which is probably why theives don't bother.

The only benefit I can think of to bringing you own is saving the $8 rental fee. If money isn't the issue.... I say rent.