Strollers:buy or rent ?

kathyjacks

kathyjacks

New Member
Hi ,
i have an 7 year old and a 5 year old and I really want to use a stroller at our 10days at wdw . I am looking for a double that will hold at least 60 pds . I know my older one might not use it but we went to the zoo recently and he was misserable walking in the heat all day and pooped upon leaving so it will be a must for the 5 year old and a good if he needs it seat for the older child. i thought I might get out cheaper buying one but I can't find weight restrictions on them? DOes anyone know onw that will h0old both children. my 5 year old is about 40 pds. I am looking at twin or tandem strollers.:dazzle:
 
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WTBAD

WTBAD

Active Member
Being strickly selfish, I say, "Rent when you get to the Parks." However, alot depends on how your traveling. Getting a stroller thru an airport can be more headache then its worth. Also they have to be folded to get on the bus and they takeup standing room. You will be more likely to get a seat on a standing room only bus if your holding the little one & not a stroller. Another considerations is where your staying. Can the kids manage the walking around the resort? Where is your room in relation to the FC & bus stops? The times we had tots, we brought a stroller with us. It was a pain but a cost savings. I hope this helps you.
 
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kathyjacks

kathyjacks

New Member
Original Poster
WTBAD said:
Being strickly selfish, I say, "Rent when you get to the Parks." However, alot depends on how your traveling. Getting a stroller thru an airport can be more headache then its worth. Also they have to be folded to get on the bus and they takeup standing room. You will be more likely to get a seat on a standing room only bus if your holding the little one & not a stroller. Another considerations is where your staying. Can the kids manage the walking around the resort? Where is your room in relation to the FC & bus stops? The times we had tots, we brought a stroller with us. It was a pain but a cost savings. I hope this helps you.
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We are driving down , we are staying on site at pop century and they didn't tell me where our room was but I did pay extra for preferred room closer to the bus stop.I am having trouble finding one to hold the older one though. thanks for the suggestions.
 
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Yellow Shoes

Yellow Shoes

Well-Known Member
Sorry to rain on your parade, but your kids are waaaaay too old for strollers. Mine would have been humiliated to be seen in strollers at that age. School-aged kids sitting in strollers with their knees in their ears is a not a pretty sight.

Here's the deal: If your kids are tired, it's time to stop. If you are really honest with yourself, you are ready for a break as well.

It will be hot, and everyone will need frequent breaks. You should plan on going back to the resort for a mid-day swim. (Believe me, the kids will think it is the highlight of the trip).

A slower pace is what you do when you have kids. Since you will be there for 10 days, you should not have to rush around.
 
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TINKERLOR

TINKERLOR

New Member
Get a grip - wow, I will have my 7 year old and an almost 4 year old in a double stroller and it is an absolute lifesaver. My 7 year old is not embarrassed and my 7 year old doesn't have his knees up to his ears. Disney double strollers are big enough to fit both kids. Plus it is much easier keeping track of both of them if they are in the stroller. Yes, a 7 year old may be old, but, I get tired walking around the park all day, so I can't even imagine how my kids feel. Get a double stroller - lots of parents rent strollers for older kids.
 
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dash

dash

Member
Use a Stroller even for big kids. Soo what

Do not listen to people how say your kids are to old for strollers. I have used a stroller when my son was 4,5 and this year when I go he will be 6 and he will ride in a stroller.
He might not fit to well or looks funny but its allot of walking no matter how many breaks you take. Late at night leaving the Magic Kingdome waiting to get on the monorail the stroller will save your life.
Just people like to think that everyone with strollers are rude.
 
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Nicole

Nicole

Well-Known Member
Absolutely buy the stroller. Not only will it save you $18 a day in rental fees for the Disney stroller, but it gives you a place to keep your stuff, and when your kids need it (which they will) they can sit down. Get one without a front tray/bar so that they can just hop in and out.

You'll see lots of big kids in strollers, and at park closing it's a lifesaver to know that they are still with you. Trying to hold their hands while carrying other things in that mass of people is tough. Take a big tote bag to put everything in when you fold up the stroller for the trams and busses.
 
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shari71

shari71

New Member
On our last trip we had a 5 and 2 year old in a Maclaren. At the time I bought it said if could hold 55 lbs on each side. Now they don't say that...and with good reason. Ours had trouble the entire trip because their weight caused the main support beam to bend. One was only 35 lbs. and the other was 40 lbs. Not even close to what they had stated when I bought it.

Now I have the same problem. It doesn't matter how old they are, there is a lot of walking. My oldest walks a lot but also like to sit when we are walking from one edge of the park to another....especially Animal Kingdom. She even fell asleep a few times this last trip as we were leaving the parks. That makes it easier than carrying a child or harping at them to move faster.

I am contemplating using plain ole umbrella strollers this year and us having to push two. Our next trip they will be 5 and 3 and the next one after that 6 and 3, so they still need to be pushed some.

I just can't spend $18 a day on rentals, when I can buy cheap ones and throw them away. I bought the Maclaren and hoped to get 3 years out of it, but alas, only got 2.

The only other ones that I have found to hold this weight is joggers and they are just way to big to break down easily for buses. If anyone finds a good one, post it!
 
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tigsmom

tigsmom

Well-Known Member
TINKERLOR said:
Get a grip - wow, I will have my 7 year old and an almost 4 year old in a double stroller and it is an absolute lifesaver. My 7 year old is not embarrassed and my 7 year old doesn't have his knees up to his ears. Disney double strollers are big enough to fit both kids. Plus it is much easier keeping track of both of them if they are in the stroller. Yes, a 7 year old may be old, but, I get tired walking around the park all day, so I can't even imagine how my kids feel. Get a double stroller - lots of parents rent strollers for older kids.
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We had kids older than 7 in the stroller! We had rented one for the younger kids, but at the end of a long day the older ones were riding too and were not the least bit embarrassed, they fell asleep! The double strollers you rent can hold quite a bit of weight. :lol:
 
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jvenegas

jvenegas

Member
Every time I have visited the World with my little one, I have always taken my own stroller.

At the end of the day, when the kids are tired from a day's worth of fun, you won't have to carry them all the way to your room:eek: because you had to leave the rented stroller at the park.

And believe me, if your 5 year old is about 40 pounds, he'll seem more like 80 when you have to carry him, asleep:snore: ., all the way back.

Anyway, no matter what you decide, do have fun and enjoy your vacation!!
 
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Y

ypcat

Member
Your kids are old enough that they probably don't need a stroller out in the real world, but at Disney, they probably do. So, you would be buying a stroller specifically for the trip. I'd probably rent a stroller. You can get a double stroller for your length of stay for $16/day. From there you can figure out where the break even point is for buying one or renting.
 
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O

orangewarrior

New Member
You've got to know what is best for your children. We only have one and we've been there three times in the last three years. In 2003, she was 3 - turning 4 on our trip. In 2004, she was 5. And going early in the year in 2005, she was 5 1/2.

We took a stroller each time. The first year we used it quite a bit, but we made sure she walked some too, but the stroller was a great place to store things as well.

The second trip, we only let her in the stroller when she seemed tired. But we almost always had the stroller with us.

The final time, the stroller never came out of the van.

However, in the months leading up to our trips, we took 3 or 4 family walks per week, so that we would ALL be prepared for the heavy walking that you do at Disney. We also took many afternoon breaks, either for sleep or at the pool.

Again, there are a lot of good suggestions in this thread, but there isn't one precise definite answer. You've got to know what is best for your situation.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip.
 
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Heatherbell

Heatherbell

Active Member
I agree with the whole stroller thing, a seven year old may not need it on a normal day to day basis but in Disney they will. Jeepers, if theymade strollers big enough for me I'd have my husband push me around in one, LOL.

My two cents...rent. So much more convenient, you don't have to lug it anywhere and your kids are old enough that at the end of the night they can walk to/from buses or the car. It's not cost efficient but convenient. Plus they are decent sized, durable, and will fit your kids rather comfortably.
 
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Yellow Shoes

Yellow Shoes

Well-Known Member
Perhaps the very best advice yet.....

orangewarrior said:
However, in the months leading up to our trips, we took 3 or 4 family walks per week, so that we would ALL be prepared for the heavy walking that you do at Disney. We also took many afternoon breaks, either for sleep or at the pool.
Click to expand...
 
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