Hi everyone,
We are taking our first trip to Disneyworld in June and my 2 daughters will be 5 and 8 years old at the time. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on strollers, preferably the umbrella style that I can use while we are there. I have looked into the option of renting a double stroller for the week we are there but even with a "discount" it will cost $31.00 per day ($217 for the week). I would much rather buy my own and then resell them or even donate them after the trip. My girls should be able to do some walking but I know my girls all too well and for our sanity and enjoyment we are going to need at least one to survive. Another reason I would rather buy then rent is b/c the rental strollers have to be returned in the park and from what I have been reading on Disney's Moms Panel, the time you most need a stroller is at the end of a very long day getting back to hotel, etc... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I realize that my girls are probably going to be over the weight limit for most strollers that would even cost less then $200 but I am willing to take that risk for a week of use at DW.
Thanks for the overwhelming response, I will probably take at least one umbrella stroller for the girls and make due with that. I really appreciate the specific recommendations on strollers that have a higher weight limit b/c there are so many out there. What I don't appreciate is the few that seem to think my daughters must be "impaired" just because they might not be up to walking around for hours on end given their ages. Let's try to remember each child is different and that I believe most of us are looking for supportive advice on this site. I find this forum to be a wealth of knowledge and thank you for taking the time to answer!!!
S. - I've had good luck with Maclaren strollers. If you are just looking for one week of use, you might try searching craigslist for a double umbrella stroller.
We went to Disney World in Sept. and my 8 year old had no problem walking. I was a little concerned about Epcot, but he never complained! We were also there with a number of cousins and the 5 year old didn't use a stroller on a daily basis, just at Epcot. He used an umbrella stoller that they just took out either to Epcot, or if we were planning to be out very late. Maybe you could just take one and they could trade on and off if needed since the strollers are kind of a pain there!
Hi S.- I highly recommend Maclaren strollers! The Volo is a great umbrella stroller, and has a strap on the back so you can just sling it over your shoulder if you want to carry it. It's super light weight, and the back is mesh, which is nice in the Florida heat! Another thing we love about our Maclaren is that the handles are high enough so that you don't need to hunch over to push it.
They are definitely worth the cost, and when you are done, there is certainly a market for used Maclarens on craigslist!
Have fun!
The Maclaren Volo can hold children up to 55 lbs. I just bought one on Craigslist last week, and saw some more on there today for a good price.
Hi, S. - Sorry for the delayed response, but we just returned from Walt Disney World on Sunday. I am also a member of the Disney mom's club. It was our fourth trip with the kids since 2005. My children are 5 and 8. You are right - it is a lot of walking especially for kids. I tried to find a suitable stroller to buy before we left, but could not find anything that would work. We did great without a stroller the first few days, but as the week went on, the kids started walking slower, and my husband and I were getting tired of carrying a backpack full of spare clothes and precautionary rain gear. We rented a double stroller at Magic Kingdom on our 6th day. It was well worth the $31. The kids did not ride in it constantly during the day, but the backpack did! My 5 year old was SO happy to get to sit and relax for a while. My eight year old stood on the front of the stroller and pretended to be in a parade! Regardless of what other posters here have said, it is not uncommon to see 5 - 10 year olds taking a break in strollers at WDW. Most welcome the chance to rest. As far as getting to your hotel at the end of a long day, a stroller can sometimes be more trouble than help. If you are staying at a Disney resort and taking Disney transportation, I would advise against your own stroller. The rental strollers can be taken almost all the way to the exit gates of the parks. On the Disney buses, children must be removed from strollers and strollers folded up for transport. So at the end of a long day, you're not only holding tired kids, but also dealing with folding up and carrying a stroller on a crowded standing room only bus. At most Disney resorts, the transportation system does not let you off too far from the rooms. Hope this helps, and have fun!
hi we like the maclaren triumph. it wasnt cheap but its great and lightweight and has a shoulder strap so that when not in use you can easily carry it. i must tell you though that disney's park strollers are great! they have a double that is so easy to push and the kids can lay in it. my five year old took a nap in it! the walk after returning the strollers is minimal at the magic kingdom anyway and i'd imagine the same. and you arent allowed to have an open stroller on the disney buses,boats or trams. (if you are staying on disney property. i personally would not want to have to carry around a stroller. my advice would be to use the disney strollers.
A stroller for a 5 and 8 year old? I think they are way above the age for that. If they are physically impaired in any way, then go for it. But I was at Disney World in 2008 and most of the children at that age were walking just fine. My children would have been embarrassed to be seen in something like that at that age.
What about a wagon? Maybe even buy one when you are down there. I'm sure they have something you could rent at Disney.
dear S., i am not sure where you are located but there is a very picky resale shop w/ nice, nice stuff. its called once upon a child, it is located in highland, across the street from old navy. they might have a double stroller for cheap, or watch in the paper. i found my graco double stroller in the paper last summer for $40 bucks! awesome deal. or check out other 2nd hand stores. goodwill, or salvation army. its an idea. hope it helps
C.
I LOVE the Maclaren Volo. Its about $99, but really really easy to push, has a carrying strap and is really lightweight, weight limit is 55lbs, which is the highest I could find and even has a little basket underneath. I'm sure you wouldn't have a problem reselling them afterwards, I would have bought it used if I could find it.
Check out the stollers for sale on Ebay. When we took our 5 yr old granddaughter to DW I bought a great one on ebay for around $70.
Unless your eight year old is incredibly petite (under 45lb), I would think she well exceeds the weight limits for a stroller. So, short of buying a stroller manufactured for a child with a physical impairment, I would not consider a stroller as an option.
If I were you, I would stop at Wal-mart on the way from the airport and buy a wagon or plan on taking frequent walking breaks at the park. Arrange your day to sit and watch parades or shows between walking and riding. Also, you can go from place to place on the train, too.
My daughter who is six has been frequenting Disney since she was one could manage walking the park by 4 with the show/parade/eating breaks.
GOOD LUCK!
Check Goodwill or Salvation Army stores. Redonating is good and you might find the right fit. You might find a wagon, as well.
We went to Disney last summer and bought two umbrellas for our 5 and 4 yr. old. Even our 8 yr. old sat in it whenever he could! We bought two Evenflo strollers at Walmart. They were only $30 each. I think the weight limit is 40lbs. (my 4 and 5 yr old are both under that), but my 8 yr old is 50-55, and it was fine. These strollers were perfect for our trip, I'd definitely recommend them!
T.
My recommendation is Maclaren as well. The weight limit is 55 lbs. I'm not sure about your 8 year old, mine 7 year old is right there. I understand that you're not concerned about the weight limit, but I know that when we looked for strollers most of them were 35 lbs. I would be nervous putting a 55 lb child in a stroller with 35 lb capacity.
We have the Triumph and it has a supported back with two levels (in case of naps), the Volo is a slingback. I would check craigslist if you're looking around, they are expensive.
Good luck and enjoy your trip!
Hi S.,
Check out this link:
http://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com/
They will deliver your stroller to your hotel and pick it up at no additional fee. We plan on doing this when we go because they are very nice strollers, help with sun protection and recline. They are suppose to be light weight as well and comfortable (they also have a sit and stand version for your older one), unlike the ones Disney rents, which are hard plastic. I hope this helps :) Enjoy your trip!
Jennnifer
I would suggest not using a stroller. 5 and 8 year olds are able to walk, and if they get tired there are benches and attractions that you can sit down and rest at. If your kids tire easily, take frequent sit downs. I would imagine it would be embarrassing for the 8 year old at least to sit in a baby stroller. You can talk to your kids before hand and tell them that they are big enough to go to Disney and because of such, they are big enough to walk there.
If that's not feasible for your family, then maybe a wagon?
As an aside, simply b/c you didn't get all the advice you wanted to hear doesn't mean those people aren't being supportive in trying to help. Yes, every child is different, but you ask a general question on a site full of people who don't know you. I saw women on here who have also been to DW with their children and were telling you (as people who have been where you are going) that it is possible to do it with kids the ages of your daughters without strollers. Think about that before you jump to condemn the advice you didn't want to hear.
Whatever you decide, have a great trip!
How about a wagon? I am not sure you will find an umbrella stroller that an 8 year old would feel comfortable in.
Have you looked into Baby's Away? They deliver to and pick up from your hotel room. I can't remember the cost but it was very convenient for our trip to San Diego recently. Although if you bought one, it will help you schlep your stuff through the airport. Sorry, can't recommend a model.
we were at Disney LAND last year when my girls were 5 and 8 and they had NO problem keeping up with us. No stroller needed.
we were at Disneyworld when they were 2 1/2 and almost 6 and we only used a stroller the one night we did the late night and that was only cause the younger one fell asleep and my arms were getting tired holding the sleeping kid and I came across an abandoned stroller.
You don't need a stroller if your kids are that old. You just don't.
When my youngest daughter was born, I bought at Graco umbrella stroller that was their version of the much pricier Maclaren. It had a weight limit of 45lbs, which was the highest I could find in my price range(less than $100). I knew my 4 yr old would also be using it. Five years later, I still use it occasionally, and took it to Disney as well. I had the opportunity to use a friends Maclaren and I did not like it as well as the Graco. I'm sure there is a new version of it on the market and it is around $100. It is a bit heavier than traditional, less expensive umbrella strollers, but well worth the extra money. Have a great trip!
