!!! PLEASE READ!!! Important News Regarding Swaps & Shares!!!

[nelep]

Snipped for space

This is incorrect. I have read over a couple of these swaps and on one the leader has raked in almost $700.

Hmmmm... If it is clear that a swap leader is doing a swap for pure profit, then by all means discontinue THAT swap. Don't just wipe out all swaps completely.

 

[DisneyTigers]

DVC members are allowed to rent out their points. Disney gives them permission in their contracts which means they aren't cheating or abusing any system.

Wouldn't the rule police be the DIS??

Well, if I am the purchaser of a stroller, then I own all rights to that stroller. Therefore, I give myself permission to rent it out! Not cheating or abusing anyone there!

In addition, of COURSE the rule police is the DIS... don't you recognize sarcasm when you see it?

 

[Bopsmom]

Wow, nothing like being on a high horse? Some people have to budget for years for a trip, saving a few hundred on a fridge and a stroller is a huge help. Some people want to take their kids when they are young enough to still believe in the "Magic"

Oh my, does this rule apply to Christmas trees too?? I was in (supplied a tree) last year and I hope this doesn't happen to that

I remember our first trip....and want to give some " for others....
As for a fridge. We rented a fridge FROM DISNEY-(they were so nice, they even installed it for us) our first trip to Contemp. and it was only $10 a day. Well worth the convenience. We kept bread, buns, PB&J and our wine to havebanana:)for when DD went to sleep. I don't think it ended up being hundreds of dollars.

I wanted him to stop and buy DD a stroller but since she was 6 he wouldn't. He wanted her to walk on her own. He made us take extra breaks or sit down when she got tired. Even my DM(78-with knee replacement)turned down renting a scooter thingy so we just took breaks instead. It turned out that she spent so much time on TOT and RRC she didn't want to hassle with the scooter.

We wanted to take DD when she could believe but DH insisted that we wait until we could afford the tripno fair.
It all worked out though. We didn't go for 2 years and then......We bought DVC and have had wonderful trips without the swaps-except the tree that I supplied.
We got DD a camera for Christmas and between her excellent skills and the PhotoPass Cards we have been happy.

I know this is upsetting but if you can't have fun at Disney--Where can you????

 

[irishbosoxfan]

What if it rains on the way down?? What if the van doesn't have a roof rack?? There has to be a reason it's not strapped to the roof and it is probably b/c it would not be safe to do it!

What if you bought a roof rack? What if you bought a car top carrier? What if you bought a bigger vehicle? What if the swappers stopped being a burden to cast members?

What if we learned that if we can't afford something then we save to get it instead of trying to circumvent the system?

Again, please see my previous post regarding the room in my van.

I'm not sure how it's the fault of the DIS or Disney for that matter that your van isn't big enough.

Nothing to do with my finances, everything to do with my convenience. I don't WANT to begin my vacation at Wal-Mart purchasing a stroller I don't need. I don't WANT to rent a Disney stroller because they are over-priced and they have no storage. I WANT to participate in a stroller-swap that will allow me to use my $15 share of a fabulous stroller week and then leave it behind.

You obviously have never participated in this, nor do you realize the how this small convenience is HUGE for those of us travelling with kids.

WANT WANT WANT

A very wise man once told me that there is a difference between "want" and "need".
If you want something then you probably don't need it

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Please! I'm very willing to spend my afternoon answering questions for those of you that have any. But could we leave the sniping comments and sarcastic staements out of this thread? They aren't doing anyone any good.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

wow... i mean really!!!! some of us like to budget our trip sand give our kids a special vacation with the benefit of not overpaying for a stroller rental or hauling a bulky double stroller from home. these swaps are comprised of good people who try very hard to help those of us save money on a stroller. to take this away is just not fair and very unsympathetic to those of us who need it!!!

Everyone wants to give their kids a special vacation and not go in debt doing it. But at the same time we have to make concessions. If you can't afford to rent a Disney stroller...bring your own. If you're not willing to do that then take breaks so the kiddos don't get worn out.

ETA: And how fair is it to others who also can't afford to rent strollers but deem them necessary and make sure their budget will allow for it?

Well, if I am the purchaser of a stroller, then I own all rights to that stroller. Therefore, I give myself permission to rent it out! Not cheating or abusing anyone there!

In addition, of COURSE the rule police is the DIS... don't you recognize sarcasm when you see it?

Your example will work only if you subcontract that stroller from Disney and they approve you to sublet it.

I'll leave the second half of your response be.

 

[nelep]

Wow. Let's take it easy on each other. Why can't we all make suggestions without attacking each other? Nothing gets solved or improved if all we do is sling mud at other people's comments or ideas.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Well, I have no horse in this race myself since I never used a swap...

But, as someone who routinely rents a scooter from companies off-site, I wonder whether anyone has explored this as an alternative? I did a quick search on Google for stroller rentals in Orlando and came up with several...
for example, http://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com/ has a nice double stroller that is $85 for a week. As with scooters, the company will deliver to your resort and pickup.

I realize it's not as cheap as a swap, but as a scooter renter, I have always gotten great service and been very pleased with the quality of the equipment. And as is true for scooters, as well, the price certainly beats Disney!

 

[nelep]

please! I'm very willing to spend my afternoon answering questions for those of you that have any. But could we leave the sniping comments and sarcastic staements out of this thread? They aren't doing anyone any good.

exactly!

 

[Metsfan520]

Well, I have no horse in this race myself since I never used a swap...

But, as someone who routinely rents a scooter from companies off-site, I wonder whether anyone has explored this as an alternative? I did a quick search on Google for stroller rentals in Orlando and came up with several...
for example, http://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com/ has a nice double stroller that is $85 for a week. As with scooters, the company will deliver to your resort and pickup.

I realize it's not as cheap as a swap, but as a scooter renter, I have always gotten great service and been very pleased with the quality of the equipment. And as is true for scooters, as well, the price certainly beats Disney!

That sounds like a nice middle ground.

 

[onemaybaby]

I don't want a "cheap umbrella stroller." I want a heavy duty one that will stand up to the rigors of park touring and that has a big spot to store my crap.

The wheels would probably fall off during the first few days
not to mention, anyone who did not drive would have a problem getting to purchase one. I believe some air carriers allow this for free, some do not so if you've booked an airline already that could be an added expense.

I am so saddened to see the latest RESTRICTION on the DIS. Although I understand the explanation, I must respectfully disagree with the policy.

The DIS is a community of people who share their enthusiasm for Disney. It works because most people here take pride in helping others through their experience and personal advice. The Budget Board has become a place I visit daily for ways to save money and opportunities to help my fellow DISers.

I cannot think of a better way for a group of people to come together to save a few dollars (and the hassle of transporting a large stroller) than a stroller swap.

As long as the DIS is perfectly clear that they are not responsible for any of these swaps, I see no reason to discontinue all of them. If swap participants are willing to take part at their own risk, why prohibit the swaps? It is clear to me that swap leaders are NOT making money on these swaps. Stroller swaps, in particular, could not continue long term if a small DONATION is prohibited. In the case of the Royal Carriage Swap, this DONATION is used to maintain the strollers and nothing else. 100's of DISers have participated in this swap alone. I am disheartened that the DISboards has shut the swap down. There is no way it can continue without the DONATIONS of participants.

I hope that you will reconsider your decision given the popularity of swaps with DISers. Perhaps a separate Swap Board would be appropriate with strict guidelines about donations for long term swaps.

I think this is really well written, and I completely agree.

And like a PP said, cheap umbrella strollers are CRAP. Also like someone said, this is just a liablity thing, I'm sure.

Also, a VERY good point: what about the DVC points for rent???? My gosh, there's a whole separate board devoted to that!!!!! Better remove those threads immediately b/c money changes hands... or I'll call the "rule police"!

Why not set up a moderated board for swaps? there seems to be enough public outcry here to justify the resources! Either money changing hands is ok or its not. I just don't see how it is fair to apply the rule to one situation and not the other. If you are going to provide for one group to do it, it should be provided for everyone.

I also agree with this.

What if, what if, what if....

Bottom line, if people are not in a financial situation to spend the extra money to buy a stroller or bring one, then they need to rethink spending the money on their vacation. Bring what you need, rent it down there or buy it down there.

does this mean that anytime you need something EVER you never try to get a better deal on it? I most definately can afford the vacation I am about to take, but it is because I watch how I spend my money at home and on vacation. I am also am watching how I spend my money on vaction by booking in at POP, not the Grand Floridian (no offence to those who are staying there, I just don't have money for that, although I am completely jealous) I am buying my kids T-shirts here instead of the park, I am clipping coupons now to save money, etc. etc. This is how I can afford to go on vacation. Bottom line, if it meant that I would have to spend the $$$ to purchase a stroller now or not go on my vacation obviously I am still going to go on vacation. However, I am going to have to find a way to save extra money before than, maybe that means cutting out MNSSHP or something. What I am trying to say is that not all people involved in the stroller swaps are in a financial situation where we cannot afford to go on a vacation.

 

[INDISMOM]

Well, I have no horse in this race myself since I never used a swap...

But, as someone who routinely rents a scooter from companies off-site, I wonder whether anyone has explored this as an alternative? I did a quick search on Google for stroller rentals in Orlando and came up with several...
for example, http://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com/ has a nice double stroller that is $85 for a week. As with scooters, the company will deliver to your resort and pickup.

I realize it's not as cheap as a swap, but as a scooter renter, I have always gotten great service and been very pleased with the quality of the equipment. And as is true for scooters, as well, the price certainly beats Disney!

We did this when we took our daughter when she was 2. I wasn't as Disney savvy as I am now and I just figured we would rent a stoller at the park. When we saw the prices, we asked the front desk about options and they suggested a company that delivered the stoller to the resort. We ordered it that morning, and by the time we came back for an afternoon nap the stoller was at the front desk.

 

[disneyagogo]

I wanted to echo Debbie Jean's recommendation to explore Orlando rental options. I used "A Baby's Best Friend" for a client last summer who needed a sit and stand stroller. The prices are much more reasonable than Disney and the stroller is delivered and picked up from your hotel.

Another suggestion that Len Testa put forward in the latest Mousesavers newsletter is to order a stroller from Amazon or other online broker and have it delivered to your hotel for much cheaper than renting from Disney. Aka-mad4themouse has made it clear that if anyone wanted to pass their stroller on to someone else WITHOUT taking money, that they are welcome to post that on the board.

disneyagogo

 

[Green Tea]

Nothing to do with my finances, everything to do with my convenience. I don't WANT to begin my vacation at Wal-Mart purchasing a stroller I don't need. I don't WANT to rent a Disney stroller because they are over-priced and they have no storage. I WANT to participate in a stroller-swap that will allow me to use my $15 share of a fabulous stroller week and then leave it behind.

You obviously have never participated in this, nor do you realize the how this small convenience is HUGE for those of us travelling with kids.

I don't WANT a lot of things, but I do them because i am a grown up and i have to- Laundry, diapers, cleaning up from a kid with the throw ups.

If you want a stroller, bring it, buy it, or rent it.

Honestly, Disney World existed and people had nice vacations long before the advent of these very strange swaps.

 

[lfwhipp]

i would love to see a good thing come out of this, there has to be a middle ground for those of us who still wish to participate in the swaps. if the Dis decides to keep this decisiont he way it is, thats ok, i will abide by the rules and regulations of the forum, its what i signed on for and there is so much the Dis has to offer, i just really wish they would reconisider another option, similar to what was already brought up about a moderated area with a disclaimer.

 

[anne2675]

Why not go to Walmart and buy a cheapie stroller?

The stroller swaps offered a much nicer stroller for the same price as a cheapie Walmart one.

 

[Metsfan520]

The stroller swaps offered a much nicer stroller for the same price as a cheapie Walmart one.

Well, then here is another option.

Well, I have no horse in this race myself since I never used a swap...

But, as someone who routinely rents a scooter from companies off-site, I wonder whether anyone has explored this as an alternative? I did a quick search on Google for stroller rentals in Orlando and came up with several...
for example, http://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com/ has a nice double stroller that is $85 for a week. As with scooters, the company will deliver to your resort and pickup.

I realize it's not as cheap as a swap, but as a scooter renter, I have always gotten great service and been very pleased with the quality of the equipment. And as is true for scooters, as well, the price certainly beats Disney!

 

[Firedog]

I have nothing in this, I never have participated in a swap, nor do I plan to. Just making an observation.

If it is technically just about money changing hands, would this apply?:

"Join me in supporting AllEars.net's Deb Wills Walk for Breast Cancer.
Click here for details!"

 

[Oh Hia]

Please! I'm very willing to spend my afternoon answering questions for those of you that have any. But could we leave the sniping comments and sarcastic staements out of this thread? They aren't doing anyone any good.

I just noticed your location! Oh Boy, does it ever fit today!! I do not envy you right now.

 

[EthansMom]

I for one will be happy to see a decrease in the number of swaps taking up space on this board. And I'll be happy to see a decrease in the number of people complaining because they got ripped off in a photopass share or a swap.

I know some folks consider these swaps and shares to be a way for them to add a little extra magic to their trip for a low cost. But sometimes, you save more money/time/energy by not being cheap.

It has never harmed me or my family to use a $10 umbrella stroller for our trip, to take our own photos, or to do without a refrigerator for a the length of our vacation. Frankly, if those things made THAT much of a difference in my family's ability to go on vacation, we wouldn't be going.