Double Stroller or 2 Strollers?!

[disneydad7281231]

We will be making our first trip with 2 kids in a couple weeks. A 4.5 years old and a 1 year old. We will also be bringing my in-laws to help with the 1 year old.

We have numerous strollers and are trying to decide what the best option is so I figure try to gather some experiences.

We are planning to either take one double side by side stroller or 2 separate strollers. The idea behind two strollers is that IF my in-laws decide to take a break or rest with out 1 year old then they will have an easy to manage stroller to use. My older son used the stroller a TON when he was 2.5 but I have no idea how much he will use one this time.

My concerns:
- Having a huge side by side stroller to navigate crowds and get on and off busses.
- In-laws not being able to handle the big stroller if they are going to take the little one.
- Not sure if my 1 year old will even like being in a stroller because we don't use them that often lol

Ultimately... Are side by side strollers difficult in Disney (feel like I see them a ton)? Have you ever tried 2 kids in 2 separate strollers?

THANKS!

 

[lowlight]

I’ve had this debate myself a few times. Two single strollers have their benefits which you listed. Ultimately, the deciding factor for me was- what if my wife needs to go somewhere alone, now I’m stuck pushing two strollers myself. You have help so it won’t be that big of a deal. When strollers get moved, it would be annoying to have to search for two also.

 

[disneydad7281231]

I’ve had this debate myself a few times. Two single strollers have their benefits which you listed. Ultimately, the deciding factor for me was- what if my wife needs to go somewhere alone, now I’m stuck pushing two strollers myself. You have help so it won’t be that big of a deal. When strollers get moved, it would be annoying to have to search for two also.

Thanks for input! If it wasn't for the fact my in-laws are coming I think we would 100% go with the double.
The idea that my in-laws might take the little guy alone is the only reason I consider 2 but then I could be responsible for two strollers if it is just my wife, I, and the kids. She will have to hold the little one to get on bus and Ill have to get two strollers collapsed lol.

 

[sponica]

We don't own a double (my kids are 4 years apart) but have done is rented a double and used my own single for the airport or at times when we wouldn't need the double (after we had finished the parks and were tooling around the resorts). But we had a 20 month old and a 5.5 year old so it wasn't a huge deal if the older one walked at times.

Honestly I don't find the side by side's unwieldy but I definitely prefer the city mini over the jogging strollers.

 

[lowlight]

Honestly I don't find the side by side's unwieldy but I definitely prefer the city mini over the jogging strollers.

Same. There’s a reason every stroller rental place uses the city mini double. The weight it holds per seat and the ease of folding and bringing on a bus.

OP I don’t know how spry your in laws are, could they bring the 1 year old back to the hotel with a baby carrier? You could keep it in the double stroller cargo area while not in use.

 

[disneydad7281231]

We don't own a double (my kids are 4 years apart) but have done is rented a double and used my own single for the airport or at times when we wouldn't need the double (after we had finished the parks and were tooling around the resorts). But we had a 20 month old and a 5.5 year old so it wasn't a huge deal if the older one walked at times.

Honestly I don't find the side by side's unwieldy but I definitely prefer the city mini over the jogging strollers.

Thank you! We actually used a double last time but it was a straight one not side by side. We were given it our second day in Disney by someone leaving it because American snapped a wheel off our single on the day down.

 

[disneydad7281231]

Same. There’s a reason every stroller rental place uses the city mini double. The weight it holds per seat and the ease of folding and bringing on a bus.

OP I don’t know how spry your in laws are, could they bring the 1 year old back to the hotel with a baby carrier? You could keep it in the double stroller cargo area while not in use.

That was my idea! My wife's concern is her parents being able to handle him he is a BIG 1 year old (95th percentile). We will have a carrier because that is how my son would nap in the parks our last trip when he was 2.5. We will have to test it out before going lol

 

[sponica]

That was my idea! My wife's concern is her parents being able to handle him he is a BIG 1 year old (95th percentile). We will have a carrier because that is how my son would nap in the parks our last trip when he was 2.5. We will have to test it out before going lol

Another option is if you have an umbrella stroller, it might fit under the basket of the double. I would definitely test drive the carrier before you leave (I never figured out how to use one of those contraptions, so mine were never carried anywhere)

 

[disneydad7281231]

Another option is if you have an umbrella stroller, it might fit under the basket of the double. I would definitely test drive the carrier before you leave (I never figured out how to use one of those contraptions, so mine were never carried anywhere)

That is another good idea.
We have used carriers A LOT but not sure how it would would for the in-laws.

 

[Doingitagain]

We have opted for two singles because sometimes we split up.

 

[mjkacmom]

Since your oldest can most likely manage without a stroller if necessary (I’m assuming he doesn’t still use one at home) I’d go with a compact side by side double. I had my 5 kids in under 7 years, so I had a lot of strollers, singles, doubles, triple… I actually gave away my tandom double when #3 was born and switched to side by sides.

 

[disneydad7281231]

Since your oldest can most likely manage without a stroller if necessary (I’m assuming he doesn’t still use one at home) I’d go with a compact side by side double. I had my 5 kids in under 7 years, so I had a lot of strollers, singles, doubles, triple… I actually gave away my tandom double when #3 was born and switched to side by sides.

THANKS!

We are rope drop to close people and when my son was 2.5 he would nap in carrier or stroller. Only reason I think he might use the stroller is for naps or if he gets tired.

 

[Rory607]

Our kids are about the same age difference as your kiddos. We always rented a CityMini Double from Kingdom Strollers at those ages. We also usually had an umbrella stroller for the little one to use in the airport and just kept it in the room.

The older one would walk a lot of the time, but would sometimes still do a stroller nap. I also liked it for getting through crowds if we needed to quickly get through the parks. I felt safer knowing they were both in the stroller and I could see them. And you are right that if you have two strollers, you and your wife both have to collapse them and deal with them on the bus, which is a pain. If your in-laws want to take the baby back to the room, I would just let them take the double and have the older one walk at that point or give them a piggy back part of the time.

 

[cheryllarsen]

We have a front/back double which we love. I've tried side by side and it isn't fun.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

We prefer our tandem stroller now, but we used to do 2 strollers. Especially if your oldest is adventurous and wants to go on rides, or the youngest needs a baby care center, it is easier to split up and meet back up later. Easier getting on the Skyliner too. The first trip we took with 2 strollers, it was a pain for my husband to carry both strollers on the bus, but most of the time we drove. After that time, I started baby/toddler wearing the youngest to board the bus and carrying one of the strollers. It wasn't too bad, especially if one stroller is a lightweight umbrella stroller.