Traveling with BOB stroller?

[uscgmouse]

I just bought a single BOB revolution SE and LOVE it. We have a trip coming up in November to WDW and I am bouncing back and forth about bring our BOB with us. We would be flying so I would have to gate check the stroller.
The travel bag for the BOB is $80+.

Do you have the bag? Does it do a good job of protecting the stroller?

Should I just spend the money renting a BOB or city mini from a rental place?

How was it traveling with your BOB?


Thank you

 

[twinboysmom]

Here's my two cents. I wouldn't bring it on the airplane. The airlines accept no responsibility for damage and while some have had no damage done to their strollers, others on these boards will tell you they have.

I have a bob duallie and love it as well. I would recommend renting a citi mini for WDW. It doesn't handle as well but it isn't too far behind, but it has a great fold. So much easier to use on WDW transportation. The single bob still has a very awkward, bulky fold which is a little more difficult on WDW buses.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I just bought a single BOB revolution SE and LOVE it. We have a trip coming up in November to WDW and I am bouncing back and forth about bring our BOB with us. We would be flying so I would have to gate check the stroller.

You might not be gate checking this - some airlines now have weight limits on gate checked strollers (under 20 pounds or not oversized); one is American.

Personally, I wouldn't take such a bulky and heavy stroller when traveling. Too much work lugging it around.

 

[badblackpug]

We had a Bob. We gate checked it and it was fine. It totally sucked on the buses. It's too big, and too bulky.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We had a Bob. We gate checked it and it was fine. It totally sucked on the buses. It's too big, and too bulky.

As I said, it depends on the airline. I'm guessing that you did not fly American Airlines.

http://havebabywilltravel.com/2012/03/05/gate-checking-your-stroller-when-flying-with-baby/

 

[gtpoohbear]

We have a BOB and love it! Will definitely be bringing it with us next year for DS(1) assuming he still rides in a stroller by then. Keep in mind though, most airlines have now gotten to where they won't let you gate-check anything but an umbrella stroller, which is useless imo. American Airlines absolutely won't, and the others mostly depend on the airport and specific employees you get. Southwest is one of the few that openly accepts all strollers for gate-check - love them!!!

But, I have checked it with our luggage several times (without a travel bag) and never had a problem. Not sure how it would be on the busses (I've only used it on the monrail, so just rolled it right on). But I would think it would be worth it for the parks - it's so much easier to steer and control than most strollers.

 

[G719]

We took our bob because my husband prefers it over the smaller joovy kooper. We checked it with luggage in a bag and it was fine on the trip down but the bag was ripped up on our return. We gate checked the joovy kooper. We flew with AirTran and I wish we had just gate checked it even though it was nice to have 2 strollers even though my oldest is 6. We were at wdw June 5-12. My husband lugged the stroller on the busses and usually ended up standing by the back door holding the stroller if the bus was crowded. Usually the busses weren't too crowded except first thing in the morning and at park closing. The bob is so much easier to push and if you can gate check, I would take it.

 

[DopeyDame]

We took our BOB when DS was littler, and we were really glad we did. We were able to gate check it (air tran) and realized there was some risk of damage, but fortunately ours was fine. It was a bit of a PITA on and off the busses, but if you practice folding it down before hand and are prepared when the bus comes, it's really not that big of a deal. The short hassle on the bus is SO worth it to have the smooth steering in the parks. (One of our trips we decided to bring our smaller chico stroller instead. BIG mistake. I so missed my one handed, easily turning, comfy BOB!)

 

[Trae13]

I absolutely adore my BOB stroller; however, I would not travel with it to Disney. I would be afraid of it getting stolen (it does happen even at Disney!), would not want to deal with it on the buses, and wouldn't want to risk the damage of checking it on the plane. I would personally bring a smaller stroller or would rent one down there. Have a great trip!

 

[goteamwood]

We own the BOB and love it, but we're renting the CityMini for our Disney trip with our twins who will turn 3 that week. As much as I love the thing, the folding it annoying and cumbersome, and I don't want to deal with it on the plane and the busses. Like a pervious poster said, I also don't want ours stolen.

I reserved the CityMini double, with loss/damage insurance from kingdomstrollers.com for $100 for the week. (Which is almost what you would pay for the stroller bag you may never use again.) A single would probably be less.

 

[Lisa71]

Agree with PP on getting a City Mini...not worth them damaging your stoller in route and being left without and it does not fold as flat as the city mini for the bus.

 

[Figee17]

I have a BOB revolution too and LOVE it, for AT HOME or places I don't have to fly to. I have watched airport workers literally THROW strollers into the bottom of planes. We have a travel bag for our smaller stroller and it has been ripped twice, not a big deal since it wasn't that expensive and we only travel on planes with our smaller, less expensive stroller. Also, a BOB or large stroller in Disney can be a pain in the you know what...I don't find the storage in a BOB to be good, so why bother hauling such a large stroller? We find a umbrella type (with storage) is best...nice and small and EASY to fold up! I have done Disney with my now 2 year old three times already and never regretted not bringing the BOB. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Figee17]

PS - I see all the rented strollers in Disney and they are AWESOME, IF you are okay with not having a stroller during your travels (in the airport, etc). I was traveling by myself with my then 8 month old on one of the trips, so I needed a stroller with me until the gate. And thats the way we've always done it. We actually went out and bought a stroller so that traveling would be easier. It cost us less than $60 (The First Years) and DS loves it and so do we!
No matter what you choose, you'll have a great time!!!

 

[capeseal]

I'm late to this, but we have an older style Bob Revolution that I love and we've brought it all over the country with us. It has flown to Disney World 2 times and Disneyland once. Maybe it's just luck, but I haven't had a problem with it making the journey safely after being gate checked on over a dozen flights. On the bus, it is bulky but folds fast. DH generally stands with the stroller while I hold the kids. It isn't ideal on the buses, but that's a small part of our day. If you want to ensure that the stroller stays in excellent condition and give it a little extra protection, I'd invest in the bag. If you want to take the risk and need a testimonial, I think ours still looks great after being banged around for four years without it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[k-wa]

I love my BOB, but for Disney trips I always bring our Maclaren. It is perfect for gate check and for maneuvering around large crowds at Disney. It also makes for hassle-free bus travel. Maclaren all the way!

 

[bek]

I asked Kingdom Strollers about the BOB because my DIL loves hers. He pointed out that the large 16" wheels are problematic on the trams and recommended the Mini. The Mini GT was great. It folds so easily and putting the strollers on the trams is a pain so I was very happy to have the smaller wheels and the quick fold.

Also Kingdom Strollers was a great rental experience!