what kind of stroller to rent for older kids?

[Gummie Bears]

We'll be visiting wdw for the first time in June. DS is 5 and does not use a stroller when we go out. But I've read several accounts of older kids using a stroller in the parks since it's "under special circumstances". I think my son might get tired, or DD who is 7 will, & we could use it to lug around stuff, so it's definitely something I think we'll use. We no longer own one & I really don't want to purchase one for this trip.
So my question is what kind of stroller or where should I rent one? I've looked at Orlando Stroller Rentals, Magic Strollers & the one at the parks but what kind for an older child? Anyone have suggestions or tips with older kids? Thanks!


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[sarah-jane]

We're just using a Disney-themed umbrella stroller for our trip and passing it on. We're in the same boat - our daughter never uses a stroller at home but I'm not inclined to have her get too tired and be carrying her on our shoulders in the heat. My daughter doesn't want a baby stroller, so by choosing the one with disney-themed fabric, she knows it's just for this special trip. I figure the umbrella only costs $10-20, so even if we only use it a couple of times during our ten day trip it's less than a rental. My DH is proposing morning touring without a troller and evening touring with the stroller as the fireworks etc. are all later than her bedtime and she's likely to get tired (staying on property and planning mid-afternoon break). That way we're not pushing the stroller all over all the time if we really don't need it (but these could be famous last words if we find out she's less able to handle walking in the heat than we thought).

 

[SoonerSarah]

We rented a double stroller from Magic. My 7 year old is smaller for her age and she had no problems fitting in it. My 3 year old rarely uses a stroller and both of them used it off and on. And my baby of course.

 

[alloyd1170]

My 5 year old didn't use a stroller last year or at 4. We found it more of a pain to park it, work the area, and then backtrack to get it. Some rides we come out on the opposite side of where it is parked. I think we walked more in dealing with it! We don't go commando either. When they need to take a break, we stop and grab a snack. If it gets too bad, we call it a day (and that usually doesn't happen until late at night). The worst part is standing in line, and you can't take a stroller in lines. They just sit down when they can.

 

[gacompguy]

DD is 5, but is tall for her age. We were pretty sure she would tire out pretty quickly if she had to walk everywhere we did. After some discussion, we decided it would be much easier to push her around tired than to carry her. It ended up being a really great decision... especially when we were at DTD. We got the City Elite Single from Orlando Stroller Rentals and were VERY HAPPY. Of the different rental companies, Orlando Stroller has the strollers that can accommodate the bigger kids. The only issue we had was tracking it down when it got moved. Luckily, a big red jogger stroller stands out amongst sea of other strollers.

 

[MWGreene]

I will just rent from Disney. The double strollers are plenty big for two big kids! It's easier for me because I don't have to haul it on and off busses too!

 

[MSSANDRA]

We are going to rent WDW strollers for DGS this time. I hate to spend that much money BUT..we just decided it is the right choice for us and will make the trip better. He is a 45 lb gogogo 4 year old and I do not think we will need it till late afternoon so we will just plan to get it when we need it. We are a group of all adults expect for him and we will do some late nights as well so we are just going to budget for the strollers. Between all the adults, we can carry him back to the resort from the bus if we have to and avoid the stroller on the bus. We still have a cheap umbrella but it is VERY tough to push a 45 lb kid in.

 

[BBG-BLT]

umbrella - this way you can close it up and carry if you need to and don't care if you lose it.

 

[laughinplace199]

Last year, when DS was 3.5 yrs old, we purchased one of the umbrella strollers that Disney sells in the parks and resorts. We will be going back to WDW at Thanksgiving and DS will have just turned 5. We plan on bringing that umbrella stroller to use if/when he needs it.

 

[JUJU814]

We just rent the double stroller from the parks. I buy a pass for the amount of days we'll be there and then I just ahve to get it stamped. It's pricey, but I've found it most convenient. They are easy to maneuver and my kids found them comfortable.

 

[fi46re129]

disney is so expensive!!! rent from orlando! LOVE THEM! rented a double last year for my ds who was just 6.. 48" 50lbs... and my nephew who was 4 but the same size... it was the city double... this year we are renting the bob because it offers more room to stretch out their legs... we know they could walk this year and get by being tired but it just makes life easier.. this will be out last year with strollers though.
orlandostrollerrental.com.. they are amazing!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

We've debated this topic in our household countless times. We've gone back and forth over whether to bring both our Maclaren Triumph and Sit N Stand, or bring the Maclaren Triumph and buy another inexpensive umbrella stroller, or just rent one of those double jogging strollers from Orlando Strollers or Magic Strollers. We decided that we are definitely bringing the Maclaren Triumph for DS2 because he is very comfortable in it, it is a dream to push around, and its light weight design makes it easy to fold up and carry. For our other children (specifically DD4 and DS9) we are considering just renting the WDW park double stroller. I know the WDW stroller rentals are crazy expensive, but as with all things you pay for convenience. Our DD4 is tall for her age, has rarely used a stroller for the past two years, and is high energy so will probably only need a stroller a few times over the course of a day in the parks. Our DS9 is on the autism spectrum, has issues with low muscle tone, and tends to both wander and lag behind when we are in crowded park settings. So since the WDW park strollers fit older/bigger kids well and we will only need the strollers for DD4 and DS9 to use in the parks only, then it will be more practical for us to just spend the extra $$ for the WDW rentals. Also, it will be less of a hassle not having to fold up and carry multiple strollers or a big double stroller on the buses while trying to manage four children. So the Maclaren Triumph is the only stroller we are bringing with us which will be for DS2, and our older/bigger kids (who can walk most of the time) will be able to use the WDW park double stroller. I read that not only does it fit older/bigger children well, but it is really easy to push around as well. I think we will just prepay with the length of stay option which will make picking the stroller up from the parks each morning more of a swift process. My only concern with getting an inexpensive umbrella stroller to use for a child that is 4+ years is the weight limit on them and that those strollers can be difficult to push with older/bigger children in them (unless your child is small for their age). Good luck with your decision

 

[scrappinginontario]

I would hesitate to bring an inexpensive umbrella stroller for an older child. Often they're geared for younger children. I would recommend trying to push one of these strollers with your child in it and consider how easy/difficult it is to push. Often the child's weight makes it a challenge especially when you think of the distances that it is going to be pushed. How comfortable are they? I would also consider the height of the handles and if your feet kick the stroller when you attempt to push it. Just some things to think about.

I would support renting one from either Orlando Stroller Rentals or Disney. They push so much easier than an umbrella stroller.

Something else I would consider is what your touring plans might be like. If you think you're going to be in the parks later at night I would lean towards Orlando Strollers. I took my niece when she was 5 and again when she was 6 and we pushed ourselves hard. Because of this she was pooped when we left the parks. I wasn't aware of OS so rented from Disney. It was hard to leave to stroller in the park, walk to Disney transportation and then from there to our room. More than once I carried a sleeping little girl to our room after she was lulled to sleep by the motion on the bus. I was exhausted too so would have appreciated the option of having a stroller with me at the resort.

 

[Monknmom]

We are renting this stroller it fits up to 75 pounds so it is for older kids and it's a little cheaper than Orlando rental! My DS is going to be 7 when we go and right now only weighs 49 pounds fully clothed so we could probably get away with a 50 pound max, but I found that this one also looks like it has a little more room! And it's a quick fold with the pull of a strap or something!
The website is below if you want to see it!
http://shop.themeparkstrollers.com/Baby-Jogger-C-Series-Stroller-Rental-C-Series-Single.htm
-when you click on the website there is a picture of a child in it in the top right hand corner!

 

[sarah-jane]

I would hesitate to bring an inexpensive umbrella stroller for an older child. Often they're geared for younger children. I would recommend trying to push one of these strollers with your child in it and consider how easy/difficult it is to push. Often the child's weight makes it a challenge especially when you think of the distances that it is going to be pushed. How comfortable are they? I would also consider the height of the handles and if your feet kick the stroller when you attempt to push it. Just some things to think about.

Very good advice. We are lucky in that our nearly 4 yr old is only 26 lbs. However, we did try out the umbrella on a walk to see how it was to push with her in it and discovered my husband is too tall to push it comfortably. That affects our decision as it means only one of us will have the burden of pushing the stroller. We may be going with Orlando Stroller Rentals after trying it out. Another proof that the boards are an indispensible planning tool. Thanks!

 

[Gummie Bears]

I went to Target today & remembered to look at umbrella strollers & had poor ds sit in one. Nope it wouldn't work for us..way too tough to push around..lol
Plus I'd like to have some extra space to put stuff in. But having such great responses I'm not double guessing myself that we will need one.
I'm kind of leaning towards renting one in the park because I don't want to have to deal with the loading & unloading but then I think about the walk to the resort and etc. & I go back to wanting to rent one!

 

[Nanu57v]

My DD last used a stroller at Disney when she was 3. But, we walk to the store and around the neighborhood and sometimes to school. My 1 year old uses a stroller (of course) and occasionally my oldest DD (now 6, 46 inches and 40 pounds) hops in her sister's stroller as a joke. She fits, although it looks uncomfortable. If your 5 year old is light enough, I would bring a $50 Jeep stroller (or something similar). If the 7 year old needs a stroller I would just rent one on an as needed basis...basically, just Epcot. MK would be too much in and out to use a stroller, and HS and AK are small.

 

[mmay60046]

I just reserved a "Classic Single" from Kingdom Strollers for the same price that Orlando Strollers charges for a "City Mini Single" (Classic has adjustable handle and air inflated wheels, City Mini does not). Kingdom's strollers also come with "parent console" (cup holders) and free rain cover. All the other places I looked into don't offer cup holders and charge $10 for a rain cover.

 

[*Seanaci*]

not having read any of the other responses, I would recommend just renting from the parks. Your kids may (or may not) be too big (weight or height-wise) for strollers from Orlando Stroller Rental or other outside rental places. Same goes for umbrella strollers (those aren't meant to hold a ton).

Park strollers are sturdy and perfect for when the kids need a walking break. They are also great for hauling your stuff around (one purchase I would make is a Mom-Hook or a caribeaner hook...to hook to the rentals handle and put your bags on the hook).

 

[BitherMom]

I would go with Kingdom Strollers. The were so nice about everything. They even included some "tips" about the parks and having that parent console was soooo nice. They were cheaper than anyone else we found also. Our friends did not heed our warning about setting up a rental ahead of time. They finally called Kingdom Strollers while they were in the park and Kingdom Strollers brought it to them at Magic Kingdom! They were so impressed.