Hey all,

NOVEL ALERT AHEAD :D

I am busy planning our first trip to Disneyland - will be 2009 as we are in New Zealand so have lots more little extras to save for (like the $7000 in flights :eek:) But it's a trip of a lifetime and I believe it will be worth every penny :)

Anyway in our travel party will be 5 adults and 2 children (almost 3 and almost 5 at time of travel). We don't use a stroller currently but will do once miss 9mths is older - atm we use the ergo to carry her and the 2 1/2yo walks.

I've been researching strollers - and since we need to buy one anyway I thought I'd get one that was suitable for the disneyland trip to.

Any suggestions?

I've looked at the Maclaren's but here they are upwards of $400.00 :eek: and I'm having trouble finding a store that sells them so we can test them out -what Maclaren would be the best? What do you have and love (I have found the triumph on a stock clearance site for $150 BN but it is bright green - stands out in the crowd though). I'm keeping an eye out on trademe (nz version of ebay).

And have also found the Quinny Zapp - which folds down extra small, into it's own bag. Downsides are that they don't recline and don't have a storage basket (no biggy, I sew so can whip something up) and are cheaper than the Maclarens.

Is there any other really good big child strollers?

What would your suggestions be? We will be spending lots of time in airports with the 3+ hour check ins and we are also going to Hawaii on the same trip.

I had thought about buying a stroller when we arrive but then we wouldn't have one for the airports - though as the maclarens are far cheaper in US I may be able to buy one for one of the kiddies (as resale back in NZ would be great - like getting use of a free stroller plus it seems that the US ones have a higher weight range - nz 15kgs where as us 25kgs (sorry don't know pounds ).

Also - 2 strollers or 1 stroller and the ergo? or 2 strollers and the ergo (for back up)

Also will mention we will be doing lots of other stuff apart from disney where we will need to go by coach so small strollers would be better.


oh and can someone direct me to a good -What to pack?? thread - I done a search but obviously I'm not using the right search words :D


Sorry so many questions but I know you are all experts :D

TIA

How exciting to be planning such a big trip!

Personally, I have a double Valco baby runabout--it's made in your neck of the woods, so maybe it will be cheaper for you :) It's a heavy stroller with large air-filled tires, but since the front 2 swivel you can turn on a dime. I can't say how much the 5 year old will need the stroller, but on my last trip to Disneyland I had a 1 and a 3 year old and even though the 3 year old wanted to walk most of the time, the other side was handy for the large diaper bag that we took with us. And when we wanted to go someplace quickly, or at the end of the day, we could put both kids in the stroller. We didn't seem to have a problem using a double instead of a single in the park.

Unfortunately, since this is so big and heavy I'm not sure how much fun it will be to take through the airports since you probably have to fold it up each time you go through security--and I don't know if it would fit through the x-ray machines, yikes! Maybe someone else can offer info on taking a large stroller on a plane ride?? I know you can check strollers at the gate, but there might be a size restriction for this.

And I just read that you wanted something small (oops). Well, it does fold up and the wheels have a quick release so it can get pretty small...it's just a bit of a pain sometimes.

Good luck! :D

Is the main emphasis for the stroller for the DLR portion of the trip? If so, I would consider renting a stroller from the park. It's free with a Disney Visa and you can get two strollers a day. This would save you from having to deal with it in airports.

If you want a stroller for the entire trip, perhaps consider getting a couple of cheaper umbrella strollers. Going through airports and with all the travel, a really good stroller could get pretty beat up. When my daughter was 4 we went on a cross country road trip. With limited space we took an umbrella stroller. It worked out well. We went to Disney World, Washington, DC, New York, Boston, etc. The stroller was easy to fold and take on public transportation (buses, subways).

Thanks Bug- I'm sure valco do a stroller - I may need to go and investigate that option too.

DebT - I need to buy a stroller in the near future anyway so thought that it would make good sense to buy one suitable for disneyland also :) We can't get the free hire as not eligible for a disney visa being from overseas :( . I think I'm going to need a stroller for most of the other things we have to do (universal, legoland, seaworld, zoo etc) plus we will have 5 days at disneyland - staying at Hojo's. A stroller would be a great help with the walk back.

From what I've read on the countless threads on here that I've been researching, everyone raves about their Maclarens but not many say what Maclaren they actually have. Are all Maclarens fantastic for older children? or are some better than others?

I also know that a 5yo is still likely to want to be in a stroller at some point -though is it worth having a seperate one just for her? Do cheapy strollers work for larger children - I want her to be comfy. I've seen on sites that Jeep do a cheap stroller - would be less than hiring and I don't necessarily need to bring it home with me. Has anyone tried these for a 3 or 5 yo? No doubt there will be something similar when I go (I'll ask again before I leave :D).

Anyway like I said - I'm going to need to buy a stroller sometime in the next month or two so buying one now that I could use for this trip would make sense.


Sorry enough rambling from me :rolleyes:

My 2 cents,

I have had a Maclaren Volo stroller for a few years. I used it 2 times last year for my 5 year old at Disneyland. Also used it when she was 3 years old for 6 weeks in Europe.

It is very light weight and holds up to 55 lbs. (about 25 kilograms?). It folds up small like an umbrella stroller and has a shoulder strap to carry. I paid around $105US for it. It has a mesh seat so it has great ventilation when it is hot. If it is cold I just put a blanket down first. It is very sturdy and steers easily. Also has a small basket underneath.

Downside no cup holder. Doesn't recline but my daughter didn't need that.

Yay for using an Ergo! :)

That said, my 3 year old has graduated from it (or rather, my spine has).

This trip we were going to rent a stroller, but at the last moment found ourselves in a Toys R Us, and found a $40 Baby Trend stroller that was GREAT. According to the manual, it's the Trendsport Lite, model number 1510 or 1511.

It goes to 40 lbs, reclines, had a nice big bottom basket, and collapses fairly easily.

I previously bought a cheapie Combi stroller, but when we went for a walk with it, I was kicking the back wheels (I'm only 5'3"!) and had to bend over slightly to comfortably push it. It didn't turn well, and was just awful. We got rid of that one.

But this BabyTrend turned nicely, I didn't kick the tires, it was the right height (DH is 5'10" and he bent over a tiny bit, but nowhere near as much as he did for the Combi), and it did very well for our DL trip.

Thanks everyone,

Well I ventured into town today and had a play. And Guess What?? The Maclarens are all on clearance prices as they are getting in the new models (yes we are a little behind her in NZ). I had a play with the Triumph and the Techno XT. I like both. If I was only looking at price then I'd go for the Triumph but The Techno XT has many more features, sturdier wheels, almost completely flat layback, adjustable handles (good for DH as he is about 6'4" and I'm 5'5") oh and not lime green ;) - It also had heaps of headroom when miss 3 was in there and could quite easily fit a 5year old +.

They will have the Quest sport in stores next week or two and will be at a new release price comparative to the US market.

Now to make a decision. If I'm not happy with the Quest I may miss out on getting the Techno. AHHHHHH. I'm just trying to find some comparative reviews.

Oh and HobbitFeet aren't ergo's fantastic. I've had my 3yo on my back and my 9mth old on my front (in my homemade meitai) when both were sick at the same time. I'm looking forward to next week when my friend gets back from Hawaii with my new ltd Ed Rose Print Ergo - we can't get them in NZ. So exciting.


If anyone else has anything to add I'd love to read what you think. I'm a serious overplanner, I need as much information as I can possibly get.

We have the Maclaren Quest Sport, and we LOVE it. We have traveled with it quite a lot, and it has been on many trips to Disneyland. (We're annual pass holders.) So if you can find a good deal on one, I would definitely recommend it.

It is a very small and lightweight model, but the seat does recline, which I think is very important. We have a 2 1/2 year old, and now at Disneyland really the only reason we need the stroller is for an afternoon nap. Our son doesn't want to ride in the stroller, and because the park is so compact, it's easy for him to do a lot of walking. So the stroller is usually parked (and holding the spare diapers) while we walk around and go on the rides, and then after lunch we make him sit and ride for a little while with the seat reclined, and presto, he falls asleep for an hour or two.

It's also a very easy stroller for airports. Once you're used to the mechanism, it folds and unfolds very quickly. It's helpful for getting a young kid through an airport quickly. (Although he'd much rather walk and dawdle along!) It has a well-positioned, nice carrying handle so that it is very easy to lift and carry when it is folded.

We have been using it for nearly 2 years now, and it has held up very well. My only (minor) complaints are that the sunshade is too high and too small, and doesn't adjust to different positions - it's just not very effective. Also, the carrying basket is small, which is a drawback for all small collapsible strollers.

A tip - the Prince Lionheart brand sells a stroller cupholder that fits quite well on Maclarens. It doesn't even get in the way of folding the stroller. I've had one attached to our handle for pretty much the whole time we've owned the stroller - it's very handy!

Have a fantastic trip!!!

I don't have anything to add because I have the Triumph and am not familiar with the other models you're describing - but - I will say I've been VERY happy with my Maclaren. I loved my Peg Peregos for what I used them for at the time. I've been using strollers now for 9-years straight (sigh) and I've only had the Maclaren for a couple of those years - but it is awesome.

Adrienne

ahh I'm having a hard time deciding. I might get the Quest as it's cheaper has a bit more options than the triumph (at similar prices). Oh and I can get pink :) and it's a bit lighter than the Techno XT. I don't need a footmuff or all the extra padding that the Techno comes with - if need be I can whip something up on Betty (my sewing machine).

hmmmm looks like decision is made afterall.



Another question. How far is the actual walk from Hojo's to disneyland (with2 under 5's in tow)? I'm guessing in the morning it will be a quicker walk than on the way home.
We do plan on popping back in the middle of the day, that is where I'm thinking the stroller will be most useful.

Another question. How far is the actual walk from Hojo's to disneyland (with2 under 5's in tow)? I'm guessing in the morning it will be a quicker walk than on the way home.
We do plan on popping back in the middle of the day, that is where I'm thinking the stroller will be most useful.

According to Alex Stroup (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=46907), the exact distance is 1/2 mile from the hotel to the middle of the esplanade - between the gates of the two parks. It usually takes us 5 to 10 minutes to walk it. At night, it feels shorter - everything seems to feel shorter to me at night. We walk further than this to get to the Parking Structure when we drive to Disneyland, so I don't think it's a bad walk at all.

Our now-6-year-old has been doing the parking structure walk at the end of the day for a couple of years now.

Adrienne

Have you looked at Silver Cross? Not sure if you can get your hands on one in NZ, but they are made in the UK so worth a try. We just got a Silver Cross Mini umbrella stroller and it fits our almost 3 year old perfectly with lots of room to grow. They make a double which looks similar called Pop Duo. We LOVE this stroller. It is SO light (even for me and I am 5 months pregnant) and folds up tiny, plus it has a shoulder strap to make it easy to carry through the airport and stow on the plane. It comes with a pocket on the back of the hood for keys, maps, etc, but no cupholder. I usually use bottled water though so I just toss it in the basket. It has a GREAT basket, holds a lot for an umbrella.

The other one we are going to buy when the new baby comes is the Joovy Caboose Ultralight. I have already tried this puppy out and I LOVE it, I cannot wait to get one and start really using it, it is on my bay registry for Chrismas. My 3 year old was fine in the front seat, and also loved the back standing/sitting platform which would be great for your 5 year old. It also folds up well and it fairly light considering it is a double.

Good Luck!

Oh, and another note for you. If you decide to buy one here in the US, there is a GREAT store just by Disneyland in Anaheim to get one at called Bergstroms. They carry a ton of strollers, all of the Maclarens, Joovy, Silver Cross, the US version of the Quinny which has a basket and more features than the European version, and all of the major brands and their prices are very good. Here is a link to their website with a map, it would be a very cheap taxi ride... http://www.bergstroms.com/bergstroms/dept.asp?dept_id=461&

The other one we are going to buy when the new baby comes is the Joovy Caboose Ultralight. I have already tried this puppy out and I LOVE it, I cannot wait to get one and start really using it, it is on my bay registry for Chrismas. My 3 year old was fine in the front seat, and also loved the back standing/sitting platform which would be great for your 5 year old. It also folds up well and it fairly light considering it is a double.

I just checked this one out online and it looks wonderful! I am going to look around for a store that carries it. Thanks for the tip, DizneyMommy :)

thanks for that link. The US version Quinny looks great. Much more stable.

I think though that I might get the Maclaren Quest for the moment and then if I find I need something else while we are away I'll grab a cheap stroller :)

For those that use Ergo's -do you find the backpack option handy (that way you have a backpack and also a carrier if you need it? I don't have the backpack but they are also on sale and I keep going back for a looksie ;)

We have an almost five year old and an almost 18 month old. We're also definitely bringing our Ergo and a couple of slings (Maya Wraps). We won't lug all of them around at all times, but the Ergo will be a must for waiting in lines. I've carried my four year old in a sling in a pinch and if we have a late night with a 40 pound child who's falling asleep and wanting to be carried, you better believe I'll be happy to have a sling with me. I figure we'll mostly bring the slings with us tucked into the stroller basket in the evenings, but otherwise leave them at the hotel and just use the Ergo and the stroller during the morning and early afternoons.

I've been eyeing the Joovy Tandem Ultralight for our trip at the end of this month. I tried it out a little at a store and it seemed to glide across the floor. I like the idea of the Tandem so my 4 year old can hop on (and even sit down) if her legs start getting tired...especially 3 or 4 days into the trip. Would love to hear from others with experience using a Joovy Tandem (ultralight weight or regular) at Disneyland and getting it on and off the train or monorail.

Yay I'm now the owner (almost) of a Maclaren Quest Sport. I had lots of playtime and compared the triumph, quest and volo and even though the volo was a tiny bit lighter the quest had a better recline and was only $30.00 more (oh and pink- sorry couldn't help myself). The Triumph was good, more bulky than what I needed and was an extra $200 so not really worth it. I'd have to leave all the extra padding and stuff at home.

I have my ergo and that folds down nicely or I could just use it as a backpack which would make sense so I think I'll be set.

Is there a stroller whilst travelling/disneylanding review thread?? Just thinking at a glance people can see at what ages other children grew out of the stroller/ time it was used while in the park (in comparison to walking etc) the weights/heights they carry, good bad points. I know I read at least 100+ posts about strollers while making my decision - thanks guys it did help:D


Also - is there anyone who uses cloth diapers while travelling?? I'm hoping my girls will both be out of diapers when we go but just wondering how you manage with washing etc (is there a washing/laundry room at Hojo's?? or can you recommend good accomodation with washing facilities??) DD has very sensitive skin hence the cloth use.