Graco Literider at Disney World?!?!?

[audys]

Hi stroller and WDW experts! I know this topic has come up a bit but help me! Please talk me in or out of my stroller choice. We're going to Disney World soon and I was thinking of just taking along a cheap ($35) Graco Literider with the rubber wheels... Is this a HUGE mistake?

My son will be 18 months old and we're staying on-site and on the Monorail. We're flying to Orlando and do plan to take buses throughout WDW also.

I have a MBUS and Mac Quest at home. I want a stroller that I can load up (Quest is out) and DH doesn't want to risk the MBUS with the airlines - they did just finish off our last cheapy Graco stroller (wheel and canopy damage)...

What other strollers do you think would work? I greatly value a light weight (< 16 lbs) stroller - recently test drove a Zooper Swing and loved it, but heavy. TIA!!!

Audrey, mother to Graham

http://lilypie.com/baby2/040210/0/5/1/-6/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[Momof3Labs]

Is it comfy for your baby? Does it have a generous sun canopy? Is it easy to push with a toddler in it? If so, it would probably work fine for you. Just make sure that you mark it with a colorful scarf or something since Gracos are a dime a dozen down there (and someone might grab yours by mistake)!

[audys]

Hi Lori, Thanks for the points you made - my son is remarkably happy sitting in the stroller but it's not always the best to push... I have a supplemental sun shade for my strollers but need to buy a rain cover?

How is the PP P3 much better than the Aria? I see the better sun shape and umbrella fold (LOVE those) but does it steer similarly? The Aria felt kind of plastic-y to me (like the Graco) and I despise the suitcase fold it has.

Good idea on the scarf - Gracos really are popular!

Audrey, mother to Graham

http://lilypie.com/baby2/040210/0/5/1/-6/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[Momof3Labs]

I LOVE my P3 for Disney World. It pushes well, holds a diaper bag on the back and stuff in the basket, has a large sun shade, is plush and comfy, and has the snack tray for eating on-the-go. I find it easy to fold and manage on trams and such, too.

I hated the Aria, but owned a 2001 model. It had a miniscule sunshade, such small wheels (only good in the mall and such), didn't recline fully, no adjustable legrest. And it doesn't have a good reputation for handling with a heavier child. The P3 and Aria are nowhere near comparable!

When are you going? We're going in September and will bring a rain cover. Didn't need one at all last December.

[audys]

We're going in September too! We are trying to take advantages of the off-season times while DS is young. Hopefully the hurricanes will hold off at that time...

I test drove a P3 yesterday and it steers SO much better than the Aria (and of course Graco). The seat and sun shade are fantastic. I didn't like the way that the X bars on the bottom cover the basket - have you had problems with this? How do you get around it?

I test drove the Zooper Swing and it didn't do very well with my DS in it (harder to turn, etc). Do you have any experience with the Mac Ryder or Vogue? Thanks for your stroller help!

Audrey, mother to Graham

http://lilypie.com/baby2/040210/0/5/1/-6/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[Momof3Labs]

You access the P3 basket from the side - no problems that way! In fact, the "X" in back is a convenient place to set an extra bag or purse, if you have one.

I have an older Maclaren that is similar to the Quest. Not sure if we'll bring our P3 or our Mac to WDW in September - probably the P3 for comfort, sunshade, lack of tippiness. If you bring a Maclaren, you have to remove the diaper bag from the back every time you take your kiddo out, which is a HUGE pain when going on rides and such. Plus, the basket is so miniscule in comparison. I think that I just talked myself into taking the P3 again...

[audys]

Thanks Lori! I thought about it a great deal (we have 4 trips coming in the next 2 months) and I'm going to buy a P3 to use for these major walking trips. My son will probably appreciate the floating harness for long periods of time. I saw a 2005 PP P3 at BRU for $200. Peg Perego should give you a commission, LOL!! You're right, the P3 is so much less tippy than the Mac Quest.

Any air travel tips? I see the Pliko travel bags and I also found a $10 clear bag at the Container Store that would fit the P3 (http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?PRODID=69669&CATID=243&searchId=809419&itemIndex=1). My last Graco was ripped and covered with grease/dirt a few times...

I appreciate you! Audrey, mother to Graham

http://lilypie.com/baby2/040210/0/5/1/-6/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[JustMare]

Make sure to buy a LARGE rainshield like the Graco universal rainshield. You never know when it's going to rain in WDW. The large rainshield will cover your entire stroller and diaper bag. Try to park your stroller under a canopy or tree, you never know when a rain shower will strike. We got caught with a wet stroller coming out of the Living Seas in Epcot. Had to layer blankets on the seat it got soaked! (Didn't realize you can actually BRING your stroller in the attraction!)

I agree that the P3/Zippy is the best wdw stroller. I like to use the SkipHop Diaper bag with it. Leave it on your stroller when on rides, just don't leave any valuables in it.

I added the stroll r holder cup holder for my water bottle. I've heard mom's use velcro/straps to attached their wdw coffee mugs - will try that one next time.

Don't forget to bring a sun canopy - I've found I always use mine regardless of what season we travel in. When my son naps in the stroller the extended canopy is really necessary. It keeps him cool and provides lots of shade.

Have a great time, we're going again in December!

Mare
Mom to TJ (2/05)
WAHM [email protected]