Take stroller on trip?

[Anonymous]

Traveling to the west coast next month with DD who will be 10 months old ~25 lbs. We have an Uppababy Vista-- do we take it with us for our week-long trip? We plan on doing some touristy things with probably a decent amount of walking. We will also have an Ergo and will be taking the convertible carseat (Diono Radian) since she has a seat on the plane and for our rental car. If we take the Vista, I'm assuming that gate-checking would be the way to go... Thoughts? Advice?

[Anonymous]

Whenever we've traveled with our big stroller, we've gate-checked it, and inevitably it ends up damaged in some way. Since then, we've purchased a cheapo umbrella stroller from Walmart that we use for travel (<$25). While it's not as luxurious of a ride or as easy to push, it's way easier to travel with. It may not work if you're planning lots of long walks, but if its a lot of short strolls here and there, it might do the trick.

[Anonymous]

If damage to it would upset you, I wouldn't. We also got a cheap umbrella.

[Anonymous]

Flown >25 times with strollers and never had damage
That being said, an umbrella is easier to fit in rental trunk with luggage

[Anonymous]

At that age, I generally took the stroller or the car seat, but not both. How much walking? How comfortable are you all with the Ergo? I'd veer toward not taking it, to avoid schelpping one more piece of stuff, but it really does depend on what you find to be the easiest way of getting about with your kid.

[Anonymous]

I've flown/traveled a ton with small kids and babies and never with a stroller. We always just wear the baby and find this more convenient. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Take umbrella and check at gate. Airports are so huge you will need it