Last Updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
- Side-by-side seating means both kids get equal space and visibility
- The stroller is wider than a single (29.1 inches vs 23.6 inches), but fits most doorways and sidewalks fine
- Balance and one-hand steering hold up well even with two children on board
- Storage in the side bag becomes a daily habit, not just a nice extra
Reading about the Bugaboo Donkey's specs is one thing. Living with it once a second child arrives is a different story, and it's usually the question parents actually want answered: what is this stroller like to use every single day, not just on a good day?
Here is what tends to change once you go from managing one child in a stroller to managing two.
Side-by-Side Changes How You Interact With Both Kids
The biggest adjustment isn't really about pushing the stroller. It's about how differently side-by-side seating feels compared to one child sitting in front of the other. Both kids can see each other, talk to each other, and reach for the same toy if they want to. For siblings close in age, that often means fewer complaints about who got the "better seat," since both seats are identical.
Parents of twins tend to notice this the most. Instead of one baby facing forward and one facing the parent, both are positioned the same way from the start, which makes it easier to check on both at once during a walk.
Is It Too Wide? Here's the Honest Answer
Yes, the Donkey is wider than a single stroller once expanded, going from 23.6 inches to 29.1 inches. That is the most common hesitation parents have before buying one.
In practice, most standard doorways, store aisles, and sidewalks are built with enough clearance that the extra width rarely becomes a real problem. The situations where it matters are narrow older buildings, tight elevators, or aisles clearly built for single strollers only. Outside of those specific cases, the width tends to be a non-issue that mostly existed as a worry before the stroller arrived, not after.
Balance Is the First Thing You Actually Feel
With two children on board, weight distribution matters more than most parents expect going in. Because the Donkey's side-by-side layout keeps weight even across both sides, the stroller does not pull to one side or feel front-heavy the way some double strollers do once only one seat is occupied. Turning feels more predictable, and one-hand steering stays realistic even with two kids and a bag hanging off the handlebar.
Storage Becomes a Daily Habit, Not a Bonus Feature
Once you're carrying gear for two children instead of one, the side bag on the Donkey stops being a nice extra and starts being something you reach for constantly. It sits right next to the seat, so grabbing a snack or a spare pacifier does not mean digging through an underseat basket while holding a squirming toddler with the other arm. Between the side bag and the underseat basket, most families find they can carry a full day's worth of gear without stacking bags on the handlebar.
Real-Life Moments Where It Shows Its Value
A few situations come up constantly once you're using the Donkey with two kids day to day:
- Both children fall asleep on a walk at the same time, and the even recline on both seats means neither one is stuck sitting upright while the other naps flat.
- Loading both kids into the car after a long outing takes less back-and-forth once you get used to accessing both seats from the sides instead of reaching front to back.
- Grocery runs and errands feel more manageable because both children are within easy reach for handing over a snack or adjusting a strap, instead of one child being out of arm's length in a tandem layout.
What Surprises Parents Most After a Few Weeks
Almost universally, parents say the same thing after using the Donkey daily for a while: the expandability mattered far more than they expected before buying it. Starting with one seat and adding the second when the time came meant they never had to relearn a completely new stroller system during an already exhausting transition.
The second thing people mention is how much of a difference equal seating makes. Not having to manage one "good seat" and one "compromise seat" removes a surprising amount of friction from daily outings, especially once toddlers are old enough to notice and comment on the difference.
Is the Bugaboo Donkey Right for Your Family?
It tends to be a strong fit if you already have one child and expect another, if you have two children close in age, or if equal comfort and visibility for both kids matters more to you than having the narrowest possible frame. It may not be the best fit if you need the most compact stroller available or regularly move the stroller between multiple vehicles.
Why Trust MacroBaby
MacroBaby is one of the largest baby stores in the United States, with a physical store in Orlando and a complete online store that makes shopping easier for families everywhere. Seeing the Donkey in person, testing the width and the fold yourself, and talking through your specific routine with our team can make this decision a lot clearer than reading specs alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bugaboo Donkey too wide for everyday use?
Not for most families. At 29.1 inches wide in double mode, it fits standard doorways, sidewalks, and store aisles. It mainly becomes a consideration in very narrow older buildings or tight elevators.
Does the Donkey feel harder to push with two kids?
Most parents find it manageable because the side-by-side layout keeps weight balanced across both sides, which helps the stroller steer predictably even fully loaded.
Is the side bag actually useful, or just a nice extra?
In daily use with two children, most parents describe it as one of the features they use the most, since it puts snacks, diapers, and small essentials within easy reach next to the seat.
Is a newborn and a toddler a good combination for this stroller?
Yes. Duo mode is specifically built for that combination, letting one side carry a bassinet while the other carries a seat for the older child.
Do twins do well in a side-by-side stroller like the Donkey?
Many twin parents prefer it specifically because both babies get identical positioning and visibility from day one, rather than one facing forward and one facing the parent.
Keep Exploring the Bugaboo Donkey
- Bugaboo Donkey Stroller Guide: Modes, Configurations, and Buying Advice
- Bugaboo Donkey 6 vs UPPAbaby Vista V3: Which One Makes More Sense for Your Family?