Disney World with Toddlers - Stroller Tips

In less than a week we will be taking out annual family vacation to Disney World and I couldn’t be more excited. We first took our daughter to Disney when she was around 1 1/2 and had one of the best vacations ever. Since then I have been a Disney planning addict and have tons acquired tons of tips on making a Disney vacation with your toddler even more magical!

This is going to be a multi-part series of post, this one beginning with strollers.

Disney World with Toddlers - Stroller Tips

A stroller is an absolute MUST for any parent with a child 6 and under at Disney World. 6 years seems kind of old for a stroller, but not at Disney World where little feet get tired real fast from walking all day.

You have 2 options at Disney for strollers- Rent one or bring your own.

The current stroller rental prices at Disney World are:

Single or infant (newborn to 9 months) strollers: $15/day or purchase $13/day length of stay rental.

Double strollers: $31/day or purchase $27/day length of stay rental.

Obviously if you are staying a week or more at Disney, these stroller prices can really add up.

The most cost effective route would be to bring your own stroller.

About 2 years ago we purchased the Maclaren Volo especially for our Disney Vacations.

This particular stroller is a single and a lightweight umbrella type, but more sturdy. The best part is that it accommodates a child from 6 month to 55lbs! We have already gotten our moneys worth using this stroller on multiple trips. Retails for around $100.

My biggest tip is to NOT bring a clunky travel system type stroller that is difficult to fold up and maneuver (Graco Type). If you dread taking it out of your own vehicle you definitely will be dreading it at Disney. We learned the hard way our first year. An umbrella type with a shade and some storage is best.

Strollers will need to be completely closed up when riding the Disney World bus system. Keep this is mind as it gets cramped in the bus and you will often be standing. Big strollers just make less room for everyone.

If you have multiple children the Disney Double Strollers are great because they really can fit a ton of stuff, and since double are more expensive to buy retail you might want to weigh the pros and cons of renting vs buying. Of course if you already have a stroller there is no extra cost to you to bring it. Buying 2 umbrella strollers is also an option.

Another upside to brining your own stroller is always having it with you. You cannot take Disney strollers out of the parks, so you will have to carry your little ones to your cars, bus, or on the monorail back to your hotel. You also will not lose any time waiting in line to rent your Disney stroller.

An upside to renting a stroller would be if someone happens to “walk off” with your stroller, you can simply get a new one. If someone “walks off” with your personal stroller you might be out of luck. I think this is a real concern for 1st time visitors as they assume this may happen often. In all the years I have been to Disney I have never seen or heard of someone actually getting their stroller stolen. I see tons of Maclarens, Peg-Perego, and even a few Bugaboos (though those usually carry infants, and are not left unattended) in the stroller parking areas.

Think of a creative way to customize your stroller so it will be easily identifiable to you in the sea of strollers. Use this tip especially if you will be renting. A colorful scarf is one idea.

The Disney rental strollers are hard. If you do end up renting bring a blanket to lay down in the stroller for your child to sleep.

If bringing your own stroller also bring a rain poncho or stroller cover in case of rain. Stroller parking is usually out in the open and with the unpredictable Florida weather you do not want to get anything wet.

Have fun and plan your stroller situation prior to arrival. You can always rent or buy an umbrella stroller in the hotel gift shops if you really need one once you get there.