Strollers! Strollers! Strollers! How to Stroller at Disney?

If you have young kids, and are headed to Disney, you know the kind of inevitable dilemma that comes with the territory… Do I bring a stroller?  What’s more, what kind of stroller do I need?  How much is a stroller rental going to cost?

Let’s break it down..

Do I need a Stroller?

There is a TON of walking at Disney World.  More than you might think.  In fact I get blisters almost every time I go.  If you have a younger child who isn’t a strong walker, most definitely yes you will need a stroller.  An infant could be “worn” with a sling, but think about how hot it’s going to be outside, both you and baby could get over heated quickly. Not to mention the back strain after hours of walking.  Consider a stroller for a child who is a strong walker, but could get tired throughout the day.  Only you can determine if you’ll need a stroller.  You could always test it the first day, and then arrange for a rental later on, or make a rental direct from the theme park.

Strollers from Disney

Disney rents single and double strollers at each of the theme parks and Downtown Disney.  These are hard molded plastic and generally have a canopy.  Stroller rentals are typically near the front of each theme park near guest relations.

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The cost is $15 per day for a single, or $31 for a double at the parks.  Many people will rent a double stroller just for the extra space for bags, souvenirs, etc.  Full information from Disney can be found here.  However, do note the images on Disney’s site are definitely incorrect.  You won’t be renting an umbrella stroller, but one closer to the image above.

Outside Stroller Rentals

There are tons of Orlando stroller rental companies.  I mean it seems like they pop up everyday.  The most common type of stroller available for rental is a Baby Jogger City Mini.  Generally these companies will drop the stroller off at your resort, and then you arrange for pickup at the end of your vacation.

This could be a great hassle-free way to have a stroller on vacation and not worry about getting it through the airport.  The cost is generally pretty reasonable, and most likely a huge value over renting from Disney, and it’s a better stroller.  However, you will still need to lug this thing on and off of buses, boats, trams, monorails, or the rental car.

I have no affiliation with any stroller rental company, and having not tried them personally, I can’t vouch for any one company.  Do your research ahead of time and determine which company is right for you.

Here are a few offering services:

Apple Strollers (currently offering a “free” promotion)

Kingdom Strollers 

Magic Strollers

Orlando Stroller Rentals

Umbrella Strollers

An umbrella stroller could be a great idea for those who many not need them full-time, or looking for a cheap and lightweight solution. You could always bring one with you, or stop by Walmart or Target on your way in from the airport.

Walmart has a few that are absolutely adorable for Disney World.  These range from $20-$22.

Read the reviews posted for these strollers.  There are some great tips as many people have used the above umbrella strollers for Disney World.  One tip I liked a lot was to use the site-to-store option and pick up the strollers at the Kissimmee Walmart location.  Also note that some people had some difficulty with the wheels turning.

Bring Your Own Stroller

I LOVE my stroller, the Britax B-Agile.  Yes, it is very similar to the City Mini, but not having it with me scares me.  So much so, that I am gladly schlepping it through the airport!  In fact, if I see someone at the baby store considering this stroller, I will walk up to them and tell them to get it!  LOL

As long as you’re willing to lug your stroller, you can almost always gate-check it at the airport for free.  Of course you’ll want to check with your airline to be certain.  The other thing you’ll need; a bag to cover it.  Things happen in the cargo hold of an airplane.  For me, Britax makes a great bag; B-Agile Stroller Travel Bag.  There’s also a cheap generic version- J.L. Childress Gate Check Bag For Standard and Double Strollers.

I consider it no extra cost to bring my stroller, other than the hassle of getting it from point A to point B.

Stroller Safety

Some people are hesitant about bringing an expensive stroller to Disney.  While it is extremely rare, it is possible that someone could take off with your stroller while you are enjoying Pirates of the Caribbean.  There are some tactics of making your stroller undesirable like placing a “dirty” diaper in the caddy.  Personally, I’m willing to take the risk, but determine what is best for you.

Never leave any valuables in your stroller.  It might seem easy to leave your diaper bag hanging on the handle, but make sure your wallet, camera, and phone are removed.  I carry everything in a wristlet can easily be taken with me.  This way if my diaper bag is taken, they’re only escaping with a few diapers, and maybe a few dirty ones!

If you are staying in a Disney resort, make use of the free package delivery.  If you buy a large souvenir you can have it shipped back to the resort instead of carrying it around.  It makes everything lighter, and less likely someone would want to take it off a waiting stroller.  Typically, souvenirs purchased in the parks are available at your resort’s gift shop the next morning.

If you are renting a stroller, bring a ribbon and tie it to the handle to make it easily identifiable as yours.  Many rented strollers look identical, so make yours stand out.

Hopefully this has helped you in your stroller decisions.  Have fun!

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