Skip to Content

Should I Use A Stroller on My Trip to Disney World?

Should I Use A Stroller on My Trip to Disney World?


For a stress-free Disney or Universal Studios vacation, let the FREE expert planners at Royal Carriage Vacations take care of every detail including dining reservations, applying discounts, and onboard cruise credit.


While planning your Disney trip, you may be wondering whether or not you should consider using a stroller. The bottom line is only you can decide if a stroller is right for your family on your trip, but if you need help deciding, here are a few things to consider.

Many people wonder if they’ll need a stroller when their children don’t typically use one for regular outings.  In order to help you determine whether or not you’ll need a stroller for your next trip, we’ve come up with a list of considerations to help you make the best decision for your family.

Age of the child

How old are your children? Do they typically still use a stroller at home? If so, it makes sense for you to bring a stroller.

But what if your kids haven’t used a stroller for years? It still may make sense to bring one. A day at a Disney World Park can easily have you walking 7 miles or more. Can your child do that without exhaustion?

Factor in the Florida heat into this equation. Will your child whine if they get tired AND hot? Will you have to carry them? A fun day at Disney could quickly turn sour.

walking

so.much.walking.

All the “stuff” you need

I don’t know about you, but we bring a lot of “stuff” into the parks. We typically bring a cooler with a packed lunch, extra bottled water, and some snacks. We also usually have a bag with extra clothes (just in case!) and sometimes we buy souvenirs.

However, I don’t want to carry any of this around! A stroller makes a convenient storage space. Conversely, if lugging the stroller for stuff alone doesn’t appeal to you, there are lockers available to rent for the day. You can also have souvenirs purchased in the parks sent back to your Resort, but only if you are staying onsite.

Crowd sizes

Are you going during a busy time when crowds are high? Do you plan to experience rope drop or fireworks? Sometimes when crowds are thick it’s easier to put the kids in the stroller so you can navigate the crowds without fear of losing your child.

stroller (1)

Having the stroller as a place to sit (and make mermaid tails) was helpful while waiting for fireworks!

However, having a stroller may slow you down in these instances. Once I overheard a father tell his son at Hollywood Studios rope drop to “jump in front of strollers; they can’t get ahead of you!” It is important to remember crowds make navigating with a stroller much more difficult. More than once I have been rammed in the ankles with a stroller during rope drop and park closing.

crowds

Can you navigate a stroller through this crowd?

What type of transportation you will be using

Skyliner Accident Shuts Down System

Certain transportation options make having a stroller more or less attractive. Using the Monorail, Skyliner, or ferry? You won’t need to fold down your stroller unless there are space issues. You will have to fold up a stroller if you are using the buses, Minnie Vans, or a car.

This can be particularly painful if there are tons of people waiting, or if your children are sleeping.  Remember, you’ll have to remove all of your stuff,  remove your child, fold it up, lug it on, and then do it all over again when you arrive at your destination.

sleepy2

Taking her out to fold up this stroller did NOT go well!

Touring Plans

How long is your trip? Are you spending the day in the park open to close? Do you have meals planned for breaks or do you go, go, go?

Are you hoping to stay up late for fireworks? Can you accomplish your travel plans with a child who walked all day?

Keeping these questions in mind can help you determine if having a stroller will benefit your family. Some feel that having the stroller gives children a place to chill and rest and can extend your park time. For families trying to “do it all,” having a stroller can help save your child’s energy to get everything done.

However, if your plans involve lots of rest and relaxation, having a stroller may not be beneficial.

sleepy

After a long night at MNSSHP, I was happy to have the stroller!

Size of the child

Depending on your child’s size, you may find a stroller difficult to push! I took my kids last summer without my husband and after a week of pushing the double stroller and my kids (40 and 60 pounds plus the weight of the stroller) I was exhausted and limping. For a shorter trip or one where you can share the stroller-pushing duty, this may not be an issue.

However, you may want to consider whether pushing the heavy stroller outweighs the potential to have to carry the heavy child. Imagine carrying a sleeping or cranky child after a long day in the Florida sun. If this is a possibility, a stroller might be right for your family.

Sensory overload

Disney World is a stimulating place! There are endless sights, noises, and smells. Some children can become overwhelmed by this constant stimulation. A stroller can be a safe spot in these instances where a child can temporarily regroup and decompress.

Final Considerations

The decision to bring a stroller or not is yours alone, but if you decide that your family would benefit from using a stroller, know the restrictions before you go!  Read more about stroller restrictions here.

Did you know you can rent a stroller? If you don’t want to bring one from home, this is an option. If you plan to rent a stroller, make sure you read our post regarding vendor drop-offs.

Will you use a stroller on your next trip to Disney World? Why or why not? Drop me a comment and let me know!

Jamie Fonseca

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”-Walt Disney

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Imaginette

Sunday 17th of November 2019

I feel sorry for them having to park in a sea of strollers before getting into a ride cue. That being said, there are some considerate people, and some very rude people, who push their strollers around a crowded park. I felt sorry for the story of the mom pushing around her 100 pounds of kids in that heat! Thanks for the article, it gave me some insight into the issue.

Jamie Fonseca

Tuesday 19th of November 2019

Finding strollers in the sea is tough, I agree! I try to tie some ribbon to my handlebars to help me find it! And that was me pushing my kids in the heat all week-in the end I thought I had a stress fracture in my foot, I was in pain! However, I'll take that tough pushing instead of carrying them all week-no way I could pull that off! I'm glad the article was helpful for you!

Rose

Saturday 16th of November 2019

I rented one when my 4 yr old granddaughter made her first visit here & it was a Godsend! Buuuuut, on the other hand I'm thrilled that Disney has decided to stop the double ones and the wagons.

Jamie Fonseca

Tuesday 19th of November 2019

Some doubles are allowed within the size guidelines, but yes, no more wagons, which helps with crowded areas!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.