To bring a stroller or not? That is the question. Many families contemplate this question every time they have a trip planned to Walt Disney World. There is no right or wrong answer. It really does depend on your family and needs. However, if you have a child under the age of 4 or 5, I think the answer is an easy yes. You will need a stroller. It’s the ages of 5-10 that becomes a bit more questionable. Normally, a child that age no longer uses a stroller at home. But, you want to consider that on average you will walk 10-15 miles a day at the parks, that’s honestly no exaggeration. No doubt those little legs will get tired! After all, even the adults get tired. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished for a stroller as an adult! My niece (age 5) and nephew (age 9) will be vacationing at Walt Disney World and my sister and I have had this very conversation, specifically focused on the 9-year old. My advice, bring the stroller. He will get tired. He will get upset when his sister can sit (and maybe even nap) and he can’t. Better to have the option for him. Trust me, he’ll use it. And when your littles aren’t using the stroller, it’s great to store souvenirs, extra bags, etc. So, my best advice is when in doubt, bring the stroller!

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the various options you have should you decide to use a stroller at Walt Disney World. You can bring your own, rent from Disney, rent from a third-party, or even buy a stroller upon arrival. 

Let’s review!

Bring Your Own Stroller! 

Bringing your own stroller to Walt Disney World is probably the best option honestly. There is no cost to you and the stroller will be most comfortable for your child, which is really important during the long park days. The other big advantage is when it comes time to fold down the stroller for Disney transportation, you are most familiar with how to do that. It is always quite impressive to me to watch families fold down their strollers in record time to get on the bus or parking tram! In those instances, you do need to move rather quickly, so knowing how the stroller works is essential. And of course, if you venture outside the Disney bubble to other parks or tourist attractions, you will have your own stroller with you.

Now, as with all things, there are some cons to bringing your own stroller too! The biggest one I can think of is lugging it with you when traveling. There is enough to worry about with family suitcases, travel bags and more. It will take up valuable space in the trunk of your car. And any damage to the stroller during the trip is your responsibility because the stroller is yours. 

Just remember per Disney policy, strollers cannot be any larger than 31” (79cm) wide and 52” (132cm) long. You want to be sure to check the specs of your personal stroller before bringing it with you.

To recap:

Pros

• No cost (except the energy used to travel with the stroller)
• Most comfortable for your child
• You’re familiar with how it works which is helpful when you need to fold it down for Disney transportation (strollers are required to be folded down before boarding Disney transportation)
• Available to you outside of the theme parks

Cons

• If flying, you need to lug it with you on the flight
• If driving, it takes up luggage space
• You are responsible for your own stroller (if it’s stolen, broken, etc.)

Rent from Disney

Renting a stroller from Disney might be ideal for your family. While there is a cost per day associated with renting, you won’t have to worry about using your own stroller in the parks or dragging it with you for travel. The longer your stay, the less it will cost to rent the stroller. A single-day use is a bit pricier than multi-day. There is also a $100 USD credit card deposit required for strollers rented at Disney Springs. Single strollers are great for children 50 lbs or less, and double strollers are great for children 100 lbs or less. 

Let’s break it down:

Cost:

• $15/day (single) $13/day (multi-day)
• $31/day (double) $27/day (multi-day)

Pros

• Made of sturdy plastic and includes a covering for shade (which is needed in the Florida sun!)
• If something happens to it, Disney will be able to replace it quickly
• They’re available whenever you need one inside the park

Cons

• The hard plastic might be uncomfortable for some kiddies
• Strollers cannot be removed from the parks. When visiting more than one park in a single day, present your rental receipt at another park to obtain a replacement.
• Can be hard to identify yours amongst a group of parked strollers because they all look the same

Rent from a Third-Party Provider

Renting a stroller from a third-party provider may be a great option for your family. The cost per day is a little bit cheaper than Disney and generally the strollers are more comfortable because they are similar to what you would bring from home. There are a few nuances though to renting from a third-party, so you want to be sure you understand the terms of the agreement before deciding which provider works for you. For example, Disney may not allow the third-party stroller company to drop off the stroller at the hotel. You may need to make your own arrangements to pick up and drop off the rental. So, while there may be a few added steps in planning, they are still a great option and substitute for bringing your own. 

Cost on average (varies widely depending on provider):

• $55 + (1-3 days)
• $75 + (4-7 days)

Pros

• Strollers fit Disney’s size requirement
• Some offer special needs strollers, if applicable
• Similar to the type of stroller you would use at home
• More comfortable than Disney strollers

Cons

• You will have to take it everywhere like you would your own
• You will need something to cover it if it rains to protect it
• May need to make arrangements to pick up and drop off the stroller from the third party vendor. Some, like ScooterBug Rentals, will drop off the stroller to your Disney Resort hotel.

Recommended Providers:

• ScooterBug Rentals: 1-800-726-8284 (Disney’s Preferred Provider)
• Orlando Stroller Rentals: (800) 281-0884
• Kingdom Strollers: (407) 271-5301 (offers special needs stroller)
• Buena Vista Rentals: (407) 331-9147 

Purchase a Stroller Upon Arrival

Another great option is to purchase a stroller to receive upon your arrival. These days with online vendors such as Amazon, Target, or Walmart, you can easily purchase and ship directly to the hotel. The hotel will gladly hold onto your package until you arrive. You can pick up a very basic umbrella stroller for < $20 or something a little sturdier and larger for $100-175. I highly recommend you purchase one with a canopy so there is a covering to protect your littles from the beating sun. The big pro here is it’s brand new and yours to keep or do as you wish with it. After your trip you can sell it, give it to another family just starting their vacation (as a gift), or take it home with you. 

Conclusion

Walt Disney World is an extraordinary place to visit for the whole family with guaranteed magical memories to last a lifetime. Whether your kiddos are within the typical stroller age, or perhaps old enough to not need one any longer, you may want to consider the option of having one on your vacation regardless. Not only will the kids be able to rest and relax throughout the day, it provides great storage for your items, and much needed protection and security for your kiddos when the crowds become overwhelming (as I can guarantee they will). Having a stroller will eliminate unnecessary stress so you can focus on the wonder and magic of your vacation. 

Still not sure if you should bring a stroller? Contact Love of the Magic Vacations and speak to one of the amazing authorized agents on Jamie’s team who can help support you in making a decision. Their expertise and guidance paired with your specific family circumstances will help you make the best choice possible for your trip. Contact Love of the Magic Vacations today and start planning your magical vacation!

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