Here is what we tell people when they ask what we do for strollers when we go to Walt Disney World. First, you have options – some you may not even realize you have. You can bring your own stroller, rent a stroller from Disney, or even rent a stroller from an external company. Each family is different, so there isn’t a single answer for everyone. Some people would rather bring their own stroller, while others don’t want the hassle. Some families have one child, while others have 3 or more.  To make the right decision for your family, read through each of the options and then make the decision that is best for your family.

Option 1: Bring Your Own Stroller

If you bring your own stroller, you will probably be saving a good amount of money, so this is a good option for many families.  But before you make this decision, there are some things to think about.

How are you getting to Walt Disney World?

First, if you are flying to Walt Disney World, most airlines don’t count a stroller as baggage, but it’s good to check with the airline before you get slapped with baggage fees on a stroller.  Children’s strollers and seat restraints are not counted as part of the standard baggage and therefore can easily be checked for free

If you are driving to Walt Disney World, do you have room for your stroller? This may sound silly, but some of the larger strollers can take up a significant amount of room. Do you have that kind of room?

What type of stroller to bring?

There are several types of strollers: simple strollers (umbrella strollers), traditional strollers, jogging strollers, and double and even triple strollers. We have brought both umbrella strollers and traditional strollers to the parks. With younger kids, we usually used our traditional stroller, but as we became more experienced parents we started using the umbrella strollers. There are benefits to both, so let’s discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks.

Traditional Strollers

The nice thing about traditional strollers – they usually have a lot of storage! They usually have baskets, cup holders, and even some have mp3 players in them! This comes in really handy when taking kids, especially younger kids, to the parks.  The bad thing about traditional strollers is that they are usually expensive, and some are ridiculously expensive.  The stroller is going to go through a lot on this trip. It will be outside for several days being beaten up by the Florida sun, and then there is the Florida rain.  It is quite reasonable to assume that while you are on a ride, it starts raining and the stroller gets soaked. Traditional strollers usually have nice padding, which unfortunately takes awhile to dry. Are you ok with your fancy stroller getting soaked? Also, you will need to collapse the stroller anytime you get on Disney transportation, such as the Monorail, bus, and even the tram in the parking lot.  Can you easily and quickly collapse your traditional stroller? Can you pick it up and carry it up the stairs of a bus? If not, this option isn’t for you.

Umbrella Strollers

These are usually less expensive than traditional strollers. On the downside, they usually have a lot less storage. The net is that you will end up giving up some storage for ease of use. Unlike a traditional stroller, these are much easier to collapse and carry onto Disney transportation. They usually don’t have a lot of padding, so they dry out much quicker than a traditional stroller. Also being less expensive, if they are damaged during your vacation, it isn’t that big of an investment. And while I’m sure it was an accident, we even had one “stolen” while we were at Epcot one time. It happened to be raining and we are guessing someone grabbed it thinking it was theirs and didn’t realize until much later.  If you are thinking about purchasing an umbrella stroller for your trip, the Kolcraft (pictured here) is under $50, folds up easily, has a basket under the seat, and even has a cup holder. These are rare features found in an umbrella stroller, and while it costs a few dollars more than a basic umbrella stroller, these features are really worth the extra investment.

Tip

If you do end up bringing your own stroller, we suggest you make some very visible personalization on it.  It doesn’t have to be permanent; it could be as simple as tying a string to the handle. This will serve two purposes: first, when you are attempting to locate your stroller among hundreds of strollers, it makes it easier to see at a distance. Secondly, if someone has the exact same stroller as you have, it will mark it as yours. Often there are strollers that are exactly the same, or nearly the same, parked side by side. The only difference is what is in the bag. Marking your stroller with a string, Disney ribbon, or colorful Disney tape allows anyone to easily notice this isn’t their stroller. Another tip is to purchase some sort of hook for the stroller. This will allow you to hang items off the handle of your stroller, creating even more storage space.  You can pick up a two pack of stroller hooks for under $10 at Amazon. These velcro to the hand and allow for easy storage solutions.  We have also used “The Mommy Hook“, which is basically an extremely large carabiner.

Option 2: Rent a Disney Stroller

Disney has two types of strollers they rent: single and double. We normally rent a double stroller. The single stroller is $15 per day and the double strollers are $31 per day.  They also offer a discount if you purchase a Multi-Day stroller rental. By pre-paying the number of days that you will require a stroller, you can save $2 per day (you pay $13 per day) on the single stroller or $4 per day (you pay $27 per day) on the double stroller.  Purchase a Length of Stay rental ticket to pay less per day when rented for multiple days. Once you purchase a multi-day rental, you simply show your receipt at the rental location to receive your stroller for the day. When you rent a stroller from Disney, if you go from one park to another, simply turn in your stroller at your first park and when you arrive at the next park, show your receipt and they will hand you a stroller. This means no fussing with strollers while you move from park to park. One note is that during peak times like Christmas it is possible that Disney runs out of strollers to rent. This is very uncommon but if you are going during Christmas week, this is a possibility if you plan to show up late to the parks.

Option 3: Rent from Another Company

A third, lesser known option is renting a stroller from a company in Orlando. Disney lists three companies as “Featured Providers”. We personally haven’t used these services, but have seen them around the parks. They deliver the stroller to your resort and pick it up from the resort when you are done. They are cheaper than Disney prices, especially the longer you stay.  Also, if you plan on visiting one of the other parks in the Orlando area, you will not have to rent strollers from Disney and then the other park, but just one stroller for your trip. Also if you are traveling to Disney during peak seasons, specifically during the week after Christmas, you can guarantee you will have a stroller by renting it early.

• Magic Strollers: (866) 866-6177
• Orlando Stroller Rentals: (800) 281-0884
• Kingdom Strollers: (407) 271-5301

Bottom line: there are many options to choose from.  Which is right for your family?

Please leave comments below to help others with your advice.