All About Strollers

Written By Meghan Thompson Houston

The day I found out I was pregnant with W, I was standing at a Disney bus stop at 8am watching a couple's marriage unravel in real time.

Taylor and I had spent the last day of our February 2019 Disney trip doing what any newly expectant parents instinctively do: observing. Watching how other families moved through the parks, what worked, what didn't. And what we witnessed at the Boardwalk bus stop was a masterclass in what not to do.

A couple was trying to load what can only be described as a stroller the size of a small aircraft carrier — the kind of UPPAbaby monstrosity that requires a engineering degree to fold. Five minutes. That's how long it took to unlock the seats, collapse the add-ons, and wrestle it toward the bus. The kids were crying. The mom was crying. It was 8am. Taylor quietly took out his phone, photographed the stroller, and typed a single note: Do Not Buy.

We've been meticulous about our travel strollers ever since — because nothing kills the magic faster than a full-size stroller and a Disney bus.

Do I need a Stroller at Disney?

Is your child still in single digits? Then Yes. Full stop.

Even if you think you don't need one, have a plan to rent one just in case. Do not underestimate the walking. Nothing increases your misery quite like a tired big kid whose legs suddenly stop working — and unless you want to carry your 60-pound 7-year-old a mile to the Animal Kingdom bus stop, GET. THE. STROLLER.

WHAT TO BUY

If you're traveling between your resort and the parks by Disney bus, car, Lyft, etc., you'll fold and unfold your stroller every single time you get in and out. This is actually one of the reasons we recommend Epcot and Monorail resorts so strongly — you don't have to fold for the monorail or Epcot boats. Most single strollers can also ride unfolded on the Skyliner.

The Golden Rule: Get a stroller that folds fast with one hand. No popping off seats, no multi-step collapse. Life is too short.

Single Strollers

  • Bugaboo Butterfly — Our top pick. Ours has survived 4+ years, multiple Disney trips, and roughly 20 flights. It fits in the overhead bin or under the seat, which means no waiting at baggage claim. W is nearly 7 and 50 inches tall and still uses it occasionally. I took it solo with V at age 2 and could manage both a toddler and the stroller on my own — that's how easy it is. It's pricey, so hunt for a used one.

  • Zoe Traveler — A great budget-friendly option. We loved ours until W outgrew it height-wise. Strong recommendation if the Bugaboo is out of reach.

Double Strollers

MwM recommends using two single strollers or alternating which kids uses the stroller whenever possible. Double strollers are A LOT to navigate, even without folding concerns. The one time we used a double, we brought our Valco Trend Duo — it was fine, but if we absolutely needed a double again, we'd just rent. One note: you cannot use a rolling board/ride-on attachment at Disney.

Twin-mom Allie enthusiastically recommends: Zoe Twin

How to Rent

You don't have to buy anything just for Disney. Most people rent through Kingdom Strollers — they deliver right to your resort or the airport.

If you get to the park and realize your big kid's legs have staged a strike, you can also rent a park stroller at the park entrance.

We also love BabyQuip, especially for last minute emergencies. On one solo trip with W, I walked out the door without our stroller. I had a BabyQuip rental arranged before we cleared airport security, and it was waiting at the Swan when we arrived.

More Tips to Avoid Stroller Misery

  • AirTag your stroller. Disney staff will move it, and stroller parking can turn into chaos.

  • Mark it. Add a ribbon, sign, or tag so you can spot yours instantly. Etsy has adorable custom stroller tags.

  • You need a rain cover. It's Florida.

  • Use a packing cube in your stroller basket. Security will make you remove everything, and a cube means one in-and-out instead of twelve. See (Coming Soon) for what to pack in it.

  • Clip carabiners to the handlebar for hanging shopping bags. Honestly, the lack of a stroller for merch is one of the quiet downsides of an adults-only trip.

  • Disney also has their own rules from strollers and no, you are not the exception who gets to bring their huge wagon (unless you have a special needs kiddo). If you ever need some entertainment, go read the comments in a Disney facebook group for someone asking about bringing a wagon.

  • If you do have a child with special needs, you can get your stroller tagged at Guest Services as a wheelchair so you can use it in ride lines and bring inside some restaurants.

Meghan Thompson Houston