I had a friend tell me once that her son (4) didn't do strollers. They were about to do a 3-day trip to Disneyland and this was her first trip as a parent. I recommended she still get a stroller and here's why.
Maybe your kid doesn't use a stroller when you are doing normally daily stuff but does your kid log 10 or more miles a day normally? Does your kiddo need a mid-day nap? Imagine a trip to the park, what do you carry with you? Do you want to carry that all day long?
So my friend did ended up renting a stroller and they used it. There were times when their kid wasn't super happy about it but he was over tired and they just didn't want to carry him, so he rode. He took one stroller nap and otherwise the stroller carried my friend's backpack/diaper bag most of the time so she didn't have to and that was ok, too.
On the other hand, my kiddo LOVES riding in a stroller. We have always used strollers and she totally gets it.
Tips and Tricks:
1. Don't bring your amazing, expensive stroller. Disney will make you park your stroller outside of rides and shows and leave it unattended. I have never had any issues but I have heard lots of horror stories about missing strollers. They can get broken if you check them on the plane, too. I recommend renting one (but not a Disney stroller) or buying a cheap one. We got the one in the top picture at a yard sale for $5 and it works great. It has a drink carrier and a basket underneath. Sydnee covered it in stickers on the tray. Our last trip my sister rented a jogger style single and it worked great. (Also, don't leave your purse unattended in your stroller for the same reason.)
2. Renting is a great option if you don't want to buy something you may never use again. I don't recommend renting a Disney Park stroller. We used one once and never again. They are hard plastic, don't recline and have little to no storage space or shade. Plus there are literally thousands in the parks so finding yours is no easy task. We have had great luck renting with some providers like Castle Strollers, Simple Stroller, and Kingdom Strollers. They will deliver and pick up from your resort on and off property.
3. Finding your stroller or wheelchair can be a hunt because Disney cast members will move them while you are on a ride or in a show. (Even if you lock the wheels.) I recommend buying a balloon, you only need one for the whole trip. You need a couple pieces of ribbon/string/yarn, too. Every morning tie the balloon to your stroller or chair, then you'll be able to spot it quick. Ribbon? Yep! You need 3 pieces: 1. Tie to the balloon so you can identify your pink Mickey balloon from the others. 2. Tie the balloon to your stroller so it doesn't grow legs with another kid. 3. Tie an extra piece on the stroller so when you drive the stroller you can lower the balloon to chest height so it doesn't hit you in the face all day. (Hot $$ tip: if your balloon pops or deflates, bring the pieces to any balloon seller and exchange it for a good one for free.)
4. Wheelchairs are great for anyone with limited mobility. Do not let pride make grandpa into grumpypa. Walking on concrete all day is hard on the best of us and I can't imagine doing it will two artificial hips (my momma) or a bad knee. My mom walks a little and rides a little and that makes for a nicer day for all of us. Plus who doesn't love sitting to watch the fireworks rather than standing. Unlike the strollers, Disney rental wheelchairs are great. They do have a rule, that they enforce, which is only one person in the chair at a time. This goes the same for the motorized scooters they rent. You can rent wheelchairs, scooters and strollers at the entrance of each park and must return them before you leave. If you are park hopping, just keep your receipt and you can grab another one at the next park. This does mean you need to walk to your car, bus or tram from the park entrance.
5. Label your stuff. Just because you brought your own stroller from home doesn't mean there won't be another just like it at the park. You are going to want to put a label on it. Disney and the rental companies will give you a paper/plastic tag if you rent from them to put your name on. I recently got a couple tags off Etsy to add a little fun to our trip. I labeled the shops if you like them and there are tons more if you just search a bit. In the past I have used a luggage tag which worked great, too or you can use a Tile if you want to get techie and have a tracker.
Maybe your kid doesn't use a stroller when you are doing normally daily stuff but does your kid log 10 or more miles a day normally? Does your kiddo need a mid-day nap? Imagine a trip to the park, what do you carry with you? Do you want to carry that all day long?
So my friend did ended up renting a stroller and they used it. There were times when their kid wasn't super happy about it but he was over tired and they just didn't want to carry him, so he rode. He took one stroller nap and otherwise the stroller carried my friend's backpack/diaper bag most of the time so she didn't have to and that was ok, too.
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| Sydnee (5) in our garage sale stroller |
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| Disney is exhausting. She fell asleep at lunch, I put her in the stroller a few minutes later and enjoyed shopping for a hour while she slept. |
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| Here's my mom rocking her wheelchair. She can walk but not long distances, 3 miles (5k) is her limit. She takes turns riding in the chair and pushing the kids in it. |
Tips and Tricks:
1. Don't bring your amazing, expensive stroller. Disney will make you park your stroller outside of rides and shows and leave it unattended. I have never had any issues but I have heard lots of horror stories about missing strollers. They can get broken if you check them on the plane, too. I recommend renting one (but not a Disney stroller) or buying a cheap one. We got the one in the top picture at a yard sale for $5 and it works great. It has a drink carrier and a basket underneath. Sydnee covered it in stickers on the tray. Our last trip my sister rented a jogger style single and it worked great. (Also, don't leave your purse unattended in your stroller for the same reason.)
 |
| A cheap umbrella stroller is a great option if your kid is under 40lbs and you aren't over 5'5". Otherwise they don't drive well and may hurt your back to bend down. |
2. Renting is a great option if you don't want to buy something you may never use again. I don't recommend renting a Disney Park stroller. We used one once and never again. They are hard plastic, don't recline and have little to no storage space or shade. Plus there are literally thousands in the parks so finding yours is no easy task. We have had great luck renting with some providers like Castle Strollers, Simple Stroller, and Kingdom Strollers. They will deliver and pick up from your resort on and off property.
3. Finding your stroller or wheelchair can be a hunt because Disney cast members will move them while you are on a ride or in a show. (Even if you lock the wheels.) I recommend buying a balloon, you only need one for the whole trip. You need a couple pieces of ribbon/string/yarn, too. Every morning tie the balloon to your stroller or chair, then you'll be able to spot it quick. Ribbon? Yep! You need 3 pieces: 1. Tie to the balloon so you can identify your pink Mickey balloon from the others. 2. Tie the balloon to your stroller so it doesn't grow legs with another kid. 3. Tie an extra piece on the stroller so when you drive the stroller you can lower the balloon to chest height so it doesn't hit you in the face all day. (Hot $$ tip: if your balloon pops or deflates, bring the pieces to any balloon seller and exchange it for a good one for free.)
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| We bought a wheelchair from Amazon last year so we could use it when my grammie visited and now we use it for Disney. We use it and a double stroller when we have all three kids (ages 3, 5 & 6) and my mom. They are posing for this picture and don't actually ride three at a time. |
5. Label your stuff. Just because you brought your own stroller from home doesn't mean there won't be another just like it at the park. You are going to want to put a label on it. Disney and the rental companies will give you a paper/plastic tag if you rent from them to put your name on. I recently got a couple tags off Etsy to add a little fun to our trip. I labeled the shops if you like them and there are tons more if you just search a bit. In the past I have used a luggage tag which worked great, too or you can use a Tile if you want to get techie and have a tracker.
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| From: MBGAristicDesigns |
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| From: DoodlebugBoutique4u |
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