Disney World and strollers: rent or take your own?
Many people planning a vacation to Walt Disney World with small children wonder what they should do about a stroller. Should they bring their stroller from home or rent one in the parks? How difficult is it to maneuver a stroller on the Disney buses? What will it cost to rent a stroller? If I rent a Disney stroller for the length of my stay, can I use it outside the parks? How do Disney strollers compare to other rental service strollers?
To help answer these questions, start by considering what your stroller needs are or will be:
- Will you need a stroller while changing terminals in an airport?
- Will you need a stroller outside the parks: in and around your resort or other venues?
- Will a small, light weight, easily collapsible umbrella stroller suffice or will you need something larger that will carry such items as a diaper bag or possibly more than one child?
- Will you be carrying a small child plus supplies alone or will you have help?
Here are some suggestions based on these questions:
- The four major Disney World theme parks and Downtown Disney offer stroller rentals: both single and double are available. These are not traditional type strollers. They are more like carts and so may not be suitable for an infant. They are perfect, however, for older children who don’t require a stroller outside the parks. It’s a good idea to rent strollers for older children who will still tire quickly from all the walking between attractions. And if you have more than one child, go ahead and get a double. Children who wouldn’t be caught dead in a “baby” stroller will fight over who gets to ride in one of these. The park strollers are just that; they may not be taken outside the parks, so if you will require a stroller elsewhere you will want to consider another option. The cost for a single is $15/day, a double will cost $31/day. If you pay in advance for the duration of your stay, Length of Stay rental, you will pay $13/day for a single, $27/day for a double.
- For those who want or will need a stroller outside the parks, but do not necessarily need one while traveling, consider renting a stroller from OrlandoStrollerRentals.com. OrlandoStrollerRentals.com offers several models of strollers including double and sit and stand strollers. Rates are very reasonable, in fact for a week, they are less expensive than Disney strollers: a City Mini Single Stroller rents for $70 for 4 – 7 nights, and delivery to your resort is free. These strollers fold quickly and easily by simply pulling on a strap located in the seat. This is a one-hand operation, so if you are not going to have help with holding a child and dealing with a stroller, this is the one you want. These strollers are fairly lightweight: about 17 pounds. The drawback here is maneuvering a stroller on a crowded bus when traveling between your resort and the parks, but unlike many full-size strollers, the City Mini Stroller folds relatively flat. You can go to OrlandoStrollerRentals.com to see a video demonstration showing the unique features of this stroller. Larger, bulkier strollers present a challenge getting on and off the buses. Generally, you may be better off bringing a smaller, lighter umbrella type stroller that has space under or on the back for supplies. They are the least expensive lightest option. Umbrella strollers can be found for sale at many of the Disney World stores: the price is around $50.
- If flying with smaller children a stroller can come in handy in airports where you will have a long walk from one terminal to another. Strollers can be easily gate checked as you board your plane and there are travel bags available for many strollers. If you plan to use your own stroller in the Disney parks you will want to understand that larger strollers are extremely difficult to take on and off the Disney buses. Buses that transport guests from the resorts to the parks do not have cargo bays, which means you will have to take your stroller onto the buses which have narrow aisles, and you will have to hold the stroller for the duration of the bus ride. Again, there is nowhere to stow a stroller. At park closing, those narrow aisles are packed with people trying to get back to their resort. Here again, a smaller, lighter umbrella style stroller would work best. There are a few stroller models that have shoulder straps for easy carrying. If you don’t already have one and are considering buying, single umbrella strollers are available for just under $50, double strollers run around $100.
If you decide to bring a stroller from home and you will be flying to Orlando, it is a good idea to check your airline’s policy for checking strollers as baggage or gate checking. Most allow umbrella type strollers to be gate checked and most airlines allow a stroller to be checked as part of your luggage without a fee. Some do have certain restrictions, for example, Hawaiian Airlines has a policy of no jogger type strollers for gate checking. Continental Airlines accepts one stroller, in addition to the passenger’s luggage, but will apply oversize and/or overweight charges. If you have both a car seat and a stroller, Continental will only allow one to be checked free of charge. Know what your airline’s policy is before you get to the airport.
Finally, if you choose to rent a stroller figure what the cost will be for the length of your stay and include that in your budget.
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