Taking a stroller to Disney World? Learn the 8 stroller tips every parent should know, from security and transportation to naps, rain, and stroller parking.

Since having my first child, we have never done a Disney World trip without a stroller, and we don’t plan to change that anytime soon. Now with two little ones, the stroller is our shade, our snack station, our nap spot, and really the only reason we manage to make it from place to place. But bringing a stroller to Disney World isn’t always quite as simple (or dreamy) as you might think. Knowing just a few tips and tricks before you visit can mean the difference between wanting to ditch the stroller entirely and vowing to never do the parks without one again.

So, if you’re planning on using a stroller during your next trip, here are eight things I wish someone had told me before our first one.

A Smaller Stroller Beats a Bigger One

The first thing you need to know about stroller size is that Disney does have a few restrictions. Currently, you cannot bring a stroller wider than 31 inches and longer than 52 inches, or stroller wagons into the theme parks. They do strictly enforce this, and Cast Members will measure anything that looks close, so check the dimensions of your stroller (including any accessories and attachments) before you pack.

Photo by Laurie Sapp.

The good news is that most strollers on the market easily fit these size rules. However, being able to get through park security with it doesn’t necessarily make it the best stroller to be pushing through the crowded parks. On our first trip with our daughter, we brought our Uppababy Vista stroller, which fit Disney’s limits just fine. But we quickly realized that it was actually a pretty large stroller to maneuver through packed walkways and stroller parking. We eventually switched to a more compact stroller (like the Zoe), and it made our trips so much better.

So, if you’re choosing between the big everyday stroller and something lighter, take the lighter one.

The Strollers Disney Rents Have to Stay in the Parks

Disney has their own stroller rentals inside all four theme parks, and it’s easy to think that’s a simple hack to having to bring your own. And, honestly, it is if you’re planning to stay at the parks all day. However, people often don’t realize that those rentals cannot leave the parks. So, if you want a stroller at your resort or for hopping to another hotel for a dining reservation, you’re out of luck.

Photo by Cliff Wang

If you know you’ll want to bring a stroller in and out of the theme parks, plan to bring your own or rent from a third-party company that delivers to and picks up from the Disney World hotels. Just note that you’ll need to meet the delivery person at your hotel for the stroller handoff if you choose a third-party service.

Empty the Stroller Before You Reach the Security Scanner

One of the trickiest times to have a stroller at Disney World is at the park’s security gate. To get through security, your bags and your kids come out of the stroller and go through the scanner with you, while the stroller gets pushed through separately. Small babies are usually allowed to stay in the stroller, but once your child is old enough to walk, expect a Cast Member to ask them to walk on their own.

Photo by Judd Helms

None of that is a problem if you’re ready for it. It becomes a problem when you wait to reach the front of the line to begin unbuckling, gathering bags, and negotiating with your half-asleep toddler while everyone behind you waits. Instead, do all of this while you’re still moving up the line. You’ll get into the park faster, and waste less time in line.

Your Stroller Will Not Be Where You Parked It

Generally, strollers are not allowed in lines for attractions, inside restaurants, or at shows throughout the parks and resorts. So, you’ll need to park your stroller in the nearest designated stroller parking before you head in. However, Disney is dealing with a lot of strollers every day, so it’s not uncommon to finish your ride or meal and notice that your stroller has moved. Cast Members reorganize stroller parking constantly to keep pathways clear, which means your stroller has usually just migrated a few rows from where you left it.

Photo by Rich Ramos

The best thing to save yourself from the panic of not being able to find your stroller is to make yours identifiable at a glance. A ribbon, bandana, or a bright clip on the handle is all it takes. And remember that you should never leave anything in the stroller you’d be upset to lose. Snacks and rain gear can stay, but wallets, phones, and the good sunglasses come with you.

You Will Fold (and Unfold) It More Than You Ever Have at Home

Disney buses require strollers to be folded before you board, with kids out and bags in hand, and you’ll often be doing it in a moving line while holding your place. After a full park day, in the dark, with an overtired kid on your hip, that fold can feel like the biggest hassle of the day.

This is why a one-hand fold is the single most important (and best) stroller feature for Disney World. It doesn’t matter how much storage space you’re losing by taking the easy-to-fold option, you’ll be thankful for the ability to get on and off Disney transportation with ease.

It’s also worth knowing that the monorail and the Skyliner let you roll the stroller straight on without folding, which makes those the friendliest ones for stroller families. When two transportation options get you to the same place, take the one that doesn’t require folding your stroller.

The Stroller Needs a Rain Plan Too

In the summer, an afternoon storm is not a possibility; it’s basically guaranteed. And, usually, everyone remembers ponchos for the people in their party, but forgets that the stroller will likely be sitting outside getting soaked while you’re staying dry. 

Plan to pack (and carry) a rain cover that’s designed specifically for your stroller. If you can’t find something or are in a pinch, a heap poncho draped over the whole thing works nearly as well. Also, try to park under cover when you can find it, and keep a small towel in the basket for wiping everything down. It’s the least useful thing in your park bag until you really need it.

Plan Your Day Around the Stroller Nap

A midday stroller nap can save an entire park day, but it won’t just magically happen (unless you’re really lucky). Kids don’t easily fall asleep in a gift shop or while watching the afternoon parade; they usually require a long, low-stimulation stretch of walking. So, don’t forget to build this into your plan for the day! Take a slow lap around World Showcase, a walk along a resort loop, or book a long sit-down lunch where you can gently rock the stroller next to you.

Photo by Brett Svenson

This little itinerary change makes a huge difference, especially if you’re planning to stay in the parks late and see fireworks. On our trips, protecting that nap window is as much a part of the plan as any Lightning Lane.

Don’t Turn It Into a Cargo Ship

The storage basket under your stroller is tempting. It’s big, it’s convenient, and it makes you think that you can bring more to the parks than you should. Resist this urge! Every pound that you add to the bottom of your stroller is another pound that you need to push around a park and unload at security and before getting on the bus.

Pack for your day, prioritizing what you actually need and what fits into your park bag. Then, only use that under stroller storage space to lighten the weight on your back when you really need it.