We’re sharing the tips, tricks, and guidelines for Disney World strollers, whether you’re renting one or bring your own with you.

Strollers are everywhere at Disney World, and as necessary as they are, they are one of the few parts of the Circle of Disney Life that Moms and Dads don’t mind seeing their little ones outgrow. But be careful not to rush – that sun-guard and those four plastic wheels can be all that stands between you and full-meltdown.

If the trip you’re planning is your first (and even if it isn’t), we’ve got the who, the what and the how that you need to have the right people in the right Disney World Stroller! 

Disney World Strollers: Who Needs Them?

Let’s start with the obvious, just to get it out of the way. If they use a stroller at home, they’re going to need a stroller at Disney World. No arguments here? Excellent. The real question is how long after they have given up the stroller lifestyle will they need to ride their way to the Magic?

This is one of the toughest questions I faced as a new Disney Dad, in part because my daughter wanted nothing to do with her stroller any more at home. She was determined to do everything that her big brother could do. She was also very tall for her age and it was easy to forget how young she was.

Photo by Laurie Sapp.

If you’re looking for a cut and dried age limit of when you can give up the stroller at Disney World, 8 years old is a very common opinion. Maybe the answer is that simple for you too. My tall girl would never have fit any stroller at that age… so here is a test you can self-apply:   

A Disney World holiday is a LOT of walking. No joking, you should expect to take 12,000 to 20,000 steps each day you adventure into one of the parks. Now imagine that your little ones went on a school trip and were made to walk that far. Your sweet baby… 12,000 steps. For multiple days in a row. Would you be furious? Would you call that school and give somebody a piece of your mind? If the answer is “yes” then your instinct says it’s stroller time, and when it comes to your family, YOU are the expert, Disney Dad. Let’s go get a stroller.

Renting Strollers at Disney World

This is a nice option if you have mostly given up the stroller at home. Strollers are available to rent at Guest Services throughout the Disney World parks and Disney Springs. These are not fancy strollers, and lack many of the features that your stroller at home takes for granted, but they are on the roomy side and offer a place to sit and some mobile shade.

They offer the option of a Single Stroller, recommended for children 50 lbs. or less for $15 per day, or a Double Stroller, recommended for children under 100 lbs or less for $31 per day.

Pros of Renting a Stroller at Disney World

• The simple solution is giving you a mobile magic platform where you need it.
• Multi-Day discounts are offered ($13/day for Singles, $27/day for Doubles), show receipt when picking up at Guest services
• Just enough stroller for young ‘uns who don’t use a stroller at home.

Cons of Renting a Stroller at Disney World

• Disney rental strollers cannot leave their park of origin.
• No stroller for long trips like returning to the buses
• A $100 credit card deposit is required when renting a stroller at Disney Springs
• There may not be enough stroller support for toddlers and younger kids

Renting a Stroller from a Third-Party Company

If you’re looking for something a little more like your stroller from home without actually bringing your stroller from home, there are many Orlando-area companies ready to provide that service, and ready to answer the questions you didn’t even know you needed to know. Disney has a Featured Provider called ScooterBug which offers six different categories of scooters for rental, sorted by capacity, passenger weight, folding simplicity and more.

Photo by WDW Magazine

Rates based on at least a four-day length of stay are competitive with Disney’s “park-only” rentals, and they go where you go for the duration, and can make deliveries directly with your resort hotel’s bell stand, even if you are elsewhere having fun at the time. 

Bringing a Stroller to Disney World

See that Disney Dad folding up his stroller one-handed in the morning line for the Magic Kingdom bus without even looking? He brought that thing from home. And yeah, he looks cool, but he’s also not trying to learn how a rental stroller works while doing six hundred other things. There are just a few things to be aware of if you bring your own stroller: 

Pros of Bringing Your Stroller to Disney World

• As mentioned above, familiarity is comfortable and lowers stress for you.
• Your younglings are familiar and comfortable as well. If they are used to the seat at a certain angle for sleeping, or the cover pulling all the way down for maximum shade, this is their stroller, which makes them comfortable.

Cons of Bringing Your Stroller to Disney World

• It is a big, expensive thing you are bouncing around
• Disney says Strollers larger than 31” in width and 52” in length are not permitted.
• Your airline will have its own size limitations to be aware of.

Disney World Stroller Rules and Guidelines

• Strollers are not allowed on escalators. Use of strollers is permitted on elevators and ramps, available at certain locations.
• A child must be removed from his or her stroller while riding on a parking lot tram.
• Do not leave personal belongings in an unattended stroller.
• Strollers may be moved by a Cast Member due to operational needs..

Are Wagons Allowed at Disney World?

Wagons and Stroller Wagons are not allowed in Walt Disney World Resort. 

Disney World Strollers and Transportation

To fold or not to fold? All strollers must fold on Disney buses, parking lot trams and small boats. Strollers do not need to fold on ferries, the monorail, friendships, or Skyliner gondolas (except for side-by-side double strollers, which must fold upon entry). In any circumstance, if your stroller does not fit, it must fold!

Navigating Disney World Security with a Stroller

If this is your first time navigating security with a stroller, you may have never noticed the “For Strollers” signs. These are your best friends, as these lines are all about making things as simple as possible for Disney families on their way to adventure. Having said that, they do have to be thorough in checking all of the pockets and underneath the seat, and you will make it quicker and easier for yourself if you don’t start the day with every nook and cranny at maximum capacity.

And be sure to bring a little something colorful to help your stroller stand out in those parking lots full of identical looking strollers!

If this seems like a lot of fuss, well, it is. But it will keep the smallest members of your Disney family happy, hale and hearty, and ready to make some magical memories with Mom and Dad!