I am excited that I will not be lugging a stroller in to the parks this year or maybe I am overly optimistic!
If you have an infant and or a toddler and you plan to stay in the parks all day, you're going to need a stroller for the kids and maybe even one for yourself! The Florida sun and the excitement of Walt Disney World can be exhausting for small children, not to mention for the adults traveling with them as well. And lets not forget about all the "stuff" that young kids require, diapers, wipes, bottles, outfit changes, toys, etc. Do you really want to carry all of that? NO, that's why you have the stroller!
Many people bring their own strollers, but you can always rent strollers from all four Disney Parks and Downtown Disney as well. Single and double strollers are available and you can save money by pre-paying for a length of stay stroller rental. Double strollers are not available at Downtown Disney and you may not remove the strollers from the parks or Downtown Disney. Here's the thing, strollers can be just as much work as the kids! Depending on the number of kids requiring a seat upon their very own personal carriage, will partially determine what type of stroller you bring along. Whether you need a single, a double, a triple, or heaven help you something bigger, you must consider how easy it is going to be for you to maneuver throughout your days at Walt Disney World.
My double jogging stroller is heavy and it takes a while to fold it, lift it, and fit it into a space that was not meant for it. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who lent me her folding double stroller, which turned out to be pretty perfect for our needs at the parks. Whenever we needed to get on the buses, it was easy to fold, lift, and tuck on the floor by my feet. We maneuvered rather easily through the crowds, made great use of the reclining option, and when it was time for the various parades, ready made seats for the little ones!
The best feature of a stroller at Walt Disney World, it's the perfect place for the little ones to nap! This comes in handy when you plan to stay at the park all day, but don't want to return to your room for nap time. The worst feature, you can not take the stroller with you when you go on rides or into restaurants, hence stroller parking areas throughout the parks! Since you can not bring the stroller along, I recommend bringing a body carrier for smaller children. This will free up your arms while you wait in lines and still allow you to keep your baby safe and close.
At some point you should give up the stroller, but it is hard to determine at what age you should do this. If your kids are potty trained and you think they can withstand walking throughout the parks, it may be time to leave the stroller behind. You may find that you will need to return to your room for the kids to nap or take them to an air condition show and hold them while they sleep. Chances are you won't be carrying as much "stuff" with you, so you will not need a stroller compartment to store everything.
To stroller or not to stroller at Walt Disney World, what are your thoughts?
