Avoid These Top 7 Stroller Mistakes Parents Make at Disney Parks

When Walt Disney first envisioned his Disneyland project, he saw it as a place where parents and their children could go to have fun together. Disney parks and resorts are still some of the most popular vacation destinations in the world for families, and with those families often comes an important piece of travel equipment — the stroller.

During my eight years pushing my kids around the theme parks, I became a master of Disney stroller etiquette and fine-tuned many of my own personal strategies for touring the resorts with a stroller in tow. In our guide below, we'll tell you how to avoid the top seven stroller mistakes parents make at Disney and hopefully help you elicit goodwill among your fellow Disney guests.

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Don't Make These Stroller Mistakes at Disney

We've all seen them littering the Disney walkways and perhaps silently curse them as we look for a clear path through the throngs of legs and wheels. While they can certainly be a nuisance, strollers are a near-necessity when touring the Disney parks with young kids.

If you've ever experienced the phenomenon we refer to as “Disney feet,” you understand how much walking is involved on a Disney vacation. When you're averaging 7-10 miles on foot per day, it's just not feasible to expect your toddler or preschooler to keep up, and toting your infant around all day in a carrier or otherwise presents its own set of challenges.

Let's dive into the biggest stroller mistakes you should avoid…

Doing Disney Without One

The benefits of using a stroller to get your littles from point A to point B at Disney far outweigh any inconveniences associated with them. Having a stroller with you means there's always a comfortable seat available for eating, napping, resting, watching parades, waiting for the fireworks to begin, and more!

Even if you want your kids to have some freedom of movement in the parks, it's still a good idea to use a stroller to traverse those vast expanses between lands. You can park your stroller upon your arrival in a new area and allow your kids to walk to each nearby attraction. Then you can collect your stroller and head to your next destination, preserving their stamina for the remainder of the day.

Maybe your 5-year-old no longer uses a stroller at the local zoo or even for a day trip to the nearest non-Disney theme park. That's great — they still may need one at Disney. If you have multiple kids who might be on the verge of outgrowing strollers, bringing just one with you gives you the option of taking turns as needed. It's better to be prepared than to end up walking possibly miles with a worn-out child in your arms. Multiple days in the parks leads to cumulative exhaustion, and my family whined less, smiled more, and was able to hang on much longer because we used strollers at Disney.

Bringing a Big, Expensive One

First, it's important to know that Disney does not permit strollers that exceed 31″ (79cm) in width and 52″ (132cm) in length. This size limitation is actually not all that restrictive, and even many double strollers fall well within these measurements. Wagons and stroller wagons of any type are strictly prohibited, as well.

In addition to these rules, you should be aware that guests must fold strollers before boarding Disney parking lot trams, buses, and small water taxis. It's essential to have a stroller that folds quickly, easily, and compactly. No one wants to be that person who holds up an entire tramload of people because you can't get your stroller to close or to fit beside you in your seat.

Furthermore, your Disney vacation is not the ideal time to put your luxury stroller to the test. Stroller theft doesn't happen often at Disney, but it does occasionally happen. Our youngest was almost a year old the first time we took her to Disney, and we brought our Chicco Bravo, which is an affordable infant stroller that complies with Disney's size requirements. We don't regret having it on that trip, but it was definitely a tight fit on the parking lot trams. For our next trip, when our daughter was two, we opted for a comfortable Summer umbrella stroller because it's lightweight, folds simply into a slender storage position, and still has plenty of storage for belongings.

Parking in Undesignated Areas

Imagine you have an attraction in your sights, and you're making a beeline for the queue. Perhaps you're hoping to take advantage of a dip in the usual wait time. You're getting close, and you see an empty corner near the attraction entrance that looks like the perfect place to stow your stroller as your group slides seamlessly into the queue area.

But wait! Disney has a rule for that, too. It's a requirement at Disney to park strollers in designated areas. We know it can be a pain to have to pause, locate the signs for those chain-enclosed spaces, and trek across the respective land to get there, while more and more people file into the attraction line ahead of you. However, just think of the thousands of abandoned strollers that would clutter the immaculate Disney landscape if this rule were not in effect.

We recommend marking your stroller in some way so that it is easy to find in the sea of other strollers in the parking areas. You could make a distinctive sign to hang over the handles or tie a brightly colored ribbon onto one of them…get creative! The typical consequence for breaking the stroller parking rule is finding that a cast member has taken the liberty of relocating your stroller to the appropriate place for you…not that we have ever experienced this.

Renting a Disney Stroller

Personally, I find it makes the most sense to bring your own stroller on your Disney trip, whether you're driving from home or flying. Most airlines don't charge passengers to check a stroller, and it seems worth it to me to avoid the hassle of renting (or buying) one when you arrive. Your stroller will usually be the most comfortable option for your kids and the most familiar for you, which will ensure ease of use. If your personal stroller isn't Disney-friendly, it might be worth it to spring for an umbrella stroller (like the Summer 3-D Lite) before you go.

If you prefer not to travel with your own stroller for one reason or another, I don't recommend renting directly from Disney. For one thing, their strollers are hard plastic and thus, not super comfortable for young kids. They also leave much to be desired in the way of shade and storage, and you can only use them in the parks. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, they're ill-equipped for dozing, making them a poor bed for an impromptu nap. You can find third-party stroller rental options and more here.

Being Unprepared for Rain

There's a high probability that rain is going to happen during your Disney vacation, especially if you're traveling to Disney World in Orlando. Preparing for this inevitability ahead of time is the best way to keep those showers from spoiling your fun! We recommend packing a clear, ventilated rain cover that fits your stroller well. It'll keep your little passengers dry, along with anything you're storing onboard. My kids always loved the thrill of watching the rain fall around them, while staying dry in the stroller.

If you forget to pack a cover, Disney does sell them at Baby Care Centers or other merchandise locations, but like most retail items at Disney resorts, it's going to cost you. You could also purchase one online and have it delivered to your hotel. Wherever you decide to acquire your rain cover, it's best to do so before the threat of rain arises to prevent discomfort and save time during your Disney park days.

Leaving it Unattended with Valuables in It

One huge perk we miss from our stroller-pushing days is the extra storage they provide! We still miss having space for rain gear, sweatshirts, snacks, water bottles, cooling towels, and more underneath. Now that we're stroller-less, we have to tote these bulky items around in our daypack or leave them behind.

While the extra storage is incredibly convenient, be sure to collect any valuables before leaving your stroller unattended. However unlikely theft may be at Disney, it's still unwise to trust that cell phones, wallets, or prized souvenirs will still be there when you return. In fact, my youngest once left a Mickey bubble wand she had used a Christmas gift card to purchase, which we assumed was stowed safely underneath our stroller outside the Enchanted Tiki Room. After the show, we came back to discover her beloved (and not inexpensive) bubble wand had been taken. Tears and regret ensued.

It's also helpful to remember that you'll still have to remove anything you store in your stroller that could impede its ability to fold before boarding Disney trams and buses to avoid delays.

Forgetting Your Manners

Not showing consideration for others is the biggest Disney stroller mistake you can make. Although the walkways are typically wide enough to accommodate large crowds, including strollers and mobility vehicles, they still frequently become congested.

Families using strollers at the Disney parks should move at a reasonable pace, taking care not to run over any unsuspecting toes. Weaving in and out of the crowd is inconsiderate and also quite dangerous. Don't block someone's view of the parade with your stroller. Be polite and follow the rules. Common courtesy goes a long way toward ensuring a safe and pleasant experience for everyone.

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