A trip to Disney World is the ultimate family vacation. But it’s far from a relaxing, laid-back trip.
In just one day in the parks, you can expect to walk as many as 10 miles or more. Add in chasing around or carrying a toddler, and you’re likely to be exhausted long before the fireworks start.
While a stroller can ease the strain, many visitors to Disney World fly there. Others road trip with their families packed into small vehicles brimming with gear.
Flying with a stroller is a hassle, not to mention expensive. Trying to fit a large enough stroller into your family’s car can be just as bad.
Luckily, renting a stroller once you get there is a simple solution. But there are a few things you need to know first. Keep reading to learn 10 essential tips for renting a stroller at Disney World.
1. Don’t Rent in the Parks
Renting a stroller at Disney World might seem like an easy solution. After all, you can pick up your stroller right at the gate, use it in the park, then leave it there when you’re done.
But there are tons of downsides to this option.
To start, the stroller at the park are hard plastic, with no cushioning. When your child is riding around in it for hours, this is going to be uncomfortable. They also don’t recline, which might get in the way of your little one getting some much-needed rest in the middle of a long, hot day.
You can also only use your stroller within the park. If you decide to leave to head to another park, Disney Springs, or even just to go to your car and back to your resort for the day, you’ll have to leave your stroller in the gate.
At the end of a long day of fun, the last thing you’re going to want to do is to carry your exhausted toddler onto the monorail, boat, or tram, then through the parking lot to get to your vehicle.
2. Get it Delivered
If you’re going to rent a stroller from a third party provider, make sure they deliver.
The last thing you want to do during your vacation takes a lengthy side trip to pick up and then return your rental stroller.
You’ll also want to check to make sure your chosen provider has positive reviews from past customers!
3. Choose the Right Size for You
One big benefit of renting your stroller from a third party dealer is that you can choose a comfortable, better-quality option. But you’ll still need to consider what size stroller is right for you.
If one of your children is a little older, you might be tempted to simply rent a single for your younger child. However, having that second seat in a double can be a lifesaver for kids still small enough to fit in it.
If you have two little ones who each need a place to sit, a double can make it much more convenient to push both around. But if you also have other children or adults with you, renting two singles instead will give you a bit more storage space. A smaller stroller is also easier to navigate through crowds.
4. Make Sure You Can Collapse it Easily
From boarding a parking lot tram to leaving the park on the monorail, you’ll be folding your stroller down a lot. Make sure you learn how to fold your rented stroller right away.
5. Mark Your Stroller
On any given day, every Disney park is packed with hundreds of strollers. And with many of them rented, finding your stroller in a crowd of identical units can be a challenge.
Plan ahead to mark your rented stroller in some way so that you can easily pick it out in the crowd. A large, colorful ribbon tied to the handlebars, a fun, inexpensive stuffed animal attached to the shade, or even a park-purchased balloon tied to it, if you’re willing to shell out the money, is a simple solution.
