Which Stroller to Take to Disney World?

Hi A.,

I have been to disney a few times and have a 3 and 4 year old. I have taken both a double wide stroller and the front and back stroller. I have also rented the strollers from disney. It is harder for the kids to see everything in the rented strollers because they sit so low to the ground and if it is crowded they won't be able to see through the people walking.

When we took the double stroller we couldn't go into any of the stores with the stroller because it was too tight and lots of breakables around in the store. The front to back stroller worked best (although I agree not the easiest to push around). It fits directly on the monorail if you are taking it and you don't even need to fold it up. When you go into the park they will open up the gate for you to push in the stroller so you shouldn't need to fold it up for it to fit through the gate. In a crowd it is easier to get through with the front to back stroller because some people are not considerate enough to move over and make room. Everyone is too excited to get to the next attraction.

I never had a problem with losing or having any strollers taken from us at the park. That should not be a concern although I have heard of it happening outside of the park. Hope this helps and I hope you have a great time.

L.

We went to DW last December when my little ones were almost 1 & 3. I would recommend two umbrella strollers. We brought the McClaren and a cheapy umbrella stroller. When we split up, we still had strollers for both, they were easy to fold and store for the airplane and buses, and when my 3 year old didn't want to ride, we folded up the cheapy and attached it to the McClaren. When one of the kids fell asleep, they got the McClaren which reclines.

We've been to Disney many, many times (members of vacation club) and when we had 4 1/2 yr old and 6 month old, we decided to go with two seperate strollers, bigger, more comfortable stroller for baby that could give good shade and full recling ability for naps, and an umbroller stroller for our older daughter. With so much going on down there, the older child is going to be up and down a lot and there is also the ability to split up if baby needs a nap, but big sibling wants to explore a bit. I know it seems like more hassel to bring two strollers, but the umbroller folds up nicely and may even fit in the basket under the larger stroller (ours did). We also found it fairly easy to go with this option when using disney transportation.
That being said, from our observations, you will have a much easier time getting through crowds with the front back stroller if that is the option you decide on, and the walking won't be too bad, but you will miss the jogging stroller at Animal Kingdom. We do see much more front-back down there though...and we usually take two trips a year.
Good luck and have a great time!

I'm not sure anyone has mentioned this, but you could take two umbrella strollers and then get those connectors that make them a double. I did this and it was great! We use them as separate strollers most of the time, but if we needed to split up and one parent stayed with the kids, we could easily connect them into a double stroller. The connectors were about $10 on amazon.

Having just been to Disney (a year ago) they offer a double jogger, so I would bring that. You have to park it for many things anyway. I would also suggest a baby carrier/sling for when you have to park the stroller but still need to wait in line. Be sure to get the timed entry passes to avoid waiting as much as possible. They REALLY help. Have fun, take lots of pictures

I suggest whichever one holds the most "stuff." You'll probably want to bring snacks, change of clothes, and also have room for shopping. I think you'll be fine as far as getting the stroller from place to place (I'm a former Disney cast member) because they have lots of stroller parking and can accommodate wheel-chair width strollers at the very least. I think it may be easier to navigate through crowds (and the airport) with the tandem since you won't be a "wide load." Have a great time! I'm looking forward to the day that we go back to WDW with our daughter!

We took two umbrella strollers (with mesh bags attached) and it worked great. Our kids were 2 and 4. They are easy to fold, light to carry, easy to push and fit everywhere. My husband and I could split the work of pushing them too. I wish I had gotten those clips (I hear Babies R Us has them) to hook them together though. If someone wants to go to the bathroom or anywhere else, you're stuck unable to move because you have 2 strollers. I'd take the two again and get the clips.

Good luck and have a blast!

-Liz

For inside Disney itself, they have strollers you can rent. They turn easy, are light and easy to push. They are large enough and shaped so that the kids can rest if they want.

I also recommend renting them! I haven't been to Disney with a stroller-aged child (quite honestly we will not take our son until he is 5 or 6 because we refuse to spend the money before he will be able to remember the trip).

My opinion in renting it stems from a trip to Dollywood two years ago with my husband's family. My niece was 22 months so she was in a stroller. We left the stroller in the stroller parking and went on the steam engine. When we came back we discovered we'd been stroller jacked! 9 hours away from home with a 22 month old and NO STROLLER! YIKES!

After that experience I recommend either renting a stroller at the park or taking a bicycle chain and locking it to a fence whenever you are going to leave it.

I've never been to Disney World, but I recently went on a family vacation to Water Country and Busch Gardens with my 3.5 year old son and 14 month old daughter, plus I'm 8 months pregnant. Instead of lugging a heavy double stroller, I took my single Graco MetroLite stroller and my HotSling baby carrier. Since my son was busy standing in line, riding the rides and having fun, he really didn't use the stroller at all. And my daughter only sat the in stroller when she fell asleep. I used the HotSling most of the time or played with her while waiting for everyone to finish one of the rides. Hope this helps!

Take the jogger if it pushes easily, that is what you will be doing the most of while there!!! The turnstiles are only at the last before a ride, if kiddos are actually going on a ride the will be walking or in your arms and the strller will be parked.

Have fun!
S.

Since you were there not that long ago, you probably remember that Disney has "stroller parking" everywhere you go, so you don't need to worry about lugging the stroller through lines. I would say take whichever is lightest and easier to manuever. Have fun in Disney!!

We have been twice with 2 stroller-age children (once they were 18mos and 2.5 and the other time 2 and 4). We did a double both times. But I bought a Chico side-by-side double for $70 at Toys R Us so we didn't have to lug our Urban Buggy around. I liked the light stroller because there are stairs where it is nice to have the kids pop out so you can run up the stairs with the stroller rather than wait for the elevator with 20 other strollers. You can fit with the Sit and Stand in all the cars. The first time we stayed in Disney and the second time we stayed in Celebration. Both times we got to use the handicapped car as long as no handicapped individual was using it so the kids did not have to get out. We never had a problem because there was always a car available. Since you've been there you know you don't have to worry about people taking your stroller so whichever you choose will be safe. Hope that helps.
K.

Whatever is lightest and easiest to fold. We bought 2 cheapo umbrella strollers to use at disney. If you stay at Disney, you will have to fold them to take on the shuttle busses. Space is usually limited at the hotel too, so something not big and bulky is usually best. If you're staying off site, you'll still need to fold and carry them for the monorail, while dealing with gear and 2 small kids, at least one of which you will be carrying. Imagine all of this on a crowded bus or monorail where you may not have a seat when making your decision.

As for the Disney strollers, I know some people like to use them since they don't have to transport them, but I'm not a big fan of them. They are quite heavy. The main reason why I didn't use the Disney strollers is that they all look alike. Often, when you're on a ride, the Disney Cast Members move the strollers around, so it may not be in the same place that you left it, and you will be looking in a big sea of identical strollers to find yours.

Personally I think you should take the Sit & Stand for 2 reasons: 1) your eldest will want to be in and out of the stroller and using the sit/stand feature is EASY. That being said if your 2.5yr old is anything like my 3yrs (keeping him in will be the issue)..2) the basket in the sit & stand is OUTSTANDING and you will want & need that feature while in the park. Folding it isn't too bad. It does the lines well, and gives you SPACE from the surrounding patrons.

So the sit N stand is my suggestion. Hope you have fun!! Heck, you know you will!

Definitely the Sit & Stand. We did that same trip with our kids when they were about the same age as yours currently are. We took our S&S and it was great.

Hi,
We just got back last week from Disney with our 4.5, 2.5 & 6 month old. We took our normal single and I bought a wrap to carry the baby in(this made going on the rides as a family easier since my hands were free). They all took turns the first 3 days and than we rented the Disney double for 3 days. This made it quicker for us to get from place to place. The Disney one was fine for the older girls but the baby can't sit up and we needed the recline postion on the single for the 2 little ones to nap. We stayed at Shades of Green and the buses had plenty of room for strollers but the Disney buses didn't. I saw a lot of umbrella stollers and regular ones but no jogging.(we considered it too but we drove and did not want to put it on the roof)
I would suggest taking the sit/stand and take a carrier for the baby so your son could nap if needed. We planned on napping at the hotel but the trip in the busses, shuttles & monorails put them to sleep.
L.

After having spent 10 days in Disney World in June/July, I thought I would let you know my opinion. I stayed on premises, so we used the Disney transportation for everything. The wide double strollers did not fit through turnstiles or on the Monorail. They also did not fit through many places in stores and never went into a restaurant. My 10 mo. old often fell asleep in the stroller, so being able to push it into a restaurant or directly onto the monorail would have been fantastic. On the other hand, you also need something that will fold up quick and easily to get onto the bus. You could think about renting a Disney stroller? But, that gets to be expensive and you would have to carry kids and all their gear into the actual park before you could rent one. To me, that wasn't worth it although many people told me renting was the easiest thing to do!

If I were to go back to Disney soon (we went with a 10 mo old and a 4 year old). I think I would take two smaller strollers. I have a Chicco Capri (lil bigger than an umbrella b/c it has a basket under it) - but it folds quickly and its a breeze to push, its small and lightweight, but lays back so my kiddo will still sleep in it. Having two strollers would have been easier too when the older one wanted to ride something we could have left one stroller w/him and I could have taken the other one and walked around or done something else.

Anyway, just my two cents. I hope you enjoy your trip!!
K.

Personally, I would rent one double stoller at the parks especially if you are staying at a Disney hotel. You can rent one the first day for your entire stay. They are easy to push and easy for your 2.5 yr old to get in and out as necessary. If you are worried about the airport, take an carrier for your 10 month old and an umbrella stroller for your 2.5 yr old. Light and easy when you have the 2 children and all the luggage you will need for 10 days.

I have never been to disney so I can't help you there but my though is I would think the kids would be able to see more in the jogger where as the front back some one will have to look around their sibling.

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Disney actually has strollers so while you are there you should use one of theirs. When you are not on Disney property I would suggest you bring the one that is easiest on you which sounds like the jogger. Have a great time!