Everything you Need to Know About Strollers at Disney World

With miles of walking each day, plus the Florida heat and sensory overload, having a stroller can be the difference between magical memories and meltdown moments. The average visitor walks 7-10 miles per day in the parks, not including the often lengthy journeys from parking lots, transportation hubs, and resort lobbies. This level of walking is tough even for adults!

For children under 5 or 6 years old, a stroller is practically essential. Even kids up to 8 years old might benefit from having a stroller available during long park days.

A stroller at Disney prevents overtired meltdowns when little legs get exhausted and provides a comfortable nap space during long days. It creates a safe retreat from overwhelming crowds when sensory overload becomes too much. You’ll also appreciate the convenient storage for park essentials and souvenirs, eliminating the need to carry everything. Perhaps most importantly, a stroller protects children from the intense Florida sun and heat, giving them a shaded place to rest.

The difference between a magical Disney day and a challenging one often comes down to having a comfortable place for your little one to rest when needed.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning Disney With Toddlers may receive a small commission for purchases made through our links at no additional cost to you. It just helps us help you! For more information please see our affiliate disclosure.

Disney World Stroller Rules and Restrictions

Before choosing a stroller for your Disney trip, it’s important to understand the park’s official rules. Disney enforces strict size restrictions. Cast Members may measure strollers at the entrance if they appear too large, and oversized strollers won’t be permitted inside the parks.

Size Restrictions

Maximum width: 31 inches
Maximum length: 52 inches

Are Stroller Wagons Allowed at Disney World?

Disney does not allow stroller wagons (even those with handles and seats), wagons of any kind, or push/pull toys that resemble strollers. These restrictions are firmly enforced at park entrances. If your child has medical needs requiring a wagon or other specialized stroller, you may visit Guest Relations for assistance. Disney provides accommodations for guests with disabilities, which may include exceptions to standard stroller policies with proper documentation. In these cases you will be given a tag to display on your wagon or stroller to let Cast Members know it has been approved.

Bringing Your Own Stroller vs. Renting

One of the biggest decisions is whether to bring your own stroller from home or rent one at your destination. Both options have distinct advantages.

Bringing your own stroller is cost-effective if you already own a suitable travel stroller. Your child will already be familiar with it, which can provide comfort in an otherwise overwhelming environment. Having your stroller throughout the entire trip means it’s available for airports, hotels, and other destinations beyond the parks. You’ll also have it customized to your needs with all your preferred accessories.

However, bringing your own means dedicating luggage space to the stroller and risking damage during air travel. You’ll also need to maneuver it through airports and transportation, which can be cumbersome.

Renting a stroller allows you to travel lighter without bringing a bulky item from home. You won’t need to worry about damage during flights, and many rental companies offer high-quality options specifically designed for Disney use. With third-party rentals, your stroller can be delivered directly to your resort, waiting for you upon arrival.

The drawbacks to renting include the additional cost and the possibility that your child may need time to adjust to an unfamiliar stroller.

Best Strollers for Disney World

Whether bringing your own or renting, certain features make a stroller particularly Disney-friendly. Look for a lightweight design, which you’ll appreciate when folding and carrying on transportation. A quick, one-handed fold is essential for boarding Disney buses and boats.

A reclining seat allows comfortable napping during long park days, while a substantial sun canopy protects from the strong Florida sun. Ample storage space holds water bottles, snacks, and park essentials. Good suspension and wheels handle park terrain and crowded pathways, and some weather protection shields from unexpected Florida rain showers.

Key Features to Look For

Lightweight design – You’ll appreciate this when folding and carrying on transportation
Quick, one-handed fold – Essential for boarding Disney buses and boats
Reclining seat – Allows comfortable napping during long park days
Substantial sun canopy – Protects from the strong Florida sun
Ample storage space – Holds water bottles, snacks, and park essentials
Good suspension and wheels – Handles park terrain and crowded pathways
Weather protection – Shields from unexpected Florida rain showers

Top Single Stroller

The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is a popular choice for Disney visits. Parents love its one-handed, instant fold mechanism and near-flat recline position perfect for on-the-go naps. The extra-large UV 50+ canopy provides superior sun protection, while the adjustable calf support adds comfort for tired little legs.

FOR MORE TOP PICKS CHECK OUT: Best Stroller for Disney World: The Ultimate Parent’s Guide for 2025

Best Double Stroller

The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double is a top pick of visitors and rental companies for a reason. It offers all-terrain wheels that handle Disney’s varied surfaces with ease. Its side-by-side design stays within Disney’s width limit while providing comfort for both children. The near-flat recline for both seats creates ideal napping conditions, and the hand-operated parking brake adds convenience when stopping for attractions.

CHECK OUT THE FULL LIST OF DOUBLE STROLLER RECOMMENDATIONS: The Best Double Stroller for Disney World

Disney’s Rental Strollers: Worth It?

Disney World offers stroller rentals directly in the parks, with single strollers available for $15 per day and double strollers for $31 per day. Multi-day discounts are available for prepaid length-of-stay rentals. These rentals are located inside each theme park and at Disney Springs.

While convenient, Disney’s rental strollers have significant limitations for families with babies and toddlers. They feature hard plastic seats with no padding and do not recline for napping – though nothing can stop a Disney tired toddler from falling asleep just about anywhere. They also cannot be taken outside the parks, meaning you’ll need to carry tired children to transportation and hotels. Storage space is restricted to a small basket behind the seat, and you’ll need to rent a new stroller each day you visit a different park.

For most families with toddlers, Disney’s rental strollers are best suited for unexpected situations rather than as your primary stroller solution. That being said, they are still a popular service and readily available at the park entrances.

Third-Party Stroller Rentals for Disney

Many families find the sweet spot with third-party stroller rental companies in Orlando. These businesses specialize in providing high-quality strollers specifically for theme park visits. Kingdom Strollers is the most popular option with an extensive inventory of premium strollers.

Third-party rentals offer significant advantages over Disney’s rental options. These companies provide high-quality strollers like City Mini, BOB, and UPPAbaby models that feature comfortable padding, recline options, and proper sun protection. Most offer resort delivery and pickup, meaning your stroller will be waiting at your hotel when you arrive and can be left there when you depart.

For longer trips, these rentals provide multi-day savings that make them more economical than Disney’s daily rates. Many include added accessories like rain covers and parent consoles at no extra charge. All reputable companies ensure their strollers are thoroughly cleaned between rentals for peace of mind.

Rental costs typically range around $45-90 for a week-long rental, depending on the stroller model and company. This is often more economical than Disney’s rental prices for trips longer than three days.

Navigating Disney Transportation with Strollers

Disney’s transportation system has specific rules for strollers that vary by mode of transport. Understanding these ahead of time makes transitions much smoother.

When using Disney buses, strollers must be completely folded before boarding, and children must be removed from them. You’ll need to hold the folded stroller during the ride, so a lightweight model is advantageous here. Plan extra time for boarding and exiting, especially during peak hours.

The Disney Monorail is more stroller-friendly, allowing strollers to remain open with children seated inside. Just be sure to position your stroller to allow other guests to pass through the cabin. During busy times there will likely be multiple strollers in each section of the monorail.

For the Disney Skyliner, single strollers and tandem doubles can usually roll on without folding, while side-by-side double strollers must typically be folded. Always follow the instructions of Cast Members for loading, as procedures may vary based on current conditions.

Disney’s boat transportation varies by vessel type. Ferry boats, like those that take you to Magic Kingdom, and larger vessels usually allow open strollers. Friendship boats and smaller vessels may require folding depending on crowd levels. When in doubt, ask a Cast Member for the current requirements.

Here is the breakdown:

Disney Buses

Strollers must be folded before boarding
Children must be removed from strollers
You’ll need to hold the folded stroller during the ride

Disney Monorail

Strollers can remain open
Children can stay seated in strollers

Disney Skyliner

Single strollers and tandem doubles can roll on
Side-by-side double strollers usually have to be folded

Disney Boats

Rules vary by boat type and current crowd levels
Ferry boats and larger vessels usually allow open strollers
Friendship boats and smaller vessels may require folding

RELTAED POST: The Best Compact Travel Strollers for Disney World

Stroller Parking at Disney World

Every attraction at Disney World has designated stroller parking areas, typically managed by Cast Members. These parking zones are clearly marked and strategically placed near attraction entrances.

Disney stroller parking at Magic Kingdom

Always follow signage and Cast Member directions when parking your stroller. Never leave valuables in your stroller – take bags, electronics, and other important items with you when you leave it. Cast Members regularly reorganize stroller parking areas to maximize space, meaning your stroller may not be in the exact spot where you left it when you return.

To easily identify your stroller among the sea of parked strollers, mark it with a bright tag, ribbon, or balloon. This simple step can save considerable time and frustration when retrieving your stroller after an attraction. Cast Members may move strollers to keep areas organized, so don’t panic if your stroller has been relocated.

Essential Stroller Accessories for Disney

The right accessories can significantly improve your Disney stroller experience.

A rain cover is perhaps the most important add-on, as Florida’s afternoon showers are unpredictable and often intense but brief. Having protection ready means you can continue your day without soaking your stroller.
A rechargeable clip-on fan keeps little ones cool during hot Florida days, making naps more comfortable and preventing overheating.
A parent console or organizer keeps your phone, water bottles, and park essentials accessible without digging through bags.
Stroller hooks allow you to hang bags and purchases on your stroller, freeing up basket space for more important items.
A distinctive marker like a brightly colored ribbon, balloon, or custom tag helps you quickly locate your stroller in crowded parking areas.
Insulated drink holders keep beverages cool in the Florida heat, saving money on frequent cold drink purchases.

Stroller Strategies for Park Days

There are a few strategies that you can use to make your visit to Disney with a stroller even more enjoyable. The first tip, which applies whether you have a stroller or not, is to start your day early when parks are less crowded and easier to navigate. The first two hours after park opening typically offer the smoothest pathways for strollers and shortest attraction lines.

It also helps to plan indoor attractions and dining during the hottest part of the day to give your little ones a break from the heat. Strollers are also perfect for in park naps, allowing the rest of the family to enjoy maximum park time. We created a post to help you find the best places for a nap or break around the parks – and peak summer heat around 12-4 is the best time to take advantage of these.

Disney Springs dining visits often don’t require strollers, as many restaurants have limited space for them. Similarly, resort pool days and single-attraction quick visits to the parks might be easier without managing a stroller. When we knew we were heading in for just a short time we often would skip the stroller. It was a lot less work and their little legs held up just fine for a few hours.

Final Tips for Stroller Success at Disney

After helping hundreds of families navigate Disney with strollers, we’ve compiled these top recommendations. Practice with your stroller before your trip, especially folding and unfolding it, to ensure smooth transitions when using Disney transportation. This familiarity prevents stress when boarding buses with waiting lines behind you.

A stroller is one of the most valuable tools for families visiting Disney World with young children. Whether you bring your own, rent from Disney, or choose a third-party rental, the right stroller will significantly enhance your Disney experience by providing comfort, convenience, and a much-needed rest space for your little ones.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the Happiest Place on Earth with your little ones in tow!