Disneyworld - Bring Your Own Stroller or Rent One?

My brother just got back from DisneyWorld, and they rented, originally a double, then found it worked better for them to get 2 singles. They had no problems, and said that it wasn't too bad of an inconvenience to do so.

We happen to have a couple of Maclaren umbrella strollers that my kids love, they have great storage space, and they fold up really small and really easily. I prefer to bring my own, not only saving $$, but because of the convenience of just walking straight into the parks and heading for the rides.

Have a great trip!!!!

We went T. yrs ago and rented a double stroller. My kids are bigger now but if we had to doing it again we will definitely rent.

Have lots of fun,
Elisa M

We just went to Disney and flew, so we needed one for the airport, anyway. We got an umbrella stroller, but it was a "step -up" in that it had a basket and it reclined. It also had a cup-holder for the adult, plus one for the child. Even when we were going back and forth from parks to the hotel, it folded up with one hand, so it was really easy to take on the bus. The Disney strollers were pricey, plus they looked like they really didn't maneuver as well as the smaller, lighter ones. They were hard and like previously mentioned, were probably riddled with gunk. Ok, not that mine wasn't riddled with gunk, but at least it was our gunk....LOL! I don't know how old your child is - if he/she is an older toddler, maybe the hard plastic wouldn't be a big deal, but for a smaller child, I can't imagine they'd be too comfortable.
Disney rocks, so whatever your mode of transportation, you'll have a blast!!!

Everyone has told you what they like to do, but really, I'd choose based on how old your child is. We've done both and both have worked just fine. If your child is under age 2 and uses a snack tray or may fall asleep while being pushed from point A to point B, then take your own. If your child is over age 2 and can pop in and out of a stroller when you tell her to, then I'd recommend renting. Disney World got all new strollers last year and we find them very easy to manipulate even with a double carrying a 3 year old and a 6 year old.

We have done both. There are 2 problems with the disney strollers. 1)They are hard plastic and have little storage space. 2) Expensive - they just raised the prices last year. If flying, you can take the stroller right up the gate and they will store it for you and it will be waiting for you when you get off the plane. This year, we will be renting a stroller from Orlando Stroller rental. It will be about $100 for a week for a double stroller for our two boys. If you haven't found it already, I would go to allears.net for a wealth of information - including lots about strollers. Have fun!!

I'm from in Orlando so I just throw mine in the car, so it's easy for me to say bring your own.... Assuming you are flying, you need to decide if you mind lugging it. It seems to me that it's a good idea to bring your own because you can use it in the airport, at the theme park, and anywhere else you go while in town, like Downtown Disney or even a shaded place for your child to take a nap while you sit by the hotel pool. The Disney ones are used by zillions of other kids (ewww!) and they are molded plastic-- so not very cozy and doesn't recline. Plus they all look the same so it's no fun tryiing to find it when you get off of a ride. The attendents move them constantly within the stroller parking area to keep them in neat little rows. You do have to fold them if you take a Disney bus , but you can keep them unfolded on the ferry, monorail, etc.

Bring whatever you think your child will sleep in. More than likely you'll want her to have her own. People don't take other people's strollers, generally, but I wouldn't bring your nicest one either. Theme park strollers are usually hard and plastic.

I would recommend renting, but also bringing a small umbrella stroller. You'll need that to get to the rental place - it's a bit of a trek just to get to the entrance. They will hold your stroller for you while you rent theirs for the day (at least they did at Disneyland). I was very concerned about leaving my nice stroller outside the rides. There are SO many strollers and they're just sitting there for the taking - not the tiniest bit of restraint or security. My daughter was 18 months when we went and was not the greatest sleeper, but she just fell asleep in the rented stroller. Bring some Lysol wipes if you want to wipe it down first. You can also call them to get more details on what type of strollers they have to make sure that your child will fit. I did (didn't want to risk it not working out). Have fun!

I know you have likely already gone to Disney, but I'm responding in case there are other people who have stumbled upon this thread asking the same question...

I went to Disney in Dec 2010 and was planning on bringing my own stroller. The airline wanted to charge me an arm and a leg to check my stroller. It was FREE if the child was under 2, $35 EACH WAY because he was older than two. Ugh!!!

Then I found the company "Theme Park Strollers" (themeparkstroller-dot-com). They delivered the stroller to my resort, where I picked it up upon check in. Then I just brought it back to the front desk when I checked out. There was a large laminated sign on the back that said, "S. family stroller," that looked like a license plate, which was a nice touch. As I found out later, the sign made it soooo easy to spot my stroller among the thousands out there.

The stroller was strong, stable, and reclined for the times that my 4 year old was just too tired from all of the excitement. In addition, folding and unfolding the stroller was EASY and could be done with one hand. The best part... it cost $50 for 5 days!!!! Cheaper than the airport and much more convenient.

I would definitely recommend this company if you are traveling to the Disney World area.

When we went, we rented from themeparkstrollers.com. They had great, new Baby Jogger strollers for half the price of Disney. We could believe it! We got a double stroller and our kids (2 and 5) were in heaven! Best money I spent on the entire trip!

We took a double baby jogger which had an flat when we were there. The Disney stroller was great and we didn't have to haul it on the transportation to the park. Were much happier using their's. If you have an infant, however, you still might want your own because its just easy to put all the baby stuff and car seat in it. But for older children the park strollers were worth every penny for convenience.

take your own stoller, if ur child is like 4 and weighs like 50 lbs they don't fit they r skinny and so uncomfortable and u can't store anything on them they have 3 wheels and they don't recline if ur kid falls asleep.

Personal strollers are more comfortable. The Disney strollers are just made out of hard plastic which in the sun can get very hot! Also there is a sea of those things outside of every attraction. It will be easier to spot your stroller right away.

I'm part of the "bring your own, it's yours, your kid is used to it, and the gunk on it is all yours" crowd. Here is a link to "The Practical Mom's Disney Vacation Companion" that discuses the reasons to rent or reasons to take your own:

http://www.momswdw.com/disney-world-strollers/

I hope that your vacation is great no matter what you decide!
B.

Hello Amy,

A family I know will be buying an inexpensive stroller & donating it later when at Disneyland. I'm not sure how much renting a stroller is or how long you will be there, but it may be cheaper for you to do this.

R. Magby

Our extended family went in 2007 with our then 5 year old and 4 year old niece.

We rented, which was fine in the parks.

Good thing- didn't have to haul it on/off the disney transportation, which requires collapsing and popping back up every time you get on and off. Also, disney trans. can sometimes be very crowded, so it's in the way and cumbersome.
Didn't have to worry about the snack tray because the kids sat at regular seats while dining.

Yes, the seats are hard plastic, but believe me a tired kid can sleep anywhere in any position. We have hilarious pictures to proove it!

Bad thing - getting from the parking lot or disney trans. drop off to the gate, in the gate, and to the rental counter can be a long walk. This is not bad in the morning when everyone is fresh. But when you've been there all day (or even part of a day) and you have to carry a sleeping or very sleepy 5 and 4 year old back to transportation when you are tired yourself, not good!

Yes, all strollers are parked in stroller parking with no security, etc. Didn't find that to be a problem. Didn't see anyone getting stuff taken or stroller taken.

I like one of the responders responses, take an umbrella stroller to get to/from the rental counter then rent theirs inside. That sounds like the best plan yet!

I have rented strollers at world and land parks and found both to be acceptable and in good condition. Not a lot of storage, though. Keep that in mind if you have a little enough one that requires diapers, etc.

Definitely rent. We have lived in Florida for 9 years and have visited Disney World many times during that period. At first we brought our own because we'd heard the same thing but honestly, the strollers are just fine and they have a nice canopy to shield your little ones from the sun. There are many times that we wish we could have fit in there!! Enjoy your trip!

We rented a double stroller while we were there. It was reasonably priced and the only ones I had a real issue with were the ones at MGM. THey have recently raised the prices (to my understanding). The double stroller was large enough for my then 11mo to sleep in it.

BUT- one thing you have to take into consideration- strollers are not allowed in any of the indoor buildings in any of the parks. While they are very handy in getting from Frontierland to Tomorrow Land, once you are where you are, they are pretty much useless as you have to park them and then walk or carry. THey are just about useless in EPCOT.

Also consider security. While they do not have x-ray machines going into the park, they do have bag and equipment searches.

Hope this helps and Have fun!

here are some reviews

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1572053/review_o...

http://theshoppingmama.com/2010/02/disney-stroller-rental/

I would bring my own for several reasons:
-theirs have no snack tray
-no way to recline it if the little ones want to rest
-they just plain don't look comfy
-if you plan on going other disney places like downtown disney and such you'll need/want a stroller and you can't rent one in those places.

we have rented strollers from www.orlandostrollerstogo.com and www.disneyworldstrollers.com and have no regrets. They deliver to the hotel and the rates were better than disney for a much nicer stroller. :-)

We usually take our own. We and DD is comfortable with it and know how it handles. We can hang and store things in it. It also has a lock and comes with a net. The ones you can rent aren't always dependable and the sun will be hitting them the whole time. Sometimes other people can walk away with them, but if you take your own you could easily spot it "rolling" away. Either way, I always tie a balloon or a bandana to it, so that I can easily recognize it.

I also don't recommend taking one of those "red-wagon" strollers because after a while, we are all tired and don't want to haul them around. Just stick with your regular stroller. Also, if you take your own you won't have to rent too many of those lockers. Just be sure to take an extra large bag that you can stuff souvenirs and what not and then tie it and then use a clip key chain to clip it to the stroller.

Good luck!

Depends how old your child is. If you want your child to sleep in the stroller, bring your own! the strollers at Disney are good for older kids who just want a place to sit when they get tired. Infants/toddlers, best to bring your own.

they're just like strollers, you should rent them there. disney is difficult as it is even without the extra stuff kids require.