Disney Is Banning Oversized Strollers on May 1
If you’ve ever been to Disney with little kids, you know that your stroller is home base. Not only does it serve as a respite from long walks, long lines, and as a cozy spot to snooze for your child, but it also holds all the stuff your family doesn’t want to carry. That’s why some parents are especially alarmed to know that starting May 1, oversized strollers as well as stroller wagons will be banned from Disney parks.
Don’t fret, though, we’ve got the details to help you plan appropriately.
According to the Disney Parks blog, the new rules on strollers go into effect on May 1. Only oversized strollers that exceed 31″ (79cm) wide and 52″ (132cm) long will be banned. That’s great news if you consider that the standard single child stroller and even many jogging strollers and double wide strollers meet these guidelines.
If your stroller is too big, however, you can take advantage of the stroller rental program, currently available at Walt Disney World and rolling out at Disneyland Resort. After you pay a $100 deposit, you can rent a single stroller, available for children 50 lbs. or less for $15 a day unless you need it for multiple days and then you only pay $13 a day. Double strollers are also available for children 100lbs or less and can be rented for $31 a day or $27 per day if you rent for multiple days.
The rule change reflects an effort by Disney to improve the guest experience. According to Lisa Mendillo, Communications Manager, Walt Disney World Resort and author of the Disney Park blog post, these updates “are designed to help guest flow and ease congestion, making the parks more enjoyable for everyone.” It is worth noting that the smaller a stroller is, the easier it is so move through crowds at Disney. Besides, as any parent can tell you, it’s exhausting hauling a ton of stuff and pushing a giant stroller around.
Be sure to check and see if the park you’re headed to offers the stroller rental program. Currently, it is offered at Walt Disney World but not quite yet at Disneyland Resort, although the stroller rental program will soon be rolling out there as well.
In the meantime, if you’re looking to find a suitable stroller to buy that won’t break the new park rules, the Joovy Scooter X2 Double Stroller and the Evenflo Aero2 are highly rated on Amazon. You can also check out this handy stroller buying guide.
When looking for a new stroller, it is important to consider safety guidelines. Make sure that the stroller you choose complies with US federal safety standards. You can look for a sticker on the stroller tags, packaging, or the stroller itself that indicates the product you’re choosing participates in and has been certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA).
For more information on planning your perfect Disney family vacation, keeping up with park rule updates, or learning about cool new features and destinations within the parks, definitely check out the Disney Parks Blog here.