Traveling with a stroller or pram isn’t the easiest thing to do. Not only do you have to navigate the Disney Parks, transport, and your resort room with an enormous piece of equipment, but you are (hopefully) doing it with a little one in tow that needs most of your attention at the same time. The idea of folding up your stroller to get onto the bus sounds simple enough in theory, but in practice, you can bet that will be when your child finally falls asleep. While you juggle your other toddler and then sleeping-now awake, cranky baby, you’ve got to fold up the stroller and get everyone on the bus while a crowd waits (often impatiently) around you. It’s basically the parenting Olympics. If you can parent at Disney, you can do it anywhere. However, there are a few tips and tricks that I’ve learned the hard way over the years, and I thought they just might be worth sharing.
Add an Airtag to Your Stroller
If you’ve done this before, you already know the frustration of exiting an attraction only to have your stroller be nowhere in sight. No, I didn’t leave it in the wrong spot or in an inconvenient walkway. I left it right in front of the Stroller Parking sign, for duck’s sake. Yet, when I returned, mine and every other stroller there were gone. Instead of wasting those precious park moments looking for your stroller, whip out your phone (which you already use to book your next Lightning Lane) and track the AirTag you conveniently attached earlier to find your baby wheeler quickly. It’s a simple thing, but it works great every time. Even better, on those rare occasions when someone might mistake your stroller for theirs, you can find it on the move as well.
Make it Identifiable
When you do find the new bank of strollers, the worst part can be realizing that there are thirteen of them that look identical, and if you aren’t traveling with lots of distinctive ‘stuff,’ it’s hard to find the right one without rifling through everything. Add something identifiable to your stroller. Something as simple as a hair ribbon around the hand grip can make that moment of searching in the stroller crowd much simpler. It also helps others to be less likely to mistake yours for theirs, especially if you have rented one (WDW or DLR) locally where they likely supply all the same models.
Get a Stroller Cover
Whether it’s a fancy brand-specific version or just a $2 oversized plastic poncho you brought from home, have a cover for your stroller with you. Not only can you throw it over to keep little ones dry while on the go, but you can also store all your excess layers and keep those nice and dry for later when you need them again. Another weather aspect that many people discount is wind. Even when it isn’t raining, keeping your child out of the wind can be so helpful in maintaining their enjoyment and keeping them warm in those cooler months.
Pack Some Zip Ties
Ahh, I love a zip tie. The possibilities are endless with them and this is a travel staple that I never leave home without. On one trip to Disneyland, I used a few of these to daisy-chain together and secure a new plush toy to the side rail of the stroller. I knew that my child would either drop it at some point or there might be an opportunity for it to be pinched. So, I made a connector to the chair so that the adorable Mickey Mouse I had just spent forty dollars on didn’t end up missing. Other uses have included tying my ear headband to my Loungefly backpack at the end of the evening when I can’t wear it any longer but don’t want to carry it in my hands, as well as securing my travel umbrella to my stroller at a bizarre angle to give my child shade as they slept through our not-so-quick service lunch stop.
Trade Luxury for Convenience
A stroller with all the bells and whistles might be perfect at home, but at Disney, it’s likely to be more trouble than it’s worth. It’s all fun and games until someone has to fold it up one-handed while trying to get onto a bus. I love an umbrella stroller with a simple hood for traveling. Because we are traveling internationally, I often go to a retail store before my park days and pick up a cheapie that will do the job without being a hassle. More often than not, at the end of our stay, we ask a family staying nearby if they would like to have it when we leave, and most of the time, it is well received. It seems to be a common mistake to underestimate how quickly children fatigue in the Disney Parks, and even the best walkers need a stroller much longer than they would at home when doing much shorter day trips. It’s also a huge benefit not to cart it around during air travel. And just in case you are wondering, in my experience, it often works out cheaper than renting one.
If you prefer a more sturdy stroller and do decide to rent one, you can save 10% by using Buena Vista Rentals – one of our site sponsors. You’ll also receive a FREE accessory like a cup holder!
Zoë Wood is a travel writer from Sydney, Australia. Since her first visit to Disneyland at the age of 6, she has spent her years frequently visiting Disney Parks and traveling around the world.
Join Zoë as she lets you in on all the tips, tricks, anecdotes, and embarrassments that arise from her family adventures.
