Disney’s Stroller Policy Update: See what is allowed

On most days when you enter these parks, you see rows upon rows of strollers. Here are top tips on how to use a stroller at the Disney parks, especially at Disney world and Disneyland. Also find their stroller policy.

Top tips for using a stroller at Disney Parks

Disneyland already crams an incredible number of attractions into a relatively small space. That’s one of the qualities that endear the park to me, but it also makes visiting a challenge many days.

In addition to so many rides, shows, restaurants, stores, people, now strollers are also competing for space. Although the crew at Disney put in their best efforts to keep the strollers organized and the crowds moving past them.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when bringing a stroller to Disney parks: 

• If you are tempted to bring your oversized stroller to the park, I suggest you go through the latest stroller policy that prevents the entry of oversized strollers into the park. You don’t want to ruin the experience in case the stroller is not allowed inside.
• Planning to take two strollers along? Make sure to go one behind the other (avoid going side-by-side) in crowded places and don’t be a part of the blocker family thus attracting dirty looks.
• Have grown-up kids? It’s better to let them walk instead of getting a stroller to the park (exceptions can be made in the case of special needs kids).

New Stroller Policy

Planning a visit to a Disney theme park? Think twice, and definitely measure your stroller once, before tossing your stroller into the trunk of the car.

As of May 1, 2019, if you plan to bring a stroller into Disneyland, the stroller may not be larger than 31″ (79 cm) wide and 52″ (132 cm) long in order to gain entry in the parks, according to the updated FAQ.

Another important thing to note – only those strollers that can be pushed in front of you (the traditional type) are allowed. It means all wagons, including stroller wagons, are no longer permitted in the park. Anything that gets dragged behind is not permitted as it poses a tripping hazard.

So make sure the stroller you get along to Disney has the following features:

• Adheres to the new measurements (Note: Product dimensions are usually mentioned in the format L x W x H)
• Comfortable, Allows various positions, configurations
• Lots of storage space that is easy to access, Easy to maneuver
• Includes a snack tray, Has a Large canopy

While at first glance, the restriction may seem like a selfish motive to earn more money, considering that Disney also rents single and double strollers, the fact is that the theme parks have been generating record attendance levels and Disney is only trying to make it easier to get around within its theme parks.

• Most recent strollers already comply with the new size regulations.
• Stroller wagons and larger strollers are cumbersome and not as easy to navigate in a crowded park.
• The larger strollers also cause inconvenience to the rest of the visitors trying to work their way around these large strollers.

 

There was a time when people really didn’t bother about the strollers in these theme parks. But as these theme parks become increasingly popular and crowded, and as strollers continued to grow in size, there was a good chance that a park-goer could get stuck behind a family struggling to maneuver a huge double-wide stroller (with two kids, plus snacks, and everything else – baby related – needed for a fun day out). “We are seeing these gigantic monster truck strollers rolling through the parks, and I don’t think parents think about the consequences of that,” read more.

So get a measuring tape and measure your stroller (single or double) to check if the stroller meets these new requirements; make you measure the stroller at the widest and longest points.

Most modern strollers are compact in size, so most of these strollers would be able to meet these Disney guidelines (even double strollers). So chances are pretty good that your double stroller will still be allowed in these parks without a problem.

Related:

• Tips to prevent Stroller theft at Disney parks.
• Lightweight strollers featuring Disney characters.
• How to have more fun with your stroller

Disney World changes mobility device rental program

Disney World also made some changes to its mobility device rental program.

There is no doubt that Walt Disney World is one of the most wheelchair, stroller and handicap accessible parks in the world. However, they have made a modification to their Mobility Device Rental Program, which as per some visitors, narrows down the number of featured provider options guests have to handle their mobile device needs.

As per the management at the park, this change is an effort to simplify the vacation planning process for guests who are needing to rent strollers, electronic convenience vehicles and wheelchairs.

Disney has also made changes to it Stroller Policy which restricts the entry of bulkier strollers inside the park.

As per the research conducted by the company, Guests found having various vendor choices for mobile devices complicated and preferred dealing with just one Disney-preferred source to rent from when visiting the park.

As a result, there is now one Disney featured provider, Scooterbug, a private mobility rental company in the Central Florida area.

As part of the featured provider status, deliveries and returns from ScooterBug will be managed by Disney Resort bell services. Guests do not need to be present at the time of delivery when renting from Scooterbug.

However, third-party stroller, electric wheelchair, electric scooter or any other mobility device deliveries from other third parties are no longer allowed to be dropped off at Disney Resort bell service areas or front desks unless the guest themselves are present for pick-up and drop-off.

That means guests cannot receive strollers, electric wheelchairs, electric scooters or any other mobility device from third-party vendors by delivery; they would instead, have to meet vendors outside of their hotel or in the hotel lobby to pick up devices.

Some have expressed concern regarding how the new rules may limit access to accessibility equipment needed by some guests.

Ed McCann says his wife requires a shower wheelchair that Disney itself does not rent, and he is unsure whether he can receive one now, without spending extra time from their vacation to wait for the delivery. In a thread on Twitter, he explained,

“Getting on my soapbox, I have a problem with this no outside mobility vendors, there are lots of medical equipment besides scooters that are required for a vacation. My wife needs a shower wheelchair to roll into the shower, it’s a piece of equipment that Disney doesn’t carry with…out these providers there are a lot of people who won’t be able to enjoy their vacations. I sincerely hope @WDWToday @WDWGuestService reconsider this policy! No outside vendors @WDWGuestService @WDWToday? So can I call down to the front desk and have this brought up to my room? This is only the tip of the iceberg for equipment people require,”

It is clear that the new rules should push more people to rent Disney’s own strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs, even if they are more inconvenient.

For more information about rentals, visit here.