Stroller Hacks For the Disney Parks
If you are planning a trip to Disney with little ones in tow, these stroller hacks will make navigating the theme parks a breeze!
The Disney Parks are huge, which can lead to many miles of walking each day. It can be very difficult for little ones to keep up. And if I’m being honest, many adults find it challenging as well! Strollers become a necessity for many families enjoying a Disney vacation.
Luckily, Disney is well suited to accommodate the masses of strollers arriving each day. But bringing and using strollers in the crowded theme parks can have its challenges. To help take some of the stress out of your day, be sure to use these Disney stroller hacks!
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Stroller Rules in Disney
Once you’ve decided to use a stroller in Disney, you need to determine whether you want to rent one or bring your own.
You can rent a stroller from Disney and pick it up right there in the park. Or you can rent from a variety of businesses that will deliver the stroller right to your resort such as Kingdom Strollers and ScooterBug Rentals.
If you decide to bring your own, be sure to familiarize yourself with Disney’s rules and requirements:
- Strollers cannot be brought into queue lines.
- Wagons and stroller wagons are not permitted in the theme parks (including Keenz Wagons).
- Strollers cannot be larger than 31” (79 cm) wide and 52” (132cm) long.
Disney is very firm with these rules. If you have a stroller that does not fit these requirements, you will not be permitted to enter the theme parks with it.
Now that we’ve covered the rules and requirements, here are some fun stroller hacks to help you have the best time during your Disney vacation!
Make It Stand Out
The number of strollers you will see in the Disney Parks cannot be understated. There is a reason it is often referred to as “a sea of strollers” and that is because they are everywhere. And most of them look exactly the same.
Because strollers aren’t allowed in ride queues or most restaurants, you will have to park your stroller in a designated area amongst the masses. This can make tracking down your belongings a challenge, especially when cast members regularly rearrange strollers to keep things orderly.
To spot your stroller, you will want to make it stand out from the rest. Here are some great hacks to make your stroller eye-catching while at Disney:
- Decorate your stroller with streamers, flags, pinwheels, or ribbons. The dollar store is great for finding these items.
- Attach a personalized family stroller tag. You can find some great ones for purchase on Etsy or make your own!
- Use solar or battery-operated string lights, which is especially helpful at nighttime.
Not only will these hacks help you track down your stroller while at Disney, but they will also deter other guests from mistaking your belongings as their own.
Many people recommend buying and attaching a Disney balloon to your stroller to make it stand out. But I’m going to be the devil’s advocate and warn you against doing so. While, in theory, a balloon is a great way to find your stroller, the reality is that balloon can be a nightmare. When the balloon isn’t constantly hitting you in the face while you steer through the crowds, you can bet it’s probably hitting some other park goer in the face. That’s just too much stress for me, and not worth the hassle.
Prepare For the Weather
We typically think of Florida as the home of beautiful, sun-filled skies. But the truth is, Florida’s weather patterns can be highly unpredictable. By using these stroller hacks, you’ll be ready to face whatever Mother Nature has in store during your time at Disney.
Use a Rain Cover
Florida’s rainy season occurs from May to October. During this time (and really, all year long), guests should be prepared for sudden showers and thunderstorms. This is especially true in the afternoons.
Using a rain cover is a great way to keep your stroller and belongings dry during periods of unpredictable weather. If you are parking your stroller and think it may rain when it is unattended, toss the cover on as storms come and go quickly.
If you are in a pinch, you can also drape a poncho over your stroller. This will keep kiddos warm, dry, and happy which leads to happy adults!
Attach a Fan
Summers at Disney can be brutal, and there’s no better recipe for a meltdown than an overly stimulated, tired, and hot child.
Attach a fan to your stroller to keep a cool breeze going. This will also encourage your little one to stay put in their seat where they can enjoy the air.
Looking for more tips to beat the heat at Disney? Click HERE!
Keep Your Stroller Organized and Accessible
Keeping your stroller organized and essential items within reach is incredibly important while in the theme parks. If/when a meltdown ensues, you don’t want to be frantically digging around the bottom of your stroller for a misplaced sippy cup. Use these stroller organization hacks to keep everything you need within reach while at Disney.
Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer
If you have a large family, consider purchasing a shoe organizer and attaching it to the back of your stroller! Simply trim off the excess pockets that touch the ground and attach the organizer with hooks or zip ties to your stroller’s handles.
The divided storage pockets are perfect for organizing resort mugs, water bottles, sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks, etc. And oftentimes, you can find cheap ones at the dollar store making this an inexpensive stroller hack for Disney!
Stroller Organization Bags
Stroller bags are another great option to keep everything you need for your little one handy. These bags have a lot of great features to make your day go more smoothly, such as the ability to fold up with your stroller while using Disney transportation. They also contain convenient phone pockets and insulated cup holders to keep your kiddo’s drinks the perfect temp.
Stroller Hooks
Stroller baskets can quickly fill up with your family’s belongings and can be a pain to dig through if you need something right away. By using stroller hooks, you can keep your important accessories secured to the stroller and within easy reach.
These hooks work great for diaper bags, water bottles, purses, popcorn buckets, coolers, and shopping bags. And how cute are these Mickey designs?
Keep Cups and Pacifiers Off the Ground
Little ones seem to love tossing their belongings out of the stroller just to watch you frantically chase after them. But when you’re on the move through the crowded Disney Parks, the last thing you want is to lose a favorite toy or pacifier.
Luckily, there are a lot of great products that fasten baby’s belongings to the stroller, so you don’t have to worry about anything going missing while on vacation.
Entertain With Attachable Toys
As I previously mentioned, being able to attach baby’s belongings to the stroller is a great way to reduce stress at the Disney Parks. Having toys always within reach keeps baby occupied while confined to the stroller. You also don’t have to worry about your little one tossing their toy on the ground, and the ensuing meltdown from said toy going missing.
Before your vacation, purchase some special toys you can attach to your stroller just for your Disney trip. They will be shiny and new to your little one, and a great way to entertain them when you move from place to place. Here are some of the items we purchased for our trip:
I hope these Disney stroller hacks take some of the stress out of your magical vacation!
Do you have any favorite tips or hacks for a stress-free Disney vacation? Let me know in the comments!
Looking for other trip planning tips and tricks for traveling with little ones? Check out our Top 10 Rides for Babies HERE and the Best Places to Take a Break in Magic Kingdom HERE!
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