Just Add Magic Travel’s® Guide to Strollers at the Theme Parks

Traveling with young children is challenging. Navigating theme parks like Disney and Universal with young children adds extra challenges. However, seeing the wonder and magic in your little one’s eyes when they meet Mickey for the first time is worth it! We often get asked how to handle bringing a stroller to the theme parks when families travel with littles. Below, we discuss everything you need to know about  Disney World’s stroller rules and Universal Studios' stroller policy to help you plan your theme park vacation with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.  

Disney World Stroller Rules ​

Disney implemented stroller guidelines in 2019 to help guests with and without strollers efficiently and easily use the various walkways throughout the parks. Strollers must be less than 31 inches wide and 52 inches long to be brought into a Disney theme park. Other guidelines for using strollers at Disney include prohibiting strollers on escalators and folding up strollers on certain types of transportation. In addition, Disney World stroller rules dictate that Cast Members reserve the right to move strollers when operationally necessary. These same rules also apply at Disneyland.​

Does Disney Allow Double Strollers? ​

Yes, you can bring a double stroller into a Disney theme park if it fits the size guidelines discussed above. Since the average double stroller is less than 50 inches long, most double strollers are allowed at Disney. However, it’s important to measure your stroller before arriving at the theme parks to ensure it's the acceptable size. 
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Can You Bring a Stroller Wagon to Disney? ​

No. Disney specifically prohibits stroller wagons at its theme parks, even if they are within 31” x 52”. Any stroller or bag you pull behind you is also prohibited.
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Universal Studios Stroller Policy

Universal Studios has fewer restrictions on strollers at its theme parks. Universal allows single and double strollers inside the parks with no size restrictions. Any push stroller is allowed.​

Can I Bring a Stroller Wagon to Universal? ​

Although there are no restrictions against stroller wagons at Universal, it's up to Team Member's discretion whether you'll be allowed in with a stroller wagon. They may limit stroller wagons based on the crowd levels and your ability to navigate the walkways. From our experience, just because you can bring a stroller wagon doesn’t mean you should. Stroller wagons aren’t a great option at the parks, as they are hard to maneuver through crowds and tight walkways in places like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.  
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Is There An Age Limit On Who Can Use A Stroller? ​

No. There are no rules on how old a child must be to use a stroller as long as they are within the weight limit. Many families with children who normally wouldn’t use a stroller at home use one at the theme parks. As you can see from the image below, you can walk upwards of 20,000+ steps during just one day at the theme parks. That’s a lot of walking—regardless of your age! When your kids need a break, the stroller allows them to rest, but keep moving to your next location. They also provide more comfortable seating for outdoor parades, shows, and fireworks instead of standing or sitting on hot pavement. 
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Using a Stroller as a Wheelchair

If your child or family member uses a stroller as a mobility device, you can receive a tag that allows you to bring your stroller anywhere a wheelchair would be used. This includes attraction queues and restaurants that normally wouldn't allow strollers. There are no size restrictions on strollers used as wheelchairs. To classify your stroller as a wheelchair, visit a Guest Relations booth (at Disney) or a Guest Services booth (at Universal) to request the tag. 
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Tips and Tricks for Using Strollers at the Theme Parks

Here are some additional things to consider when bringing a stroller to Disney or Universal: 
  
Valuables 
Disney and Universal are incredibly safe places, but it's wise to be cautious. Don’t leave valuables (like your cell phone or wallet) in your stroller while you enjoy an attraction, show, or dining experience. One solution is to take a small fanny pack or crossbody bag that holds your essentials with you in line for attractions while leaving larger bags like diaper backpacks in the stroller. 
   
Strollers shouldn’t be used as shopping carts, either. Don’t store your newly purchased souvenirs in your stroller! Instead, rent a locker in the parks or utilize the ship-to-home service at select merchandise locations (available for a fee). If you're staying at a Universal Resort, you can use the complimentary hotel delivery service and have your purchases sent to the front desk or luggage services counter of your hotel the next day.
   
Stroller Parking 
When you bring a stroller to the theme parks, you’ll constantly look for where to park it. Most lands within a theme park have at least one stroller parking area. Many attractions have dedicated stroller parking, as well. Some attractions may offer stroller parking halfway through the queue line, so you can enter the line with your stroller before dropping it off with a Cast Member or Team Member. Pro Tip: We always find it easier to park your stroller in a parking area in the land and then walk between all of the attractions in that land versus going back and getting the stroller between each attraction.
  
Identifying and Finding Your Stroller
Disney and Universal reserve the right to move strollers after they’re parked—and often do. For this reason, remembering where your stroller is parked based on its location is futile and time-consuming. Instead, bring objects that will allow you to recognize your stroller from a distance. Balloons are an excellent stroller location device! Fun, custom-made stroller tags are also available from third-party vendors.​

When Do I Need to Breakdown My Stroller?

You’ll need to remove your child and collapse your stroller at the following transportation locations: 

• Parking trams 
  
• Buses 
  
• Shuttle boats (except for the Ferryboats from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom).
  

Renting a Stroller for Your Vacation ​

You can bring your own stroller to the parks. Many airlines allow you to gate-check your stroller for free. However, you may not want to lug your stroller through the airport or risk damaging it under the plane. Fortunately, you have options if you don't want to bring your stroller.
   
Option 1: Rent a Stroller in the Theme Parks 
Both Disney and Universal offer stroller rentals inside the parks. The strollers are designed for children under 50 lb. Stroller rentals are offered for a daily rate, but you can purchase a length-of-stay rental and save a few dollars off the daily rental. Strollers rented at the theme parks are picked up at the entrance and must be dropped off when you exit the park—you cannot use them in the parking lot. If you're park hopping, you must return the stroller at one park and then show your receipt at the next park to get a new stroller.


There are several downsides to renting a stroller from the theme parks. As you can see from the picture above left, the park’s rental strollers aren't the best quality. They're made of hard plastic, with no cushioning at all. They don't come with snack or drink trays like many of today's strollers. They also don’t recline, making napping in the stroller nearly impossible and unsuitable for infants. Plus, the plastic can get hot (especially in summer), which can be uncomfortable for littles. They’re also cumbersome to push. 
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Option 2: Rent a Stroller from a Vendor **Recommended** 
If you want a stroller but don’t want to bring your own on your vacation, we recommend renting a stroller from a vendor like Kingdom Strollers. Stroller rental companies, like Kingdom Strollers, offer top-of-the-line, comfortable strollers similar to what your kids are used to at home (the stroller in the picture above right is from a stroller rental company). They'll even deliver the stroller to your hotel and pick it up at the end of your vacation. There are several options to choose from in both single and double stroller categories. Contact us today if you’d like to add a stroller rental to your next theme park vacation. 

Navigating Theme Park Vacation Planning Details with Just Add Magic Travel

Figuring out how to bring a stroller on your Disney or Universal vacation is just one detail that could make or break your entire trip! Don’t sweat the small stuff. Let our team at Just Add Magic Travel help you plan the magical vacation you’ve always dreamed of. We use our extensive knowledge, personal experience, and recommendations to help you experience a vacation you’ll remember for decades to come!

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