Ask anyone their Disney parks pet peeves and stroller users will come up every time. From space-hogging to bus-stalling to ambience-ruining, strollers seem to annoy everybody that doesn’t use them. They can even trigger a “This Is What’s Wrong With America Nowadays” rant from the angriest of us in the anti-stroller brigade. And I get it – if you’re a parent of small children, a stroller can really come in handy during long days walking back and forth across massive parks. But just like anything else in life, there are respectful ways and disrespectful ways to use a stroller.
First, there’s those who use strollers to hog up walking space. Or those that use a stroller is a traffic-battery-ramer and not something holding a small child. I once had the pleasure of seeing a mommy slam her stroller into someone who was walking on the complete opposite side of the pathway as her and then start screaming at her victim for endangering her child. Those are the kind of stroller users everyone hates. It is also rude to hog up monorail compartments with double-wide strollers that aren’t even holding your children because you’re letting them run around the cabin. You have to fold up your stroller before getting on the monorail or bus.
I have another specific pet peeve when it comes to strollers. And I realize this doesn’t affect me whatsoever like the space hoggers do, but it still gets me riled up: Strollers are for small tots who can barely walk – not your fourth grader who can barely fit in the seat! Strollers are also not a wheeling suitcase for all 30 of your park necessities. That’s just taking up space and costing you extra money.
Unfortunately for the anti-stroller brigade, strollers aren’t going to be banned from the parks anytime soon. And unfortunately for stroller users, the pitchforks and torches probably aren’t going to be lowered anytime soon. So in the meantime, we’ll all have to try to deal with each other.
Tips for avoiding using a stroller
If you’re worried about your child getting too tired, there are plenty of things you can do that don’t involve a $30 stroller rental fee. Many people suggest taking an afternoon nap break back at the hotel. Some suggest helping your whole family build up endurance by going on walks together before the trip. I would like to offer the advice of not pushing your children too hard. It can be overwhelming to stick to a minute-by-minute schedule in hopes of riding every single ride in the parks. But if you’re traveling with children, hone in to when they’re getting sluggish. Take sit-down breaks frequently. There are plenty of places to do this in the parks. And please, don’t yell at your kid for falling asleep during the fireworks because you made them GOGOGO all day without a nap.
Tips for using a stroller
If you would like to use a stroller at the parks, there are ways to maximize your efficiency. If you are brining one from outside the parks, use a small, easily foldable one. These are easy to carry on and off transportation. Instead of using a gigantic stroller as an extra purse, rent a locker. All of the parks have locker storage. You can go back to your locker any time you need to. Store away sunscreen, snacks, souvenirs and an extra pair of clothes – things you may not want to carry around. If you want to rent a stroller from inside the parks, buy a multiple day pass as it can come out cheaper than renting day-by-day.
Tips for the anti-stroller brigade
With anything in life, strollers at the parks are a two-way street. Use manners. Say “excuse me” when walking around a stroller. Say “please” and “thank you” when asking a parent to fold up their stroller on a monorail cabin. And be patient. Sometimes us fastwalkers forget that people are allowed to enjoy the parks at their own pace.
Just with anything in life, the way you use a stroller and the way you react to stroller users comes down to consideration for other people. Walt Disney World sees thousands of people a day – you are not the only one at the parks.
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