Walt Disney World Without a Stroller

When it comes to the Disney parks, there may be nothing quite as divisive as strollers. 

There are many reasons people are anti-stroller: they take up too much room, ruin the atmosphere, and result in cut-up ankles from reckless drivers. Of course, there are just as many reasons to be pro-stroller. Walt Disney World is massive, and sometimes little legs just can't keep up.  Luckily, there some things you can do to make it possible to go to Walt Disney World without using a stroller. 

Pros of Doing Disney Without A Stroller:

Save Money

Stroller rentals at Walt Disney World are not a bad deal. They are $15 a day for single strollers, and $31 a day for double strollers. You also have the option of buying a multi-day pass, which reduces the price-per-day a bit. However, if you want to be frugal every penny counts. That extra $15 could go to a souvenir or some churros for the fam. 

Save Time

If you decide to rent a stroller, you should allow for some time once you've entered the park to wait in line to purchase your stroller. And if you bring your own stroller, just know it may take a minute to load and unload the stroller from the bus or monorail. Either way, you will spend a bit of time on stroller parking within the parks. Strollers are not allowed in the queues for the attractions. There are designated stroller parking areas outside most rides. After deciding which ride you will go on with your family, you will need to park your stroller before lining up. After you disembark from the ride, you will need to go back to the stroller parking area and find your stroller. Repeat this process for every single attraction you do, all day long. This will eat into some of your day.

Less Hassle

Some families just don't want to deal with a stroller all day long. Between loading, unloading, renting, parking....it can be a lot. Plus. it's just one more thing to try to remember when your brain enters vacation mode. Some people find it much easier to visit the Disney parks without a stroller. 

Kids Have Outgrown Stroller

At Walt Disney World, the weight limit for strollers is 50 pounds. If your child has grown to be more than this, you will want to consider other options. 

Disney strollers also have a roof to protect children from the sun and rain. If you notice your child is having to bend over awkwardly in the stroller to fit under the roof, they may have outgrown strollers.

And sometimes kids just want independence. As children grow older, it is natural for them to want to do things that are not "baby-ish". Your kid may want to walk alongside their parents, like other big kids at the park.

Whatever your reason for being stroller free - you want to save money, you don't want to deal with the hassle, or your little one has finally outgrown the stroller - here are some tips you should know before going to Walt Disney World without a stroller.  

How To Do Disney Without A Stroller:

Bring a Bag

Some families will rent strollers not for their kids, but for their stuff. Yes, strollers are used as wheeling lockers. Backpacks tend to work better. They allow for a lot of storage and keep both of your hands free.  Backpacks are easy to slide off your person and store on ride vehicles. Find a bag that works for your family and bring that to the parks. 

Take Breaks

Parents may be concerned about their little one's legs, but the truth is walking around the Disney parks is taxing on anyone of any size! All groups of all ages should be taking frequent sit-down breaks throughout the day. Luckily, the all of the Walt Disney World parks have plenty of great spots to take a break. 

You can even take a break at a quick service restaurant. These are ideal because some are indoors and air-conditioned. Plus, some have restrooms for bathroom breaks. Find a table and have seat. You can even send a family member up to the cash register to order free ice waters for the table. Rest your legs for a second, hydrate, and decide what you're going to do next. 

Take an Afternoon Nap

This is trick many families swear by. In the afternoon, leave the park. Go back to your hotel for a nap. Once you're well-rested, you can re-enter the park in the evening for dinner and fireworks. Many kids use their strollers to take naps. By using the hotel bed instead, you do not have to rely on a stroller. 

Stick Together

Some parents like using strollers because it contains their child. Their child will not run off it they are buckled in a stroller. But, there are other effective ways to stick together: You may want to consider a child harness for runners. Always hold your child's hand in the park. Before entering the parks, explain to your child that it will be very crowded, and that they should always be next to you. Some families even wear matching t-shirts so they can spot one another in the crowd. If you still have concerns about your child getting lost at Walt Disney World, there are things you can do. 

Tour the Park Efficiently

If you don't plan properly, you may find your family zig-zagging across the whole park. It may sound fun to do Big Thunder Mountain followed by Space Mountain but these touring paths get tiring fast. Instead, try touring the park land by land. 

Magic Kingdom is designed like a wheel - the lands form a circle around the castle. This makes touring the park very easy. Just pick a starting point and follow the circle around to see the whole park. 

Epcot is designed like a figure 8. Future World makes up one loop, and the World Showcase makes up another loop. Try touring each section in these loops. If you have schedule dining reservations, you may want to pick your starting point with those in mind. If you scheduled a lunch reservation at Akershus Royal Banquet in Norway at Epcot, then you want want to start the World Showcase in the late morning with Mexico. But if you have a dinner reservation instead, you can start in Canada. 

Disney's Animal Kingdom is also designed like a wheel. You can start in Pandora with Flight of Passage (or Navi River Journey for tots), then follow the circular path into Africa, followed by Asia and Dinoland, and finish up the loop and your day souvenir shopping on Discovery Island. 

Hollywood Studios is a little less clear-cut. Just try to tour the park land by land. Do not start in Star Wars Land and then run all the way to Tower of Terror. Try to do attractions that are in the same area before moving on to the next. 

Carry Your Kid

Some parents would rather just carry their small children through the parks. This method is faster than trying to maneuver a stroller through the crowds. There are handy strap-on carriers for this, but some parents like the arm workout. You don't have to do this all day, just when the situation calls for it. 

Your Tips

Do you have any tips for going stroller-less at the Disney parks? Do you have any questions about using a stroller? Comment below!