Updated July 2, 2010
While a stroller is an obvious need for a young child, what about a toddler? It is still highly recommended that even if your child walks a stroller is still used while at the Disney Resort. For example, while a 3 year old will enjoy walking, said child could also quickly become too tired to walk. While holding a child this size for short periods of time is not so bad, traipsing through the park with 30 additional pounds in your arms will wear you out quickly. Plus having a comfortable stroller can help facilitate nap taking when walking around the Parks. For these reason, a stroller is recommended at the Disneyland Resort, even if you would not use it for everyday situations.
If you have an older child, one who is 5, 6, or even 7 years old that you would not normally use a stroller for at home, you should consider using one while at the Disneyland Resort. In one day touring the parks you could walk as much as four miles. That is a lot for a young child, and in most cases not a normal situation. Taking your child back to the hotel is even more walking. This is a big debate among some people. We made the decision to keep our son, who is now seven, in a stroller on our most recent trip. I worked out very well for us. Even taking a break at the hotel during the daytime he was still tuckered out at night and without a stroller we would have been carrying him.
You could rent a stroller, similar to a jogging stroller at both Disneyland and California Adventure, but it is often better to bring your own. While the strollers at the Disneyland Resort have gotten more comfortable over the years your child will be happier in a familiar stroller. Rental strollers now can be taken from Park to Park but cannot be taken to Downtown Disney or back to the hotel and you could end up carrying a very tired, very heavy child back to your hotel room.
We were very concerned about our stroller the first time we went to Disneyland with our son. It is a $200.00 Maclaren stroller and we did not want to lose it. We attached a small personal toy to the stroller, never left anything of value inside, and always left it among a pack of strollers. It was always there when we got back.
If you decide to rent a stroller, it is $15.00 a day or two for $25.00 a day. (July 2010). At Disneyland, they can be rented outside the turnstiles to the right, by the kennel club. At Disney's California Adventure, the stroller can be rented across from Guest Relations near the Entry Plaza. Make sure you put something identifiable on your stroller - they do all look alike. If a rental stroller is lost it can be replaced by showing your receipt. If you have a Disney Visa, then you can show that to get 50% off of your rental price. (this promotion can end at any time).
Whether you decide to use your own stroller or rent one, keep in mind your comfort and your child's. You will be much more comfortable if you are not carrying the dead weight of an exhausted toddler!
Pros and Cons for using a stroller with an Older Child:
Pros Cons
Children get heavy quickly on long walks Lugging a stroller around
Storage! Having to carry backpacks
Happy child, happy family Child wants to be carried
Something to lean your tired body on Strange looks from people
Drink holder
Using a stroller is something only your family can decide as the children get older. For us it made total sense, but that was the last time a stroller will be used for our son. I do think we will miss it more than he will. I do dread having to carry a backpack to hold all of our drinks that usually sat in the bottom of the stroller. As for the strange looks from people, we didn't run into that, we instead ran into parents who wished they had a stroller for their child, or those that did have an older child and were so happy they had the stroller.
Tips for using your own stroller:
If you are using your own stroller, you don't want it to be stolen. Over seven years with two to three trips a year to the Disneyland Resort, we never once had our stroller taken. Here are our tips.
Attach a small toy to the lap belt for the stroller. Not an expensive toy but something your child will enjoy. This helps you to identify your stroller, but provides a safety feature as well. Most parents would not take a favorite toy from a child. Seeing that toy on your stroller keeps it safe.
When parking the stroller, put it in the middle of the other stroller, not on the end of a row where it is highly visible.
Always park in stroller parking. A stroller left on its own is an invitation for nefarious deeds.
Never leave purchases in the bottom of the stroller!
Make sure you grab any purse or camera you may have hiding on the stroller.
Does it look like it might rain? Try to cover the stroller seat so your child won't have a wet spot to sit in when you return to the stroller.
Did you fly? Leave your gate check on the stroller. Another identifier for you to easily find your own stroller.