Do You Need a Stroller at Disney World? When Even Bigger Kids May Need One

There is a peculiar moment that happens on Disney World vacations.

Your six-year-old has not used a stroller at home in two years.

You would never dream of putting this perfectly capable walking child into a stroller for a trip to the supermarket.

Then it is 8:30 at night in EPCOT.

You have been walking since breakfast. The child is exhausted. You are somewhere near the American Adventure. Your hotel room is not remotely nearby.

Suddenly the stroller does not seem quite so ridiculous.

Disney World is not normal daily life.

A park day can involve hours of walking, standing, waiting, heat and crowds. A child who easily handles an ordinary family outing can run out of steam long before the adults are ready to leave.

That does not mean every child needs a stroller.

It does mean I would think about the question based on the Disney trip you are actually taking rather than the last time your child used a stroller at home.

Quick Answer: Do You Need a Stroller at Disney World?

For babies and toddlers, probably.

For preschool-aged children, I would strongly consider one.

For children around five or six, it depends heavily on the child, the weather and how you tour the parks.

For older children, most families will not need one, but Disney can produce exceptions.

The important point is that Disney stroller age and everyday stroller age are not necessarily the same thing.

If your child can walk comfortably for a normal afternoon but struggles after a full day of theme-park distances, a stroller may make the vacation considerably more pleasant for everyone.

Why Disney World Is Different

Disney World does not consist of walking from your car into a museum, wandering for an hour and walking back out.

The parks are enormous.

You may walk:

from your hotel room to transportation;

from transportation through security;

from the entrance to the far side of the park;

back across the park for a dining reservation;

through long attraction queues;

around World Showcase;

and then all the way back to transportation at the end of the night.

And children are doing this on shorter legs.

Add Florida heat, humidity, missed naps and a bedtime that disappeared somewhere around the fireworks, and the question becomes less about whether your child is technically capable of walking.

The better question is:

Will making them walk the entire day improve your vacation?

What Age Is Too Old for a Disney Stroller?

There is no useful universal age.

A small four-year-old who naps every afternoon is a very different case from an energetic six-year-old who happily hikes with the family.

I would think about it roughly this way:

Age | My General View
Baby / toddler | Bring or rent a stroller
3–4 | Usually worth having one
5–6 | Depends heavily on the child and touring style
7+ | Usually unnecessary, with individual exceptions

I would not treat that as a rule.

There is no prize for having the youngest child at Disney World who walked every inch of EPCOT.

If the stroller keeps a tired child from melting down at 5 p.m. and allows the family to enjoy another few hours together, it has done something useful.

The Best Reason for a Stroller May Be 9 P.M., Not 9 A.M.

This is easy to underestimate in the morning.

Your child bounds out of the hotel.

They are excited.

They do not want to sit down.

You push an empty stroller through Magic Kingdom and wonder why you bothered bringing it.

Then nighttime arrives.

A stroller can become considerably more useful after:

a full day in the park;

a missed nap;

fireworks;

a late dinner;

or a long walk back to the bus, monorail or Skyliner.

This last point is particularly important when deciding whether to bring your own stroller or rent Disney’s.

Disney’s Rental Strollers Cannot Leave the Park

This is the biggest weakness of Disney’s own stroller rentals.

Walt Disney World rents strollers at the theme parks and Disney Springs.

But you return the stroller before leaving the park.

That means the portion of the evening when your child may be most tired can also be the exact moment when you lose the stroller.

You still may have to get:

out of the park;

through the exit crowds;

to the bus stop, monorail, ferry or Skyliner;

through the resort;

and back to your room.

If you bring your own stroller or rent one from an outside company for the length of your stay, you generally retain it for those parts of the trip.

That is a major advantage.

How Much Does Disney World Stroller Rental Cost in 2026?

Disney’s current stroller prices are:

Stroller | Single Day | Multi-Day Rate
Single stroller | $15 per day | $13 per day
Double stroller | $31 per day | $27 per day

Disney recommends its single stroller for children weighing 50 pounds or less and the double for a combined weight of 100 pounds or less.

You can check current prices on Disney’s official stroller rental page.

For a short trip, those prices may be perfectly reasonable.

Over a longer vacation, they add up.

A five-day double-stroller rental at the current multi-day rate costs $135.

At that point, bringing a stroller you already own or comparing an outside rental becomes more interesting.

Should You Bring Your Own Stroller?

If you already own a stroller that works well for long days and complies with Disney’s rules, bringing it is often the easiest answer.

Advantages include:

your child already knows it;

you know how it folds;

you know how much storage it has;

you can use it at the resort;

you can use it between the park entrance and transportation;

and you do not pay a daily Disney rental charge.

There are disadvantages.

You have to get the stroller to Florida.

You have to fold or maneuver it on transportation.

You have to keep track of it in giant stroller-parking areas.

And if your stroller is the size of a small recreational vehicle, Disney may not allow it through the gate.

Disney World Stroller Size Rules

Disney currently permits strollers up to:

31 inches wide by 52 inches long.

Anything larger is not permitted.

Disney also prohibits stroller wagons.

That includes wagons designed to be pushed like oversized strollers.

If you plan to bring a large double stroller, measure it before your vacation rather than discovering the problem at park security.

Disney’s current rules are available on its stroller rules page.

No, You Cannot Bring a Stroller Wagon

This deserves its own section because stroller wagons have become extremely popular with families.

Disney World does not permit them in the theme parks.

It does not matter that:

your children love it;

it cost $700;

it folds;

or the manufacturer describes it as a stroller rather than a wagon.

Disney specifically prohibits stroller wagons.

There can be disability-related accommodations in individual circumstances, but that is a different process and should not be confused with ordinary stroller use.

Should You Rent From Disney or an Outside Company?

I would divide the decision like this.

Rent From Disney If:

you only need a stroller inside the parks;

you do not want to transport one;

your child will comfortably walk between the parks and transportation;

and you value simplicity over having the stroller all day.

Consider an Outside Rental If:

you want the stroller at your resort;

you want it during the walk to transportation;

your child may fall asleep in it;

you want a more conventional padded stroller;

or you need it for the entire vacation rather than only after entering a park.

Disney identifies ScooterBug as its featured stroller and mobility-device rental provider.

Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels who rent through ScooterBug do not need to be present when qualifying equipment is delivered to or picked up from the hotel; Disney Resort Cast Members can coordinate the handoff with the provider.

Other third-party stroller companies also operate around Walt Disney World, although their delivery procedures may differ.

Disney Stroller vs. Normal Stroller

Disney’s rental stroller is designed primarily to move children through a theme park efficiently.

That is fine.

But it is not the stroller I would choose if my priority were:

a sleeping child;

maximum comfort;

lots of under-seat storage;

or having the stroller from hotel room to hotel room.

A familiar personal stroller or conventional outside rental may work better for a child who is genuinely going to spend substantial time sitting or sleeping in it.

What About Buses?

This is where giant strollers become less charming.

On Disney buses, you should be prepared to fold the stroller and manage both the stroller and the children.

A stroller loaded with:

water bottles;

souvenirs;

snacks;

ponchos;

bags;

and assorted objects your children have acquired during the day

can become a logistical project when the bus arrives.

Do yourself a favor and do not use the stroller basket as an unpacked storage unit for the entire family.

Keep loose items consolidated in one or two bags that you can remove quickly.

The Skyliner Is Much Friendlier to Strollers

The Disney Skyliner can be one of the nicest transportation options for families using strollers.

Many strollers can roll directly into a gondola without being folded, although Cast Members control loading and individual circumstances can vary.

That is considerably easier than unloading an exhausted child, collapsing a stroller and boarding a crowded bus.

If stroller logistics matter to you, staying at a Skyliner resort can be a meaningful convenience.

We have a deeper look at the system in our guide to the Disney Skyliner and its place in Disney transportation history.

You Will Have to Park the Stroller

You cannot wheel a stroller through every attraction queue.

Disney provides stroller-parking areas around the parks.

And your stroller may not be exactly where you left it when you return.

That does not necessarily mean someone stole it.

Cast Members routinely reorganize stroller parking to keep pathways clear and make room for additional strollers.

Disney specifically warns that strollers may be moved for operational reasons.

So if you return from a ride and your stroller has disappeared from its exact parking spot, look around the surrounding stroller area before panicking.

Make Your Stroller Easy to Recognize

Disney stroller parking can look like a convention for identical black strollers.

Add something easy to recognize.

It could be:

a bright ribbon;

a distinctive luggage tag;

a colorful handle wrap;

or another simple marker.

I would avoid anything valuable or elaborate.

The goal is simply to be able to identify your stroller quickly among dozens of similar ones.

Do Not Leave Valuables in the Stroller

A stroller is transportation, not a hotel safe.

Disney tells guests not to leave personal belongings in unattended strollers.

I would especially take:

phones;

wallets;

cameras;

expensive electronics;

medications;

and anything difficult to replace

with me when parking the stroller.

Leaving a sweatshirt or inexpensive water bottle is one thing.

Leaving your phone and wallet while you ride Pirates of the Caribbean is another.

A Stroller Is Also a Very Convenient Gear Cart

This is the benefit parents discover approximately ten minutes after entering the park.

The stroller carries the child.

It also carries:

water;

snacks;

extra clothes;

ponchos;

sunscreen;

souvenirs;

and whatever bizarre object the child insisted was essential that morning.

That can save adults from wearing an enormous backpack all day.

There is a danger here.

The stroller gradually becomes a rolling storage locker, and then every bus ride involves dismantling it.

Pack intentionally.

Our guide to what you actually need in a Disney World park bag is designed around avoiding exactly that problem.

Florida Rain and Strollers Are a Bad Combination

This is one of the easiest stroller problems to prevent.

Florida weather can change quickly.

You park a perfectly dry stroller outside an attraction.

You spend 40 minutes inside.

You return to a tiny mobile swimming pool.

If rain is in the forecast, a stroller rain cover can be far more useful than trying to dry a soaked seat with paper towels.

Even a simple strategy of protecting the seat before entering a long attraction can save considerable aggravation.

And remember that Disney may move the stroller while you are away, so parking it under the one tiny piece of nearby shelter is not a reliable weather plan.

What About an Afternoon Nap?

This may determine the entire decision for younger children.

If your child still naps, you have two basic Disney strategies:

return to the hotel for the nap; or

let the child sleep in the stroller.

The hotel break can be wonderful.

It also consumes substantial time, particularly when transportation is involved.

A child who reliably sleeps in a stroller gives you another option.

One parent can wander, eat, shop or simply sit somewhere pleasant while the child sleeps.

That is much harder with a rigid park rental than with a familiar stroller designed for napping.

Should You Get a Double Stroller?

A double stroller makes sense when two younger children will both use it.

It can also work when you have one regular stroller rider and one somewhat older child who may need occasional relief.

But doubles create their own problems.

They are:

wider;

heavier;

harder to maneuver through crowds;

more cumbersome on transportation;

and more expensive to rent from Disney.

If the second child is unlikely to use the seat, I would not haul a double stroller around Disney World merely as insurance.

What If Your Child Insists They Are Too Old?

Then do not make it a philosophical battle.

Bring or rent the stroller if you think it may be useful.

Let them walk.

If they never sit in it, fine.

If they discover at 7 p.m. that they are suddenly willing to overlook the indignity, the problem has solved itself.

A stroller at Disney World is a tool.

It is not a developmental milestone.

Can a Stroller Make Disney World Easier With Two Kids?

Absolutely.

Beyond fatigue, there is something useful about knowing exactly where a young child is in a crowded park.

A stroller provides a predictable place to sit while the family:

moves through heavy crowds;

waits for another family member;

navigates an unfamiliar part of the park;

or gets from one attraction to another.

That does not replace supervising children.

It does make some transitions easier.

When I Would Skip the Stroller

I would probably skip one if:

the children comfortably handle long days on foot;

you plan short park days;

you return to the hotel every afternoon;

you are traveling with an older child who genuinely does not need it;

or the hassle of transporting and parking it is greater than the benefit.

There is real freedom in moving through Disney World without a stroller.

You do not have to find stroller parking.

You do not have to retrieve it after rides.

You do not have to fold it for transportation.

You do not have to push it through crowds.

If your family can comfortably go without one, I would.

When I Would Definitely Bring or Rent One

I would strongly lean toward a stroller if:

the child still naps;

the child is four or younger;

you plan rope-drop-to-fireworks park days;

you are visiting during hot weather;

you know your child tires easily;

you have multiple young children;

or you expect long evenings after already spending most of the day walking.

Bring, Rent From Disney or Rent Elsewhere?

Option | Biggest Advantage | Biggest Drawback
Bring your own | You have it everywhere and already know it | You must transport it to and around Disney
Rent from Disney | Extremely simple inside the parks | You lose it when you leave the park
Outside rental | Conventional stroller for the whole stay | Another reservation, cost and piece of equipment to manage

For a toddler on a week-long trip, I would strongly prefer having a stroller outside the park gates.

For a six-year-old who may only need occasional relief inside EPCOT, Disney’s park rental becomes much more reasonable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a stroller at Disney World in 2026?

Disney currently charges $15 per day for a single stroller or $31 per day for a double. Multi-day rentals reduce the daily price to $13 for a single and $27 for a double.

Can you take a Disney rental stroller back to your hotel?

No. Disney’s park rental strollers are returned before you leave the park. If you park-hop, you can show your receipt at the next participating rental location and obtain another stroller, subject to availability.

Can I bring my own stroller to Disney World?

Yes, provided it complies with Disney’s size rules. Strollers may not exceed 31 inches wide by 52 inches long.

Are stroller wagons allowed at Disney World?

No. Disney prohibits stroller wagons in its theme parks and water parks.

Is a five-year-old too old for a stroller at Disney World?

Not necessarily. A five-year-old who does not normally use a stroller may still become exhausted during a long theme-park day. Base the decision on the child and your touring plans rather than age alone.

Is a six-year-old too old for a Disney stroller?

Many six-year-olds will be fine without one, particularly on shorter park days. But a stroller can still be useful for a child who tires easily or during very long days, hot weather and late nights.

Can you leave bags in a stroller at Disney World?

Disney advises guests not to leave personal belongings in unattended strollers. I would always take valuables such as phones, wallets, cameras and medications with me.

Why did Disney move my stroller?

Cast Members reorganize stroller-parking areas for operational reasons. Disney specifically warns that strollers may be moved, so look around the nearby stroller parking before assuming yours is missing.

Do you have to fold a stroller on Disney transportation?

Requirements depend on the transportation type and circumstances. Be prepared to fold a stroller when using Disney buses. The Skyliner is generally much easier for stroller users because many strollers can roll aboard, subject to Cast Member direction.

Do Not Let Pride Ruin a $5,000 Vacation

If your child genuinely does not need a stroller, wonderful.

Travel light and enjoy the freedom.

But I would not refuse to consider one simply because the child stopped using a stroller at home two years ago.

Disney World asks something very different of a child than an ordinary Saturday outing.

If a stroller buys you:

a decent afternoon nap;

a child who still has energy at dinner;

a peaceful walk out of EPCOT after fireworks;

or another few happy hours together instead of an exhausted argument,

it may be one of the more useful pieces of equipment on the trip.

Just choose the right solution.

If you need it outside the parks, Disney’s rental has a serious limitation.

If you bring your own, make sure it fits Disney’s size rules.

If you are bringing a double stroller, think carefully about transportation.

And whatever you choose, prepare for rain.

Because nothing improves the end of a long Disney day quite like discovering that your exhausted child’s stroller seat has spent the last hour collecting a Florida thunderstorm.