DCL Strollers

[LadyNia]

DCL website states that strollers are on a first come first serve basis. Has anyone had difficulty getting a stroller once onboard?
We'll be heading to the port via DCL transfer from WDW resort so I know we won't be anywhere near the first to board. Just wondering how likely it would be to snag a stroller.
Would rather rent a stroller for our WDW stay and then get one onboard rather than buying an umbrella stroller and traveling with it. My son prefers being worn to being in a stroller but I think it would be convenient to have one onboard just to get around the ship.

 

[gotomu212]

We’ve only used them in ports and would pick them up before we went into port and then drop them off right after and never had an issue with availability. At the time we had a 3 year old that didn’t need a stroller normally but got a little tired on excursions. Strollers in general, and these in particular, aren’t great for the ship. There are a lot of people and not a lot of open space (you’re mostly in hallways some bigger than others). The only time we’ve ever used a stroller on the ships is when I had our 6 month old onboard during a port stop and we walked laps on the empty top deck for 2 hours.

 

[LadyNia]

The only time we’ve ever used a stroller on the ships is when I had our 6 month old onboard during a port stop and we walked laps on the empty top deck for 2 hours.

Did you find it easier to just carry your six month old to where you needed to go on the ship? Was it okay for waiting in line to meet characters? My son will be 7 months old on the trip and as I said he doesn't love being in a stroller. If carrying him around and wearing him is doable then I'll definitely consider that.

 

[jdb in AZ]

If you're flying to WDW you might want a stroller for the airports.

Also, if your son needs to sleep during dinner, a stroller might be helpful there too.

 

[LadyNia]

If you're flying to WDW you might want a stroller for the airports.

Also, if your son needs to sleep during dinner, a stroller might be helpful there too.

I would consider having it at the airport helpful just to get to the terminal but I know he won't spend more than 15-20 minutes in it if the stroller is not in motion. He won't sleep in a stroller, sadly it's not much help in that department.

 

[gotomu212]

Did you find it easier to just carry your six month old to where you needed to go on the ship? Was it okay for waiting in line to meet characters? My son will be 7 months old on the trip and as I said he doesn't love being in a stroller. If carrying him around and wearing him is doable then I'll definitely consider that.

Our daughter sounds like your son, and it was absolutely easier to carry and/or wear her at 6 months. Even though the ship is a big place, it’s not actually “that” big. With the exception of standing in line for characters (and that’s typically a 10 minute line) and embarkation morning (which is so crowded that a stroller is more work than help to me) there isn‘t a lot of time standing around. I’d wear her when we walked around deck to enjoy the air, but otherwise carrying her to and from places was easiest. The lounges, restaurants, theaters, and clubs have super tight seating in my opinion so carrying her for the 4 minute walk from room to deck chair and then to restaurant was easy for us.

Now at 2 I wish I could get her in a stroller...or really just not in run mode all.the.time.

 

[Mike1082]

The biggest regret we had while using our stroller on board was waiting to get an elevator! As soon as the doors opened and it was semi-full, we'd basically smile and have to wait for the next one to be able to fit in with a stroller.

 

[LadyNia]

Our daughter sounds like your son, and it was absolutely easier to carry and/or wear her at 6 months. Even though the ship is a big place, it’s not actually “that” big. With the exception of standing in line for characters (and that’s typically a 10 minute line) and embarkation morning (which is so crowded that a stroller is more work than help to me) there isn‘t a lot of time standing around. I’d wear her when we walked around deck to enjoy the air, but otherwise carrying her to and from places was easiest. The lounges, restaurants, theaters, and clubs have super tight seating in my opinion so carrying her for the 4 minute walk from room to deck chair and then to restaurant was easy for us.

Now at 2 I wish I could get her in a stroller...or really just not in run mode all.the.time.

This is good to know, thanks!