Disney First Timers- Stroller Hire?

[Aussiefamof5]

HI everyone,

We are a family of five, Me DH (my mr grumpy), DS15, DS9,DD3 planning our visit ever visit to disneyland!!!!

We pretty much have all our travel and accommodation sorted, and will be spending 5 nights at Paradise Pier. I was hoping someone might be able to give us some hints in particular for toddlers. As we are flying from Aus, we are not sure as to taking her stroller or not. I know you can hire from Disnelyand itself but as we are doing other things in Anaheim too, ie shopping i didnt think that would be a good option. I have heard of other places that you can hire them from, and they deliver to your hotel. Has anyone any feedback on these at all.

Thanks heaps.

 

[Aust]

Hi,

We are just back from the Paradise Pier. We took our stroller with us for our 3 year old. I'd recommend doing that - it's not difficult to do, and means you have the stroller available straight away. Our son fell asleep when we were going through customs when we arrived and he's really heavy to carry, my husband was holding him until baggage claim (and almost broke his back!) and was really glad we had the stroller to put him in while we got the rest of our luggage. It was checked in as oversize luggage (I think? can't remember the exact terminology).

Also, the hire strollers at Disneyland are allowed in the parks only - you can't take them into Downtown Disney or to the hotel. You'll definitely want a stroller for the walk to (and most importantly) back from the parks to the hotel. Our son never uses a stroller at home but we couldn't have done without it on our trip. Even the 8 year old was sitting in it every chance she had.

 

[Aussiefamof5]

Hi Aust

I kinda figured as much that it would be a better option, being we could use it everywhere but just didnt want the hassle of checking it in and so forth.

Thanks heaps, you have totally confirmed that for me.

What did you think of Paradise Pier? Initially we were thinking of Disneyland Hotel but it just came a little to pricey

 

[Aust]

It really wasn't a hassle to check the stroller in, just the same as the other luggage. You pick it up not on the carousel but in an oversized luggage area on the floor, but it's not a drama.

We really liked the Paradise Pier. We've now stayed at all 3 Disney hotels, and for our family Paradise Pier wins (I do love the Grand Californian but it's so expensive and the rooms are smaller and darker). The room was plenty big enough for all 5 of us (me, husband, kids aged 11, 8 and 3), the decor is bright and light, and beds very comfy as was the sofa bed one of the kids slept on. The pool is not as extravagant as those at the Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian but the kids didn't care, they loved the waterslide and spa.

Paradise Pier beats the Disneyland Hotel for me because of the shorter walk to the parks - I was surprised when we stayed at DLH how long the walk was. But make sure you go the shortest way from Paradise Pier - go out the front door, then to the crossing at the lights, cross the road to the Grand Californian, walk through the front doors to the lobby (best part of the hotel, it's beautiful), then follow the signs to Downtown Disney or Disneyland (to the left as you walk in). You can also use the entrance directly from the Grand Californian into California Adventure.

 

[Franrose]

Worth it to take. They're $15/day in the parks, we ended up buying a $50 one on the second day!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yup. We took a stroller with us. Not sure if they allow you to wheel umbrella strollers right up to the plane and then hand over to the air hosts/hostesses for storage anymore. But if they do, that would be what I would recommend.

The alternative, as Franrose said, is to buy one whilst you are there.

 

[zaccy]

You could buy one online from walmart and have it delivered to the hotel so its there when you arrive, strollers are quite a bit cheaper than here. If you have a car then there is a walmart very close to Disneyland. Otherwise I have purchased a stroller from a school fete (was in great condition for $5) just to take away on holidays and left it behind.

Have a great time.

 

[5ofus]

I'd take it with you. We took two smallish ones when the eldest boys were 16 months and three years and will be taking our Phil and Teds double next year, even though the two youngest two will be four and two. There's a lot of walking involved and hey get tired a lot easier Han grown ups do

 

[shushh]

As the others have mentioned, I think you should either bring your own stroller or buy one there.

So far on all our international and connecting domestics flights overseas, they've allowed us to bring the stroller right to the gate or if it has to be checked in, use their courtesy airport strollers. Pick up is usually at oversize luggage but more often than not, it's out before the regular luggage.

If you buy one there, get one from stores like Walmart etc it'll be cheaper than 5 days of stroller hire at Disney and you'll get to use it for the rest of the trip. As zaccy has mentioned, if you have a car, easy to pick up. I like shopping at Walmart! Lots of interesting things... If not, get it delivered to your hotel donuts ready as you arrive. More often than not you'll be able to find something with free delivery.

Our trusty McClaren day tripper which we bought second hand, finally died after surviving European cobblestones, roman ruins, snow storms in NY, hours of walking in malls in its three years of service to the family. We left it behind in the states last year. Best $70 spent

 

[Aussiefamof5]

Aust,
THankyou sooo much for that insight on Paradise Pier
It does work out to be the most cost effective for us too, but it has been hard to find any decent reviews on Paradise Pier.

Will definitely note the shortcut option you mentioned too.

Yep so we will be taking our stroller for DD3 as I think it will be worth it, even if we did buy one from wall mart as some of you guys mentioned we would still have to take it back.

I love this forum everyone is so helpful