Renting a stroller at park opening

[GinnyBear's_mom]

We've been to WDW multiple times and brought our own stroller and for our next trip we are only spending 2 days in the parks. We're thinking of renting a stroller instead of bringing our own. Do we have to wait until the park opens before we rent the stroller? We are going during a very busy time and would hate to get there for an EMH only to spend the first 15 minutes of it dealing with renting a stroller. I read somewhere that you can pay for the stroller before the park opens (maybe at guest services?) and then pick it up after opening. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We've been to WDW multiple times and brought our own stroller and for our next trip we are only spending 2 days in the parks. We're thinking of renting a stroller instead of bringing our own. Do we have to wait until the park opens before we rent the stroller? We are going during a very busy time and would hate to get there for an EMH only to spend the first 15 minutes of it dealing with renting a stroller. I read somewhere that you can pay for the stroller before the park opens (maybe at guest services?) and then pick it up after opening. Anyone have any experience with this?

you will have rent after the tap points so yes you could be in line at gate opening. the new opening at MK will help with this. I would still look at am offsite rental even for 2 days. esp if you plan long days you have to leave stoller before you head out gate to go to whatever transportation you are using

 

[mkb3]

So this brings up a question I have about strollers. I have a 5 year old daughter and I know at some point a stroller will probably be needed. We thought renting daily at the parks as needed would be best or would y'all suggest renting offsite like Kingdom? We just thought renting on site would be best so we wouldn't have to worry about dragging a stroller on the monorails.

 

[Crystal824]

I agree renting offsite is better. It is generally cheaper and a better stroller. You also have it to get the kids from the park back to the hotel at night. I get you may not want to deal with a stroller on the monorail or bus (monorail is easy with a stroller- you don't have to fold it, just roll it on), but it isn't easy to carry sleeping kids from the stroller drop off to the bus depot or monorail station either. If you expect that they may not make it the entire night, I would rent offsite.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

So this brings up a question I have about strollers. I have a 5 year old daughter and I know at some point a stroller will probably be needed. We thought renting daily at the parks as needed would be best or would y'all suggest renting offsite like Kingdom? We just thought renting on site would be best so we wouldn't have to worry about dragging a stroller on the monorails.

remember transportation is not going to drop you at the door, you can have a walk to your room with a very tired kid maybe even a sleeping child to carry. very glad we offsite rented a double last August instead of just bringing for baby from home. 4.5 year old used a lot more than we planned esp on way back from the parks. plus most resorts are large

 

[mkb3]

So I assume there is stroller parking for rides too correct? No worries of strollers of similar styles being taken?

 

[mjkacmom]

So this brings up a question I have about strollers. I have a 5 year old daughter and I know at some point a stroller will probably be needed. We thought renting daily at the parks as needed would be best or would y'all suggest renting offsite like Kingdom? We just thought renting on site would be best so we wouldn't have to worry about dragging a stroller on the monorails.

We rented from WDW with our 4,4, and 6 year old (double). It was easy for them to hop in and out of, and we did t have to bother with it on transportation. Kids this age have been out of strollers for a while anyway. We stayed at the BC, went to Epcot almost every night, and the kids had no problem walking back to the resort.

 

[Klayfish]

I would never rent a stroller from WDW, or even a place outside the park, unless it was literally a one day trip. Unless you have an infant that needs a car seat too, buy an umbrella stroller from Costco, Walmart or even Craigslist. Use it for a few days, then donate it, trash it, whatever. They're about $20 brand new, or $5-$10 used. Much cheaper and just as easy...if not easier.

The last time we used a stroller for the kids, we wound up buying one from Craigslist from someone who lived just outside WDW. Paid $50 for it, as it was a double wide jogging stroller. Used it for 2 weeks, sold it to another vacation family for $40...net loss of $10 for two weeks of use. We still have an umbrella stroller from Costco, but it's just used to carry our food/drinks/sunscreen, etc...

Yes, there is always stroller parking. Either it's for the specific ride, or several nearby rides share the same area. We've never had our stroller go missing or anything taken from it. But there are lots and lots of strollers, so make sure yours has something to help you spot it in the sea of similar looking ones.