Strollers on Disney Transportation

[nichrismom]

This is my first trip to Disney World in 14 years and I have some new concerns since then, namely a two year old and 9 month old. I have bought a new side by side double stroller for this trip but have some concerns about taking it on the buses and monorails. It does fold and fits within the Disney prescribed size. Any tips on taking strollers on Disney transportation would be greatly appreciated. I am aware that children cannot ride in strollers on buses but I don't know about monorail or boats. Also what do you do with the stroller on the bus?.

 

[cranbiz]

Children can stay in strollers on monorails and boats. Most people hold the stroller on the bus, depending on the bus or stroller, you can put it under the seat.

If it's a large stroller, we would appreciate it if you move to the back of the bus where there is more room and you will not block the aisle.

 

[Hannathy]

And have the children out of the stroller and the stroller folded BEFORE you get to the steps of the bus!!!!!!!

Drives me crazy that after waiting 20 minutes for a bus people seem surprised the have to take the kids out and the gazillion bags (what do they have in them?) and fold the stroller and stop right in the doorway to do this. Ugghhhh.
Kinda like the people who seem surprised they have to pay for their groceries and only dig for the checkbook after the food is rung up!

If it is crowded and your stroller is one of those huge monstrosities you may need to fold it for the monorail.

 

[Missytara]

It will be easier on the monorail, since there is an open area between the seats facing each other.

I have seen people with electric wheelchairs, which are quite large.

 

[nichrismom]

the gazillion bags (what do they have in them?)

Diapers, bottles, tylenol, rash cream, bibs, baby food, spoons, spare change of clothes (or two for a full day), blankets, changing pads, hand sanitizer... oh yeah and the kitchen sink!

Thanks for the tip.

 

[plutolovr]

And have the children out of the stroller and the stroller folded BEFORE you get to the steps of the bus!!!!!!!

I also suggest this if you're parked in the parking lots and are taking the tram. I can't believe the amount of people that unpack their cars, get the kids and all that c**p into a stroller only to get to the tram and have to undo it all. Just keep the stroller folded, carry the kid and the c**p.

 

[2 Little Mermaids]

Our first trip was in May and we got it down pat by the end of the trip. I would hold my 1.5yr old and take my 3yr old by the hand. DH would fold the strollers (while in line, and we used 2 umbrella strollers) and carry them plus the diaper bag. Worked out the best for us. Most bus drivers would not move until I was sitting with both children. They would ask someone to give me their seat, although I found most people would automatically stand up and offer their seat. Good luck!

 

[goofy4tink]

Diapers, bottles, tylenol, rash cream, bibs, baby food, spoons, spare change of clothes (or two for a full day), blankets, changing pads, hand sanitizer... oh yeah and the kitchen sink!

Thanks for the tip.

Man, I don't miss those days!!
In any case, you've gotten some very good advice here. Just be sure to fold up the stroller while waiting for the bus to arrive. Then, as cranbiz said, try to move as far back in the bus as you can. Nothing is more annoying than the dad who just has to stand next to his family, blocking the entire aisle. If you move back to the rear, there is more room for everyone.
Also, usually you don't have to fold up the stroller on the boats or monorails. You may run into a situation where it makes sense to do so, but those instances are few and far between.

 

[Debbie-TN]

If you are one of the first people on the bus, please go back as far as you can. I can't understand why people with those huge strollers stop at the first seats on the bus and take up half the isle. It would really be nice if all the buses were like the ME buses and all the strollers could be put under the bus.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

One other tip that goes along with folding/unpacking before the bus arrives, Step out of the way(off to the side) when getting off the bus before you unfold and pack. I am amazed at the number of times I see a family try to load up just off the bus, slowing things down for everyone still trying to get off the bus.

 

[dsaville]

We had our first trip in June and had a dbl bob stroller. We stayed at yc and avoided buses the first few days because we weren't sure how it worked. The first time on te driver had me enter through the front and I felt bad because the bus was already crowded and my stroller up front didn't help. Other than that it was a snap. My wife and kids went in through the front and every other driver let me use the back door. We would unpack the diaper bag when we got to the bus stop and unbuckled the kids but since it folds up easy no one had to wait 5 min for me to fold up.

We did what we could to keep all our stuff in the diaper bag but we did clip some things to the stroller so there would be no loose things falling out when we moved it around.

 

[miprender]

Good luck! We did this for our first trip with the kids in 2006(DD3,DS10mths) and this is the reason we now rent a car. The bus drivers kept yelling at DH to move down but there was no place to go each time. Some of the bus drivers even made remarks about our stroller. They were two regular sized single (not huge) strollers. Some would not open the back door even though the stroller was folder. Poor DH had to walk through the aisle and must have said SORRY to everyone hit banged on the head!! (oh yeah great memories)

I am not sure if we just had an off week with the bus drivers but it was getting very stressful.

I found it easier to take a bus to Epcot if the line was not long, then jump on the monorail if we were going to MK. Or we even paid for a taxi a few times.

I wish Disney had a special place to store strollers like they do for the luggage!

Sorry don't mean to scare you. That was just our expierence and there were some nice bus drivers who helped DH a few times, but they were the exception to the rule this trip.

 

[Disneylvr]

We have a daughter with autism and have a large special needs stroller. The bus was not a good experience for us so we always rent a car now and drive to the parks where buses are the only other transportation option. The monorails and boats are great though!

 

[cccdisney]

We have a daughter with autism and have a large special needs stroller. The bus was not a good experience for us so we always rent a car now and drive to the parks where buses are the only other transportation option. The buses and boats are great though!

We have a son with autism. We still use a "regular" stroller but I can't imagine having to fold and load a bus while trying to keep track of him and his Service Dog. My son is a runner and will take off at any chance! We haven't taken him to WDW since he was 2 (actually went just days after getting his dx). We haven't taken him back since it requires a plane trip. The last time I had him on a plane was so bad I still have nightmares about it. Anyway, it will be Disneyland for him for awhile. And he loves it there!


Speaking of Disneyland - This is one reason we Love Disneyland for young kids! NO BUSES!!! We unfold our stroller when unpacking the car at the hotel and don't fold it back up until we load the car at the end of the trip! Everywhere you need to go is in walking distance.
It's great!

 

[goofy4tink]

In many instances, it is going to work better for some families to have a rental car. Buses are not going to 'get it done' for everyone. Most people will have no issues, but every once in awhile, there are extenuating circumstances where a car will work much better for that family's needs.

 

[zulemara]

You guys are killing me!!!!

It's nice to know the things that drive me crazy as a CM actually do drive other guests crazy(the normal ones) too!

You do have to fold your stroller on the 39 passenger launches at MK. That includes the gold (mk-->gf-->poly), blue (cr-->wl-->fw), and the red(wl-->mk) The red route also has a 120 passenger cruiser that does not require the stroller to be folded. If you end up on a 39 passenger launch, try to sit on the brown benches. People with strollers like to sit on the white bench which is where I have to walk in order to get to the wheel and untie the boat. Also try to have things folded before the boat comes, just as others suggested for the bus

on the cruisers, just don't stop right in the front and prevent the 100 people behind you from getting on. That drives me NUTS haha.

 

[Endeavour105]

Children can stay in strollers on monorails and boats. Most people hold the stroller on the bus, depending on the bus or stroller, you can put it under the seat.

If it's a large stroller, we would appreciate it if you move to the back of the bus where there is more room and you will not block the aisle.

Not always true.

Strollers do not have to be folded if using the ferry boats or motor cruisers...however, all strollers must be folded when using the motor launches ( the smallest of the WDW Watercraft) - no exceptions.

 

[goofy4tink]

Absolutely right about strollers and boats. I have seen the majority of guests being allowed to leave their strollers open, but if there is a sizable crowd, guests have been asked to fold up the strollers. But..that is on the Friendship boats. THose boats that run between the GF, Polynesian and MK (for instance) routinely tell you to fold 'em up. There just isn't room for open strollers.

My favorite stroller incident?? At DTD, we were on the bus, waiting to head out. We were there for a fair amount of time because there was a change in drivers...new driver had to check out the bus, walk around it, etc. Well, he got on the bus, fastened his seatbelt and this family walked up. Had a stroller with a youngster in it, as well as mom with another child on her hip. That driver had on issue with allowing dad to board, with the stroller open and the child in it!!! It amazed me. Should have seen the faces of the other passengers as dad rolled that stroller down the crowded aisle, running over people's feet.
Or the family at BW who decided that the rear door was the best option for them to board the bus. So, when the guests were getting off, they waited next to the rear door. We were told to go ahead and board (from the front as usual), and that family started pushing their stroller, with child in it, up the steps, through the rear door. We just sat there, on the bus stop bench, watching as the rear doors closed on that stroller..mom was screaming 'open the door, open the door!!', we're telling her (not for the first time) that she wasn't allowed to board there. Her response? "We have a stroller, this is where we are supposed to board, so shut the $%^$ up!!!' And the door kept slamming against her and the stroller. And of course the bus driver finally opened the door to allow her to board. She turned around, looked at us and gave us this triumphant look. Made me nuts!!! I only hope that karma came and bit her on the backside at some point.

 

[brymolmom]

Will you have 2 adults there? If so - dh and I got the double side-by-side stroller on the bus thing down to a science.

First of all - always keep an empty, flat, shopping bag (think the 99 cent grocery store reusable bags) on the very bottom of the basket. When you get to the bus line, grab the bag and throw all the daily 'incidentals' that accumulate into this bag. This might include - wet socks, popcorn bins, half used water bottles, park maps, etc. (this is especially helpful when the bus is just getting there and you're trying to hurry - MUCH easier than carrying 5 things in your hands AND trying to hold kids hands too). Put everything in there and the backpack or diaper bag over your shoulder. Then take older child by the hand and hold younger child and board the bus. DH, when allowed, will board the back entrance and stand right there near the back door (no one ever minds him boarding the back as he isn't taking up a seat anyway - even if one is available) - he'll lean the stroller against the bar and just stand against it holding the bar. I will find a seat and put one child in lap and other next to me. When getting off - dh hops off and puts up the stroller so it's ready and waiting for me when I get off with the kids.

We love the WDW buses and rarely have a complaint.

 

[cranbiz]

The above will not happen on my bus.

I have made people get off the bus and enter through the front door. My spiel to them is what you just did is line cutting. You need to get off and wait with the rest of the guests. All of our buses are clearly labeled do not enter at the rear doors. For safety and security, all guests must enter through the front doors with special needs being the only exception. The driver must have the ability to see all guests boarding the bus.

If I let you board with the stroller open (and that is few and far between), you are told that the stroller must be folded and that I will not move the bus until it is folded.

If you have a monster stroller and nicely ask me if the stroller tender can board through the back doors, I'll usually let them depending on when and where.

If you have a special needs stroller (ie stroller as a wheelchair) you should have no problems being allowed back door access. If you have issues, speak to a transportation GSM.