My wife and I are bringing our 3 m/o to DL on Friday (9/2). I've been to DL hundreds of times since I was a young child, but this is my first visit with a child of my own...we are of course bringing a stroller as part of the "gear" for the baby.

I've read threads over the years from people on this site and other sites who have a strong dislike for the stroller crowd (claiming they get bumped into, running over their feet, etc)...I've read some pretty passionate opinions just how much some people hate strollers.

Now that I'm on the other side of the coin (although, I've never had a bad experience with a stroller in the first place and don't have any negative opinions about them)...can anyone tell me...how bad is it? Do you get dirty looks if you have to maneuver the stroller in front of someone? Is it really a hassle and an inconvenience for non-stroller people?

I'm a bit nervous and having a little anxiety over this...how hard is it to visit the park with a stroller? Any tips or suggestions? I really want to see the fireworks, but I'm concerned about how difficult it will be to leave after the show with our stroller in tow.

Thanks in advance for any invaluable assistance...!

Its like anything in life , people remember the bad experience. they were bumped in the heals with a stroller once and omg all strollers and their drivers are spawns of satan put to get them! Also like anything in life courtesy and politness is the key sometimes its a little more difficult with an xtra 2 feet jutting out in front of you so you have to slow down a little be a little extra careful.
Tips : to find your stoller in the vast sea of stoller in stroller parking tie something colorful and original on it ( NOT A MICKEY BALLOON) . When exiting an show such as the fireworks just sit a few extra minutes and let the masses pour out before you, this is a wonderful time for feeding and infant and a little down time for yourself.
Not stroller related use the Baby center to change diapers and clothing and sit in a rocker and feed the baby also the CMs are very helpful and i understand they do have an emergency supplie of baby items if needed.
Most of all have FUN!

I say don't let others' opinions ruin your trip for you. Bring your stroller, enjoying your time at Disneyland as a Parent with your 3 month old.

I always bring my stroller....even a double one now that we have 2 kids and I could careless if someone gives me a dirty look because I push my kids around in a stroller so my KIDS can rest and enjoy their time at Disneyland.

Good luck to you.

Since your baby is so young you could probably get a snugli type carrier for her/him. Thats of course assuming you have the back for it, I never did, I could not wear one with out killing my back even when they were real little.
I used a stroller all three of our WDW trips in the last three years and did not see any dirty looks. What ever you do just remember to have a good time and don't worry about any one else. ;)

Probably 95% of strollers go unnoticed.
Although they are a little bulky, it's the person, not the stroller that causes a problem.

Simply keep in mind that you extend 3 feet ahead of youself.
Don't rush to the front of lines only to hold everyone up while you offload your baby and paraphernalia.

Running into and inconveniencing others is what will draw those glares.

I don't mind the strollers, they are just a way of life at the parks. What bothers me more are the people who are walking along the flow of traffic and then they just stop. I honestly don't think I can remember any stroller experiences, some people weren't looking and hit me a few times but nothing to get upset over. I say go and have a great time.:) The good people who are in the park will recognize that you are a family plus stroller so all the people who will get upset, well, lets just hope they get so angry at all the wild strollers that they leave the park early and give you a fun filled day away from them. :)

I've never had any problems taking my stroller. No glances, no unkind words, etc. Take your stroller, watch what you're doing, and don't worry about it. Fun will be had by all! ;)

I have a triple stroller and have never had any dirty looks when we go to the park (and we go alot).

Probably 95% of strollers go unnoticed.
Although they are a little bulky, it's the person, not the stroller that causes a problem.

Simply keep in mind that you extend 3 feet ahead of youself.
Don't rush to the front of lines only to hold everyone up while you offload your baby and paraphernalia.

Running into and inconveniencing others is what will draw those glares.


...and now the other side of the story...
Do not cut people pushing a stroller off

Do not step over strollers to get where you are going faster

Look where you are walking, just as much as those pushing the strollers need to do...so does everyone else.

The people pushing strollers cannot stop on a dime. I don't know how many times I have seen people 'purposely' put themselves in front of my son's stroller and then stop and then give me dirty looks because I couldn't stop in time. I always apologize if I hit someone. In many cases, it's their own fault.

it don't bother me the strollers. I just don't like it when they don't watch people in their path and run them over by clipping their ankles and feet

I'm a non-stroller person. I've been bumped into by strollers, but it has always been accidentally and the stroller pushers have always been apologetic. I have no problem with strollers (other wheeled vehicles.... no comment). Only advise I have is when you park them, make sure they are out of any feasible walk-way, path, thorough-fair, etc. with the brakes on I have tripped over many that either have escaped or just weren't carefully place in a stroller parking area.

Frankly, who cares what people say about strollers. Just as long as you are courteous to those around you. I am the mother of two young kids still in strollers and I can tell you that I've accidentally bumped into people in large crowds and have in turn had my stroller ( with kids still in it ) purposefully shoved by teenagers. For the most part people online just like to complain a lot about strollers but I have yet to see anyone tell off parents that they are using strollers. Don't let these opinions give you an anxiety attack however I understand, I felt the same way when I first brought my first child to Disneyland.

I couldn't do DLR without a stroller - heck, I still make my almost 4-year-old sit in the stoller many places we go (he simply cannot be trusted - he will run amok!) Up until our trip last November I've never, ever hit anyone with my stroller. In November, I clipped my niece... but that's because she jumped right into my path (she's a bit of a psycho!!! hahaha)

Frankly, who cares what people say about strollers. Just as long as you are courteous to those around you. I am the mother of two young kids still in strollers and I can tell you that I've accidentally bumped into people in large crowds and have in turn had my stroller ( with kids still in it ) purposefully shoved by teenagers. For the most part people online just like to complain a lot about strollers but I have yet to see anyone tell off parents that they are using strollers. Don't let these opinions give you an anxiety attack however I understand, I felt the same way when I first brought my first child to Disneyland.
Wow, if a teenager shoved my stroller on purpose with my kids still in it, they will find themself in inside a garbage can real fast.

Since your baby is so young you could probably get a snugli type carrier for her/him. Thats of course assuming you have the back for it, I never did, I could not wear one with out killing my back even when they were real little.
I used a stroller all three of our WDW trips in the last three years and did not see any dirty looks. What ever you do just remember to have a good time and don't worry about any one else. ;)

Bring the stroller AND a carrier. It is invaluable in lines when you can't have a stroller. Also my sister always parks her stroller at the mainstreet train station when she wants to walk though and shop and having a snugli will save your arms. and don't forget there are the sling type that if your wife is nursing will be a great coverup and allow her to nurse anywhere..

Thanks for everyone's tips. Yes, we'll have both the stroller and baby bjorn. I'm not worried about anyone that may have issues with strollers...I plan to be aware of our surroundings and make sure I'm courteous to others if I bump into them.

My main worry is the fireworks crowds after the show...my plan is to hang back for a bit until it thins out a little...hopefully that will do the trick!

We're off tomorrow, wish us well.

good luck and have fun

First of all - have a GREAT TIME, and yes, bring both a stroller and a baby carrier. Depending on what you're doing, you can choose whichever one suits the moment.

On the subject of strollers in general (please allow me a short rant), I've had some pretty ugly run-ins with stroller pushers, including the one who slammed her SUV-style one into my daughter, causing her to fall into a wall, and then yelled at my DAUGHTER for getting in her way (which she didn't). Oh, and the guy who was using his as a ramming device to get through the crowd WITH HIS BABY STILL IN IT. I started to lose my balance and fall backwards, and gave the idjit Hades about whether a fit parent would endanger his infant just so he could get through the crowd faster. :::sheesh:::

But overall, I'd say it's probably about 85/15 split, good vs. bad stoller users.

My pet peeve lately has been the lazy cheapskates who rent a stroller (or two) to put all their crap in - coolers, clothing, packages, etc. etc. There is not an unlimited supply of strollers for rental, and every person who rents one because they won't rent a locker takes it away from someone who needs it for its intended purpose, i.e., carrying a baby or small child.


-Allegra-

Everything went very well on Friday. We didn't clip anyone's ankles (that I know of). I tried to walk in front of the stroller while my wife pushed so if the only person she would have hit would have been me...overall great time for our daughter's first visit to DL.

We're going in December for the weekend, so this was a good "test run".

Wow, if a teenager shoved my stroller on purpose with my kids still in it, they will find themself in inside a garbage can real fast.
During parade times, I've had my child/stroller pushed several times. On a few occations, things have "accidentally" been dropped on her as well. However, my jogging stroller has very sharp metal clasps that never seem to flap all the way down on the front wheel. I have "accidentally" run into a few feet/legs here and there.

...and now the other side of the story...
Do not cut people pushing a stroller off

Do not step over strollers to get where you are going faster

Look where you are walking, just as much as those pushing the strollers need to do...so does everyone else.

The people pushing strollers cannot stop on a dime. I don't know how many times I have seen people 'purposely' put themselves in front of my son's stroller and then stop and then give me dirty looks because I couldn't stop in time. I always apologize if I hit someone. In many cases, it's their own fault.
Yes! I agree! As a frequent visitor of DL/DCA, I can't tell you how many times people from out of nowhere have cut in front of the stroller to get somewhere faster... only to get hit. The best though is when they turn around and give you the look of death... I'm sorry I didn't ask you to jump in front of me like a maniac :eek:

Yes! I agree! As a frequent visitor of DL/DCA, I can't tell you how many times people from out of nowhere have cut in front of the stroller to get somewhere faster... only to get hit. The best though is when they turn around and give you the look of death... I'm sorry I didn't ask you to jump in front of me like a maniac :eek:

I certainly most agree with this. On two occasions my son was kicked on the leg and then hit on the head by people cutting/jumping in front of his stroller. One of them was a CM and boy did he get quite a yelling from my husband in front of his fellow CMs and his supervisor. At that point my husband offered no restraint to words considering our son was screaming in pain (he got a cut and a bruise showed up 2 days later). We actually got no apology from the CM who just stood there with no expression on his face (maybe it was the shock of my husband). Guest Relations tried to help and offered a ride pass which my husband returned to them immediately and said "I am not looking for anything free, just an apology".

I recently visited the park with my two kids in two strollers (an umbrella stroller for my 2 year old and a regular stroller for my 3 month old). Looking around, you would swear that the number of strollers wheelchairs, wheelchair-scooters is at least 50% of the number attending DL.

Strollers are everywhere. My initial concern was theft from our stroller. However, there are so many strollers that it's unlikely anyone would reach into our stroller and take something from it. In fact, we were on the train for two hours while our toddler slept on the train and our stroller sat unguarded at the main station for that entire time.

If need be, we can fold up the umbrella stroller and place it in the basket of the regular stroller. Also, we have a carry-sling for the baby to give her a break from the stroller.

In my opinion, the only strollers that are appropriate for the crowds an atmosphere of a Disney park is an umbrella stroller. Anything larger is dangerous to the people around you. The giant double wides (including the monsters that we provide as rentals) are so big they literally knock others off the sidewalk. Not to mention the fact that they don't fit through many doorways, knock things off of displays in stores, and block the view of parades and shows.

In my opinion, the only strollers that are appropriate for the crowds an atmosphere of a Disney park is an umbrella stroller. Anything larger is dangerous to the people around you. The giant double wides (including the monsters that we provide as rentals) are so big they literally knock others off the sidewalk. Not to mention the fact that they don't fit through many doorways, knock things off of displays in stores, and block the view of parades and shows.

My double stroller isn't a side-by-side. Babies can't sleep in an umbrella stroller and they don't have space for diaper bags, etc.

The problem isn't the stroller knocking people off the sidewalks (although I can't remember seeing anyone knocked off a sidewalk in the seven years I've been bringing my stroller to DLR,) the problem is the stroller drivers OR the people cutting them off to get around them.

I think it's like saying that cars are dangerous in congested areas. Well of course they are. So drivers need to watch for pedestrians and pedestrians shouldn't play chicken with cars.

Adrienne