Is Your Stroller Disney Theme Park Approved?
Starting May 1, 2019, your stroller might need to shave some off its girth to enter Disney theme parks within the United States. Here's what you need to know about the new park rules and some strollers that meet the new (smaller) Disney requirements. (And yes, they have the new size guidelines painted on the ground to avoid any confusion.)
Disney's new stroller rules downsize the permissible width of strollers from 36 to 31 inches (length allowances will remain the same 52 inches). And if you happen to be a fan of stroller wagons (Veer Cruiser Stroller Wagons are among our favorites), that's a problem -- they are be banned entirely from May 1 onward.
As long as you aren't a wagon family, don't panic too much about the new stroller sizes. In all likelihood, yours probably makes the Disney cut already. Even some side-by-side double strollers come in under the allowable inches. (And of course, you can always just rent Disney's hard plastic brown strollers if that's the best solution for a quick trip.)
But if your stroller is too wide — or you are shopping for something new — the following are examples of strollers that meet Disney's guidelines.
UPPAbaby Minu
This incredibly durable, light and compact stroller has carried my kids everywhere from the uneven and rocky calles of Cuba to the frozen streets of Finland. Fully unfolded, the UPPAbaby Minu is just 28 inches long and a svelte 20.5 inches wide. And the extra-extendable 50+ sunshade means your kid will stay mostly shaded while you count down the minutes in those theme park lines.
SUMMER 3DLITE+ CONVENIENCE STROLLER
Coming in under the $100 mark, this lightweight stroller goes the distance for cost and convenience. Modeled after the popular original 3Dlite, the 3Dlite+ Convenience Stroller has lots of perks that come in particularly handy when navigating theme parks, including an extra-deep storage area underneath, a cup holder and an adjustable canopy. The stroller is 34 inches long and 19.5 inches wide.
Chicco BravoFor2
Some traditional side-by-side double strollers may no longer make the Disney sizing cut, but here's a great double stroller for the theme parks with an in-line design that makes it easy to push through even standard-sized doors. I get a lot of use out of the Chicco BravoFor2 with my 2.5-year-old and 15-month-old. My youngest rides in the front seat and my oldest can either ride standing on the back platform or sitting strapped into a little jump seat that folds down (so the siblings are back to back). I love the roomy storage basket and how easy it is to get to from the front of the stroller. The stroller is just over 23 inches wide and 45 inches long when unfolded and ready for use. One thing to note is that neither child can recline much (or, in the case of the jump seat, at all) in this stroller. So if you have kids that need to lean back to nap, it's not ideal.
B-Ready G 3 Stroller by Britax
If you've got a Britax single stroller, you make the cut for Disney's new guidelines, including this modular one with 12 different seating options that adapt to your growing children (from newborns to kids up to 55 pounds). The B-Ready G 3 Stroller can be used with a second seat (sold separately) to function as a double stroller. Fully assembled and in use, the stroller is just 24 inches wide and 44 inches long. It includes a rain cover, cup holder and child snack tray in addition to the extended canopy and large storage basket.
BOBGear Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie Jogging Stroller
Thought you'd have to leave your double BOB at home with the new Disney regulations? Not so if you have this Revolution Flex that miraculously comes in just under the width requirements at 30.5 inches wide and is 42 inches long. If you've ever pushed a BOB, you know what short work these strollers make of everything from rural terrain to city streets. They're total tanks that cruise like Ferraris. The seats' extra-large canopies protect your kids from sun and rain and there are 10 storage pockets and a super deep cargo space below for stashing snacks (and all those souvenirs). With weight limits of 50 pounds in each seat, even two big kids can ride comfortably when their legs just refuse to stand in another line.
Chicco Mini Bravo Plus
Lightweight, quick-folding and car-seat-ready with the Chicco KeyFit and Fit2 infant car seats, the Mini Bravo Plus is an easy push at theme parks. It meets Disney requirements for width at just over 20 inches wide and about 36 inches long when assembled. And the stroller stands on its own when folded, minimizing contact with grungy theme-park sidewalks and other surfaces. You'll appreciate the two-cup holder parent tray, big storage basket and rear brakes that lock easily with a Cinderella-like tap of your toe.
born free liva
I've been hearing good things about this new stroller that actually reminds me a lot of the UPPAbaby Minu in looks (and at a lower price, to boot). Like the all-lowercase spelling of its name, the sleek born free liva keeps things understated but functional with a good-sized storage basket and parent pocket under the handle and an oversized canopy with a pop-out sun visor. The stroller is just 16 pounds and easy to carry and maneuver. And it fits several car seats with no adapters needed, including the Graco SnugRide Click Connect, Chicco KeyFit 30 and Chicco Fit2.
Bottom Line
Theme park-goers, start your (regulation-sized) strollers -- and enjoy the magic!
Looking for more advice about theme parks and maneuvering around them? Here are some resources:
- 9 Things Families Should Know Before Visiting Disneyland
- Tips for Keeping Your Family Safe at a Theme Park
- 10 Ways to Save Money at Disney World
- How to Use Points to Buy Disney Tickets
- How a Disney World Annual Pass Can Save Your Family Money
- 8 Great Double Strollers That Go the Distance for Family Travel
- 9 Mistakes to Avoid During a Trip to Cub
- Making Family Travel Easier With Car Seats and Strollers
- The 8 Best Strollers for Travel
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