Page 44 - CelebrationsSpring2020

By Bryn Wittmayer
Strolling and Scooting Around the Kingdom
Two of the questions I see asked most often in Disney planning groups, especially mom/family groups are, “my child is __ years old, do we need a stroller at Disney?” and, “my mother/father has such-and-such walking range, should we rent a scooter?” The answer so often is, “It depends.” But usually, if you think you might need one, you probably do.
The average person walks at least six miles a day at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Many people walk as much as ten miles per day! Your kiddo is a never-ending ball of energy at home, but it’s the rare child who walks that much in a day. The average American adult walks about two miles per day. If you or a family member walks less than that and has a physical impairment, renting a scooter may make the difference in how much of the trip she/he/they enjoy. It’s fairly common to see kindergarten-age children using a stroller in the parks, and even older kids depending on their needs and people of all ages use scooters as needed.
Pro Tip: Get ready for Disney by taking family walks before your trip!
You want your kiddos to get their energy and wiggles out at Disney. It’s not a place for quiet fun! If you can plan a trip around their needs and energy, that’s fantastic. A lot of us make compromises within a group or have kids who need a brief rest before they’re up and at it. Taking an entire trip at the pace of the smallest child can split up the group and cause resentment. Strollers can keep you on the move and together when you want to be. They give your child a place to sit and decompress. Disney can be overwhelming. Kids need breaks. A stroller gives you a pace to dump your gear so you don’t have to carry it everywhere. The same is true of scooters. Those baskets can carry quite a lot of gear. But don’t leave anything valuable in an unattended stroller or scooter; even at Disney things can be stolen!
Pro tip: Buy a balloon or tie something to your stroller to help identify it.
If you’ve decided you need a stroller, the next question is if you’re going to bring yours, rent from Disney, or rent from an outside company. Think about whether you need a stroller during your travel and moving between parks. Will folding up a stroller in the airport or on transportation be a burden? If you think you need a stroller between parks, we suggest renting a good-quality stroller, or buying an inexpensive one that you don’t intend to bring home. Think about the weight the stroller needs to carry, the size it needs to be, how comfortable your child must be in it, and your budget. For older children and a lot of walking between parks and to the hotel, I like renting a comfortable, easy-to-push jogging stroller. I don’t like straining my back to push an umbrella stroller. Some like the ease of folding up an umbrella stroller. Their low cost also makes them a popular option.
Pro Tip: Look at the weather for the time you’ll be there and consider a battery- operated, clip-on fan for your child’s stroller.
In May of 2019 Disney changed its stroller rules. Make sure that the one you’re taking or renting will be allowed into the park! Per Disney’s Stroller FAQ, “Strollers larger than 31” (79 cm) x 52” (132 cm) and wagons are not permitted.” Stroller wagons
Bryn is the Social Media ConciEAR with ConciEARS, your magical vacation concierge. She’s all about building relationships, so of course sharing Disney with her family and friends is her favorite thing. She’ll also tell you that a solo trip is not to be missed. When she can get her family out of their busy Portland life, you’ll find her at Walt’s original park, Disneyland!
Contact ConciEARS for your next vacation to Disney’s magical destinations and prepare yourself for friendly, personal service you won’t get anywhere else. Call 1-856- 687-3277 or email us at service@ conciears.com to kick off your next adventure! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @conciears.
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