The Best Stroller for an Older Child at Disney
Disney World is a wonderful place to spend time with your kids—if you’re prepared. We spent 10 hours researching and testing strollers, interviewing a former Disney World stroller-riding expert, and spending two days testing strollers with a 4-year-old at Disney World. We found the best strollers for traveling with a toddler or older child on your next Disney trip, or any other trip, too.
# | Name | Preview | Rating | Action |
1 | Evenflo GOLD Otto Self-Folding Stroller | 9.5 | ||
2 | Graco NimbleLite Stroller | Lightweight Stroller | 9.5 | ||
3 | Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System | 9.3 | ||
4 | Graco Modes Pramette Stroller | 8.9 | ||
5 | Ergobaby Metro+ Compact Baby Stroller | 8.9 |
The Approach We Took for Testing
While we tested the strollers on flat pavement, we think that it’s important to note that older children will probably prefer the most comfortable stroller to the best stroller. That said, we still took comfort into consideration when testing.
We also evaluated the ease of use and safety of the strollers: We took each stroller for a spin around the block with an average-size adult, a 6-foot-tall 5-year-old boy, and an 8-month-old baby (who was just beginning to sit upright in a seat).
We looked at each stroller’s features and noted which ones were intuitive and which were more difficult to use. We checked how easy it was to recline seats, adjust sun shades, fold, carry, and install car seats; we also noted any safety features like harnesses and cup holders.
We took each stroller for another spin with the baby seat installed in the car. We noted how easy it was to install the seat properly and how much space each stroller took up in the back seat.
We checked how each stroller performed on uneven terrain (sidewalks with cracks, tree roots, curbs) and on wet surfaces (sidewalks covered with leaves or wet from rain or snow).
We used each stroller for an afternoon of walking around downtown Seattle in winter, which meant pushing through icy slush, navigating slippery sidewalks, and climbing up and down stairs.
We also looked for strollers with easy assembly and good documentation.
Evenflo GOLD Otto Self-Folding Stroller
What Makes It a Smart Investment
Evenflo’s Gold Otto Stroller (a different model than the Gold Glider) is our pick for the best stroller for traveling with an older child. The Otto offers a smooth, one-handed fold and a roomy seat that has a reclining option.
The stroller’s harness and basket are also easy to use, and this model is lightweight and maneuverable, despite its larger size. Most of our testers found it easy to fold and unfold, although they had to use two hands—one to pull the strap, and one to push the button.
The Otto also has a peekaboo window, a nice-size covered basket, an extra-large sunroof, and a parent tray with two cup holders. The only downside is that it’s a little bulkier and heavier than other strollers, so it may be a disadvantage if you’ll be traveling on a bus or train, or if you need to lift the stroller into a trunk.
Graco NimbleLite Stroller | Lightweight Stroller
What Makes It a Smart Investment
The Graco NimbleLite has all the features you’d expect from a stroller twice its weight, including a one-hand fold, a parent tray with cup holders, multiple storage options, and a belly bar with cup holder to keep your little passenger happy on the go.
We found the stroller’s handling to be competent, and its small footprint (it fits easily in a trunk or on public transit) makes it a great choice for urban parents.
Like all lightweight strollers, the Graco is more fragile than a heavier model and doesn’t recline fully—but it still offers a smooth ride, and it’s sturdy enough to last you for years.
Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System
What Makes It a Smart Investment
The large, air-filled tires of the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System make it the smoothest ride of any stroller we tested. Its Parent Tray has two cupholders, and this model’s front swivel wheel is easy to maneuver.
The Expedition also offers a reclining seat, a five-point harness, a tether, a large canopy, and multiple storage options. The stroller folds flat and is light enough that one person should be able to lift it into a car trunk.
Graco Modes Pramette Stroller
What Makes It a Smart Investment
The Mode is designed with a reversible seat so your child can face you or face the world—depending on your child’s age and preference—and it easily converts from a toddler stroller to an infant pramette (also known as a bassinet) so you can use it to stroll your baby in the first few months of life.
The stroller has a large basket, and it accepts all Graco car seats, making it a great choice for parents who typically use a car seat. It also folds with one hand and has a toddler tray with cup holders and a reclining seat.
Our testers’ favorite part was the ability to remove the tray to make it easier for a preschooler to climb in and out of the stroller.
Ergobaby Metro+ Compact Baby Stroller
What Makes It a Smart Investment
The Ergobaby Metro Stroller is a lightweight umbrella stroller that handles over rough terrain and the most crowded streets comfortably. It has an adjustable handlebar and two large cargo pockets, and it folds down to fit in most airplane overhead bins.
The Metro is equipped with a sunshielded canopy that provides ample coverage and ventilation, and the seat has a built-in reclining option. This stroller can accept most car seats, and Ergobaby offers adapters for all of the most popular brands.
The seat itself has been redesigned to be more ergonomically shaped and has extra padding, and the stroller itself has two small front wheels that make it more maneuverable than other strollers in this class. This stroller can be used from day one with a newborn thanks to a removable and washable newborn nest, and it’s designed to last from newborn to toddlerhood, with a 2-year warranty.
Don’t Buy Before Considering These Factors
After reading every available review online, we narrowed our list down to a shortlist of strollers that people consistently said they loved using at Disney parks. We also considered these additional factors:
Size And Weight Capacity
The average height of an eight-year-old is about 4’6” (137 cm), which made us realize that most kids are too big for most umbrella strollers by the time they’re ready to go on their first Disney trip. We considered both lightweight and standard size strollers.
We were looking for something that could support a child up to at least 80 pounds (36 kg) so that you wouldn’t have to replace the stroller again when your child was done with it.
Easy To Assemble/Disassemble
We wanted a stroller that would be easy to set up at the start of every day and equally simple to break down before heading back to the hotel for naps or rest between park days.
Are Single Strollers Good for Taking My Older Child to Disney?
If you are planning to take your older child to Disney, then a single stroller for Disney may be the perfect option for you.
These types of strollers are great for older children because they are designed to be both sturdy and versatile, making them perfect for navigating the busy streets of Disney while still keeping your child safe and comfortable.
Many parents choose to use a single stroller for Disney because it gives them the flexibility to take both of their children to Disney at once while still being able to keep them separate if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What stroller do they use at Disney?
They use a variety of strollers at Disney, but one of the most popular is the Disney stroller.
2. What stroller is best for Disney?
The best stroller for Disney is a lightweight stroller that can be easily folded up.
3. What stroller is best for theme parks?
A stroller that is easy to fold and lightweight is best for theme parks.
4. Is there a stroller that goes on roller coaster?
There is no such stroller that goes on roller coaster.