Traveling with Your Baby: The Best Travel Strollers
Whether you’re traveling to Disney World, Disneyland, or just across town, a great stroller can make your trip a little easier. After researching 19 Disney strollers and testing seven on the ground in Florida and California, we recommend these strollers because of their stellar maneuverability, comfort, and features—and, most importantly, because of their stellar reliability.
# | Name | Preview | Rating | Action |
1 | Summer Infant 3D Mini Convenience Stroller | 9.8 | ||
2 | Graco NimbleLite Stroller | Lightweight Stroller | 9.6 | ||
3 | Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Ultra-Compact Travel Stroller | 8.6 | ||
4 | Kolcraft – Cloud Plus Lightweight Easy Fold Compact Travel Baby Stroller | 8.3 | ||
5 | gb Pockit+ All-Terrain Travel Stroller | 7.9 |
The Process We Used to Evaluate
We took the travel strollers to a variety of locations, including Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo.
We also kept track of all the other things that happen when you travel with kids: gate check and overhead stroller storage, loading and unloading the stroller onto a taxi or an Uber, and getting the stroller out of an SUV trunk.
We used the strollers for two weeks, to see how durable they were, and how easy it was to take them apart and put them back together.
For city travel, it’s important to see how well a stroller handles a city sidewalk or street. We ran each stroller through our obstacle course — a course with three stairs, a curb, and uneven pavement — to see how easy it was to maneuver.
We also took a close look at each stroller’s canopy, seat padding, storage compartments, and harness systems to see how easy they were to use.
In our tests, we checked each seat for comfort and support by placing a 15-pound toddler doll in each seat and then walking around with the doll for about 30 minutes.
Summer Infant 3D Mini Convenience Stroller
Our Thoughts
The Summer 3D Mini Convenience Stroller is a fantastic choice for a travel stroller because it’s lightweight and compact, yet roomy and sturdy enough for a larger passenger. In addition, it has a one-handed fold that’s easy to do and the wheels are lockable, so it’s easy to push, too.
The multi-position recline, padded seat back, padded 5-point safety harness, and full canopy with pop-out sun visor keep kids comfortable and secure. This model, which has an EVA wheel, is one of the most affordable umbrella strollers we tested. It wasn’t the lightest stroller we tested, but it was still lighter than the bulkier strollers we tried, and it was big enough to accommodate a preschooler (up to 45 pounds).
This stroller also has a fairly large storage basket, a rear storage pocket, and two cup holders. Our testers appreciated the added storage compared with other strollers in this price range.
Graco NimbleLite Stroller | Lightweight Stroller
Our Thoughts
The Graco NimbleLite is a fully-featured ultralight stroller that weighs less than 15 pounds, yet still feels sturdy on rough terrain.
It folds up easily, too, and it should fit in even the smallest trunk. It also works with all Graco infant car seats, so you can transport your baby from the car to the stroller with one hand, and you won’t have to purchase a special car seat adapter.
You can even use the stroller with your infant from birth since it works as an infant car seat carrier. The NimbleLite has a parent’s tray with cup holders and storage areas, a belly bar with a cup holder to keep your little one content, and a reclining seat that folds flat for newborn napping.
Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Ultra-Compact Travel Stroller
Our Thoughts
The Baby Jogger City Tour was the lightest stroller we tested, weighing just over 14 pounds—nearly 2 pounds lighter than the next-lightest stroller we tested.
Plus, its compact and easy-to-maneuver design makes it a breeze to travel with on the bus, train, or plane, and it’s simple to fold and unfold with one hand.
It doesn’t have a separate infant car seat attachment capability, so you’ll have to have your car seat already installed in your vehicle before you come to the airport.
However, it does come with an infant car seat adapters, so you can use any infant car seat you already own. If you plan to jog with your stroller, this is not the one for you.
The City Tour is designed for use with an infant car seat (and adapters are included so you can use your own car seat) and is one of the lightest strollers we tested, weighing just over 14 pounds. It also has a one-step fold and an auto-lock, so it’s easy to transport and store.
The multi-position reclining seat is cozy and features a calf support that can adjust to fit growing children. The stroller includes a small carry bag to protect it from dirt and scratches when traveling.
Kolcraft – Cloud Plus Lightweight Easy Fold Compact Travel Baby Stroller
Our Thoughts
The Kolcraft Cloud Plus is the lightest stroller we tested at 11.8 pounds, which makes it easy to transport between cars and on planes. It has a one-handed, self-standing fold that’s also simple to use, and its folded dimensions are 17.6 x 29.9 x 41.7 inches.
Its canopy is among the biggest we’ve seen, extending three tiers down from the seat, and the reclining seat has a 5-point safety harness. We found the Cloud Plus’s storage basket roomy and the child tray and parent tray useful.
The downside is that the seat doesn’t recline completely flat, so it might not be the best pick for a napping baby.
gb Pockit+ All-Terrain Travel Stroller
Our Thoughts
The GB Pockit+ All-Terrain is the ultimate travel stroller: It folds down to the size of a loaf of bread, yet it’s sturdy enough to tackle rugged terrain. It also comes with a sun canopy and an extra-large storage basket.
But the best part is that you can steer it with one hand, even while jostling it over rocks and roots. It’s also one of the lightest strollers we tested, weighing in at a mere 9 1/2 pounds.
The Pockit+ has a basic recline and a removable seat pad, but that’s all it really needs. The canopy provides great sun coverage, and the front swivel wheels are agile enough for easy turning.
Also, the lockable front wheel allows for greater stability on uneven terrain. This stroller doesn’t offer as much storage as some of the larger, bulkier options we tested, but it’s perfect for the kind of lighter travel you’d do around town or on day trips.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying
For this guide, we considered all types of strollers and pushed them through the paces in our real-world testing.
We looked for strollers that could easily and comfortably carry a child between eight and 40 pounds, since many kids at Walt Disney World are outside the minimum weight requirements for attractions but still too small to sit on their own.
Beyond size restrictions, younger kids need a stroller with a kid-size tray, cupholders (ideally with a sippy-cup holder), and kid-friendly brakes. Older kids need the ability to ride without a car seat or booster seat—and preferably with friends—so they can join in on the fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best stroller for Disney?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preferences. Some people might prefer a lightweight stroller that is easy to maneuver, while others might prefer a stroller with a lot of storage space.
2. Which stroller is best for Disney?
There is no one “best” stroller for Disney, as each family’s needs will be different. However, a lightweight stroller that is easy to fold up and transport is a good option for families who plan to do a lot of walking at Disney parks.
3. Is there a stroller that is allowed in Disney?
There is no one definitive answer to this question. Each park has its own policy regarding strollers, and these policies can change without notice. Generally speaking, strollers are allowed in Disney parks, but they may be restricted in specific areas. It is always advisable to check the park’s policy before bringing your stroller into the park.
4. Are baby strollers allowed in Disney?
Disney does not have a specific policy regarding baby strollers, but generally they are allowed in the parks.
5. Can you bring a stroller into Disney World?
Disney World does not allow strollers larger than 31″ wide and 52″ long.