The Best Umbrella Strollers for a Sunny Day at Disney
If your little one loves to be in the spotlight, you’ll need a stroller that’s as stylish as your child—and with the convenience of a one-handed opening and closing. We’ve tested 40 strollers since 2015, and we’ve found that these strollers are the best for navigating the parks and sidewalks of Disneyland.
# | Name | Preview | Rating | Action |
1 | Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller | 9.6 | ||
2 | Kolcraft – Cloud Plus Lightweight Easy Fold Compact Travel Baby Stroller | 9.4 | ||
3 | Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller | 9.1 | ||
4 | Summer 3Dlite+ Convenience Stroller | 9.0 | ||
5 | Summer 3Dmini Convenience Stroller | 8.4 |
The Approach We Took for Testing
We used this stroller on the Disneyland and California Adventure park maps, pushing the strollers through crowds, in and out of restaurants, up and down curbs, through the parks, along walkways, over patches of dirt and mulch and gravel, and even down a few tree-lined paths.
We evaluated the strollers on maneuverability, visibility, comfort, adaptability (and adaptability to winter weather conditions), and general ease of use.
We also checked how easy it was to install infant car seats, how easy it was to fold the strollers, how well they stood up to wear and tear, how easy they were to carry (for both parents and children), and how easy it was to keep the child inside comfortable.
Once we’d narrowed the list down to our finalists, we took an infant and a toddler out for a day at each park to really push the strollers through the parks.
We checked the ease of getting a child in and out of each stroller; we took note of which stroller seats offered armrests that could be used to keep a toddler in place; we tried out canopies, hoods (bald babies), ventilation systems, harnesses, and sunshades; we tried out different ways of securing car seats; and we noted how each stroller handled in a crowd of kids on a bus or shuttle.
Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller
Our Thoughts
In our tests, the Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller was the lightest, easiest to fold and maneuver umbrella stroller we tested. It weighs just 13 pounds, has a large seat area, and the anti-shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels make it smooth to push.
We think this stroller is perfect for traveling, as well as everyday errands, since it folds down small enough to fit in a trunk or even on public transportation. If you don’t want to use it for travel, the sturdier and heavier (but still compact) Summer Infant 3D Lite is a great option.
Kolcraft – Cloud Plus Lightweight Easy Fold Compact Travel Baby Stroller
Our Thoughts
The Kolcraft Cloud Plus is a great umbrella stroller for traveling. It’s lighter than most other strollers we found and folds down smaller, making it far easier to transport than other strollers.
Its canopy is among the largest of the strollers we considered, and the fabric is removable for cleaning, as is the seat liner. The Cloud Plus is easy to steer, and it has the most robust all-terrain tires of all the strollers we tested.
It also has a front wheel that you can lock in place, which should help you navigate rougher terrain with more confidence.
The downside is that the seat doesn’t recline, and the storage basket is small, but it should hold a small diaper bag. Our testers found the basket spacious enough for a medium-size bag.
Overall, the Kolcraft Cloud Plus felt sturdy and smooth even on bumpy terrain.
Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller
Our Thoughts
The Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller is our favorite umbrella stroller because it’s the most comfortable and easy to maneuver, and it’s the lightest and smallest of the ones we tested.
The frame is made of durable, lightweight, and rustproof aluminum, and it folds down small enough to fit in a small trunk or closet, or even underneath a desk.
The 3Dlite is a great choice for commuting and traveling since it’s smaller, lighter, and easier to manage than larger strollers.
It has the largest seat area of the strollers we tested and a recline that’s easy to adjust. It has lockable rear wheels, anti-shock front wheels, and a removable canopy, so you can customize it to your needs.
Summer 3Dlite+ Convenience Stroller
Our Thoughts
The Summer 3Dlite+ Convenience Stroller is our go-to recommendation for parents who need an umbrella stroller that can take on a little more weight and bulk than most other models.
It’s sturdy, with high-quality fabrics and stitching, and it has several features we consider must-haves, including a large storage basket, an extra-large canopy, a parent cup holder, and a child sippy cup holder.
The 3Dlite+ also has a one-hand, multi-position recline seat, as well as anti-shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels. Its fold is easy and compact, and it comes with a padded carry strap, so it’s great for running errands, traveling, or using as a backup stroller.
Summer 3Dmini Convenience Stroller
Our Thoughts
While most umbrella strollers are lightweight, the Summer 3Dmini Convenience Stroller stands out because it’s one of the easiest to fold and open—and it has the most storage space of any umbrella stroller we tested.
It offers a full-sized seat with multi-position recline, a 5-point safety harness, a lockable rear wheel, and a lockable front wheel.
The stroller is easy to push, and we love that it has big, cushy wheels, an easy-to-adjust canopy with a pop-out sun visor, and a parent tray with two cup holders and a storage pocket.
It’s the heaviest stroller we tested, and the only one with a full-sized seat, but the extra weight and larger frame make it easier to push and turn than the lighter, smaller options. And because it folds down to a smaller, more manageable size than most other full-sized strollers, it should fit better in your trunk or closet than the other heavier options.
Consider These Factors to Ensure Your Pick Checks All the Boxes
We researched the available strollers and read customer reviews, and we focused on those with the following features:
Foldable
A good Disney stroller should be able to fold up compactly so that two or more can fit in a trunk or storage bin. We selected only folding models for this guide.
This presented a couple of challenges. First, most umbrella strollers aren’t designed to be folded one-handed; it usually takes two hands to collapse them. Second, almost all umbrella strollers are quite bulky when not in use because of their fixed-length frames.We considered this drawback but decided that a compromise was necessary because no other type of travel stroller is as easy to manage in Disney parks.
Good Maneuverability
The ideal Disney stroller will be easy to push over various terrains (even bumpy ones), offer good control while you’re running down pathways and stairs, and turn on a dime. It will also be lightweight enough that an adult can comfortably lift it if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best umbrella stroller for Disney?
The best umbrella stroller for Disney is the one that is most comfortable for your child.
2. Is an umbrella stroller allowed in Disney?
Yes, an umbrella stroller is allowed in Disney.
3. Can you bring an umbrella stroller to Disney?
Yes, you can bring an umbrella stroller to Disney.
4. Is it worth getting an umbrella stroller?
There is no definitive answer to this question since it depends on personal preference. Umbrella strollers are lightweight and easy to maneuver, making them a good option for traveling or for use in tight spaces. However, they may not be as sturdy as other types of strollers.
5. What is the best double umbrella stroller?
The best double umbrella stroller is the Schwinn Turismo Swivel Double Jogger.