News New Stroller Size/Wagon Rules and Enforcement - Effective May 1 2019

[ImperfectPixie]

Dont know this comment wont post....

Sometimes it takes a bit, but if you let your comment sit, the mods will either approve or disapprove, given enough time. They've been VERY busy keeping an eye on the smoking ban thread.

 

[WDWTrojan]

My 8 year old has an issue with his joints where he has horrible pain and fatigue if he walks too much in a day..even if he takes breaks periodically. He also has a rare heart condition and SPD. Throw in the Florida heat and crowds and it exacerbates all conditions greatly. Hes not in serious condition enough to be confined to a wheelchair and he's too big for a stroller. Last year I rented the biggest stroller i could find and he was packed in that thing like a sardine. Hes also at the age (and was pretty much there last year as well) where he feels embarrassed being shoved in a stroller even though he knows he needs it. I was planning on renting the keenz this year and he was very much looking forward to it as well. Not only could he fit comfortably in it...it doesn't look like a stroller, which he loves. I've always been very aware of our surroundings with his strollers and took great care to not bump anyone or use it as a "battering ram" as some have called it...even when grown adults would jump right in front of it or walk right towards it like they were playing a game of chicken with my child. Disney's been his happy place for the past 4 years and we go annually for his birthday/Halloween/Christmas parties. Given he literally cannot enjoy disney without something to sit in as we navigate the park...hes too big for a stroller..and I highly doubt anyone wants an 8 year old on an electric scooter if that was even allowed...I dont see how were going to be able to continue our trips. Disneys always been so special for him and us as a family. I really hope they make some sort of provision for disabled children. And next time you see someone with a child whos bigger than a 4 year old in one...before you make a snarky comment and roll your eyes...realize you have no idea why the child may need it. In fact a lot of children in WDW have disabilities you cant see...be mindful. They deserve to enjoy their time in the parks just as much as anyone else...as do I...especially considering I'm paying for two in one of the most expensive places imaginable. Every day..every single trip..I end up sore and dripping in sweat after pushing the stroller around but its always worth it knowing he gets to enjoy a place he truly thinks is magic and I get to see him light up (I know I'm being corny..but its so true).

Sorry about this situation, I know it's tough. However, people at Disney get wheelchairs for all kinds of conditions that prevent them from standing for long periods - even if they normally don't need one day to day. The resort rents thousands of them per day for just this reason. There doesn't seem to be any reason why a wheelchair won't work perfectly.

 

[The Mom]

Dont know this comment wont post....

You reposted it too quickly, so it registered as spamming.

 

[The Mom]

Sorry about this situation, I know it's tough. However, people at Disney get wheelchairs for all kinds of conditions that prevent them from standing for long periods - even if they normally don't need one day to day. The resort rents thousands of them per day for just this reason. There doesn't seem to be any reason why a wheelchair won't work perfectly.

I've done this with my mother - the wheelchair was more convenient, and safer, for her. Yes, I had to push her around (I was by myself) but I didn't have any real difficulty. And she outweighed me.

 

[EmmieSue]

My 8 year old has an issue with his joints where he has horrible pain and fatigue if he walks too much in a day..even if he takes breaks periodically. He also has a rare heart condition and SPD. Throw in the Florida heat and crowds and it exacerbates all conditions greatly. Hes not in serious condition enough to be confined to a wheelchair and he's too big for a stroller. Last year I rented the biggest stroller i could find and he was packed in that thing like a sardine. Hes also at the age (and was pretty much there last year as well) where he feels embarrassed being shoved in a stroller even though he knows he needs it. I was planning on renting the keenz this year and he was very much looking forward to it as well. Not only could he fit comfortably in it...it doesn't look like a stroller, which he loves. I've always been very aware of our surroundings with his strollers and took great care to not bump anyone or use it as a "battering ram" as some have called it...even when grown adults would jump right in front of it or walk right towards it like they were playing a game of chicken with my child. Disney's been his happy place for the past 4 years and we go annually for his birthday/Halloween/Christmas parties. Given he literally cannot enjoy disney without something to sit in as we navigate the park...hes too big for a stroller..and I highly doubt anyone wants an 8 year old on an electric scooter if that was even allowed...I dont see how were going to be able to continue our trips. Disneys always been so special for him and us as a family. I really hope they make some sort of provision for disabled children. And next time you see someone with a child whos bigger than a 4 year old in one...before you make a snarky comment and roll your eyes...realize you have no idea why the child may need it. In fact a lot of children in WDW have disabilities you cant see...be mindful. They deserve to enjoy their time in the parks just as much as anyone else...as do I...especially considering I'm paying for two in one of the most expensive places imaginable. Every day..every single trip..I end up sore and dripping in sweat after pushing the stroller around but its always worth it knowing he gets to enjoy a place he truly thinks is magic and I get to see him light up (I know I'm being corny..but its so true).

To make the idea of the wheelchair a bit more fun for him, like how he was excited about the wagon, you could bring a couple simple things to personalize the chair for him a bit with decorations. Just a thought.

 

[Lensman]

My 8 year old has an issue with his joints where he has horrible pain and fatigue if he walks too much in a day..even if he takes breaks periodically. He also has a rare heart condition and SPD. Throw in the Florida heat and crowds and it exacerbates all conditions greatly. Hes not in serious condition enough to be confined to a wheelchair and he's too big for a stroller. Last year I rented the biggest stroller i could find and he was packed in that thing like a sardine. Hes also at the age (and was pretty much there last year as well) where he feels embarrassed being shoved in a stroller even though he knows he needs it. I was planning on renting the keenz this year and he was very much looking forward to it as well. Not only could he fit comfortably in it...it doesn't look like a stroller, which he loves. I've always been very aware of our surroundings with his strollers and took great care to not bump anyone or use it as a "battering ram" as some have called it...even when grown adults would jump right in front of it or walk right towards it like they were playing a game of chicken with my child. Disney's been his happy place for the past 4 years and we go annually for his birthday/Halloween/Christmas parties. Given he literally cannot enjoy disney without something to sit in as we navigate the park...hes too big for a stroller..and I highly doubt anyone wants an 8 year old on an electric scooter if that was even allowed...I dont see how were going to be able to continue our trips. Disneys always been so special for him and us as a family. I really hope they make some sort of provision for disabled children. And next time you see someone with a child whos bigger than a 4 year old in one...before you make a snarky comment and roll your eyes...realize you have no idea why the child may need it. In fact a lot of children in WDW have disabilities you cant see...be mindful. They deserve to enjoy their time in the parks just as much as anyone else...as do I...especially considering I'm paying for two in one of the most expensive places imaginable. Every day..every single trip..I end up sore and dripping in sweat after pushing the stroller around but its always worth it knowing he gets to enjoy a place he truly thinks is magic and I get to see him light up (I know I'm being corny..but its so true).

Besides the idea of giving in and getting a wheelchair (which seems acceptable, no? and has the benefit of maybe having other guests being more careful around you and not jumping in front, etc, like other posters have mentioned), what about the idea of renting one of the big plastic Disney double strollers? I remember a trip where my teenage nieces would wheel each other around in those when our kids didn't want to ride in it.

Feel free to totally ignore or diss this suggestion. I just wanted to get it out there in case it proved helpful.

 

[biggy H]

I've had an email reply from Disney and I wonder if they will class the Cinderella type 'strollers' as "wagon-style"....as they are not even strollers??.. I also noted it doesn't matter if they can only just be pushed they will still be banned..

As to saying you need a wagon style for some medical/disablity reason it didn't stop Disney banning segways when people tried the same reasoning to be allowed to use them.

......Wagons and wagon-style strollers, whether pushed or pulled, are not permitted.

Please keep in mind: if you are bringing your own stroller, it needs to be able to be folded to board the tram to take you from the parking lot to the Theme Park.

Umbrella Style Strollers may also be purchased at various merchandise locations in our Resorts.

If you have any other questions or challenges, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling us at 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639) or by chatting with us in the Help Center of the Walt Disney World® website (only available on the US site). Cast Members will be happy to assist you further.

Sincerely,
......

 

[larryz]

As to saying you need a wagon style for some medical/disablity reason it didn't stop Disney banning segways when people tried the same reasoning to be allowed to use them.

Segways are inherently unstable. If the little computer thingy inside it ever goes out to lunch, whoever's on it is going down, possibly taking several other guests out with them. Imagine if it happened inside a gift shop on Main Street USA...

 

[SoupBone]

View attachment 360279

Good news for those of us who need this. For those who don't like it...see you on main street with my big smile .

Yikes. So what this will ultimately mean is a very minuscule reduction in wagons because families will just claim that their child is "special needs". And with no enforcement or verification ability, Disney has their hands tied.

 

[Lensman]

Yikes. So what this will ultimately mean is a very minuscule reduction in wagons because families will just claim that their child is "special needs". And with no enforcement or verification ability, Disney has their hands tied.

I'd guess that the number would drop by at least half because most people wouldn't want to outright lie about their kids being special needs.

Also, the rental companies might stop renting them because of the drop in business as they'd have to tell their customers that Disney only allows stroller wagons for special needs kids - or de facto tell their customers to otherwise lie. That's probably not good business.

Update: I see that the stroller rental companies have stopped renting the stroller wagons for WDW. So I'd guess that we'll start to see a substantial decrease in the number of stroller wagons in the parks.

 

[Chi84]

Yikes. So what this will ultimately mean is a very minuscule reduction in wagons because families will just claim that their child is "special needs". And with no enforcement or verification ability, Disney has their hands tied.

I would hope people have more integrity than this. There should be a special place in you-know-where for people who lie about disabilities because it ultimately negatively impacts those who are actually disabled. The real problem is that some parents these days can’t distinguish between needs and wants.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

I would hope people have more integrity than this. There should be a special place in you-know-where for people who lie about disabilities because it ultimately negatively impacts those who are actually disabled. The real problem is that some parents these days can’t distinguish between needs and wants.

I agree with you 100%. Unfortunately, the number of people who will lie about disabilities to get what they want is on the rise.

 

[DomoKun]

Several people on the Disney Disability Facebook groups have reported that Disney's response is that wagons will not be permitted even when tagged as a wheelchair, because they are not official medical devices. You will be advised to rent a wheelchair, or you will need to bring a medical mobility device.

Strollers tagged as a wheelchair must still follow within the official stroller guidelines and rules.

Official medical devices such as wheelchairs, convaids, etc have more leeway and follow ADA guidelines.

Wagons are not ADA protected and are 100% banned, even if you claim it is for medical purposes.

 

[Chi84]

Several people on the Disney Disability Facebook groups have reported that Disney's response is that wagons will not be permitted even when tagged as a wheelchair, because they are not official medical devices. You will be advised to rent a wheelchair, or you will need to bring a medical mobility device.

Strollers tagged as a wheelchair must still follow within the official stroller guidelines and rules.

Official medical devices such as wheelchairs, convaids, etc have more leeway and follow ADA guidelines.

Wagons are not ADA protected and are 100% banned, even if you claim it is for medical purposes.

That’s what I suspected.

 

[SoupBone]

I would hope people have more integrity than this. There should be a special place in you-know-where for people who lie about disabilities because it ultimately negatively impacts those who are actually disabled. The real problem is that some parents these days can’t distinguish between needs and wants.

They don't though, sadly. Remember the red disability card?

 

[SoupBone]

Several people on the Disney Disability Facebook groups have reported that Disney's response is that wagons will not be permitted even when tagged as a wheelchair, because they are not official medical devices. You will be advised to rent a wheelchair, or you will need to bring a medical mobility device.

Strollers tagged as a wheelchair must still follow within the official stroller guidelines and rules.

Official medical devices such as wheelchairs, convaids, etc have more leeway and follow ADA guidelines.

Wagons are not ADA protected and are 100% banned, even if you claim it is for medical purposes.

So Keenz will get with a medical professional group, make some engineering changes, then have it classified.

 

[Chi84]

So Keenz will get with a medical professional group, make some engineering changes, then have it classified.

I seriously doubt it. I think wagons will no longer be allowed. Keenz played a percentage and lost.

 

[Sparksfly]

Well I hope yall are ready to see much more of these in the parks now...
Which are much bigger than the keenz...and that front wheels gonna be a joy for your ankles.
Yes it's been confirmed these are allowed. Have fun.

 

[Sparksfly]

And imagine the speed you can get out of that thing as well. Talk about a battering ram. I'm positive yall will be wishing for the smaller/slower keenz when families that were using them start hauling this thing. As they say..be careful what you wish for.

 

[righttrack]

I think the other thing WDW is concerned about is the terrain. While they accommodate people with ramps, etc, if you've got one of these massive Cadillac strollers loaded up with kids and supplies, someone may get into a bit of trouble going down or uphill with them and put themselves, their kids and others in danger. Weight is going to be an issue as well as size.