The Stroller That Made Our Disney Trips So Much Better (Psst...It's the Austlen Entourage)
We are a Disney family.
We go often enough that we've learned what makes a park day easier, what isn't worth bringing, and which pieces of kid gear can make the difference between a magical day and an exhausting one.
So when we were preparing for Disney trips with our 2-year-old and a new baby, I knew our stroller situation mattered.
A lot.
The Austlen Entourage was an early Christmas present to ourselves; and after taking it to Disney for the first time, I couldn't believe how much better it made the experience.
We absolutely LOVE this stroller.
Our Disney Day Started at the Airport
One of the biggest surprises actually happened before we ever reached Disney.
The airport was fantastic with the Entourage.
Traveling with two little kids means traveling with stuff. Between the diaper bag, baby gear, snacks, extra clothes, personal items, and everything else we need for the flight, simply getting through the terminal can feel like the first attraction of the vacation.
Having the Entourage gave us somewhere to put the kids and all that gear.
Instead of walking through the airport with bags hanging from every shoulder while trying to keep track of a toddler, we could load up the stroller and move.
That alone convinced me we'd found our best travel stroller.
Then We Took It to Disney
Once we arrived at Walt Disney World, I understood why the Entourage was going to become a permanent part of our Disney trips.
Disney days are long.
Our 2-year-old wants to walk because there is something exciting around every corner. Then those little legs get tired, and suddenly riding sounds pretty great.
Meanwhile, our baby needs a comfortable place to ride throughout the day.
The Entourage gives us flexibility for both.
And then there's the storage.
A full Disney day means we're bringing diapers, wipes, bottles, snacks, water, sunscreen, extra clothes, rain gear, and whatever else our kids might need. Then somehow we acquire even more stuff as the day goes on.
Having all that carrying capacity underneath us instead of on our backs is incredible.
Why It's the Best Double Stroller for Disney Days
Before becoming a frequent Disney family, I might have thought any double stroller would work.
Now I know better.
When you're spending hours navigating Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom, you start appreciating the details.
You want something that's easy to push through crowds.
You want enough room for two children.
You want storage.
You want a stroller that adapts when one child wants to walk.
And you definitely don't want a stroller that becomes another problem you're managing all day.
The Entourage works with our family instead.
That's why, after trying it at Disney, I consider it the best double stroller for the way we travel.
What Do You Do With Your Stroller When You Go on Disney Rides?
This was something I wondered about before our early Disney trips, but once you understand the system, it's easy.
For attractions where you can't bring your stroller through the queue, we park the Entourage in the designated stroller parking area nearby, take the kids and anything valuable with us, and head to the ride.
Disney says that Cast Members sometimes move parked strollers for operational reasons, so if your stroller isn't exactly where you left it, check the surrounding stroller parking area before panicking. Disney also recommends not leaving personal belongings unattended in your stroller.
One of my Disney-parent tricks is to put something easily recognizable on the stroller handle. When you're walking out of an attraction and staring at what feels like a sea of strollers, being able to spot yours quickly is surprisingly helpful.
And with a baby, Disney's Baby Care Centers are worth knowing about. There's one in each of the four theme parks with spaces for feeding, nursing, and changing little ones. You'll need to park the stroller outside in the designated area before entering.
Getting Around Disney With the Entourage
Disney transportation is another reason it's worth thinking about your stroller before a trip.
Disney's complimentary transportation network includes buses, boats, monorails, and the Disney Skyliner, with different options connecting the parks and resorts.
On Disney buses, plan to fold your stroller. Disney currently requires all regular strollers to be folded and kept out of the aisle.
That's something I factor into our day. Before the bus arrives, I consolidate loose items into bags so we aren't standing at the door trying to unload an entire day's worth of kid gear before folding.
The Monorail can be especially convenient for stroller families. It connects Magic Kingdom, EPCOT via the Transportation and Ticket Center, and several Magic Kingdom-area resorts.
The Skyliner is another useful route to know. It connects Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT's International Gateway with several Disney resorts. The best part? You don't have to fold the Entourage before boarding - just wheel it in!
Why We Think It's the Best Disney Stroller
There is one very important distinction between a stroller and a stroller wagon at Disney.
Walt Disney World currently allows personal strollers up to 31 inches wide by 52 inches long, while stroller wagons and traditional wagons are prohibited. So while other doubles and wagons can't be brought in, the Entourage is approved!
That's part of what makes having a true stroller with serious carrying capacity so valuable for our family.
I want room for our children and everything we need for the parks, but I also want a stroller solution that works for the way we actually travel.
For us, the Entourage hits that sweet spot.
That's why I can confidently call it our best Disney stroller.
Features That Make the Austlen Entourage Stand Out
Here are the features that have made the biggest difference for our Disney trips and other travels:
- Flexible double-stroller configurations for children at different ages and stages
- Exceptional storage capacity for diapers, snacks, water bottles, extra clothes, rain gear, and park-day essentials
- Smooth maneuverability for navigating airports, resorts, sidewalks, and busy theme parks
- Expandable design that lets us adjust the stroller depending on how much space we need
- Comfortable riding options for long days when little legs inevitably need a break
- Travel-friendly versatility that makes it useful from the airport terminal through an entire vacation
- A true stroller design with substantial cargo capacity, giving us an alternative to the stroller wagons Disney doesn't permit in its theme parks
What This Disney Family Has Learned
If you're taking a toddler and baby to Disney, my biggest piece of advice is to plan for the reality of the day, not the perfect version you imagine beforehand.
Your toddler probably won't walk all day.
Your baby will need breaks.
You'll bring more stuff than you think.
You'll probably buy something you weren't planning to buy.
And at some point, everyone will be tired.
Bring snacks. Know where the Baby Care Center is. Take valuables with you when you park the stroller. And don't underestimate how valuable a comfortable ride and lots of storage become around hour eight of a park day.
We've only taken our Entourage to Disney once so far, but that trip was enough.
We knew immediately.
After going through other strollers and knowing from experience what works - and what doesn't - for our Disney trips, the Entourage made everything noticeably easier.
It was fantastic at the airport.
It was fantastic in the parks.
And it gave us the space and flexibility we needed for a 2-year-old, a new baby, and all the gear that comes with them.
We already can't wait to take it on all the adventures we have planned this year.
If you're comparing the best double stroller, best travel stroller, and best Disney stroller for a family with two young children, the Austlen Entourage absolutely deserves a spot on your list.
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