Vintage Magic Kingdom Strollers!
Did you know that Walt Disney World has been in the stroller business since the very beginning? Long before the days of double-wide jogger strollers taking over Main Street, U.S.A., the Magic Kingdom was already renting baby buggies by the thousands — and for just 75 cents a day! Whether you’re a Disney history buff or a parent who has ever navigated the park with a little one in tow, the story of Magic Kingdom strollers is a surprisingly charming peek into how guest experience has evolved over more than 50 years.
Apparently, strollers have always been a need at the Magic Kingdom, even during the first few years. In the July 29, 1972 Eyes & Ears Cast Member Newsletter, we meet Mark Meyers of the Magic Kingdom stroller shop.
Backstage at our Magic Kingdom stroller shop Mark Meyers assembles one of 1,260 baby buggies available to daily guests. Over 50 wheelchairs also make up the fleet that spends most of its time not in storage, but in the Magic Kingdom’s themed lands. Mark tells EYES & EARS that on a busy day well over 1,000 strollers are rented to our guests. Employees on presentation ofan ID card can use them free!
The October/November 1973 Walt Disney World News shares information for the guests on renting wheel chairs and strollers:
STROLLERS AND WHEELCHAIRS
Strollers and wheelchairs are available for your use within the Magic Kingdom. They may be rented at the Stroller Shop at the Magic Kingdom Main Entrance. Wheelchairs – $1 per day. Strollers – 75¢ per day.
75 cents in 1972 is equivalent to $4.68 today (2020). Inflation has not kept up with the actual price of strollers!
Strollers at EPCOT Center!
In this image from 1985, you can see that the strollers haven’t changed, except for the addition of the small canopy. Isn’t it neat to see the Universe of Energy sign and the mirrored tiles of the front of the building?
These don’t look very comfortable…
Magic Kingdom Stroller In Action!
The 1974 Disney Productions Annual Report has a photo of a stroller in action on the second-to-last-page.
Where Was The Magic Kingdom Stroller Shop?
The same 1973 WDW News has a map of the Magic Kingdom which shows the location of the stroller shop. It was located just inside the turnstiles on the righthand side, just before heading into the park under the railroad.
Currently, you can rent strollers at the Magic Kingdom under the Walt Disney World Railroad Station.
From 75-cent baby buggies in 1972 to the stroller rentals available under the Walt Disney World Railroad Station today, it’s amazing to see how this small but essential piece of the Magic Kingdom experience has stood the test of time. Do you have memories of renting one of these vintage strollers — or maybe a photo of your little one riding in one? Share your story in the comments below! And if you love these kinds of behind-the-scenes looks at Walt Disney World history, be sure to explore more posts in the WDW Bits & Pieces series — there’s always another hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
Do You Remember these older strollers from the Magic Kingdom?
WDW Bits & Pieces is a series dedicated to sharing ephemera, bits, pieces, and other odd moments from Walt Disney World history.
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I met my husband at WDW MK strollers when we started on the same day on June 14, 1997. We both stacked SO MANY of those strollers.