If you decide to vacation at Walt Disney World or Disneyland with baby in tow, rest assured that Disney does a phenomenal job of making even the smallest guests feel welcome. Here are my top 10 tips to help ensure that you and your little one make magical memories at the Happiest Place on Earth.
Disney offers baby care centers in all 4 theme parks at Disney World and in both theme parks at Disneyland Resort.
Open during regular park hours, each facility is complimentary to use and includes a private nursing room with rocking chairs, changing room with tables, feeding area with highchairs, plus a mini kitchen with microwave. Some even offer “miniature” toilets and sinks.
There is also a little room with a TV, some picture books, and kid-sized chairs. A nice place to unwind or get cool for a few minutes.
Baby food, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications, and clothing are also available for purchase.
Here are the locations of the Baby Care Centers inside each of the parks –
As with all of life, the best Disney memories are made with people you love. If you have a good relationship with your parents and in-laws, include them on your trip. You might even get a chance to slip away to ride Space Mountain (one of my favorites!).
It’s super convenient to have your hands free when you’re in a crowd or have multiple small children. I definitely recommend the Ergobaby backpack. It has several zippered pockets. I typically toss in a few diapers, wipes, 1 change of clothes for baby, my phone, and plenty of snacks…
One of my favorite things about Disney is that they don’t discourage guests from bringing in their own snacks + drinks. Bring all your favorite foods for yourself and for your baby.
Buying a flat of water bottles before you get to the parks is a good idea if you have access to a rental car or you are driving in. Leave some bottles in the hotel’s mini fridge and stow away the others in your stroller or backpack. All of the on-property restaurants will also give you a tall glass of ice water with your meal. Remember that babies may need to nurse more frequently if the weather is warm.
Opt for a safe, effective, and chemical-free sunscreen that is designed for babies’ (and parents’!) sensitive skin. We slather on the sunscreen because we want to maximize our time in the parks.
With Disney’s recent stroller guidelines, we want to be sure our stroller works at Disney. We bring both the carrier and a compact stroller. The Ergobaby metro stroller is so comfy, it can be a great way for baby to nap with one parent, while another parent takes another child on a ride. On our recent trip to Disney World with our three girls (ages 6, 4, and 1), we brought both the stroller and the Ergo into the parks.
I’ve been using the Ergobaby carrier for over 5 years. After testing ~20 carriers, Ergobaby remains my top pick. It’s comfy, ergonomic, easy to take on and off, and versatile for a number of purposes and ages. On our most recent trip to Walt Disney World for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, I wore my 13-month-old and petite 4-year-old in the carrier at various parks. So much easier than toting your little one on the hip!
If you’ve never been to Disney, know that there are PLENTY of rides that you will be able to experience with baby in your lap. It’s A Small World, Peter Pan, Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Enchanted Tiki Room, and The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh are just a few options. Pirates of the Caribbean can also be a nice reprieve from the hot weather or if baby is asleep.
Disney’s Broadway-quality shows are not to be missed. They are an especially good option if you want to sit and rest a bit while baby naps and/or older children go on rides. Consider “Beauty and The Beast” at Hollywood Studios, “Finding Nemo: The Musical” at Animal Kingdom, and “Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular” at California Adventure.
Photo credits: @itselysemarie and @kellyamcknight
Updated 2019
It is challenging for parents and providers to care for infants admitted to the Neonatal…
Parenting in the modern world is a balancing act of nurturing close bonds with your…
----------------- For the next Life with Baby podcast episode, tune in for an unforgettable journey…
Welcoming a newborn into the world is an unparalleled experience, filled with moments of tender…
Last week, we partnered with @chamberofmothers to bring more awareness around the Momnibus Act in Washington…
We believe that caring for your children and caring for the planet go hand in…
View Comments
I love this thanks for sharing. We are going to Disney for the first time in Sept. and are very excited. We have a 4 and a 6 year old and are debating bringing the umbrella stroller, no one currently rides in the stroller (they are good walkers). Did your four year old get tired and want to ride later in the days? Thanks for the help!
I definitely recommend bringing an umbrella stroller along if you have a 4-year-old. Disneyland is a big place - lots of walking for little feet.
Believe it or not, I even carried my 4-year-old in the Ergo from time to time. She's on the petite side so carrying her was a breeze.
Have fun on your trip! Are you staying on or off property?
Thanks for this! We're planning a trip this December :)
You're going to have a fantastic time! Please do let me know if you have any vacation-planning questions related to accommodations, food, etc. Are you going to Disneyland in California or WDW in Florida?
I fondly remember Disney when I was 7. And then again when I was about 23. :) I can't wait to take the kids someday... perhaps soon! :) Thanks for the tips!
The Ergo came in handy for us on more than one occasion...sometimes they just want to be held, but you need your arms free to help out with the other kiddos!
We used our Ergo at Disneyland when my daughters were 8 months old and 2 1/2 yrs old. We also took our Contours Elite double stroller with a stroller lock. We found the general area we would be staying in for a while, and found the stroller parking to leave it there. Diapers and snacks were in our bag below, along with sippy cups and extra water, no valuables. We locked the wheels with a stroller lock, so the park staff could still move it if needed, but it wouldn't get completely hauled away by some stranger. Having the stroller was a life saver for the walk to and from the park, as we stayed in a hotel a few blocks away. If you want to see Elsa and Ana, plan ahead. When we went, we missed it because you had to get a Fast Pass first thing in the morning. Luckily my daughters didn't have Frozen Fever yet, so seeing them in the parade was enough. Don't skip the parade. It was perhaps the most memorable experience for my oldest daughter. She fell asleep during the World of Color show at California Adventure, but she remembers both parades and the Disney Junior show the most. Don't stress if you don't see everything, just be in the moment, your kids will remember that.