33 Best Tips for Your Baby or Toddler at Disney World
Disney World is often viewed as the ultimate family vacation destination, and for good reason. With its thrilling rides, magical shows, amazing customer service, and iconic characters, it's a place where dreams come true. However, for parents of infants, the thought of navigating the crowds, long lines, and heat can be daunting. But with a little preparation and some insider knowledge, surviving Disney with an infant can be a breeze.
In this article, I'll share some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your Disney experience and even some things that are special just for them. From packing essentials to ride strategies to finding the best spots for nursing and changing, I’ll let you know everything that worked for us with our little guy. So get ready to make unforgettable memories with your family at the happiest place on earth!
Before we dig in, let’s start with the most important detail:
1. Children under 3 are free at Disney World and do not require a park reservation.
Jump to Section:
Planning for Your Trip to Disney with an Infant
Packing for Your Trip
Stroller and Transportation
Navigating the Parks
Baby Friendly Rides
Riding Without Baby
Other Fun Things
Feeding and Changing at Disney World
Napping and Bedtime
Additional Tips and Tricks
Planning for Your Trip to Disney with an Infant or Toddler
2. Time of Year
The first thing you want to think about before booking your trip is when you want to go. Taking a baby to Disney World can be harder if you go when it’s extremely hot (May-Sept) or when it’s really crowded (major holidays, spring and fall break). That being said, if your scheduling constraints mean those are the only times you can go, don’t let that deter you. Just spend extra time preparing. If you are going during the heat, here’s another article I put together about handling the summer heat at Disney.
July is hot for everyone. Here’s our kids posing joyfully for a July picture.
3. Choosing a Resort
I highly recommend staying on property at Walt Disney World if you are bringing an infant, especially if you plan to go to the parks frequently. Staying onsite gives you more options for transportation and allows you to go and return from the park more easily. Disney resorts are also very well equipped to accommodate your little mouseketeer.
4. Suite or Balcony
I also highly recommend that you stay in a suite or a room with balcony. Unfortunately suites are extremely expensive and balconies are only available at Deluxe and DVC properties (also extremely expensive).
If that’s out of your price range, then (despite my recommendation) it might be worth considering staying at a suite or a condo that’s not owned by Disney. Sleep is a huge component of a good vacation, and the baby not being in your room (or worse, with your other kids) might be worth staying off property.
5. Bonus Resort Tip
Second Dad to the Right Tip: When it was just us and one baby, we often booked hotels with large bathrooms and put the baby to sleep in the bathroom. The total darkness and separate sleeping quarters were worth having to use the lobby bathroom for us. I know that’s extreme, but we needed that baby to sleep.
We recently stayed in a suite at Coronado Springs, put the baby in the master bathroom, us in the bedroom, and the other kids in the living room. Then we used the extra bathroom while the baby was asleep (another bonus of a suite). Also, always ask how much an upgrade is. If the hotel has a lot of availability, you might get a suite at a discounted rate.
Our little dude living it up at the Chronos Club in Coronado Springs
6. Bonus Booking Tip
You don’t need to include the baby in the reservation number. This is extremely important to know especially if the baby makes 5. There are far more hotel reservations for 4 guests as opposed to 5. And Disney is ready to give you a crib alongside two queen size beds, if you’re all sharing the same room. You aren’t deceiving them.
7. Park Days
Another thing to consider when booking is how many park days you’ll have. Rather than doing the parks every day, I encourage you to consider having resort/pool/Disney Springs days to rest in between. I even encourage that if you don’t have a baby.
8. Driving/Flying
If you are driving to Disney World, be prepared to stop frequently to tend to your baby’s needs. If you are flying, make sure you go over everything you need to know about babies on planes (like whether they need their own ticket), airport transportation, and stroller situations. If you don’t want the hassle of a stroller in the airplane but do want one in the parks, consider renting through Kingdom Strollers below.
Or you can try our hybrid method. We live in Atlanta, so the drive is 7 hours—a long way for a baby but not so bad for the rest of us. I regularly send my wife and baby on a plane, and then I drive my daughters. This makes the flight extremely cheap (Spirit or Frontier) because they only need one seat and don’t have to take luggage. We can drive faster because we don’t have to stop for the baby (or my overly hydrated wife). Then, they’re at the hotel waiting for us, enjoying a nap or the pool.
Our baby influencer taking a gratuitous selfie in the Orlando airport
9. Disney Parks Playlist
For this final preparation tip, I have to give credit where credit’s due. Practical Wanderlust recommends listening to the Disney Parks Playlist to get your baby psyched about the ride music.
What to Pack for Your Baby
10. Packing
Packing for a trip to Disney with an infant requires a bit of strategy. Here are few things to remember when you pack. Here’s all of these things in Amazon list for you to choose from. If you buy anything with the link, I may get compensation. Then I can take the baby to Disney even after he’s three. When you click, it will just take you to a list and let you choose what you want.
Hat: get that sun out the baby’s face
Fan: Get multiple rechargeable fans that clip on to the stroller. Get one for yourself. Get a squeeze fan. Or get a daughter like mine with an obsession with Chinese paper fans to constantly wave that fan in the baby’s face. True story.
Sunshade: Get a sunshade that fits on your stroller. Test it out before you go. It’s hard to get your baby’s legs covered even with the built shades on most strollers.
Rain cover: It rains a lot in Florida. It’ll be a quick shower usually, but baby probably won’t like it. Get a rain cover, or get an adult size poncho to put over the stroller, preferably clear, so the baby can still see everything.
Sunscreen: Get that baby some sunscreen.
Lightweight pants/socks: If your baby’s legs are covered, that cuts down on how much sunscreen you need. Just make sure they aren’t too hot.
Food/Pouches: Of course you’ll bring food for the baby, but I suggest you bring mostly pouches with protein. Having to bring spoons, clean spoons, and store dirty spoons cuts into the magic. I recommend Plum Organic Might 4 protein yogurt pouches: fruit, vegetables, and protein with no added sugar. It’s a whole meal in 60 seconds.
Portable chargers: Remember those fans? Having a portable charger will keep them running longer. It will also keep your phone running longer. In my Amazon list, I have one that can charge multiple things before running out. Disney also has Fuel Rod spots where you can swap out portable chargers for a fee.
Hand Sanitizer: There are a lot of people at Disney World, which means a lot of fun and exotic germs. Cut down on the amount of trips you have to make to the bathroom and the amount of time spent trying to dangle a toddler over the sink. Get sanitizer. (Or you can just use wipes).
Ear Protection: Protect that babies ears during the fireworks. Lots of parents swear by them. My kid won’t leave them on (but has no problem with Mickey ears, go figure), but they might work for you, especially if your toddler is sleeping.
Here’s the Amazon shopping list I made for you again. It won’t force you to buy anything, but will show the products I picked out and let you choose for yourself. Also, don’t forget clothes, diapers, wipes, toys, and other things special to the baby. And make sure you bring a change of clothes to the parks, or you might end up buying souvenirs you didn’t mean to.
Baby in a Raglan Road shirt (amazing restaurant) purchased after a destructive diaper incident
Stroller and Transportation Options
11. Stroller
A sturdy stroller is a must-have when visiting Disney with an infant. Consider bringing your own or renting one from the park or a third party. If you opt to rent, be sure to reserve one ahead of time to ensure availability. If you want to rent, consider using the link below. Kingdom Strollers in amazing (and I’ll get a small commission, at no cost to you).
I highly recommend bringing a real stroller with storage underneath rather than an umbrella stroller. This allows you to keep all of your snacks, supplies, and souvenirs underneath or on the back. We continue to use a double stroller and let our seven year old ride because it speeds us up and cuts down on the complaining. It also acts as a good space maker for watching fireworks.
If you already have a stroller, check out my list of stroller accessories on Amazon to pick up before you head to the park.
If you want to buy a new stroller, check out these links below for the best strollers according to polls, features, Amazon reviews, and my experience.
Our Bob stroller, fully loaded
Below I’ll give you the top of the line stroller and an economy option in case you didn’t feel like reading those articles. Again, these are affiliate links. I may earn if you purchase and finally get my oldest some braces.
In case you didn’t read the article above, the Bob is the both my favorite stroller and the most recommended stroller in my Facebook research. The 3D Lite is the most recommended stroller for cruises, making it a good economic and compact option, but the wheels won’t glide like a bigger jogging stroller.
Second Dad to the Right Tip: Watch out for the train tracks on Main Street and in the Hub at Magic Kingdom. They will eat your stroller wheels.
12. Transportation
Disney World also offers a variety of transportation options, including buses, trams, the Skyliner, monorails, and boats. Strollers can be brought on every transportation option, but strollers must be folded up for buses and trams. You can leave your baby in the stroller for boats and monorails. Single-width strollers can stay open on the Skyliner.
13. Preferred Parking
If we’re driving to the parks, we always splurge on preferred parking. Not having to walk a long way with the baby to get to the park, and especially when leaving the park is worth the extra $25. DO NOT leave your flashers on when you park. The last thing you want to do is have to find someone to jump your car (from experience). Disney supposedly has a car care service to help you in an emergency, but they wouldn’t answer the phone for us. On that note, bring jumper cables just in case and to be a hero for the dozens of cars that don’t remember to turn off their hazard lights.
14. Car Locator
Also, use the My Disney Experience App to mark your parking spot when you arrive, so that you can find your car easily when you leave. You might think you remember where you parked, but the lot seems much bigger at night. You can currently find the car locator by clicking on the hamburger (three line) menu, then scrolling almost to the bottom.
15. Take Bus to Magic Kingdom
Second Dad to the Right Pro Tip: Unless you are staying at the Magic Kingdom resorts (and have a monorail or boat option from your resort), I highly recommend that you take a bus instead of driving to Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom, unlike the other parks, requires a monorail or boat ride from the parking lot. This means that you would have to load baby into the car, out of the car into the stroller, pack up the stroller for the tram (or walk), then take a boat or monorail to get to Magic Kingdom. A bus, on the other hand, takes you directly to the park entrance.
Tips for Navigating the Parks with an Infant
16. Get there early
We’re not morning people, so we barely ever make it early to the parks, even without the baby. But if you’re better people than us, get there early with the baby. You’ll avoid lines, crowds, and heat for your infant at Disney. This will allow you to get a lot done before it gets hot. Then, if you need to, you can return to the hotel for a nap, quieter feeding, and maybe a swim break, and then head back out when the sun isn’t so intense.
Our middle daughter is the biggest morning person in the family, and she still looks like this in the morning.
17. Strollers/Carrying
Navigate in a stroller. Some people recommend carrying the baby, and maybe your baby needs this, but it’s hot. It’ll be uncomfortable for you and might make your baby get too hot. But if your child needs that carrier, bring it. A lot of people recommend the carrier for the rides because you can use both hands to enter and exit.
Don’t try to hold that baby on your hip all day without a carrier. You wouldn’t do that, right?
18. Leash
If your toddler is already walking (and running), there’s no shame in leashing that fool. Some people might laugh about it, but if you’ve got a runner, nothing is less magical than having to frantically search for your child because they saw an interesting flower. Other options for wayward infant flight risks are Samsung Tiles and Apple Tags.
Baby-friendly Attractions and Rides
19. Rides for baby
Disney World is home to many attractions and rides that are suitable for infants. The best thing to do is have a list of all rides without height requirements. So here you go (it’s a printable pdf):
Click on the picture for a printable pdf.
That being said, not all rides without height requirements will be enjoyable for your little ones. Here’s my list of the scariest rides at Disney
Here are a few of my favorites for our little guy:
- "it's a small world": This classic ride is perfect for infants with its gentle boat ride and colorful animatronics….and an infuriatingly catchy song to sing to your little person because it’s stuck in your head.
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant: Infants will love soaring through the air on this classic ride. Our little dude actually figured out that crazy things happen if he grabbed the elevation switch. He’s a genius.
Dumbo ride, definitely a genius
-Journey in the Imagination with Figment (Epcot)- a bizarre ride where an imaginary dragon hijacks an exhibit on the 5 senses, causing the operator to descend into joyful, musical madness. My family always rides Figment, and there’s never a wait.
Here’s all of the best rides for toddlers and infants at each Disney World park.
But more than the rides, most babies love the visual stimulation of the shows. Just be careful of the ones with loud noises.
Riding Without Your Baby (Rider Switch)
20. Another amazing thing that Disney World does for families with infants is rider switch. If you have a party larger than you, your partner, and your baby, send the rest of them on a ride that baby can’t ride.
Before you get on the ride, seek out the cast member with an iPad in front of the ride. Then scan your ticket/phone/key to the world/magic band and the magic band of whichever person you want to ride the ride with later. Then, they wait in line for the ride while you walk around with the baby. After they ride the ride, you and whichever person you chose (probably your favorite older child) can ride the ride through the lightning lane. The best part is, you don’t have to do it right away.
Other Fun Things to do with your Baby at Disney World
There are also plenty of other amazing experiences for your infant at Disney World that I wouldn’t classify as rides or shows.
21. First Haircut at Harmony Barber Shop
This is absolutely adorable. There is a barbershop called Harmony Barber Shop in the Main Street area at Magic Kingdom. It’s a fully functioning barbershop that has surprisingly low prices for haircuts (like $25), but it specializes in baby haircuts. They are amazing at entertaining your infant while they cut their hair, and then you get awesome, baby Mickey Ears to mark the occasion. Check this dude out. Click here for a full description of Harmony Barber Shop and what they have to offer.
Haircut Champion
22. Playgrounds
Playgrounds in Disney parks- Mission: Space (EPCOT), near Big Thunder Mountain/Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom), inside Dumbo (Magic Kingdom), inside The Seas (EPCOT), Near Test Track (EPCOT), Dinoland Boneyard (Animal Kingdom)
There several places where you can let your baby run around and play. The places above are actual playgrounds, but you can also find wide open spaces in The Land for your kiddo to crawl/walk/run around. Give your kiddo a break from the stroller. Even older kids like these places even though they could be on rides. MAKE SURE to bring shoes for your infant even if they aren’t walking, or they’ll kick you out, seriously. True story.
Baby and middle daughter on the Dumbo playground, right before he got kicked out for being a barefoot hooligan.
There’s also many playgrounds at the Disney Resorts. One of our favorites is at Coronado Springs. It has a rubber ground that’s safe for the baby, and most of the pieces aren’t loose for him to put in his mouth.
Second Dad to the Right with first son to the center at Coronado Springs
23. First Visit Button
If it’s your baby’s first visit to Disney World, any Guest Services center will have buttons for birthdays, anniversaries, and first visits. Get the baby a free souvenir to commemorate the experience.
24. Photo Tradition
Speaking of commemorating the experience, you could find an iconic place (a statue, the castle, the EPCOT ball, the Everest photo spot) to take a picture of your bundle of joy. Then you can take pictures of them there at successive trips and create a montage.
25. Silhouette Painting
At Disney Springs, near the Arribas store, there is a place where you can get a silhouette cut of your child’s profile. It’s an extremely cute decoration for your house.
26. Pools
The pools at Disney resorts allow your baby to swim if they are in swim diapers. Take your child there for a relaxing break from the parks.
27. Characters
Meeting characters, especially ones they recognize, can be extremely magical for your baby. Take them to meet them if they enjoy it, but don’t be surprised if they are irrationally afraid of certain characters.
All our children with the boy’s favorite character
Feeding and Changing your Infant at Disney World
28. Nursing and Changing in the Parks
Disney World is well-equipped for parents with infants. There are plenty of nursing and changing stations throughout the parks, many of which are air-conditioned and provide a quiet space for feeding and changing. Men’s restrooms are less busy (cough, cough, make dad do it), and always look for that holy grail of available family bathrooms where all kids and parents can handle their business at once.
Second Dad to the Right Pro Tip: If you want to change the baby in style, head over to Grand Floridian and change that little bundle of energy on a polished marble changing table in the bathroom.
29. Baby Care Centers
If you need to warm up a bottle or baby food, head to the Baby Care Centers located in each park. These centers offer private nursing rooms, highchairs, and changing tables, as well as a small shop selling baby essentials (at a premium, so try not to forget anything).
Baby Care Center at Disney World
You can nurse your baby anywhere, but my wife found the Baby Care Centers the best place because it was more private, more comfortable, not as hot, and our son was way too distracted by all the stimulation to nurse quickly or well in the crowds.
Managing Nap Time and Bedtime
30. Nap Time
Managing nap time and bedtime can be a challenge at Disney World, but it's not impossible. Consider taking a midday break to head back to your resort for a nap or quiet time. If that's not possible, find a quiet spot in the park to relax and recharge. Epcot has several large, air-conditioned areas where this is possible.
Bring a noise machine to make anywhere quiet. Here’s a good one.
Or, you can have nap time back in the hotel room. This is especially convenient if you are staying on property. Remember to put your do not disturb sign on. You may want to take it one step further and alert housekeeping. They will knock and call if they have a scheduled welfare check that they need to do. It’s understandable but can be extremely frustrating if you’re not prepared.
Another option for nap time that we enjoy is exploring resorts. Our baby naps best while moving, so as long we’re pushing him, he’s happy. From Magic Kingdom we might wander around Polynesian or Grand Floridian. From Epcot or Hollywood Studios we might wander around Boardwalk or take the Skyliner to Riviera. It’s a great way to get a good snack or preview a resort you might want to visit in the future.
Or you can let them nap on Ratatouille. True story.
31. Bedtime
When it comes to bedtime, try to keep the baby on schedule as much as possible. Each child is different, but a lot of kids get thrown off by a chaotic schedule and can’t have as much fun as you’re hoping in the most magical and expensive place on Earth.
Trade-off or Babysitting: Unfortunately, responsible bedtime usually means that you have to be back at your resort earlier than you want. This gives you a few options besides everyone going to sleep at 7:00 PM. First, you and your partner (or grandparents) can trade off responsibilities, allowing the other adults to do something fun or take the other kids out. (I once had someone pay for my meal because they thought I was a single dad). Or, you can look into local babysitting services to watch your child or children in the room while you enjoy the nightlife.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Here are a few additional tips and tricks to help make your Disney World trip with an infant a success:
32. Use the My Disney Experience app
This app allows you to view attraction wait times, make dining reservations, and even order food ahead of time. It also lets you find characters, restrooms, and baby care centers (and don’t forget the car locator)
33. Lower your scheduling expectations
You probably won’t be able to hit every ride and show like you could before the baby came. Be ready.
Conclusion
Visiting Disney with an infant can be a challenge, but hopefully these tips and tricks will allow you to create great memories for you and great feelings for your baby. So grab your stroller, pack your bags, and get ready to make unforgettable memories with your family at the happiest place on earth! If I forgot anything, put it in the comment section below.
Our baby reaching for the castle
