The Ultimate Guide to Bringing Your Baby to Disney World

I always looked forward to my first Disney trip as a family – the one where I could see the parks through my child’s eyes and make special memories we could revisit year after year.  Last month I did just that when we took our three month old son to Walt Disney World.  He may not remember this particular trip, but we always will.  Before we left I researched tons of tips for taking care of an infant at the parks.  I even consulted with other moms who had done it and thought of a few tricks of my own.  So whether this is your first child or your fourth, here is my ultimate guide to bringing your baby to Disney World.

• Where to Stay
• What to Bring
• Transportation
• Baby Care in the Parks
• Attractions
• Dining
• Making the 1st Visit Special

Planning Your Trip

Traveling with small children is no easy feat.  There are a lot of details to consider that can make the difference between a relaxing trip and a chaotic one.  The best tip I can offer is to work with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner who will help you navigate your options and create a trip that meets your needs perfectly.  This takes the planning stress off of you and lets you focus on a family vacation you can look forward to.  If you have questions on how a vacation planner can assist you at no cost, feel free to contact me anytime at jtullino@themouseexperts.com.

There are a few key things to note about planning a trip around an infant.  First, children under 3 get free admission to all Walt Disney World theme parks.  This means you won’t need tickets (or FastPasses) for your little one, so taking that vacation earlier can save you hundreds of dollars.

Second, flexibility is your most important resource.  Make use of a Park Hopper in case you need to leave a park sooner than planned and want to revisit it another day.  Add an extra day at Magic Kingdom so you can explore at a slower pace.  Choose a resort close to the parks so you can decide to take a break in your room without losing much time.

Finally, enjoy your trip with realistic expectations.  It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to ride every attraction and see every show, but Disney vacations are best when you take your time and appreciate the little moments along the way.  It’s okay to skip a few attractions – they’ll be waiting for you on your next visit!

Here are a few more general tips:

• Travel with family and friends – Having an extra set of hands or riding attractions as a group makes the whole trip more fun.   This also lets you split up if you have older children who want to experience other attractions.  Multi-generational trips allow grandparents to enjoy their grandchildren’s’ first visit too.  So the more the merrier!
• Childcare is available – In-room childcare is offered by Kid’s Nite Out for children age 6 months and older for a fee.  Be sure to reserve it in advance.  Childcare Specialists are even available for in-park assistance.  Note: children must be age 3 and potty-trained to visit the Children’s Activity Centers.

Where to Stay –>