Disney World a baby: tips, tricks and advice from a former Cast Member for visiting Disney World with an infant.

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When Jeremy picked Disney World for his thirty fifth birthday journey, I used to be nervous. I imply, we’ve carried out Disney World lots of occasions – and I used to be there just about each single day after I was a Solid Member. However we’d by no means, EVER carried out Disney World with a child. And this journey, we’d be bringing alongside Child A for child’s first Disney journey!

Would she hate it? Would we hate it?! I had no thought, however I feared the worst. We each braced ourselves for a cranky, overstimulated child that we’d be spending 5 days straight entertaining within the parks whereas switching off driving our favourite Disney rides.

However to my absolute shock, Child A LOVED Disney World. She beloved rides. She beloved reveals. She beloved characters. She was actually into birds abruptly, and for some motive, lamps? She beloved Solid Members, she beloved dancing to music as we walked by means of the parks. She LOVED Disney World! And we beloved attending to see it by means of her eyes. Disney with a child is so price it, y’all!

On this (huge) information, we’re sharing ideas and methods for visiting Disney with infants, together with one of the best (and worst) parks and points of interest for infants, the place to remain, and some necessities to pack. Let’s dive in!

Psst: In search of extra ideas that can assist you plan your Disney journey? Take a look at a few of our different Disney World posts:

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We even have a Podcast episode all about Disney! A futuristic utopia that’s undoubtedly not a cult. A suicide-themed experience. Lia’s school internship. What do all of them have in frequent? Disney World, in fact! On this episode, Lia spills all of the Mad Tea on probably the most magical place on Earth, plus insider ideas from her time as a Solid Member. We additionally clarify our tried & examined Disney Technique (aka STRAT), as a result of ready in lengthy strains for rides is a few Bippity-Boppity-BS.

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Ideas for Visiting Disney World with a Child

Earlier than I dive in, a small disclaimer: all infants are totally different, and child wants fluctuate wildly by age. For those who learn one thing that doesn’t apply. to you – like in case your child isn’t on solids but, as a result of we spend a lot time fascinated with feeding Child A nowadays – be happy to skip it. You understand your child finest!

That mentioned: whereas Child A was 10 months previous throughout our journey, I’ve additionally carried out my finest to include ideas from our travels with Child A when she was youthful (we began touring along with her round 3 months) within the hopes to make this a very useful information even for youthful infants. And truthfully, y’all – the youthful they’re, the better they’re to journey with!

Another factor: I think about us fortunate that in our journey Child A was not but terribly cell – she’s crawling and standing, however just isn’t but strolling or crawling lengthy distances. So I didn’t have to fret about chasing after her. In case your child is on that mobility life, you’ll wish to take into consideration some baby-wrangling methods (no disgrace in a cute leashed backpack)!

Oh, and at last – can I simply apologize for the standard of photographs on this publish? Usually I exploit a DSLR digital camera after I’m taking photos for a weblog publish, however all I used to be capable of handle this journey was to make use of my cellphone! Nonetheless adjusting to this complete working/mother factor, y’all. Thanks for not judging me!

OK – onto the information for visiting Disney World with an toddler:

  • Hearken to Disney music earlier than your journey, particularly songs which can be on rides (suppose “It’s a Small World” or the Tiki Room). I feel this actually helped Child A get excited on the parks, as a result of she was listening to a lot of acquainted songs! There’s a nice Disney Parks playlist on Spotify that we performed for a few weeks earlier than the journey.
  • Splurge on Genie +. Genie+ is a paid service that lets you e book “Lightning Lane” passes to undergo a shorter line (principally a paid model of FastPass, for those who’re conversant in its former incarnation). It’s price it with a child, particularly because you received’t want to really purchase one on your baby since they don’t want a park ticket. The longest we waited for a experience throughout our 4-day journey was half-hour for It’s a Small World, and that felt like an eternity – more often than not we just about walked on or solely waited a few minutes. Occupying a child in line sucks. Get the move.
  • Convey a travel high chair for meals. This foldable excessive chair was a HUGE assistance on our journey. We used it in our lodge room for all of our meals, and if we’d had house for it in our stroller, we’d have introduced it into the parks too. Whereas all Disney eating places have excessive chairs, they’re not child sized. Child A is extraordinarily tall, and she or he discovered herself chin-heat at most. of the tables within the parks. Undecided if the tables are weirdly excessive or the excessive chairs are weirdly low, however it made meals within the parks tough. This portable high chair that straps on prime of a chair at eating places or can sit on the bottom anyplace for snacks is the right resolution.
  • Babysitting is obtainable at Walt Disney World by way of a service known as Kids Nite Out. They’ll watch your little one whilst you bask in your personal inside little one on the parks! Youngsters Nite Out may offer you a sitter to accompany you within the parks for those who want an additional set of palms. Evaluate: https://touringplans.com/blog/kids-nite-out-your-familys-next-vacation-win/
  • You’ll be able to go to Disney World with out a automotive seat for those who keep in a Disney Resort lodge. For those who fly with a lap toddler, you’ll be able to  take a shuttle bus  from the airport, and stick with Disney’s free transportation between the parks and resorts together with buses, the Skyliner, and boats. In a pinch, you may as well take Minni Vans, which come outfitted with Graco 4Ever automotive seats. That mentioned, we have been actually glad that we had a automotive as a result of it made attending to and from parks fairly fast (aside from Magic Kingdom, which is a schlep and a half it doesn’t matter what).
Baby Care Center in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in FloridaBaby Care Center in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
The Child Care Middle in Magic Kingdom is admittedly cute and effectively themed, however far-off from many of the park with restricted nursing rooms.
  • Use the infant care facilities in every park for nursing, altering, snacks, cool-down time, microwave, and to purchase any emergency child provides you could have left at residence! They’re normally subsequent to the primary support facilities too that are additionally vital to learn about.
  • Use Rider Swap. One mum or dad rides whereas the opposite one hangs out with the infant. Simply ask a forged member on the entrance of any experience to assist get you arrange.
  • Use single rider, too! Only 4 rides formally have a single-rider lane, however a lot of rides will search for single rider to refill uneven gaps, which implies you’ll get to experience sooner. Hold an ear out for a forged member on the lookout for a solo rider close to the entrance of most thrill rides. We bought to experience numerous stuff with out standing in lengthy strains this manner.
  • Minnie Vans come outfitted with rear-facing Graco 4Ever seats. For those who don’t have a automotive throughout your journey, this service is improbable! Mainly, Minnie Vans are Disney-owned SUVs (themed to Minnie) pushed by Disney Solid Members, that you could order by means of the Lyft app. They arrive with TWO automotive seats! They’re improbable for getting round Disney property, although they aren’t very low cost. To make use of them, open up the Lyft app, and select Minnie Van because the experience sort. Simple.
  • Swap who does bedtime so one mum or dad will get to roam across the park solo whereas the opposite one chills within the room with child. We switched off and every had 2 nights free out within the parks!
  • Convey hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes and do your finest. We used sanitizing wipes on each lap bar and anyplace child would put their palms on a experience, figuring out that tons of of youngsters had just lately put their palms there, too. Mixed with us sporting KN95s masks, none of us bought sick throughout our journey. However simply in case, convey toddler Tylenol/Motrin with you so you’ve got it available.
  • Convey your personal stroller. Those they lease on the parks aren’t good for infants. We advocate one which folds down simply, like this one, since you’ll have to fold it up on Disney transport. That mentioned, you’ll be able to’t take your strollers inside in all places, and stroller parking isn’t at all times proper exterior of the doorway – like, for those who’re going to The Land pavilion in Epcot, your stroller should keep at Nemo and Buddies. Carriers are useful in these conditions, and so is the Tushbaby.
Dad with baby napping in a carrier at Hollywood Studios in Disney worldDad with baby napping in a carrier at Hollywood Studios in Disney world
We introduced our travel-friendly stroller to Disney World, however we wished we’d introduced our common big stroller as a substitute as a result of we wished extra space for storing!
  • For those who make an Advance Dining Reservation at a Disney sit-down restaurant, cancellations must be made 24 hours prematurely. In any other case, you will be charged a cancellation fee of $10 per person (3 and up). Until you go to the restaurant in individual on the identical day and beg your case, during which case they waive the charge. Nonetheless, that coverage is …not preferrred for infants. But in addition, Disney meals is definitely worth the threat! So drop these expectations by means of the ground and do your finest to simply waft.
  • Meltdowns at Disney are inevitable, and I’m not speaking about your child. Keep in mind that most marital disputes at Disney may be solved by some mixture of snacks, A/C, sitting quietly for some time, and/or a Mickey Bar.
  • Convey Snacks! In case your toddler is round 8 months or older, you’ll want snacks for them in between meals. If not, you’ll want snacks for your self – parenting whereas hangry isn’t a good suggestion! Listed here are our favourite baby-friendly snacks for Disney:
    • Pouches! We love the natural fruit and veggie pouches from Costco. They’re hydrating, pretty nutritious, and assist infants observe advantageous motor abilities like sucking by means of a straw and squeezing!
    • Freeze dried fruit: soften in your mouth fruit! What’s to not love? Er, aside from the value. It’s costly!
    • Yogurt melts: Child A loves them, however they’re onerous to search out with out added sugar, they make child’s palms very sticky, they usually appear to make her spit up. And it’s at all times vivid pink and has that bitter yogurt scent. They usually stain. Not our favourite snack however works in a pinch.
    • Cheerios. Basic. Simple. At all times successful. Not a choking hazard. 10/10. Now we have realized to at all times have a ziploc baggie of cheerios on us always!
    • Bombas or Gerbers puffs. We discovered some natural Gerber puffs which have a sprinkling of veggie powder in them and that made us really feel good although I’m certain they provide little or no precise vitamin. However they’re enjoyable to eat and assist infants observe their pincer grip!
  • Don’t go away snacks out in your stroller, particularly at Animal Kingdom. We noticed just a few uninvited critters making the rounds at stroller parking in Animal Kingdom, and no one desires squirrels and their germs on their strollers! Clear up stray Cheerios and tuck snacks away in a bag to verify your stroller isn’t a goal.

Disney World with Infants: Which Parks Are Greatest?

One factor I want we knew earlier than our journey is which Disney World parks are finest to go to with an toddler. Because it seems, not each park is equal relating to visiting Disney with an toddler. Some parks skew extra towards adults, some extra towards older youngsters. Some parks are sorely missing in shade and air-conditioned indoor areas to take naps or cool off.

To my shock, there was a transparent winner as one of the best Disney World park with an toddler: Epcot! Epcot has one of the best stability of baby-friendly points of interest

Jeremy with baby on Tushbaby in the Toy Story section of Hollywood Studios in Disney worldJeremy with baby on Tushbaby in the Toy Story section of Hollywood Studios in Disney world
Psst: See that factor round Jeremy’s waist? That’s a Tushbaby and it’s ESSENTIAL for greater infants at Disney! It’ll save your again and arms in strains and on rides.

Hollywood Studios with a Child

Hollywood Studios does one factor higher than the opposite parks: reside reveals. Child A LOVED the Magnificence  and the Beast reside efficiency. And that was … about it. The remainder of the park simply isn’t actually designed for infants. That mentioned, it is likely to be price a day go to only for the few points of interest it does provide – or so that you and your accomplice can do rider change and experience all of the actually good things.

Greatest points of interest and rides for infants at Hollywood Studios:

  • Magnificence and the Beast Stay on Stage: Child A misplaced her rattling MIND singing and clapping alongside at this present. The dancing and songs at the start are enjoyable and upbeat and actually well-done, visually – suppose 1930’s period showcase dance numbers. However she kinda misplaced curiosity when issues bought unhappy and gradual (“story as previous as time” just isn’t a child bop, it seems). Fortunately we sat on the finish of the aisle so we may make a fast getaway. This was undoubtedly Child A’s favourite exercise at Hollywood Studios.
  • Halfway Mania: We have been involved about bringing her on this experience as a result of it’s 3D, and we have been afraid it’d make her nauseous with out the glasses on. However she beloved going across the monitor and didn’t appear bothered by the blurry, non-3d photographs on the display. She wished to tug the string to shoot too! Nonetheless, she didn’t like a few of the loud noises, and cried and squirmed a bit through the loudest half – breaking plates – however settled after we stopped and coated her ears for a bit. This one undoubtedly verges on overstimulating, however it’s kinda not that enjoyable for those who aren’t capable of be aggressive and play towards your accomplice.

… and that’s it. Yeah: this park actually wasn’t designed for infants.

Mom and Baby in Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World ResortMom and Baby in Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort
Please simply take a look at this cute image of me with Child A and ignore the hand-sanitizing wipes protruding of my pocket…

Rides to Skip in Hollywood Studios: 

  • Mickey’s Runaway Railroad: We held Child A on our laps for this experience, however none of us loved it a lot. The experience is very loud and a bit of too intense/scary for her. She bought scared at many of the “battle” components of the story and all of us hated the vehicles dancing – I believed she was going to fall out at one level. Overstimulating, loud, jarring – this experience is only a lot.

Ideas for Hollywood Studios with a Child

  • There’s a pleasant place to nap on the entrance to Galaxy’s Edge proper on the border with the Toy Story part. It’s a quiet aspect space with ambient chicken noises enjoying and no loud noises, and it’s off the principle path so there aren’t any crowds. There’s additionally a conveniently positioned bench.
  • One other nice nap spot is within the tunnel on the opposite aspect of Galaxy’s Edge. It’s absolutely shaded and has a pleasant breeze and ambient spa music (I assume Star Wars is all about ambient spa sounds). It’s the right afternoon nap/nurse spot, although you’ll see that a lot of mother and father have the identical thought – it’s not as quiet as the opposite spot we discovered.
  • The Child Care middle is on the very entrance of the park and also you’ll have to chop the Visitor Relations line to get to it, which is irritating and inconvenient. Not price it, truthfully.

Hollywood Studios Verdict: if it’s a must to choose a park to skip, that is the one. It’s simply not one of the best park for infants!

Epcot with a Child

Ahhh, Epcot. My favourite park. And never simply as a result of this was *my* park throughout my time as a Solid Member, after I labored at Soarin’ within the Land Pavilion. I imply certain sure, there’s numerous completely happy nostalgia tied to the park for me. But in addition? I LOVE journey – good day, that’s my job now – and an entire half of Epcot is all about celebrating journey and letting you step foot into immersive miniature lands representing totally different international locations. The World Showcase is sort of a mile of pure journey gasoline, and I completely find it irresistible.

And on the opposite half of the park are lands celebrating Earth and house. And, er, the Guardians of the Galaxy, which … truthfully, doesn’t match in any respect, however it’s an superior new experience so we’ll go together with it.

Anway: the park is beautiful, effectively laid out, stuffed with attention-grabbing issues to see and do, and – drumroll please – the BEST Disney World park for infants!

Why did we rank Epcot on the prime? For starters, 3 phrases: AIR CONDITIONED PAVILIONS. There are TONS of pavilions all through the park, and most of them are big and air-conditioned. There’s additionally ample seating – like Connections Cafe, which is basically an infinite Starbucks full of benches and tables – each indoors and open air.

The Child Middle is conveniently situated within the excellent middle of the park, with a big, comfy nursing room that has house for a number of households. And there’s a extensive number of baby-friendly actions, from baby-friendly rides to a big playground to a improbable aquarium. Epot makes it straightforward to entertain or nap a child on a sizzling Florida day!

Let’s get to the tea:

Greatest points of interest and rides for infants at Epcot:

  • The Seas with Nemo and Buddies: 10/10 excellent child experience and Child A LOVED it. Darkish! Cool! Enjoyable! Fish! Songs! Nothing scary or loud or jarring. And afterward, AN AQUARIUM! Child A misplaced her thoughts on the aquarium and we returned right here time and again. One mum or dad stayed on the aquarium with the infant whereas the opposite one rode Soarin on the Land Pavilion subsequent door, and the Guardians of the Galaxy experience close by. Child A may have stayed right here fish all day lengthy (and with the A/C, we have been completely happy to remain right here too). There are tons to see in right here and it’s a terrific spot to chill off for some time. Plus, that is additionally the place you’ll discover Turtle Speak with Crush which is considered one of our favorites, although we sadly didn’t check it out with Child A this time.
  • Grand Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros: This was considered one of Child A’s favorites! Plenty of scenes of Mexico and upbeat music, and the top portion is principally simply It’s a Small World however with extra of a give attention to Mexico. Plus, there’s just about by no means a line, and it’s a must to undergo the Mexico pavilion to get right here which is totally beautiful.
  • Frozen: I feel she wasn’t a fan of the songs switching each scene, however Child A did get pleasure from this experience. She particularly beloved the massive backward drop (it’s actually not that huge of a drop, however it’s to a child!) and appeared to benefit from the music too.

Rides we didn’t have time to expertise however I guess Child A would have loved:

  • Spaceship Earth: I completely love this experience, however we anxious that Child A would possibly discover it boring because it doesn’t have a lot music. Nonetheless, we absolutely deliberate to strive it … till we realized we’d must stroll alllll the best way again to the very entrance of the park after we have been already within the World Showcase near the Skyliner. Too far. I’d give it a strive for those who enter on the huge ball, although!
Dad and Baby at Aquarium in Epcot in Disney WorldDad and Baby at Aquarium in Epcot in Disney World
Child A may have stayed on the aquarium within the Seas pavilion ALL DAY LONG. She was enchanted! We took benefit to change off and experience Soarin’ and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Rides to Skip in Epcot 

  • Figment: That is undoubtedly a baby-friendly experience by way of the mechanics of the experience (good and gradual, enjoyable), however the experience itself was simply okay. There was numerous speaking and all of it went over her head. And admittedly, there wasn’t sufficient music to maintain her , both. This experience is extra geared towards barely older youngsters.
  • Dwelling with the Land: One other experience that Child A simply discovered kinda boring. There’s a lot of speaking about crops and the surroundings and such (not thrilling for a child, however very cool for the remainder of us) and there’s no music. That mentioned, a really small child would possible get pleasure from this gradual, enjoyable experience.

Ideas for Epcot with a child

  • Make a lunch reservation at one of many eating places within the World Showcase. Choose a delicacies from the 11 international locations and e book a desk for lunch! The meals right here is phenomenal – all the Cooks are professionally educated and from their respective international locations. Your servers can be from the nation you’re consuming in, too.
  • Connections Cafe is a huuuge Starbucks stuffed with tables and benches! It’s a terrific place to chill down and rejuvenate.
  • The fountain in Morocco – not the one on the entrance, the one within the Riad contained in the plaza – is a superb place to chill down within the shade and do some refreshing water play, or a pleasant shaded nap with built-in white noise.
  • Epcot has a really good child care middle, proper in between the World Showcase and the remainder of the park. There’s an enormous comfy nursing room with a lot of chairs and footrests. It’s cool, darkish, and quiet – the right spot for a nap. (Epcot is stuffed with good nap spots!)
  • There’s an enormous playground exterior of the Creations store. Even when your baby can’t play simply but, they’ll most likely get pleasure from watching huge youngsters enjoying!

Epcot Verdict: palms down the winner of Disney World’s most baby-friendly park! From the large air-conditioned pavilions to the ample seating to the centrally situated child care middle to the baby-friendly rides and points of interest, we discovered ourselves returning to Epcot time and again.

Baby looking at Kevin the bird from Up in Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, FloridaBaby looking at Kevin the bird from Up in Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
This journey woke up a brand new love of birds in Child A. Perhaps it was Kevin, or Tiki Room, or Donald Duck, or the egrets and flamingos throughout Animal Kingdom. Both manner, she’s an enormous chicken fan nowadays.

Animal Kingdom with an Toddler

Animal Kingdom is a improbable park for infants, particularly in case your baby has taken an curiosity in animals like ours (she’s an enormous fan of birds, particularly). It’s lush and inexperienced and stuffed with locations to see animals – plus some enjoyable rides, too.

For folks, there’s additionally my favourite experience, Everest, which occurs to have a single-rider line that’ll get you on nearly instantly. It’s nice to experience through the child’s nap! There are just a few different nice thrill rides too, however there are many points of interest and reveals for infants.

The caveat? There aren’t many locations indoors to flee from the warmth – and Animal Kingdom is definitely about 10 levels hotter and extra humid than the opposite parks by design, for the wildlife – form of like of a tropical rainforest. So we advocate visiting Animal Kingdom very first thing within the morning and leaving earlier than or proper after lunch. Right here’s the tea:

Greatest points of interest and rides for infants at Animal Kingdom:

  • Kilimanjaro Safaris: That is such a terrific attraction! You’ll be on an enormous open-air truck driving by means of the savannah and seeing animals up shut – nearly like a zoo however with none of the enclosures. Child A LOVED Kilimanjaro and was clapping for all of the animals! This experience is finest early within the morning when the animals are most lively and being fed, so head straight right here very first thing when you arrive. Every journey is totally different so it’s nice to experience time and again, too.
  • Na’vi River Journey: A bioluminescent deal with for the eyes. Every little thing on this slow-moving river experience was completely stunning, magical, glowing, and nature-y. The music is calm. It’s an entire vibe. And I feel this was Child A’s FAVORITE experience in any of the parks. She was completely enchanted your entire time and by no means scared. This experience is unquestionably price a Lightning Lane move.
  • Competition of the Lion King Present: Child A loved the lion king present, however misplaced curiosity through the slower components and appeared overwhelmed throughout a few of the villain songs. We ended up nursing many of the present (it’s an extended present) however may simply have left as a substitute.

Rides we didn’t have time to expertise however I guess Child A would have loved:

  • Wildlife Specific Prepare to Rafiki’s Planet Watch: The Wildlife Specific Prepare is a peaceable 7-minute journey – a experience in and of itself – to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, a quiet, air-conditioned pavilion devoted to the preservation and conservation of animals. You’ll see some attention-grabbing stuff right here and a few animals. Most of it is going to most likely go proper over child’s head, however hey, there’s A/C! If you’re prepared, take the prepare again to the remainder of the park.
  • Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight: Just like the Tiki Room however with actual birds (and fewer singing). I feel Child A would have actually loved seeing the colourful macaws hovering and swooping overhead!
  • Animal Encounters: From lions to tigers to gorillas (oh my!) there are TONS of locations to see animals right here! There’s even a petting zoo. I want we took extra time to stroll by means of the opposite animal sections. Actually, we may have fortunately spent a number of mornings at Animal Kingdom.
  • Drummers of Harambe: Child A is an enormous fan of drumming and dancing to a beat, and this reside avenue efficiency within the Africa part of the park would have been superior for her to see. They pull up huge youngsters to bop too which infants love to observe! I want we’d made it a degree to catch considered one of their present occasions.
  • Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond: This reside present is stuffed with huge colourful music and dance numbers! In case your baby enjoys music and dancing too, this can be an enormous hit.
Family on Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom, Disney World Resort, FloridaFamily on Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom, Disney World Resort, Florida
Child A misplaced her MIND on Kilimanjaro. She was so excited to level in any respect the animals! We sat her on the Tushbaby so she may see higher.

Ideas for Animal Kingdom with a child

  • For lunch, Tusker Home is nice. It’s character eating with Mickey and mates (Child A was tentatively within the characters as soon as they began enjoying peekaboo along with her) and the meals is buffet model, with a lot of baby-friendly meals and yummy meals for everybody.
  • Napping right here and being right here within the afternoon is a problem. It’s 10 levels hotter and extra humid than the opposite parks. And there aren’t any huge, quiet indoor locations with A/C to chill off and chill out (apart from Rafiki’s Planet Watch). When naptime hit, it took us fairly some time to search out a great spot. We ultimately discovered some picnic tables below a tree that was kinda shaded and quiet… after which some loud a** water present began up and I about misplaced my f***king thoughts.
  • The Child Care Middle is centrally situated and fairly good. It has non-public nursing rooms, which is useful in case your child is definitely distracted.

Animal Kingdom Verdict: This can be a nice baby-friendly park in case your baby enjoys animals, and there are many baby-friendly rides, points of interest, and reveals. However go away earlier than midday or simply after lunch, when the warmth turns into insufferable. The animals are most lively early within the morning anyway.

Mom and Baby in Magic Kingdom, Disney WorldMom and Baby in Magic Kingdom, Disney World
Visiting Magic Kingdom with a child was .. loads more durable than we thought it could be. (Psst: there’s our beloved Tushbaby once more! Severely, it was SO USEFUL on the parks!)

Magic Kingdom with an Toddler 

Once we have been planning our journey and looking out into which Disney Park has probably the most rides with out top necessities, Magic Kingdom appeared like it could be the most suitable choice for us: there are TONS of rides which can be applicable for all ages! … Effectively, in concept, anyway.

What we truly found was that the beloved Magic Kingdom was one of many WORST Disney Parks for infants. It’s crowded as hell, takes longer to get to than some other park, doesn’t have many choices for cooling off, and people all-ages rides? A lot of them are so outdated that they’re simply not protected to experience with an toddler. Many of the attraction of Magic Kingdom is all concerning the characters and beloved Disney properties, which frankly, infants don’t care about in any respect.

Right here’s the tea on Magic Kingdom:

Greatest points of interest and rides for child at Magic Kingdom:

The winners for us in Magic Kingdom have been colourful, slow-moving rides with upbeat, acquainted music:

  • Below the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid: That is a darkish conveyer belt experience in a shifting clamshell. Child A LOVED the Below the Sea scene, which is vivid and colourful and enjoyable. It helped that we’d been enjoying the music for her within the weeks main as much as our journey so she instantly acknowledged it. The Mad 
  • It’s a Small World: We truly waited longer for this experience than the rest throughout our journey – and we had a Lightning Lane move. The experience itself is quarter-hour lengthy, so with a 30-minute wait this finally ends up being fairly a time suck. That mentioned, Child A LOVES the music (we’d been enjoying it for her) and was REALLY excited on this experience. She completely beloved it! It ended up pushing her bedtime again about an hour however I feel it was price it to see her clap with glee and dance for 15 straight minutes.
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: This darkish experience was nice! There are some small light up-and-down hills. The music is usually very calm, and the colourful/trippy Huffalumps and Woozles scene was Child A’s favourite. It’s undoubtedly price a lightning lane move!
  • Tiki Room: One other attraction that we prioritized primarily based on Child A’s music preferences. And he or she was actually into most of it! Plus, it’s good and lengthy and had great A/C, so we relished the chance to sit down in cool air for some time. After which get a Dole Whip (which we needed to eat out of her sight).

As a result of the strains in Magic Kingdom are SO lengthy, we didn’t get to experience all the things we wished to. We want we may have ridden on Individuals Mover, a slow-moving prepare that lightly glides round Tomorrowland – excellent for infants! And we want we’d had an opportunity to strive Buzz Lightyear Spin since Child A loved Halfway Mania (largely).

Different rides we thought-about however finally determined to skip resulting from lengthy strains and Child A’s chance of having fun with them have been:

  • Jungle Cruise: no music, the experience largely consists of speaking and jokes that might simply go proper over her head
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: frankly she may need loved it due to the music, however we didn’t really feel like standing in an extended line
  • Haunted Mansion: Child A just isn’t a fan of music in a minor key – I feel she will be able to inform it’s presupposed to be spooky/scary/off – and she or he doesn’t like issues which can be chaotic and loud. I feel she would have loved the massive graveyard music scene, and located the remainder of it both boring or scary.
  • The Mad Tea Occasion: Child A didn’t actually appear to get pleasure from fast-paced spinning or shifting. She’s extra into the visuals, music, and gradual, light rides. So we’ll wait on this one till she’s a bit of older.

Rides to Skip in Magic Kingdom

  • Prince Charming Regal Carousel

Child A truly loved the carousel. That mentioned, that is simply your commonplace carousel. It’s older than the parks, so it’s not terribly Disney-themed (although we did get to see the Ugly Stepsisters from Cinderella driving it and insulting onlookers) and, extra importantly, there is just one baby-safe seat: a single bench amidst a sea of carousel horses that infants can’t safely experience. 

If there is no such thing as a line, give it a whirl. In any other case, put it aside for a county truthful.

  • Don’t experience Peter Pan’s Flight

For causes that nobody quite understands, Peter Pan is the most well-liked experience in all of Magic Kingdom with wait occasions constantly topping 60 minutes. It’s a totally common experience, so my working concept is 1) nostalgia, 2) child attraction, and three) poor ride design that didn’t account for the demand it could be experiencing 70 freaking years after being constructed.

Mainly, this experience has lengthy ass strains. And Child A was not impressed – the experience is a nap and never price a Lightning Lane move.

Worst of all, it’s downright harmful for an toddler. How did we notice how unsafe Peter Pan’s Flight was? As a result of we have been despatched by means of the experience with out a lap bar on our child. Which was terrifying. And very harmful.

You see, most flying rides are outfitted with a harness for security. The experience I used to work on, Soarin’, has a harness, a number of security checks, and even a video digital camera on each seat, which Solid Members monitor repeatedly all through the experience on the lookout for any kiddos making an attempt to wriggle out – that’s a fall threat from 50 ft. If anybody is getting too wiggly, Solid Members can hit the emergency cease button on the experience and convey it again down manually.

However Peter Pan was inbuilt 1955, earlier than anybody thought of security rules on rides, I assume. So though your car goes manner up into the air, it simply has a lap bar, not a harness. The lap bar routinely lowers about .5 seconds earlier than you allow the sight of a Solid Member – which isn’t sufficient time to make sure everyone seems to be safely seated. There’s additionally no lap bar examine (which just about each different experience within the parks has). 

So, what occurred to us? Child A was seated on the Tushbaby going through me after we boarded the experience. Jeremy was wiping down the lap bar with hand sanitizer and I used to be on the point of flip Child A round and sit her on my lap, when – shock! The lap bar closed, and we took off. Earlier than we had an opportunity to get Child A seated below the lap bar. She was simply sitting on me, above the lap bar. 

We screamed for assist, however the experience took off so rapidly that no one heard us. And, as we discovered, there aren’t any video cameras. So no Solid Members may see that Child A was squirming round making an attempt to see and pushing backward off of me with stunning power whereas I clung to her with each arms for pricey life, figuring out that if she twisted out of my arms, she would fall. (Bear in mind: this can be a flying experience. We have been up within the air. Simply holding our child. With nothing to maintain her from falling.)

Actually? It was fucking terrifying. As quickly as we bought off the experience I burst into panicked sobbing and it took fairly some time to settle down. We made an incident report with the affected person Solid Members, however apart from that there wasn’t a lot we may do. 

The incident experiences go to the higher-ups, and I hope it will get escalated to whoever makes selections about upgrading rides, as a result of this experience is frankly horrifyingly unsafe. There must be an extended sufficient time period between the lap bar reducing and take-off for Solid Members to do a security examine. My guess is that they’ve prevented doing it as a result of the experience already has such lengthy wait occasions and that can add main time, however it’s completely essential. This experience is horribly outdated.

So, till it’s up to date? Don’t experience Peter Pan’s Flight with an toddler.

  • Additionally keep away from the Dumbo the Flying Elephant experience, and its copies, in case your child is cell.

That is one other older Disney experience that takes fliers up into the air … in a automotive with open sides, and nothing safer than a lap belt. A crawling, squirming child may simply and rapidly decrease themselves to the ground and slip proper out the aspect of the automotive. (In case your child just isn’t but cell, you don’t have anything to fret about as lengthy you retain a good grip on them.)

So, yup – yet one more older Magic Kindom experience that’s not protected for infants! I do know, I used to be shocked too. Disney is normally the highest of the road relating to security – I imply good day, I even have photos of myself as a Solid Member in entrance of one of many many indicators backstage that claims Protected D Begins with Me (see them in this post)! WHERE IS THE SAFE D ON OUTDATED MAGIC KINGDOM RIDES, Disney!?!?!

Anyway. Because you’re avoiding Dumbo, go forward and add the Flying Carpet experience and Astro Orbiters, too. And Triceratop Spin in Animal Kingdom. They’re literallly simply the identical experience with totally different theming.

Cinderellas Castle in Magic Kingdom  at Walt Disney WorldCinderellas Castle in Magic Kingdom  at Walt Disney World
It might not be one of the best park to go to with a child, however Magic Kingdom certain is fairly.

Extra ideas for Magic Kingdom with a child

  • We ate lunch at Tony’s Town Square, which is true by the doorway of the park. Child A likes pasta, we like pasta, we simply figured we’d have some respectable pasta. We have been NOT ready for the way shockingly good it was. I imply!!! It was AMAZING. I extremely advocate the Orecchiette With Spicy Italian Sausage and the Butcher’s Steak, which was a few of the finest steak I’ve had in a very long time (and Child A beloved the crispy roasted yukon potatoes.) We additionally ordered a Bellini to take the sting off the entire Peter Pan fiasco, which was scrumptious. 
  • Storybook Circus is an entire part in Magic Kingdom full of kid-friendly stuff (although kid-friendly doesn’t additionally imply baby-friendly). You’ll be able to choose up a prepare to experience across the park right here, which is a pleasant enjoyable experience in and of itself. However most significantly, there’s a splash floor. On sizzling days, a splash floor and a crawling child are a match made in heaven. However apart from that, this space is usually for older youngsters.
  • Child care middle: Magic Kingdom’s Child Care Middle is by Predominant Avenue, which is … kinda removed from many of the park, truthfully. There are benches out entrance and the middle itself is admittedly cute and well-themed. It’s a terrific quiet place for a snack or a diaper change. It’s not as nice for nursing although, as a result of there are solely 2 non-public nursing rooms. 

Magic Kingdom Verdict: We thought this park can be successful as a result of it has probably the most all-ages rides, however it’s crowded, the rides are a bit of outdated and missing in baby-proof security checks, and it’s heavy on the characters and film properties which infants actually don’t care about. Plus, it takes longer to get to and from MK than some other park. Value a visit for it’s a small world and a few of the reveals, however not a lot else.  We’re wanting ahead to experiencing Magic Kingdom with Child A when she’s older.

Its a Small World ride in Magic Kingdom at Disney WorldIts a Small World ride in Magic Kingdom at Disney World
We waited in line for It’s a Small World longer than some other experience, however man, it was a HIT. Child A beloved it!!

Full Record of Child Rides at Disney World

Once we have been researching for our journey and on the lookout for issues for infants to do at Disney World, we struggled to discover a full record of baby-friendly, all-ages rides at Disney World. So, to save lots of you time, right here it’s.

I marked the rides that we loved probably the most with 10-month-old Child A in daring and put those we advocate skipping in italics. Our two favourite parks at Disney World for infants are Epcot and Animal Kingdom, which I marked with asterisks.

Hollywood Studios

  • Sundown Boulevard
    • Lightning McQueen’s racing academy
    • Fantasmic!
    • Magnificence and the Beast – Stay on Stage
  • Hollywood Boulevard
    • Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Echo Lake
    • For the First Time in Ceaselessly: A Frozen Sing-Alongside Celebration
    • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
  • Grand Avenue
  • Animation Courtyard
    • Voyage of the Little Mermaid
    • Disney Junior Dance Occasion!
  • Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge
  • Toy Story Land

EPCOT*

  • KidCot Stops
  • Future World East
    • Spaceship Earth
    • Splash Pad exterior Mission: SPACE
  • Future World West
    • The Seas with Nemo and Buddies
    • Turtle Speak with Crush
    • The entire aquarium space
    • Dwelling with the Land 
    • Journey into Creativeness with Figment 
  • World Showcase
    • Gran Fiesta Tour (Mexico)
    • Frozen Ever After (Norway)
    • The American Journey
    • Magnificence and the Beast Sing-Alongside (France)
    • Remy’s Ratatouille Journey 
    • Canada Far and Vast

Animal Kingdom*

  • Wilderness Explorers stops
  • Pandora
  • Africa
    • Kilimanjaro Safari
    • Gorilla Path
    • The Competition of the Lion King
    • Wildlife Specific Prepare
    • Rafiki’s Planet Watch
  • Discovery Island
    • Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight
    • Discovery Island Trails
    • It’s Robust to be a Bug
  • Asia
  • Dinoland
    • Discovering Nemo: The Large Blue…and Past!
    • TriceraTop Spin
    • The Boneyard

Magic Kingdom

  • Tomorrowland
    • Monster, Inc. Giggle Ground
    • Buzzlight Yr’s Ranger Spin
    • Astro Orbiter
    • Carousel of Progress
    • Individuals Mover
  • Storybook Circus
    • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
    • Casey Jr Splash N’ Soak Station
    • WDW Railroad
  • Fantasyland
    • Below the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
    • Enchanted Tales with Belle
    • Mad Tea Occasion
    • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 
    • Prince Charming Regal Carousel 
    • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
    • Peter Pan’s Flight
    • It’s a Small World 
  • Frontierland
    • Nation Bear Jamboree
    • Tom Sawyer Island
    • WDW Railroad
  • Liberty Sq.
    • Liberty Sq. Riverboat 
    • The Corridor of Presidents
    • Haunted Mansion 
  • Adventureland
    • Pirates of the Caribbean
    • The Enchanted Tiki Room
    • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin 
    • Jungle Cruise 
    • Swiss Household Treehouse
  • Predominant Avenue USA
    • WDW Railroad
    • Exhibits and Parades

The place to Keep at Disney World with an Toddler

I might not be a Solid Member anymore, however I nonetheless have numerous ~opinions about all issues Disney, and many ideas on your subsequent journey. One in every of my very sturdy opinions? You must undoubtedly keep at a Disney World resort, even for those who’re on a good price range! It’s SO price it.

From the $$ you’ll save on parking and a rental car (thanks to Disney’s airport pick-up service and large free transportation community) to the unimaginable comfort and Further Magic Hours, the resorts are WELL price it. And much more so, for those who can rating a reduced fee 😉

There are undoubtedly methods to attain a deal at a Disney Resort, if you understand the place to look. Sometimes, you could find Disney World resorts listed on lodge deal websites – notably for low season dates! We as soon as scored a keep at Port Orleans for below $150/evening. Whee! So simply in case, have a look – we noticed a BUNCH of them listed just lately on  Hotels.com  and  Priceline ! That’s how we as soon as scored a keep at Port Orleans for below $150/evening. Whee!

The time of yr that you simply’re visiting and if you e book issues, too. Disney quietly runs deep reductions on low season bookings (normally January by means of April) round October/November, so maintain a watch out and  check their special offers page frequently. 

And eventually, final minute bookings can web you STEEP reductions! I’ve seen rooms hovering round $150 per evening about 3 days prematurely. You’ll be able to normally rating one by means of  Priceline . My suggestion is to e book a good-enough lodge by means of  Booking.com  so you’ll be able to cancel it as much as the day earlier than your journey, then maintain checking  Priceline  simply in case you’ll be able to rating a last-minute room at a steep low cost.

Cars themed section at Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World with infantCars themed section at Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World with infant
The Vehicles themed part at Disney’s Artwork of Animation resort

We’re huge followers of staying at on the Worth resorts, which actually provide one of the best bang on your buck. Artwork of Animation, one of many latest resorts, is a improbable place to stick with a child. There’s a big pool – it’s truly the most important pool at any Disney World lodge –  with a child space and an enormous sprayground, plus 2 different swimming pools for good measure. There’s all kinds of meals, and the theming is fairly cute (we ended up getting upgraded to a Vehicles-themed suite).

And better of all, you’ll have straightforward walkable entry to the Skyliner, which takes you in airborne pods to Epcot and Holywood Studios. Of all of the Disney World transportation choices, the Skyliner is by far one of the best: you’re seated with a pleasant view, it’s not crowded, and there’s a cool breeze. Child A beloved driving on the Skyliner (and so did we!)

 This resort can also be thought-about considered one of Disney’s price range choices – however it’s actually one of the best of the price range choices. An in depth second is Pop Century Resort, which is true subsequent door and in addition has entry to the Skyliner.


I hope you discovered this (huge) information useful for planning your journey to Disney World with a child! Do you’ve got questions that we may help reply? Drop us a remark under!

Psst: In search of extra ideas that can assist you plan your Disney journey? Take a look at a few of our different Disney World posts:

Want you could possibly journey to Disney with out leaving residence? We created an immersive virtual Disney world tour so you’ll be able to make a journey from the consolation of your couch!

We even have a Podcast episode all about Disney! A futuristic utopia that’s undoubtedly not a cult. A suicide-themed experience. Lia’s school internship. What do all of them have in frequent? Disney World, in fact! On this episode, Lia spills all of the Mad Tea on probably the most magical place on Earth, plus insider ideas from her time as a Solid Member. We additionally clarify our tried & examined Disney Technique (aka STRAT), as a result of ready in lengthy strains for rides is a few Bippity-Boppity-BS.

Pay attention above or just click here to launch your Podcast app! Oh, and don’t overlook to subscribe so that you don’t miss new episodes.

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In this (massive) guide, we're sharing tips and tricks for visiting Disney with babies, including the best (and worst) parks and attractions for babies, where to stay, and a few essentials to pack.In this (massive) guide, we're sharing tips and tricks for visiting Disney with babies, including the best (and worst) parks and attractions for babies, where to stay, and a few essentials to pack.

Our Prime Journey Ideas & Sources

Listed here are our favourite journey ideas & sources for saving cash and planning journey logistics! For extra ideas, take a look at our travel tips resource page or our guide to planning a trip.

  • Reserving Flights: To attain flight offers, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Cash-saving ideas: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on solely on a price range airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
  • Lodging: We normally keep in budget-friendly trip leases, boutique resorts or non-public rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to e book resorts (we love their versatile cancellation coverage) and Hostelworld to e book hostels (low deposit, straightforward change/cancellation, and wonderful evaluations). For trip leases, we desire to e book utilizing VRBO as a result of they have decrease charges and higher help than Airbnb, and we’re not followers of Airbnb’s unethical monitor document. It’s also possible to e book trip leases on Expedia and Hotels.com. We additionally use TrustedHousesitters as each hosts (for our residence and our fur-child) and vacationers!
  • Journey Insurance coverage: We at all times, at all times, ALWAYS purchase journey insurance coverage for worldwide journeys, and we STRONGLY recommend it – go to our Travel Insurance Guide to search out out why. We advocate both World Nomads or SafetyWing for worldwide journey insurance coverage. SafetyWing is likely one of the few insurance policies that covers Covid-19, they usually have wonderful month-to-month insurance policies which can be excellent for Digital Nomads and long run vacationers!
  • Journey Credit score Card: We e book all of our journeys on our favourite journey bank card. Not solely can we earn money again that we will spend on extra journey, however the card presents improbable journey perks like journey insurance coverage, journey delay and cancellation protection, misplaced baggage reimbursement, and rental automotive protection, which helps defend us on our travels. Learn more here.
  • Vaccines & Meds: We use the journey guides on the CDC website to analysis beneficial medicines and vaccines for worldwide journeys. We at all times advocate getting each vaccine beneficial by the CDC! You will get them at your main care physician’s workplace or a walk-in pharmacy.
  • Excursions: We love reserving guided excursions, particularly meals excursions and strolling excursions, to get a neighborhood’s perspective and a historical past lesson whereas sight-seeing! We e book our excursions utilizing Viator and GetYourGuide.
  • Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to determine find out how to get from place to position, and e book native transportation on-line utilizing Bookaway wherever we will. Once we e book a rental automotive, we use DiscoverCars to check rental firms and discover one of the best deal.
  • Baggage Storage: Each time we’re testing early or making the most of an extended layover, we use LuggageHero to soundly retailer our baggage whereas we’re working round. Use the code PRACTICALW for two hours of free baggage storage on us.
  • VPN Service: A VPN retains your digital data (like web site login particulars, financial institution data, and so on) protected, even if you’re related to an unsecured community whereas touring. Plus, it allows you to use Netflix & different streaming websites overseas! We use NordVPN. Use the code WANDERLUSTPROMO if you join!
  • What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we convey on each journey. We even have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and lots of extra. Check out all of our packing guides!

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