15 Tips For Doing Disney With A Baby

You want to go to Disney World, but you are wondering if should do Disney with a baby. You hear “they’ll never remember it” and “it’s too much of a hassle.” Before the age of 3, they most likely won’t remember it, but it doesn’t mean they wouldn’t have a good time going there. You will have the memories and pictures to remind them of the trip. As far as it being too much of a hassle, I have compiled 15 tips that will make going to Disney with a baby so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t gone sooner!

1. Stay onsite. If baby needs a nap or just a break from all the excitement, it’s much easier just to hitch a ride back to the resort than to head back to your car and drive to your hotel. The same goes for when you want to head back to the parks. Another benefit to staying at a Disney World resort is, if you are flying into town, you can take the Disney Magical Express from Orlando International Airport to and from your hotel.
2. Bring baby food pouches. Even if you are doing baby led weaning, they are great to have on hand when they need a snack or you don’t want to spend a lot of money on getting them food. They are much easier to carry around than a bunch of jars and you don’t have to worry about them breaking.
3. Bring 2-3 of their favorite toys. Though they will undoubtedly enjoy all the new things the parks have to offer, they might take comfort in having something familiar with them as well. Also during the times you aren’t at the park, i.e., the airplane or a long car ride.
4. Having a stroller is a must. A baby carrier is second to that because you might need a break from having your baby on you. It’s also good if baby needs a nap, but you just don’t want to spend that much time away from the park. My son always has a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out) so he never slept in his stroller and would have done well with a nap instead of us pushing through the day.
5. As mentioned in Disney World with a toddler, you need to bring ponchos. And bring an extra one for your stroller. If you are in line and it starts raining, you’ll be glad you covered it with a poncho.
6. Don’t worry about having to meet all of the characters and get autographs. Baby is definitely not going to enjoy having to wait in line for an hour or more, so if you have to meet some of them, shoot for the ones with the shortest lines.
7. You are allowed to bring breast milk and/or formula, so pack them in an insulated lunch bag to keep them cold.
8. Buy cute character outfits before going to Disney World with a baby. You can find them for a discount at Disney’s Character Warehouse. When Disney decides to discontinue an item, this is where they get sent to, so they are really Disney World outfits at a much cheaper price.
9. There is one Baby Care Center per park. What is a Baby Care Center you ask? They are located near the First Aid at each park and provide you a respite when you want to nurse/feed your baby, change a diaper, or even buy diapers. You can also purchase formula if you are running low, as well as bibs, onesies, and wipes.
10. It’s going to be hot, or at least extremely sunny, which means you need to bring sunscreen. Lather baby (and yourself) up several times during the day to make sure they do not get a sunburn.
11. Get glow stick bracelets or glowing ears for the fireworks show at the end of the night. Disney World sells them, but they can be a little expensive.
12. Pack several sizes of Ziploc bags. These are great for packing up snacks, but also for anything baby has soiled that you have to either bring back to the resort or aren’t able to wash before you head home.
13. Try to stick to your normal schedule as much as possible. Of course you are on vacation somewhere, but throwing off feeding and naps can make for a cranky baby.
14. Did you know that Disney World offers a baby’s first haircut at the Harmony Barber’s Shop in Magic Kingdom? They give you a certificate commemorating the event along with a lock of hair to keep and a pair of Mickey ears that they embroider “first haircut” on the back.
15. Because you are traveling with a baby, you don’t need to work around a school schedule, so don’t plan your trips around a major holiday. I have found the best times of year to visit Disney World and highly recommend going during one of these times.