My adorable niece Ashley, visiting Disney at 8 months old. Many people question when the right age is to take their children to Disney. The honest answer is that it depends on your family wants and needs. Everyone has different priorities; people view the difficulty level of exploring the parks with a very young child from different perspectives. Some people are head over heels for Disney and visit frequently, others save up for years for that one trip and want to be sure their child remembers the experience! I can't throw out a set number to everyone due to the variety of factors that contribute to the decision. I know many people think of us as a cruise travel agency, but we are so much more! I'd be glad to consult with you and your individual situation and let you know if I think it's worth the trip. In the meanwhile, here are some tips for visiting Disney with an infant.
Baby Centers
I recently wrote up a review of Legoland, a short drive from Orlando. I was impressed with the idea of Baby Center's for parents to take care of all the needs baby's come along with. I've always known about Disney's Baby Care Stations. They are coupled with First Aid stations within each park. So I've chosen to write about how they make it a drip easier to let your littlest one tag along with the family for a day in the parks. You will find one center in each main park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.) In there you will find everything needed to feed and change your baby. Well... almost everything! The Baby Centers are also the location where lost parents are reunited with their children. So if you ever lose your child in the crowd, send one person from your group to the Baby Center while the others form a search party ;) I'll be sure to snap some photos of the one in Epcot when I visit in June. I'll add them here at that time.
Feeding
Each baby care center has nursing rooms available. In Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, they are private rooms. Magic Kingdom and Epcot have group nursing rooms with four chairs. Lighting is kept to a minimum to help with privacy and comfort. Keep in mind that Disney will not stop you from nursing wherever you choose, these rooms are provided as a location for those who would prefer privacy and a little bit of cool air circulating. Nursing rooms also have numerous outlets to accommodate pumping mamas. The baby care center also has a microwave and a few high chairs. If you need to heat a bottle or small amount of baby food, it is there for you!
Changing/ Toileting
Each baby care station has multiple changing tables. There are disposable table liners as well, so no need to worry & add more to your bag by carrying your own pad or liner. Wipes and Huggies diapers are available for purchase. Typically they have sizes 2-4 in stock. There are a few kid-sized potties as well for those who are already toilet trained.
Sundries
The Baby Centers are housed in the same building as the First Aid stations. They sell various items such as diapers, wipes, formula, juice, pacifiers, feminine hygiene items, children's clothes for oopsies, over the counter meds, sippy cups, children's Tylenol (and similar items).
Locations
Magic Kingdom: Just off of Main Street, by Casey's Corner and Crystal Palace.
Epcot: In Future World, the Odyssey Building.
Hollywood Studios: At the front entrance to the park with Guest Relations.
Animal Kingdom: To the left of the Tree of Life, just past Pizzafari.
Feeding
Each baby care center has nursing rooms available. In Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, they are private rooms. Magic Kingdom and Epcot have group nursing rooms with four chairs. Lighting is kept to a minimum to help with privacy and comfort. Keep in mind that Disney will not stop you from nursing wherever you choose, these rooms are provided as a location for those who would prefer privacy and a little bit of cool air circulating. Nursing rooms also have numerous outlets to accommodate pumping mamas. The baby care center also has a microwave and a few high chairs. If you need to heat a bottle or small amount of baby food, it is there for you!
Changing/ Toileting
Each baby care station has multiple changing tables. There are disposable table liners as well, so no need to worry & add more to your bag by carrying your own pad or liner. Wipes and Huggies diapers are available for purchase. Typically they have sizes 2-4 in stock. There are a few kid-sized potties as well for those who are already toilet trained.
Sundries
The Baby Centers are housed in the same building as the First Aid stations. They sell various items such as diapers, wipes, formula, juice, pacifiers, feminine hygiene items, children's clothes for oopsies, over the counter meds, sippy cups, children's Tylenol (and similar items).
Locations
Magic Kingdom: Just off of Main Street, by Casey's Corner and Crystal Palace.
Epcot: In Future World, the Odyssey Building.
Hollywood Studios: At the front entrance to the park with Guest Relations.
Animal Kingdom: To the left of the Tree of Life, just past Pizzafari.
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Baby Friendly Rides
| Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Hollywood Studios
Animal Kingdom
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Where to Stay
I always suggest staying on property if you can swing the cost. The hotels and their themes are so much fun, your kids will surely appreciate it (if you have older ones). As far the baby, well, they wont know the difference, but you will! Staying on property allows you easy access to the parks. Between,the monorail, boats, and buses, there is no shortage of transportation. You can even come back to your room mid-day to relax and nap if you choose one right near your park. Here is a list of hotels that are closest to each park.
Magic Kingdom
Hollywood Studios
Animal Kingdom
Magic Kingdom
- Contemporary. Walk or take the monorail to Magic Kingdom.
- Grand Floridian. 1 monorail stop from Magic Kingdom.
- Polynesian. 2 monorail stops to Magic Kingdom. Boat ride to Magic Kingdom.
- Wilderness Lodge. Reasonable boat ride to Magic Kingdom.
- Fort Wilderness Cabins. Reasonable boat ride.
- Beach Club Resort & Villas. 5-10 minute walk.
- Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Contemporary. Although not geographically close, its just a quick ride on the monorail.
- Yacht Club. 5-10 minute walk.
- Swan. A short walk or take the ferry.
- Dolphin. A short walk or take the ferry.
Hollywood Studios
- Swan. A short walk or take the ferry.
- Dolphin. A short walk or take the ferry.
Animal Kingdom
- Unfortunately there aren't any hotels that I would consider "close" for walking. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is the closest resort to the park. So a bus ride or short car ride is best for this one.
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Where to Eat
The best part about Disney is that it is designed for children and families. Every restaurant and quick service location will have high chairs and kid friendly food! If your child is under the age of three they can eat off of an adult's plate for free.
- My best recommendation is eating in shifts. Adult one eats while the other holds baby. Then switch. Not all quick service locations will allow a stroller inside. Even if they do, it can be a nightmare to navigate through the crowds of people. Table service restaurants do not allow strollers, just as an FYI.
- Another great option is to eat when baby is napping! If baby is napping, then the adults can eat in peace. (Oh how I miss those days!)
- Cast Members WILL help you carry your tray to a table if you don't have any free hands. Kindly ask. I ate lunch at Pepper Market in Coronado Springs last month with my son and the Cast Members were very accommodating. They brought me napkins and plastic ware as well.
- At Table Service & Buffet restaurants children under three can share from an adult's plate at no charge. Ordering a separate meal will cost money. So if your baby is starting mushy solids, they can have some of yours for free!
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General Tips
- Bring a baby carrier/ sling and a comfortable stroller. Remember, the parks are huge and everyone will be tired half way through the day. Mom or dad can take a break from wearing baby by letting the little one nap for a bit there. When the stroller isn't being used by baby, it's a great place to store bags! Disney's rental strollers are hard plastic, yuck! Don't buy a stroller lock either. Cast Members might need to rearrange strollers while you're on a ride and if they can't move your stroller they will cut it off. PS: On some rides you can baby-wear!
- The parks and resorts sell basic baby needs if you forget something. Don't panic, they probably have it!
- Bring a stroller fan and shade if you plan to visit outside of the months of January & February. This is Florida. As I write this it is early March and today's high was in the upper 80s!
- If there is no height limit, baby can ride. But keep your child's personality in mind. It might be slow moving, but the lights and sounds could be scary for baby. See our list of baby friendly rides above.
- Don't break baby's schedule (if they have one yet). It could set the whole rest of your day in to a downward spiral!
- Take advantage of Baby Swap. One parent waits in line while the other entertains baby. When the first parent gets to the front they get a pass to give to the other parent after the ride. Parent number two can then go on the ride without waiting in line.
- Try to go in the off-season or when it's cool. Baby (and mom & dad) will be much happier!
- Take it easy. There is no rush. Baby won't know if you missed seeing Cinderella or Dumbo just couldn't take off for flight!
I want to extend a HUGE thank to my clients and friends who have allowed me to use their adorable babies for this blog post.
Lisa Perry, Nicki Poucher, Nicole Willi, Stacey Peleg, Christine Smalley, Jenny Roth, Jessica LaBossiere, Amanda Hicks, Katharina Terescenko, and Victoria DeFelice. As I am sure you have figured out by now, we did not take our son to Disney as an infant. At two, he is still scared of characters. We're aiming for next year when he's closer to three. ;)
Lisa Perry, Nicki Poucher, Nicole Willi, Stacey Peleg, Christine Smalley, Jenny Roth, Jessica LaBossiere, Amanda Hicks, Katharina Terescenko, and Victoria DeFelice. As I am sure you have figured out by now, we did not take our son to Disney as an infant. At two, he is still scared of characters. We're aiming for next year when he's closer to three. ;)
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