The Happiest Place on Earth is even more magical when experienced through the eyes of a child. And if you’re a new parent and a Disney fan, you could be counting down the days until you bring your baby to a Disney park for the first time. But even though Disney Parks are the most magical travel destinations, they can present their fair share of stressful situations, especially if you’re bringing your little ones along. We’ve rounded up our top tips for bringing a baby to a Disney park, so read on to find out how you can still have the best day ever while minimizing the stress.
Rent a stroller
Anyone who has traveled with children knows how much of a drag it can be to bring a stroller everywhere. But when you travel to Disney, there’s no need to bring your stroller from home. You can rent a stroller either from Disney at one of the theme parks, or you can rent from a third party and have your stroller delivered to your location of choice. And at Walt Disney World, you can even reserve a stroller themed after Cinderella’s carriage or the Millennium Falcon. With a variety of types of strollers to choose from and the ability to pick it up wherever you need it, there is no reason to bring your own. Click here to rent a stroller from Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort.
Utilize the Baby Care Centers
Every Disney park at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort has Baby Care Centers where parents or guardians can care for their little ones in more private settings than the typical restrooms. These centers are incredibly useful as they offer nursing rooms with seating, changing rooms with tables, unisex bathrooms, feeding areas, kitchens, shops that carry necessities like formula and diapers, and even lounge areas for families to rest indoors. Baby Care Centers are great places to stop for breaks when your children get tired, fussy, or just need a quiet place for a while. Check out the Disneyland and Walt Disney World websites for more information before your next trip, or ask a cast member to help you locate the Baby Care Center at each theme park.
Request a crib from your resort
Did you know that you can request a travel crib from your Disney resort? Don’t worry about traveling with your pack-n-play, because you can request a small crib to be brought to your Disney Resort hotel room at no extra charge. This will provide you and your family with some peace of mind, as it eliminates the need to travel with a portable crib or to pay to rent a crib elsewhere.
Go on baby-friendly rides
While many Disney attractions are perfect for thrill-seekers, there are plenty of baby-friendly rides for all ages. You may be surprised to know that bringing your baby along for your Disney vacation doesn’t mean sitting out on all the fun. You can still enjoy plenty of rides and bring your baby on, too. Most Fantasyland attractions and boat or dark rides are good for little ones, and if you aren’t sure, ask the cast members working at each attraction whether your baby can ride along with you.
Use the Rider Switch service
Think traveling to Disney with a baby means foregoing all your favorite rides? Think again. Disney Parks offer an amazing perk for families traveling with babies: Rider Switch. With this service, one adult can wait with your little one while the rest of your family enjoys the attraction. When your family is finished riding, the adult who was waiting with the baby can switch off and board the attraction without having to wait in line again. This is an awesome benefit for families who don’t want to miss out on riding their favorite attractions. Be sure to ask the cast members working at each attraction how you can utilize this service with your family.
Take breaks
When you picture a Disney vacation, more than likely you envision days of meeting cheerful characters, riding epic attractions, and eating your favorite theme park snacks. But so many of us forget an important quality of a vacation: relaxation. And when you travel with small children, you will probably be wanting to relax more than usual. There are plenty of places to take breaks throughout the Disney Parks, like seating areas around the “Tangled”-themed restrooms in Magic Kingdom, the covered seating in Disneyland’s Adventureland, and even the aforementioned Baby Care Centers. If you’re staying multiple days, a mid-day break at your Disney resort hotel will provide you with an opportunity to take a nap, have a snack, and utilize the air conditioning. Schedule some rest in throughout your Disney vacation. You and your baby deserve it!