How to do Disney World with a Baby, the Ultimate Guide by a former Cast Member

When Jeremy picked Disney World for his thirty fifth birthday journey, I used to be nervous. I imply, we’ve achieved Disney World loads of instances – and I used to be there just about each single day once I was a Solid Member. However we’d by no means, EVER achieved 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 using our favourite Disney rides.

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

On this (huge) information, we’re sharing suggestions and tips for visiting Disney with infants, together with the very best (and worst) parks and sights for infants, the place to remain, and some necessities to pack. Let’s dive in!

Psst: Searching for extra suggestions that will help 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 trip. Lia’s school internship. What do all of them have in widespread? Disney World, in fact! On this episode, Lia spills all of the Mad Tea on essentially the most magical place on Earth, plus insider suggestions 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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Suggestions for Visiting Disney World with a Child

Earlier than I dive in, a small disclaimer: all infants are totally different, and child wants range wildly by age. In case you 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 serious about feeding Child A nowadays – be happy to skip it. You understand your child greatest!

That stated: whereas Child A was 10 months outdated throughout our journey, I’ve additionally achieved my greatest to include suggestions from our travels with Child A when she was youthful (we began touring together with her round 3 months) within the hopes to make this a extremely useful information even for youthful infants. And truthfully, y’all – the youthful they’re, the simpler they’re to journey with!

Another factor: I take into account us fortunate that in our journey Child A was not but terribly cell – she’s crawling and standing, however will not be 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 eventually – can I simply apologize for the standard of photographs on this submit? Usually I take advantage of a DSLR digital camera once I’m taking photos for a weblog submit, 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 might be on rides (assume “It’s a Small World” or the Tiki Room). I believe this actually helped Child A get excited on the parks, as a result of she was listening to numerous 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 means that you can ebook “Lightning Lane” passes to undergo a shorter line (principally a paid model of FastPass, when you’re acquainted with its former incarnation). It’s value it with a child, particularly because you received’t want to truly purchase one to your baby since they don’t want a park ticket. The longest we waited for a trip 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 go.
• Deliver a journey excessive chair for meals. This foldable excessive chair was a HUGE assistance on our journey. We used it in our resort room for all of our meals, and if we’d had house for it in our stroller, we might 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 he or she 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 troublesome. This moveable excessive chair that straps on prime of a chair at eating places or can sit on the bottom wherever for snacks is the right answer.
• Babysitting is obtainable at Walt Disney World by way of a service known as Youngsters Nite Out. They will watch your little one when you take pleasure in your personal internal little one on the parks! Youngsters Nite Out may also offer you a sitter to accompany you within the parks when you want an additional set of palms. Assessment: https://touringplans.com/weblog/kids-nite-out-your-familys-next-vacation-win/
• You may go to Disney World and not using a automobile seat when you keep in a Disney Resort resort. In case you 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 geared up with Graco 4Ever automobile seats. That stated, we had been actually glad that we had a automobile 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).

• Use the child care facilities in every park for nursing, altering, snacks, cool-down time, microwave, and to purchase any emergency child provides you might have left at house! They’re often subsequent to the primary help facilities too that are additionally vital to learn about.
• Use Rider Change. One father or mother rides whereas the opposite one hangs out with the child. Simply ask a forged member on the entrance of any trip to assist get you arrange.
• Use single rider, too! Solely 4 rides formally have a single-rider lane, however numerous rides will search for single rider to refill uneven gaps, which implies you’ll get to trip sooner. Maintain an ear out for a forged member in search of a solo rider close to the entrance of most thrill rides. We received to trip a variety of stuff with out standing in lengthy strains this fashion.
• Minnie Vans come geared up with rear-facing Graco 4Ever seats. In case you don’t have a automobile throughout your journey, this service is improbable! Mainly, Minnie Vans are Disney-owned SUVs (themed to Minnie) pushed by Disney Solid Members, which you can order by means of the Lyft app. They arrive with TWO automobile 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 trip kind. Straightforward.
• Swap who does bedtime so one father or mother 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!
• Deliver hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes and do your greatest. We used sanitizing wipes on each lap bar and wherever child would put their palms on a trip, understanding that tons of of youngsters had lately put their palms there, too. Mixed with us carrying KN95s masks, none of us received sick throughout our journey. However simply in case, convey toddler Tylenol/Motrin with you so you could have it available.
• Deliver your personal stroller. Those they hire on the parks aren’t good for infants. We suggest one which folds down simply, like this one, since you’ll must fold it up on Disney transport. That stated, you’ll be able to’t take your strollers inside in every single place, and stroller parking isn’t all the time proper exterior of the doorway – like, when you’re going to The Land pavilion in Epcot, your stroller must keep at Nemo and Mates. Carriers are useful in these conditions, and so is the Tushbaby.

• In case you make an Advance Eating Reservation at a Disney sit-down restaurant, cancellations must be made 24 hours upfront. In any other case, you will be charged a cancellation payment of $10 per individual (3 and up). Until you go to the restaurant in individual on the identical day and beg your case, wherein case they waive the payment. Nonetheless, that coverage is …not perfect for infants. But in addition, Disney meals is definitely worth the threat! So drop these expectations by means of the ground and do your greatest to only 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.
• Deliver 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 follow high quality 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 worth. It’s costly!
  • Yogurt melts: Child A loves them, however they’re arduous to seek out with out added sugar, they make child’s palms very sticky, they usually appear to make her spit up. And it’s all the time shiny pink and has that bitter yogurt odor. And so they stain. Not our favourite snack however works in a pinch.
  • Cheerios. Traditional. Straightforward. All the time a success. Not a choking hazard. 10/10. We now have realized to all the time 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 positive they provide little or no precise diet. However they’re enjoyable to eat and assist infants follow 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 ensure 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 greatest to go to with an toddler. Because it seems, not each park is equal on the subject of 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 the very best Disney World park with an toddler: Epcot! Epcot has the very best stability of baby-friendly sights

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 stated, it is likely to be value a day go to only for the few sights it does supply – or so that you and your companion can do rider change and trip all of the actually great things.

Greatest sights 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 initially are enjoyable and upbeat and actually well-done, visually – assume 1930’s period showcase dance numbers. However she kinda misplaced curiosity when issues received unhappy and sluggish (“story as outdated as time” will not be 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 had been involved about bringing her on this trip as a result of it’s 3D, and we had been afraid it would make her nauseous with out the glasses on. However she liked 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 number of the loud noises, and cried and squirmed a bit throughout the loudest half – breaking plates – however settled once we stopped and coated her ears for a bit. This one undoubtedly verges on overstimulating, however it’s kinda not that enjoyable when you aren’t capable of be aggressive and play towards your companion.

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

Rides to Skip in Hollywood Studios: 

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

Suggestions 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 chook noises enjoying and no loud noises, and it’s off the principle path so there are not 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 totally shaded and has a pleasant breeze and ambient spa music (I suppose Star Wars is all about ambient spa sounds). It’s the right afternoon nap/nurse spot, although you’ll see that numerous 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 value it, truthfully.

Hollywood Studios Verdict: if it’s important to choose a park to skip, that is the one. It’s simply not the very 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, once I labored at Soarin’ within the Land Pavilion. I imply positive sure, there may be a variety of completely satisfied nostalgia tied to the park for me. But in addition? I LOVE journey – hiya, that’s my job now – and a complete 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 adore it.

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 trip so we’ll go along with it.

Anway: the park is gorgeous, effectively laid out, filled 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 large and air-conditioned. There’s additionally ample seating – like Connections Cafe, which is actually an infinite Starbucks stuffed with benches and tables – each indoors and open air.

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

Let’s get to the tea:

Greatest sights and rides for infants at Epcot:

• The Seas with Nemo and Mates: 10/10 good child trip 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 repeatedly. One father or mother stayed on the aquarium with the child whereas the opposite one rode Soarin on the Land Pavilion subsequent door, and the Guardians of the Galaxy trip close by. Child A may have stayed right here fish all day lengthy (and with the A/C, we had been completely satisfied 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 Discuss with Crush which is certainly 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 certainly one of Child A’s favorites! A number of scenes of Mexico and upbeat music, and the tip portion is principally simply It’s a Small World however with extra of a give attention to Mexico. Plus, there may be just about by no means a line, and it’s important to undergo the Mexico pavilion to get right here which is completely gorgeous.
• Frozen: I believe she wasn’t a fan of the songs switching each scene, however Child A did take pleasure in this trip. She particularly liked 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 wager Child A would have loved:

• Spaceship Earth: I completely love this trip, however we nervous that Child A would possibly discover it boring because it doesn’t have a lot music. Nonetheless, we totally deliberate to attempt it … till we realized we’d must stroll alllll the best way again to the very entrance of the park once we had been already within the World Showcase near the Skyliner. Too far. I’d give it a attempt when you enter on the huge ball, although!

Rides to Skip in Epcot 

• Figment: That is undoubtedly a baby-friendly trip when it comes to the mechanics of the trip (good and sluggish, enjoyable), however the trip itself was simply okay. There was a variety of speaking and all of it went over her head. And admittedly, there wasn’t sufficient music to maintain her , both. This trip is extra geared towards barely older youngsters.
• Residing with the Land: One other trip that Child A simply discovered kinda boring. There’s numerous speaking about vegetation and the setting and such (not thrilling for a child, however very cool for the remainder of us) and there’s no music. That stated, a really small child would probably take pleasure in this sluggish, enjoyable trip.

Suggestions 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 ebook a desk for lunch! The meals right here is phenomenal – the entire 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 filled 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 a giant comfy nursing room with numerous chairs and footrests. It’s cool, darkish, and quiet – the right spot for a nap. (Epcot is filled with good nap spots!)
• There’s a giant playground exterior of the Creations store. Even when your baby can’t play simply but, they’ll in all probability take pleasure in 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 positioned child care middle to the baby-friendly rides and sights, we discovered ourselves returning to Epcot repeatedly.

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 a giant fan of birds, particularly). It’s lush and inexperienced and filled with locations to see animals – plus some enjoyable rides, too.

For folks, there’s additionally my favourite trip, Everest, which occurs to have a single-rider line that’ll get you on nearly instantly. It’s nice to trip throughout the child’s nap! There are just a few different nice thrill rides too, however there are many sights 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 suggest visiting Animal Kingdom very first thing within the morning and leaving earlier than or proper after lunch. Right here’s the tea:

Greatest sights and rides for infants at Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safaris: That is such a terrific attraction! You’ll be on a giant 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 trip is greatest early within the morning when the animals are most energetic and being fed, so head straight right here very first thing when you arrive. Every journey is totally different so it’s nice to trip time and again, too.
• Na’vi River Journey: A bioluminescent deal with for the eyes. The whole lot on this slow-moving river trip was completely lovely, magical, glowing, and nature-y. The music is calm. It’s a complete vibe. And I believe this was Child A’s FAVORITE trip in any of the parks. She was completely enchanted your entire time and in no way scared. This trip is certainly value a Lightning Lane go.
• Pageant of the Lion King Present: Child A loved the lion king present, however misplaced curiosity throughout the slower elements and appeared overwhelmed throughout a number of the villain songs. We ended up nursing a lot of the present (it’s an extended present) however may simply have left as an alternative.

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

• Wildlife Categorical Prepare to Rafiki’s Planet Watch: The Wildlife Categorical Prepare is a peaceable 7-minute journey – a trip 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’s going to in all probability go proper over child’s head, however hey, there’s A/C! Once you’re prepared, take the practice 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 believe 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 a giant 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 bounce too which infants love to look at! I want we’d made it a degree to catch certainly one of their present instances.
• Discovering Nemo: The Large Blue… and Past: This reside present is filled with huge colourful tune and dance numbers! In case your baby enjoys music and dancing too, this can be a giant hit.

Suggestions for Animal Kingdom with a child

• For lunch, Tusker Home is nice. It’s character eating with Mickey and buddies (Child A was tentatively within the characters as soon as they began enjoying peekaboo together with her) and the meals is buffet type, with numerous 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 are not any huge, quiet indoor locations with A/C to chill off and chill out (aside from Rafiki’s Planet Watch). When naptime hit, it took us fairly some time to seek 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 positioned and fairly good. It has personal nursing rooms, which is useful in case your child is well 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, sights, and reveals. However go away earlier than midday or simply after lunch, when the warmth turns into insufferable. The animals are most energetic early within the morning anyway.

Magic Kingdom with an Toddler 

After we had been planning our journey and searching into which Disney Park has essentially the most rides with out peak necessities, Magic Kingdom appeared like it will be the most suitable choice for us: there are TONS of rides which might be acceptable for all ages! … Properly, in idea, 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 another park, doesn’t have many choices for cooling off, and people all-ages rides? Lots of them are so outdated that they’re simply not secure to trip with an toddler. A lot of the attraction of Magic Kingdom is all in regards to 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 sights and rides for child at Magic Kingdom:

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

• Beneath the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid: That is a darkish conveyer belt trip in a transferring clamshell. Child A LOVED the Beneath the Sea scene, which is shiny and colourful and enjoyable. It helped that we’d been enjoying the tune 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 trip than the rest throughout our journey – and we had a Lightning Lane go. The trip itself is quarter-hour lengthy, so with a 30-minute wait this finally ends up being fairly a time suck. That stated, Child A LOVES the tune (we’d been enjoying it for her) and was REALLY excited on this trip. She completely liked it! It ended up pushing her bedtime again about an hour however I believe it was value it to see her clap with glee and dance for 15 straight minutes.
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: This darkish trip was nice! There are some small mild up-and-down hills. The music is generally very calm, and the colourful/trippy Huffalumps and Woozles scene was Child A’s favourite. It’s undoubtedly value a lightning lane go!
• Tiki Room: One other attraction that we prioritized based mostly on Child A’s music preferences. And he or she was actually into most of it! Plus, it’s good and lengthy and had fantastic A/C, so we relished the chance to take a seat 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 trip every thing we wished to. We want we may have ridden on Folks Mover, a slow-moving practice that lightly glides round Tomorrowland – good for infants! And we want we’d had an opportunity to attempt Buzz Lightyear Spin since Child A loved Halfway Mania (principally).

Different rides we thought-about however finally determined to skip on account of lengthy strains and Child A’s probability of having fun with them had been:

• Jungle Cruise: no music, the trip principally 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 will not be a fan of music in a minor key – I believe she will be able to inform it’s imagined to be spooky/scary/off – and he or she doesn’t like issues which might be chaotic and loud. I believe she would have loved the massive graveyard music scene, and located the remainder of it both boring or scary.
• The Mad Tea Celebration: Child A didn’t actually appear to take pleasure in fast-paced spinning or transferring. She’s extra into the visuals, music, and sluggish, mild 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 stated, that is simply your customary 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 using 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 not safely trip. 

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

• Don’t trip Peter Pan’s Flight. 

For causes that no one fairly understands, Peter Pan is the preferred trip in all of Magic Kingdom with wait instances constantly topping 60 minutes. It’s a totally common trip, so my working idea is 1) nostalgia, 2) child attraction, and three) poor trip design that didn’t account for the demand it will be experiencing 70 freaking years after being constructed.

Mainly, this trip has lengthy ass strains. And Child A was not impressed – the trip is a nap and never value a Lightning Lane go.

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 had been despatched by means of the trip and not using a lap bar on our child. Which was terrifying. And intensely harmful.

You see, most flying rides are geared up with a harness for security. The trip 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 constantly all through the trip in search of any kiddos attempting 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 trip and convey it again down manually.

However Peter Pan was inbuilt 1955, earlier than anybody considered security rules on rides, I suppose. So despite the fact that your automobile 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 permit 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 trip within the parks has). 

So, what occurred to us? Child A was seated on the Tushbaby going through me once we boarded the trip. 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 trip took off so rapidly that no one heard us. And, as we came upon, there are not any video cameras. So no Solid Members may see that Child A was squirming round attempting to see and pushing backward off of me with stunning energy whereas I clung to her with each arms for pricey life, understanding that if she twisted out of my arms, she would fall. (Bear in mind: it is a flying trip. We had been up within the air. Simply holding our child. With nothing to maintain her from falling.)

Truthfully? It was fucking terrifying. As quickly as we received off the trip 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 aside from that there wasn’t a lot we may do. 

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

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

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

That is one other older Disney trip that takes fliers up into the air … in a automobile 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 automobile. (In case your child will not be but cell, you don’t have anything to fret about as lengthy you retain a decent grip on them.)

So, yup – yet one more older Magic Kindom trip that isn’t secure for infants! I do know, I used to be shocked too. Disney is often the highest of the road on the subject of security – I imply hiya, I even have photos of myself as a Solid Member in entrance of one of many many indicators backstage that claims Secure D Begins with Me (see them on this submit)! WHERE IS THE SAFE D ON OUTDATED MAGIC KINGDOM RIDES, Disney!?!?!

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

Extra suggestions for Magic Kingdom with a child

• We ate lunch at Tony’s City Sq., 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 had been NOT ready for the way shockingly good it was. I imply!!! It was AMAZING. I extremely suggest the Orecchiette With Spicy Italian Sausage and the Butcher’s Steak, which was a number of the greatest steak I’ve had in a very long time (and Child A liked 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 a complete part in Magic Kingdom stuffed with kid-friendly stuff (although kid-friendly doesn’t additionally imply baby-friendly). You may choose up a practice to trip across the park right here, which is a pleasant enjoyable trip 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 aside from that, this space is generally for older youngsters.
• Child care middle: Magic Kingdom’s Child Care Middle is by Major Road, which is … kinda removed from a lot of the park, truthfully. There are benches out entrance and the middle itself is absolutely 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 personal nursing rooms. 

Magic Kingdom Verdict: We thought this park can be a success as a result of it has essentially 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 another park. Price a visit for it’s a small world and a number of the reveals, however not a lot else.  We’re trying ahead to experiencing Magic Kingdom with Child A when she’s older.

Full Listing of Child Rides at Disney World

After we had been researching for our journey and in search of 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 essentially the most with 10-month-old Child A in daring and put those we suggest skipping in italics. Our two favourite parks at Disney World for infants are Epcot and Animal Kingdom, which I marked with asterisks.

The place to Keep at Disney World with an Toddler

I is probably not a Solid Member anymore, however I nonetheless have a variety of ~opinions about all issues Disney, and plenty of suggestions to your subsequent journey. Considered one of my very robust opinions? You must undoubtedly keep at a Disney World resort, even when you’re on a decent price range! It’s SO value it.

From the $$ you’ll save on parking and a rental automobile (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 value it. And much more so, when you can rating a reduced price 😉

There are undoubtedly methods to attain a deal at a Disney Resort, if the place to look. Sometimes, you’ll find Disney World resorts listed on resort 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 lately on  Lodges.com  and  Priceline ! That’s how we as soon as scored a keep at Port Orleans for below $150/evening. Whee!

The time of 12 months that you simply’re visiting and if you ebook issues, too. Disney quietly runs deep reductions on low season bookings (often January by means of April) round October/November, so preserve a watch out and  examine their particular gives web page continuously. 

And at last, final minute bookings can web you STEEP reductions! I’ve seen rooms hovering round $150 per evening about 3 days upfront. You may often rating one by means of  Priceline . My advice is to ebook a good-enough resort by means of  Reserving.com  so you’ll be able to cancel it as much as the day earlier than your journey, then preserve checking  Priceline  simply in case you’ll be able to rating a last-minute room at a steep low cost.

We’re huge followers of staying at on the Worth resorts, which actually supply the very best bang to your buck. Artwork of Animation, one of many latest resorts, is a improbable place to stick with a child. There’s a large pool – it’s truly the most important pool at any Disney World resort –  with a child space and a giant 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 Automobiles-themed suite).

And better of all, you’ll have simple 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 the very best: you’re seated with a pleasant view, it’s not crowded, and there’s a cool breeze. Child A liked using on the Skyliner (and so did we!)

 This resort can also be thought-about certainly one of Disney’s price range choices – however it’s actually the very 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 could have questions that we may also help reply? Drop us a remark under!

Psst: Searching for extra suggestions that will help you plan your Disney journey? Take a look at a few of our different Disney World posts:

Want you might journey to Disney with out leaving house? We created an immersive digital 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 trip. Lia’s school internship. What do all of them have in widespread? Disney World, in fact! On this episode, Lia spills all of the Mad Tea on essentially the most magical place on Earth, plus insider suggestions 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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