Disney world with babies

I remember standing in line at the Haunted Mansion about 6 months pregnant and I see a woman a few people in front of me and saying to my husband, "who would be that crazy to bring a baby here" well you know who?... Me that's who! 


Me and my husband started taking trips to Disney for our honeymoon, and have been every year since. My son, Shepard who was 9 months when we went, was not about to miss out on what had started to be a tradition in our little family. 


And believe it or not we had an absolute blast! 


First thing to remember is don't rush anything and utilize everything! 


Our trip started long before we even got to the park, I made reservations at the Port Orleans resort. 

First things first when they ask if you need a pack in play say YES! Even if you co-sleep there may be times when you need it and it is Free. 

I almost opted out thinking my son would want his own place but we where flying and less is more in air travel. 


If you are flying and staying in a Disney resort take advantage of the Disney's magical express. It's a buss from the air port to your resort, but you don't have to pick up your checked bags, and Disney brings them right to your room. Again this service is also free! 




Before you head off to Disney purchase a photopass CD, you will get a huge discount and those will most likely be the only pictures you get as a whole family.


Also if you use ALL Disney transportation you don't even need to bring a car seat! The bus system does not allow a car seat on them so if this makes you uneasy you will need to drive. Though if you are staying in a resort parking is free. (you feeling a trend yet!) 


From the first moment you walk into the Disney resort you will begin to feel the Disney hospitality. Disney cast members are the best in the world, they are trained right and you feel as if everyone is there just to make you and your party happy. In the 5 years I have been to Disney I have seen them go above and beyond what any company would do, But I'm not here to boast on Disney if you are plaining your trip now you already know or you will be pleasantly surprised! 

One thing you will want to keep in mind is your baby will sleep, and sleep a lot! There is a ton of stimulation and your child will crash out from over stimulation frequently.  For us the best early morning locations, when he slept the most, was Animal Kingdom and Epcot. There are more places where you walk around and look and enjoy the sites more. (and eat, make sure you eat in Epcot!) 

Mexico was a quiet restaurant and worked great for an air conditioned nap. 




Magic Kingdom is mostly rides and though we walked around a lot waiting for my son to wake up to ride, we had a blast anyways! He really got a kick out of "Its a small world", "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" and "The Carousel of progress" 




Rides: everyone wants to know about the rides, what can my baby ride? Honestly the list they cannot ride is shorter so that's the best place to start. 

MAGIC KINGDOM

The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm
Must be 35"/89cm to ride.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad:
Riders must be at least 40 inches (3'4") tall to ride. No child under the age of 7 may ride without an adult. Baby swap* can be used here.
For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

Space Mountain:
Riders must be at least 44 inches (3'8") tall to ride. No child under the age of 7 may ride without an adult and all passengers must ride in their own seat.  Baby swap* can be used here.
For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.



Splash Mountain:
Riders must be at least 40 inches (3'4") tall to ride. No child under the age of 7 may ride without an adult. Baby swap* can be used here.
For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

Tomorrowland Speedway:
Riders must be at least 52 inches (4'4") tall to drive the cars alone. Baby swap* can be used here. Children under 12 months should not ride. For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.



Stitch's Great Escape!
Riders must be at least 40 inches tall to ride. 
The attraction has long periods of darkness and loud explosions that may frighten some children.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

Dinosaur:
40 inch minimum height requirement.
Special effects may be too intense for children and some adults. For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.



It's Tough to be a Bug
Special effects may be too intense for children and some adults.  

We have seen this show, its a 4-D show and babies wont understand it, so if you think your baby will sit threw it than by all means do it, I am not a fan of this show so we did not see it. 

Kali River Rapids:
Minimum height is 38"
For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.



Primeval Whirl:
Minimum height is 48"
For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.



Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain 
Height Requirement: 44" (113 cm) or taller. Riders should be in good health, free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this attraction. Expectant mothers should not ride. Adult supervision required.

EPCOT

Body Wars:
Must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) to ride. No child under the age of 7 may ride without an adult. No child under 3 may ride at all. Baby swap* can be used here. For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.



Maelstrom (Norway)
Special effects may be too intense for children and some adults.  

We did ride this one with our son. It has one dip a lot like the one in "The Pirates of the Caribbean"  a ride that Shepard also rode. You should draw the line between what Disney says to cover themselves and what you think.  

Test Track:
40" ride height requirement.
For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.



Soarin': 
Riders must be 40 inches (102 cm) or taller.
Guests should be in good health, and free from heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.
Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Guests in wheelchairs must transfer from their wheelchairs to experience this attraction.

Mission: Space:

Riders must be at least 44 inches tall to blast off.  
 

Warning! During this intense astronaut training mission, you will experience the turbulence and G-forces of launch and re-entry, and the disorientation that often occurs outside the Earth's atmosphere.  Those who are made uncomfortable by enclosed dark spaces, simulators, spinning or loud sounds should bypass this experience. The seating and restraints on this attraction may prohibit guests of certain body shapes or sizes from experiencing it.
For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not go on this attraction.

DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Backlot Tour (specifically Catastrophe Canyon)Special effects may be too intense for children and some adults



Rock N Roller Coaster:
Riders must be at least 48" tall
For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

Star Tours:Must be at least 40 inches (102 cm) to ride. No child under the age of 7 may ride without an adult.  No child under 3 may ride at all. For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.



Twilight Zone Tower of Terror:
Riders must be at least 40 inches (3'4") tall to ride. Baby swap* can be used here. For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

My son loved to meet all the characters, we did Chef Mickey's a meet in greet breakfast and that was a smash hit! 

We also found Pooh and Tigger in Epcot and now every time he sees Tigger or Pooh he smiles and giggles! 


And the best of Disney's hidden gems (that everyone with kids should know) are the baby care centers, my only complaint with them are there need to be more in each park! 

They have everything from nice big changing tables to nursing rooms! There is also a TV room for your older children (and husbands) to have something to do as you change or nurse your child. Plus if you need baby food, formula or diapers you can buy them in the baby care center (at a Disney price of course).   Another thing about the centers, they are QUIET, COOL, and CALM.  Few people are there and fewer still stay there to chill out.  You can easily blow an hour in a baby care center.  Its great for the baby because he gets a chance to cool off, calm down from all the excitement, and maybe get some food and rest.  The same goes for adults, it's the only place in the park that you'll find with as much shade, air conditioning, and seating that is not in a restaurant, where you're going to fight crowds, loud kids (old and young alike) and spend money on food just to get some shade.  Take a snack into a baby care center and relax for an hour.  What a difference it makes for you and your baby!


We did no find ourself in Hollywood Studios this trip, though if your baby is of toddler age and is into Disney Junior I would make it over there for their Disney Junior - Live on Stage! features characters from Disney Channel's 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates,' 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse', 'Handy Manny' and 'Little Einsteins.'  There are short stories from each of the shows, as Mickey and his friends work together to throw a surprise party for Minnie!




Over all my best advice is to take your baby's lead and speed and in part plan but not too much because that moment you want to ride or do "X" it might be when your little one decides it's nap/lunch time!