There’s a Disney World vacation, and then theres a Disney World vacation with a baby! While things aren’t totally different, there are some changes to a vacation with the mouse when you’ve got to manage the needs of a baby.
Good news, Bringing a Baby is actually a lot easier than it seems and it’s also super fun.
Also good news, you as the parent/caregiver know what’s best, so if you think it would be better to wait, then please do! Just know your baby is more than welcome at Disney World (as we’ll see below!) and it can be magical plus fun to have your baby with you on vacation.
Can I bring a Baby to Disney World?
Yes! Baby’s are welcome at Disney World and there are several great accommodations for babies. There’s Baby Care Centers at each of the four main parks, stroller rentals in the parks, and play areas/quiet areas. Plus they have supplies on hand should you need to buy diapers, wipes or care items. The staff is also happy to see babies (even when they are crying!) and so incredibly helpful! Not to mention there’s many rides that infants, small babies and babies over a year can ride!
What do I need to take my Baby to Disney World?
You do not need a birth certificate to get inside Disney World (though it’s good to have identification in case you need). It’s recommended to bring baby supplies like a stroller or bassinet, a baby carrier (that you have used before vacation) a diaper bag with supplies, and then soaps/lotions/wipes that you’ve used at home to avoid any discomfort with new items at the theme parks. Please also pack a fan, muslin blankets, lots of clothing and some entertainment (plus any first aide items you might need)
For more on what to pack for baby at Disney World, see this helpful baby packing guide!
This post may contain affiliate links, read my full disclosure here.
Tip 1- Give yourself lots of time on arrival and departure day.
This will allow for all those mishaps that will happen, like oversleeping and forgetting something important.
Sometimes those things happen and if you have plenty of time in the schedule it wont turn into a major disaster. You will also want to rest when you get to Disney, because doing the parks can be tiring too.
Give yourself and baby a break with lots of rest on arrival and departure day.
It can be nice to have reservations on arrival and departure day- I totally understand wanting to get the most out of your vacation.
Enjoy fun spur of the moment things like taking a trip over to Disney Springs, exploring the resorts, heading to the pool or doing mini gold.
Get all your supplies set up, so that way you are set up for success on your first park day. Remember to plug in your stroller fan, your neck fan, your reusable charger and that your diaper bag is fully packed!
Also quick reminder- you’ll be walking 8-20 miles on an average Disney World park day. Use the arrival day, and your off day to recharge.
Tip 2- Think about the Weather
The chances of it raining on your vacation are high.
What do you plan to do if it rains? Do you want to stay at the resort? Tough it out in the parks? What happens if the stroller gets wet?
having a plan in place for the rainy times, like ponchos (I like this multi pack from amazon because it’s a third of the cost for what you’d pay at the park!) will save your sanity. Pack extra ponchos for throwing over your stroller, or get a dedicated Stroller Rain Cover .
Personally, when I have a baby under 6 months, I’m ok with using a baby carrier and a makeshift poncho around the sides of the carrier plus going about my day.
When the baby is alittle older, like 6+ months, it can be a lot harder to keep them dry and constantly change them from wet clothing. It’s days like these that I like to reschedule and stay indoors.
Also consider your comfort- Alittle TMI but when it’s really hot outside I get bad chaffing/rub burns depending on the clothing I’m wearing. We always try to plan outfits ahead of time, and keep a container of this antifriction rub in our travel bag (because even my athletic Firefighter Husband has friction in the right clothing/conditions. No one is immune)
Tip 3- Rent your stroller or buy one when you get there
You have lots of options for strollers. You can rent one at the park (I dont recommend this for babies!) or you can rent from one of the many rental services that will delivery to your resort or hotel. I highly recommend Kingdom Strollers for this one, as it’s strollers that are really the most comfortable for babies.
It’s also super helpful to do a stroller rental with pickup at the airport or resort delivery because it’s one less thing you need to worry about packing!
Do bring your baby carrier though!
This is helpful for when you stand in line for 30 minutes or when you have a fussy baby that just wont sleep! I also use it when we are using Disney Transportation, as you need to fold up your stroller.
My favorites for Central Florida are the Lillebaby Airflow (they have DISNEY themed carriers!!) and for babies under 3 months I LOVE my Ergo360. See all the recommendations for baby carriers at disney here.
Do you have a baby/kiddo with special needs or accommodations? They can mark the stroller as a wheelchair so you can use it in lines or bring it into the restaurant. Visit Guest Services to get the full scoop.
Tip 4-Bring Lots of Snacks
Yes, Disney World has an amazing amount of unique treats and amazing dining experiences, but when you are waiting in line for a ride (or for food) and hunger strikes- It’s not pretty!
I’m a big fan of comfort items, so I bring foods for baby (or myself) that I already know and love!
While shoving snacks in the diaper bag is perfectly acceptable, I do bring my collapsible clevermade cooler with me on some longer park days. This means I can take leftovers from table service, or bring fruit I grabbed from the resort. Then fold it up when I’m no longer using it! I’ve had my cooler since 2019 and even with weekly Costco trips and some Disney Trips, it’s held up great.
Tip 5 – Pack Extra and Budget Extra
Do you know how much a plain, generic looking onesie costs at the Disney Parks? 20 dollars friends. It costs 20 dollars for a plain, onesie that you will desperately need if you forget to pack extra outfits for your baby.
Yes, I want souvenirs. No I don’t want a baby onesie because I *had* to buy it. I want it because it’s cute!
Pack enough, or consider doing laundry, so you don’t have to make a ‘desperate’ purchase.
Tip 6- Use the Baby Care Centers
Did you know that each park has a dedicated area for baby care! Yes, they do and its awesome.
Some people aren’t aware of this, but it’s really a life saver. There’s helpful staff there, plus items for purchase, and it’s got enough space for multiple families so you can enjoy the care center for as long as you need it!
My favorite is to come in, change the baby, and fill up my water bottle with cold water! There’s also a nursing room here, and a TV room, so I can spend some time taking care of the baby and myself before doing more park adventures.
See all the info for Baby Care Centers in this post
Tip 7- Use tthe Rider Switch
If I had to pick one thing to tell parents, it would be that Disney wants you to have a good time, and they have created the Rider Switch to help you out with that!
Simply talk to the cast member to see if its available, wait while one parent goes on the ride then that parent can switch with the other parent who was waiting with the kids. Rider Switch works with the new Genie+ service but its not quite as good as the old Fast Pass System.
Wrapping up this section
These are just the basics to get you started on planning your trip to Disney World with your baby. It doesn’t have to be stressful- in fact it can be a lot of fun! Simply plan ahead and make the most of your magical adventure.Â
Check out these other related articles in the Bringing Baby Series!
Must Have Baby Packing Guide for Baby’s First Disney Trip
10 Brutally Honest Truths about Disney World and Babies
Breastfeeding Success at Disney World (even if Baby stays home!)
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