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

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

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

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

Psst: In search of extra ideas that can assist you plan your Disney journey? Take a look at a few of our different Disney World posts:

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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 differ wildly by age. If you happen to 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 occupied with feeding Child A nowadays – be happy to skip it. You understand your child greatest!

That mentioned: whereas Child A was 10 months previous throughout our journey, I’ve additionally performed my greatest to include ideas from our travels with Child A when she was youthful (we began touring along 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 cellular – 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 at last – can I simply apologize for the standard of pictures on this publish? Usually I exploit a DSLR digicam after I’m taking footage for a weblog publish, 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:

• Take heed to Disney music earlier than your journey, particularly songs which are on rides (suppose “It’s a Small World” or the Tiki Room). I feel this actually helped Child A get excited on the parks, as a result of she was listening to plenty of 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 guide “Lightning Lane” passes to undergo a shorter line (principally a paid model of FastPass, for those who’re acquainted with its former incarnation). It’s value it with a child, particularly because you gained’t want to really purchase one to your infant since they don’t want a park ticket. The longest we waited for a journey 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 move.
• Convey a travel high 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’d 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. Unsure if the tables are weirdly excessive or the excessive chairs are weirdly low, however it made meals within the parks troublesome. This portable high chair that straps on prime of a chair at eating places or can sit on the bottom anyplace for snacks is the proper resolution.
• Babysitting is offered at Walt Disney World through a service referred to as Kids Nite Out. They’ll watch your youngster whilst you bask in your individual internal youngster on the parks! Youngsters Nite Out can even offer you a sitter to accompany you within the parks for those who want an additional set of fingers. Overview: https://touringplans.com/blog/kids-nite-out-your-familys-next-vacation-win/
• You’ll be able to go to Disney World with out a automotive seat for those who keep in a Disney Resort resort. If you happen to fly with a lap toddler, you may  take a shuttle bus  from the airport, and follow Disney’s free transportation between the parks and resorts together with buses, the Skyliner, and boats. In a pinch, you too can take Minni Vans, which come geared up with Graco 4Ever automotive seats. That mentioned, we have been actually glad that we had a automotive as a result of it made attending to and from parks fairly fast (apart from Magic Kingdom, which is a schlep and a half it doesn’t matter what).

• Use the newborn care facilities in every park for nursing, altering, snacks, cool-down time, microwave, and to purchase any emergency child provides you could have left at house! They’re normally subsequent to the primary assist facilities too that are additionally essential to learn about.
• Use Rider Swap. One guardian rides whereas the opposite one hangs out with the newborn. Simply ask a solid member on the entrance of any journey to assist get you arrange.
• Use single rider, too! Only 4 rides formally have a single-rider lane, however plenty of rides will search for single rider to refill uneven gaps, which implies you’ll get to journey sooner. Maintain an ear out for a solid member searching for a solo rider close to the entrance of most thrill rides. We received to journey numerous stuff with out standing in lengthy traces this manner.
• Minnie Vans come geared up with rear-facing Graco 4Ever seats. If you happen to don’t have a automotive throughout your journey, this service is improbable! Principally, Minnie Vans are Disney-owned SUVs (themed to Minnie) pushed by Disney Solid Members, you could order via the Lyft app. They arrive with TWO automotive 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 journey sort. Simple.
• Swap who does bedtime so one guardian 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!
• Convey hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes and do your greatest. We used sanitizing wipes on each lap bar and anyplace child would put their fingers on a journey, figuring out that tons of of youngsters had lately put their fingers there, too. Mixed with us sporting KN95s masks, none of us received sick throughout our journey. However simply in case, carry toddler Tylenol/Motrin with you so you’ve gotten it available.
• Convey your individual stroller. Those they lease on the parks aren’t good for infants. We advocate one which folds down simply, like this one, since you’ll have to fold it up on Disney transport. That mentioned, you may’t take your strollers inside all over the place, and stroller parking isn’t at all times proper exterior of the doorway – like, for those who’re going to The Land pavilion in Epcot, your stroller should keep at Nemo and Associates. Carriers are useful in these conditions, and so is the Tushbaby.

• If you happen to make an Advance Dining Reservation at a Disney sit-down restaurant, cancellations must be made 24 hours prematurely. In any other case, you will be charged a cancellation fee of $10 per person (3 and up). Until you go to the restaurant in particular person on the identical day and beg your case, wherein case they waive the price. Nonetheless, that coverage is …not ideally suited for infants. But in addition, Disney meals is well worth the threat! So drop these expectations via the ground and do your greatest to only drift.
• Meltdowns at Disney are inevitable, and I’m not speaking about your child. Keep in mind that most marital disputes at Disney might be solved by some mixture of snacks, A/C, sitting quietly for some time, and/or a Mickey Bar.
• Convey 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 is rarely 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 advantageous motor abilities like sucking via a straw and squeezing!
  • Freeze dried fruit: soften in your mouth fruit! What’s to not love? Er, apart from the value. It’s costly!
  • Yogurt melts: Child A loves them, however they’re exhausting to search out with out added sugar, they make child’s fingers very sticky, and so they appear to make her spit up. And it’s at all times vibrant pink and has that bitter yogurt odor. And so they stain. Not our favourite snack however works in a pinch.
  • Cheerios. Basic. Simple. At all times successful. Not a choking hazard. 10/10. We’ve got realized to at all times 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 certain they provide little or no precise diet. However they’re enjoyable to eat and assist infants follow their pincer grip!
• Don’t depart 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 needs 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 relating to 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 steadiness of baby-friendly points of interest

Hollywood Studios with a Child

Hollywood Studios does one factor higher than the opposite parks: dwell exhibits. Child A LOVED the Magnificence  and the Beast dwell efficiency. And that was … about it. The remainder of the park simply isn’t actually designed for infants. That mentioned, it may be value a day go to only for the few points of interest it does provide – or so that you and your companion can do rider swap and journey all of the actually great things.

Greatest points of interest 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 in the beginning are enjoyable and upbeat and actually well-done, visually – suppose 1930’s period showcase dance numbers. However she kinda misplaced curiosity when issues received unhappy and gradual (“story as previous as time” will not be a child bop, it seems). Fortunately we sat on the finish of the aisle so we might make a fast getaway. This was undoubtedly Child A’s favourite exercise at Hollywood Studios.
• Halfway Mania: We have been involved about bringing her on this journey as a result of it’s 3D, and we have been afraid it’d make her nauseous with out the glasses on. However she liked going across the observe and didn’t appear bothered by the blurry, non-3d photographs on the display screen. She needed to tug the string to shoot too! Nevertheless, she didn’t like a number of the loud noises, and cried and squirmed a bit through the loudest half – breaking plates – however settled after we stopped and coated her ears for a bit. This one undoubtedly verges on overstimulating, however it’s kinda not that enjoyable for those who aren’t capable of be aggressive and play in opposition to 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 journey, however none of us loved it a lot. The journey is very loud and slightly too intense/scary for her. She received scared at many 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 journey 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 absolutely shaded and has a pleasant breeze and ambient spa music (I suppose Star Wars is all about ambient spa sounds). It’s the proper afternoon nap/nurse spot, although you’ll see that plenty of mother and father have the identical thought – it’s not as quiet as the opposite spot we discovered.
• The Child Care heart 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 a must 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, after I labored at Soarin’ within the Land Pavilion. I imply certain sure, there may be numerous joyful nostalgia tied to the park for me. But in addition? I LOVE journey – good day, that’s my job now – and an entire 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 gas, and I completely like 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 journey so we’ll go together with it.

Anway: the park is beautiful, properly laid out, stuffed with fascinating 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 enormous and air-conditioned. There’s additionally ample seating – like Connections Cafe, which is basically an unlimited Starbucks stuffed with benches and tables – each indoors and open air.

The Child Heart is conveniently situated within the good heart of the park, with a big, snug nursing room that has house for a number of households. And there’s a broad 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 points of interest and rides for infants at Epcot:

• The Seas with Nemo and Associates: 10/10 good child journey and Child A LOVED it. Darkish! Cool! Stress-free! 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 many times. One guardian stayed on the aquarium with the newborn whereas the opposite one rode Soarin on the Land Pavilion subsequent door, and the Guardians of the Galaxy journey close by. Child A might have stayed right here taking a look at fish all day lengthy (and with the A/C, we have been joyful to remain right here too). There are tons to see in right here and it’s an important spot to chill off for some time. Plus, that is additionally the place you’ll discover Turtle Speak with Crush which is one in all our favorites, although we sadly didn’t check it out with Child A this time.
• Grand Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros: This was one in all Child A’s favorites! Numerous scenes of Mexico and upbeat music, and the tip portion is principally simply It’s a Small World however with extra of a deal with Mexico. Plus, there may be just about by no means a line, and it’s a must to undergo the Mexico pavilion to get right here which is totally beautiful.
• Frozen: I feel she wasn’t a fan of the songs switching each scene, however Child A did take pleasure in this journey. She particularly liked the massive backward drop (it’s actually not that massive 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 guess Child A would have loved:

• Spaceship Earth: I completely love this journey, however we apprehensive that Child A may discover it boring because it doesn’t have a lot music. Nonetheless, we absolutely deliberate to attempt it … till we realized we’d must stroll alllll the best way again to the very entrance of the park after we have been already within the World Showcase near the Skyliner. Too far. I’d give it a attempt for those who enter on the massive ball, although!

Rides to Skip in Epcot 

• Figment: That is undoubtedly a baby-friendly journey by way of the mechanics of the journey (good and gradual, stress-free), however the journey itself was simply okay. There was numerous speaking and all of it went over her head. And albeit, there wasn’t sufficient music to maintain her , both. This journey is extra geared towards barely older youngsters.
• Residing with the Land: One other journey that Child A simply discovered kinda boring. There’s plenty of speaking about crops and the atmosphere and such (not thrilling for a child, however very cool for the remainder of us) and there’s no music. That mentioned, a really small child would possible take pleasure in this gradual, stress-free journey.

Suggestions for Epcot with a child

• Make a lunch reservation at one of many eating places within the World Showcase. Decide a delicacies from the 11 international locations and guide a desk for lunch! The meals right here is phenomenal – the entire Cooks are professionally skilled and from their respective international locations. Your servers will likely be from the nation you’re consuming in, too.
• Connections Cafe is a huuuge Starbucks stuffed with tables and benches! It’s an important 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 good 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 heart, proper in between the World Showcase and the remainder of the park. There’s an enormous snug nursing room with plenty of chairs and footrests. It’s cool, darkish, and quiet – the proper spot for a nap. (Epcot is filled with good nap spots!)
• There’s an enormous playground exterior of the Creations store. Even when your infant can’t play simply but, they’ll most likely take pleasure in watching massive youngsters enjoying!

Epcot Verdict: fingers down the winner of Disney World’s most baby-friendly park! From the large air-conditioned pavilions to the ample seating to the centrally situated child care heart to the baby-friendly rides and points of interest, we discovered ourselves returning to Epcot many times.

Animal Kingdom with an Toddler

Animal Kingdom is a improbable park for infants, particularly in case your infant has taken an curiosity in animals like ours (she’s an enormous fan of birds, particularly). It’s lush and inexperienced and stuffed with locations to see animals – plus some enjoyable rides, too.

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

Greatest points of interest and rides for infants at Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safaris: That is such an important attraction! You’ll be on an enormous open-air truck driving via the savannah and seeing animals up shut – virtually like a zoo however with none of the enclosures. Child A LOVED Kilimanjaro and was clapping for all of the animals! This journey 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 journey again and again, too.
• Na’vi River Journey: A bioluminescent deal with for the eyes. Every part on this slow-moving river journey was completely stunning, magical, glowing, and nature-y. The music is calm. It’s an entire vibe. And I feel this was Child A’s FAVORITE journey in any of the parks. She was completely enchanted all the time and by no means scared. This journey is certainly value a Lightning Lane move.
• Pageant of the Lion King Present: Child A loved the lion king present, however misplaced curiosity through the slower elements and appeared overwhelmed throughout a number of the villain songs. We ended up nursing many of the present (it’s an extended present) however might simply have left as a substitute.

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

• Wildlife Specific Practice to Rafiki’s Planet Watch: The Wildlife Specific Practice is a peaceable 7-minute journey – a journey 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 fascinating stuff right here and a few animals. Most of it should most likely go proper over child’s head, however hey, there’s A/C! Once you’re prepared, take the prepare 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 feel 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 via the opposite animal sections. Actually, we might have fortunately spent a number of mornings at Animal Kingdom.
• Drummers of Harambe: Child A is an enormous fan of drumming and dancing to a beat, and this dwell road efficiency within the Africa part of the park would have been superior for her to see. They pull up massive youngsters to bounce too which infants love to observe! I want we’d made it some extent to catch one in all their present occasions.
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond: This dwell present is filled with massive colourful music and dance numbers! In case your infant enjoys music and dancing too, this will likely be an enormous hit.

Suggestions for Animal Kingdom with a child

• For lunch, Tusker Home is nice. It’s character eating with Mickey and associates (Child A was tentatively within the characters as soon as they began enjoying peekaboo along with her) and the meals is buffet type, with plenty of 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 massive, quiet indoor locations with A/C to chill off and chill out (apart from Rafiki’s Planet Watch). When naptime hit, it took us fairly some time to search out a great spot. We ultimately discovered some picnic tables beneath 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 Heart is centrally situated and fairly good. It has personal nursing rooms, which is useful in case your child is definitely distracted.

Animal Kingdom Verdict: This can be a nice baby-friendly park in case your infant enjoys animals, and there are many baby-friendly rides, points of interest, and exhibits. However depart 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 have been planning our journey and searching into which Disney Park has probably the most rides with out peak necessities, Magic Kingdom appeared like it might be the most suitable choice for us: there are TONS of rides which are acceptable for all ages! … Nicely, in principle, 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? A lot of them are so outdated that they’re simply not protected to journey with an toddler. Many of the attraction of Magic Kingdom is all concerning 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 points of interest and rides for child at Magic Kingdom:

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

• Beneath the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid: That is a darkish conveyer belt journey in a transferring clamshell. Child A LOVED the Beneath the Sea scene, which is vibrant and colourful and enjoyable. It helped that we’d been enjoying the music 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 journey than the rest throughout our journey – and we had a Lightning Lane move. The journey itself is quarter-hour lengthy, so with a 30-minute wait this finally ends up being fairly a time suck. That mentioned, Child A LOVES the music (we’d been enjoying it for her) and was REALLY excited on this journey. She completely liked it! It ended up pushing her bedtime again about an hour however I feel 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 journey was nice! There are some small light 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 move!
• Tiki Room: One other attraction that we prioritized primarily based on Child A’s music preferences. And she or he was actually into most of it! Plus, it’s good and lengthy and had great A/C, so we relished the chance to sit down 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 traces in Magic Kingdom are SO lengthy, we didn’t get to journey every part we needed to. We want we might have ridden on Individuals Mover, a slow-moving prepare 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 (largely).

Different rides we thought of however finally determined to skip because of lengthy traces and Child A’s chance of having fun with them have been:

• Jungle Cruise: no music, the journey largely consists of speaking and jokes that may 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 feel she will inform it’s imagined to be spooky/scary/off – and he or she doesn’t like issues which are chaotic and loud. I feel 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 gradual, light rides. So we’ll wait on this one till she’s slightly older.

Rides to Skip in Magic Kingdom

• Prince Charming Regal Carousel

Child A truly loved the carousel. That mentioned, that is simply your normal 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 driving 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 journey. 

If there isn’t any line, give it a whirl. In any other case, reserve it for a county truthful.

• Don’t journey Peter Pan’s Flight. 

For causes that nobody quite understands, Peter Pan is the preferred journey in all of Magic Kingdom with wait occasions persistently topping 60 minutes. It’s a very common journey, so my working principle is 1) nostalgia, 2) child attraction, and three) poor ride design that didn’t account for the demand it might be experiencing 70 freaking years after being constructed.

Principally, this journey has lengthy ass traces. And Child A was not impressed – the journey is a nap and never value a Lightning Lane move.

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 have been despatched via the journey with out 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 journey I used to work on, Soarin’, has a harness, a number of security checks, and even a video digicam on each seat, which Solid Members monitor repeatedly all through the journey searching for any kiddos making an attempt 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 journey and produce it again down manually.

However Peter Pan was in-built 1955, earlier than anybody thought of security laws on rides, I suppose. So despite the fact that your car goes means up into the air, it simply has a lap bar, not a harness. The lap bar mechanically 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 journey within the parks has). 

So, what occurred to us? Child A was seated on the Tushbaby dealing with me after we boarded the journey. 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 beneath the lap bar. She was simply sitting on me, above the lap bar. 

We screamed for assist, however the journey took off so shortly that no one heard us. And, as we came upon, there are not any video cameras. So no Solid Members might see that Child A was squirming round making an attempt to see and pushing backward off of me with stunning power whereas I clung to her with each arms for expensive life, figuring out that if she twisted out of my arms, she would fall. (Bear in mind: it is a flying journey. We have been up within the air. Simply holding our child. With nothing to maintain her from falling.)

Actually? It was fucking terrifying. As quickly as we received off the journey I burst into panicked sobbing and it took fairly some time to relax. We made an incident report with the affected person Solid Members, however apart from that there wasn’t a lot we might do. 

The incident reviews go to the higher-ups, and I hope it will get escalated to whoever makes choices about upgrading rides, as a result of this journey is frankly horrifyingly unsafe. There must be an extended sufficient time frame between the lap bar reducing 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 journey already has such lengthy wait occasions and that may add main time, however it’s completely essential. This journey is horribly old-fashioned.

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

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

That is one other older Disney journey that takes fliers up into the air … in a automotive with open sides, and nothing safer than a lap belt. A crawling, squirming child might simply and shortly decrease themselves to the ground and slip proper out the aspect of the automotive. (In case your child will not be but cellular, you don’t have anything to fret about as lengthy you retain a good grip on them.)

So, yup – one more older Magic Kindom journey that’s not protected for infants! I do know, I used to be shocked too. Disney is normally the highest of the road relating to security – I imply good day, I even have footage of myself as a Solid Member in entrance of one of many many indicators backstage that claims Protected D Begins with Me (see them in this post)! WHERE IS THE SAFE D ON OUTDATED MAGIC KINGDOM RIDES, Disney!?!?!

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

Extra ideas for Magic Kingdom with a child

• We ate lunch at Tony’s Town Square, which is true by the doorway of the park. Child A likes pasta, we like pasta, we simply figured we’d have some first rate pasta. We have been NOT ready for the way shockingly good it was. I imply!!! It was AMAZING. I extremely advocate 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 an entire part in Magic Kingdom stuffed with kid-friendly stuff (although kid-friendly doesn’t additionally imply baby-friendly). You’ll be able to choose up a prepare to journey across the park right here, which is a pleasant stress-free journey 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 apart from that, this space is generally for older youngsters.
• Child care heart: Magic Kingdom’s Child Care Heart is by Foremost Avenue, which is … kinda removed from many of the park, truthfully. There are benches out entrance and the middle itself is absolutely cute and well-themed. It’s an important 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 could be successful as a result of it has probably the most all-ages rides, however it’s crowded, the rides are slightly 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 exhibits, however not a lot else.  We’re wanting ahead to experiencing Magic Kingdom with Child A when she’s older.

Full Record of Child Rides at Disney World

After we have been researching for our journey and searching for issues for infants to do at Disney World, we struggled to discover a full checklist 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 probably the most with 10-month-old Child A in daring and put those we advocate 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 will not be a Solid Member anymore, however I nonetheless have numerous ~opinions about all issues Disney, and many ideas to your subsequent journey. One in every of my very robust opinions? It is best to undoubtedly keep at a Disney World resort, even for those who’re on a good funds! It’s SO value it.

From the $$ you’ll save on parking and a rental car (thanks to Disney’s airport pick-up service and big free transportation community) to the unbelievable comfort and Further Magic Hours, the resorts are WELL value it. And much more so, for those who can rating a reduced charge 😉

There are undoubtedly methods to attain a deal at a Disney Resort, if the place to look. Often, you will discover Disney World resorts listed on resort deal websites – significantly for low season dates! We as soon as scored a keep at Port Orleans for beneath $150/night time. Whee! So simply in case, have a look – we noticed a BUNCH of them listed lately on  Hotels.com  and  Priceline ! That’s how we as soon as scored a keep at Port Orleans for beneath $150/night time. Whee!

The time of 12 months that you simply’re visiting and if you guide issues, too. Disney quietly runs deep reductions on low season bookings (normally January via April) round October/November, so hold an eye fixed out and  check their special offers page frequently. 

And at last, final minute bookings can web you STEEP reductions! I’ve seen rooms hovering round $150 per night time about 3 days prematurely. You’ll be able to normally rating one via  Priceline . My advice is to guide a good-enough resort via  Booking.com  so you may cancel it as much as the day earlier than your journey, then hold checking  Priceline  simply in case you may rating a last-minute room at a steep low cost.

We’re massive followers of staying at on the Worth resorts, which actually provide 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 enormous pool – it’s truly the most important pool at any Disney World resort –  with a child space and an enormous 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 Vehicles-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 driving on the Skyliner (and so did we!)

 This resort can also be thought of one in all Disney’s funds choices – however it’s actually the very best of the funds choices. A detailed second is Pop Century Resort, which is true subsequent door and likewise has entry to the Skyliner.

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I hope you discovered this (large) information useful for planning your journey to Disney World with a child! Do you’ve gotten questions that we may help reply? Drop us a remark under!

Psst: In search of extra ideas that can assist you plan your Disney journey? Take a look at a few of our different Disney World posts:

Want you may journey to Disney with out leaving house? We created an immersive virtual Disney world tour so you may 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 journey. Lia’s faculty internship. What do all of them have in frequent? Disney World, in fact! On this episode, Lia spills all of the Mad Tea on probably the most magical place on Earth, plus insider ideas from her time as a Solid Member. We additionally clarify our tried & examined Disney Technique (aka STRAT), as a result of ready in lengthy traces for rides is a few Bippity-Boppity-BS.

Hear above or just click here to launch your Podcast app! Oh, and don’t overlook to subscribe so that you don’t miss new episodes.

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