The Ultimate Guide to Bringing Your Baby to Disney World

Baby Care in the Parks

Caring for a baby at Disney World takes a little extra effort.  This is especially true if you’re juggling several children in your party.  Here are my tips for making your day go smoothly:

Baby Care Centers

Each Disney theme park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom) has a Baby Care Center.  They are centrally located and are always next to First Aid.  Consider these your personal oases within the parks.  They provide areas for nursing mothers, feeding areas (with high chairs and small tables), meal prep areas (with bottle warmers, microwaves, and sinks), changing areas, and in some a separate play room where older children can take a break.  They also provide a small “baby supply shop” with items you may have forgotten (plus some cute Disney baby clothes).  And the best part?  They have air conditioning!

• Magic Kingdom: located on Main Street between Casey’s Corner and Crystal Palace
• Epcot: located between Future World and Mexico
• Hollywood Studios: located on the left as you enter the park
• Animal Kingdom: located on Discovery Island near Creatures of Comforts

Changing Tables

Changing tables are available in all main restrooms at the Disney Parks (yes, even the Men’s Rooms).  They are also available in most restaurant restrooms (but not always in the Men’s Rooms – e.g. Le Cellier in Epcot).  Each park also has several Companion Bathrooms that can be found by looking at the legend on your park map.  Another great option is the Baby Care Center, each with a room full of changing tables (it’s less stressful than juggling baby supplies in a standard restroom).  Tip: it’s always a great idea to keep some plastic bags and an extra outfit on hand in case Baby springs a leak.

Feeding Time

If you’re nursing, there are private and semi-private areas for nursing mothers in each of the Baby Care Centers.  At Magic Kingdom and Epcot this includes a large semi-private room with comfy armchairs or wooden rockers.  At Hollywood Studios you’ll find two private nursing booths sectioned off by curtains.  And in Animal Kingdom there are two private nursing rooms with their own doors (and include a changing table too).  Of course, you can also feel free to feed your baby anywhere in the parks.  There are plenty of quiet areas to be found where you can take a break for a nursing session.  If you’ll be in Disney Springs there is no Baby Care Center, but you can visit the Welcome Center and ask a Cast Member for a quiet area to nurse (when we were there they offered to open up an office for us).  There are also no Baby Care Centers in the water parks.

If you are using a breast pump you can store it at First Aid throughout the day.  You can retrieve it as many times as you like – just be sure to pick it up before park closing.  They cannot store breast milk for you, but they can offer you as much ice as you like for your cooler.  You can also request ice from any of the counter service dining locations.  Most of the nursing areas in the Baby Care Centers have small tables nearby to assist your preparation.

If you’re using bottles, there are a few strategies you can use to make life simpler.  For formula, nursettes can be used without any refrigeration or preparation.  If your child requires larger amounts, you can prepare formula for the day before you head out of your room and store it in your cooler for quick access.  Or you can bring a container with pre-measured powder (we used one that sectioned off three feedings).  You can request a free cup of ice water at any counter service dining location, along with ice.

If you’re using solids, you can prep meals easily at any of the Baby Care Centers.  They offer feeding areas with high chairs plus counters with microwaves.  High chairs are also available at any of the table service dining locations and most of the counter service ones.  Bring single-servings or use a cooler for opened containers, and keep a plastic bag handy for wet infant spoons.

Here are a few general tips:

• We found that our son required much more than his normal amount due to the Florida heat – plan for extra milk/formula.
• Remember to clean bottles after each use (save time by using disposable bottle liners).
• Make use of bibs – it’s easier to swap out a bib than change outfits on the fly (use a plastic bag to store stained items).
• Bring disposable place mats if you’re worried about baby food messes at restaurants.
• Try to keep Baby on his/her normal feeding “schedule” (it’s easy to lose track of time amid the Disney fun).
• Several attractions are perfect for feeding sessions: Carousel of Progress, Hall of the Presidents, MuppetVision 3D, and more.

Nap Time

No one likes a cranky baby – be sure to plan plenty of naps into your trip.  If you’re using a stroller that reclines it’s fairly simple to get Baby to nap while you’re on the move.  Use nap time to watch the parade or a show, stop for a snack break, or ride more thrilling attractions using the Rider Switch service.  If you’re babywearing you may be able to take Baby with you on attractions as he/she sleeps (watch out for ones with sudden noises).

If you know your child won’t sleep with any distractions (or can’t sleep in the stroller), you should plan in a mid-day break at your hotel room.  It’s a great opportunity for the whole family to cool off and relax before heading back to the parks for the evening.

Also be sure to give your baby time out of his/her stroller to stretch and play.  Our son got cranky after a few hours of strolling around so we laid him on a blanket at a restaurant booth.  Doing this periodically improved his mood the rest of the day!

Weather Considerations

Weather in Florida can be unpredictable.  One moment it will be 90 degrees and glaring sun, the next you’ll find a humid thunderstorm.  Dress your baby in layers and make sure they have proper sun protection at all times.  One day when it got particularly hot we wrapped a bag of ice to put beside our son in his stroller.  We also made use of the sun shade attached to his infant seat.  Learn the signs of dehydration and overheating and get to a cool place if necessary.  If you can, avoid traveling during the peak of summer.

When it comes to rain, bring a stroller cover that has good ventilation.  Limit time outdoors and seek indoor attractions during thunderstorms.  If you think it may rain while your stroller is parked, throw the cover over it so Baby has a dry seat to return to.  Keep a dry towel in your bag.  And don’t forget to bring ponchos for the rest of the family too.

Staying Healthy

Traveling with an infant means taking a few extra precautions to keep everyone healthy.  Wash your hands frequently and keep hand sanitizer within arms reach.  Baby wipes are also great for cleaning off surfaces or wiping down dropped toys.  Remember to wash out bottles after each use.  If you need to sterilize your bottles, bring microwavable bags and visit the Baby Care Centers.  Also, remember to stay hydrated!  Bring a refillable water bottle with you or ask for free cups of ice water at any counter service location.

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