Insider's Guide to Walt Disney World
Babies: Ages 0-12 Months
By Dottie Enrico
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I once took my newborn son, Max, to Disney when he was just shy of eight weeks old. I’m not a masochist - it’s just that I’d promised my daughter, Eleanor, she could spend her fourth birthday at Disney BEFORE I found out I was pregnant. (My daughter was two and a half when she made her first trip to Disney World so I had no idea what to expect with a newborn.)
Here are some suggestions:
- Stay In a Disney-Owned Hotel. Taking your baby “home” for a nap is much easier if you are staying at one of the more than 20 Disney-owned hotel properties. For a list, go to: DisneyWorld.Disney.Go.com. Guests who stay in an official Disney hotel enjoy free transportation directly outside the gates of the parks, and you can avoid having to take a parking tram to a car or bus in a distant lot! Additionally, Disney has gone out of its way to offer lodging for folks on every budget. During special promos, for example, a family of 4 can stay in a Value resort for under $100 a night – plus the free transportation into the parks and from the airport.
- Locate the Special Baby Care Centers In All the Parks. Each of the major Disney parks has a baby care center where Moms can breastfeed, change diapers, purchase diapers and wipes, and just simply cool off. These centers are usually roomy and quiet, compared to the hustle and bustle of the park, and they’re the perfect spots to take a fussy infant.
- Bring a Stroller From Home. Although you can easily rent strollers in the park, if you have a newborn or baby under 6 months old, you’ll want to bring your own stroller, especially if it has a carseat that your baby likes to sleep in. (And don’t forget to pack a front carrier or sling if you want to keep your baby close to you at different points during the day.)
- Make Visits After Dark (If Travelling During the Hottest Months). During hot summer months, take your infant into the park during the coolest time of the day, after 5pm.
- Take Advantage of Local Babysitting Services. You and your baby might be much happier if she spends a few hours in your nice comfy hotel room with a sitter while the rest of you are out riding Space Mountain. You can get the names of many reputable services from most of the Orlando area resorts. And the people who work for these services are experienced and sometimes bonded.
- Pack Raingear. Always pack a rain shield for baby’s stroller. Florida weather is very unpredictable, and it may be sunny when you leave and pouring two hours later!
- Do the “Baby Swap” To Avoid Standing In Lines Twice. Enter the line and tell the Disney cast member that you want to do a “baby swap.” While one parent rides, the other stays with baby. When the first parent is done, that parent can take baby and the second parent can ride (without having to wait in line, again).
- Skip the Autographs. You might think it’s a great idea to have your baby pose for a photo with Pluto or Goofy, but many infants are frightened by the adult-sized furry characters. Best to wait until your child is older and clamoring to see her animated favorites up close and personal.
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