OK, who would actually take a 6-week-old baby to Disney World? That would be me, a huge Disney fan [1] who has visited the parks way too many times. With my three older kids in tow, I've been on almost every ride [2], shopped in all the stores, met my favorite Disney characters, and dined at most of the incredible restaurants [3]. Still, something I've never experienced is breastfeeding at the happiest place on earth.
When planning this trip with our new baby, I did my research ahead of time. A quick internet search revealed Disney World is breastfeeding-friendly, mainly because it's legal to nurse anywhere [4] in the state of Florida. I also learned Mickey and friends offer breastfeeding moms the convenience of one baby care center per park (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios) so they can nurse in a quiet, private (and cool!) place [5] in between fun activities. Moms who had already braved Disney with babies [6] also shared tips for good spots to nurse, like restaurants, shows, and longer attractions. With this helpful info in mind, I felt prepared to tackle our vacation while sticking to my breastfeeding [7] goals.
Keep reading to find out what breastfeeding at Disney World is actually like (spoiler alert: it's not as easy as I'd hoped), and the best and worst places to breastfeed on your next magical vacation.
Best: Disney Resort Hotel
Before we embarked on our first day of fun, I leisurely breastfed my son in our hotel room. We stayed at The Contemporary, which is within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom, and makes it a great pick [9] for any nursing mom who needs to take frequent breaks from the fun to feed a hungry baby.
Best: In the Car
If you drive to Disney World like we did, I highly recommend skipping the free resort transportation [10] in favor of driving to the parks. The buses, monorail, and water taxis are awesome if you aren't on a strict breastfeeding schedule, but a car is far more convenient if you need more control over your own transportation. Here, I'm nursing my son in the Disney Springs parking garage. While waiting over 20 minutes for the bus, he got hungry (my first clue was the relentless, piercing crying), so we jumped in our car and made a quick escape. Given my experience, I'd even urge nursing moms who flew to Orlando to rent a car; your trip will be far less stressful!
Worst: In a Restaurant Bathroom
To the credit of the Disney Springs restaurant where we dined, Raglan Road, they did offer our family a booth in the back so I could breastfeed my son somewhat privately. Unfortunately, the restaurant's live entertainment was loud and distracting and my little guy got frustrated trying to nurse. We ended up in the bathroom where I stood to feed him.
Best: A Quiet Restaurant
A more relaxed spot in the Magic Kingdom called Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen was an ideal place to breastfeed. In fact, there was another mama nursing [11] her little one right at the next table.
Worst: During a Show
Although other moms said nursing while taking in The Country Bear Jamboree at the Magic Kingdom worked for them, I had a different experience. First of all, you're sitting this close to fellow theme park goers in the audience. And despite the show going on, it's actually pretty quiet in the theater. When my son couldn't get a good latch right away, he started fussing and I felt like just as many people were watching us as the talking moose heads on the wall.
Best: Baby Care Center
Locatable by a little pacifier icon on each park map, the Baby Care Center is definitely a haven for nursing moms. There is a private room with lounge chairs for feeding, a room with changing tables, and even a TV playing Disney shows [12] to entertain older kids while they wait. My only regret is that I didn't utilize the Baby Care Centers more during our trip.
Worst: During a Ride
Some moms claim breastfeeding on a longer ride like It's a Small World is easy. While I didn't go on this particular ride this trip, I can say that my attempts to get a feed in on other rides failed. My baby nurses for a while, and no ride would have been long enough to satisfy him with a full feed. Instead, he got frustrated when I pulled him off my boob to disembark from my boat, clam shell, or pirate ship.
Worst: On the Sidewalk
At one point I found myself copping a squat on the side of Main Street at the Magic Kingdom and nursing my fussy little guy under a blanket. No one around me really seemed to care, and I was so tired that I barely did either. However, I felt hot, uncomfortable, and frustrated that there aren't more quiet, private places for moms to feed their babies at one of the top destinations for families [13] in the country.
Best: Back at Home in Our Disney Gear
I think if I had it to do over again, I may have waited until my son was on at least some solid foods before planning a trip to Disney World. Breastfeeding him throughout our stay proved to be more of a hassle than I'd envisioned. Instead, I should have ordered a little new Disney swag online to get a taste of the magic from the comfort of our favorite breastfeeding chair in our family room.