13 Things to Know When Planning a Trip to Disney World With a Baby

Rental strollers* cost $15 a day ($31 for a double) and certainly don't look like the most comfortable set of wheels. The main fault with the rentals is that they do not adjust, which means no laying flat for naps. Though a stroller is a big thing to lug around, having your child comfortable at the park — they will spend most of the time with their tushes in the stroller anyway whether they're walking yet or not — will make everything run a little smoother.

*If you choose to use one of Disney's rental strollers, prepay for the entire length of your stay on your first day at a discount ($13 per day for a single, $27 for a double).

Because strollers aren't allowed in the ride lines, shopping or eating lunch is a perfect way to multitask during the time your little one is napping. You may also consider using these times as an opportunity to document your child sleeping their way through Disney, just for the laughs — both present and future.

Especially in the Summer months, Disney World is akin to a sauna — but sunnier. Make sure to keep your child cooled off and in the shade whenever possible, especially if it's nap time. Nothing is worse than a cranky baby who didn't sleep because he was too hot.

Besides a few rides in Magic Kingdom that have height requirements, most other rides in the main park do not have a restriction. Babies can enjoy flying with Peter Pan, taking a magic carpet ride with Aladdin, traveling in a honey pot through Hundred Acre Wood with Winnie the Pooh, and more. Here is an example list of the rides that are slow and easygoing enough for an infant (though some may be a bit scary — think too dark if it's indoors — every baby will handle the attractions a bit differently).

Because you can't bring strollers onto the ride lines, that means carrying your infant for the duration of the line, or if they're walking, keeping a hawk eye on them as they try to weasel in between other guests and casually walk under the line markers with ease. Each ticket holder can book up to three FastPasses before even hitting the park either online or with the mobile app. Once your initial three reservations are used on your day at the park, you can visit a kiosk and get one at a time for the rest of the day. Disney has full instructions on how to make the most out of FastPass.

If you and your partner want to ride the adult rides or you have another kid with you who is dying to go on everything he's tall enough for, ask employees in line about the Rider Swap Program, which allows one adult to ride while the other holds baby — then you switch without waiting again. Genius! This will not only make things a little easier for you, but your other child will be overjoyed that he gets to ride everything with each of the adults.

It seems silly, but keeping a list of everything you need — sunscreen, diapers, wipes, etc. — in your phone or on the hotel fridge is a simple way to make sure you don't forget to bring anything you need into the park. The last thing you want is for a spit-up explosion to occur on the day you didn't consult the list, which would have told you to bring an extra onesie. Now you have to pay $1,000* for a Mickey Mouse one.

*Alright, not that much.

There's no need to panic if you do forget something. For a price, you can grab some of the necessary essentials for your baby — like diapers, bibs, pacifiers, baby powder, and more — from one of the shops in the Baby Care Centers.

For one, there's the Baby Care Center, which is convenient for a feeding or diaper change. If you're nowhere near the BCC, which is likely more times than not, there are plenty of hidden nooks around the park to nurse if you need some privacy. Otherwise, the park is your oyster — nurse freely*!

*Just maybe not on a moving ride.

In order to park hop, the transport options available to you are monorail, ferry, or bus. The monorail is stroller-friendly, meaning your child can stay in the stroller either sleeping or awake during the ride. If you go the ferry or bus route, you'll most likely have to fold up your stroller on the bus, which means no traveling during naps — unless you really want to wake your sleeping baby — and you'll have to hold them during the crowded ride.

If your baby is eating a bit of solid food, keep things like yogurts and fruit cool and fresh in a small cooler. If you're going to be mixing up some formula and didn't bring bottled water, you can ask for a free cup of water at any restaurant or snack stand with a fountain soda machine.

If you want to ask a really specific question about the park or just want to hear more from other moms who have made the trip, check out the Disney Moms Panel, where you can post questions and browse through past inquiries and answers, all from other mamas.

While it's exciting that your baby is getting to experience Disney with you, make sure to enjoy it yourself. Get a yummy snack (check out the best places to eat for the whole family), go on rides, and try to relax. Consider using in-room child care to go for a meal without the kiddos or to the fireworks, especially if your older child would enjoy them — this is still your vacation!