The right way to do Disney World with a Child, the Final Information by a former Forged Member

When Jeremy picked Disney World for his thirty fifth birthday journey, I used to be nervous. I imply, we’ve accomplished Disney World loads of occasions – and I used to be there just about each single day after I was a Forged Member. However we’d by no means, EVER accomplished 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 hastily, and for some motive, lamps? She liked Forged Members, she liked dancing to music as we walked by the parks. She LOVED Disney World! And we liked attending to see it by her eyes. Disney with a child is so price it, y’all!

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

Psst: Searching for 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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We even have a Podcast episode all about Disney! A futuristic utopia that’s undoubtedly not a cult. A suicide-themed experience. Lia’s school internship. What do all of them have in widespread? Disney World, after all! 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 Forged 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.

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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. For those who 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 fascinated by feeding Child A as of late – be at liberty to skip it. You understand your child finest!

That mentioned: whereas Child A was 10 months outdated throughout our journey, I’ve additionally accomplished my finest 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 very useful information even for youthful infants. And actually, y’all – the youthful they’re, the better they’re to journey with!

Yet one more factor: I take into account us fortunate that in our journey Child A was not but terribly cell – she’s crawling and standing, however isn’t 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 eventually – can I simply apologize for the standard of pictures on this submit? Usually I take advantage of a DSLR digicam after I’m taking footage for a weblog submit, however all I used to be in a position to handle this journey was to make use of my telephone! Nonetheless adjusting to this complete working/mother factor, y’all. Thanks for not judging me!

OK – onto the ideas for visiting Disney World with an toddler:

• Hearken to Disney music earlier than your journey, particularly songs which might be on rides (suppose “It’s a Small World” or the Tiki Room). I believe this actually helped Child A get excited on the parks, as a result of she was listening to a number 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 lets you e-book “Lightning Lane” passes to undergo a shorter line (mainly a paid model of FastPass, in the event you’re acquainted with its former incarnation). It’s price it with a child, particularly because you gained’t want to really purchase one in your infant since they don’t want a park ticket. The longest we waited for a experience 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.
• Carry 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 area for it in our stroller, we might 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. Undecided if the tables are weirdly excessive or the excessive chairs are weirdly low, however it made meals within the parks tough. This portable high chair that straps on prime of a chair at eating places or can sit on the bottom wherever for snacks is the right resolution.
• Babysitting is accessible at Walt Disney World through a service known as Kids Nite Out. They will watch your baby when you bask in your individual inside baby on the parks! Youngsters Nite Out can even give you a sitter to accompany you within the parks in the event you want an additional set of fingers. Overview: https://touringplans.com/blog/kids-nite-out-your-familys-next-vacation-win/
• You possibly can go to Disney World with no automobile seat in the event you keep in a Disney Resort resort. For those who fly with a lap toddler, you possibly can  take a shuttle bus  from the airport, and persist with Disney’s free transportation between the parks and resorts together with buses, the Skyliner, and boats. In a pinch, you may also take Minni Vans, which come outfitted with Graco 4Ever automobile seats. That mentioned, we have been actually glad that we had a automobile 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 might have left at dwelling! They’re normally subsequent to the primary help facilities too that are additionally vital to learn about.
• Use Rider Change. One guardian rides whereas the opposite one hangs out with the newborn. Simply ask a solid member on the entrance of any experience to assist get you arrange.
• Use single rider, too! Only 4 rides formally have a single-rider lane, however a number of rides will search for single rider to refill uneven gaps, which suggests you’ll get to experience sooner. Hold an ear out for a solid member on the lookout for a solo rider close to the entrance of most thrill rides. We obtained to experience a whole lot of stuff with out standing in lengthy traces this fashion.
• Minnie Vans come outfitted with rear-facing Graco 4Ever seats. For those who don’t have a automobile throughout your journey, this service is incredible! Principally, Minnie Vans are Disney-owned SUVs (themed to Minnie) pushed by Disney Forged Members, you could order by the Lyft app. They arrive with TWO automobile seats! They’re incredible 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 experience sort. Straightforward.
• 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!
• Carry hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes and do your finest. We used sanitizing wipes on each lap bar and wherever child would put their fingers on a experience, realizing that tons of of youngsters had not too long ago put their fingers there, too. Mixed with us carrying KN95s masks, none of us obtained sick throughout our journey. However simply in case, convey toddler Tylenol/Motrin with you so you might have it readily available.
• Carry your individual stroller. Those they hire 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 possibly can’t take your strollers inside all over the place, and stroller parking isn’t all the time proper outdoors of the doorway – like, in the event you’re going to The Land pavilion in Epcot, your stroller must keep at Nemo and Mates. Carriers are useful in these conditions, and so is the Tushbaby.

• For those who make an Advance Dining Reservation at a Disney sit-down restaurant, cancellations must be made 24 hours upfront. 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 individual on the identical day and beg your case, by which case they waive the payment. Nonetheless, that coverage is …not excellent for infants. But in addition, Disney meals is definitely worth the danger! So drop these expectations by the ground and do your finest to only flow.
• Meltdowns at Disney are inevitable, and I’m not speaking about your child. Do not forget that most marital disputes at Disney will be solved by some mixture of snacks, A/C, sitting quietly for some time, and/or a Mickey Bar.
• Carry 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 below 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 apply high-quality motor abilities like sucking by a straw and squeezing!
  • Freeze dried fruit: soften in your mouth fruit! What’s to not love? Er, apart from the worth. It’s costly!
  • Yogurt melts: Child A loves them, however they’re onerous to seek out with out added sugar, they make child’s fingers very sticky, and so they appear to make her spit up. And it’s all the time vivid pink and has that bitter yogurt scent. And so they stain. Not our favourite snack however works in a pinch.
  • Cheerios. Basic. Straightforward. At all times successful. Not a choking hazard. 10/10. We’ve got discovered to all the time 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 positive they provide little or no precise vitamin. However they’re enjoyable to eat and assist infants apply 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 desires 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 Finest?

One factor I want we knew earlier than our journey is which Disney World parks are finest to go to with an toddler. Because it seems, not each park is equal on the subject of 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 one of the best Disney World park with an toddler: Epcot! Epcot has one of the best stability of baby-friendly points of interest

Hollywood Studios with a Child

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

Finest points of interest and rides for infants at Hollywood Studios:

• Magnificence and the Beast Dwell 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 obtained unhappy and sluggish (“story as outdated as time” isn’t 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 experience 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 monitor and didn’t appear bothered by the blurry, non-3d photos on the display. She wished to tug the string to shoot too! Nevertheless, she didn’t like among the loud noises, and cried and squirmed a bit throughout the loudest half – breaking plates – however settled after we stopped and lined her ears for a bit. This one undoubtedly verges on overstimulating, however it’s kinda not that enjoyable in the event you aren’t in a position to be aggressive and play towards your accomplice.

… 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 experience, however none of us loved it a lot. The experience is very loud and slightly too intense/scary for her. She obtained scared at a lot of the “battle” components 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 experience 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 right afternoon nap/nurse spot, although you’ll see that a number of dad and mom have the identical thought – it’s not as quiet as the opposite spot we discovered.
• The Child Care middle 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 price it, actually.

Hollywood Studios Verdict: if you must choose a park to skip, that is the one. It’s simply not one of the 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 Forged Member, after I labored at Soarin’ within the Land Pavilion. I imply positive sure, there’s a whole lot of comfortable nostalgia tied to the park for me. But in addition? I LOVE journey – howdy, 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 gasoline, and I completely find it irresistible.

And on the opposite half of the park are lands celebrating Earth and area. And, er, the Guardians of the Galaxy, which … actually, doesn’t match in any respect, however it’s an superior new experience so we’ll go together with it.

Anway: the park is beautiful, nicely laid out, stuffed with attention-grabbing 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 large and air-conditioned. There’s additionally ample seating – like Connections Cafe, which is actually an unlimited Starbucks crammed with benches and tables – each indoors and outdoor.

The Child Heart is conveniently positioned within the excellent middle of the park, with a big, comfy nursing room that has area 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 incredible aquarium. Epot makes it simple to entertain or nap a child on a scorching Florida day!

Let’s get to the tea:

Finest points of interest and rides for infants at Epcot:

• The Seas with Nemo and Mates: 10/10 excellent child experience 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 experience 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 comfortable 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 certainly one of our favorites, although we sadly didn’t check it out with Child A this time.
• Grand Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros: This was certainly one of Child A’s favorites! Plenty of scenes of Mexico and upbeat music, and the top portion is mainly simply It’s a Small World however with extra of a deal with Mexico. Plus, there’s just about by no means a line, and you must undergo the Mexico pavilion to get right here which is completely beautiful.
• Frozen: I believe she wasn’t a fan of the songs switching each scene, however Child A did get pleasure from this experience. She particularly liked the large backward drop (it’s actually not that large 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 experience, however we fearful 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 way in which 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 in the event you enter on the large ball, although!

Rides to Skip in Epcot 

• Figment: That is undoubtedly a baby-friendly experience by way of the mechanics of the experience (good and sluggish, stress-free), however the experience itself was simply okay. There was a whole lot of speaking and all of it went over her head. And albeit, there wasn’t sufficient music to maintain her , both. This experience is extra geared towards barely older youngsters.
• Residing with the Land: One other experience that Child A simply discovered kinda boring. There’s a number of speaking about vegetation and the surroundings 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 probably get pleasure from this sluggish, stress-free experience.

Suggestions for Epcot with a child

• Make a lunch reservation at one of many eating places within the World Showcase. Choose a delicacies from the 11 international locations and e-book a desk for lunch! The meals right here is phenomenal – the entire Cooks are professionally skilled and from their respective international locations. Your servers can 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 middle, proper in between the World Showcase and the remainder of the park. There’s a giant comfy nursing room with a number of chairs and footrests. It’s cool, darkish, and quiet – the right spot for a nap. (Epcot is filled with good nap spots!)
• There’s a giant playground outdoors of the Creations store. Even when your infant can’t play simply but, they’ll in all probability get pleasure from watching large 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 positioned child care middle 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 incredible park for infants, particularly in case your infant has taken an curiosity in animals like ours (she’s a giant fan of birds, particularly). It’s lush and inexperienced and stuffed with locations to see animals – plus some enjoyable rides, too.

For fogeys, there’s additionally my favourite experience, Everest, which occurs to have a single-rider line that’ll get you on virtually instantly. It’s nice to experience throughout 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 – type 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:

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

• Kilimanjaro Safaris: That is such an important attraction! You’ll be on a giant open-air truck driving by 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 experience is finest 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 experience over and over, too.
• Na’vi River Journey: A bioluminescent deal with for the eyes. The whole lot on this slow-moving river experience was completely lovely, magical, glowing, and nature-y. The music is calm. It’s an entire vibe. And I believe this was Child A’s FAVORITE experience in any of the parks. She was completely enchanted all the time and in no way scared. This experience is unquestionably price a Lightning Lane move.
• Pageant of the Lion King Present: Child A loved the lion king present, however misplaced curiosity throughout the slower components and appeared overwhelmed throughout among the villain songs. We ended up nursing a lot of the present (it’s a protracted 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 Categorical Practice to Rafiki’s Planet Watch: The Wildlife Categorical Practice is a peaceable 7-minute journey – a experience 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 attention-grabbing stuff right here and a few animals. Most of it can in all probability go proper over child’s head, however hey, there’s A/C! Once you’re prepared, take the practice 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 believe 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 by the opposite animal sections. Actually, we might have fortunately spent a number of mornings at Animal Kingdom.
• Drummers of Harambe: Child A is a giant fan of drumming and dancing to a beat, and this reside road efficiency within the Africa part of the park would have been superior for her to see. They pull up large youngsters to bop too which infants love to observe! I want we’d made it a degree to catch certainly one of their present occasions.
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond: This reside present is filled with large colourful track and dance numbers! In case your infant enjoys music and dancing too, this can be a giant hit.

Suggestions for Animal Kingdom with a child

• For lunch, Tusker Home is nice. It’s character eating with Mickey and pals (Child A was tentatively within the characters as soon as they began enjoying peekaboo along with her) and the meals is buffet type, with a number 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 large, quiet indoor locations with A/C to chill off and chill out (aside from Rafiki’s Planet Watch). When naptime hit, it took us fairly some time to seek out a great spot. We finally 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 positioned and fairly good. It has non-public nursing rooms, which is useful in case your child is well distracted.

Animal Kingdom Verdict: It is 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 

Once 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 could be the best choice for us: there are TONS of rides which might be applicable 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 every other park, doesn’t have many choices for cooling off, and people all-ages rides? Lots of them are so outdated that they’re simply not protected to experience with an toddler. A lot of the attraction of Magic Kingdom is all in regards to the characters and beloved Disney properties, which frankly, infants don’t care about in any respect.

Right here’s the tea on Magic Kingdom:

Finest 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:

• Underneath the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid: That is a darkish conveyer belt experience in a shifting clamshell. Child A LOVED the Underneath the Sea scene, which is vivid and colourful and enjoyable. It helped that we’d been enjoying the track 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 experience than the rest throughout our journey – and we had a Lightning Lane move. The experience 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 track (we’d been enjoying it for her) and was REALLY excited on this experience. She completely liked it! It ended up pushing her bedtime again about an hour however I believe it was price it to see her clap with glee and dance for 15 straight minutes.
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: This darkish experience was nice! There are some small mild 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 price a lightning lane move!
• Tiki Room: One other attraction that we prioritized based mostly on Child A’s music preferences. And he or she was actually into most of it! Plus, it’s good and lengthy and had fantastic A/C, so we relished the chance to take a seat 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 experience every thing we wished to. We want we might have ridden on Individuals Mover, a slow-moving practice that lightly glides round Tomorrowland – excellent 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-about however finally determined to skip resulting from lengthy traces and Child A’s chance of having fun with them have been:

• Jungle Cruise: no music, the experience 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 a protracted line
• Haunted Mansion: Child A isn’t a fan of music in a minor key – I believe she will be able to inform it’s purported to be spooky/scary/off – and he or she doesn’t like issues which might be chaotic and loud. I believe she would have loved the large graveyard music scene, and located the remainder of it both boring or scary.
• The Mad Tea Celebration: Child A didn’t actually appear to get pleasure from fast-paced spinning or shifting. She’s extra into the visuals, music, and sluggish, mild 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 customary 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’t safely experience. 

If there is no such thing as a line, give it a whirl. In any other case, put it aside for a county truthful.

• Don’t experience Peter Pan’s Flight. 

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

Principally, this experience has lengthy ass traces. And Child A was not impressed – the experience is a sleep and never price a Lightning Lane move.

Worst of all, it’s downright harmful for an toddler. How did we understand how unsafe Peter Pan’s Flight was? As a result of we have been despatched by the experience with no lap bar on our child. Which was terrifying. And intensely harmful.

You see, most flying rides are outfitted with a harness for security. The experience I used to work on, Soarin’, has a harness, a number of security checks, and even a video digicam on each seat, which Forged Members monitor repeatedly all through the experience on the lookout for any kiddos making an attempt to wriggle out – that’s a fall danger from 50 ft. If anybody is getting too wiggly, Forged Members can hit the emergency cease button on the experience and produce it again down manually.

However Peter Pan was in-built 1955, earlier than anybody considered security rules on rides, I suppose. So regardless that your car goes approach up into the air, it simply has a lap bar, not a harness. The lap bar routinely lowers about .5 seconds earlier than you allow the sight of a Forged 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 experience within the parks has). 

So, what occurred to us? Child A was seated on the Tushbaby going through me after we boarded the experience. 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 experience took off so shortly that no one heard us. And, as we came upon, there are not any video cameras. So no Forged 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 pricey life, realizing that if she twisted out of my arms, she would fall. (Bear in mind: it is a flying experience. 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 obtained off the experience I burst into panicked sobbing and it took fairly some time to settle down. We made an incident report with the affected person Forged Members, however aside 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 selections about upgrading rides, as a result of this experience is frankly horrifyingly unsafe. There must be a protracted sufficient time frame between the lap bar decreasing and take-off for Forged Members to do a security examine. My guess is that they’ve averted doing it as a result of the experience already has such lengthy wait occasions and that can add main time, however it’s completely obligatory. This experience is horribly old-fashioned.

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

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

That is one other older Disney experience that takes fliers up into the air … in a automobile 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 automobile. (In case your child isn’t but cell, you don’t have anything to fret about as lengthy you retain a decent grip on them.)

So, yup – yet one more older Magic Kindom experience that isn’t protected for infants! I do know, I used to be shocked too. Disney is normally the highest of the road on the subject of security – I imply howdy, I even have footage of myself as a Forged Member in entrance of one of many many indicators backstage that claims Protected D Begins with Me (see them on this submit)! WHERE IS THE SAFE D ON OUTDATED MAGIC KINGDOM RIDES, Disney!?!?!

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

Extra ideas for Magic Kingdom with a child

• We ate lunch at Tony’s Town Square, which is correct 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 among the finest 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 crammed with kid-friendly stuff (although kid-friendly doesn’t additionally imply baby-friendly). You possibly can choose up a practice to experience across the park right here, which is a pleasant stress-free experience in and of itself. However most significantly, there’s a splash floor. On scorching days, a splash floor and a crawling child are a match made in heaven. However aside from that, this space is generally for older youngsters.
• Child care middle: Magic Kingdom’s Child Care Heart is by Important Road, which is … kinda removed from a lot of the park, actually. There are benches out entrance and the middle itself is basically 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 non-public nursing rooms. 

Magic Kingdom Verdict: We thought this park can 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 every other park. Value a visit for it’s a small world and among the exhibits, however not a lot else.  We’re trying ahead to experiencing Magic Kingdom with Child A when she’s older.

Full Listing of Child Rides at Disney World

Once we have been researching for our journey and on the lookout for issues for infants to do at Disney World, we struggled to discover a full listing 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 is probably not a Forged Member anymore, however I nonetheless have a whole lot of ~opinions about all issues Disney, and many ideas in your subsequent journey. One in every of my very sturdy opinions? It’s best to undoubtedly keep at a Disney World resort, even in the event you’re on a decent finances! It’s SO price 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 Additional Magic Hours, the resorts are WELL price it. And much more so, in the event you can rating a reduced fee 😉

There are undoubtedly methods to attain a deal at a Disney Resort, if the place to look. Often, you’ll find 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 not too long ago on  Resorts.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 just’re visiting and while you e-book issues, too. Disney quietly runs deep reductions on low season bookings (normally January by April) round October/November, so maintain a watch 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 upfront. You possibly can normally rating one by  Priceline . My suggestion is to e-book a good-enough resort by  Reserving.com  so you possibly can cancel it as much as the day earlier than your journey, then maintain checking  Priceline  simply in case you possibly can rating a last-minute room at a steep low cost.

We’re large followers of staying at on the Worth resorts, which actually provide one of the best bang in your buck. Artwork of Animation, one of many latest resorts, is a incredible place to stick with a child. There’s a large pool – it’s truly the biggest pool at any Disney World resort –  with a child space and a giant 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 Automobiles-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 one of the 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 be thought-about certainly one of Disney’s finances choices – however it’s actually one of the best of the finances choices. An in depth second is Pop Century Resort, which is correct subsequent door and in addition has entry to the Skyliner.

I hope you discovered this (huge) information useful for planning your journey to Disney World with a child! Do you might have questions that we may also help reply? Drop us a remark beneath!

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

Want you can journey to Disney with out leaving dwelling? We created an immersive digital Disney world tour so you possibly can 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 experience. Lia’s school internship. What do all of them have in widespread? Disney World, after all! 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 Forged 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.

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