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

When Jeremy picked Disney World for his thirty fifth birthday journey, I used to be nervous. I imply, we’ve performed Disney World loads of instances – and I used to be there just about each single day once I was a Solid Member. However we’d by no means, EVER performed 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 using our favourite Disney rides.

However to my absolute shock, Child A LOVED Disney World. She cherished rides. She cherished exhibits. She cherished characters. She was actually into birds unexpectedly, and for some cause, lamps? She cherished Solid Members, she cherished dancing to music as we walked by means of the parks. She LOVED Disney World! And we cherished attending to see it by means of her eyes. Disney with a child is so price it, y’all!

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

Psst: On the lookout 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 journey. Lia’s school internship. What do all of them have in frequent? Disney World, in fact! On this episode, Lia spills all of the Mad Tea on essentially the most magical place on Earth, plus insider ideas from her time as a Solid Member. We additionally clarify our tried & examined Disney Technique (aka STRAT), as a result of ready in lengthy strains 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. In the event you 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 desirous about feeding Child A as of late – be at liberty to skip it. You already know your child greatest!

That mentioned: whereas Child A was 10 months outdated throughout our journey, I’ve additionally performed my greatest 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 extremely 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 cellular – she’s crawling and standing, however shouldn’t be 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 at last – can I simply apologize for the standard of images on this submit? Usually I take advantage of a DSLR digital camera once I’m taking photos 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 entire working/mother factor, y’all. Thanks for not judging me!

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

• Hearken to Disney music earlier than your journey, particularly songs which are 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 aware of its former incarnation). It’s price it with a child, particularly because you received’t want to really purchase one in your infant since they don’t want a park ticket. The longest we waited for a journey 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.
• Convey a journey excessive 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’d 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. Unsure if the tables are weirdly excessive or the excessive chairs are weirdly low, nevertheless it made meals within the parks tough. This moveable excessive chair that straps on prime of a chair at eating places or can sit on the bottom wherever for snacks is the proper resolution.
• Babysitting is obtainable at Walt Disney World by way of a service referred to as Children Nite Out. They will watch your little one whilst you bask in your personal inside little one on the parks! Children Nite Out may also offer you a sitter to accompany you within the parks in the event you want an additional set of arms. Evaluation: https://touringplans.com/weblog/kids-nite-out-your-familys-next-vacation-win/
• You’ll be able to go to Disney World with out a automobile seat in the event you keep in a Disney Resort resort. In the event you fly with a lap toddler, you’ll be able to  take a shuttle bus  from the airport, and follow 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 house! They’re normally subsequent to the primary help facilities too that are additionally necessary to find out about.
• Use Rider Swap. One father or mother rides whereas the opposite one hangs out with the newborn. Simply ask a solid member on the entrance of any journey to assist get you arrange.
• Use single rider, too! Solely 4 rides formally have a single-rider lane, however a number of rides will search for single rider to replenish uneven gaps, which implies you’ll get to journey sooner. Maintain an ear out for a solid member in search of a solo rider close to the entrance of most thrill rides. We acquired to journey lots of stuff with out standing in lengthy strains this manner.
• Minnie Vans come outfitted with rear-facing Graco 4Ever seats. In the event you don’t have a automobile throughout your journey, this service is improbable! Principally, Minnie Vans are Disney-owned SUVs (themed to Minnie) pushed by Disney Solid Members, you can order by means of the Lyft app. They arrive with TWO automobile seats! They’re improbable 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 journey kind. Straightforward.
• Swap who does bedtime so one father or mother 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!
• Convey hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes and do your greatest. We used sanitizing wipes on each lap bar and wherever child would put their arms on a journey, understanding that lots of of youngsters had not too long ago put their arms there, too. Mixed with us carrying KN95s masks, none of us acquired sick throughout our journey. However simply in case, carry toddler Tylenol/Motrin with you so you’ve got it available.
• Convey your personal stroller. Those they hire on the parks aren’t good for infants. We suggest one which folds down simply, like this one, since you’ll must fold it up on Disney transport. That mentioned, you’ll be able to’t take your strollers inside in every single place, and stroller parking isn’t at all times 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 Buddies. Carriers are useful in these conditions, and so is the Tushbaby.

• In the event you make an Advance Eating Reservation at a Disney sit-down restaurant, cancellations must be made 24 hours upfront. In any other case, you will be charged a cancellation price of $10 per individual (3 and up). Until you go to the restaurant in individual on the identical day and beg your case, through which case they waive the price. Nonetheless, that coverage is …not very best for infants. But in addition, Disney meals is well worth the threat! So drop these expectations by means of the ground and do your greatest to only waft.
• 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.
• Convey 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 expertise like sucking by means of 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 arms very sticky, they usually appear to make her spit up. And it’s at all times brilliant pink and has that bitter yogurt scent. And so they stain. Not our favourite snack however works in a pinch.
  • Cheerios. Traditional. Straightforward. At all times a success. Not a choking hazard. 10/10. We’ve got realized to at all times 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 diet. 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 a number of 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 greatest to go to with an toddler. Because it seems, not each park is equal in relation to visiting Disney with an toddler. Some parks skew extra towards adults, some extra towards older children. 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 the perfect Disney World park with an toddler: Epcot! Epcot has the perfect steadiness of baby-friendly points of interest

Hollywood Studios with a Child

Hollywood Studios does one factor higher than the opposite parks: stay exhibits. Child A LOVED the Magnificence  and the Beast stay 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 companion can do rider swap and journey all of the actually great things.

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

• Magnificence and the Beast Reside on Stage: Child A misplaced her rattling MIND singing and clapping alongside at this present. The dancing and songs firstly are enjoyable and upbeat and actually well-done, visually – suppose 1930’s period showcase dance numbers. However she kinda misplaced curiosity when issues acquired unhappy and sluggish (“story as outdated as time” shouldn’t be a child bop, it seems). Fortunately we sat on the finish of the aisle so we may 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 journey as a result of it’s 3D, and we have been afraid it’d make her nauseous with out the glasses on. However she cherished going across the monitor and didn’t appear bothered by the blurry, non-3d photos on the display. She needed to drag the string to shoot too! Nevertheless, she didn’t like a few of the loud noises, and cried and squirmed a bit throughout the loudest half – breaking plates – however settled after we stopped and coated her ears for a bit. This one undoubtedly verges on overstimulating, nevertheless it’s kinda not that enjoyable in the event you aren’t in a position to be aggressive and play towards your companion.

… 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 journey, however none of us loved it a lot. The journey is very loud and somewhat too intense/scary for her. She acquired scared at many of the “battle” elements of the story and all of us hated the vehicles dancing – I assumed she was going to fall out at one level. Overstimulating, loud, jarring – this journey 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 facet space with ambient chook noises taking part in and no loud noises, and it’s off the principle path so there aren’t any crowds. There’s additionally a conveniently positioned bench.
• One other nice nap spot is within the tunnel on the opposite facet 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 proper afternoon nap/nurse spot, although you’ll see that a number of mother and father have the identical thought – it’s not as quiet as the opposite spot we discovered.
• The Child Care heart 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 the perfect 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 Solid Member, once I labored at Soarin’ within the Land Pavilion. I imply positive sure, there may be lots of joyful nostalgia tied to the park for me. But in addition? I LOVE journey – whats up, that’s my job now – and a complete half of Epcot is all about celebrating journey and letting you step foot into immersive miniature lands representing totally different nations. The World Showcase is sort of a mile of pure journey gasoline, and I completely like it.

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, nevertheless it’s an superior new journey so we’ll go along with it.

Anway: the park is beautiful, effectively laid out, filled 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 big and air-conditioned. There’s additionally ample seating – like Connections Cafe, which is actually an infinite Starbucks full of benches and tables – each indoors and outside.

The Child Heart is conveniently situated within the excellent heart 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 improbable aquarium. Epot makes it simple to entertain or nap a child on a sizzling Florida day!

Let’s get to the tea:

Finest points of interest and rides for infants at Epcot:

• The Seas with Nemo and Buddies: 10/10 excellent child journey 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 repeatedly. One father or mother 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 journey close by. Child A may have stayed right here taking a look at fish all day lengthy (and with the A/C, we have been joyful to remain right here too). There are tons to see in right here and it’s an excellent spot to chill off for some time. Plus, that is additionally the place you’ll discover Turtle Speak with Crush which is one in every 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 one in every of Child A’s favorites! Plenty of scenes of Mexico and upbeat music, and the tip portion is mainly simply It’s a Small World however with extra of a concentrate on Mexico. Plus, there may be just about by no means a line, and you must undergo the Mexico pavilion to get right here which is totally beautiful.
• Frozen: I believe she wasn’t a fan of the songs switching each scene, however Child A did get pleasure from this journey. She particularly cherished 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 wager Child A would have loved:

• Spaceship Earth: I completely love this journey, however we apprehensive that Child A may discover it boring because it doesn’t have a lot music. Nonetheless, we absolutely deliberate to strive it … till we realized we’d must stroll alllll the best way 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 strive in the event you enter on the large ball, although!

Rides to Skip in Epcot 

• Figment: That is undoubtedly a baby-friendly journey when it comes to the mechanics of the journey (good and sluggish, stress-free), however the journey itself was simply okay. There was lots of speaking and all of it went over her head. And admittedly, there wasn’t sufficient music to maintain her , both. This journey is extra geared towards barely older children.
• Dwelling with the Land: One other journey 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 possible get pleasure from this sluggish, stress-free journey.

Suggestions for Epcot with a child

• Make a lunch reservation at one of many eating places within the World Showcase. Decide a delicacies from the 11 nations and e book a desk for lunch! The meals right here is phenomenal – all the Cooks are professionally skilled and from their respective nations. Your servers can be from the nation you’re consuming in, too.
• Connections Cafe is a huuuge Starbucks filled with tables and benches! It’s an excellent 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 heart, 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 proper spot for a nap. (Epcot is stuffed 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 most likely get pleasure from watching large children taking part in!

Epcot Verdict: arms down the winner of Disney World’s most baby-friendly park! From the large air-conditioned pavilions to the ample seating to the centrally situated child care heart to the baby-friendly rides and points of interest, we discovered ourselves returning to Epcot repeatedly.

Animal Kingdom with an Toddler

Animal Kingdom is a improbable 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 filled with locations to see animals – plus some enjoyable rides, too.

For fogeys, there’s additionally my favourite journey, Everest, which occurs to have a single-rider line that’ll get you on nearly instantly. It’s nice to journey throughout the child’s nap! There are a number of 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 – form of like of a tropical rainforest. So we suggest 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 excellent attraction! You’ll be on a giant open-air truck driving by means of the savannah and seeing animals up shut – nearly like a zoo however with none of the enclosures. Child A LOVED Kilimanjaro and was clapping for all of the animals! This journey is greatest early within the morning when the animals are most lively and being fed, so head straight right here very first thing when you arrive. Every journey is totally different so it’s nice to journey time and again, too.
• Na’vi River Journey: A bioluminescent deal with for the eyes. All the pieces on this slow-moving river journey was completely lovely, magical, glowing, and nature-y. The music is calm. It’s a complete vibe. And I believe this was Child A’s FAVORITE journey in any of the parks. She was completely enchanted all the time and in no way scared. This journey is certainly price a Lightning Lane move.
• Pageant of the Lion King Present: Child A loved the lion king present, however misplaced curiosity throughout the slower elements and appeared overwhelmed throughout a few of the villain songs. We ended up nursing many of the present (it’s an extended present) however may simply have left as a substitute.

Rides we didn’t have time to expertise however I wager Child A would have loved:

• Wildlife Categorical Practice to Rafiki’s Planet Watch: The Wildlife Categorical Practice is a peaceable 7-minute journey – a journey 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 would most likely go proper over child’s head, however hey, there’s A/C! Whenever 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 means of the opposite animal sections. Actually, we may 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 stay road efficiency within the Africa part of the park would have been superior for her to see. They pull up large children to bop too which infants love to look at! I want we’d made it some extent to catch one in every of their present instances.
• Discovering Nemo: The Large Blue… and Past: This stay present is stuffed with large colourful music 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 taking part in 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 aren’t any large, quiet indoor locations with A/C to chill off and calm down (apart 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 below 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 situated and fairly good. It has non-public nursing rooms, which is useful in case your child is well distracted.

Animal Kingdom Verdict: This can be 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 lively early within the morning anyway.

Magic Kingdom with an Toddler 

After we have been planning our journey and searching into which Disney Park has essentially the most rides with out peak necessities, Magic Kingdom appeared like it will be the most suitable choice for us: there are TONS of rides which are acceptable for all ages! … Effectively, 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? A lot of them are so outdated that they’re simply not protected to journey with an toddler. Many of the enchantment 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:

• Below the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid: That is a darkish conveyer belt journey in a transferring clamshell. Child A LOVED the Below the Sea scene, which is brilliant and colourful and enjoyable. It helped that we’d been taking part in the music 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 journey than the rest throughout our journey – and we had a Lightning Lane move. The journey 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 music (we’d been taking part in it for her) and was REALLY excited on this journey. She completely cherished 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 journey 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 she or he was actually into most of it! Plus, it’s good and lengthy and had fantastic A/C, so we relished the chance to sit down 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 strains in Magic Kingdom are SO lengthy, we didn’t get to journey the whole lot we needed to. We want we may have ridden on Folks Mover, a slow-moving practice that lightly glides round Tomorrowland – excellent for infants! And we want we’d had an opportunity to strive Buzz Lightyear Spin since Child A loved Halfway Mania (principally).

Different rides we thought-about however finally determined to skip as a consequence of lengthy strains and Child A’s chance of having fun with them have been:

• Jungle Cruise: no music, the journey principally consists of speaking and jokes that will 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 an extended line
• Haunted Mansion: Child A shouldn’t be a fan of music in a minor key – I believe she will be able to inform it’s alleged to be spooky/scary/off – and he or she doesn’t like issues which are 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 Social gathering: Child A didn’t actually appear to get pleasure from fast-paced spinning or transferring. She’s extra into the visuals, music, and sluggish, mild rides. So we’ll wait on this one till she’s somewhat 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 using 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 not safely journey. 

If there isn’t a line, give it a whirl. In any other case, put it aside for a county truthful.

• Don’t journey Peter Pan’s Flight. 

For causes that no one fairly understands, Peter Pan is the most well-liked journey in all of Magic Kingdom with wait instances constantly topping 60 minutes. It’s a totally common journey, so my working principle is 1) nostalgia, 2) child enchantment, and three) poor journey design that didn’t account for the demand it will be experiencing 70 freaking years after being constructed.

Principally, this journey has lengthy ass strains. And Child A was not impressed – the journey is a nap 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 means of the journey with out a lap bar on our child. Which was terrifying. And very harmful.

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

However Peter Pan was inbuilt 1955, earlier than anybody thought of security rules on rides, I suppose. So regardless that your car goes manner up into the air, it simply has a lap bar, not a harness. The lap bar robotically lowers about .5 seconds earlier than you allow the sight of a Solid Member – which isn’t sufficient time to make sure everyone seems to be safely seated. There’s additionally no lap bar test (which just about each different journey within the parks has). 

So, what occurred to us? Child A was seated on the Tushbaby dealing with me after we boarded the journey. Jeremy was wiping down the lap bar with hand sanitizer and I used to be on the brink 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 below the lap bar. She was simply sitting on me, above the lap bar. 

We screamed for assist, however the journey took off so shortly that no one heard us. And, as we came upon, there aren’t any video cameras. So no Solid Members may see that Child A was squirming round making an attempt to see and pushing backward off of me with stunning energy whereas I clung to her with each arms for pricey life, understanding that if she twisted out of my arms, she would fall. (Keep in mind: it is a flying journey. 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 acquired off the journey I burst into panicked sobbing and it took fairly some time to settle down. We made an incident report with the affected person Solid Members, however apart from that there wasn’t a lot we may do. 

The incident studies go to the higher-ups, and I hope it will get escalated to whoever makes selections about upgrading rides, as a result of this journey is frankly horrifyingly unsafe. There must be an extended sufficient time period between the lap bar reducing and take-off for Solid Members to do a security test. My guess is that they’ve prevented doing it as a result of the journey already has such lengthy wait instances and that can add main time, nevertheless it’s completely mandatory. This journey is horribly old-fashioned.

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

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

That is one other older Disney journey that takes fliers up into the air … in a automobile with open sides, and nothing safer than a lap belt. A crawling, squirming child may simply and shortly decrease themselves to the ground and slip proper out the facet of the automobile. (In case your child shouldn’t be but cellular, you don’t have anything to fret about as lengthy you retain a good grip on them.)

So, yup – yet one more older Magic Kindom journey that isn’t protected for infants! I do know, I used to be shocked too. Disney is normally the highest of the road in relation to security – I imply whats up, I even have photos of myself as a Solid Member in entrance of one of many many indicators backstage that claims Secure 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 journey and Astro Orbiters, too. And Triceratop Spin in Animal Kingdom. They’re literallly simply the identical journey with totally different theming.

Extra ideas for Magic Kingdom with a child

• We ate lunch at Tony’s City Sq., which is correct by the doorway of the park. Child A likes pasta, we like pasta, we simply figured we’d have some respectable pasta. We have been NOT ready for the way shockingly good it was. I imply!!! It was AMAZING. I extremely suggest the Orecchiette With Spicy Italian Sausage and the Butcher’s Steak, which was a few of the greatest steak I’ve had in a very long time (and Child A cherished 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 a complete part in Magic Kingdom full of kid-friendly stuff (although kid-friendly doesn’t additionally imply baby-friendly). You’ll be able to choose up a practice to journey across the park right here, which is a pleasant stress-free journey in and of itself. However most significantly, there’s a splash floor. On sizzling days, a splash floor and a crawling child are a match made in heaven. However apart from that, this space is generally for older children.
• Child care heart: Magic Kingdom’s Child Care Heart is by Most important Road, which is … kinda removed from many of the park, actually. There are benches out entrance and the middle itself is actually cute and well-themed. It’s an excellent 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 a success as a result of it has essentially the most all-ages rides, nevertheless it’s crowded, the rides are somewhat 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. Price a visit for it’s a small world and a few of the exhibits, however not a lot else.  We’re wanting ahead to experiencing Magic Kingdom with Child A when she’s older.

Full Listing of Child Rides at Disney World

After we have been researching for our journey and in search of issues for infants to do at Disney World, we struggled to discover a full checklist 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 essentially the most with 10-month-old Child A in daring and put those we suggest 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 might not be a Solid Member anymore, however I nonetheless have lots of ~opinions about all issues Disney, and many ideas in your subsequent journey. Certainly one of my very robust opinions? It’s best to undoubtedly keep at a Disney World resort, even in the event you’re on a good finances! It’s SO price it.

From the $$ you’ll save on parking and a rental automobile (thanks to Disney’s airport pick-up service and large 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 price 😉

There are undoubtedly methods to attain a deal at a Disney Resort, if you recognize the place to look. Sometimes, you will discover Disney World resorts listed on resort deal websites – significantly for low season dates! We as soon as scored a keep at Port Orleans for below $150/night time. Whee! So simply in case, have a look – we noticed a BUNCH of them listed not too long ago on  Inns.com  and  Priceline ! That’s how we as soon as scored a keep at Port Orleans for below $150/night time. Whee!

The time of yr that you simply’re visiting and if you e book issues, too. Disney quietly runs deep reductions on low season bookings (normally January by means of April) round October/November, so maintain a watch out and  test their particular affords web page steadily. 

And eventually, final minute bookings can web you STEEP reductions! I’ve seen rooms hovering round $150 per night time about 3 days upfront. You’ll be able to normally rating one by means of  Priceline . My advice is to e book a good-enough resort by means of  Reserving.com  so you’ll be able to cancel it as much as the day earlier than your journey, then maintain checking  Priceline  simply in case you’ll be able to rating a last-minute room at a steep low cost.

We’re large followers of staying at on the Worth resorts, which actually provide the perfect bang in your buck. Artwork of Animation, one of many latest resorts, is a improbable place to stick with a child. There’s a big 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 the perfect: you’re seated with a pleasant view, it’s not crowded, and there’s a cool breeze. Child A cherished using on the Skyliner (and so did we!)

 This resort can be thought-about one in every of Disney’s finances choices – nevertheless it’s actually the perfect 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 (large) information useful for planning your journey to Disney World with a child! Do you’ve got questions that we may help reply? Drop us a remark under!

Psst: On the lookout 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 possibly can journey to Disney with out leaving house? We created an immersive digital Disney world tour so you’ll be able to 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 journey. Lia’s school internship. What do all of them have in frequent? Disney World, in fact! On this episode, Lia spills all of the Mad Tea on essentially the most magical place on Earth, plus insider ideas from her time as a Solid Member. We additionally clarify our tried & examined Disney Technique (aka STRAT), as a result of ready in lengthy strains for rides is a few Bippity-Boppity-BS.

Hear above or simply click on right here to launch your Podcast app! Oh, and don’t overlook to subscribe so that you don’t miss new episodes.

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