How to Know if Your Baby is Too Young for Disney
Congratulations! As new parents, you’re constantly learning how to survive on little sleep and how to carefully tiptoe out of a nursery when your babe finally admitted defeat to sleep. The hardest part of it all though? Wondering how in the world you can love someone so instantly and unconditionally. While the knowledge curve might be a steep one, the wonders and experiences you’re bursting at the seams to share with your child is just as intense. Since you and your partner are already Disney’s greatest fans, the temptation to take your newborn to Walt Disney World ASAP is strenuous, but how do you know when they’re simply too young? After all, since you are lucky to spend the rest of your life with this new kiddo of yours, is rushing to the most magical place on Earth a waste of money – or a fun adventure?
While the choice is ultimately up to you and your partner to navigate together, there are a few important factors to consider as you research your trip. From the amenities that Disney offers to parents to access to breastfeeding facilities and other need-to-know facts, here’s how to make the best choice for your family.
Disney’s Baby Care Center
Though you and your partner might have a few decades on your not-speaking-yet baby, the target audience for Disney is definitely your youngster. Generations of children have grown up being mesmerized by the imaginative modern and classic creations, and your babe will be no exception. Disney knows this and that’s why they’ve catered every park to benefit families. From Walt Disney World to Disneyland, Baby Care Centers are designed to make the act of traveling with and caring for your babe easier. Here, you can find private nursing rooms with rocking chairs, a unisex bathroom with changing tables, feeding areas with high chairs, a kitchen with a microwave, oven and sink, a main room with a television, table, chairs and sofa, and an on-site store that has formula, diapers, wipes, sunscreen and more. Best of all, access to these centers are complementary to use.
Disney Parks Moms Channel
There’s no better voice of reason than that of a fellow parent who has been-there-done-that. That’s why Disney offers the ‘Disney Parks Moms Channel’ where you can search for threads about commonly-asked questions, pose your own or connect with other parents who have made the journey to Disney with a baby or are considering it as well. Free to register and supremely helpful, you can browse here to get started.
Renting a Stroller
For a tot so tiny, they sure come with a lot of necessary stuff. Instead of checking a stroller planeside, Disney does offer stroller rentals. This can save you on airline costs and remove any hassle of lugging around cumbersome gear. It also makes sticking to a nap time and a feeding schedule a bit easier, since baby will have a safe, cool place to rest from all the excitement.
Be Prepared For Change
If you do decide to take your babe, your vacation will be drastically different from ones of years past. How so? You and your partner-in-parenting will have to take turns when you want to take a whirl on a ride. And baby doesn’t know you’re at a nice resort when it’s bedtime. Those dinners you want to have? You’ll still have your kiddo along, who cries, no matter where he or she is. Character meetings? Definitely fun, but they might scare your infant if they’re not used to funny faces. Forget a simple backpack, baby will need diapers, wipes, a change of clothes and many other necessities. The sooner you adopt the change-is-good mentality, the smoother your vacation will go.
Ask If Memory Matters
And by memory, we mean your baby’s – because no matter when you venture to Walt Disney as a new parent, you’ll never forget the trip. Unfortunately though, many children won’t have memories of seeing the sights before they reach those late toddler years. Even so, since we know you’ll take countless photos, you can detail their initial visit to Disney when they’re old enough to comprehend.
Request a Mom Travel Agent
Our friends over at MickeyTravels are not only highly-trained and knowledgeable about all-things-Disney, but some are mothers, too. To ease your worries and hear the straight-talk from a parent, you can request an agent who specializes in families and has one themselves. That way, any candid or uncomfortable question you might have can be answered in a professional and friendly way.