Best rides for babies at Disney World?

[MumToBe88]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for all your advice about flying next once we've got a new addition. It's been so helpful and really put my mind at rest.

I was just wondering..

As we're going to America we'll most definitely be going to Disney World. Has anyone been with a really young baby (mine will be 6 months)? What are the best rides to take them on?

Thanks very much,

Emma xx

[Keef]

To be honest, I'm not sure I'd take a 6 month old on any rides, even the small ones are for toddlers.

[happydulwich]

Hi Emma,

I have been to Disney a few times, the best ride for my six month was the small world boat ride, you can buy from Mothercare a wind up toy that plays the small world tune which you could play to your baby before and after your trip.

Good luck and have a great time, we love Disney!

[candj]

I'd agree with Keef and say that 6 months is a bit young. The youngest we took ours to Disneyland was 12-14ish months on the Dumbo ride, train that goes around the entire park, It's a Small World and that was pretty much it. Many of the rides will have a height minimum and a young baby may not be allowed. You might want to check the Disney website or ring. Hope that helps.

[BB100]

I took my 6 month old to Disney on a 5 night trip! (and yes it was to Florida and it was no problem).

We got a couple of 'Disney bibles' from WHSmith which tell you which rides are suitable for what age so you can plan ahead. They also say which rides are slow or fast loading so you are not queuing too long. For example, the Dumbo ride is very slow loading and will take 3 hours with what looks like a short queue but a long queue at Small World can mean just a 5 minute wait.

You can do all the parks with a baby as the staff can do 'baby switches' for you. You line up as a family and you stand to one side and hold the baby whilst the others ride and then you can ride immediately afterwards. Usually they will let any other children ride a second time with you without queuing again.

At Epcot, the ride in the giant golf ball is so gentle my son fell asleep. At Magic Kingdom babies can ride on most rides but some are noisy and can upset a very sensitive child but was fine for mine so the books are worth getting to check beforehand so you know what is involved. At Animal Kingdom there are lots of shows and the animal safari. The only show that was a problem was 'It's A Bugs Life' as everyone screaming upset him and we couldn't get out in the dark. Also he has a fear of people dressed up in costumes and there are lots of those so we just avoided them but can be a delight for babies who like them.

The books also tell you where all the baby changing places are in the parks and have recommended plans for families with babies.

We also prebooked meals in the park months before we got there. The books will tell you how and will tell you lots of secrets. For example if you book at a particular restaurant at MGM Studios you get a special fastpass ticket to the Fantasia show with no queuing. There is also a restaurant that spins around slowly.

The only problem was the time difference as my son thought it was time to get up at 4 in the morning. However we were always at the park gate when it opened and so beat the queues. We have been again since then and have done more or less every ride in every park as the parks were almost empty when we went so if you have any more questions I might be able to answer them for you. I hope you have a good time.

Oh, and buy some Crocs for all the walking you will have to do. Your feet won't get sores or rubbing - they are standard footwear for visitors at Disney but make sure you get real branded Crocs for them to save your feet.

[jac428]

We went to Walt Disney World for the first time when our twins were 5 months old. They won't remember but we had a great time. I would highly recommend taking a baby carrier as well as a pram as you can't take a pram in most queues and restaurants. You will also have to collapse the pram to take the trolley if you are driving and need the transport to/from the car park. The Animal Kingdom & Epcot parks are the best for babies. The shows are great and there are some slow rides. You can make reservations in advance at the restaurants or bring your own food in.

For Magic Kingdom, I second the above recommendations for Its a small world - we went on it multiple times. Dumbo & Peter Pan are also really good.

Don't forget to get your Fastpass (they have this for Peter Pan) which saves you from standing in line for the most popular rides. You can only get one at a time and have to wait until your time slot ends before getting another one so get it first thing and then get another one when it runs out.

As mentioned above, take advantage of the the "baby swap" (which is really an "adult swap".) First, parents and kid(s) all line-up together; Parent A rides first with any older kids, while Parent B stays to one side with baby or under-height kids; once the ride is over, the parents change places, and again one parent rides while the other one waits.

There is also a single rider queue on some rides which works great as it normally moves very fast.

Have a great time!

[MumToBe88]

Thanks so much everyone! I know 6 months is young but we booked the trip before we knew there was going to be three of us and I just don't think I could leave himn/her for 2 weeks.

I've heard a lot about it's a small world and the safari so they're definitely on the list now! I found a couple of websites on my search last week too, the dibb and FloridaBaby which were really helpful with rides and travel and packing etc so I feel all Florida clued up and smug now hehe!

I wish we were there now though and away from all this snow!! How is everyone getting on being snowed in?