The Best of Walt Disney World for Babies
Welcome to Part 1 of my new blog series – The Best of Walt Disney World! Over the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing with you the top picks in attractions for various groups of travelers visiting the Walt Disney World theme parks.
How is this going to help me with my planning, you ask? Great question! Here’s how…Maybe you’ve always traveled to “the most magical place on earth” as a couple and now you’ll be taking your new baby, maybe this time grandma and grandpa will be joining you, or maybe this is your very first visit. No matter who you’re traveling with, I’ve got you covered with The Best of Walt Disney World series! And here’s how it will work…In each post, I’ll give you a rundown of the must do’s from each park along with some key information about that particular attraction and a link in case you are looking for even more in-depth details.
Now that we’ve gotten all of the basics out of the way, let’s begin Part 1 of The Best of Walt Disney World with the tiniest of travelers – babies!
So if this is your first time taking a baby with you to Walt Disney World, you may have heard people say there is no reason to bring them. They won’t be able to ride anything! Let me reassure you that is simply not the case. There are plenty of things for baby to experience at Walt Disney World. In fact, as long as there isn’t a height restriction, your little one is permitted to ride. My youngest son has been enjoying a wide variety of attractions and shows at the parks since he was just six months old. Please read on for a full list of The Best of Walt Disney World for babies!
The Best of Magic Kingdom for Babies
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Location: Tomorrowland
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Spinning, Dark, Slow
Climb aboard and take aim as you help Buzz Lightyear save the universe from the evil Emperor Zurg. Ride along on this slow-moving ride where you control the spinning as you shoot your laser and score points. Lots of bright colors and fun sounds are sure to entertain baby! More Details
Country Bear Jamboree
Location: Frontierland
Fastpass+: No
Thrill: Entertainment
Clap your hands and stomp your feet along with these lovable Audio-Animatronic bears as they sing humorous, old-fashioned country songs. A true Disney classic that is sure to make babies smile! More Details
Dumbo The Flying Elephant
Location: Fantasyland
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Spinning, Slow
A Disney classic and a rite of passage for every child. Soar high over Fantasyland in your own Dumbo The Flying Elephant. You control the height with a lever inside your gondola. This attraction offers a unique circus-themed play area for little ones to enjoy while waiting their turn to ride. More Details
“it’s a small world”
Location: Fantasyland
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow
Sail away on this joyful cruise past child-like dolls wearing their nation’s authentic clothing while singing one of the most well-known songs of all time. This attraction is a perfect first ride for babies! More Details
Peter Pan’s Flight
Location: Fantasyland
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Small Drops, Slow, Dark
A true Disney classic. Climb aboard a magical pirate ship and fly high over London with Peter Pan on your way to Never Land. Unique to this attraction, your pirate ship is suspended in the air from a guide rail to allow for a more authentic flying sensation. The ride is not particularly high, but you will want to hold on tight to your little one. More Details
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Location: Fantasyland
Fastpass+: No
Thrill: Spinning, Slow
A traditional merry-go-round made even better with that special Disney touch; especially beautiful at night. What baby doesn’t love a horsey ride? More Details
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Location: Adventureland
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Spinning, Slow
Take a ride on a high-flying magic carpet where you control the height and tilt. Be sure to watch out for those spitting camels or you and baby might get wet! More Details
The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh
Location: Fantasyland
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Small Drops, Slow, Dark
Take an adorable and colorful ride in a “hunny” pot through Hundred Acre Wood where you can watch the antics of Winnie the Pooh and his friends Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo. More Details
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Location: Tomorrowland
Fastpass+: No
Thrill: Slow, Dark
Take a relaxing ride on this smooth tram of the future that provides fantastic views of Tomorrowland and Cinderella Castle; especially beautiful at night. Keep in mind there are a couple of completely dark moments on this attraction, but nothing scary. Some little ones find this a perfect place to catch a quick nap! More Details
Under The Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
Location: Fantasyland
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
Climb aboard your own giant clam shell as you journey under the seas with Ariel and the gang. Brimming with colorful scenery and treasured music, this attraction is sure to be a hit with your little one. Keep in mind a large Ursula character does make an appearance. More Details
Walt Disney World Railroad
Location: Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, Fantasyland
Fastpass+: No
Thrill: Slow
Enjoy beautiful views while riding the rails on a vintage steam-powered train during a 1.5 mile full loop around Magic Kingdom. Another great place for little ones to catch some Z’s! More Details
The Best of Epcot for Babies
Frozen Ever After
Location: World Showcase Norway Pavilion
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
Set sail on an adventure through the fictional land of Arendelle complete with your favorite Frozen characters and songs from the animated blockbuster hit. More Details
Gran Fiesta Tour
Location: World Showcase Mexico Pavilion
Fastpass+: No
Thrill: Slow, Dark
Float along on this relaxing and colorful cruise while enjoying the sights of Mexico with Donald Duck, Jose, and Panchito—the Three Caballeros. This attraction is reminiscent of “it’s a small world” and is sure to be a hit with your little one! More Details
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Location: Future World West
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
Follow the adorable purple dragon Figment through a tour of the sensory labs. Keep in mind there is a faint skunk smell, some darkness and loud noises, plus a very powerful blast of air near the end of the attraction that could potentially disturb tiny travelers. More Details
Living with the Land
Location: Future World West
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
Hop aboard this relaxing boat ride to learn about food production and tour several greenhouses and a fish farm that actually provide food to The Land Pavilion. More Details
Spaceship Earth
Location: Future World
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
Travel through time to relive the story of communication from the beginning of recorded history until today. Keep in mind there are a few dark moments in this attraction, but nothing scary or wild. More Details
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Location: Future World West
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Dark
Take a ride in a clam-mobile as you explore the ocean looking for Nemo with your favorite characters from Finding Nemo. Keep in mind the sharks make an appearance. More Details
Turtle Talk with Crush
Location: Future World West
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
Adults and kids alike will be entranced by this interactive marvel where young dudes and dudettes can have a hilarious improvised conversation with the sweetest turtle around, Crush. More Details
The Best of Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Babies
Beauty and the Beast – Live On Stage
Location: Sunset Boulevard
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
Watch this enchanting retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast filled with delightful music and dancing that even the tiniest of guests are sure to enjoy! More Details
Disney Junior – Live on Stage
Location: Animation Courtyard
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
Little ones can share in the fun with some of their favorite Disney Junior Characters from Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, and Jake and the Never Land Pirates in this lively musical show. More Details
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Location: Echo Lake
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
A retelling of Frozen by the royal historians of Arendelle complete with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, songs, stories, sing-alongs, and even snow. Babies will be enchanted by the music and special effects. More Details
Muppet*Vision 3D
Location: Streets of America
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
Join the Muppets for this delightful and hilarious 3D feature filled with fun and surprises sure to be a hit with the entire family. More Details
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Location: Pixar Place
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Spinning
Climb aboard and try your hand at simulated 3D midway games with the Toy Story gang. Lots of colors, sounds, and friendly characters to keep baby entertained. More Details
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Location: Animation Courtyard
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
Watch this captivating show filled with vibrant puppets, special effects, live performers and musical favorites from The Little Mermaid. Keep in mind a larger-than-life Ursula makes an appearance. More Details
The Best of Disney’s Animal Kingdom for Babies
Festival of the Lion King
Location: Africa
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
This 30-minute extravaganza combines puppetry, acrobatics, and music to tell the moving story of The Lion King. Full size characters and audience participation should be a hit with little ones. More Details
Finding Nemo – The Musical
Location: Dinoland U.S.A.
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Entertainment
This Broadway-caliber production is an impressive combination of music, puppets, lighting, colors, and special effects that together tell the story of Nemo. When taking babies, keep in mind that the show is long with a running time of 35 minutes. More Details
Flights of Wonder
Location: Asia
Fastpass+: No
Thrill: Entertainment
A trainer demonstrates the incredible talents of several exotic birds. Keep in mind that some of these fine-feathered friends swoop into the audience. More Details
Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
Location: Africa
Fastpass+: No
Thrill: Experience
A tranquil pathway where you observe animals such as gorillas and meerkat. More Details
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Location: Africa
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Slow, Bumpy
The park’s best-known attraction, and it will not disappoint. Climb aboard an open-air safari vehicle for an 18-minute journey through the savanna where you can spot exotic creatures like hippos, elephants, giraffes, and lions in gorgeous natural settings. These animals are the real deal; no Audio-Animatronics here. More Details
Maharaja Jungle Trek
Location: Asia
Fastpass+: No
Thrill: Experience
A self-guided pathway where you can observe several animals such as tigers, deer, foxes, and birds. More Details
Na’vi River Journey
Location: Pandora – The World of Avatar
Fastpass+: Yes
Thrill: Dark, Slow
Enjoy a gentle, dark boat ride along a mysterious river through the rainforest of Pandora. The soothing music and bioluminescent glowing plants will surely enchant your little one. More Details
TriceraTop Spin
Location: Dinoland U.S.A.
Fastpass+: No
Thrill: Spinning, Slow
Take a spin on a flying dinosaur where you control the height and tilt with levers inside your own Triceratops. Reminiscent of Dumbo The Flying Elephant; little ones love this attraction. More Details
Wildlife Express Train
Location: Africa
Fastpass+: No
Thrill: Slow
Climb aboard the train for a relaxing 1.2 mile one-way ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. More Details
Well, there you have it folks. I hope you’ve enjoyed Part 1 of The Best of Walt Disney World series. Look for Part 2 – The Best of Walt Disney World for Preschoolers coming soon!
Have you traveled to Walt Disney World with a baby? Do you agree with this list? Have any additions or subtractions? Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!
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I’m not sure about the other parks, but the Magic Kingdom has a very comfortable baby care center that allows space to feed, change diapers, heat bottles, and all the other wonders of parenting a baby. It is located between Casey’s Corner and The Crystal Palace on the left side of Main Street.
Brian – That’s a great tip for travelers with babies! All four parks have full baby care centers which are a perfect place to take a break with your little one. 🙂
I think it’s less about finding things for them to do and more about the kind of experience they will have. I tell people they shouldn’t take their children to Disney World until they are old enough to actually remember it. Otherwise you are not doing it for them but for yourself. Usually that is somewhere in the 4-6 y/o range. Also, the longer you can wait, the better time you all will have as your child will be able to mostly get around under their own power, have fewer behavioral issues, probably not be scared of the characters anymore and really be able to enjoy the experience. I’m not saying you shouldn’t take your baby to WDW but I advise people who I know that it is better to wait until they are older.
Hi Steve. Although I tend to agree with you on several points, in some cases, bringing a baby is necessary for the family! In our family, we have teens, tweens, and a toddler too. Saying it’s for the parents negates the fact that there is so much joy to be found in WDW for a baby/toddler! It boils down to making wise choices and making sure rest/schedules are a priority. I am planning a trip to WDW 12/2016, and I am trying to plan activities to accommodate everyone (2 y/o included!). I found this article very helpful and encouraging. Also, we have all seen children 4-6 y/o melting down into puddles of tantrums at WDW…UGH. I usually blame the parents..
One general baby comment- we had tentatively booked a trip for last month with our 13 month-old, who is crawling but not yet walking, and ended up canceling, as it would have been far too stressful. On a typical outing, she’ll be content in her stroller for maybe 20 minutes, and then she wants out! Unfortunately, there aren’t many crawler-friendly spaces at WDW (at least to my knowledge?). I can’t imagine waiting on lines, etc. with a squirmy and frustrated baby. Although I suppose every baby is different. . .
My brother took his 12 month old this past year. She had just learned to walk the week before, and that was all she was interested in doing all week. They did a lot of parent swap, and took the baby in stores with stuffed animals and had her walk along dumping them all on them all on the floor as Mom and Dad followed along putting them all back on the shelf.
We took our 12 month old and she had been walking about a month. She decided early on in the trip that the stroller was a torture device. She didn’t necessarily want to walk all the time but she didn’t want to be in the stroller.
We had a trip with a 14 month old who’d been walking for a couple weeks. I think it really enhanced his experience to be walking and I’m happy it happened in time. It allowed him to play at the play areas which he seemed to enjoy. We would have gone either way though, because we had other children who were at good ages.
It’s also important to know that rider-swap is NOT available for rides that don’t have a height restriction.
I don’t think Toy Story Midway Mania is a good ride for a very young baby…I still regret taking my 4-month old on it, not realizing/remembering just how much you get jostled around. I was afraid he was going to wiggle his way out of the car on those really sharp turns. But, he’s 3 1/2 now, and such a daredevil, so maybe it was good for him. 😉
One tip for the “dark” rides- we kept our cell phone handy on the dark rides and when our 15 month old got scared we distracted her with the lights on the phone until we were out of the dark- that stopped her from getting upset and then she could refocus on the ride when the happier lighter moments came back!
Note about the Safaris – those with very small babies may not want to ride. The ride can be extremely bumpy causing issues with babies who aren’t holding their head up well yet. Also, while there are cool animals on the ride, small babies are supposed to be in the middle of the seat and may have a hard time seeing anything well. I regretted taking my one-year-old, as she saw almost nothing, got scared from the bumps and I had to hold a squirming uninterested baby tightly the whole ride. YMMV…
I used the safari as an opportunity to breastfeed on two trips. I didn’t have any trouble with the bumpiness, but I can see the hesitation if it’s a newborn and not a slightly older baby. We also used our baby bjorn a lot on rides. It felt a lot safer, especially on things like Dumbo and Peter Pan.
There should be a list of “best places to breastfeed!” I think I found them all on one of our trips. 🙂
Hi Felicia – I used my Baby Bjorn a lot too when my youngest son was about 6 months old. It worked wonderfully on the attractions! Lately, I’ve heard a few moms mention that they were asked to turn their baby around to face forward on a few attractions including The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. That never happened to me; did you experience that anywhere?
No, that’s really weird. It’s been a few years since I had a baby, and we were always using the bjorn facing forward because they were older and liked being able to look around. But that strikes me as a strange request. Has anyone reported being told a reason?
I thought that was an unusual request as well. No one mentioned being a given a reason. I had my little guy facing forward most of the time, too. I couldn’t have survived those trips without the Baby Bjorn! 🙂