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Should You Go to Disneyland with a Baby?

Should You Go to Disneyland with a Baby?

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New parents might not think about going to Disneyland with a baby because they wonder what Disneyland rides can babies go on. We’ve done it and have the full scoop! Keep scrolling to find out what to do with babies at Disneyland!
This post about Disneyland with a baby was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

Is there anything cuter than a baby all dressed up for a day at Disneyland? I don’t think so!

We visited Disneyland with a baby and it was SUCH a fun Disneyland trip for our family! In fact, we’ve done both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

Keep scrolling to find out why you might want to pack your baby wipes and grab your stroller to head to Disneyland for your next trip!

Don’t have time to read a bunch of Disneyland blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Disneyland with kids.

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Disneyland with a Baby

When people heard that we were bringing our 8-month-old to Disneyland, I got a lot of comments about how he’s too little to remember and that it was a waste of money.

They’d say, “Who goes to Disneyland with babies?”  I then would respond that we took him to Disneyland Paris at 6 months old and we all had a great time.

Is Disneyland for babies? Well, not really. But, I think Disneyland with a baby can be a fantastic family vacation. 

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If you have traveled with your baby before, you may have felt like everyone was staring at you. We’ve traveled to places where we felt like the worst parents ever for daring to bring our baby.

We’ve gotten snide comments, undesirable hotel rooms, and a general feeling of being unwanted.

A Disneyland vacation alleviates all of these previously mentioned experiences.

Disneyland with a baby can be one of your favorite Disney family vacation
I was surprised how much my 8-month-old baby enjoyed meeting characters like Minnie Mouse! Photo credit: Darren Cheung

Nowhere else will you find a hotel staffer delighted to meet your baby. Or find a waiter who will happily find a good spot for your stroller, at every restaurant you visit.

Or chat with other new parents multiple times an hour about how much fun you are having.

You will finally be able to let go of that nagging feeling that you are disrupting other peoples’ vacations.

13 Reasons Why Disneyland with a Baby is a Good Idea

1. Are Babies Free at Disneyland? You Bet!

That’s right. Children ages 0-3 get free admission to Disneyland. Plus, they get free food at Disneyland restaurants.

We’ve taken advantage of this when visiting Disneyland with toddlers, too.

Our family had so much fun at Disneyland with a baby and took advantage of the Disneyland Baby Care Center
I was just playing with my baby on the bench and my husband insisted on taking our photo because our baby looked so happy! Photo credit: Darren Cheung

That means you save money at Disneyland. And saving money on Disneyland tickets is always a good idea!

2. Rider Switch Pass

The Rider Switch Pass (aka Stroller Pass or Rider Swap) will be your best friend. No seriously, it’s amazing.

You can still go on adult rides at Disneyland with a baby. And siblings will love getting to go on their Disneyland rides for toddlers and older children twice with no wait time!

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3. Babies are Portable

When kids get older, you have to deal with full-on meltdowns, begging for treats, and having to physically carry exhausted children at the end of the night. I have seen this all over Disneyland with children.

I recommend babywearing when exploring Disneyland with a baby
Bringing our Tula baby carrier made Disneyland with a baby so much easier! Plus, we got lots of baby snuggles in the Happiest Place on Earth! Photo credit: Darren Cheung

But with babies, you can pop them in your favorite baby carrier or stroller and you’re good to go. They will probably even take a baby nap while you cruise around the park.

So, if you’re going to Disneyland with a 1-year-old, make sure to bring along a carrier to save your arms a bit!

4. Disneyland is Stroller-Friendly

The entire park is paved with wide paths perfect for strollers. I’ve seen kids up to age 8 riding in a stroller at Disneyland.

Image of a line of red strollers at Disneyland
These are the strollers you can rent at Disneyland. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

In fact, there are designated stroller parking lots. Disneyland is set up to be extremely stroller-friendly.

And so are their restaurants. We’ve been able to store our own stroller at the front of sit-down restaurants. And we’ve had no problem wheeling our stroller around fast dining areas.

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5. They Can Wear Costumes

That’s actually a big selling point for me! I’m the mom who dresses my kids up to fit the theme of our trips.

Had it been cooler weather, my baby would have been sporting one of his Disney costumes! Instead, he wore multiple Disney baby onesies or rompers ensembles each day.

Fun fact: Children up to the age of 14 years old can wear a costume at Disneyland.

6. Disney Customer Service

The level of quality customer service we receive from cast members is unparalleled. Each cast member we encountered interacted with our baby at Disneyland in the sweetest ways possible!

So many cool Disney photo ops at Disneyland with a baby
A Disney cast member was kind enough to lower his balloon bouquet so we could get this fun photo at Disneyland with a baby! Photo credit: Darren Cheung

And they made our lives easier.

Whether it was immediately bringing food so our kids could start snacking at restaurants or distracting them while we paid a bill, Disney cast members are amazing.

7. Silhouettes at Disneyland

Silhouettes are my favorite souvenirs. Yes, you could get one of yourself (which would also be cool) but getting one of your baby is just the cutest!

Whether you are going to Disneyland with a 6-month-old or a 16-year-old, these are always a hit.

Plus, you can add other family members or Disney characters to the silhouette.

We plan to get one every few years to commemorate the kids growing up. The shop is located on Mainstreet, U.S.A.

8. Disneyland Baby Care Centers

Looking for a quiet place with air conditioning at Disneyland to nurse your baby? Forget to bring baby food? Lost a binky? Need baby medicine? Ran out of diapers or wipes at Disneyland?

Image of a baby care center at Disney California Adventure Park
Here’s the Baby Care Center at Disney California Adventure. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

Thankfully, the Disneyland Baby Care Center has you covered! There’s one located at Disneyland and another at Disney California Adventure.

I got a lot of use out of the nursing room when visiting Disneyland with a baby.

These are perfect resources for traveling to Disneyland with a newborn, toddler, or preschooler. And if you can’t find it, just as ask cast member where the nearest baby care center is located.

9. Professional Photos

We’ve had great luck with Disney PhotoPass Service photographers.

They are stationed throughout Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park and will take photos with their cameras or your camera or phone.

So, dress your baby up and get some good shots of your baby at Disneyland without having to do it yourself.

And if you’re really prepared, you could do first birthday photos at Disneyland or Disney Christmas card photos!

We’ve also hired a photographer at Disneyland to get lots of amazing family photos!

10. Disneyland Rides for Babies

Are you wondering what the best Disneyland rides for infants and babies might be? You might be surprised that babies can go on almost every ride at Disneyland.

So, what rides can babies go on at Disneyland?

My 8-month-old’s favorite rides included: “it’s a small world,” Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Jungle Cruise, and just about everything in Fantasyland. He was also surprisingly unfazed by Pirates of the Caribbean!

Disneyland rides for babies include "it's a small world," Casey Jr. Train, and anything in Fantasyland.
Babywearing makes it so easy to enjoy Disneyland rides for babies. Photo credit: Darren Cheung

Here’s the full list of all the family-friendly rides that babies can do at Disneyland

  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Astro Orbitor
  • Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
  • Casey Jr. Circus Train
  • Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
  • Disneyland Monorail
  • Disneyland Railroad
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
  • Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition
  • Golden Zephyr
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Jessie’s Critter Carousel
  • Jungle Cruise
  • King Arthur Carrousel
  • The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
  • Mad Tea Party
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Mark Twain Riverboat
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Monster’s Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue
  • Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pinocchio’s Daring Adventure
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Pixar Pal-A-Round
  • Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
  • Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
  • Sailing Ship Columbia
  • Silly Symphony Swings
  • Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
  • Storybook Land Canal Boats
  • Toy Story Midway Mania
  • Turtle Talk with Crush
  • Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
  • WEB-SLINGER: A Spider-Man Adventure

Here are all the rides that babies CANNOT go on (but you can use rider switch)

  • Autopia
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Gadget’s Go Coaster
  • Goofy’s Sky School
  • Grizzly Run River
  • Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
  • Jumpin’ Jellyfish
  • Incredicoaster
  • Indiana Jones™ Adventure
  • Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
  • Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Space Mountain
  • Splash Mountain
  • Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

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    11. Toontown

    One of the newest re-imagined areas at Disneyland is Toontown. It just re-opened in March 2023 and it’s one of the best places at Disneyland with a baby.

    Image of a grassy area at Disneyland Toontown
    This is a great place for baby naps or to rest. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

    There are a lot of grassy areas for your baby to get out of the stroller and move around. There are also some cool play areas that are great for babies and young toddlers.

    I think my favorite spot is the shady/quiet area near Chip & Dale’s Gadget Go Coaster where families can rest and get a break from the overstimulation and loud noises.

    12. First Aid Station Available

    I know how stressful it can be to travel with a baby. So, there’s peace of mind knowing that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park each have first aid stations just in case your baby gets injured or needs medical attention.

    Between the Disney Baby Care Centers and the first aid stations, you should be set!

    13. Mickey Mouse!

    I know this sounds cliche, but there’s something truly magical about meeting Mickey Mouse! Each Mickey Mouse we met was both gentle and animated when greeting our baby at Disneyland.

    Because of this, my baby was calm and intrigued. And when we visited Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa a year later, he was THRILLED to meet Mickey Mouse again. I think it’s because he had such a lovely experience as a baby.

    Disneyland Packing List: Baby Essentials

    When visiting Disneyland with a baby, it’s essential to pack everything you need to keep your little one comfortable, happy, and safe. Here’s a list of items to consider packing for your visit:

    Diapers and Wipes

    Bring enough diapers and wipes for the day, plus a few extra just in case. I like to keep them in a separate bag so I can just pull them out instead of bringing my full diaper bag into the restroom.

    Changing Pad

    A portable changing pad can be helpful for quick diaper changes in various locations. This is my all-time favorite changing pad.

    Baby Food and Snacks

    Pack baby food, formula, breast milk, or age-appropriate snacks to keep your baby fed and satisfied throughout the day.

    Bottles and Sippy Cups

    Bring enough bottles or sippy cups to last you all day without washing. I usually stick the dirty ones in a gallon freezer bag and wash them in the hotel room each night with hot water and soap.

    Bibs and Burp Cloths

    These can help keep your baby clean during meal times and protect your clothes.

    Spare Clothes

    Pack an extra set of clothes for your baby in case of spills, accidents, or changing weather conditions. You’ll never regret this choice!

    Blanket

    A lightweight blanket can provide extra warmth, shade, or a clean surface for your baby to sit or lie on.

    Stroller or Baby Carrier

    A stroller or baby carrier can help you navigate the park more comfortably and allow your baby to rest when needed. This is my all-time favorite baby carrier for Disneyland.

    Sun Protection

    Bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses to protect your baby from the sun. This is hands-down my favorite sunscreen for babies.

    Noise-canceling Headphones

    These can help protect your baby’s ears from loud noises during parades, fireworks, or attractions. It’s also great if you have a sleeping baby.

    Toys and Comfort Items

    Bring a few small toys or comfort items, like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal, to keep your baby entertained and comforted throughout the day.

    First Aid Kit

    Pack a small first aid kit with essentials like band-aids, pain relievers, and any necessary baby medications. This can save you a stop at the first aid station.

    Hand Sanitizer and Sanitizing Wipes

    These can help keep your hands and surfaces clean, especially during meal times or after using public facilities.

    Ziplock Bags or Wet Bags

    These can be useful for storing dirty clothes, diapers, or wet items. It’s always smart to throw a few extra in your diaper bag.

    Water and Snacks for Parents

    Stay hydrated and energized with water and healthy snacks, as taking care of a baby at Disneyland can be a long day.

    Remember to pack everything in a comfortable, easily accessible bag, like a backpack or a diaper bag with multiple compartments. This will make it easier to locate items when you need them quickly.

    Image of a mom and baby inside Mickey Mouse's House
    Just hanging out in Minnie’s House in Toontown! Photo credit: Darren Cheung

    Trip to Disneyland with a Baby FAQs

    What age is appropriate for taking a baby to Disneyland?

    Babies can visit Disneyland at any age, but most parents prefer to wait until their baby is at least 6 months old, as they can better handle the stimulation, noise, and weather conditions.

    Are there baby-friendly attractions and rides?

    Yes, many attractions at Disneyland are suitable for babies, including “it’s a small world,” Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Storybook Land Canal Boats, and Peter Pan’s Flight. Look for rides with no height requirements, which are generally baby-friendly.

    Are there baby care centers in Disneyland?

    Yes, Disneyland offers baby care centers where parents can find changing tables, nursing rooms, microwaves, and high chairs. These centers provide a comfortable space for parents to care for their baby’s needs.

    Can I bring a stroller to Disneyland?

    Absolutely! Strollers are allowed, and you can either bring your own or rent one at the park. Make sure your stroller meets Disneyland’s size requirements (31″ wide by 52″ long) and remember to park it in designated stroller parking areas.

    Can I use a baby carrier in Disneyland?

    Yes, baby carriers are allowed, and many parents find them convenient for navigating the park, especially in crowded areas or while waiting in line.

    Are there any special services for parents with babies?

    Disneyland offers Rider Switch, which allows one parent to wait with a baby while the other parent enjoys a ride, and then switch without having to wait in line again.

    Can I bring baby food and supplies into the park?

    Yes, you can bring baby food, formula, and snacks into Disneyland, as well as diapers and other essentials. Glass containers are allowed, but only for baby food. Be sure to pack everything in a compact bag for convenience.

    What is the best time to visit Disneyland with a baby?

    Visiting during weekdays and off-peak seasons is generally recommended to avoid large crowds and long wait times. However, it’s crucial to consider your baby’s schedule and needs when planning your visit.

    How can I help my baby cope with the noise and stimulation?

    Bring noise-canceling headphones or earplugs for your baby to help minimize noise, and consider taking breaks in quieter areas or at the baby care centers to give your little one a chance to rest.

    Is there a place to store baby gear while in the park?

    Disneyland offers locker rentals where you can store your belongings, including baby gear, for a fee. This can be a convenient option to avoid carrying too much while exploring the park.

    How to Visit Disneyland with a Baby Wrap Up

    Have I convinced you to take a Disney trip yet? Can you picture yourself enjoying Disneyland with a baby?

    Whether you bring your stroller or just the baby carrier, you’ll be all set to explore Disney Parks at your own pace with your baby.

    If you think Disneyland might be your next family trip, check out these related blog posts to help you plan your ultimate vacation to Disneyland with a baby!

    Looking for more Disneyland Parks travel resources? Find out what I pack in my diaper bag for Disneyland with a baby, Disneyland toddler tips, 10 Good-Value Hotels Near Disneyland with Free Breakfast, how to prep a toddler for Disneyland, and the best Disneyland hotels!

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    Amy Rebecca Krigsman

    Thursday 14th of September 2017

    My parents took me to Walt Disney World when I was very young. Somehow it never turned out this well for them. Haha. After the first time or two, they waited a few years until I was a little older and better able to enjoy it. Or rather until I was old enough for them to enjoy it without me pitching a fit.

    marciecheung

    Thursday 14th of September 2017

    Hahaha! At least they took you back!

    Manjulika Pramod

    Monday 11th of September 2017

    This was cute and convincing. Loved your reasoning. I think I will pass on this to my friend who has a kid and is looking for a great vacation.

    marciecheung

    Tuesday 12th of September 2017

    A Disneyland vacation is always a good idea :)

    Jen

    Sunday 10th of September 2017

    I didn’t know that there were judgments to parents who bring babies, that’s devastating! :( I’m glad you found a destination where your worries are not applicable. Love reading this list of reasons especially the parts where they are free and can wear costumes (too cute)! It’s also amazing for Disneyland to provide Baby Care Centers and excellent customer service.

    marciecheung

    Tuesday 12th of September 2017

    Unfortunately, if you travel with small children, you will get a lot of judgemental looks and snide comments. It's par for the course. That's why it's so amazing to do a Disney vacation where littles are embraced and appreciated!

    Bee

    Sunday 10th of September 2017

    Awww, this is so cute. you pics are adorable and i really love how you used the advantages of having a baby with lol. Ill share this with my mom friends. glad it was fun for everyone!

    marciecheung

    Tuesday 12th of September 2017

    It was super fun!

    Nicole Anderson | Camping for Women

    Saturday 9th of September 2017

    It's one thing for businesses to say they are baby and child-friendly but it's another thing for many of them to actually live up to it. Disney as a massive corporation has obviously made this a big priority to the point where there processes and facilities are designed accordingly. They have backed up their claim to be family friendly and actually live it. So great to see and to hear an endorsement like this.

    marciecheung

    Tuesday 12th of September 2017

    Yes, we've been fooled in the past by "baby-friendly" places. Usually that just means they have high chairs available :) Being baby and child-friendly is so much more than that and Disney gets it. That's why families keep going back!

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