Vacationing with your baby can be one of the most magical ways to experience Disneyland. After all, Disneyland is known as “The Happiest Place on Earth”. It’s no surprise that many guests want to take their babies to Disneyland!
However, many guests question if it’s a good choice for them. Is it worth it taking your baby to Disneyland? How much can you do with a baby? Why take such an expensive trip when they won’t even remember it? I’m here to answer all of these questions and more!
As someone who has taken many Disney vacations with their baby, I’m going to fill you in on everything you need to know about taking babies to Disneyland. In this article, I’m going to give helpful tips and tricks so you can have a successful vacation with your future Mouseketeer! Many of us here at Mickey Visit have taken our babies to Disneyland and we have the best advice for parents planning a Disneyland trip with their baby.
Planning a Disneyland Vacation?
Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter!
Discount Disneyland Tickets
Our favorite Disney-approved re-seller, Get Away Today,offers the best Disneyland discount tickets around. In addition to great discount prices, their customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them.
Book your discount tickets NOW >
Buying tickets from Get Away Today is easy and convenient since all their tickets are sent electronically. You can take their vouchers and head straight to the gate without needing to wait in any ticket booth lines. They also offer layaway plans so you can pay off your vacation over time.
You can read my review on my personal experiences booking through Get Away Today and how much you can save here!
Packing for Disneyland with a Baby
I’m sure, as parents of a baby, that you’re pretty familiar with the drill when it comes to packing a baby bag. You’ll, of course, want to make sure that you have all of the essentials that baby will need. Diapers, wipes, binkies, extra clothes, food, bottles, formula, bibs, burp cloths, etc. The list could go on and on. The items on everyone’s list will vary depending on their baby and their specific needs.
A lot of these items can take up quite a bit of space in your luggage. At one point, I filled up a whole travel bag with only diapers and wipes. This can be exceptionally problematic if you’re flying and have limited luggage space as is. You can avoid this issue by placing an order and having the items that you’ll need during your trip delivered directly to your hotel! This way, you’ll only need to worry about packing the items that you’ll need on your travel and arrival days. Everything else can arrive at your hotel on the same day that you do. While there are multiple companies that you could choose to order baby supplies from, Amazon and Walmart are two of the most popular options.
If you do happen to forget something and don’t have the time to order it, Disneyland does have a variety of baby essentials available at select shopping locations. The merchandise stores in your Disneyland Resort hotel will be one of the locations where these items are available.
Stay Close to the Disneyland Park
When vacationing with a baby, you’re going to want to make things as easy as possible for yourself. One way to do this is to stay on property at Disneyland Resort. There are three hotel options available: Pixar Place Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. All three of these hotels are in walking distance of Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney District. The close proximity of these hotels is extremely convenient. You can easily head back to your hotel if there’s something that you need, if you want to take a break, or if you’d like to give the baby a nap in a cool and peaceful location!
Speaking of naps, you won’t have to worry about where your little one is going to sleep. When you stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel, cribs are available for your little one at no extra charge to you!
Disneyland Resort Hotel Benefits
By staying on property, you’ll also receive additional benefits such as Direct-to-Room Service, more time in the parks, and Charge-to-Room. All three of these options can make your time at Disneyland with a baby more convenient.
When you check-in online and use the Direct-to-Room Service, you can skip the hassle of checking in at the front desk. You can take your baby and all of your gear and head straight to your room upon arrival. If you arrive prior to your room being ready, you can simply leave all of your luggage at the Bell Desk.
As a Disneyland Resort hotel Guest, you’ll be able to enter the parks 30 minutes prior to the parks opening to the general public. This is a great opportunity for you to get activities done before the parks start filling up. Since you never know when your baby will need a break or a nap, it isn’t a bad idea to try to get things done with that additional time.
Charge-to-Room is another convenience available to Guests staying at Disneyland Resort hotels. With this option, you can charge your dining expenses and shopping purchases to your room by using your Disneyland app. Chances are, you’ll already have your phone out when you’re in the parks. This is a way to easily charge things without having to dig your money or card out. Since your hands are already going to be full, this is a nice feature to utilize!
If staying on property is not an option for you, don’t worry! There are plenty of nearby hotels in the Disneyland area. For more information, check out our article: Best Hotels Near Disneyland
Taking Babies to Disneyland
You’ve made it past the traveling, you’ve checked into your hotel, and now it’s time to hit the parks. What’s next? What should you expect? What does one do with a baby at Disneyland? Let’s talk about that now! Here’s some information, tips and tricks, and useful advice for your days with your baby at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.
Disneyland Strollers
You’ll be happy to know that a big bulky stroller is one thing that you don’t have to travel with. This will of course depend on your preferences as well as your baby’s needs. If you think your baby would do better having a stroller on your travel days, feel free to bring your own! Just know that there are options for you once you arrive at Disneyland.
If you’re not familiar with how Disneyland Resort is set up, the entrances to the two theme parks are right across from each other. The stroller rental is located outside of the theme parks. More specifically, it is located to the east of the Disneyland entrance. Again, this is a close and convenient option for the Guests who are visiting Disney California Adventure as well, not just those who are visiting Disneyland Park.
Disneyland Stroller Rental Prices:
- Single Stroller – $18 per day
- Double Stroller – $36 per day
Your rental stroller is able to be taken to both theme parks. If you have a park hopper ticket, you will be able to use the same stroller at both parks with no additional hassle.
Stroller Rental Company
If you’d prefer to rent a stroller for the entire length of your stay, rather than per day, there are other options. There are many stroller rental companies that you could rent a stroller from. I’ve used stroller rental companies before on my own trips. Prior to your trip, you’ll set up arrangements to rent a stroller. You’ll give the company of your choice information such as your travel days, hotel name, and when you’d like to have your stroller ready for you. Your stroller will then be dropped off at the specified time and location and will be yours to use for your entire trip.
There are many stroller rental companies available, however, Disneyland personally recommends ScooterBug. To schedule a stroller delivery through ScooterBug, you can call (800) 726-8284 or visit their website by clicking here.
Additional Note About Strollers
It can be easy for some things to not even cross your mind until you find yourself needing them. That's what this article is for! When thinking about strollers, consider purchasing raingear for them. While random rainstorms don't pop up as often in Disneyland as they do over on the other coast at Disney World, it's still a good idea to be prepared! When packing raingear for yourself, think about the stroller too. Stroller covers are available to keep your stroller, as well as all of your belongings, safe from the rain! You may also want to consider how to keep your strollers safe from any potential theft.
Baby Care Centers
At both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, you’ll be able to find a Baby Care Center. These Baby Care Centers create a cool, comfortable, and calm space for parents to take care of their babies.
Disneyland Baby Care Centers are equipped with a:
- Nursing room with chairs
- Changing room with tables
- Toddler-size toilets (for Guests under 42” tall)
- Feeding area with highchairs
- Kitchen with sink, bottle warmers, and microwave (select use only)
- Vending machine offering formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, pacifiers, and over-the-counter medicine (Items are available for purchase with a credit card)
The Baby Care Center at Disneyland Park is located at the end of Main Street next to First Aid. At Disney California Adventure Park, the Baby Care Center is located next to Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop and across from The Bakery Tour in San Fransokyo Square.
Baby Care Centers are not the only place where you’ll be able to change your baby. Changing tables are also located in most Disneyland Resort restrooms. However, the additional baby care amenities will not be available in standard restrooms.
What Disneyland Rides Can You Do With a Baby?
Disneyland was built with families in mind. Even so, you may be surprised at how many rides and attractions you can do with your little prince or princess!
Rides and Attractions That You Can Do With a Baby
- Disneyland Park
- Adventureland Treehouse inspired by Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson
- Alice in Wonderland
- Ancient Sanctum
- Animation Academy
- Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome
- Astro Orbitor
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Casey Jr. Circus Train
- CenTOONial Park
- Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
- The Disney Gallery
- Disneyland Monorail
- Disneyland Railroad
- The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (Closed for Reburbishment)
- Donald’s Duck Pond
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Fantasy Faire
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
- Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition
- Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard
- Haunted Mansion (Closed for Refurbishment)
- “it’s a small world”
- Jungle Cruise
- King Arthur Carrousel
- Mad Tea Party
- Main Street Cinema
- Main Street Vehicles
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Closed for Refurbishment)
- Mark Twain Riverboat
- Meet Disney Princesses at Royal Hall
- Meet Tinker Bell in Pixie Hollow
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Minnie’s House
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pinocchio's Daring Journey
- Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Sailing Ship Columbia
- Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
- Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
- Storybook Land Canal Boats
- Storytelling at Royal Theater
- Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
- Disney California Adventure Park
- Ancient Sanctum
- Animation Academy
- Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome
- Avengers Headquarters
- The Bakery Tour (Closed for Refurbishment)
- Disney Junior Dance Party!
- Games of Pixar Pier
- Golden Zephyr
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!
- Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
- Jessie’s Critter Carousel
- The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
- Meet Disney Pals on Buena Vista Street
- Meet Pixar Pals at Pixar Pier
- Meet the Residents of Radiator Springs in Cars Land
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
- Pixar Pal-A-Round (Swinging and Non-Swinging)
- Red Car Trolley
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (Closed for Refurbishment)
- Sorcerer’s Workshop
- Toy Story Midway Mania!
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
How to Enjoy Rides and Attractions That Your Baby Can't
As you can see, there is a wide variety of rides and attractions that you and your baby can enjoy together. However, there are a few that are a little bit too intense for your little one. Luckily, Disneyland has a Rider Switch Service in place for this exact reason. Disneyland’s Rider Switch Service is in place to help adult Guests enjoy rides and attractions that their smaller children aren’t big enough to enjoy quite yet. With this service, adult Guests take turns sitting out with the small child while the other adult goes and enjoys the ride or attraction. When the first adult is finished, they will then switch places and the second adult can have their turn on the ride or attraction.
Disneyland Rider Switch Rides
- Disneyland Park
- Autopia
- Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Space Mountain
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Disney California Adventure
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Incredicoaster
- Jumpin’ Jellyfish
- Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Silly Symphony Swings
- Soarin’ Over California
What Else Can Babies Enjoy at Disneyland?
Besides the many rides and attractions that your baby can take part in, there’s other things at Disneyland that they can enjoy as well! First and foremost are the character experiences. My son absolutely loved meeting characters as a baby (and still does!). When he was a baby, he particularly loved animal characters with bright colors and big noses. Pluto, Tigger, and Mickey were some of his favorites!
Entertainment is another thing that little ones tend to enjoy quite a bit. Especially parades! Disneyland parades are full of bright colors, music, characters, and lots of movement. Nighttime Spectaculars are another thing that many little ones love. Particularly fireworks shows. The bright, colorful, and sparkling fireworks are sure to catch their eye. The projections on the castle are often appealing to them too if they have a good view!
Then, just like adults, a baby can’t help but enjoy good merchandise and snacks. When it comes to merchandise, light up handheld toys are very popular with little ones. If your baby is a bit older and can hold a toy that’s a little bit bigger, they’d probably love a bubble wand! As far as snacks go, you can’t go wrong with ice cream. However, since you’re at Disneyland, it’s only natural to trade regular ice cream in for some DOLE Whip! Babies go crazy for this sweet treat. Who can blame them? It’s one of the best Disneyland treats!
Should You Wait Until Your Child Is Older?
At the end of the day, is it worth it to take a baby to Disneyland? While it’s clear that there is a lot that they can do, is it worth it to spend all of that money when they won’t remember it?
In my personal opinion – yes. I feel that it is definitely worth it to take your baby on a Disneyland vacation with you. As far as the price goes, babies are free. It costs nothing to take a child to Disneyland until they are 3 years old. Essentially, you’re only paying for an adult vacation. Therefore, even though they may not remember it, as far as cost goes, that’s ok. They were free anyway.
In regards to memories, they may not remember the fun times they had. However, that doesn’t mean that they won’t have a fun time. I can guarantee you that they’re going to have an amazing time. Watching their little faces light up at all of the Disney magic is absolutely priceless. Even though they most likely won’t remember these moments, you will. You’ll remember how much fun they had and you’ll remember how much fun you had together.
It is absolutely worth it.
Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!
To get a head start to planning your Disney vacation, subscribe to our FREE Deals newsletter. Here you will have access to useful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere. Find more information on planning your vacation here:
- Disneyland Weather
- Disneyland Morning Strategy
- Disney California Adventure Morning Strategy
- Disneyland Fireworks 2024 Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can bring an infant to Disneyland. There is no age limit at Disneyland. However, there are select rides and attractions that you won't be able to do with your infant. On the other hand, there are MANY rides and attractions that are available to Guests at Any Age and at Any Height.
Yes, you can wear a baby carrier on Disneyland rides. Keep in mind that you'll only be able to do this on rides that are marked for “Any Height”, as those are the only rides that your baby will be allowed on.
No, having a baby with you will not be a valid reason to skip lines at Disney. However, If you would like to skip lines with your baby, you can purchase Genie+. This will allow you to enter prioritized Lightning Lanes rather than standing in the regular stand-by lines.
Yes, you can bring a diaper bag to Disneyland. Keep in mind that your diaper bag will need to follow Disneyland's park rules. Specifically, your bag is not allowed to be larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high. You are also not allowed to have loose or dry ice in your bag. However, if you need to keep bottles, food, or drinks cool, you're allowed to bring reusable ice packs.
Planning a Disney Vacation? Get Exclusive Discounts + Free Bonuses
In addition to exclusive discounts for Mickey Visit subscribers, get our free planning printable and guide to make your life SO much easier.
Thanks so much for this post! I ve been wanting to take my son who is now 7 months old to Disneyland but I ve been intimidated by taking a baby and discouraged by those who say to wait until kids can remember to take them. I googled how to take a baby to Disneyland and found this site and am so glad I did. Great tips and I m feeling a lot more confident and taking my son. I m planning a trip for February when he will be about 1 year old. One quick question: my son prefers being worn to being in a stroller. For a child this young, do you think it would be ok to forgo the stroller for just the baby carrier or better to bring both into the park? Thanks!
Thank you for consolidated lists of attractions for rider switch and those good with babies.. makes planning easier..