Please note that this post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on and/or buy something through the link, I will receive a small commission. And after a few small commissions, I can head over to Starbucks to grab the most caffeine-laden product that they sell because sleep is for wusses. At least in my house it is.
1. First and foremost you need a GREAT BAG to carry all of your baby's necessities. I prefer a bag that has several compartments for organizing and easy access. I also like to use a bag that is rugged enough to withstand getting bumped and smashed (basically, don't bring your $2,000 designer bag). My favorite bag is the DadGear Backpack. We received ours as a gift nearly 5 years ago (and probably close to 20 trips to Disney ago) and it is still in great condition. I use it for traveling, as well as every day uses (shuttling back and forth to swim lessons, day trips, shopping mall trips, etc.).
Here is the exact one that I use (and swear by):
2. Once you have your awesome bag, there are some obvious items that you should stock it with - like DIAPERS. My rule of thumb is to pack twice as many diapers as my child would normally use during the day (also, you can calculate to bring one diaper for every 1-2 hours that you will be in the park). Also, I always purchase a big box of diapers to leave in the hotel room. I find it cheaper and easier to do this rather than run out of diapers and have to purchase diapers on site or make a midnight run to a drug store. Plus, it's easier for us to pack in the car. If you are flying, the pouches inside of the big box would be easier to pack in a suitcase, too.
3. Oh, and don't forget the wipes.
4. While at Disney, you will undoubtedly be eating at restaurants at least a few times during your trip. If your baby is old enough to sit at a highchair, you will definitely want to bring disposable Table Toppers. My kids were the worst when it came to putting their food on a dirty table and then promptly proceeding to put the now-dirty-food into their mouths. At Disney, the dirty-table-dilemma happens constantly (NOT that the tables are gross or disgusting - they are actually pretty well maintained - it is just my brain picturing millions of microscopic organisms swarming. I picture this everywhere, not just Disney). Table Toppers are lightweight, easy to pack, and disposable. In other words, they're perfect.
5. You may want to pick up some disposable child utensils, too. From experience, these are much easier than trying to clean micro-spoons in a hotel sink.
6. OK, as long as we're talking about my fear of germs, let's also discuss the need for antibacterial wipes. If your baby is old enough to touch anything, you need antibacterial wipes. I use them to wipe hands, tables, highchairs, portable potty seats (discussed below), pretty much any surface that I can imagine a flock of germs (are they a flock? a gaggle? a pack?) having a frat party. I only purchase the travel packs. Much easier to put in my backpack (or purse...pocket...) and a few packs is just the right amount for a vacation. (Plus, I imagine the crazy police coming to get me if I whip out a huge canister of antibacterial wipes and start wiping down the railings while I am in line for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. I really would be tempted with a canister of wipes. Don't test me.
7. If your baby is potty trained. Or in the process of potty training. Or if you want to start potty training your child at Disney (don't laugh - it happened to us - our older son had to visit EVERY. BATHROOM. AT. DISNEY. and by the end of the trip he was nearly potty trained) - you need a portable potty seat. It is easy to clean and much easier to pack and carry than a regular potty seat. Also, it is much cleaner than letting your precious baby's behind touch the public toilet seat!
8. As a parent, you are probably pretty familiar with accidents, wet clothes, spills, and poop diapers. Why am I listing all of these things here? Well, because when you are on vacation, these are all items that are difficult to carry with you (or dispose of politely) when you are away from home. Having a few Ziploc bags in your backpack will help store the wet items without damage to your backpack or stroller until you can get back to your hotel (or, let's face it, they help you get rid of a poop diaper without stinking up the place).
9. I am a native Floridian, so trust me when I tell you that it GETS HOT in Florida. Unless you are traveling between December and February, it is going to be hot. If you are hot, your baby is hot, which means that you should think ahead and prepare to help keep your baby cool in the Florida heat. One of my most favorite items when traveling to Disney with my kids in hot weather is the stroller fan. First and foremost, it keeps your baby cool (we don't want any babies getting sick from the heat). Second, it minimizes complaints from your kids, which helps keep parents cool. So, get a stroller fan. You'll thank me later.
10. As long as we are talking about crazy Florida weather, let me warn you that it likes to rain in Florida. Now, our rain storms are not all day gloomy weather - they are short, but heavy, downpours. You don't want to get caught out in a Disney park without being prepared for rain - especially if you are traveling with a baby. I always travel with ponchos for the entire family, and when the kids were babies, I also packed a stroller poncho. A dry baby is a happy baby. Remember that.
10. As long as we are talking about crazy Florida weather, let me warn you that it likes to rain in Florida. Now, our rain storms are not all day gloomy weather - they are short, but heavy, downpours. You don't want to get caught out in a Disney park without being prepared for rain - especially if you are traveling with a baby. I always travel with ponchos for the entire family, and when the kids were babies, I also packed a stroller poncho. A dry baby is a happy baby. Remember that.
Hopefully my list of must haves for traveling to Disney with a baby was helpful. These are tried and true items that I have used on many - MANY - trips to Walt Disney World and these items have undoubtedly made my life easier and my trip less stressful. Oh, and one item I forgot to mention - YOUR CAMERA.
Did I miss any items? Let me know in the comments.
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