Hi, there!
Oh my goodness, Amanda - I'm so happy to hear you'll be visiting the
Walt Disney World Resort in just a few weeks. You're sure to have a magical stay!
Two of my three kids were just 1-year old when they experienced their first Disney vacation. We always fly to Orlando from Pennsylvania, so you can bet I have a few tips for you!
Flying with an infant is stressful. Not knowing exactly how my babies would react in the air made me super nervous ahead of time! I went as prepared as I could be having packed their favorite snacks, lovies, books, and bottles. We opted to not purchase seats for our babies, so I kept them in my lap for the entire flight. When my son was 1-year old, I snuggled him close and gave him a bottle while we took off in hopes that it would help his ears pop. He was quickly lulled to sleep by the noise from the jets, and he slept the entire way to Orlando and then again on the way back to Pennsylvania! Our daughter, on the other hand, was not as easy to fly with when she was the same age. She desperately wanted to crawl off my lap, no matter what I tried to entertain her with. The only thing that kept her happy and still was a lollipop. She was pretty sticky by the end of that 2-hour flight, but at least she wasn't screaming! My best advice is to pack your baby's favorite things, but also to be prepared with a few backup items that you wouldn't normally give your little one, like lollipops or access to a kid-friendly app... Don't forget to pack extra wipes too! For your own sanity, pack hand sanitizer and a few Ziploc baggies. I think my daughter touched nearly every surface of the interior of that plane (ew!), so the hand sanitizer was a lifesaver. And Ziploc baggies come in handy for all sorts of reasons! I used them to keep the lollipop sticks and wipes contained instead of all over our seat.
Much like the airplane, pack a well-stocked diaper bag for the theme parks. I always pack diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, a changing pad, snacks, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, Ziploc baggies, and whatever else it is that will keep my baby happy and comfortable. Be sure to utilize the
Baby Care Centers in each of the four theme parks. The Baby Care Center is the perfect place for a quiet feeding or diaper change! I also recommend leaving the theme parks in the afternoon for a much-needed nap. Once everyone is well-rested (parents too!) you'll all be ready for more pixie-dusted adventures in the evening!
Is your baby crawling? There are some
infant-friendly spaces throughout the Walt Disney World Resort that are perfect for active crawlers!
I hope this was helpful, Amanda. Please let me know if you have any other questions about traveling with your little one!
Ashley