Bringing Our Almost 3-Month-Old to Disney World: What It Was Really Like

From folding our stroller for the bus to navigating security, Baby Care Centers, and baby-friendly rides, here’s what our first Disney trip as parents was actually like.

Our son was almost three months old when we brought him to Walt Disney World for the first time, and one of the questions we got most often was, “Was the stroller hard to deal with?” Honestly, no. There were a few parts we had to plan for – especially because we stayed at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside – but Disney made the stroller and baby logistics much easier than we expected.

This was our first Disney trip as parents, so we were figuring it out in real time. We had our stroller, our baby bag, the usual “what if he needs everything at once?” parent anxiety, and a baby who was still tiny enough to be happiest close to us. Here is exactly what the experience was like, plus the things I would want another parent to know before bringing a baby and stroller into the parks.

Our Resort Transportation: Folding the Stroller for the Bus

We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, a beautiful resort that worked well for a relaxing family stay. For getting to the theme parks, though, our transportation option was the Disney bus. The resort does have boat transportation to Disney Springs, but it does not offer a direct boat, Monorail, or Skyliner route to the parks.

That meant folding the stroller every single time we boarded a bus. Disney requires strollers on buses to be folded and stored out of the aisle, so it is definitely something to prepare for if you are staying at a bus-only resort. Disney’s current bus policy says all strollers must be folded and stowed out of the aisle.

For us, the key was keeping the stroller simple. Before the bus arrived, we made sure loose items were inside our baby bag or secured in the stroller basket. Then one of us could hold the baby while the other folded it. It added a small step to the trip, but it was manageable and got easier quickly once we had done it a few times.

If folding your stroller frequently sounds stressful, hotel transportation is worth considering before you book. The Monorail is one of the easiest options with a stroller because many strollers can stay open, and the Disney Skyliner is also very stroller-friendly. Some boats allow open strollers depending on the vessel, while others require them to be folded. I go into the transportation differences in more detail in my full Disney World transportation guide for families with babies.

No matter where you stay, check your stroller size before your trip. Walt Disney World does not allow strollers larger than 31 inches wide by 52 inches long, and stroller wagons are not permitted. Disney’s stroller rules are here.

Want to find out more – read this article: https://travelwithkatiehart.com/disney-world-transportation-with-a-baby-monorail-skyliner-boats-and-buses/

Entering the Parks With a Stroller Was Surprisingly Easy

I expected security with a stroller, baby, and multiple bags to be overwhelming, but it was actually a smooth process. We were directed into a separate line with the stroller. We took out our two main bags and continued through security.

I walked through a side metal detector while with the stroller, and it was flagged. The Cast Member immediately explained that the metal strip at the top of our baby bag – something very standard on diaper bags – was likely what triggered it. He took a quick look through the bag, used the wand on me, and then I was able to continue.

Katie went through the metal detector as well and was clear, so she continued through with our baby and waited on the other side. The whole thing was calm and respectful. It did not feel like we were holding up the line or being treated differently because we had a baby.

Of course, screening can look a little different depending on the day, the park, and what alerts during the process. Disney notes that all people, bags, parcels, clothing, and other items may be subject to security screening, so give yourself a little extra time and keep your bags easy to access. You can review the current property rules here.

My best practical tip: do not overstuff the stroller. A stroller is convenient for holding diapers, wipes, an extra outfit, a portable fan, feeding supplies, and water, but the easier it is to see what is in your bags, the less stressful security feels.

The Baby Care Centers Were One of the Best Parts of the Day

Disney has a Baby Care Center in each of its four theme parks, and these were such a comforting resource to know was available. You do not have to use them every time you change or feed your baby, but they are wonderful when you need a quieter, cleaner, air-conditioned reset.

Each center has essentials available for purchase if you need them unexpectedly, including items such as diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, sunscreen, over-the-counter medication, and replacement clothing. That can be a real trip-saver if you run out of something, have a blowout, or simply forget to pack one item. Disney lists the available Baby Care Center amenities here.

The centers we experienced also felt thoughtfully designed for actual parents. There was a dedicated breastfeeding room, which was a nice, quiet place to feed without feeling rushed. There was also a changing room with about four or five very nice changing tables and a Cast Member attending the area.

Each family was responsible for throwing away the disposable paper beneath their baby after using the table. Afterward, the attendant came through to spray and clean the surface before the next family used it. As a new parent, that extra layer of cleaning gave us peace of mind.

There was also a large family bathroom that families could use with their children, plus a small break room with a TV to help distract older children who might need a moment away from the noise and crowds.

The Magic Kingdom Baby Care Center was busy when we visited, so we chose not to take photos. We also visited the one at EPCOT, which was less crowded, but we still did not want to risk getting anyone else’s child in our pictures. Even without photos, I can say they were genuinely helpful spaces – not just a tiny changing station tucked in a bathroom.

Babies Can Still Enjoy Disney Rides

You do not have to wait until your child is walking to give them a magical Disney day. While there are plenty of rides with height requirements, every park has attractions and experiences that are open to guests of any height. Disney’s individual attraction pages and the attraction entrance signs list the height requirement and any safety guidance, so always check those before joining a line. Disney’s height-requirement guide is a helpful starting place.

For rides our baby could join, we used a baby carrier strapped securely to us. If he was sleepy, we faced him inward toward us. When he was awake, alert, and strong enough to hold his head up comfortably, we let him face outward to take everything in. That made the experience simple: we parked the stroller, brought what we needed in our bag, and kept him safely close on the attraction.

His favorite experiences were The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid, and the Finding Nemo attractions at EPCOT. Seeing his little eyes take in the colors, music, and characters was honestly the best part of the entire trip. Winnie the Pooh was especially sweet because we had been reading him lots of Winnie the Pooh books at home, and he seemed to recognize what he was seeing.

For anything your baby cannot ride, Rider Switch is worth knowing about. It lets one adult wait with the child while the other rides; then the waiting adult can ride afterward without both adults having to stand in the regular line separately. Disney explains the current Rider Switch process here.

Final Thoughts: Do Not Let the Stroller Stop You

Bringing a stroller and a two-month-old to Disney World takes a little planning, but it did not make the trip less magical. It made it different – and in many ways, better. We moved at a slower pace, built in breaks, and noticed his reactions to everything around him.

Our biggest advice is to choose a stroller you can fold comfortably, pack your baby bag with only what you will realistically use, know where the Baby Care Centers are before you need one, and permit yourselves to slow down. We did not need to do every ride or stay until closing for the day to feel special.

Disney with a baby is not about checking off a huge list. It is about making memories as a family, seeing the wonder through their tiny eyes, and realizing that even your smallest traveler can be part of the magic.