Knowing what to pack for your infant's (toddler or baby's) first Disney trip might seem overwhelming. But as an annual pass holding mama with a 1.5 year old, I can tell you that I've got it all figured out! Obviously some things change seasonally, so be sure keep that in mind!
Baby's first trip to Disney World
Not going to lie, the first time we took our daughter, Poppy, to Disney, I was feeling all sorts of emotions!
I was super overwhelmed but I was also super excited. I was legit obsessing over it for weeks ahead of time and I'm so glad I did. All of that researching and planning worked out perfectly because were totally prepared and had the best time ever! ...Minus a few breakdowns but with a toddler, that is expected and OK after a few deep breaths!
If you're a first time reader, I should give you a little of our background. My husband and I are both born and raised Floridians. We live an hour away from the parks and travel to Orlando all the time just for fun... and to grocery shop. Lol.
So when it came to bringing Poppy to Disney for the first time, we decided her first birthday would be the perfect time to plan our first day trip!
Since I put so much work into packing and planning, I wanted to share my guide so you don't have to!
And since I always get so many requests for exact product links, I figured it was best to use my amazon affiliate links to show you the exact products we use. I do get a small commission if you buy something from one of the links which is always greatly appreciated.
However, these links are just our suggestions - obviously do you!
This list should just be used as a guide and personalized to fit your needs!
And of course, if you have any questions, always feel free to DM me on instagram!
Sun Protection
- Sunscreen - No matter what time of year you visit, sun screen is a must! The Florida sun is no joke (even when it's rainy and overcast) so you'll def want to come prepared! Our favorites are Super Goop Baby for face, Super Goop Mist for the body because you can just spray it on. We also love this Sun Bum baby facestick and cream combo for traveling!
- Sunglasses - as a beach baby mama, I can 100% confirm that THESE are the best baby sunglasses on the market. They are practically indestructible, they bend, they're super lightweight, not too loose or too tight, they're polarized and they cost less than $20!
- Hat - If your kid is into wearing hats, def bring one! We use one just like this hat covers the ears and neck for extra protection.
- Ponchos - Because it's FL, it's inevitable that it will rain at least part of your trip. Whether it's a drizzle or a downpour, it's best to be prepared. These disposable ponchos are perfect for the whole family with both adult and kid sizess included. We keep them in the bottom of the stroller at all times in case we need them while at the parks!
- Mini Handheld Fan with Mister - This little fan is so tiny and has a small water bottle attached to it so you can mist your baby's face if the FL heat gets too much! It's literally so small you could keep it in your pocket and use it while waiting in line!
- Stroller Fan - This USB-chargable stroller fan is connected to our stroller at all times! From the beach to the theme parks, it's perfect. It stays charged ALL day long too and its bendable legs allow it to cling on to anywhere. Perfect for staying cool during theme park nap times!
Stroller & Transporation
- Stroller - We couldn't do Disney without our double stroller! Sure you can rent one of theirs but they're made of hard plastic and aren't very comfortable - especially if you plan on having your baby nap while exploring the parks. Since I have two kids, we just bring our super compact UPPAbaby side by side double stroller. It has shade canopies, reclining seats, (super important!) and a large undercarriage to hold the diaper bag, ponchos, and everything else we need. It's also super narrow so it's easy to get around and is under the size requirements. Back when I had one kid, we used our Yoyo Babyzen stroller which is a little more pricy but I loved it for traveling! Also, just an FYI, you CANNOT bring a wagon to Disney - it's not allowed. And they have size requirements for double strollers so be sure to check that out.
- Stroller Rain Cover - I found this one size fits (almost all) stroller rain covers and we love it. It's great to just throw it on top of the stroller and velcro it in place. Plus, it folds up into nothing yet covers most strollers perfectly. If you have a double stroller, you can buy this one which fits most side by side double strollers.
- Stroller Carry-all Pouch- These little carry-all pouch holders are great for the stroller. I keep wet wipes, napkins and hand sanitizer in them so that I can grab it without having to dig through a bag.
- Baby Carrier/Wrap - Depending on how big your little one is, a mesh baby bjorn carrier is great! The mesh makes it much more breathable in the Florida heat. I love putting this thing on while we're waiting in lines where you're not allowed to have your stroller... or when they just want to nap on you. Totally optional but we keep it in the bottom of the stroller if necessary.
- Tethers for binkies/lovies - You can't go wrong with this pack of tethers. I connect one to a binky and one to her fav little lovie and attach them right to the stroller. That way, nothing gets lost or thrown on the ground!
Diaper Bag
- Diapers - I always pack 6 diapers for our 1.5 year old! It's always more than we need but it makes me feel secure. We use Pampers Pure these days and love them.
- Wipes - Don't forget the wipes. I keep a small pack in the stroller pouch and I keep a larger pack in the diaper bag for emergencies. We also use the Pampers Pure Wipes and love them!
- Diaper Rash Cream - Diaper rashes SUCK! But we've been using this SW Basics Diaper Cream since the day Poppy came home from the hospital and she has only had a rash one time (and we think it was because of teething!) Get this stuff if you're in the market. It's seriously a game changer.
- Binkies - If your kid is into pacifiers, don't forget them! I always keep one tethered to the stroller then keep two in my diaper bag just in case.
- Bottles/Sippy Cups - Water bottles are expensive at Disney but luckily they have plenty of freewater bottle filling stations everywhere! We take advantage of that every single time and save so much money! We got Poppy this baby Yeti Sippy Cup and she loves it because it keeps her drinks super cold.
- Reusable Silicon Straws - Because it's always so hot, we always love to enjoy some of the amazing frozen drinks (don't miss the apple marshamallow one!!!). But word to the wise, Disney changed to paper straws a while back and they suck... they literally fall apart in 10 minutes. Luckily we always have these silicon straws with us and they are great... especially if your baby takes a while to finish a drink!
- Bibs - I know Poppy makes a mess when she eats so we always have a smock bib on hand. I like these because they cover her whole outfit and they're super thin, lightweight, and they velcro at the neck.
- So many snacks - I cannot tell you how many snacks we go through during a Disney day. I always pack a huge ziplock full of smaller liplocks containing: cheerios, graham crackers, frozen smithfield yogurt packs, freeze dried yogurt drops (aka yogis), tangerines and more.
- Light Cloth Blanky - Having a light Muslin Cloth Blanket on hand is always a good idea. Whether there's a little bit of a breeze or you want to block the sun light from a napping baby's face, these lightweight muslin cloths can't be beat! Plus, they fold up into practically nothing and are breathable!
- 2 Changes of Clothes - because you never know when they'll have a blow out, a massive spill or get soaked on a ride!
- Comfy Breathable Shoes - Poppy LIVES in these baby birkenstocks dupes. They're super lightweight, completely adjustable, totally waterproof, and very comfy! She loves them and so do we. They're made of the same material as crocs!
For Mom & Dad
- A Positive Mindset - Disney can be stressful... esp when it's a million degrees outside. Just try to go in with a good attitude and realize that you probably won't get to do everything you want to and that's ok! Don't let it stress you out. Your baby has no idea what's going on besides the wonderful magic that's in front of them!
- Grandma & Grandpa - if you can bring the Grandparents, do it!! We always invite my parents and are so thankful when they can come. Having an extra set of hands from experienced pros is always a good thing! Plus they get to see the magic in their grandchildren's eyes which is magnificent!
- Disney App on phone - Don't go to Disney without downloading their new app first. Whether you need a map, are looking for ride wait times, or need to book reservations for food, the app does it all! It's free, too!
- Rechargeable Phone Battery and Cord - They have free charging stations at Disney but who wants to be tied down?! I always just have one of these rechargeable phone batteries and a small cord on hand which I keep in my fanny pack. That way, you're always connected and can document as much as you want without draining your phone battery.
- Trips to the Baby Care Centers - Don't skip these!! Each one of Disney's theme parks has a special baby room that is perfect for parents and little ones. It's got great AC, tons of clean changing tables, nursing rooms with comfy chairs, microwaves for forumula/food, sinks, and even a small baby shop in case you need diapers, binkies or bottles or anything like that. They're so nice and I'm so glad my insta-following told me about them!!!
- Hand Sanitizer - I think we all carry this on us at all times though, right??
- Water Bottle - Disney allows you to bring your own water bottles so don't forget to pack them. I've been carrying around this spill proof Stanley Cup with the Lid. Before it, I had Corkcicle Canteen for months now and I'm so obsessed! Ice will last ALL day long and the straw makes it easy for Poppy to drink out of it too. It also has a metal loop so I can attach it to my fanny pack so I can be hands free while we wait in lines. Jerm always goes with a Yeti Rambler because that's more his style and it fits in the stroller cup holder.
- Medical info and insurance cards just in case - God forbid something happen but just to be safe, keep your insurance cards in your wallet. I've never had to use this but my mom always drilled this into my brain so I'm drilling it into yours!
- Fanny Pack - I always rock a fanny pack at Disney. It might be dorky but I literally don't care. It makes life so much easier and I stand by this!! I even keep a little clip on it for my water bottle which makes it easy to have free hands during long lines where we're all thirsty and tired.
And that's about it! It may seem like a lot but it's totally doable and customizable. I hope you have so much fun at Disney! Don't forget to tag me in your pics if you use some of my suggestions! <3
Oh, and if you're a Disney mama, check out my Toy Story Themed Birthday Food and Party Guide!
If you need other travel guides, check out my latest guide to Charleston, South Carolina or Sarasota, Florida!
