Mama Baby Walt Disney World Trip

I saw an opportunity…and I took it.

I took my 4.5-month-old baby to Walt Disney World Resort, just the two of us, as a last hurrah before my maternity leave was up. I cannot say it was my easiest trip, but I’m so glad I did it.

As always – below is a DETAILED recap of our trip.

Note: I go pretty in depth, so in case you are wondering what rides we went on, I went ahead and bolded those in my daily breakdown.

What is at Walt Disney World?

4 Theme Parks
- Magic Kingdom
- Animal Kingdom
- Epcot
- Hollywood Studios
Disney Springs, a shopping and dining district
2 Water Parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach (check calendar for which is open)
32 Walt Disney World Owned Resorts amongst Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Disney Vacation Club (Villas)
10+ Disney Character Dining Experiences
Complimentary Park transportation via bus, Skyliner, monorail, and boats

Why this time of year?

Because my maternity leave was coming to an end.
September is traditionally one of the lowest months for crowds due to school being back in session, heat, and hurricane season.
Fall Décor!
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Where We Stayed

We stayed at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. You can read about it here, but we stayed here for a two main reasons:

It’s on the Skyliner. This was huge as it meant that I didn’t need to break down my stroller to go to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. This only works if you have a single stroller or a front/back double stroller.
It is a value resort, and I knew that we wouldn’t be at the hotel much to worry about room size for the two of us. Value rooms, other than Art of Animation Family Suites, are the smallest rooms by sq footage on property. I also knew that we would not be making use of Extra Magic Hours for Deluxe Resort guests to warrant those upgrades.

Pop Century Resort has 2 main room types – standard and preferred. The main difference is room location. Value resorts have a large footprint, and preferred rooms are going to be the ones nearest to the food court, transportation, and main pool. For this stay, I upgraded to a preferred room to reduce my walking, especially because after a long park day, I was going to need to get myself and kiddo back to my room solo.

We were assigned building 5, which overlooks the Hippy Dippy Pool (main pool) and is directly between Classic Hall with the food and bus stops, and the Skyliner Station. It was perfect. I was also glad that my room did not actually overlook the pool as that can be louder during the day if we were to come back for naps, which we did one day.

This was my second time staying at the resort and I would stay here again with my family, but I think I would personally wait until both kids are out of pack n plays or plan to not use one. I think it worked this time because I did not need to use the table bed, but the room would be very crammed if using both beds, a pack n play, and we had the stroller.

Note: Do not leave your stroller outside your room. People on the interwebs have evolved the term “Pixie Dusting” to mean gifting to other guests while on property, including leaving behind strollers for others to take and posting about it on Facebook Groups. This leads to a lot of confusion on site, and some people may try to take your stroller thinking it’s being left out as a gift, when it is not.

What We Did

Day One: Arrival, Magic Kingdom, and Epcot because I don’t know how to pace myself.

5:30 am wakeup in St. Louis…did not actually sleep
Out the door at 7 am
8:30 am flight
Land at 11:30 am EST in Orlando
Off plane at 11:58 am
Got bags at 12:11 pm – I found this to be particularly fast for Orlando’s airport
Away We Go Transportation got to me about 10 minutes later in Express Pick up – They were fantastic, and I highly recommend.
Got to Disney’s Pop Century Resort around 12:45 pm and room was ready. This is 50/50 and always worth a shot. Please do not plan on getting into your room early, especially if traveling during holidays or large events. Questions about this? I can help.
Got to room around 1 and unpacked, changed kid, fed kid
Left room around 2 pm to go to Magic Kingdom via Bus
Got to Magic Kingdom and immediately walked to Casey’s Corner at the end of Main Street to pick up my Mobile Order I had placed while on the bus. If you are not doing a table service meal, mobile ordering makes life a lot easier than standing in line and waiting for quick service meals.
Picked up Casey’s and ate in their indoor space. It looked like rain, so was going to try to wait out the potential storm that never hit.
Filled up water at Baby Care Center to make the most of their cold, filtered water.
I checked the My Disney Experience (MDE) app and saw there was a short line for Haunted Mansion – so ran. Everyone else did too and it was a 15-minute wait.
Next was Pirates of the Caribbean – it said 5 minutes, it was a walk-on. PS – there was a Jack Sparrow hanging out in line. You never know what or who you are going to encounter walking around the parks!
Grabbed Starbucks on Main Street (every park has one), and went to Tomorrowland to find a spot in the shade to feed the baby and enjoy my drink.
People Mover had a 10-15 minute wait. This is one of my favorite rides, so we had to hop on before we left the park. The line moved oddly slow, but we enjoyed the ride anyway. It’s a good way to get off your feet for 10 minutes, catch a breeze, and experience Tomorrowland from a different point of view.
Went and got some pictures at the castle and decided it was time to go as the park would be closing at 6 pm for a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Monorailed to Epcot at 5:45 pm
In the park at 6:20 pm
First up was Creations Shop (on the way to Baby Care Center). This is one of my favorite gift shops on property.
Baby Care Center for diaper change
Rode Journey Into Imagination with Figment which was a walk-on.
Living with the Land had a short line, so we walked next door. Baby had a melt down on Living with the Land which is unfortunate as I love this ride and it’s also typically peaceful…unless you are riding with my baby who decided to sing the song of his people.
Fed baby in Seasons food court. I think this closes for the most part at 8 pm. 1 of 3 sections of seating was open.
Walked around Future World at Epcot and then went back to Spaceship Earth/the park entrance to see the show on Spaceship Earth, aka I wanted to see the pretty lights on the big ball at Epcot and the music that goes with it which you can hear at the park entrance.
8:15/8:30 pm I started hunting down a spot for Luminous fireworks. I got a great spot near the Port of Entry Gift Shop, but baby did not agree with sitting in one place for an extended period of time. It is what it is when traveling with kids, so I called an audible.
I walked around the World Showcase towards Canada and found a spot on the bridge between the Skyliner entrance (Past UK) and France at 8:55 pm.
Kid was not a fan. Epcot fireworks are much louder than Magic Kingdom as they are closer. I talked to multiple families, and this seemed to be a common occurrence. We had the noise cancelling headphones for kids, but that still wasn’t enough and we left about halfway through the show that’s about 17 minutes long.
We made it In line for the Skyliner around 9:13 pm. This is important because the show wasn’t over yet and the line was not super long. Still took a while to get on the gondola, and at that point, the line went as far as Yacht and Beach which is also normal.
Still had to make the transfer at Caribbean Beach to Pop Century – which was another line. My biggest con of the Skyliner is the transfer station since after waiting in line to get to it…you now have to get off and do it again, and during park opening and closing, these lines can be long especially when traveling as a family.
I had mobile ordered from the Pop Century food court, and actually moved my time back, which I’m glad I did, to accommodate the line that I got stuck in at the transfer station.
Got our mobile order and was back in the room around 10 pm.
Pack n play showed up around 10:30/10:40 pm even though it was on the room reservation and I requested at check-in, which was done in person. This is also, unfortunately, normal. It does not matter if you requested a crib on your initial booking, and requested at check-in, you will most likely still have to call once in your room later. This is at least the third time it has happened to me staying on property.
Kid was asleep around 11 pm. I did not bring the slumberpod due to solo travel, and I regret it.

Day Two: Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom

Note: I chose Magic Kingdom for the evening this day because it was the only night I was on property that did not have a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, giving me the opportunity to see the new Starlight Parade and Happily Ever After Fireworks. These are things I think about in planning – and a reason to consult with me for your own trip!

Baby was up from about 2:30 – 3:45 am and then was up around 7 to eat and went back to sleep immediately.
I got up and around 9 am I finally started trying to wake kid up to get out of the room.
Caught the Animal Kingdom bus around 9:55 and was walking into the park at 10:15 am.
While on the bus, I decided that the lines looked a bit long for the day I was envisioning – especially since we got a late start. I bought Lightning Lane for $17/pp pre-tax, and booked Kilimanjaro Safari, Festival of the Lion King show, and Navi River Journey. You can see available times before you book, which is such a nice feature. The times given initially were not exactly what I hoped, but I figured I would be able to modify to a better schedule.
As soon as I got through security, my first LLMP was Kilimanjaro Safari with a 10:10 – 11:10 am return time. I made it to the ride by 10:25 am and was on it about 10 minutes later. If there are no animals in the way, the ride takes about 30 minutes.
After the ride I had an hour to fill before my LLMP for Festival of the Lion King at 12 pm. This has a return time of 11:30 – 11:50 am. After some deliberation, I decided this would be a good time to get lunch and placed a mobile order at Satulii Canteen in the Pandora section of the park. A great thing about Animal Kingdom is all of the non-traditional theme park food.
Food took a bit once I clicked “I’m Here, Prepare My Food” but I was seated with my meal at 11:25 am. Attempted to eat then feed baby – but baby had other ideas. Therefore, I ate, and baby ate at the same time. We had found a corner booth just in case that would happen.
Finished my meal and speed walked to Festival of the Lion King and checked in around 11:50 am. If you have littles that you think may be scared – let a Cast Member know and try to be seated in a section with easy access to the exits. I was the furthest from an exit and while I debated leaving because baby was fussy – a dad did leave with his daughter. The cast members were so helpful, but I can’t say it wasn’t a thing trying to get them out. The show is about 30 minutes.
Left the show and headed back to Pandora for our 12:35 – 1:35 pm return time on Navi River Journey but detoured to the Baby Care Center for a fresh diaper and some resting. Baby didn’t love the show, so I had stood and rocked him the whole time and mama needed a break.
Made it over to Pandora and essentially walked on Navi River Journey using the Lightning Lane Multi Pass. This is a fun one for littles because it’s a slow boat ride and there is so much to look at. Unfortunately, it typically has a long standby compared to the length of the ride itself.
After the ride, we walked around Pandora. Took a few pictures.
HIT UP THE GIFT SHOPS. Do not sleep on the main gift shops at Animal Kingdom!!! They are well stocked and may have items you haven’t seen anywhere else on property. Hit up both Island Mercantile and Discovery Trading Company.
At this point it’s 2 pm and hot. Baby needs a nap in his crib to be able to make it through fireworks at Magic Kingdom. Catch the bus back to the hotel.
On the 5:23 pm bus to Magic Kingdom, got there just before 6 pm.
Took pics in front of the castle.
Rode the PeopleMover. Again, it took about 10-15 minutes to get through the line.
Placed Mobile Order for Columbia Harbor House – they have some non-traditional park food. I got the salmon. It was fine, and I was glad to have something that wasn’t fried.
Earlier in the day as I used my Animal Kingdom Lightning Lanes, I would make my next reservation for Magic Kingdom. The first of these was a 6:25 – 7:25 pm return time for Peter Pan’s Flight. I got in line at a busy time and the LL line took a good 10-15 minutes. Peter Pan overall is just a slow line.
At this point it’s later than I thought it would be and the first run of the Starlight parade is at 8 pm. I don’t think I’m going to be able to ride my next LL and then get to my third without running into issues with the parade – so I see It’s a Small World has a 15-minute wait and get in line…it was not 15 minutes. It was a walk-on.
Proceeded to my Haunted Mansion LL which had 7:35 – 8:35 pm return time.
At this point it’s after 8 pm and the parade will be going through Liberty Square, so I take the long way to get to Main Street to find a spot for the 9 pm Happily Ever After Fireworks.
I find a spot in the middle of Main Street and sit until the 9 pm fireworks.
After the fireworks are over, it’s a mass exodus out of the park as most people did the 8 pm parade and 9 pm fireworks. I find a spot on Main Street in front of the Emporium on a curb and wait for the 10 pm Starlight parade.
Disney Starlight Dream the Night Away is Disney’s newest evening electrical parade. It’s about 20 minutes and it starts next to the Fire House on Main Street and ends in Frontierland…essentially backwards of the traditional parade route.
As soon as the parade passed me, I ran for the buses. I still had to wait for probably 4 buses before I got on, but Disney is so good at getting busses in and out for everyone to go home.

Day Three: Epcot and Hollywood Studios

Forecast was calling for rain, so I was anticipating it all day and made sure my rain jacket and stroller cover were packed for the day. Because it’s Florida…I bring these every day just in case, but I triple checked they were available since it was the forecast. One thing I would do differently in the future is a poncho to make sure that my diaper bag is also protected from the elements.
My goal for the day was to explore and experience Disney. Rides were not a priority.
Eventually got out the door with the kiddo around 9 am and took the Skyliner to Epcot. There were no lines to board at the Pop Century/Art of Animation Station or the transfer station. There tends to be a longer line first thing in the morning for those trying to be at park openings.
I spent the morning wandering pavilions. Epcot is known for eating and drinking around the world, but it also has immersive scenery, great shopping and so many characters! Use the My Disney Experience app to see the list of characters meeting in Epcot, when, and where.
Felt a raindrop and went to La Cantina in Mexico and picked up lunch (quick service). The secret here is that most days you can sit inside, which is seating for La Cava, a separate restaurant, until 2ish pm. There’s even a bathroom inside!
That raindrop was fortuitous, and it ended up pouring. I waited out the rain in La Cava while eating and letting the baby have some time not in the stroller or being worn.
After lunch, we walked around more enjoying the ambiance of Epcot.
We were in World Celebration, and I decided it’d be fun to do the Disney Visa Credit Card Photo Op. Characters rotate through here all day and you don’t know who you’re going to get until you round the corner. Just show your Disney Visa to get in line. We met Minnie Mouse and Pluto! They give each family a lot of time. The line moved slow, but the attention was great.
Walked some more (theme of the day – fun fact, World Showcase is roughly 1.2 miles roundtrip). Did a feeding and diaper change in the baby care center, we were frequent flyers of this baby care center.
Park hopped over to Hollywood Studios via the Skyliner. Kid slept the whole transfer! My goal for Hollywood Studios was the two new stage shows and the nighttime show, Fantasmic!.
Got in the park at 4:10 pm, and then next showing of the new “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” show was at 4:30 so we went over there. The show was cute and about 20 minutes.
The timing did not align for us to make it into the new “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” show next, and ultimately, we just didn’t make it at all. It was very busy. For those that want to experience, it is a 15ish minute production of The Little Mermaid, and I’ve heard great things! Will definitely catch it on my next trip.
We ultimately walked around Hollywood Studios, got a Blue Milk in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, and then decided to call it a night…thus also missing out on Fantasmic.
We took the Skyliner back to the Pop Century/Art of Animation Station and took a stroll around Art of Animation. If you are wanting Disney theming with Disney characters, Art of Animation is your hotel. It is primarily a hotel of family suites, but they do have one section of standard rooms.
Made it back to Pop Century. Grabbed dinner, and ate in our room so I could pack for our early morning airport pick up to go home.

Things We Missed

SO. MANY. THINGS.

This was not a trip to see and do everything, it was just to experience and have a great time, which we did.

If you are thinking of booking a trip to Disney with a baby, go ahead and download the My Disney Experience App, navigate to Wait Times, and filter to “Any Height” – this will give you the full list of rides the whole family can ride together. This list mostly applies to those that are pregnant, too – but there is also a filter for “Pregnant Advisory”. I think the one thing I could do with the baby but not pregnant was Kilimanjaro Safari, and that is one that people consider a judgement call. I personally did not ride.

Final Thoughts

This was a non-traditional trip for me. I went a whole day without going on a ride for the first time ever.

If you are thinking of going with a little – TAKE THE TRIP. I’ve now been to Walt Disney World with a 9-month-old, 1-year-old, 2-year-old, and now 4-month-old. Every time has been magical and different. I don’t believe that there is a necessarily a “right” time to take your family, it’s whenever you decide to go. I will say – kids are free until three J

My advice:

Take your time.
Have a couple things that you want to do.
Spend the rest of the day going with the flow!

Want something more structured? I can always help you plan whatever trip you’re looking to take.

Questions? Comments? Inspired and Interested in Booking?

Reach out to melanie@simplyperfectvacations.com!

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