✈️ Flying with a Baby: What Worked for Us
The 9-hour flight? Genuinely fine. We travelled with family, which I highly recommend—more arms to help = more peace of mind. Our baby was never bored being passed around, and everyone took turns entertaining him. Keep reading for our top tips doing Orlando with a baby!
A few in-flight tips:
- Feed on take-off and landing to help with ear pressure.
- Ear defenders can be great for noisy airports and flights – we used these.
- New toys they’ve never seen before = magic for distraction.
- Food takes time, so treat it as an activity. Pack your own food and baby cutlery.
- Squeezy pouches from Aldi are brilliant, especially if you’re doing baby-led weaning. Don’t stress if they’re not eating “normally”—they’ll settle back at home.
🛍️ On-the-Ground Essentials
Once you’re there, a few key bits make all the difference:
- Go to Walmart early on for fresh fruit and snacks. You’ll save money vs. theme park prices and have more baby-friendly options. Take a cool bag out with you daily.
- Bring your own water and squeezy juice, plus a large flask to keep it cold. Florida heat is no joke.
- Bring your pram to the plane gate—super helpful in the airport.
- Check your car seat with your luggage. Without one, you’re limited to bus travel. Ubers aren’t always reliable with baby seats—even if the app says it’s the right size, it often isn’t and it may leave you stranded at Walmart!
☀️ Park Days with a Baby
Here’s what made our theme park days easier and more enjoyable:
- Start early. Your baby will likely be up at the crack of dawn anyway. Get to the parks early and head back by noon before it gets too hot and crowded. Or go late afternoon, let baby nap in the buggy, and stay for the fireworks.
- Snooze hoods or pram covers help with naps on the go. My baby didn’t nap well in the pram back home, but Florida heat worked like a charm—he napped multiple times a day without issue!
- Babywearing is super useful for queuing, since prams aren’t allowed in most lines.
- Character meals are a great alternative to long queues for meet-and-greets.
- Use Rider Swap if you want to go on the bigger rides—no need to miss out.
- Plan feeding and nap times around when you might go on a ride.
💡 Little Hacks That Made a Big Difference
- Bubbles! Great for entertaining in queues.
- People will chat to your baby everywhere. There’s so much to see and hear—they’ll likely stay entertained just soaking it all in.
- Frozen lemonade in the Pirates of the Caribbean queue—an unexpectedly lovely moment for us. Kept us cool, tasted great, and baby loved sharing it. One of those core memories!
☀️ Sun Safety for Baby
A few sun-related tips:
- Test sun cream before the trip. Some can irritate sensitive baby skin or eyes.
- Avoid putting it too close to their eyes—use a makeup brush or roll-on stick for the face.
- Sun hat over sun cream for face protection, when possible.
- Aerosol sun creams are good for necks and bodies if your baby hates being rubbed, but be careful when spraying—cover eyes and check for wind direction!
Final Thoughts: Don’t Sweat It
Seriously—don’t overthink it. We went in expecting chaos and came out pleasantly surprised. Babies are incredibly adaptable, and Orlando is surprisingly baby-friendly if you plan just a bit ahead. Take support with you if you can, be flexible, and try to enjoy the ride. You’ll make memories you’ll talk about for years.
Happy travels and we hope you enjoyed our top tips for Orlando with a baby! ☀️🎢🍼
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