Was it difficult? Absolutely. But bringing a child under one can also offer a whole lot of fun.

Prior to parenthood, you might’ve side-eyed anyone who brought a baby to a Disney theme park. After all, they don’t seem like super infant-friendly places, what with the bright sun, loud noises, and plenty of stimuli. But as someone who has brought their baby to Disneyland, I’m here to tell you it’s not just doable, but also well worth doing. 

If you think you can’t do anything at Disneyland Resort, or any other Disney theme park, with an infant in tow, it’s time to rethink that assumption. Sure, you and your baby won’t be queuing up for the Incredicoaster or Space Mountain. But there’s still plenty of fun – and magic – to be had in the parks with the littlest babes.

Here’s why I would absolutely bring my infant to Disneyland again (spoiler alert: I brought him many, many times before turned one!), and why I think you should consider doing so, too.

There’s Plenty to Do and See at Disneyland With an Infant

My baby boy had a great time on slower-moving rides like The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. Photo by Heather Adams

While many rides are off-limits with babies, there’s actually quite a lot you can explore at Disneyland. Whether you’re wandering the theme parks with your infant in a stroller or opting to babywear for a bit, you can check out quieter corners of both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park as well as restaurants, character experiences, and even a few slow-moving rides.

Before my son turned one, I took him on attractions like:

• “it’s a small world”
• Disneyland Monorail
• Casey Jr. Circus Train
• Storybook Canal Boats
• Disneyland Railroad
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
• The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!

We also caught parades and shows, which were especially engaging for him from about 6 to 12 months old, like:

• A Christmas Fantasy Parade
• Magic Happens Parade
• Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration
• Cookin’ with the Jammin’ Chefs

And of course, we didn’t skip any character encounters we found as we visited both Disneyland theme parks. Bringing an infant is the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy some of the experiences you might not otherwise try. 

For example, it had been years since I’d caught a show at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. The singing birds, however, were a huge hit with my son – and it’s been a favorite of his since about 8 months old. Anything with music is a particularly great choice for the littlest kids (though you may want to bring some noise-canceling or reducing headphones along with you.)

Disneyland’s Baby Care Centers Have Everything You Need

I’ll be honest: Bringing your infant to Disneyland comes with a steep learning curve. But it’s kind of like learning to take your baby anywhere else. Once you’ve done it one time, you can more confidently do it again.

I was fortunate because I’ve been to Disneyland so many times that I know every inch of the parks, Downtown Disney, and hotels like the back of my hand. I already knew where to find quiet spots for naptime, how to navigate the crowds, and how to get back to the car in a hurry.

And I knew that the Baby Care Centers are the best places to head. Now, I’d never used one before, but my mom had started singing their praises while I was pregnant, so I was prepared to use them once my son arrived. 

The Baby Care Centers are amazing places for parents. They offer a respite from the busy parks and have everything you might possibly need. Forgot diapers? They’ve got them. Need a replacement pacifier or a bib? Check the vending machines here. Nervous about nursing in a theme park? You’ll find private spaces in these centers.

The Baby Care Centers at Disneyland and California Adventure were a huge help when I brought my son as an infant. We popped in for diaper changes, to nurse in quiet spaces, and when he started solids, to use the high chairs inside for meals. 

Disney really makes it easy to take care of their littlest guests, and parents will find plenty of resources inside the Baby Care Centers (including very helpful staff) to alleviate any stress.

Character Encounters Are Extra Magical With a Baby

Characters go above and beyond when they see infants… even the villains. Photo by Heather Adams

If you thought meeting characters was special as an adult or with older kids who can walk and talk, just wait until you introduce an infant to your Disney favorites!

While your baby might be a little skeptical – my son found Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse exciting, but still looks at Winnie the Pooh and Pluto with suspicion – the characters absolutely adore seeing the littlest guests. They love giving plenty of attention to infants, and peek-a-boo is a favorite of many to get that perfect photo-worthy smile or giggle.

I chatted with a Cast Member at Goofy’s Kitchen ahead of my first visit with my son as a baby, and she let me know that most characters go out of their way to make kids’ first character experiences extra-special. My husband and I saw this in every interaction our son had in his first year; from Mickey himself stopping during a walk down Main Street, U.S.A. to give him a hug to Woody playing games to get a smile over on Pixar Pier.

If it’s magical moments you’re seeking for you and your family, I can’t say enough good things about spending the time to meet characters with kids under a year old. As an added perk, it’ll help get them used to see characters and potentially prevent some of the fear that can develop during first meet and greets!

Your Baby Might Not Remember the Day – But You Will

Mention you might be considering taking your infant to a Disney theme park, and you’ll get a lot of “Why? They won’t even remember it!” responses. Well, here’s the thing. My baby won’t remember a single moment of the experience, but my husband and I certainly will. 

And the memories we made as adults watching our son take in the sights, sounds, and magic of Disneyland are just… well, to get repetitive, magical.

I’ll never forget the look of absolute awe on my son’s face as I wheeled him through the gates of California Adventure and got his first glimpse of a Disney park. Everywhere we went, we could see it written on his face: His mind was blown. From the lights overhead at the Magic Key Terrace to seeing Dug from Up and touching his fur to watching the Incredicoaster take off, he was a little sponge soaking up the magic.

That, for me, was enough to make the experience worthwhile. And over the course of my son’s first year, I brought him back to Disneyland’s two theme parks for more visits, and the magic never faded. Each new visit introduced experiences that are now core memories for me: his first ride (it’s a small world), his first interaction with Chewie in Galaxy’s Edge, his first viewing of A Christmas Fantasy parade.

All of these are things I myself experienced as a kid visiting with my own parents. And while I certainly don’t remember any of my Disneyland firsts, I completely understand why they brought me as an infant, a toddler, and later, a grumpy teen. With my own son, it’s witnessing your kids interact with the Happiest Place on Earth… because that Disney magic is incredible, even if they’re teeny tiny.