Okay friend, let’s talk about taking a baby or toddler to Disneyland and staying sane.
First of all: you are not crazy for wanting to bring your little one. Will it look different than your pre-kid park days? Yep. Will there be extra bags, snacks, and random tiny socks everywhere? Also yes. But it can be so sweet and magical if you plan for the baby-specific stuff ahead of time.
Let’s chat about the extra things you might want to pack when you’re traveling, especially if you’re staying in a hotel.
Sleep: Setting Up a Cozy Little Baby Nest
Sleep can make or break the whole trip—for them and for you.
Pack ’n Play or Travel Crib
Even if the hotel offers a crib, I love bringing:
- A Pack ’n Play or travel crib (if you have the space)
- A familiar sheet or sleep sack that smells like home
It gives baby a consistent sleep space from night to night and you don’t have to wonder what kind of crib you’re going to get or if they’ll have one available.
Portable Sound Machine
Hotel walls are thin, hallways are loud, and people do not whisper at 11 p.m. Apparently.
A portable sound machine is magical because:
- It drowns out doors slamming and neighbors talking
- You can use it in the stroller for naps, too
- It gives your baby that familiar “this means sleep” cue in a strange environment
Health & Comfort: Tiny Humans, Big Needs
You don’t need to pack the entire medicine cabinet, but there are a few things that are worth the suitcase space.
Nose Aspirator
Airplanes, hotel air, and new germs = stuffy noses.
Having a nose aspirator (we like this one because of the built in saline sprayer) plus saline drops can save your night when baby suddenly can’t breathe well lying down.
Baby Med Basics
Think about tossing in:
- Baby pain reliever/fever reducer
- Any regular meds
- A small thermometer
You might never need it… but if you do, you’ll be so glad it’s in your bag at 2 a.m.
Diaper Gear: More Than Just a Diaper Bag
You will absolutely still bring your normal diaper bag into the parks, but traveling with a baby or toddler often means an extra layer of organization.
Extra Diaper Bag or “Hotel Diaper Kit”
I like having:
- One main diaper bag for the parks
- One small “hotel diaper kit” stocked and ready with:
- Diapers
- Wipes
- Cream
- Nighttime diapers
- Pajama changes
That way, at the end of a long Disney day, you’re not tearing apart your park bag to hunt for wipes—they’re already right there in the room.
Portable Changing Pad & Disposable Pads
Hotels do not come with changing tables (rude, just kidding), so:
- A folding changing pad is a must
- Optional: a few disposable pads if you don’t want to worry about messes on hotel bedding
Feeding: Bottles, Sippy Cups & Snack Life
Feeding a baby or toddler on vacation is 30% food and 70% logistics.
Bottle-Washing Station
Instead of scrubbing bottles in the hotel bathroom sink at weird angles, set up a mini bottle-washing station:
- A small bottle of baby-safe dish soap
- A travel bottle brush
- A compact drying rack
- Zip-top bag to store the brush when you pack up
- I really really prefer this AIO travel kit from MOMCOZY
It’s such a little thing, but having a routine spot in your hotel room where everything dries and lives keeps you from losing your mind.
Formula, Breastmilk & Snacks
- If you’re using formula, pack more than you think you’ll need. Travel can throw off schedules.
- If you’re breastfeeding, think through whether you’re pumping, nursing, or both—and bring any pump parts, cooler bags, and extra bags you’ll need.
- For toddlers, snacks are life. Pouches, puffs, bars, crackers—whatever they’ll happily eat in a stroller line.
Comfort & Soothing: For Meltdowns (Theirs and Yours)
Disneyland is a lot of stimulation. Help your little one cope with it.
Lovey, Pacifier, and Backups
Bring:
- The favorite lovey or blanket
- Pacifier with a clip
- Backups of both if your child is very attached
Because if Mr. Bunny or That One Specific Binky gets left in the hotel room, it’s going to be a whole thing.
Stroller Must-Haves
Your stroller basically becomes your rolling command center:
- Clip-on stroller fan for hot days
- Lightweight blanket or muslin for shade and snuggles
- A small organizer or caddy for wipes, snacks, and your phone
Bonus: Little Hotel Extras That Help a Lot
These aren’t all must-haves, but they’re nice if you have room:
- Nightlight – Hotel rooms can be pitch dark and it’s no fun fumbling for diapers in the middle of the night.
- Travel high chair or fabric harness if your child does better in a seat during meals.
It’s Okay to Pack for Comfort, Not Minimalism
Could you “get by” with fewer things? Sure.
But you’re not going to Disneyland to “just get by.” You’re going to make memories and it’s a lot easier to enjoy the magic when:
- Baby sleeps reasonably well
- You’re not trying to figure out how to wash bottles in a hotel sink
- You have the nose aspirator when everyone suddenly has airplane congestion
Bring the Pack ’n Play. Pack the portable sound machine. Make yourself a little bottle-washing station. Future You at 10 p.m. in the hotel room will want to hug Past You for thinking ahead.
And remember: a “successful” Disney trip with a baby or toddler doesn’t mean zero tears or zero messes. It just means everyone got to have some joy, some magic, and at least a few moments where you look at your little one and think, “Okay… this was worth it.” 💛
