Our First Disney World Vacation With a Baby

November 4: Our first road trip with the baby

We left Friday night and quickly learned that traveling with a baby gives the drive its own schedule. The baby slept well in the car, but every stop included more than gas or a restroom: feeding, changing, stretching, and making sure everyone was comfortable.

After three stops—including McDonald's for dinner and another feeding—we reached Hardeeville, about four to four and a half hours from home. Breaking the drive there gave us a manageable first night instead of forcing the entire trip at once.

November 5: Golf history, Buc-ee's, and Sanford

We were back on the road around 7 a.m. after McDonald's breakfast and another feeding stop. The World Golf Hall of Fame became our first real attraction. Along with the exhibits, admission included one shot at a hole-in-one on an island green.

Buc-ee's supplied gas on the way south, and Loggerhead Distillery in Sanford became our final stop before Orlando. We sampled moonshine and bought a few bottles before reaching the hotel around 4:30.

Dinner at The Cheesecake Factory included two flatbreads, crispy chicken sliders, and Oreo cheesecake. After two days of driving and baby stops, a sit-down meal felt like the official start of vacation.

November 6: Golf shops, Disney golf, and Disney Springs

Sunday started with PGA TOUR Superstore, Golf Galaxy, and Edwin Watts. Lunch at Bubbakoo's Burritos included a Nashville hot chicken burrito, a burrito bowl, and chips.

I played Disney's Palm Golf Course that afternoon. It was a fun course, although darkness kept me from completing the final two holes.

We went to a crowded Disney Springs that evening, bought ears for the baby, and tested the new carrier. We did not find much we wanted to eat there, so Portillo's became dinner afterward. My first Chicago-style hot dog was one of the surprise food highlights of the trip.

November 7: EPCOT

Checking into the Disney hotel went smoothly, and the staff offered to freeze our perishable baby supplies—one small service that made the move much easier. We took the bus to EPCOT for the first park day.

With a baby and plenty of international food to sample, we only rode The Seas with Nemo & Friends and Gran Fiesta Tour in the Mexico pavilion. One memorable festival dish paired peanut-butter wings with a sweet jelly sauce.

By evening, the baby was exhausted. We returned to the room, ordered pizza, and reconsidered how much we could realistically fit into the remaining park days.

November 8: Animal Kingdom in the rain

Animal Kingdom began bright and sunny before heavy rain took over. The wait for Kilimanjaro Safaris stretched close to two hours, and the baby fell asleep almost immediately once we boarded.

He also rode Na'vi River Journey, while my wife and I took turns riding Expedition Everest—still one of my favorites. Flame Tree Barbecue remained our dependable Animal Kingdom food stop.

Eventually, we were soaked and ready to leave. We rode the bus back, changed into dry clothes, and ordered MrBeast Burger through Uber Eats. It became one of our better meals of the week.

November 9: A stormy Magic Kingdom day

Rain followed us into Magic Kingdom as the approaching storm affected the entire area. Even with the weather, this was the baby's strongest ride day: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, Under the Sea, and Carousel of Progress.

The rain and wind became more intense while we were on Dumbo. Candied-bacon skewers gave us a quick snack, but the conditions limited how much more we could comfortably do with a little one.

Wingstop arrived through Uber Eats that evening. It probably would have been better fresh, but delivery was simpler than taking the baby back out in the rain.

November 10: A shortened Hollywood Studios visit

The storm delayed Hollywood Studios until 2 p.m. We waited until around 4 because the buses were crowded and the rain still looked rough.

Once inside, we rode Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway and the car ride—Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy. The baby had reached the tired stage of a four-park week and slept in my arms as we explored.

My wife found something to eat, and I finished the visit with a frozen hot chocolate. It was not the full Hollywood Studios day we imagined, but getting into the park at all felt like a small victory after the delayed opening.

November 11–12: The long drive home

We loaded the car around 7 a.m. for the trip home. Several baby stops stretched the drive until about 9:30 p.m.

Buc-ee's became the big break. This time, we explored the store and spent more than $60 on snacks and a small stocking for the baby. It was a fitting final souvenir from a road trip shaped as much by the stops as the destination.