What to Pack for Universal Orlando With a Baby + Toddler

Written By Megan Hamilton
I started taking Carson to Universal alone when he was an infant. Haven take him more times than I can count,  I've mastered what you really need, and what you don't want to forget when doing the parks with a baby or small child.
In general, don’t overthink it. Pack all the diaper bag essentials you need for your babe on a day to day basis. 
All of the items listed below are things I have used, or use every trip – so these are HONEST reviews.

DIAPER BAGS

Bring a durable diaper bag with an insulated bottle pocket. Make sure your diaper bag zips all the way closed.  Bonus points if the bag is washable in the event excited spills and messes happen in the park.

I swear byJuJuBe’s bags! – click here to shop.

I love this brand SO much. Jujube  bags also have insulated compartments, which are perfect for snacks + drinks.  They come with lots of clever storage compartments. The bag material Jujube uses is wipeable/machine washable teflon, so they can be properly cleaned after each trip..

Changing Supplies For Universal

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO DOES NOT SELL DIAPERS OR WIPES. The Universal onsite hotels do often times have diapers + wipes for purchase, but I’ve always had issues with the diaper size I needed not being available.

If you take one piece of advice from me

Do not skimp on how many diapers or wipes you pack in the suitcase. I’ve had to instant cart diapers and walk back to the hotel room to pick them up.

Changing supplies:

  • Changing Pad  

    • JuJube Travel Changing Pad

    • Provides comfort under their head before you lay them down.

    • Can be used as a mat iif you sit on the floor with them

    Baby Wipes 

    • Bring full new pack because you don’t want to run out mid diaper change


  • Enough Diapers for 10-12 Hours 

    • Generally you need to account for 1-2 diapers per hour.
    • I’d include 2-3 extra diapers just in the event a massive blow out or 2 occurs in the park.

  • Swimsuit and swim diapers

    • Universall has a couple of slash pad areas to help beat the heat.
    • Clothing option if it turns into a really rainy day.

Note- Changing tables are available throughout the park in every family restroom, just look for the family restroom symbol on the map within the official Universal Orlando Resort App

Packing Pro Tip:

From my experience- whenever I'm  packing my suitcase or trunk, I’ll pack an emergency changing supply kit. JUST in case I underestimate how much I’ll need.

Emergency Supply kit:

  • 3-4 Diapers
  • 2 swim diapers
  • Ziplock babe of baby wipes
  • Travel sized diaper rash cream
  • Extra outfit +sock  for blowouts

SNACK + COOLER BAGS

  • JuJuBe Be Cool Insulated BabyCooler Lunch Bag has been my go to

Food & Bottles:

Enough Bottles for the Day Plus An Emergency Bottle. You never know when baby will need extra feedings  to get through the day or when you will need an extra bottle to help sooth them.

  • If you are bringing formula

    • bring the water and powder packed separate so you can mix as needed and not worry about spoiled formula.

  • If you are bringing pumped milk from home

    •  I recommend bringing it frozen because Florida heat is wild.

  • Nursing 

    • You can nurse anywhere, mama!
    •  Knockturn Alley is my favorite since it’s dark, cool, and not too crowded.
    •  Universal Orlando does have private nursing rooms available in all 3 parks and at the entrance of CityWalk if you prefer.

Baby Sunscreen + Hat

Protect their delicate skin. Even when it’s cloudy in Florida, they need to be protected. Prior to your trip, I would test the sunscreen out on a small area of their body just to make sure no adverse reactions. 
As always, consult with your pediatrician on the appropriate age and types of sunscreen to use on them.

  1. Babyganics All Mineral Baby Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+

  2. Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50+

  3. SwimZip Kid's Sun Hat - Wide Brim UPF 50+ Protection Hat

STROLLERS 

Ideally you want to bring the most compact stroller you have. It'll be easier to navigate through large crowds and through tight spaces. Resist the urger to bring your biggest stroller, It'll take up a ton of space in the hotel room, when eating inside, and you'll have to collapse it to fit it in a tight spaces like getting on and off the shuttle buses.
Universal Orlando does have strollers that you can rent,  however, babies won’t be comfortable in the ones provided terms of being able to properly sit up. Universal's strollers also don't recline for nap[ing,

  1. Gb Pockit Air All Terrain Compact Stroller 

    • The GB Rockit Stroller is legit the best thing  I own as a theme park parent. It’s extremely compact, lightweight, and easy to breakdown. Storage underneath. Shade cover.
    • When flying—I can carry it easily onto the plane and stick it into the overhead bin if I needed to.

STROLLER ACCESSORIES

1. Rain & Wind Cover

  • Sashas Rain & Wind cover is my go to- Click here to shop.
  • Works perfect during random rain storms in Orlando. Fits on the Pockit Stroller perfectly, and will keep your little  one dry. 
  • Functions great without the stroller sunshade extended.

2. Jolly Jumper Stroller Kaddy

  • A great stroller caddy with the  perfect amount of storage for items you need  to grab quickly – water bottles, pacifiers, phone, small wallet, etc.

3. Clip on Stroller Fan 

  • A lifesaver for summer days in the park!  I've even clipped it to the Ergo Carrier while I've breastfed Carson. Easy to re charge in the hotel room. 

4. Stroller Sun Shade— Click here to shop.

  • Super Shade coverage if you're paranoid like me about your child getting burned at Universal Orlando

BABY CARRIERS 

Baby wearing is a life saver at the parks. You are not able to take a stroller into lines so it really saves your arms!

1.Ergo Baby Omni 360 Carrier

  • You can carry front, back and at the hip in inward and outward facing positions. It’s designed for babies and toddlers from 12 – 45 lbs. 
  • The wide wraparound waist belt has lumbar support. This alone seals the deal for me, as even the smallest baby or toddler can get heavy after a while. 
  • Breathable cotton + mesh keep the summer heat manageable.
  • The UPF 50+ sleeping hood protects baby’s head from the sun.

2. Baby Bjorn New Baby Carrier One Air Mesh

  • Baby’s head stays protected from the sun with the UPF 50+ hood. 
  • The buckles and padded shoulder straps give you comfort and easy in and out. 
  • It has 4 ergonomic carrying positions: newborn, front facing in, front facing out, and back carry. 

Other Diaper Diaper Bag Essentials

Extra Clothes

  • 1-2 Changes of clothing. You can never be too prepared for a blow out, spit up, heavy rain, or food spills. 
  • Light jacket or crewneck — it’s warm most months of the year, but at times the weather can change quickly. The blasting Indoor AC can also make them uncomfortable.

Baby Travel First Aid Kit

  • It’s a must to pack an infant or toddler first aid kit. In mine I like to add— teething medicine, gas drops, diaper rash cream, and triple antibiotic ointment.

Bumkins Wet Bag 2-Pack Harry Potter Collection

  • Perfect for holding anything from soiled diapers to dirty clothes to wet swimsuits. Caron has had so many blow out/spit up mishaps in the park, and these bags have been life savers. Easy-wipe, machine washable waterproof fabric.

Sterilizing Wipes

Plastic Bag

  • If for some reason your little has a blowout and there's no trashcan nearby, use one of these to tie off the soiled diaper.

Aden + Anais Muslin

  • I don’t know what I would do without these thin, breathable blankets. 
  • Helps keep the sun off to a degree and it allows the air to still flow across the skin, which helps calm a stressed-out-with-a-baby-who-can’t-wear-any-sunscreen Momma mind.

Cooling cloth- Click here to shop.

  • These do wonders at a creating a quick cool-down for a hot kiddo. 
  • Alternative- Freeze a few baby washcloths or wipes the night before. Throughout the next park day, use these  to cool off your baby as needed.

Aden + Anais Burp Cloth/Teething Bib- Click here to shop.

  • So, beyond obvious reasons to have a one cloth, grab an extra (preferably a muslin one) and stick it between your skin and your tiny’s face as they lay against you. I prefer muslin ones as they are light and absorbent.

Favorite Toy + Teether

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Megan Hamilton
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Complete 2023 Guide to Universal Orlando for Toddlers and Babies