Child Play Areas in Parks

[alicia080979]

Our little one will be 9 months old and crawling everywhere. Since we are only going to be in the parks for four days, we will be spending lots of time in the parks. I am looking for info on little play areas in the parks that she can get out of the stroller and crawl around for a bit since she will be going from stroller to lap to highchair 90% of the day.

Here is what I know if anyone can add to it:

MK: Dumbo-small child play area inside of larger play area
Splash Mountain-small play area for little ones at the exit

DHS: Honey I Shrunk the Kids?? Does this have a section for little ones or just a general play area for bigger kids?

AK: ??

EP: ??

Thanks!

 

[brettcw23]

For AK, there is the Boneyard. perfect place to get out and run amok! I'm drawing a blank on EPCOT though!
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/boneyard/

 

[Ravenne]

There used to be a hidden play area at EPCOT and it was fairies themed, but I don't remember what it's called or even exactly how to get there any more. The last time we were there, we stumbled upon it. I don't know if it's still there or not.

With that said, I don't know that any of them are super friendly for a crawler. I remember stopping by Pooh's Playful Spot when my youngest was 1 and crawled/stumbled around a bit, but that was pre-Fantasyland expansion and there were still a lot of older kids potentially trampling the crawlers. I think even at PPS, the sign says it's for ages 2-5. I wish there were more areas for crawlers though. They need to get out and move too. Maybe bring a blanket and find a grassy area to set up camp to let baby crawl and burn some energy off?

 

[alicia080979]

There used to be a hidden play area at EPCOT and it was fairies themed, but I don't remember what it's called or even exactly how to get there any more. The last time we were there, we stumbled upon it. I don't know if it's still there or not.

With that said, I don't know that any of them are super friendly for a crawler. I remember stopping by Pooh's Playful Spot when my youngest was 1 and crawled/stumbled around a bit, but that was pre-Fantasyland expansion and there were still a lot of older kids potentially trampling the crawlers. I think even at PPS, the sign says it's for ages 2-5. I wish there were more areas for crawlers though. They need to get out and move too. Maybe bring a blanket and find a grassy area to set up camp to let baby crawl and burn some energy off?

I have been looking and I think you are right that my best bet might be to just toss a gauze blanket in the bottom of the stroller and let her crawl/sit and play when we can. It is a tough age because she is fine going from stroller to lap to baby carrier to high chair I think but at the same time she loves when she is crawling around playing too. More mommy guilt of keeping her confined than anything I guess, lol.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I would not say any of the play areas are safe for a crawler as bigger kids will be running there. not sure how much you are going to find spaces for her to crawl safely as most open spaces will have older kids running off steam

 

[jsh1975]

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[jsh1975]

I think the fairy one is during flower and garden festival.

 

[thedonduck]

At the exit to Mission Space (go through the gift shop) there is a playground. Does anyone know if the one in TT is still around??? Otherwise pop a blanket down on the grass and let kiddo burn some energy.

AK- there is a small kids area inside the boneyard. Also don't forget the digging area across the bridge. My kids loved it at that age!

 

[thedonduck]

At the exit to Mission Space (go through the gift shop) there is a playground. Does anyone know if the one in TT is still around??? Otherwise pop a blanket down on the grass and let kiddo burn some energy.

AK- there is a small kids area inside the boneyard. Also don't forget the digging area across the bridge. My kids loved it at that age!

 

[Muskrat191]

My DD was 7.5 months when we were at WDW last November. She was already crawling and cruising the furniture. It was a very low crowd week. Also note that I don't particularly worry about germs, so I had no problem with her crawling directly on the floor. I did wipe her hands when we were done.

At MK, she got some crawling/cruising time at Dumbo, but we still had to watch that the preschoolers didn't bang into her. There is a bench all around the toddler area, which was great for cruising. I didn't use the baby centre at MK, so I'm not sure if there is a good spot for floor time there.

At EP, we went to the Seas one morning at Rope Drop. After riding the ride, I had to breastfeed my DD, so the rest of the party went on the ride again and into Turtle Talk with Crush. My DD and I went upstairs in the aquarium and it was completely empty. She fed and then got some floor time. We also used the baby centre at EP for some floor time. The room with the TV was always empty when we were there (although she was distracted by the TV).

At AK, she got some floor time at the Boneyard. It wasn't too busy, and there are some areas away from the slides where I didn't need to worry about big kids trampling her. I did have to watch my DD to make sure she wasn't eating the leaves she found on the ground. If I remember correctly, there is a room in the baby centre here that would also be good for some floor time.

At HS, the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground was under refurbishment while we were there. The only floor time my daughter got was at the Disney Jr show. The audience is seated on the floor. We were near the back and there was some space to spread out. The baby centre in HS was too small for floor time.

I also felt guilty about the amount of time my daughter spent in the carrier (she doesn't like strollers, so she spent most of the trip in a Boba 3G), but we made sure she had lots of floor time at the house we rented.

 

[Crystal824]

I would not say any of the play areas are safe for a crawler as bigger kids will be running there. not sure how much you are going to find spaces for her to crawl safely as most open spaces will have older kids running off steam

I would agree with this. We took DD to WDW for the first time when she was 9 months. She wasn't yet walking. The play areas can be ok for them, but if there are lots of other older kids, it may not be safe. With that being said, we did let DD crawl around some at the baby care centers. The one at AK is especially nice for that.

 

[ellone]

I would not say any of the play areas are safe for a crawler as bigger kids will be running there. not sure how much you are going to find spaces for her to crawl safely as most open spaces will have older kids running off steam

This - they are not meant for crawlers. Kids will be running all over.

 

[jsh1975]

Under the Frontierland train station and adjacent to Splash Mountain is The Laughing Place, a cute playground designed for guests no taller than 40 inches.

The next time your kids are exploring Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom, be sure to climb to the top of the hill, where a small play structure awaits. It's looks like a place where Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn's imagination ran wild. A nearby area mimics one of the rafts guests ride across the Rivers of America; kids can stand at the helm to steer or ring a bell.

Over at Epcot, there is a fantastic interactive area inside the base of the Mission: SPACE ride. Enter through the gift shop and you'll find the Advanced Training Lab, which includes several different types of video games, plus play tunnels and a kiosk to email space postcards.

Space Base features two levels of connecting tunnels and lots of interactive features like buttons, sounds and nets. A big plus: I have yet to see young kids become afraid and stop in the tunnels. I think most parents are happy to not relive their climbs to the top of fast-food play structures to rescue sobbing youngsters.

 

[norybell]

We brought our son as a crawler last year, and finding good spots was a real pain. I'd had high hopes for the Baby Care Centers, but the rooms there tended to be small and already have too many (bigger) kids in them.

We only did Epcot and MK that trip...at Epcot, our best spot was definitely the aquarium. We'd also find deserted corners at Innoventions or the game areas (outside Mission Space? I can't quite remember), and let him crawl around those until it got too busy. At MK, our best spot was probably the waiting area for the Hall of Presidents. We didn't actually stay for the show, just hung out in the waiting room for a while.