There is no evidence such a policy exists. Nonetheless, we contacted Disney for confirmation and will update this article if we receive a response.
The rumor that giving birth at a Disney theme park will secure your newborn baby (or you) a free lifetime pass has circulated online for decades.
For example, the claim appeared on TikTok on July 2, 2024, when one pregnant poster told her followers she was attempting a Disney birth to secure a lifetime pass for her unborn son.
@marinazdenka Is it worth it? 😅😂 #disney #disneylandtiktok #disneymom #disneyland #pregnant #momsoftiktok #36weekspregnant #familytime #roadto5k ♬ original sound - Marina | boy mama
Her video had amassed more than 19.2 million views as of this writing.
Similar posts appeared elsewhere on TikTok that month and on Instagram in September. The rumor was also on TikTok in April 2023. Other users speculated in the comments under the latter post whether giving birth at a Disney park could secure free entry for life.
One person wrote: "It's for the baby not for the parent. Good luck to the mom," while another asked: "Is this for real?"
@over.dose.on.disney Lady started contractions at disney …. #disney #fyp #disneybaby #viralvideo #disneyparks ♬ Disneyland and DCA ride songs - Kelly
The urban legend has been a hot topic on Disney online forums like WDWMAGIC as far back as 2005, and it has been repeatedly discussed on Reddit and YouTube, where users have attempted to debunk the idea.
Despite the popularity of the claim, no users have provided any evidence of it being true. Likewise, The Walt Disney Company has never officially confirmed such a policy.
We reached out to Disney for confirmation, and will update this article if we receive a response.
Disneyland's First Birth
Multiple babies have reportedly been born at Disney parks over the years. However, the misconception about newborns receiving lifetimes passes seems to be based on when the first baby was born at Disneyland on July 4, 1979. Per D23 — The Official Disney Fan Club:
Baby Center Opened on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland in July 1957, in response to requests from mothers for a place where they could change and care for their babies during a visit to Disneyland. Disneyland nurses had an unexpected event happen on July 4, 1979, when the first baby was born in the park—Teresa Salcedo weighed in at 6 lbs. 10 1/2 oz. The happy but surprised parents were Rosa and Elias Salcedo of Los Angeles.
According to contemporaneous newspaper reports, the Salcedo family was presented with "Disney Birth Certificate No. 1" while mother and child were recovering at a nearby hospital. The commemorative item was handed to them by Disney cast members dressed as Donald Duck, Goofy and Mickey Mouse.
However, the reports did not mention Teresa or Rosa receiving a lifetime pass.
Disney Parks' Advice to Expectant Mothers
Walt Disney World Resort's website discouraged pregnant women from partaking in numerous shows and attractions due to safety concerns. It also recommended guests "consult the signage posted at each attraction—which includes height requirements, health and safety advisories, and accessibility guidelines."
A similar message appeared on planDisney, the official online resource for tips, advice, and insights for planning a trip to a Disney park. Neither site mentioned anything about babies born on Disney premises receiving lifetime passes.
Though the claim has endured for years, it appears to be baseless. While the births of several babies at Disneyland and other parks have garnered media attention over the years, none of them — nor their families — were confirmed to have received a lifetime pass.
Online search results produced no evidence from Disney that such a policy exists.
Snopes has previously fact checked numerous rumors regarding Disney parks, including the satirical claims that women can give birth at Disney World for $5,000 and Disney World was closed in August 2024 due to an outbreak of mpox.