Dad and mom planning their youngster’s first journey to Walt Disney World typically have a variety of questions, as visiting Walt Disney World with children is uncharted territory that may be intimidating. This information solutions a few of these questions with useful recommendation to keep away from errors and customary planning pitfalls. (Up to date March 2, 2025.)
Let’s begin with the newest replace, which comes as we’re reviewing this information as mother and father ourselves. Once we first coated this matter a number of years in the past, we had been the dreaded Disney Adults with out children. The guidelines & methods had been written primarily based on a mix of firsthand experiences with buddies and their children, seeing households meltdown in sure situations, plus fan suggestions. The objective was recent recommendation from an outsider perspective, and embrace quotes from readers who’re mother and father providing quite a lot of views about visiting with children.
Admittedly, we’ve lengthy anxious that among the technique right here would come again to hang-out us. That our expectations can be unrealistic or idealized. As we now replace this after visiting Disneyland on a weekly foundation with our now-toddler and having made a number of journeys along with her to Walt Disney World, we’re revisiting what we obtained proper and improper. The most important factor we obtained proper was big-picture philosophy about visiting with children. What we obtained most improper was underestimating simply how for much longer all the pieces takes with a child, and the way time actually is cash as a result of you will have lots much less of it as mother and father of a small youngster!
This information is supposed to complement different guides (together with our personal Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information) and supply a fairly knowledgeable (hopefully) perspective mother and father won’t in any other case hear. All in all, we expect it is a fairly first rate useful resource to learn as you propose that journey with the children to Walt Disney World!
We’ll be again for much extra complete updates within the years to come back as our daughter continues to develop up, and we’ve extra Walt Disney World holidays as a household underneath our belts. And possibly many extra occasions within the years to come back as we make errors and be taught from them. For now, listed here are some issues that we expect are good to know earlier than your first go to with youngsters.
Perspective
The most important piece of recommendation we are able to supply is to know your limitations. We’ve seen this situation time and time once more, in quite a lot of types: father or mother pushes child’s limits in a technique or one other, and everybody has a foul time. For a lot of households, Walt Disney World journeys with are a as soon as in a lifetime factor, and a ceremony of passage for the children.
We perceive that these journeys are actually costly, and with that comes increased stakes and extra stress to “make as a lot magic” for the child as attainable. Our sturdy recommendation–and this goes equally for {couples} or solo vacationers–is to disabuse your self of this notion. Take into consideration the cash when budgeting, however as soon as it’s already spent, take into consideration the journey solely by way of enjoyment.
Youngsters get cranky after an excessive amount of stimulation. Everybody is aware of that. Nonetheless, adults can too. Parental crankiness manifests itself in quite a lot of methods, however the unseen approach is the most typical: within the stubbornness of wanting to maintain pushing after they usually wouldn’t in “regular” father or mother mode.
This in flip causes crankiness within the youngster who’s past their breaking level, which in turns causes extra crankiness within the father or mother, who retains interested by how a lot the journey value, and the way a lot enjoyable they “want” to “make” their children have. It’s a vicious cycle, and earlier than you understand it, there’s a full-blown meltdown.
As a father or mother, angle is all the pieces. Don’t go into the journey with the expectation that you should do 17 sights per day and will need to have X, Y, and Z executed earlier than 11:30 am. There is no such thing as a magic variety of rides for a fantastic and memorable journey. 4 hours per day of high quality time within the parks is best than 2 hours of high quality time and 6 hours of depressing time.
Should you’ve been to Walt Disney World earlier than having children, don’t count on to go at your outdated tempo or to do the identical belongings you as soon as did. The trade-off for seeing the magic by way of your youngsters’s eyes as they gentle up with pleasure upon assembly Mickey Mouse for the primary time is which you can’t do marathon hours within the park (except you deliver grandparents!).
Approaching the journey with sensible expectations and a constructive angle is a very powerful component of planning a visit to Walt Disney World with children. A plan of assault for hitting rides in essentially the most environment friendly order is a good factor to have (as you’ll learn under), however mother and father ought to be ready to desert these plans instantly as soon as the children on the journey are starting to strategy that wall.
What Age is Proper
One of the vital frequent questions when planning a toddler’s first journey to Walt Disney World is: “what age is true?” It is a loaded query that actually relies on your circumstances.
For a lot of adults who take their actually younger youngsters, the expertise shouldn’t be in regards to the reminiscences of the children, however for the mother and father. It’s about watching their child’s face gentle up as they contact Eeyore for the primary time, or it’s about getting that first picture in entrance of Cinderella Citadel. Clearly, infants usually are not going to recollect any of that. However they’ll be indelible reminiscences for the mother and father.
Our recommendation right here can be to not let different folks discuss you out of the choice you’ve already made regarding when is true for that first journey. It looks like a variety of mother and father discover themselves considering that they wish to make a journey with their toddler for no matter motive, after which flip to different folks, virtually as in the event that they wish to be talked out of the loopy thought.
On this space of planning, your particular person instincts and intestine feeling ought to trump all else. If you wish to wait till the children are sufficiently old to stroll, wait. If you wish to take them as quickly because it’s secure (consultants advise that you simply restrict a new child’s publicity to giant teams of individuals in order that they don’t get sick, in order that they’re the one group we’d rule out definitively as being “not” the correct age), extra energy to you. what you need greater than I do know what you need.
We made our first half-day go to to Disneyland about 2 months after our daughter was born (we’re locals). We waited till she was over 6 months outdated earlier than making our first journey to Walt Disney World. She’s since visited Florida a number of occasions, whereas additionally taking journeys to Tokyo Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland. These lengthy flights had been very intimidating and made us nervous, however she tailored simply superb. A lot in order that we’re planning extra journeys to Asia and Europe!
Since this part is kind of, “when to go to Disney World with children,” we’ll lump time of 12 months in right here too. If attainable, don’t go when faculty is out of session–particularly in case your children aren’t but in class. There are literally two causes for this, the primary of which ought to be fairly apparent and intuitive.
Walt Disney World’s key demographic is households, and faculty breaks are the time when that demo is most inclined to go to. This truly shouldn’t be fairly as dangerous as you would possibly count on in summer time. Many households do take holidays to Walt Disney World from late Could by way of mid-August, however since that’s a multi-month break, the attendance and crowds are diluted.
In contrast, the weeklong or shorter breaks are far worse–particularly when everybody is out of college on the similar time. There’s just one Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New 12 months’s Eve, and so forth. Even fall break and spring break happen for a lot of faculty districts across the similar time, so these weeks and lengthy weekends are dangerous. That is to say nothing of the various lesser identified holidays or breaks which have an outsized influence on crowds. Issues like Presidents’ Day, Mardi Gras, Jersey Week, and many others. Suffice to say, see our 2025 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars.
The underappreciated part of that is climate. Summer season is the worst time to go to Walt Disney World not due to crowds, that are “solely” above-average, however due to crowds plus the worst climate of the 12 months.
The warmth and humidity makes these congestion and crowds really feel a lot worse. Even the late summer time and early fall low season, which has the bottom crowds of your complete 12 months, is arguably not price it because of the climate.
This might all most likely be lowered to “consolation.” Decrease crowds means larger consolation, as does higher climate. Much less consolation will increase the possibilities of a meltdown, whereas the alternative is true of extra consolation. Everybody ought to optimize for consolation–minimizing crowds and maximizing climate to the best extent attainable. That’s much more true for households with babies, who’re extra meltdown-prone.
We took our daughter to Walt Disney World in mid-June, and it’s not one thing we’d suggest. On account of climate, we misplaced large chunks of the day and took far longer breaks than we did throughout our journeys within the spring or at Christmas. See our listing of the 10 Greatest and 10 Worst Weeks to Go to Walt Disney World in 2025 & 2026 for the candy (and not-so-sweet) spots.
The place to Keep
The place to remain actually relies upon upon private desire. Widespread recommendation for households is to remain on the most compact lodge in every worth tier. This implies French Quarter out of the Moderates, Modern out of the Deluxes, and All Star Music out of the Values. The benefits are extra pronounced at French Quarter and the compact Deluxes than they’re at All Star Music–just about the entire Values are equal in dimension.
Different households could wish to keep at resorts with inside hallways (Deluxe Resorts plus Artwork of Animation suites and Gran Destino Tower). Some could wish to keep away from resorts with out elevators (Caribbean Seashore and Port Orleans Riverside). Then there are the resorts with inner bus loops and a number of stops, which is expounded to sprawling dimension however barely totally different.
Talking of which, transportation is mostly a large one. We strongly favor resorts that supply non-bus transportation to at the very least 2 parks. Sometimes, this implies the Magic Kingdom space (monorail loop, boats, walkways), Crescent Lake/EPCOT space (boats, walkways, Skyliner) or Skyliner gondola resorts. See Our Favourite Resort for Walt Disney World Journeys as Dad and mom with a Toddler for our #1 suggestion inside strolling distance that additionally affords nice bang-for-buck by Deluxe Resort requirements.
Buses are the least-predictable or dependable type of Walt Disney World transportation, and having the ability to use non-bus transportation could make issues simpler on households. Much less stress with strollers, decrease commute occasions, and a larger probability of truly taking a noon break. (That is recommendation that isn’t distinctive to households with children, however it’s extra pronounced for them.)
Resort swimming pools also needs to be a consideration, as noon breaks on the pool appear to be fashionable and well-remembered by children. See what pool theme appeals most (the perfect pool by far is Storm-Alongside Bay on the Yacht and Seashore Membership) to your children, and issue that within the determination.
Choosing the “proper” lodge appears to be a kind of “YMMV” issues. Totally different themes will enchantment to totally different households. You won’t thoughts being farther from the parks, or counting on bus transportation. However over time, we’ve obtain a ton of suggestions from mother and father who assume the unfold out resorts are terrible due to how inconvenient they’re to navigate with children. In any case, see our Rankings of All Resort Resorts at Walt Disney World from Worst to Greatest for suggestions of the place to remain for all events and journey types.
The place to Eat
Sure eating places are extra enjoyable for teenagers. Particularly, eating places with cool and kid-friendly themes. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater ranks on the high of this listing. I nonetheless bear in mind consuming right here as a child, though I don’t actually bear in mind every other restaurant (in addition to Hoop De Doo Revue, and that’s solely as a result of we went there yearly, so one thing was certain to stay to my reminiscence). Our listing of the Greatest Themed Eating places at Walt Disney World is a good useful resource for making Advance Eating Reservations (ADRs).
We’ve a Checklist of Greatest Character Meals at Walt Disney World, and we’d strongly suggest reserving at the very least one meal at these far upfront of your journey. It is a nice climate-controlled option to meet a number of characters, and eat whereas doing so. Kill two birds with one stone. (For some households, character eating experiences are the spotlight of the journey–they do one each single day!)
Our different suggestion for locations that many households ought to keep away from is Signature Eating places. These eating places do enable youngsters, and a variety of mother and father deliver their children to the eating places. Nonetheless, they’re upscale eating places that undoubtedly skew in direction of adults, with grownup ambiance, grownup delicacies, and grownup costs.
In case your children are sometimes loud or unruly throughout dinner, it’s most likely not the perfect of concepts to deliver them to those eating places. We point out this as a result of a variety of “for teenagers” guides written by precise mother and father attempt to justify taking any youngsters to those eating places with the mentality that “it’s Disney World, the place was made for teenagers, they’re okay ANYWHERE.”
Talking for the adults with out children who type the primary clientele of Signature Eating places: this isn’t true. Walt Disney World shouldn’t be solely “for teenagers” (there are tons of convention-goers, honeymooners, businesspeople, {couples}, and many others.) and different patrons will likely be irritated by the presence of unruly youngsters throughout their good, costly meal.
Not solely that, however you’ll most likely be much less snug and really feel out-of-place at a Signature Restaurant in case your youngsters are unruly. The meal is costly and neither the menu nor the environment are geared toward households. Frankly, it’s onerous to see how that is extra pleasing than simply consuming at a extra family-friendly restaurant.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to emphasise that this pertains to unruly youngsters. In case your children are properly behaved, by all means take them to any restaurant (in addition to Victoria & Albert’s, the place they flat out are prohibited). It is likely to be an costly option to feed children, however there’s not essentially an issue with taking them. Different folks received’t give side-eye on the mere presence of youngsters–solely misbehaving ones.
As for counter service eating places, most locations in Walt Disney World have fairly tame choices that can enchantment to youngsters. World Showcase in Epcot is a notable exception to this, however that’s actually about it. In any other case, virtually each counter service restaurant at Walt Disney World will supply one thing that’s appropriate for even the pickiest of eaters.
Our last suggestion with eating is to go early to keep away from the crowds. We suggest everybody do that, however it’s particularly essential with children. Some eating places get actually busy round midday, to the purpose the place it may be tough to discover a desk. Juggling the children and trays of meals throughout these occasions could be tough (we’ve seen loads of households battle with it), and it’s simply a lot simpler when issues aren’t so busy. The opening occasions for eating places varies, however most begin serving lunch at 10:30 am or 11 am.
Sights
The salient suggestion right here is to not take children on rides that they’re not able to expertise. For starters, learn our Disney Parks Experience Guides that describe, price, and supply different information for every experience. Past that…how are you going to know whether or not they’re prepared? Properly, one of the simplest ways is to gauge their reactions or what they are saying after they strategy an attraction.
Numerous children are scared on the prospect of the Haunted Mansion, and simply because a Solid Member tells you that it’s principally comical ghosts doesn’t imply your children will decide up on that nuance of the attraction. To them it is likely to be the case {that a} ghost is a ghost is a ghost, and all are equally scary. You may additionally discover they’re terrified of issues that appear innocuous.
Youngsters received’t even have the ability to experience some sights as a consequence of peak, and it’s best to not try to bypass these guidelines to get your youngster on an attraction earlier than they’re the suitable peak. These restrictions usually are not arbitrary–they’re for the sake of security.
It additionally essential to keep in mind that peak isn’t any assure {that a} youngster will get pleasure from an attraction. It looks like on a regular basis we’re in Walt Disney World, we see mother and father attempting to coax their children to “be courageous” and go on a selected attraction. This most likely stems from the mentality that the holiday was costly, and fogeys wish to get their cash’s price.
Additionally don’t be stunned if these fears change and “evolve.” In the future they is likely to be superb with Haunted Mansion or no matter attraction, the following day they might not. Simply roll with it. Heck, if they’re reluctant to go on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, don’t drive them. A few of these fears would possibly defy logic, however it’s what it’s.
If the attraction goes to traumatize the kid and make them nervous about experiencing subsequent sights with which they in any other case wouldn’t have had a problem, what’s gained by forcing them to “be courageous”? Nothing. Their reminiscences of the journey will type round these destructive experiences, and there will likely be points for the remainder of the day or remainder of the journey. So why drive it?
The rationale children have for desirous to do or not desirous to do issues perplexes even the neatest scientists, so there’s no sense attempting to rationalize or motive with them about experiencing an attraction. Karin J. affords strong recommendation on this regard: “Don’t take younger youngsters on sights they aren’t prepared for. I’ve heard many tales from others who did that and it might break the journey, as a result of the kid is depressing after which could be scared of all the pieces afterward. Check them with tamer rides first if younger and see what they like and may deal with.”
In fact, you understand your children higher than a information written by some stranger, and there’s at all times the prospect that your children have preliminary hesitation however are usually superb as soon as they really have interaction within the expertise. If you understand this to be the case together with your children, disregard the above recommendation, and encourage them to go on sights about which they’re nervous. However in case you don’t know, and end up simply pushing them since you wish to do as a lot as attainable, rethink the technique.
As for what sights are greatest for teenagers, that relies on the child. We’ve seen children like and dislike nearly each attraction at Walt Disney World, and any listing you see elsewhere goes to be primarily based on what the listing author’s children get pleasure from. Their children aren’t your children.
I completely cherished Nation Bear Jamboree as a toddler (and nonetheless find it irresistible), however I learn mother and father on a regular basis who name it a snoozer that places their children to sleep. What totally different folks and children get pleasure from could also be surprising. Erin S. illustrates this level along with her daughter: “You may’t plan for all the pieces, so be ready to waft. Who knew my daughter’s fave experience can be the transportation bus?”
To get an thought of what your children will like upfront, we suggest watching YouTube attraction experience by way of movies; simply seek for the attraction title plus “ride-through” and also you’ll discover loads of outcomes. You would possibly even watch these together with your children so you’ll be able to see their response to particular sights (like we mentioned above, they might be scared by issues that shock you they usually could like issues that you simply thought would’ve scared them).
It’s additionally essential to keep in mind that, for teenagers, character meet & greets are an essential a part of the expertise. Doing a personality meal could be an effective way to see a number of characters with out ready in line, and whereas consuming within the air-con. We extremely suggest character meals. Should you don’t wish to do character meals, indoor meet & greets are usually higher choices.
Chris T. has a suggestion for meet and greets that proved polarizing: “Skip the silly autograph books. When you have an outgoing youngster who’s not afraid to speak, get them to work together with the characters. They’ll have much more enjoyable.”
Like so many issues, we disagree with this as one-size-fits-all recommendation. For some children, the autograph guide is likely to be a conduit for an interplay that they may’ve not had in any other case. For extra social children, the autograph guide is likely to be wholly unnecessarily–and stop an natural interplay. (One factor we do suggest in our Distinctive Packing Checklist for Walt Disney World is an autograph guide alternative.)
Irrespective of how a lot you prep your self and them, there’s at all times the likelihood (nay, chance) that your children will shock you when you go to. To this present day I bear in mind being scared mindless by the Universe of Vitality as a toddler and hiding on the ground of the experience car once I noticed the dinosaurs…and I cherished dinosaurs as a toddler. This was no fault of my mother and father, however it made for a foul expertise that I nonetheless bear in mind. Unpredictable issues like this occur, and the perfect you are able to do is injury management as soon as they do occur.
Plan of Assault
Should you’re like my dad, you educate your youngsters life classes by way of maxims and colloquialisms. A well-liked one is at all times “the early fowl will get the worm.” A visit to Walt Disney World is a good time to actually hammer this one house. (Okay, perhaps not within the sense that the journey is actually the time for instructing them life classes, however it’s best to comply with it on the journey.)
Tackling Walt Disney World with children is a lot simpler in case you’re up early and to the parks earlier than they open. Ideally, you wish to arrive 15-Half-hour earlier than official opening time, and also you wish to have a plan of assault for at the very least your early morning. Should you’re eligible for Early Entry, you completely wish to benefit from that.
Normally it will contain experiencing a number of sights in Fantasyland, most of that are shortly skilled and may get lengthy strains later within the day. In these instances, the distinction between being to the park at 8:30 am versus 10:30 am generally is a 5 minute look forward to Peter Pan’s Flight versus a 60 minute wait. The significance of arriving early can’t be understated.
We’d additionally suggest studying itineraries upfront of your journeys and making some notes. Nonetheless, we don’t suggest creating binders, spreadsheets, and scheduling each step of their day. Folks get critical and obsessive about this, which is a mistake. (See above about parental expectations resulting in meltdowns.) The perfect laid plans typically go awry, and when that inevitably occurs (and it completely will in case you’re touring with babies), it may be disappointing in case you’ve over-planned.
As with most issues in life, stability and moderation are key. We’ve the next versatile step-by-step plans for every park that cowl our good days utilizing standby-only:
Do NOT count on to stay to those plans when you’ve got babies. Use these as a broad strokes define, not as a strict schedule. Youngsters could turn out to be drained, irritated, or they might spontaneously see one thing they actually, actually wish to do. We’re not suggesting that it’s best to at all times let children name the photographs, however at Walt Disney World…there are a variety of circumstances the place it’s best to let children name the photographs.
It could sting to skip your Lightning Lane return time for Frozen Ever After as a result of your child can’t get sufficient of the interactive water in Moana’s Journey of Water, however don’t combat it. Embrace the enjoyment and spontaneity–forcing them to cease having enjoyable to do a “higher-priority” experience seemingly received’t finish properly.
This was recommendation a number of mother and father shared with us, and the recurring theme of this recommendation was that it’s essential to decelerate and never over-plan. Sharlene M. mentioned this: “The youngest member of your group is at all times going to find out your touring type. Decelerate, take a nap, and maintain them on as near their regular schedule as attainable, particularly for meals. You’ll have a greater journey and everybody else will too. A soften down isn’t any enjoyable for anybody.”
Past arriving early and having a unfastened plan, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about using Lightning Lane Multi-Move (there’s additionally Lightning Lane Single Move and Premier Move, however Multi-Move is the optimum possibility for folks with babies). Every thing you NEED to know, together with experience priorities, the place it’s NOT needed to purchase Lightning Lanes, and way more is roofed in our Information to Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World. We don’t suggest utilizing Lightning Lane Multi-Move every single day or for each park.
One other related time-saving possibility is the Rider Swap Move (extra generally often called a “Youngster Swap”), which could be obtained from Solid Members exterior sights with peak limits. This cross permits one father or mother to stick with the children who don’t meet the peak requirement for an attraction whereas the opposite father or mother (or group of above-height folks) waits with the children. When the driving father or mother/group is completed, the ready father or mother/group can use the Lightning Lane.
Noon breaks are one other fashionable suggestion, and these are one thing we advise making the most of for each mother and father and non-parents. The center of the day shouldn’t be solely the busiest time on the parks, however it’s the most popular, too! A noon break means that you can return for nighttime enjoyable, so undoubtedly go away the park throughout the center of the day.
On the subject of a “plan” for preserving reminiscences, Karin J. reminds households that picture time ought to be early within the day on the plan: “Take photos early within the day when the children are comfortable and never worn out…have a present picture that exhibits precisely what they’re carrying in case you get separated throughout the day.”
Strollers
We’ve simply began utilizing a stroller extra often at Walt Disney World.
Earlier than that, we used a BabyBjörn Child Service in all places–from day visits to Disneyland to 6 weeks in Japan. We’re big followers/advocates of baby-wearing, and went primarily that route for so long as attainable. We prevented strollers to the best sensible extent…till we had no different selection, which began across the time our daughter turned extra cellular. See our Information to Child Sporting for Disney World & Journey.
As we’ve began to make use of our stroller extra, we at the moment are of the opinion that strollers are sometimes a necessity or a invaluable asset to have. The parks are big and babies merely can’t be anticipated to traverse World Showcase or Animal Kingdom with out some help. And although it may be a ache to fold strollers on crowded buses, discover parking, navigate by way of crowds, and many others–there’s additionally an enormous benefit to napping on the go, having a “free locker” and extra.
Nonetheless, we’ve tried to attenuate our stroller utilization on the parks, and sometimes go away it parked for hours on finish. If you look again at images of Walt Disney World from previous many years, you discover far fewer strollers. This isn’t as a result of extra youngsters are visiting now–it’s as a result of a larger phase of youngsters are utilizing strollers. When visiting the worldwide parks, we’ve observed shockingly decrease use of strollers by company. There are nonetheless strollers, however not almost as many. A part of this is likely to be because of the lively life of Europeans and Asians as in comparison with People, and actuality that individuals who dwell in walkable cities and depend on public transportation are much less seemingly to make use of strollers.
Anyway, our recommendation is to work on growing your youngster’s stamina earlier than the journey. It’s at all times good to have a stroller as a security internet, as only a few youngsters will stroll as a lot throughout a mean week at house as they do at Walt Disney World. However “security internet” isn’t the identical as being dependent upon the gadget.
Reader Rhonda B. agrees: “Have your youngster stroll. We took our youngsters to Disney again within the days when youngsters weren’t overweight, went exterior to play, and exercised. They had been 2 and 4 years outdated….now 22 and 24 (presently a solid member). My youngest, age 2, did simply superb.”
Nonetheless, not everybody agrees. “Hire a stroller! Even in your children which have outgrown them…One thing that’s snug for the children, we had an light-weight break and needed to name Orlando Stroller Leases they obtained us one which day. Superb. It value the identical as our stroller we purchased and it was a double, had a lot of room for bag and a giant solar shade,” says Jill M.
It’s a few 50/50 cut up as as to whether it’s best to deliver a stroller or hire one at Walt Disney World. Megan R. shared this: “TAKE your individual stroller! Completely not a problem within the airport (could be gate checked at no cost) and a lot nicer and cheaper than renting the plastic ones from Disney.”
On the opposite aspect, many mother and father suggest renting a stroller as a result of what you’ll need at Walt Disney World would possibly differ from what you’d usually use at house. Once more, a YMMV scenario. The overwhelming suggestion different mother and father shared with us was to make use of an umbrella stroller.
Daybreak B. mentioned this: “When my boys had been youthful, we at all times introduced umbrella strollers (if it reclines for naps, that’s a bonus–not all umbrella’s recline). The umbrella stroller was good as a result of it folds simply for bus rides to parks and helps save grown ups from carrying little ones from the parking zone into the park.”
Kayla E. shared a number of extra ideas: “Deliver a poncho or rain cowl in your stroller…in case you’re in a experience or consuming when a day rainstorm breaks out, that can assist. Tie a shawl, balloon, one thing figuring out on stroller. It’s going to most likely be moved from the time you park it to choosing it up.” She additional added, “assume upfront the way you’ll experience the bus. When you have two or extra children, a stroller, and some baggage, boarding the bus generally is a mess.
Know methods to fold the stroller, and in case you can, fold it earlier than the bus arrives, not as you’re stepping aboard. The bus recommendation is one thing to think about when deciding which stroller to make use of within the parks. On the one hand, a Cadillac-sized stroller could be good to make use of, however the disadvantage is transporting it when there aren’t children in it, which might actually be a ache. Weigh the professionals and the cons earlier than deciding on one stroller.
Enhancing the Magic!
Lots of people search for little methods to make the journey extra “magical” for his or her children. We’d advise mother and father to not fret an excessive amount of about including extra “magic” for the children, because it appears extra more likely to put stress on the adults than to actually lead to that a lot of an enhanced expertise for the children. Actually, in case you’re a child at Walt Disney World, that’s already about as magical because it will get.
There are methods to make the journey extra “interactive” for the children. Ben H. summarizes a few of our favorites: “Hidden Mickey books go over properly, too. And prizes to day by day winners, in case you can afford. The books have totally different Mickeys at totally different level values, as do the apps! Disposable cameras are a cheap option to let a child be a photographer with out risking their iPod Contact or your iPhone to wreck. Zip-top baggage are a should for electronics… they’ve saved my butt greater than as soon as in a shock rain storm!”
Shopping for Disney pins upfront of the journey to commerce with Solid Members was one other piece of fashionable recommendation. Right here’s what Bernadette G. needed to say: “Pin buying and selling was an enormous hit for our three children (teen by way of six 12 months outdated) on our first journey to WDW final 12 months – nice for serving to shy ones muster up the braveness to work together with solid members, and many others. I second (third?) shopping for them upfront on ebay – we doled them out a bit at a time over the holiday to unfold out the enjoyable.”
The over-arching recommendation concerning souvenirs is to at all times purchase earlier than leaving house, as issues are way more costly within the parks. Rosalie provides one other instance: “Deliver your individual costumes, by no means purchase them on the parks. Purchase your Princess attire proper on or instantly after halloween from Disney.com, they are going to be on sale, or look forward to any of the quite a few gross sales shopDisney.com has. By no means pay full worth, in case you prefer it, wait and it’ll go on sale.”
A suggestion of one thing that may make the journey a bit extra particular for folks is shared by Darleen L., who writes: “Many individuals don’t know in regards to the Principal Avenue Barber Store. It’s NOT simply there for seems/environment. They do an AMAZING “child’s first haircut” there! By wonderful, I imply, take your tissue and digicam!”
One other miscellaneous tip comes from Sara S., who recommends taking a variety of images (we agree!): “One other tip that was nice for our household is take photos of all the pieces. My husband loves images and snaps photos consistently. It’s not unusual for him to take over 6,000 in a ten day journey…. He took tons of photographs of our children, but in addition took heaps and plenty of photos of the parks themselves. There are such a lot of particulars that I missed as a result of I used to be so busy trying down at our youngest. I used to be so grateful to must photos once I got here house, even those that had been a bit out of focus!”
We’ll shut out this text with maybe the perfect piece of recommendation and one thing that’s at all times price remembering from reader Anthony G., who writes, “BE A KID TOO! All of the prep ideas are superior. However having fun with Disney together with your children as a child is the perfect a part of going to Disney with Youngsters!”
We agree. A visit to Walt Disney World with children can appear overwhelming and it’d sound like lots can go improper…however far more can go proper than can go improper. Roll with the punches and bear in mind to loosen up and have enjoyable!
As our personal expertise will increase, we’ll undoubtedly be again with many (many) extra items of recommendation. For now, in case you want personalised assist with planning any side of your trip—we suggest contacting a no price “Approved Disney Trip Planner” (Disney’s time period for a journey agent) to get a quote and that will help you plan. They get their fee from Disney, so not one of the approved (key phrase) planners will cost you for reserving their journey and serving to. Right here’s one such really useful Approved Disney Trip Planner.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you should know!
Your Ideas
What ideas do you mother and father assume are most essential? Which recommendation we shared do you agree with? The place do you disagree? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Dad and mom planning their youngster’s first journey to Walt Disney World typically have a variety of questions, as visiting Walt Disney World with children is uncharted territory that may be intimidating. This information solutions a few of these questions with useful recommendation to keep away from errors and customary planning pitfalls. (Up to date March 2, 2025.)
Let’s begin with the newest replace, which comes as we’re reviewing this information as mother and father ourselves. Once we first coated this matter a number of years in the past, we had been the dreaded Disney Adults with out children. The guidelines & methods had been written primarily based on a mix of firsthand experiences with buddies and their children, seeing households meltdown in sure situations, plus fan suggestions. The objective was recent recommendation from an outsider perspective, and embrace quotes from readers who’re mother and father providing quite a lot of views about visiting with children.
Admittedly, we’ve lengthy anxious that among the technique right here would come again to hang-out us. That our expectations can be unrealistic or idealized. As we now replace this after visiting Disneyland on a weekly foundation with our now-toddler and having made a number of journeys along with her to Walt Disney World, we’re revisiting what we obtained proper and improper. The most important factor we obtained proper was big-picture philosophy about visiting with children. What we obtained most improper was underestimating simply how for much longer all the pieces takes with a child, and the way time actually is cash as a result of you will have lots much less of it as mother and father of a small youngster!
This information is supposed to complement different guides (together with our personal Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information) and supply a fairly knowledgeable (hopefully) perspective mother and father won’t in any other case hear. All in all, we expect it is a fairly first rate useful resource to learn as you propose that journey with the children to Walt Disney World!
We’ll be again for much extra complete updates within the years to come back as our daughter continues to develop up, and we’ve extra Walt Disney World holidays as a household underneath our belts. And possibly many extra occasions within the years to come back as we make errors and be taught from them. For now, listed here are some issues that we expect are good to know earlier than your first go to with youngsters.
Perspective
The most important piece of recommendation we are able to supply is to know your limitations. We’ve seen this situation time and time once more, in quite a lot of types: father or mother pushes child’s limits in a technique or one other, and everybody has a foul time. For a lot of households, Walt Disney World journeys with are a as soon as in a lifetime factor, and a ceremony of passage for the children.
We perceive that these journeys are actually costly, and with that comes increased stakes and extra stress to “make as a lot magic” for the child as attainable. Our sturdy recommendation–and this goes equally for {couples} or solo vacationers–is to disabuse your self of this notion. Take into consideration the cash when budgeting, however as soon as it’s already spent, take into consideration the journey solely by way of enjoyment.
Youngsters get cranky after an excessive amount of stimulation. Everybody is aware of that. Nonetheless, adults can too. Parental crankiness manifests itself in quite a lot of methods, however the unseen approach is the most typical: within the stubbornness of wanting to maintain pushing after they usually wouldn’t in “regular” father or mother mode.
This in flip causes crankiness within the youngster who’s past their breaking level, which in turns causes extra crankiness within the father or mother, who retains interested by how a lot the journey value, and the way a lot enjoyable they “want” to “make” their children have. It’s a vicious cycle, and earlier than you understand it, there’s a full-blown meltdown.
As a father or mother, angle is all the pieces. Don’t go into the journey with the expectation that you should do 17 sights per day and will need to have X, Y, and Z executed earlier than 11:30 am. There is no such thing as a magic variety of rides for a fantastic and memorable journey. 4 hours per day of high quality time within the parks is best than 2 hours of high quality time and 6 hours of depressing time.
Should you’ve been to Walt Disney World earlier than having children, don’t count on to go at your outdated tempo or to do the identical belongings you as soon as did. The trade-off for seeing the magic by way of your youngsters’s eyes as they gentle up with pleasure upon assembly Mickey Mouse for the primary time is which you can’t do marathon hours within the park (except you deliver grandparents!).
Approaching the journey with sensible expectations and a constructive angle is a very powerful component of planning a visit to Walt Disney World with children. A plan of assault for hitting rides in essentially the most environment friendly order is a good factor to have (as you’ll learn under), however mother and father ought to be ready to desert these plans instantly as soon as the children on the journey are starting to strategy that wall.
What Age is Proper
One of the vital frequent questions when planning a toddler’s first journey to Walt Disney World is: “what age is true?” It is a loaded query that actually relies on your circumstances.
For a lot of adults who take their actually younger youngsters, the expertise shouldn’t be in regards to the reminiscences of the children, however for the mother and father. It’s about watching their child’s face gentle up as they contact Eeyore for the primary time, or it’s about getting that first picture in entrance of Cinderella Citadel. Clearly, infants usually are not going to recollect any of that. However they’ll be indelible reminiscences for the mother and father.
Our recommendation right here can be to not let different folks discuss you out of the choice you’ve already made regarding when is true for that first journey. It looks like a variety of mother and father discover themselves considering that they wish to make a journey with their toddler for no matter motive, after which flip to different folks, virtually as in the event that they wish to be talked out of the loopy thought.
On this space of planning, your particular person instincts and intestine feeling ought to trump all else. If you wish to wait till the children are sufficiently old to stroll, wait. If you wish to take them as quickly because it’s secure (consultants advise that you simply restrict a new child’s publicity to giant teams of individuals in order that they don’t get sick, in order that they’re the one group we’d rule out definitively as being “not” the correct age), extra energy to you. what you need greater than I do know what you need.
We made our first half-day go to to Disneyland about 2 months after our daughter was born (we’re locals). We waited till she was over 6 months outdated earlier than making our first journey to Walt Disney World. She’s since visited Florida a number of occasions, whereas additionally taking journeys to Tokyo Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland. These lengthy flights had been very intimidating and made us nervous, however she tailored simply superb. A lot in order that we’re planning extra journeys to Asia and Europe!
Since this part is kind of, “when to go to Disney World with children,” we’ll lump time of 12 months in right here too. If attainable, don’t go when faculty is out of session–particularly in case your children aren’t but in class. There are literally two causes for this, the primary of which ought to be fairly apparent and intuitive.
Walt Disney World’s key demographic is households, and faculty breaks are the time when that demo is most inclined to go to. This truly shouldn’t be fairly as dangerous as you would possibly count on in summer time. Many households do take holidays to Walt Disney World from late Could by way of mid-August, however since that’s a multi-month break, the attendance and crowds are diluted.
In contrast, the weeklong or shorter breaks are far worse–particularly when everybody is out of college on the similar time. There’s just one Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New 12 months’s Eve, and so forth. Even fall break and spring break happen for a lot of faculty districts across the similar time, so these weeks and lengthy weekends are dangerous. That is to say nothing of the various lesser identified holidays or breaks which have an outsized influence on crowds. Issues like Presidents’ Day, Mardi Gras, Jersey Week, and many others. Suffice to say, see our 2025 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars.
The underappreciated part of that is climate. Summer season is the worst time to go to Walt Disney World not due to crowds, that are “solely” above-average, however due to crowds plus the worst climate of the 12 months.
The warmth and humidity makes these congestion and crowds really feel a lot worse. Even the late summer time and early fall low season, which has the bottom crowds of your complete 12 months, is arguably not price it because of the climate.
This might all most likely be lowered to “consolation.” Decrease crowds means larger consolation, as does higher climate. Much less consolation will increase the possibilities of a meltdown, whereas the alternative is true of extra consolation. Everybody ought to optimize for consolation–minimizing crowds and maximizing climate to the best extent attainable. That’s much more true for households with babies, who’re extra meltdown-prone.
We took our daughter to Walt Disney World in mid-June, and it’s not one thing we’d suggest. On account of climate, we misplaced large chunks of the day and took far longer breaks than we did throughout our journeys within the spring or at Christmas. See our listing of the 10 Greatest and 10 Worst Weeks to Go to Walt Disney World in 2025 & 2026 for the candy (and not-so-sweet) spots.
The place to Keep
The place to remain actually relies upon upon private desire. Widespread recommendation for households is to remain on the most compact lodge in every worth tier. This implies French Quarter out of the Moderates, Modern out of the Deluxes, and All Star Music out of the Values. The benefits are extra pronounced at French Quarter and the compact Deluxes than they’re at All Star Music–just about the entire Values are equal in dimension.
Different households could wish to keep at resorts with inside hallways (Deluxe Resorts plus Artwork of Animation suites and Gran Destino Tower). Some could wish to keep away from resorts with out elevators (Caribbean Seashore and Port Orleans Riverside). Then there are the resorts with inner bus loops and a number of stops, which is expounded to sprawling dimension however barely totally different.
Talking of which, transportation is mostly a large one. We strongly favor resorts that supply non-bus transportation to at the very least 2 parks. Sometimes, this implies the Magic Kingdom space (monorail loop, boats, walkways), Crescent Lake/EPCOT space (boats, walkways, Skyliner) or Skyliner gondola resorts. See Our Favourite Resort for Walt Disney World Journeys as Dad and mom with a Toddler for our #1 suggestion inside strolling distance that additionally affords nice bang-for-buck by Deluxe Resort requirements.
Buses are the least-predictable or dependable type of Walt Disney World transportation, and having the ability to use non-bus transportation could make issues simpler on households. Much less stress with strollers, decrease commute occasions, and a larger probability of truly taking a noon break. (That is recommendation that isn’t distinctive to households with children, however it’s extra pronounced for them.)
Resort swimming pools also needs to be a consideration, as noon breaks on the pool appear to be fashionable and well-remembered by children. See what pool theme appeals most (the perfect pool by far is Storm-Alongside Bay on the Yacht and Seashore Membership) to your children, and issue that within the determination.
Choosing the “proper” lodge appears to be a kind of “YMMV” issues. Totally different themes will enchantment to totally different households. You won’t thoughts being farther from the parks, or counting on bus transportation. However over time, we’ve obtain a ton of suggestions from mother and father who assume the unfold out resorts are terrible due to how inconvenient they’re to navigate with children. In any case, see our Rankings of All Resort Resorts at Walt Disney World from Worst to Greatest for suggestions of the place to remain for all events and journey types.
The place to Eat
Sure eating places are extra enjoyable for teenagers. Particularly, eating places with cool and kid-friendly themes. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater ranks on the high of this listing. I nonetheless bear in mind consuming right here as a child, though I don’t actually bear in mind every other restaurant (in addition to Hoop De Doo Revue, and that’s solely as a result of we went there yearly, so one thing was certain to stay to my reminiscence). Our listing of the Greatest Themed Eating places at Walt Disney World is a good useful resource for making Advance Eating Reservations (ADRs).
We’ve a Checklist of Greatest Character Meals at Walt Disney World, and we’d strongly suggest reserving at the very least one meal at these far upfront of your journey. It is a nice climate-controlled option to meet a number of characters, and eat whereas doing so. Kill two birds with one stone. (For some households, character eating experiences are the spotlight of the journey–they do one each single day!)
Our different suggestion for locations that many households ought to keep away from is Signature Eating places. These eating places do enable youngsters, and a variety of mother and father deliver their children to the eating places. Nonetheless, they’re upscale eating places that undoubtedly skew in direction of adults, with grownup ambiance, grownup delicacies, and grownup costs.
In case your children are sometimes loud or unruly throughout dinner, it’s most likely not the perfect of concepts to deliver them to those eating places. We point out this as a result of a variety of “for teenagers” guides written by precise mother and father attempt to justify taking any youngsters to those eating places with the mentality that “it’s Disney World, the place was made for teenagers, they’re okay ANYWHERE.”
Talking for the adults with out children who type the primary clientele of Signature Eating places: this isn’t true. Walt Disney World shouldn’t be solely “for teenagers” (there are tons of convention-goers, honeymooners, businesspeople, {couples}, and many others.) and different patrons will likely be irritated by the presence of unruly youngsters throughout their good, costly meal.
Not solely that, however you’ll most likely be much less snug and really feel out-of-place at a Signature Restaurant in case your youngsters are unruly. The meal is costly and neither the menu nor the environment are geared toward households. Frankly, it’s onerous to see how that is extra pleasing than simply consuming at a extra family-friendly restaurant.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to emphasise that this pertains to unruly youngsters. In case your children are properly behaved, by all means take them to any restaurant (in addition to Victoria & Albert’s, the place they flat out are prohibited). It is likely to be an costly option to feed children, however there’s not essentially an issue with taking them. Different folks received’t give side-eye on the mere presence of youngsters–solely misbehaving ones.
As for counter service eating places, most locations in Walt Disney World have fairly tame choices that can enchantment to youngsters. World Showcase in Epcot is a notable exception to this, however that’s actually about it. In any other case, virtually each counter service restaurant at Walt Disney World will supply one thing that’s appropriate for even the pickiest of eaters.
Our last suggestion with eating is to go early to keep away from the crowds. We suggest everybody do that, however it’s particularly essential with children. Some eating places get actually busy round midday, to the purpose the place it may be tough to discover a desk. Juggling the children and trays of meals throughout these occasions could be tough (we’ve seen loads of households battle with it), and it’s simply a lot simpler when issues aren’t so busy. The opening occasions for eating places varies, however most begin serving lunch at 10:30 am or 11 am.
Sights
The salient suggestion right here is to not take children on rides that they’re not able to expertise. For starters, learn our Disney Parks Experience Guides that describe, price, and supply different information for every experience. Past that…how are you going to know whether or not they’re prepared? Properly, one of the simplest ways is to gauge their reactions or what they are saying after they strategy an attraction.
Numerous children are scared on the prospect of the Haunted Mansion, and simply because a Solid Member tells you that it’s principally comical ghosts doesn’t imply your children will decide up on that nuance of the attraction. To them it is likely to be the case {that a} ghost is a ghost is a ghost, and all are equally scary. You may additionally discover they’re terrified of issues that appear innocuous.
Youngsters received’t even have the ability to experience some sights as a consequence of peak, and it’s best to not try to bypass these guidelines to get your youngster on an attraction earlier than they’re the suitable peak. These restrictions usually are not arbitrary–they’re for the sake of security.
It additionally essential to keep in mind that peak isn’t any assure {that a} youngster will get pleasure from an attraction. It looks like on a regular basis we’re in Walt Disney World, we see mother and father attempting to coax their children to “be courageous” and go on a selected attraction. This most likely stems from the mentality that the holiday was costly, and fogeys wish to get their cash’s price.
Additionally don’t be stunned if these fears change and “evolve.” In the future they is likely to be superb with Haunted Mansion or no matter attraction, the following day they might not. Simply roll with it. Heck, if they’re reluctant to go on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, don’t drive them. A few of these fears would possibly defy logic, however it’s what it’s.
If the attraction goes to traumatize the kid and make them nervous about experiencing subsequent sights with which they in any other case wouldn’t have had a problem, what’s gained by forcing them to “be courageous”? Nothing. Their reminiscences of the journey will type round these destructive experiences, and there will likely be points for the remainder of the day or remainder of the journey. So why drive it?
The rationale children have for desirous to do or not desirous to do issues perplexes even the neatest scientists, so there’s no sense attempting to rationalize or motive with them about experiencing an attraction. Karin J. affords strong recommendation on this regard: “Don’t take younger youngsters on sights they aren’t prepared for. I’ve heard many tales from others who did that and it might break the journey, as a result of the kid is depressing after which could be scared of all the pieces afterward. Check them with tamer rides first if younger and see what they like and may deal with.”
In fact, you understand your children higher than a information written by some stranger, and there’s at all times the prospect that your children have preliminary hesitation however are usually superb as soon as they really have interaction within the expertise. If you understand this to be the case together with your children, disregard the above recommendation, and encourage them to go on sights about which they’re nervous. However in case you don’t know, and end up simply pushing them since you wish to do as a lot as attainable, rethink the technique.
As for what sights are greatest for teenagers, that relies on the child. We’ve seen children like and dislike nearly each attraction at Walt Disney World, and any listing you see elsewhere goes to be primarily based on what the listing author’s children get pleasure from. Their children aren’t your children.
I completely cherished Nation Bear Jamboree as a toddler (and nonetheless find it irresistible), however I learn mother and father on a regular basis who name it a snoozer that places their children to sleep. What totally different folks and children get pleasure from could also be surprising. Erin S. illustrates this level along with her daughter: “You may’t plan for all the pieces, so be ready to waft. Who knew my daughter’s fave experience can be the transportation bus?”
To get an thought of what your children will like upfront, we suggest watching YouTube attraction experience by way of movies; simply seek for the attraction title plus “ride-through” and also you’ll discover loads of outcomes. You would possibly even watch these together with your children so you’ll be able to see their response to particular sights (like we mentioned above, they might be scared by issues that shock you they usually could like issues that you simply thought would’ve scared them).
It’s additionally essential to keep in mind that, for teenagers, character meet & greets are an essential a part of the expertise. Doing a personality meal could be an effective way to see a number of characters with out ready in line, and whereas consuming within the air-con. We extremely suggest character meals. Should you don’t wish to do character meals, indoor meet & greets are usually higher choices.
Chris T. has a suggestion for meet and greets that proved polarizing: “Skip the silly autograph books. When you have an outgoing youngster who’s not afraid to speak, get them to work together with the characters. They’ll have much more enjoyable.”
Like so many issues, we disagree with this as one-size-fits-all recommendation. For some children, the autograph guide is likely to be a conduit for an interplay that they may’ve not had in any other case. For extra social children, the autograph guide is likely to be wholly unnecessarily–and stop an natural interplay. (One factor we do suggest in our Distinctive Packing Checklist for Walt Disney World is an autograph guide alternative.)
Irrespective of how a lot you prep your self and them, there’s at all times the likelihood (nay, chance) that your children will shock you when you go to. To this present day I bear in mind being scared mindless by the Universe of Vitality as a toddler and hiding on the ground of the experience car once I noticed the dinosaurs…and I cherished dinosaurs as a toddler. This was no fault of my mother and father, however it made for a foul expertise that I nonetheless bear in mind. Unpredictable issues like this occur, and the perfect you are able to do is injury management as soon as they do occur.
Plan of Assault
Should you’re like my dad, you educate your youngsters life classes by way of maxims and colloquialisms. A well-liked one is at all times “the early fowl will get the worm.” A visit to Walt Disney World is a good time to actually hammer this one house. (Okay, perhaps not within the sense that the journey is actually the time for instructing them life classes, however it’s best to comply with it on the journey.)
Tackling Walt Disney World with children is a lot simpler in case you’re up early and to the parks earlier than they open. Ideally, you wish to arrive 15-Half-hour earlier than official opening time, and also you wish to have a plan of assault for at the very least your early morning. Should you’re eligible for Early Entry, you completely wish to benefit from that.
Normally it will contain experiencing a number of sights in Fantasyland, most of that are shortly skilled and may get lengthy strains later within the day. In these instances, the distinction between being to the park at 8:30 am versus 10:30 am generally is a 5 minute look forward to Peter Pan’s Flight versus a 60 minute wait. The significance of arriving early can’t be understated.
We’d additionally suggest studying itineraries upfront of your journeys and making some notes. Nonetheless, we don’t suggest creating binders, spreadsheets, and scheduling each step of their day. Folks get critical and obsessive about this, which is a mistake. (See above about parental expectations resulting in meltdowns.) The perfect laid plans typically go awry, and when that inevitably occurs (and it completely will in case you’re touring with babies), it may be disappointing in case you’ve over-planned.
As with most issues in life, stability and moderation are key. We’ve the next versatile step-by-step plans for every park that cowl our good days utilizing standby-only:
Do NOT count on to stay to those plans when you’ve got babies. Use these as a broad strokes define, not as a strict schedule. Youngsters could turn out to be drained, irritated, or they might spontaneously see one thing they actually, actually wish to do. We’re not suggesting that it’s best to at all times let children name the photographs, however at Walt Disney World…there are a variety of circumstances the place it’s best to let children name the photographs.
It could sting to skip your Lightning Lane return time for Frozen Ever After as a result of your child can’t get sufficient of the interactive water in Moana’s Journey of Water, however don’t combat it. Embrace the enjoyment and spontaneity–forcing them to cease having enjoyable to do a “higher-priority” experience seemingly received’t finish properly.
This was recommendation a number of mother and father shared with us, and the recurring theme of this recommendation was that it’s essential to decelerate and never over-plan. Sharlene M. mentioned this: “The youngest member of your group is at all times going to find out your touring type. Decelerate, take a nap, and maintain them on as near their regular schedule as attainable, particularly for meals. You’ll have a greater journey and everybody else will too. A soften down isn’t any enjoyable for anybody.”
Past arriving early and having a unfastened plan, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about using Lightning Lane Multi-Move (there’s additionally Lightning Lane Single Move and Premier Move, however Multi-Move is the optimum possibility for folks with babies). Every thing you NEED to know, together with experience priorities, the place it’s NOT needed to purchase Lightning Lanes, and way more is roofed in our Information to Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World. We don’t suggest utilizing Lightning Lane Multi-Move every single day or for each park.
One other related time-saving possibility is the Rider Swap Move (extra generally often called a “Youngster Swap”), which could be obtained from Solid Members exterior sights with peak limits. This cross permits one father or mother to stick with the children who don’t meet the peak requirement for an attraction whereas the opposite father or mother (or group of above-height folks) waits with the children. When the driving father or mother/group is completed, the ready father or mother/group can use the Lightning Lane.
Noon breaks are one other fashionable suggestion, and these are one thing we advise making the most of for each mother and father and non-parents. The center of the day shouldn’t be solely the busiest time on the parks, however it’s the most popular, too! A noon break means that you can return for nighttime enjoyable, so undoubtedly go away the park throughout the center of the day.
On the subject of a “plan” for preserving reminiscences, Karin J. reminds households that picture time ought to be early within the day on the plan: “Take photos early within the day when the children are comfortable and never worn out…have a present picture that exhibits precisely what they’re carrying in case you get separated throughout the day.”
Strollers
We’ve simply began utilizing a stroller extra often at Walt Disney World.
Earlier than that, we used a BabyBjörn Child Service in all places–from day visits to Disneyland to 6 weeks in Japan. We’re big followers/advocates of baby-wearing, and went primarily that route for so long as attainable. We prevented strollers to the best sensible extent…till we had no different selection, which began across the time our daughter turned extra cellular. See our Information to Child Sporting for Disney World & Journey.
As we’ve began to make use of our stroller extra, we at the moment are of the opinion that strollers are sometimes a necessity or a invaluable asset to have. The parks are big and babies merely can’t be anticipated to traverse World Showcase or Animal Kingdom with out some help. And although it may be a ache to fold strollers on crowded buses, discover parking, navigate by way of crowds, and many others–there’s additionally an enormous benefit to napping on the go, having a “free locker” and extra.
Nonetheless, we’ve tried to attenuate our stroller utilization on the parks, and sometimes go away it parked for hours on finish. If you look again at images of Walt Disney World from previous many years, you discover far fewer strollers. This isn’t as a result of extra youngsters are visiting now–it’s as a result of a larger phase of youngsters are utilizing strollers. When visiting the worldwide parks, we’ve observed shockingly decrease use of strollers by company. There are nonetheless strollers, however not almost as many. A part of this is likely to be because of the lively life of Europeans and Asians as in comparison with People, and actuality that individuals who dwell in walkable cities and depend on public transportation are much less seemingly to make use of strollers.
Anyway, our recommendation is to work on growing your youngster’s stamina earlier than the journey. It’s at all times good to have a stroller as a security internet, as only a few youngsters will stroll as a lot throughout a mean week at house as they do at Walt Disney World. However “security internet” isn’t the identical as being dependent upon the gadget.
Reader Rhonda B. agrees: “Have your youngster stroll. We took our youngsters to Disney again within the days when youngsters weren’t overweight, went exterior to play, and exercised. They had been 2 and 4 years outdated….now 22 and 24 (presently a solid member). My youngest, age 2, did simply superb.”
Nonetheless, not everybody agrees. “Hire a stroller! Even in your children which have outgrown them…One thing that’s snug for the children, we had an light-weight break and needed to name Orlando Stroller Leases they obtained us one which day. Superb. It value the identical as our stroller we purchased and it was a double, had a lot of room for bag and a giant solar shade,” says Jill M.
It’s a few 50/50 cut up as as to whether it’s best to deliver a stroller or hire one at Walt Disney World. Megan R. shared this: “TAKE your individual stroller! Completely not a problem within the airport (could be gate checked at no cost) and a lot nicer and cheaper than renting the plastic ones from Disney.”
On the opposite aspect, many mother and father suggest renting a stroller as a result of what you’ll need at Walt Disney World would possibly differ from what you’d usually use at house. Once more, a YMMV scenario. The overwhelming suggestion different mother and father shared with us was to make use of an umbrella stroller.
Daybreak B. mentioned this: “When my boys had been youthful, we at all times introduced umbrella strollers (if it reclines for naps, that’s a bonus–not all umbrella’s recline). The umbrella stroller was good as a result of it folds simply for bus rides to parks and helps save grown ups from carrying little ones from the parking zone into the park.”
Kayla E. shared a number of extra ideas: “Deliver a poncho or rain cowl in your stroller…in case you’re in a experience or consuming when a day rainstorm breaks out, that can assist. Tie a shawl, balloon, one thing figuring out on stroller. It’s going to most likely be moved from the time you park it to choosing it up.” She additional added, “assume upfront the way you’ll experience the bus. When you have two or extra children, a stroller, and some baggage, boarding the bus generally is a mess.
Know methods to fold the stroller, and in case you can, fold it earlier than the bus arrives, not as you’re stepping aboard. The bus recommendation is one thing to think about when deciding which stroller to make use of within the parks. On the one hand, a Cadillac-sized stroller could be good to make use of, however the disadvantage is transporting it when there aren’t children in it, which might actually be a ache. Weigh the professionals and the cons earlier than deciding on one stroller.
Enhancing the Magic!
Lots of people search for little methods to make the journey extra “magical” for his or her children. We’d advise mother and father to not fret an excessive amount of about including extra “magic” for the children, because it appears extra more likely to put stress on the adults than to actually lead to that a lot of an enhanced expertise for the children. Actually, in case you’re a child at Walt Disney World, that’s already about as magical because it will get.
There are methods to make the journey extra “interactive” for the children. Ben H. summarizes a few of our favorites: “Hidden Mickey books go over properly, too. And prizes to day by day winners, in case you can afford. The books have totally different Mickeys at totally different level values, as do the apps! Disposable cameras are a cheap option to let a child be a photographer with out risking their iPod Contact or your iPhone to wreck. Zip-top baggage are a should for electronics… they’ve saved my butt greater than as soon as in a shock rain storm!”
Shopping for Disney pins upfront of the journey to commerce with Solid Members was one other piece of fashionable recommendation. Right here’s what Bernadette G. needed to say: “Pin buying and selling was an enormous hit for our three children (teen by way of six 12 months outdated) on our first journey to WDW final 12 months – nice for serving to shy ones muster up the braveness to work together with solid members, and many others. I second (third?) shopping for them upfront on ebay – we doled them out a bit at a time over the holiday to unfold out the enjoyable.”
The over-arching recommendation concerning souvenirs is to at all times purchase earlier than leaving house, as issues are way more costly within the parks. Rosalie provides one other instance: “Deliver your individual costumes, by no means purchase them on the parks. Purchase your Princess attire proper on or instantly after halloween from Disney.com, they are going to be on sale, or look forward to any of the quite a few gross sales shopDisney.com has. By no means pay full worth, in case you prefer it, wait and it’ll go on sale.”
A suggestion of one thing that may make the journey a bit extra particular for folks is shared by Darleen L., who writes: “Many individuals don’t know in regards to the Principal Avenue Barber Store. It’s NOT simply there for seems/environment. They do an AMAZING “child’s first haircut” there! By wonderful, I imply, take your tissue and digicam!”
One other miscellaneous tip comes from Sara S., who recommends taking a variety of images (we agree!): “One other tip that was nice for our household is take photos of all the pieces. My husband loves images and snaps photos consistently. It’s not unusual for him to take over 6,000 in a ten day journey…. He took tons of photographs of our children, but in addition took heaps and plenty of photos of the parks themselves. There are such a lot of particulars that I missed as a result of I used to be so busy trying down at our youngest. I used to be so grateful to must photos once I got here house, even those that had been a bit out of focus!”
We’ll shut out this text with maybe the perfect piece of recommendation and one thing that’s at all times price remembering from reader Anthony G., who writes, “BE A KID TOO! All of the prep ideas are superior. However having fun with Disney together with your children as a child is the perfect a part of going to Disney with Youngsters!”
We agree. A visit to Walt Disney World with children can appear overwhelming and it’d sound like lots can go improper…however far more can go proper than can go improper. Roll with the punches and bear in mind to loosen up and have enjoyable!
As our personal expertise will increase, we’ll undoubtedly be again with many (many) extra items of recommendation. For now, in case you want personalised assist with planning any side of your trip—we suggest contacting a no price “Approved Disney Trip Planner” (Disney’s time period for a journey agent) to get a quote and that will help you plan. They get their fee from Disney, so not one of the approved (key phrase) planners will cost you for reserving their journey and serving to. Right here’s one such really useful Approved Disney Trip Planner.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you should know!
Your Ideas
What ideas do you mother and father assume are most essential? Which recommendation we shared do you agree with? The place do you disagree? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Dad and mom planning their youngster’s first journey to Walt Disney World typically have a variety of questions, as visiting Walt Disney World with children is uncharted territory that may be intimidating. This information solutions a few of these questions with useful recommendation to keep away from errors and customary planning pitfalls. (Up to date March 2, 2025.)
Let’s begin with the newest replace, which comes as we’re reviewing this information as mother and father ourselves. Once we first coated this matter a number of years in the past, we had been the dreaded Disney Adults with out children. The guidelines & methods had been written primarily based on a mix of firsthand experiences with buddies and their children, seeing households meltdown in sure situations, plus fan suggestions. The objective was recent recommendation from an outsider perspective, and embrace quotes from readers who’re mother and father providing quite a lot of views about visiting with children.
Admittedly, we’ve lengthy anxious that among the technique right here would come again to hang-out us. That our expectations can be unrealistic or idealized. As we now replace this after visiting Disneyland on a weekly foundation with our now-toddler and having made a number of journeys along with her to Walt Disney World, we’re revisiting what we obtained proper and improper. The most important factor we obtained proper was big-picture philosophy about visiting with children. What we obtained most improper was underestimating simply how for much longer all the pieces takes with a child, and the way time actually is cash as a result of you will have lots much less of it as mother and father of a small youngster!
This information is supposed to complement different guides (together with our personal Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information) and supply a fairly knowledgeable (hopefully) perspective mother and father won’t in any other case hear. All in all, we expect it is a fairly first rate useful resource to learn as you propose that journey with the children to Walt Disney World!
We’ll be again for much extra complete updates within the years to come back as our daughter continues to develop up, and we’ve extra Walt Disney World holidays as a household underneath our belts. And possibly many extra occasions within the years to come back as we make errors and be taught from them. For now, listed here are some issues that we expect are good to know earlier than your first go to with youngsters.
Perspective
The most important piece of recommendation we are able to supply is to know your limitations. We’ve seen this situation time and time once more, in quite a lot of types: father or mother pushes child’s limits in a technique or one other, and everybody has a foul time. For a lot of households, Walt Disney World journeys with are a as soon as in a lifetime factor, and a ceremony of passage for the children.
We perceive that these journeys are actually costly, and with that comes increased stakes and extra stress to “make as a lot magic” for the child as attainable. Our sturdy recommendation–and this goes equally for {couples} or solo vacationers–is to disabuse your self of this notion. Take into consideration the cash when budgeting, however as soon as it’s already spent, take into consideration the journey solely by way of enjoyment.
Youngsters get cranky after an excessive amount of stimulation. Everybody is aware of that. Nonetheless, adults can too. Parental crankiness manifests itself in quite a lot of methods, however the unseen approach is the most typical: within the stubbornness of wanting to maintain pushing after they usually wouldn’t in “regular” father or mother mode.
This in flip causes crankiness within the youngster who’s past their breaking level, which in turns causes extra crankiness within the father or mother, who retains interested by how a lot the journey value, and the way a lot enjoyable they “want” to “make” their children have. It’s a vicious cycle, and earlier than you understand it, there’s a full-blown meltdown.
As a father or mother, angle is all the pieces. Don’t go into the journey with the expectation that you should do 17 sights per day and will need to have X, Y, and Z executed earlier than 11:30 am. There is no such thing as a magic variety of rides for a fantastic and memorable journey. 4 hours per day of high quality time within the parks is best than 2 hours of high quality time and 6 hours of depressing time.
Should you’ve been to Walt Disney World earlier than having children, don’t count on to go at your outdated tempo or to do the identical belongings you as soon as did. The trade-off for seeing the magic by way of your youngsters’s eyes as they gentle up with pleasure upon assembly Mickey Mouse for the primary time is which you can’t do marathon hours within the park (except you deliver grandparents!).
Approaching the journey with sensible expectations and a constructive angle is a very powerful component of planning a visit to Walt Disney World with children. A plan of assault for hitting rides in essentially the most environment friendly order is a good factor to have (as you’ll learn under), however mother and father ought to be ready to desert these plans instantly as soon as the children on the journey are starting to strategy that wall.
What Age is Proper
One of the vital frequent questions when planning a toddler’s first journey to Walt Disney World is: “what age is true?” It is a loaded query that actually relies on your circumstances.
For a lot of adults who take their actually younger youngsters, the expertise shouldn’t be in regards to the reminiscences of the children, however for the mother and father. It’s about watching their child’s face gentle up as they contact Eeyore for the primary time, or it’s about getting that first picture in entrance of Cinderella Citadel. Clearly, infants usually are not going to recollect any of that. However they’ll be indelible reminiscences for the mother and father.
Our recommendation right here can be to not let different folks discuss you out of the choice you’ve already made regarding when is true for that first journey. It looks like a variety of mother and father discover themselves considering that they wish to make a journey with their toddler for no matter motive, after which flip to different folks, virtually as in the event that they wish to be talked out of the loopy thought.
On this space of planning, your particular person instincts and intestine feeling ought to trump all else. If you wish to wait till the children are sufficiently old to stroll, wait. If you wish to take them as quickly because it’s secure (consultants advise that you simply restrict a new child’s publicity to giant teams of individuals in order that they don’t get sick, in order that they’re the one group we’d rule out definitively as being “not” the correct age), extra energy to you. what you need greater than I do know what you need.
We made our first half-day go to to Disneyland about 2 months after our daughter was born (we’re locals). We waited till she was over 6 months outdated earlier than making our first journey to Walt Disney World. She’s since visited Florida a number of occasions, whereas additionally taking journeys to Tokyo Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland. These lengthy flights had been very intimidating and made us nervous, however she tailored simply superb. A lot in order that we’re planning extra journeys to Asia and Europe!
Since this part is kind of, “when to go to Disney World with children,” we’ll lump time of 12 months in right here too. If attainable, don’t go when faculty is out of session–particularly in case your children aren’t but in class. There are literally two causes for this, the primary of which ought to be fairly apparent and intuitive.
Walt Disney World’s key demographic is households, and faculty breaks are the time when that demo is most inclined to go to. This truly shouldn’t be fairly as dangerous as you would possibly count on in summer time. Many households do take holidays to Walt Disney World from late Could by way of mid-August, however since that’s a multi-month break, the attendance and crowds are diluted.
In contrast, the weeklong or shorter breaks are far worse–particularly when everybody is out of college on the similar time. There’s just one Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New 12 months’s Eve, and so forth. Even fall break and spring break happen for a lot of faculty districts across the similar time, so these weeks and lengthy weekends are dangerous. That is to say nothing of the various lesser identified holidays or breaks which have an outsized influence on crowds. Issues like Presidents’ Day, Mardi Gras, Jersey Week, and many others. Suffice to say, see our 2025 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars.
The underappreciated part of that is climate. Summer season is the worst time to go to Walt Disney World not due to crowds, that are “solely” above-average, however due to crowds plus the worst climate of the 12 months.
The warmth and humidity makes these congestion and crowds really feel a lot worse. Even the late summer time and early fall low season, which has the bottom crowds of your complete 12 months, is arguably not price it because of the climate.
This might all most likely be lowered to “consolation.” Decrease crowds means larger consolation, as does higher climate. Much less consolation will increase the possibilities of a meltdown, whereas the alternative is true of extra consolation. Everybody ought to optimize for consolation–minimizing crowds and maximizing climate to the best extent attainable. That’s much more true for households with babies, who’re extra meltdown-prone.
We took our daughter to Walt Disney World in mid-June, and it’s not one thing we’d suggest. On account of climate, we misplaced large chunks of the day and took far longer breaks than we did throughout our journeys within the spring or at Christmas. See our listing of the 10 Greatest and 10 Worst Weeks to Go to Walt Disney World in 2025 & 2026 for the candy (and not-so-sweet) spots.
The place to Keep
The place to remain actually relies upon upon private desire. Widespread recommendation for households is to remain on the most compact lodge in every worth tier. This implies French Quarter out of the Moderates, Modern out of the Deluxes, and All Star Music out of the Values. The benefits are extra pronounced at French Quarter and the compact Deluxes than they’re at All Star Music–just about the entire Values are equal in dimension.
Different households could wish to keep at resorts with inside hallways (Deluxe Resorts plus Artwork of Animation suites and Gran Destino Tower). Some could wish to keep away from resorts with out elevators (Caribbean Seashore and Port Orleans Riverside). Then there are the resorts with inner bus loops and a number of stops, which is expounded to sprawling dimension however barely totally different.
Talking of which, transportation is mostly a large one. We strongly favor resorts that supply non-bus transportation to at the very least 2 parks. Sometimes, this implies the Magic Kingdom space (monorail loop, boats, walkways), Crescent Lake/EPCOT space (boats, walkways, Skyliner) or Skyliner gondola resorts. See Our Favourite Resort for Walt Disney World Journeys as Dad and mom with a Toddler for our #1 suggestion inside strolling distance that additionally affords nice bang-for-buck by Deluxe Resort requirements.
Buses are the least-predictable or dependable type of Walt Disney World transportation, and having the ability to use non-bus transportation could make issues simpler on households. Much less stress with strollers, decrease commute occasions, and a larger probability of truly taking a noon break. (That is recommendation that isn’t distinctive to households with children, however it’s extra pronounced for them.)
Resort swimming pools also needs to be a consideration, as noon breaks on the pool appear to be fashionable and well-remembered by children. See what pool theme appeals most (the perfect pool by far is Storm-Alongside Bay on the Yacht and Seashore Membership) to your children, and issue that within the determination.
Choosing the “proper” lodge appears to be a kind of “YMMV” issues. Totally different themes will enchantment to totally different households. You won’t thoughts being farther from the parks, or counting on bus transportation. However over time, we’ve obtain a ton of suggestions from mother and father who assume the unfold out resorts are terrible due to how inconvenient they’re to navigate with children. In any case, see our Rankings of All Resort Resorts at Walt Disney World from Worst to Greatest for suggestions of the place to remain for all events and journey types.
The place to Eat
Sure eating places are extra enjoyable for teenagers. Particularly, eating places with cool and kid-friendly themes. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater ranks on the high of this listing. I nonetheless bear in mind consuming right here as a child, though I don’t actually bear in mind every other restaurant (in addition to Hoop De Doo Revue, and that’s solely as a result of we went there yearly, so one thing was certain to stay to my reminiscence). Our listing of the Greatest Themed Eating places at Walt Disney World is a good useful resource for making Advance Eating Reservations (ADRs).
We’ve a Checklist of Greatest Character Meals at Walt Disney World, and we’d strongly suggest reserving at the very least one meal at these far upfront of your journey. It is a nice climate-controlled option to meet a number of characters, and eat whereas doing so. Kill two birds with one stone. (For some households, character eating experiences are the spotlight of the journey–they do one each single day!)
Our different suggestion for locations that many households ought to keep away from is Signature Eating places. These eating places do enable youngsters, and a variety of mother and father deliver their children to the eating places. Nonetheless, they’re upscale eating places that undoubtedly skew in direction of adults, with grownup ambiance, grownup delicacies, and grownup costs.
In case your children are sometimes loud or unruly throughout dinner, it’s most likely not the perfect of concepts to deliver them to those eating places. We point out this as a result of a variety of “for teenagers” guides written by precise mother and father attempt to justify taking any youngsters to those eating places with the mentality that “it’s Disney World, the place was made for teenagers, they’re okay ANYWHERE.”
Talking for the adults with out children who type the primary clientele of Signature Eating places: this isn’t true. Walt Disney World shouldn’t be solely “for teenagers” (there are tons of convention-goers, honeymooners, businesspeople, {couples}, and many others.) and different patrons will likely be irritated by the presence of unruly youngsters throughout their good, costly meal.
Not solely that, however you’ll most likely be much less snug and really feel out-of-place at a Signature Restaurant in case your youngsters are unruly. The meal is costly and neither the menu nor the environment are geared toward households. Frankly, it’s onerous to see how that is extra pleasing than simply consuming at a extra family-friendly restaurant.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to emphasise that this pertains to unruly youngsters. In case your children are properly behaved, by all means take them to any restaurant (in addition to Victoria & Albert’s, the place they flat out are prohibited). It is likely to be an costly option to feed children, however there’s not essentially an issue with taking them. Different folks received’t give side-eye on the mere presence of youngsters–solely misbehaving ones.
As for counter service eating places, most locations in Walt Disney World have fairly tame choices that can enchantment to youngsters. World Showcase in Epcot is a notable exception to this, however that’s actually about it. In any other case, virtually each counter service restaurant at Walt Disney World will supply one thing that’s appropriate for even the pickiest of eaters.
Our last suggestion with eating is to go early to keep away from the crowds. We suggest everybody do that, however it’s particularly essential with children. Some eating places get actually busy round midday, to the purpose the place it may be tough to discover a desk. Juggling the children and trays of meals throughout these occasions could be tough (we’ve seen loads of households battle with it), and it’s simply a lot simpler when issues aren’t so busy. The opening occasions for eating places varies, however most begin serving lunch at 10:30 am or 11 am.
Sights
The salient suggestion right here is to not take children on rides that they’re not able to expertise. For starters, learn our Disney Parks Experience Guides that describe, price, and supply different information for every experience. Past that…how are you going to know whether or not they’re prepared? Properly, one of the simplest ways is to gauge their reactions or what they are saying after they strategy an attraction.
Numerous children are scared on the prospect of the Haunted Mansion, and simply because a Solid Member tells you that it’s principally comical ghosts doesn’t imply your children will decide up on that nuance of the attraction. To them it is likely to be the case {that a} ghost is a ghost is a ghost, and all are equally scary. You may additionally discover they’re terrified of issues that appear innocuous.
Youngsters received’t even have the ability to experience some sights as a consequence of peak, and it’s best to not try to bypass these guidelines to get your youngster on an attraction earlier than they’re the suitable peak. These restrictions usually are not arbitrary–they’re for the sake of security.
It additionally essential to keep in mind that peak isn’t any assure {that a} youngster will get pleasure from an attraction. It looks like on a regular basis we’re in Walt Disney World, we see mother and father attempting to coax their children to “be courageous” and go on a selected attraction. This most likely stems from the mentality that the holiday was costly, and fogeys wish to get their cash’s price.
Additionally don’t be stunned if these fears change and “evolve.” In the future they is likely to be superb with Haunted Mansion or no matter attraction, the following day they might not. Simply roll with it. Heck, if they’re reluctant to go on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, don’t drive them. A few of these fears would possibly defy logic, however it’s what it’s.
If the attraction goes to traumatize the kid and make them nervous about experiencing subsequent sights with which they in any other case wouldn’t have had a problem, what’s gained by forcing them to “be courageous”? Nothing. Their reminiscences of the journey will type round these destructive experiences, and there will likely be points for the remainder of the day or remainder of the journey. So why drive it?
The rationale children have for desirous to do or not desirous to do issues perplexes even the neatest scientists, so there’s no sense attempting to rationalize or motive with them about experiencing an attraction. Karin J. affords strong recommendation on this regard: “Don’t take younger youngsters on sights they aren’t prepared for. I’ve heard many tales from others who did that and it might break the journey, as a result of the kid is depressing after which could be scared of all the pieces afterward. Check them with tamer rides first if younger and see what they like and may deal with.”
In fact, you understand your children higher than a information written by some stranger, and there’s at all times the prospect that your children have preliminary hesitation however are usually superb as soon as they really have interaction within the expertise. If you understand this to be the case together with your children, disregard the above recommendation, and encourage them to go on sights about which they’re nervous. However in case you don’t know, and end up simply pushing them since you wish to do as a lot as attainable, rethink the technique.
As for what sights are greatest for teenagers, that relies on the child. We’ve seen children like and dislike nearly each attraction at Walt Disney World, and any listing you see elsewhere goes to be primarily based on what the listing author’s children get pleasure from. Their children aren’t your children.
I completely cherished Nation Bear Jamboree as a toddler (and nonetheless find it irresistible), however I learn mother and father on a regular basis who name it a snoozer that places their children to sleep. What totally different folks and children get pleasure from could also be surprising. Erin S. illustrates this level along with her daughter: “You may’t plan for all the pieces, so be ready to waft. Who knew my daughter’s fave experience can be the transportation bus?”
To get an thought of what your children will like upfront, we suggest watching YouTube attraction experience by way of movies; simply seek for the attraction title plus “ride-through” and also you’ll discover loads of outcomes. You would possibly even watch these together with your children so you’ll be able to see their response to particular sights (like we mentioned above, they might be scared by issues that shock you they usually could like issues that you simply thought would’ve scared them).
It’s additionally essential to keep in mind that, for teenagers, character meet & greets are an essential a part of the expertise. Doing a personality meal could be an effective way to see a number of characters with out ready in line, and whereas consuming within the air-con. We extremely suggest character meals. Should you don’t wish to do character meals, indoor meet & greets are usually higher choices.
Chris T. has a suggestion for meet and greets that proved polarizing: “Skip the silly autograph books. When you have an outgoing youngster who’s not afraid to speak, get them to work together with the characters. They’ll have much more enjoyable.”
Like so many issues, we disagree with this as one-size-fits-all recommendation. For some children, the autograph guide is likely to be a conduit for an interplay that they may’ve not had in any other case. For extra social children, the autograph guide is likely to be wholly unnecessarily–and stop an natural interplay. (One factor we do suggest in our Distinctive Packing Checklist for Walt Disney World is an autograph guide alternative.)
Irrespective of how a lot you prep your self and them, there’s at all times the likelihood (nay, chance) that your children will shock you when you go to. To this present day I bear in mind being scared mindless by the Universe of Vitality as a toddler and hiding on the ground of the experience car once I noticed the dinosaurs…and I cherished dinosaurs as a toddler. This was no fault of my mother and father, however it made for a foul expertise that I nonetheless bear in mind. Unpredictable issues like this occur, and the perfect you are able to do is injury management as soon as they do occur.
Plan of Assault
Should you’re like my dad, you educate your youngsters life classes by way of maxims and colloquialisms. A well-liked one is at all times “the early fowl will get the worm.” A visit to Walt Disney World is a good time to actually hammer this one house. (Okay, perhaps not within the sense that the journey is actually the time for instructing them life classes, however it’s best to comply with it on the journey.)
Tackling Walt Disney World with children is a lot simpler in case you’re up early and to the parks earlier than they open. Ideally, you wish to arrive 15-Half-hour earlier than official opening time, and also you wish to have a plan of assault for at the very least your early morning. Should you’re eligible for Early Entry, you completely wish to benefit from that.
Normally it will contain experiencing a number of sights in Fantasyland, most of that are shortly skilled and may get lengthy strains later within the day. In these instances, the distinction between being to the park at 8:30 am versus 10:30 am generally is a 5 minute look forward to Peter Pan’s Flight versus a 60 minute wait. The significance of arriving early can’t be understated.
We’d additionally suggest studying itineraries upfront of your journeys and making some notes. Nonetheless, we don’t suggest creating binders, spreadsheets, and scheduling each step of their day. Folks get critical and obsessive about this, which is a mistake. (See above about parental expectations resulting in meltdowns.) The perfect laid plans typically go awry, and when that inevitably occurs (and it completely will in case you’re touring with babies), it may be disappointing in case you’ve over-planned.
As with most issues in life, stability and moderation are key. We’ve the next versatile step-by-step plans for every park that cowl our good days utilizing standby-only:
Do NOT count on to stay to those plans when you’ve got babies. Use these as a broad strokes define, not as a strict schedule. Youngsters could turn out to be drained, irritated, or they might spontaneously see one thing they actually, actually wish to do. We’re not suggesting that it’s best to at all times let children name the photographs, however at Walt Disney World…there are a variety of circumstances the place it’s best to let children name the photographs.
It could sting to skip your Lightning Lane return time for Frozen Ever After as a result of your child can’t get sufficient of the interactive water in Moana’s Journey of Water, however don’t combat it. Embrace the enjoyment and spontaneity–forcing them to cease having enjoyable to do a “higher-priority” experience seemingly received’t finish properly.
This was recommendation a number of mother and father shared with us, and the recurring theme of this recommendation was that it’s essential to decelerate and never over-plan. Sharlene M. mentioned this: “The youngest member of your group is at all times going to find out your touring type. Decelerate, take a nap, and maintain them on as near their regular schedule as attainable, particularly for meals. You’ll have a greater journey and everybody else will too. A soften down isn’t any enjoyable for anybody.”
Past arriving early and having a unfastened plan, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about using Lightning Lane Multi-Move (there’s additionally Lightning Lane Single Move and Premier Move, however Multi-Move is the optimum possibility for folks with babies). Every thing you NEED to know, together with experience priorities, the place it’s NOT needed to purchase Lightning Lanes, and way more is roofed in our Information to Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World. We don’t suggest utilizing Lightning Lane Multi-Move every single day or for each park.
One other related time-saving possibility is the Rider Swap Move (extra generally often called a “Youngster Swap”), which could be obtained from Solid Members exterior sights with peak limits. This cross permits one father or mother to stick with the children who don’t meet the peak requirement for an attraction whereas the opposite father or mother (or group of above-height folks) waits with the children. When the driving father or mother/group is completed, the ready father or mother/group can use the Lightning Lane.
Noon breaks are one other fashionable suggestion, and these are one thing we advise making the most of for each mother and father and non-parents. The center of the day shouldn’t be solely the busiest time on the parks, however it’s the most popular, too! A noon break means that you can return for nighttime enjoyable, so undoubtedly go away the park throughout the center of the day.
On the subject of a “plan” for preserving reminiscences, Karin J. reminds households that picture time ought to be early within the day on the plan: “Take photos early within the day when the children are comfortable and never worn out…have a present picture that exhibits precisely what they’re carrying in case you get separated throughout the day.”
Strollers
We’ve simply began utilizing a stroller extra often at Walt Disney World.
Earlier than that, we used a BabyBjörn Child Service in all places–from day visits to Disneyland to 6 weeks in Japan. We’re big followers/advocates of baby-wearing, and went primarily that route for so long as attainable. We prevented strollers to the best sensible extent…till we had no different selection, which began across the time our daughter turned extra cellular. See our Information to Child Sporting for Disney World & Journey.
As we’ve began to make use of our stroller extra, we at the moment are of the opinion that strollers are sometimes a necessity or a invaluable asset to have. The parks are big and babies merely can’t be anticipated to traverse World Showcase or Animal Kingdom with out some help. And although it may be a ache to fold strollers on crowded buses, discover parking, navigate by way of crowds, and many others–there’s additionally an enormous benefit to napping on the go, having a “free locker” and extra.
Nonetheless, we’ve tried to attenuate our stroller utilization on the parks, and sometimes go away it parked for hours on finish. If you look again at images of Walt Disney World from previous many years, you discover far fewer strollers. This isn’t as a result of extra youngsters are visiting now–it’s as a result of a larger phase of youngsters are utilizing strollers. When visiting the worldwide parks, we’ve observed shockingly decrease use of strollers by company. There are nonetheless strollers, however not almost as many. A part of this is likely to be because of the lively life of Europeans and Asians as in comparison with People, and actuality that individuals who dwell in walkable cities and depend on public transportation are much less seemingly to make use of strollers.
Anyway, our recommendation is to work on growing your youngster’s stamina earlier than the journey. It’s at all times good to have a stroller as a security internet, as only a few youngsters will stroll as a lot throughout a mean week at house as they do at Walt Disney World. However “security internet” isn’t the identical as being dependent upon the gadget.
Reader Rhonda B. agrees: “Have your youngster stroll. We took our youngsters to Disney again within the days when youngsters weren’t overweight, went exterior to play, and exercised. They had been 2 and 4 years outdated….now 22 and 24 (presently a solid member). My youngest, age 2, did simply superb.”
Nonetheless, not everybody agrees. “Hire a stroller! Even in your children which have outgrown them…One thing that’s snug for the children, we had an light-weight break and needed to name Orlando Stroller Leases they obtained us one which day. Superb. It value the identical as our stroller we purchased and it was a double, had a lot of room for bag and a giant solar shade,” says Jill M.
It’s a few 50/50 cut up as as to whether it’s best to deliver a stroller or hire one at Walt Disney World. Megan R. shared this: “TAKE your individual stroller! Completely not a problem within the airport (could be gate checked at no cost) and a lot nicer and cheaper than renting the plastic ones from Disney.”
On the opposite aspect, many mother and father suggest renting a stroller as a result of what you’ll need at Walt Disney World would possibly differ from what you’d usually use at house. Once more, a YMMV scenario. The overwhelming suggestion different mother and father shared with us was to make use of an umbrella stroller.
Daybreak B. mentioned this: “When my boys had been youthful, we at all times introduced umbrella strollers (if it reclines for naps, that’s a bonus–not all umbrella’s recline). The umbrella stroller was good as a result of it folds simply for bus rides to parks and helps save grown ups from carrying little ones from the parking zone into the park.”
Kayla E. shared a number of extra ideas: “Deliver a poncho or rain cowl in your stroller…in case you’re in a experience or consuming when a day rainstorm breaks out, that can assist. Tie a shawl, balloon, one thing figuring out on stroller. It’s going to most likely be moved from the time you park it to choosing it up.” She additional added, “assume upfront the way you’ll experience the bus. When you have two or extra children, a stroller, and some baggage, boarding the bus generally is a mess.
Know methods to fold the stroller, and in case you can, fold it earlier than the bus arrives, not as you’re stepping aboard. The bus recommendation is one thing to think about when deciding which stroller to make use of within the parks. On the one hand, a Cadillac-sized stroller could be good to make use of, however the disadvantage is transporting it when there aren’t children in it, which might actually be a ache. Weigh the professionals and the cons earlier than deciding on one stroller.
Enhancing the Magic!
Lots of people search for little methods to make the journey extra “magical” for his or her children. We’d advise mother and father to not fret an excessive amount of about including extra “magic” for the children, because it appears extra more likely to put stress on the adults than to actually lead to that a lot of an enhanced expertise for the children. Actually, in case you’re a child at Walt Disney World, that’s already about as magical because it will get.
There are methods to make the journey extra “interactive” for the children. Ben H. summarizes a few of our favorites: “Hidden Mickey books go over properly, too. And prizes to day by day winners, in case you can afford. The books have totally different Mickeys at totally different level values, as do the apps! Disposable cameras are a cheap option to let a child be a photographer with out risking their iPod Contact or your iPhone to wreck. Zip-top baggage are a should for electronics… they’ve saved my butt greater than as soon as in a shock rain storm!”
Shopping for Disney pins upfront of the journey to commerce with Solid Members was one other piece of fashionable recommendation. Right here’s what Bernadette G. needed to say: “Pin buying and selling was an enormous hit for our three children (teen by way of six 12 months outdated) on our first journey to WDW final 12 months – nice for serving to shy ones muster up the braveness to work together with solid members, and many others. I second (third?) shopping for them upfront on ebay – we doled them out a bit at a time over the holiday to unfold out the enjoyable.”
The over-arching recommendation concerning souvenirs is to at all times purchase earlier than leaving house, as issues are way more costly within the parks. Rosalie provides one other instance: “Deliver your individual costumes, by no means purchase them on the parks. Purchase your Princess attire proper on or instantly after halloween from Disney.com, they are going to be on sale, or look forward to any of the quite a few gross sales shopDisney.com has. By no means pay full worth, in case you prefer it, wait and it’ll go on sale.”
A suggestion of one thing that may make the journey a bit extra particular for folks is shared by Darleen L., who writes: “Many individuals don’t know in regards to the Principal Avenue Barber Store. It’s NOT simply there for seems/environment. They do an AMAZING “child’s first haircut” there! By wonderful, I imply, take your tissue and digicam!”
One other miscellaneous tip comes from Sara S., who recommends taking a variety of images (we agree!): “One other tip that was nice for our household is take photos of all the pieces. My husband loves images and snaps photos consistently. It’s not unusual for him to take over 6,000 in a ten day journey…. He took tons of photographs of our children, but in addition took heaps and plenty of photos of the parks themselves. There are such a lot of particulars that I missed as a result of I used to be so busy trying down at our youngest. I used to be so grateful to must photos once I got here house, even those that had been a bit out of focus!”
We’ll shut out this text with maybe the perfect piece of recommendation and one thing that’s at all times price remembering from reader Anthony G., who writes, “BE A KID TOO! All of the prep ideas are superior. However having fun with Disney together with your children as a child is the perfect a part of going to Disney with Youngsters!”
We agree. A visit to Walt Disney World with children can appear overwhelming and it’d sound like lots can go improper…however far more can go proper than can go improper. Roll with the punches and bear in mind to loosen up and have enjoyable!
As our personal expertise will increase, we’ll undoubtedly be again with many (many) extra items of recommendation. For now, in case you want personalised assist with planning any side of your trip—we suggest contacting a no price “Approved Disney Trip Planner” (Disney’s time period for a journey agent) to get a quote and that will help you plan. They get their fee from Disney, so not one of the approved (key phrase) planners will cost you for reserving their journey and serving to. Right here’s one such really useful Approved Disney Trip Planner.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you should know!
Your Ideas
What ideas do you mother and father assume are most essential? Which recommendation we shared do you agree with? The place do you disagree? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Dad and mom planning their youngster’s first journey to Walt Disney World typically have a variety of questions, as visiting Walt Disney World with children is uncharted territory that may be intimidating. This information solutions a few of these questions with useful recommendation to keep away from errors and customary planning pitfalls. (Up to date March 2, 2025.)
Let’s begin with the newest replace, which comes as we’re reviewing this information as mother and father ourselves. Once we first coated this matter a number of years in the past, we had been the dreaded Disney Adults with out children. The guidelines & methods had been written primarily based on a mix of firsthand experiences with buddies and their children, seeing households meltdown in sure situations, plus fan suggestions. The objective was recent recommendation from an outsider perspective, and embrace quotes from readers who’re mother and father providing quite a lot of views about visiting with children.
Admittedly, we’ve lengthy anxious that among the technique right here would come again to hang-out us. That our expectations can be unrealistic or idealized. As we now replace this after visiting Disneyland on a weekly foundation with our now-toddler and having made a number of journeys along with her to Walt Disney World, we’re revisiting what we obtained proper and improper. The most important factor we obtained proper was big-picture philosophy about visiting with children. What we obtained most improper was underestimating simply how for much longer all the pieces takes with a child, and the way time actually is cash as a result of you will have lots much less of it as mother and father of a small youngster!
This information is supposed to complement different guides (together with our personal Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information) and supply a fairly knowledgeable (hopefully) perspective mother and father won’t in any other case hear. All in all, we expect it is a fairly first rate useful resource to learn as you propose that journey with the children to Walt Disney World!
We’ll be again for much extra complete updates within the years to come back as our daughter continues to develop up, and we’ve extra Walt Disney World holidays as a household underneath our belts. And possibly many extra occasions within the years to come back as we make errors and be taught from them. For now, listed here are some issues that we expect are good to know earlier than your first go to with youngsters.
Perspective
The most important piece of recommendation we are able to supply is to know your limitations. We’ve seen this situation time and time once more, in quite a lot of types: father or mother pushes child’s limits in a technique or one other, and everybody has a foul time. For a lot of households, Walt Disney World journeys with are a as soon as in a lifetime factor, and a ceremony of passage for the children.
We perceive that these journeys are actually costly, and with that comes increased stakes and extra stress to “make as a lot magic” for the child as attainable. Our sturdy recommendation–and this goes equally for {couples} or solo vacationers–is to disabuse your self of this notion. Take into consideration the cash when budgeting, however as soon as it’s already spent, take into consideration the journey solely by way of enjoyment.
Youngsters get cranky after an excessive amount of stimulation. Everybody is aware of that. Nonetheless, adults can too. Parental crankiness manifests itself in quite a lot of methods, however the unseen approach is the most typical: within the stubbornness of wanting to maintain pushing after they usually wouldn’t in “regular” father or mother mode.
This in flip causes crankiness within the youngster who’s past their breaking level, which in turns causes extra crankiness within the father or mother, who retains interested by how a lot the journey value, and the way a lot enjoyable they “want” to “make” their children have. It’s a vicious cycle, and earlier than you understand it, there’s a full-blown meltdown.
As a father or mother, angle is all the pieces. Don’t go into the journey with the expectation that you should do 17 sights per day and will need to have X, Y, and Z executed earlier than 11:30 am. There is no such thing as a magic variety of rides for a fantastic and memorable journey. 4 hours per day of high quality time within the parks is best than 2 hours of high quality time and 6 hours of depressing time.
Should you’ve been to Walt Disney World earlier than having children, don’t count on to go at your outdated tempo or to do the identical belongings you as soon as did. The trade-off for seeing the magic by way of your youngsters’s eyes as they gentle up with pleasure upon assembly Mickey Mouse for the primary time is which you can’t do marathon hours within the park (except you deliver grandparents!).
Approaching the journey with sensible expectations and a constructive angle is a very powerful component of planning a visit to Walt Disney World with children. A plan of assault for hitting rides in essentially the most environment friendly order is a good factor to have (as you’ll learn under), however mother and father ought to be ready to desert these plans instantly as soon as the children on the journey are starting to strategy that wall.
What Age is Proper
One of the vital frequent questions when planning a toddler’s first journey to Walt Disney World is: “what age is true?” It is a loaded query that actually relies on your circumstances.
For a lot of adults who take their actually younger youngsters, the expertise shouldn’t be in regards to the reminiscences of the children, however for the mother and father. It’s about watching their child’s face gentle up as they contact Eeyore for the primary time, or it’s about getting that first picture in entrance of Cinderella Citadel. Clearly, infants usually are not going to recollect any of that. However they’ll be indelible reminiscences for the mother and father.
Our recommendation right here can be to not let different folks discuss you out of the choice you’ve already made regarding when is true for that first journey. It looks like a variety of mother and father discover themselves considering that they wish to make a journey with their toddler for no matter motive, after which flip to different folks, virtually as in the event that they wish to be talked out of the loopy thought.
On this space of planning, your particular person instincts and intestine feeling ought to trump all else. If you wish to wait till the children are sufficiently old to stroll, wait. If you wish to take them as quickly because it’s secure (consultants advise that you simply restrict a new child’s publicity to giant teams of individuals in order that they don’t get sick, in order that they’re the one group we’d rule out definitively as being “not” the correct age), extra energy to you. what you need greater than I do know what you need.
We made our first half-day go to to Disneyland about 2 months after our daughter was born (we’re locals). We waited till she was over 6 months outdated earlier than making our first journey to Walt Disney World. She’s since visited Florida a number of occasions, whereas additionally taking journeys to Tokyo Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland. These lengthy flights had been very intimidating and made us nervous, however she tailored simply superb. A lot in order that we’re planning extra journeys to Asia and Europe!
Since this part is kind of, “when to go to Disney World with children,” we’ll lump time of 12 months in right here too. If attainable, don’t go when faculty is out of session–particularly in case your children aren’t but in class. There are literally two causes for this, the primary of which ought to be fairly apparent and intuitive.
Walt Disney World’s key demographic is households, and faculty breaks are the time when that demo is most inclined to go to. This truly shouldn’t be fairly as dangerous as you would possibly count on in summer time. Many households do take holidays to Walt Disney World from late Could by way of mid-August, however since that’s a multi-month break, the attendance and crowds are diluted.
In contrast, the weeklong or shorter breaks are far worse–particularly when everybody is out of college on the similar time. There’s just one Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New 12 months’s Eve, and so forth. Even fall break and spring break happen for a lot of faculty districts across the similar time, so these weeks and lengthy weekends are dangerous. That is to say nothing of the various lesser identified holidays or breaks which have an outsized influence on crowds. Issues like Presidents’ Day, Mardi Gras, Jersey Week, and many others. Suffice to say, see our 2025 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars.
The underappreciated part of that is climate. Summer season is the worst time to go to Walt Disney World not due to crowds, that are “solely” above-average, however due to crowds plus the worst climate of the 12 months.
The warmth and humidity makes these congestion and crowds really feel a lot worse. Even the late summer time and early fall low season, which has the bottom crowds of your complete 12 months, is arguably not price it because of the climate.
This might all most likely be lowered to “consolation.” Decrease crowds means larger consolation, as does higher climate. Much less consolation will increase the possibilities of a meltdown, whereas the alternative is true of extra consolation. Everybody ought to optimize for consolation–minimizing crowds and maximizing climate to the best extent attainable. That’s much more true for households with babies, who’re extra meltdown-prone.
We took our daughter to Walt Disney World in mid-June, and it’s not one thing we’d suggest. On account of climate, we misplaced large chunks of the day and took far longer breaks than we did throughout our journeys within the spring or at Christmas. See our listing of the 10 Greatest and 10 Worst Weeks to Go to Walt Disney World in 2025 & 2026 for the candy (and not-so-sweet) spots.
The place to Keep
The place to remain actually relies upon upon private desire. Widespread recommendation for households is to remain on the most compact lodge in every worth tier. This implies French Quarter out of the Moderates, Modern out of the Deluxes, and All Star Music out of the Values. The benefits are extra pronounced at French Quarter and the compact Deluxes than they’re at All Star Music–just about the entire Values are equal in dimension.
Different households could wish to keep at resorts with inside hallways (Deluxe Resorts plus Artwork of Animation suites and Gran Destino Tower). Some could wish to keep away from resorts with out elevators (Caribbean Seashore and Port Orleans Riverside). Then there are the resorts with inner bus loops and a number of stops, which is expounded to sprawling dimension however barely totally different.
Talking of which, transportation is mostly a large one. We strongly favor resorts that supply non-bus transportation to at the very least 2 parks. Sometimes, this implies the Magic Kingdom space (monorail loop, boats, walkways), Crescent Lake/EPCOT space (boats, walkways, Skyliner) or Skyliner gondola resorts. See Our Favourite Resort for Walt Disney World Journeys as Dad and mom with a Toddler for our #1 suggestion inside strolling distance that additionally affords nice bang-for-buck by Deluxe Resort requirements.
Buses are the least-predictable or dependable type of Walt Disney World transportation, and having the ability to use non-bus transportation could make issues simpler on households. Much less stress with strollers, decrease commute occasions, and a larger probability of truly taking a noon break. (That is recommendation that isn’t distinctive to households with children, however it’s extra pronounced for them.)
Resort swimming pools also needs to be a consideration, as noon breaks on the pool appear to be fashionable and well-remembered by children. See what pool theme appeals most (the perfect pool by far is Storm-Alongside Bay on the Yacht and Seashore Membership) to your children, and issue that within the determination.
Choosing the “proper” lodge appears to be a kind of “YMMV” issues. Totally different themes will enchantment to totally different households. You won’t thoughts being farther from the parks, or counting on bus transportation. However over time, we’ve obtain a ton of suggestions from mother and father who assume the unfold out resorts are terrible due to how inconvenient they’re to navigate with children. In any case, see our Rankings of All Resort Resorts at Walt Disney World from Worst to Greatest for suggestions of the place to remain for all events and journey types.
The place to Eat
Sure eating places are extra enjoyable for teenagers. Particularly, eating places with cool and kid-friendly themes. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater ranks on the high of this listing. I nonetheless bear in mind consuming right here as a child, though I don’t actually bear in mind every other restaurant (in addition to Hoop De Doo Revue, and that’s solely as a result of we went there yearly, so one thing was certain to stay to my reminiscence). Our listing of the Greatest Themed Eating places at Walt Disney World is a good useful resource for making Advance Eating Reservations (ADRs).
We’ve a Checklist of Greatest Character Meals at Walt Disney World, and we’d strongly suggest reserving at the very least one meal at these far upfront of your journey. It is a nice climate-controlled option to meet a number of characters, and eat whereas doing so. Kill two birds with one stone. (For some households, character eating experiences are the spotlight of the journey–they do one each single day!)
Our different suggestion for locations that many households ought to keep away from is Signature Eating places. These eating places do enable youngsters, and a variety of mother and father deliver their children to the eating places. Nonetheless, they’re upscale eating places that undoubtedly skew in direction of adults, with grownup ambiance, grownup delicacies, and grownup costs.
In case your children are sometimes loud or unruly throughout dinner, it’s most likely not the perfect of concepts to deliver them to those eating places. We point out this as a result of a variety of “for teenagers” guides written by precise mother and father attempt to justify taking any youngsters to those eating places with the mentality that “it’s Disney World, the place was made for teenagers, they’re okay ANYWHERE.”
Talking for the adults with out children who type the primary clientele of Signature Eating places: this isn’t true. Walt Disney World shouldn’t be solely “for teenagers” (there are tons of convention-goers, honeymooners, businesspeople, {couples}, and many others.) and different patrons will likely be irritated by the presence of unruly youngsters throughout their good, costly meal.
Not solely that, however you’ll most likely be much less snug and really feel out-of-place at a Signature Restaurant in case your youngsters are unruly. The meal is costly and neither the menu nor the environment are geared toward households. Frankly, it’s onerous to see how that is extra pleasing than simply consuming at a extra family-friendly restaurant.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to emphasise that this pertains to unruly youngsters. In case your children are properly behaved, by all means take them to any restaurant (in addition to Victoria & Albert’s, the place they flat out are prohibited). It is likely to be an costly option to feed children, however there’s not essentially an issue with taking them. Different folks received’t give side-eye on the mere presence of youngsters–solely misbehaving ones.
As for counter service eating places, most locations in Walt Disney World have fairly tame choices that can enchantment to youngsters. World Showcase in Epcot is a notable exception to this, however that’s actually about it. In any other case, virtually each counter service restaurant at Walt Disney World will supply one thing that’s appropriate for even the pickiest of eaters.
Our last suggestion with eating is to go early to keep away from the crowds. We suggest everybody do that, however it’s particularly essential with children. Some eating places get actually busy round midday, to the purpose the place it may be tough to discover a desk. Juggling the children and trays of meals throughout these occasions could be tough (we’ve seen loads of households battle with it), and it’s simply a lot simpler when issues aren’t so busy. The opening occasions for eating places varies, however most begin serving lunch at 10:30 am or 11 am.
Sights
The salient suggestion right here is to not take children on rides that they’re not able to expertise. For starters, learn our Disney Parks Experience Guides that describe, price, and supply different information for every experience. Past that…how are you going to know whether or not they’re prepared? Properly, one of the simplest ways is to gauge their reactions or what they are saying after they strategy an attraction.
Numerous children are scared on the prospect of the Haunted Mansion, and simply because a Solid Member tells you that it’s principally comical ghosts doesn’t imply your children will decide up on that nuance of the attraction. To them it is likely to be the case {that a} ghost is a ghost is a ghost, and all are equally scary. You may additionally discover they’re terrified of issues that appear innocuous.
Youngsters received’t even have the ability to experience some sights as a consequence of peak, and it’s best to not try to bypass these guidelines to get your youngster on an attraction earlier than they’re the suitable peak. These restrictions usually are not arbitrary–they’re for the sake of security.
It additionally essential to keep in mind that peak isn’t any assure {that a} youngster will get pleasure from an attraction. It looks like on a regular basis we’re in Walt Disney World, we see mother and father attempting to coax their children to “be courageous” and go on a selected attraction. This most likely stems from the mentality that the holiday was costly, and fogeys wish to get their cash’s price.
Additionally don’t be stunned if these fears change and “evolve.” In the future they is likely to be superb with Haunted Mansion or no matter attraction, the following day they might not. Simply roll with it. Heck, if they’re reluctant to go on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, don’t drive them. A few of these fears would possibly defy logic, however it’s what it’s.
If the attraction goes to traumatize the kid and make them nervous about experiencing subsequent sights with which they in any other case wouldn’t have had a problem, what’s gained by forcing them to “be courageous”? Nothing. Their reminiscences of the journey will type round these destructive experiences, and there will likely be points for the remainder of the day or remainder of the journey. So why drive it?
The rationale children have for desirous to do or not desirous to do issues perplexes even the neatest scientists, so there’s no sense attempting to rationalize or motive with them about experiencing an attraction. Karin J. affords strong recommendation on this regard: “Don’t take younger youngsters on sights they aren’t prepared for. I’ve heard many tales from others who did that and it might break the journey, as a result of the kid is depressing after which could be scared of all the pieces afterward. Check them with tamer rides first if younger and see what they like and may deal with.”
In fact, you understand your children higher than a information written by some stranger, and there’s at all times the prospect that your children have preliminary hesitation however are usually superb as soon as they really have interaction within the expertise. If you understand this to be the case together with your children, disregard the above recommendation, and encourage them to go on sights about which they’re nervous. However in case you don’t know, and end up simply pushing them since you wish to do as a lot as attainable, rethink the technique.
As for what sights are greatest for teenagers, that relies on the child. We’ve seen children like and dislike nearly each attraction at Walt Disney World, and any listing you see elsewhere goes to be primarily based on what the listing author’s children get pleasure from. Their children aren’t your children.
I completely cherished Nation Bear Jamboree as a toddler (and nonetheless find it irresistible), however I learn mother and father on a regular basis who name it a snoozer that places their children to sleep. What totally different folks and children get pleasure from could also be surprising. Erin S. illustrates this level along with her daughter: “You may’t plan for all the pieces, so be ready to waft. Who knew my daughter’s fave experience can be the transportation bus?”
To get an thought of what your children will like upfront, we suggest watching YouTube attraction experience by way of movies; simply seek for the attraction title plus “ride-through” and also you’ll discover loads of outcomes. You would possibly even watch these together with your children so you’ll be able to see their response to particular sights (like we mentioned above, they might be scared by issues that shock you they usually could like issues that you simply thought would’ve scared them).
It’s additionally essential to keep in mind that, for teenagers, character meet & greets are an essential a part of the expertise. Doing a personality meal could be an effective way to see a number of characters with out ready in line, and whereas consuming within the air-con. We extremely suggest character meals. Should you don’t wish to do character meals, indoor meet & greets are usually higher choices.
Chris T. has a suggestion for meet and greets that proved polarizing: “Skip the silly autograph books. When you have an outgoing youngster who’s not afraid to speak, get them to work together with the characters. They’ll have much more enjoyable.”
Like so many issues, we disagree with this as one-size-fits-all recommendation. For some children, the autograph guide is likely to be a conduit for an interplay that they may’ve not had in any other case. For extra social children, the autograph guide is likely to be wholly unnecessarily–and stop an natural interplay. (One factor we do suggest in our Distinctive Packing Checklist for Walt Disney World is an autograph guide alternative.)
Irrespective of how a lot you prep your self and them, there’s at all times the likelihood (nay, chance) that your children will shock you when you go to. To this present day I bear in mind being scared mindless by the Universe of Vitality as a toddler and hiding on the ground of the experience car once I noticed the dinosaurs…and I cherished dinosaurs as a toddler. This was no fault of my mother and father, however it made for a foul expertise that I nonetheless bear in mind. Unpredictable issues like this occur, and the perfect you are able to do is injury management as soon as they do occur.
Plan of Assault
Should you’re like my dad, you educate your youngsters life classes by way of maxims and colloquialisms. A well-liked one is at all times “the early fowl will get the worm.” A visit to Walt Disney World is a good time to actually hammer this one house. (Okay, perhaps not within the sense that the journey is actually the time for instructing them life classes, however it’s best to comply with it on the journey.)
Tackling Walt Disney World with children is a lot simpler in case you’re up early and to the parks earlier than they open. Ideally, you wish to arrive 15-Half-hour earlier than official opening time, and also you wish to have a plan of assault for at the very least your early morning. Should you’re eligible for Early Entry, you completely wish to benefit from that.
Normally it will contain experiencing a number of sights in Fantasyland, most of that are shortly skilled and may get lengthy strains later within the day. In these instances, the distinction between being to the park at 8:30 am versus 10:30 am generally is a 5 minute look forward to Peter Pan’s Flight versus a 60 minute wait. The significance of arriving early can’t be understated.
We’d additionally suggest studying itineraries upfront of your journeys and making some notes. Nonetheless, we don’t suggest creating binders, spreadsheets, and scheduling each step of their day. Folks get critical and obsessive about this, which is a mistake. (See above about parental expectations resulting in meltdowns.) The perfect laid plans typically go awry, and when that inevitably occurs (and it completely will in case you’re touring with babies), it may be disappointing in case you’ve over-planned.
As with most issues in life, stability and moderation are key. We’ve the next versatile step-by-step plans for every park that cowl our good days utilizing standby-only:
Do NOT count on to stay to those plans when you’ve got babies. Use these as a broad strokes define, not as a strict schedule. Youngsters could turn out to be drained, irritated, or they might spontaneously see one thing they actually, actually wish to do. We’re not suggesting that it’s best to at all times let children name the photographs, however at Walt Disney World…there are a variety of circumstances the place it’s best to let children name the photographs.
It could sting to skip your Lightning Lane return time for Frozen Ever After as a result of your child can’t get sufficient of the interactive water in Moana’s Journey of Water, however don’t combat it. Embrace the enjoyment and spontaneity–forcing them to cease having enjoyable to do a “higher-priority” experience seemingly received’t finish properly.
This was recommendation a number of mother and father shared with us, and the recurring theme of this recommendation was that it’s essential to decelerate and never over-plan. Sharlene M. mentioned this: “The youngest member of your group is at all times going to find out your touring type. Decelerate, take a nap, and maintain them on as near their regular schedule as attainable, particularly for meals. You’ll have a greater journey and everybody else will too. A soften down isn’t any enjoyable for anybody.”
Past arriving early and having a unfastened plan, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about using Lightning Lane Multi-Move (there’s additionally Lightning Lane Single Move and Premier Move, however Multi-Move is the optimum possibility for folks with babies). Every thing you NEED to know, together with experience priorities, the place it’s NOT needed to purchase Lightning Lanes, and way more is roofed in our Information to Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World. We don’t suggest utilizing Lightning Lane Multi-Move every single day or for each park.
One other related time-saving possibility is the Rider Swap Move (extra generally often called a “Youngster Swap”), which could be obtained from Solid Members exterior sights with peak limits. This cross permits one father or mother to stick with the children who don’t meet the peak requirement for an attraction whereas the opposite father or mother (or group of above-height folks) waits with the children. When the driving father or mother/group is completed, the ready father or mother/group can use the Lightning Lane.
Noon breaks are one other fashionable suggestion, and these are one thing we advise making the most of for each mother and father and non-parents. The center of the day shouldn’t be solely the busiest time on the parks, however it’s the most popular, too! A noon break means that you can return for nighttime enjoyable, so undoubtedly go away the park throughout the center of the day.
On the subject of a “plan” for preserving reminiscences, Karin J. reminds households that picture time ought to be early within the day on the plan: “Take photos early within the day when the children are comfortable and never worn out…have a present picture that exhibits precisely what they’re carrying in case you get separated throughout the day.”
Strollers
We’ve simply began utilizing a stroller extra often at Walt Disney World.
Earlier than that, we used a BabyBjörn Child Service in all places–from day visits to Disneyland to 6 weeks in Japan. We’re big followers/advocates of baby-wearing, and went primarily that route for so long as attainable. We prevented strollers to the best sensible extent…till we had no different selection, which began across the time our daughter turned extra cellular. See our Information to Child Sporting for Disney World & Journey.
As we’ve began to make use of our stroller extra, we at the moment are of the opinion that strollers are sometimes a necessity or a invaluable asset to have. The parks are big and babies merely can’t be anticipated to traverse World Showcase or Animal Kingdom with out some help. And although it may be a ache to fold strollers on crowded buses, discover parking, navigate by way of crowds, and many others–there’s additionally an enormous benefit to napping on the go, having a “free locker” and extra.
Nonetheless, we’ve tried to attenuate our stroller utilization on the parks, and sometimes go away it parked for hours on finish. If you look again at images of Walt Disney World from previous many years, you discover far fewer strollers. This isn’t as a result of extra youngsters are visiting now–it’s as a result of a larger phase of youngsters are utilizing strollers. When visiting the worldwide parks, we’ve observed shockingly decrease use of strollers by company. There are nonetheless strollers, however not almost as many. A part of this is likely to be because of the lively life of Europeans and Asians as in comparison with People, and actuality that individuals who dwell in walkable cities and depend on public transportation are much less seemingly to make use of strollers.
Anyway, our recommendation is to work on growing your youngster’s stamina earlier than the journey. It’s at all times good to have a stroller as a security internet, as only a few youngsters will stroll as a lot throughout a mean week at house as they do at Walt Disney World. However “security internet” isn’t the identical as being dependent upon the gadget.
Reader Rhonda B. agrees: “Have your youngster stroll. We took our youngsters to Disney again within the days when youngsters weren’t overweight, went exterior to play, and exercised. They had been 2 and 4 years outdated….now 22 and 24 (presently a solid member). My youngest, age 2, did simply superb.”
Nonetheless, not everybody agrees. “Hire a stroller! Even in your children which have outgrown them…One thing that’s snug for the children, we had an light-weight break and needed to name Orlando Stroller Leases they obtained us one which day. Superb. It value the identical as our stroller we purchased and it was a double, had a lot of room for bag and a giant solar shade,” says Jill M.
It’s a few 50/50 cut up as as to whether it’s best to deliver a stroller or hire one at Walt Disney World. Megan R. shared this: “TAKE your individual stroller! Completely not a problem within the airport (could be gate checked at no cost) and a lot nicer and cheaper than renting the plastic ones from Disney.”
On the opposite aspect, many mother and father suggest renting a stroller as a result of what you’ll need at Walt Disney World would possibly differ from what you’d usually use at house. Once more, a YMMV scenario. The overwhelming suggestion different mother and father shared with us was to make use of an umbrella stroller.
Daybreak B. mentioned this: “When my boys had been youthful, we at all times introduced umbrella strollers (if it reclines for naps, that’s a bonus–not all umbrella’s recline). The umbrella stroller was good as a result of it folds simply for bus rides to parks and helps save grown ups from carrying little ones from the parking zone into the park.”
Kayla E. shared a number of extra ideas: “Deliver a poncho or rain cowl in your stroller…in case you’re in a experience or consuming when a day rainstorm breaks out, that can assist. Tie a shawl, balloon, one thing figuring out on stroller. It’s going to most likely be moved from the time you park it to choosing it up.” She additional added, “assume upfront the way you’ll experience the bus. When you have two or extra children, a stroller, and some baggage, boarding the bus generally is a mess.
Know methods to fold the stroller, and in case you can, fold it earlier than the bus arrives, not as you’re stepping aboard. The bus recommendation is one thing to think about when deciding which stroller to make use of within the parks. On the one hand, a Cadillac-sized stroller could be good to make use of, however the disadvantage is transporting it when there aren’t children in it, which might actually be a ache. Weigh the professionals and the cons earlier than deciding on one stroller.
Enhancing the Magic!
Lots of people search for little methods to make the journey extra “magical” for his or her children. We’d advise mother and father to not fret an excessive amount of about including extra “magic” for the children, because it appears extra more likely to put stress on the adults than to actually lead to that a lot of an enhanced expertise for the children. Actually, in case you’re a child at Walt Disney World, that’s already about as magical because it will get.
There are methods to make the journey extra “interactive” for the children. Ben H. summarizes a few of our favorites: “Hidden Mickey books go over properly, too. And prizes to day by day winners, in case you can afford. The books have totally different Mickeys at totally different level values, as do the apps! Disposable cameras are a cheap option to let a child be a photographer with out risking their iPod Contact or your iPhone to wreck. Zip-top baggage are a should for electronics… they’ve saved my butt greater than as soon as in a shock rain storm!”
Shopping for Disney pins upfront of the journey to commerce with Solid Members was one other piece of fashionable recommendation. Right here’s what Bernadette G. needed to say: “Pin buying and selling was an enormous hit for our three children (teen by way of six 12 months outdated) on our first journey to WDW final 12 months – nice for serving to shy ones muster up the braveness to work together with solid members, and many others. I second (third?) shopping for them upfront on ebay – we doled them out a bit at a time over the holiday to unfold out the enjoyable.”
The over-arching recommendation concerning souvenirs is to at all times purchase earlier than leaving house, as issues are way more costly within the parks. Rosalie provides one other instance: “Deliver your individual costumes, by no means purchase them on the parks. Purchase your Princess attire proper on or instantly after halloween from Disney.com, they are going to be on sale, or look forward to any of the quite a few gross sales shopDisney.com has. By no means pay full worth, in case you prefer it, wait and it’ll go on sale.”
A suggestion of one thing that may make the journey a bit extra particular for folks is shared by Darleen L., who writes: “Many individuals don’t know in regards to the Principal Avenue Barber Store. It’s NOT simply there for seems/environment. They do an AMAZING “child’s first haircut” there! By wonderful, I imply, take your tissue and digicam!”
One other miscellaneous tip comes from Sara S., who recommends taking a variety of images (we agree!): “One other tip that was nice for our household is take photos of all the pieces. My husband loves images and snaps photos consistently. It’s not unusual for him to take over 6,000 in a ten day journey…. He took tons of photographs of our children, but in addition took heaps and plenty of photos of the parks themselves. There are such a lot of particulars that I missed as a result of I used to be so busy trying down at our youngest. I used to be so grateful to must photos once I got here house, even those that had been a bit out of focus!”
We’ll shut out this text with maybe the perfect piece of recommendation and one thing that’s at all times price remembering from reader Anthony G., who writes, “BE A KID TOO! All of the prep ideas are superior. However having fun with Disney together with your children as a child is the perfect a part of going to Disney with Youngsters!”
We agree. A visit to Walt Disney World with children can appear overwhelming and it’d sound like lots can go improper…however far more can go proper than can go improper. Roll with the punches and bear in mind to loosen up and have enjoyable!
As our personal expertise will increase, we’ll undoubtedly be again with many (many) extra items of recommendation. For now, in case you want personalised assist with planning any side of your trip—we suggest contacting a no price “Approved Disney Trip Planner” (Disney’s time period for a journey agent) to get a quote and that will help you plan. They get their fee from Disney, so not one of the approved (key phrase) planners will cost you for reserving their journey and serving to. Right here’s one such really useful Approved Disney Trip Planner.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about resorts on our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces you should know!
Your Ideas
What ideas do you mother and father assume are most essential? Which recommendation we shared do you agree with? The place do you disagree? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
