There’s always a lot of planning involved in a Disney World vacation. But, when you’re going to Disney World with toddlers, there’s even more. We know because…well…we’ve done it! If you’re wondering if this is the right time to head to “the most magical place on earth” with your littlest Disney fans, we’re bringing you the tips and tricks that we actually use every time we go to the parks. Following these will ensure that your Disney World trip is (mostly) meltdown free!

When is the Best Time to Visit Disney World with Toddlers?

You’re probably wondering when is the best time to visit Disney World with toddlers? Six months? One and a half? Two? Three? Well, we’ve been taking our toddler to Disney World since they were an infant and, since we’re local, we’ve been there pretty much every month of the year with a little one in tow! While we’ve never necessarily regretted taking our toddler to Disney World any time we’ve gone, there are definitely some ages that are better for a full on vacation.

Picture your toddler who skipped their nap, has eaten slightly too much sugar, and is in a new environment. Now, picture that and add the heat and humidity of an Orlando summer day in July. Yeah…NO THANKS! Even as an adult, I dread the parks in the summer!

Since toddlers are not in school yet, I recommend taking them on their first trip during the off-season. The end of January through the beginning of March are notorious for low crowds and great weather, as well as October and early November before Thanksgiving.

Not only do you have good weather, but the reduced crowd levels and lower attraction wait times can play a significant factor in how your child handles the theme parks.

10 Tips for Taking Toddlers to Disney World

Toddlers are unpredictable, but some surefire tips will make everyone’s lives easier throughout your vacation.

Bring or Rent a Stroller

Even if your toddler isn’t fond of their stroller at home, having a stroller is an absolute must at Walt Disney World. Disney World in its entirety spans over 40 miles, larger than the city of San Francisco, and little legs can only make it so far in one day.

While Disney transportation has you covered for getting between the parks and your resort, there’s A TON of walking involved in a Disney World vacation. And, after eight hours at the park, your child (and probably you, too!) is going to be ready for a break. That’s when a stroller comes in handy!

You can bring your own stroller from home if you’re okay traveling with one, rent one from the theme parks and Disney Springs, or rent one from a third-party company in the Orlando area. For a complete guide to all things strollers, check out our article on strollers at Disney World HERE!

You really can’t go wrong with any options, so just choose what works best for you and your family!

Plan a Full Day at Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is the icon of all of Walt Disney World, and for good reason! Magic Kingdom has the most rides of all four theme parks, and most rides don’t have height requirements, meaning that even your infant can ride along.

Family-friendly rides are particularly important for first-time toddlers, as they may need to ease into the attractions slower than older children. A slow, no-height requirement ride, such as Peter Pan’s Flight or The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, are great starter rides to get your little ones excited about being in Disney World and willing to ride more.

Additionally, wait times for rides that interest toddlers are usually lower than those for the high-ticket attractions. And, low wait times are crucial to a toddler’s happiness!

All four theme parks have rides with no height requirement and offer plenty of entertainment to guests of all ages, so don’t let this deter you from the other parks! However, if you need to choose between certain parks because your only visiting for a few days, be sure to make visiting Magic Kingdom a priority when you’re at Disney World with toddlers.

Have Low Expectations

When you’re doing Disney World with toddlers, you’re likely not going to be able to spend an entire day in the parks from rope drop to park close (unless you have an energizer bunny toddler, I suppose). And, even if you are in the parks all day, it’s going to be hard to get to every single ride, every single show, and try all the snacks when you have a toddler in tow.

Kids WILL have meltdowns, plans WILL be changed, and that nice table service dining reservation you booked to watch the fireworks? Well, there’s a 50/50 shot you may not make it there.

You know your children best. If your kids typically sleep in late and stay up late at home, try to keep on that schedule at Disney. If you have children who are up at 6AM every day but in bed at 7PM daily, it might not be in your best interest to book that 8PM dining reservation or try to see all of the nighttime shows.

We like to give our toddler a little bit of control over our daily schedule to help him feel involved. We let him pick a few “must-do” attractions, and then let everything else fall into place. Once we have hit the rides or activities on the must-do list, the rest is just extra!

Build In Downtime

Mid-day nap breaks (or even just a day relaxing at the resort) are vital to everyone’s sanity! Truly, don’t skip out on this! There is no level of tiredness quite like Disney World tired.

Heading to the parks in the morning, taking a mid-day break, and then going back to the parks at night will rejuvenate the whole family and lead to much better attitudes all around!

Additionally, the parks can be overstimulating, even for adults. And, Walt Disney World resorts have so much to offer! Relaxing by the pool, watching movies under the stars, and participating in crafts and activities can be a slow-paced way to still entertain the kids without having to stay in the room or the theme parks all day.

If you are planning a first-time trip and want to visit all four theme parks, I strongly recommend staying for five nights. Have two park days, a rest day, and two more park days to finish out your trip!

Utilize Baby Care Centers

All four theme parks have baby care centers, which are a must-use, especially if you have toddlers who are still in diapers.

Baby care centers offer an air-conditioned space for parents to bring their children to eat, change a diaper, or rest.

Baby care centers are equipped with private nursing rooms, tables, microwaves, bottle warming stations, changing tables, private restrooms, and a selection of items available for purchase, including diapers, wipes, sunscreen, medication, pacifiers, and more.

Best of all, they are entirely free to use!

Pack Snacks and Drinks

Did you know that guests can bring their own food and drinks into the theme parks? And, when you’re at Disney World with toddlers, snacks are ESSENTIAL throughout your trip. I’m not sure about your toddler, but mine is a total snacker, even at home. Getting a complete meal in him is about as rare as a Disney World ticket discount.

That being said, snacks will be crucial to appetite, attitude, and distractions! Not only does bringing your own snacks provide familiarity and comfort to your child, but it also gives them a distraction through long wait times or when you need a break.

Buy Souvenirs Ahead of Time

Bubble wands and glow sticks are already irresistible for toddlers. Stick Buzz Lightyear or Ariel on top? Suddenly, your toddler must get their hands on it now! And, whether you’re trying to avoid a full on meltdown or just want to keep that adorable smile on your kids face, these suckers are even irresisble for adults at Disney World. But, as parents, a $12 bubble wand on Amazon sounds better than a $30 bubble wand inside the theme parks, doesn’t it?

Instead of fighting with your toddler at the gift shop, pack a bag of pre-bought souvenirs and let your toddler pick one per day. They’ll arrive at the park with their cool new pick, and you won’t have to spend the day fending off requests for merchandise.

Additionally, there are free souvenirs throughout the parks that guest services can provide, such as celebration buttons!

Choose Your Resort Wisely

While all Disney World Resort hotels are kid-friendly, some may be more suitable for your family than others. For instance, if your child is a huge fan of Disney Pixar’s Cars or Finding Nemo, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort might be the best place for you to stay. Or, if you have a huge Toy Story fan on your hands, you’ll want to check out Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort.

On the contrary, a resort such as Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa may not be the best fit if you are looking for a hotel that’s full of pictures and decorations featuring your favorite Disney characters. Disney Moderate and Deluxe Resorts tend to be a little less over-the-top Disney themed, but do often offer better transportation options to and from the parks. So, you’ll want to consider the size of the resort, the amenities it offers, and the dining options when choosing the best resorts for families with kids.

Plan Out Dining, But Don’t Over Plan

There are some spectacular dining experiences throughout Walt Disney World for kids, but let’s face it, the days are long, kids get tired, and, honestly, the adults might get even more tired! Trust me — there’s nothing worse than committing to an expensive dining experience just for your toddler to be miserable or asleep by the time you arrive.

I suggest booking either a breakfast or lunch dining experience at least one day of your trip, especially if you plan on attending character dining. Breakfast tends to be less expensive and you’re more likely to have happy, hungry kids in the morning than after a long park day. Additionally, having only one dining experience per day allows families the flexibility to adjust their plans easily without being committed to specific reservation times.

Go Before Your Toddler Turns Three

Now, this one isn’t as much of a “tip” for doing Disney World with toddlers, but it might just be the most important one!

Children under the age of three can visit the Disney World theme parks for FREE! That’s right — no overpriced park ticket required! Plus, in addition to free theme park entry, kids under three eat free at restaurants that offer buffet or family-style dining. So, planning your trip before (or over) your kid’s third birthday can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

Comments

What are your best tips and tricks for doing Disney World with toddlers? Share your parental wisdom with us in the comments!