Travel Guide for Disney with Littles
Going to Walt Disney World with littles can be intimidating! As parents, we wonder if its worth taking them under the age of 5, because lets face it, they aren't going to remember much (especially those sweet babies), but guess what? You sure will! Being able to watch their faces light up around every corner is absolutely worth it.
My all time favorite Disney trip is when we took my oldest son to Disney World for his 2nd birthday. It was just myself, my husband and our then 2 year old. Watching the magic through his eyes, spending the quality time with our small family and doing all the rides was pure magic. Magic Kingdom was probably our favorite for this age because our son could do so many rides and he absolutely loved watching the parades. We got to do every park (some twice) with him during this trip and every park had something special to offer.
Before I share more, here is a small disclaimer: all littles are different, and baby needs vary wildly. What worked for my 1st, did not work for my 2nd, so I am going to be sharing more general tips that helped make our trips the most magical it could be. Just keep in mind, you know your baby and family best!
Okay so here are my top four tips for littles at Walt Disney World:
Tip #1: Stay on Site
One of my most memorable trips as a child was when I was in the fourth grade and my brother was a Kindergartener. It was the first time my parents booked to stay onsite at a Disney Resort, versus driving in for the day from my grandma's house who lives about 40 minutes away from the parks. The reason this trip sticks out, as well as my trip with my oldest son is because we STAYED ONSITE AT A DISNEY RESORT!! I have done both as an adult, and I am telling you that staying on site is worth every penny.
One of my top reasoning for this is naps and midday breaks. Some babies/toddlers have to nap in their crib, at the same time, everyday. If you are onsite, all you have to do is hop on that provided disney transportation and head back for a quick mid-day nap. The adults can also take turns who is taking the baby back, giving the other one adult(s) some child free time in the park. Can you say, AMAZING?! Having that transportation provided to and from every park makes things so much smoother than having to park and wait in crazy lines at the end of the day.
My second reason is because I am a big believer in its not a vacation if I am having to hop in the car everyday to go anywhere. I love being able to fly into MCO, get in my transfer to the resort and be there the entire week. I can get groceries delivered, walk down to the pool to relax, hop on the bus to my favorite theme park, monorail over Contemporary Park for Chef Mickey's or visit Snow White after a quick boat ride to Wilderness Lodge, without once worrying about car seats or finding a parking spot. Not having to strap your kiddo in a car seat twice a day your entire trip really speaks for itself.
Also, you are able to purchase your Lightning Lane passes a whole week before your trip, instead of just 3 before you go if you are not staying onsite. With kids, purchasing the Lightning Lanes is an unfortunate necessity in my opinion. It can cut your wait times in half.
Really I could go on and on about how much more magical it is to be onsite your entire trip. Having relaxing pool days between hectic park days really makes it feel like a true vacation. Pro tip: Always stay at a resort that offers more than just the bus transportation. The monorail and skyliner are two of my favorite ways to get around. If you ever meet my 5 year old - half the time he will tell you his favorite ride is the Skyliner, lol!
Tip #2: Bring your own stroller!
The ones they rent at the parks aren’t good for infants, like at all. They are hard plastic and they don't recline, so they aren't ideal for any kiddo under 5 if they need to crash for a quick nap during the day. I would recommend bringing one that is light and easy to fold, as you will have to fold it every time you get on or off a Disney bus. (Another reason why I love the skyline, I don't have to fold my stroller!)
I would also recommend one that reclines for your toddlers, so they can get comfy in the stroller to night, so you can stay in the park, and do some of the bigger rides while your kiddo gets some Zzzz's. Whatever you bring, do make sure the stroller is comfy for your kiddo(s) as I have found it is so much easier to keep my children contained in the stroller than letting them walk on their own.
I do want to mention, you will be parking the stroller outside of almost every ride - as they aren't allowed inside almost anywhere. I love getting the balloons at the beginning of the trip so I can easily find my stroller when I come off of a ride. You may also want to bring some kind of baby wearing carrier for those longer lines.
If you don't want to bring your own stroller, nor want to use Disney's plastic ones onsite - I have another great option to be able to rent one in Orlando and they will drop it off to you! Just be sure to book through me and I will help take care of this for you :) Don't forget, it is completely free to use me as your Disney planner!
Tip #3: Use the Baby Care Centers
These care centers are adorable areas that have multiple private rooms where you can nurse, cool-down, or microwave bottles. They are open during regular park hours, each facility is complementary to use and includes, based on availability. It is also a great place to go if your baby is overstimulated from the crowds/noise and fighting sleep. Being able to have a place in each park to go if you need to calm down the baby for any reason is such an amazing thing that Disney provides flawlessly. They have quiet rooms with gliding chairs, changing rooms with tables, a restroom and kitchenette. Oh and did I mention that you can also purchase any emergency baby supplies you may have left at home or at the hotel?! They are usually next to the first aid centers too whic
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Tip #4: Bring all the Snacks
Don't forget the water! Especially if you are visiting Orlando in the summer, you have to be sure you keep yourself and your kiddos hydrated. Bring their favorite sippy cup, and always have water on hand. You can bring your own water bottles in or you can go to any quick service restaurant in the park and they will give you free ice water.
Free Tip #5: Use a travel agent!!
As a Disney Travel agent expert, I love helping families plan their trips to Disney World, but this is not just a smart thing to do, but also a practical one! Most Disney Travel agents cost you no additional money to use, give you all the tips and tricks for each park and are a phone call away for any major or minor question. Having trouble deciding on which park? Let a TA help you make the decision by giving you the pros and cons. They will help match you to the park that fits your family's needs. Wondering which stroller to use? Text your TA pictures and they would have all the opinions on which one is best. Only have 3 parks days and want to make the most of your trip? Don't worry, your TA already had that phone call with you and you are fully prepared and feeling confident on your upcoming trip.
We become Disney travel agents because we love taking our families to Disney and experiencing the magic and we want to help you create that magic for your family. I never charge any planning fees and I am also just a phone call away. Better than googling and calling 1-800 numbers, right?
If you are looking to plan a Walt Disney Trip, don't hesitate to reach out to me today to start planning. I work for Exclusive Travel Partners, and we are a Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
I love helping families make lasting memories and I appreciate your support in my small business!
Email: leann@traveletp.com
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