Many people assume Disney World is made for kids. There are certainly many aspects that are geared toward younger Disney fans, but if you visit without learning about how to make the most of your trip you may end up disappointed.
Cinderella Castle
From ride height restrictions to stroller rules, there are many aspects to familiarize yourself with before taking off!
This guide is designed to help you navigate the parks with your little one. With a bit of planning, you can give yourself the best possible chance to have a wonderful Disney World vacation for both you and your family!
What Age Is Best?
There is no one age where we recommend you start bringing your children to Disney World, mostly because each child develops differently. You know your kids best, so consider their temperaments and how well they can handle a variety of different scenarios. Some kids might love character meet and greets, but others may not. Disney has a lot of dark rides that could be frightening, and plenty of kids can easily become overwhelmed by crowds, loud noises, and bright lights.
Mad Tea Party
That said, there’s nothing like watching your child’s face light up at seeing a favorite character or enjoying a ride or parade. You may have older kids who are ready to go and will need to take your toddler younger than you anticipated. Some people choose to go on a first trip while their child is still 2 because they are not charged park admission until age 3. Another consideration is that there is also no charge for buffets — including character meals — under age 3.
Cinderella meeting at Cinderella’s Royal Table
Before your trip do your research on what attractions your family is interested in visiting, what dining locations there are, and even your accommodations. This can help you avoid areas that might be stressful for your toddler, plus if you need to make a quick escape back to your hotel for a little rest and recharge it can be useful to stay close to the parks.
Best Times of Year to Visit Disney World With Toddlers
There are different positives and negatives to each time of year. If you don’t have any children in school, visiting during school terms is a great way to avoid crowds and have a bit more leeway when hanging out in the parks. The lines will be shorter, too, which is perfect for little ones who can often be a bit impatient!
Toy Story Land crowds
During the fall and winter, the temperature is milder than the rest of the year. Visiting during these times will be more comfortable for you and your kids, and you won’t have to worry as much about things like dehydration, and taking breaks to avoid overheating. (Be sure to still drink water and wear sunscreen year-round though!) If crowds are your biggest concern, just be sure to avoid major holidays, as well as weekends if you can. Weekdays are the least busy park days, especially Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Best Rides for Toddlers at Disney World
Disney World prides itself on offering a variety of rides and attractions that can appeal to a wide range of ages. Each park has several options that many toddlers can enjoy, but be sure to keep in mind what your child is sensitive to! Disney World has a lot of dark rides which can be good for younger kids because they are slow, out of the sun, and often feature their favorite characters. However, for little ones who are afraid of the dark, these might not be the best choice, and you might want to give them a skip.
Frozen Ever After
In Magic Kingdom, “it’s a small world” is a great pick for younger kids. This is an indoor, slow boat ride but thanks to its bright colors and fun dolls it doesn’t feel dark. Just beware — you might have to listen to your little one singing this song on repeat!
“it’s a small world”
Over in Hollywood Studios, you can find Toy Story Mania. This is an interactive attraction that allows riders to play games in a fun Toy Story-themed atmosphere filled with their favorite characters.
Toy Story Mania
If your child loves animals, there is plenty to do in Animal Kingdom! Kilimanjaro Safaris takes them around the African Savanna where they’ll see real-life animals like zebras, giraffes, and elephants. There’s also a petting zoo in Rafiki’s Planet Watch called Affection Section that is always a crowd-pleaser!
Many parents find themselves debating whether or not to take a stroller to Disney World. It seems like a lot of bulk, and if your toddler is a little older you might wonder if they even need it. If you’ve never been to Disney World before — trust us, you should use one! It’s a LOT of walking, and your child will probably get exhausted and need a break at some point. (Plus, they can be handy merchandise carriers in a pinch!)
You don’t have to bring a stroller from home or even purchase a new one for the trip; there are rental options in Orlando and even at Disney World itself! So even if you choose not to bring one and end up changing your mind, the option is still there, provided they have availability.
Disney World strollers for rental
Disney does have rules regarding what kind of strollers are allowed in the parks. Their guidelines are as follows:
Strollers larger than 31” (79 cm) in width and 52” (132cm) in length are not permitted.
Stroller wagons are also not permitted, even if they fit within the permitted dimensions. This includes any items pulled behind you.
Tip: If you are unsure about your stroller meeting the required dimensions, try using painter’s tape and make a 31”X52” rectangle on the ground. Park your stroller in it and make sure it fits within the lines.
Stroller boards are not allowed, but sit and stand strollers are.
Strollers in Disney World
There are also rules regarding where and when strollers can be used. You can’t bring them into certain restaurants, bring them on escalators, or bring them through most ride queues. You’ll also want to use a collapsible stroller because they’ll have to be folded up when brought onto a bus, tram, or boat.
Our Best Tips for Taking a Toddler to Disney World
We have a few more general tips to share with you when it comes to bringing a toddler to Disney World! Something to consider is that Disney parks are filled with snacks, especially of the sweet variety. You might want to treat them to every sweet they see, but we recommend limiting their sugar intake. A sugar high leads to a crash and that can be difficult to deal with! You can instead bring your own snacks into the park to keep them satisfied, and perhaps limit them to 1-2 sweet treats a day.
Main Street Confectionery
Don’t be afraid to spend time at your resort! You may feel obligated to spend every minute in the parks, but this can quickly drain both your and your toddler’s energy. Both Disney and non-Disney hotels often have wonderful amenities that you can take advantage of. Whether you choose to take the afternoon off or set aside an entire day, taking a break from the parks can be a great way to rest and rejuvenate before heading back into the fray. Splash around in the pool, check out any activities your hotel may offer, or even have an indoor recess day and spend some time reading, watching movies, and napping to recharge your batteries!
Pop Century Pool
Last but not least, have fun on your own terms. Don’t feel pressured to go on the rides people tell you to or visit the most popular attractions, especially if you think your little one won’t enjoy it. That also goes for character interactions — you might think they’ll be over the moon to meet their favorite Disney character, but for some kids the interaction can be overwhelming! Don’t force them to do anything they don’t want to and we guarantee everyone will have a much better time (you included!). Sometimes it’s best to just follow their lead and see what captures their attention; the magic of Disney is what it’s all about!
Stay tuned for more info to help you on your future Disney World vacations!
2 Replies to “Ultimate Guide to Disney World with Toddlers”
When we first went to DW in 1992 our daughters were 4 and 7 years old. To save money, we decided not to rent a stroller. Big mistake! The very next day in the park we rented a stroller. That saved our vacation. Nowadays, you can even rent a stroller off-site at a better rate and have it delivered to your resort. We have two granddaughters we’ll be taking in January. I told our daughter, rent a stroller. Learn from our mistake. Also, plan on going back to the room to take a break. Even if the kids don’t nap you might think they’re doing ok, but it will soon wear them down. You’ll think “we spent a lot of money for this trip so I don’t want to spend it in a hotel room.” The kids are going to be in a very stimulating environment. They’ll need a break just to get away from the crowds and stimulation. Oh, and teach the kids about cast members. They are the ones they should seek out if they get seperated from the parents. Yes, it happens VERY often.
Here’s my advice: you know your kids better than anyone. Disney is a crowded, very stimulating place with A LOT of walking. And if you go when it is hot, it will be incredibly draining…. on everyone. If you can, stay on Disney property (or Swan and Dolphin). Go with a reasonable plan and curtail your expectations (It won’t be the only time you vacation there- Disney is counting on it). My advice would be to eat breakfast ( bring or buy bagels or whatever there)in your room, go to the park early for the shorter lines and lower heat. Enjoy the park until the kids look tired or their patience gets short (whining and/or crying). That WILL happen. No doubt about it. At that point go back to the hotel and recharge with a nap or by the pool. Then go back to the park at night. Have days off to just relax and be poolside and go to Disney Springs or miniature golfing. Never ever use lines like “If you don’t stop whining, we are leaving”. Tell them in advance what the plan is ( “Today we go to _______ and we will stay until after lunch, go back to the hotel for a swim and rest, and then go back to the park for dinner and fireworks and more rides”). so they don’t look at time away from the parks as punishment. And use AllEars and other sites to plan in advance (wait times, etc). Park Hopping at that age is a waste of money. Lastly Go and Leave midweek ( less crowded and cheaper flights) and have a day off between park days even if it means you don’t go to all 4 parks.
When we first went to DW in 1992 our daughters were 4 and 7 years old. To save money, we decided not to rent a stroller. Big mistake! The very next day in the park we rented a stroller. That saved our vacation. Nowadays, you can even rent a stroller off-site at a better rate and have it delivered to your resort. We have two granddaughters we’ll be taking in January. I told our daughter, rent a stroller. Learn from our mistake. Also, plan on going back to the room to take a break. Even if the kids don’t nap you might think they’re doing ok, but it will soon wear them down. You’ll think “we spent a lot of money for this trip so I don’t want to spend it in a hotel room.” The kids are going to be in a very stimulating environment. They’ll need a break just to get away from the crowds and stimulation. Oh, and teach the kids about cast members. They are the ones they should seek out if they get seperated from the parents. Yes, it happens VERY often.
Here’s my advice: you know your kids better than anyone. Disney is a crowded, very stimulating place with A LOT of walking. And if you go when it is hot, it will be incredibly draining…. on everyone. If you can, stay on Disney property (or Swan and Dolphin). Go with a reasonable plan and curtail your expectations (It won’t be the only time you vacation there- Disney is counting on it). My advice would be to eat breakfast ( bring or buy bagels or whatever there)in your room, go to the park early for the shorter lines and lower heat. Enjoy the park until the kids look tired or their patience gets short (whining and/or crying). That WILL happen. No doubt about it. At that point go back to the hotel and recharge with a nap or by the pool. Then go back to the park at night. Have days off to just relax and be poolside and go to Disney Springs or miniature golfing. Never ever use lines like “If you don’t stop whining, we are leaving”. Tell them in advance what the plan is ( “Today we go to _______ and we will stay until after lunch, go back to the hotel for a swim and rest, and then go back to the park for dinner and fireworks and more rides”). so they don’t look at time away from the parks as punishment. And use AllEars and other sites to plan in advance (wait times, etc). Park Hopping at that age is a waste of money. Lastly Go and Leave midweek ( less crowded and cheaper flights) and have a day off between park days even if it means you don’t go to all 4 parks.