Disney With Kids? Read This Before You Go

If you’ve never been to Disney World with kids before, it’s a completely different venture than an adults-only trip.

Suddenly, you’re coordinating nap schedules and bedtimes, dealing with height restrictions for rides, and factoring in the temperaments of tiny humans who want to be fed right this minute. It’s challenging in a whole new way. And if you’re preparing yourself to tackle Disney with kids, I’m here to help.

Step One: Prepare in Advance

Having a good Disney World trip with kids starts months before you actually travel. Disney World can’t be done these days without at least a little bit of research, and if you’re hoping to make the most of your money and time, you’ll want to do a significant amount of digging.

Traveling with kids means, first of all, that you need to choose the right time to visit. Is it when the kids are out of school? That may work with schedules, but could be much more crowded due to other people having the same off days. You’ll also want to be realistic about the weather that your kids can handle. Summertime can be particularly miserable with little ones in the parks.

After that, you’ll need to choose your accommodations. Find something that fits your budget, but also gives your family enough space. Consider transportation to and from the parks — is it a long bus ride, or will it be exhausting to get back to your hotel at the end of the day? If you plan to take midday breaks, somewhere with a fun pool for the kids could be nice.

You’ll then need to decide which parks to visit — will you visit all of them or only a couple? Research which characters and IPs you can find at each and see what fits your family best. Take a look at the rides and restaurants available to see what you might like to add to your itinerary.

Speaking of itineraries, 60 days before your trip, you can make dining reservations and reservations for tours and experiences like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Then, if you’re staying on property, you can purchase Lightning Lanes 7 days out from your trip. These are important dates to know.

If you take these steps and do some research beforehand, you’ll be off to a great start.

Step Two: Set Expectations

You must set your (and your kids’) expectations properly before the trip. You won’t be able to do EVERY ride in all the parks if you’re just going to each park one day. You won’t have time to see every character and every show. And if you’re doing more than 2 park days, we highly recommend working a rest day into your trip…you’re going to need it!

Before your visit, it’s a good idea to make a list of your priorities for each day of your trip. Is there a character meal that’s a must-do? A show your kids will really want to see? What about rides — which ones are most important? Make a list of your 3-5 top tasks for each day, and everything else is just a bonus! The more you try to cram into your trip, the faster everyone will get tired and cranky.

Step Three: Create a Cozy Home Base

Once you arrive at your hotel or accommodations, you’ll want to make it as cozy as possible for you and the kids. Bring their favorite stuffed animal from home or a cozy blanket. Pack the sound machines and nightlights. Try to make your home away from home as familiar as possible — it’ll make sleeping much easier for everyone.

Step Four: Pack for Success

After your hotel room is set up to your comfort, it’s time to get packed for the parks! This means loading up your stroller, your diaper bag, and your park bags with all the supplies that you need to have a good day. Snacks, water bottles, cooling supplies for hot days, and rain gear are all a MUST.

Step Five: Know Your Kids

Okay, now we’ve planned the trip and packed for the parks…it’s time to finally go inside! But throughout your days in the parks, perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is that your children have limits.

If your child doesn’t like something at home, they’re probably not going to like it in Disney World. If they have a hard nap time at home, it’s probably best to keep that schedule while on vacation. If they’re used to eating during a certain window of time, you’ll want to plan around that. Kids don’t magically change their personalities and preferences just because they’re in The Most Magical Place on Earth.

Keep a close eye on your kids throughout the day, and if they’re starting to get tired and antsy, give them a break. Don’t force them to do more than they can handle. Pushing them for too many hours or making them get on a ride they don’t want to do can end up ruining your day completely…and you don’t want to risk that! Be kind to your kids; it’s their vacation too, and you want them to enjoy themselves.

Step Six: Embrace the Good, Release the Bad

Finally, I’m going to give you the most cliché advice ever — go with the flow. It’s okay if things don’t go according to plan. Simply pivot and do what you need to do to keep the good vibes going.

Had to wait in a long line? Was Disney out of the one snack you wanted? Your favorite ride has been down all day? It’s okay. It’s not the end of the world. When your vacation isn’t panning out the way you hoped, it’s important to focus on the one thing you CAN control — your attitude.

If you have to, leave the park and go do something fun at the resort. Book a last-minute dining reservation at somewhere new. Modify your Lightning Lanes. Stop, take a breath, and reset. If you want to be mad about how the vacation went after you leave, then that’s fine. But while you’re there? Enjoy it to the best that you can! Your mood will set the tone for your kids.

No matter what, remember that this is just a vacation. It’s not life or death. It’s a privilege to visit Disney World, and sometimes the most magical memories are made in the unexpected moments.

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Have you ever been to Disney World with little ones? What’s your best piece of advice? Let us know in the comments!

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