Tips about Disney Cruise Line, Kids and Planning

As a DVC member we like to use our perks as efficiently as possible. We order all our drinks and snacks from the grocery service Water Butlers a week before we arrive. They are extremely efficient and our order is always perfect. Then when we go to the park we don't waste time standing in line for expensive water and snacks. We even buy the Mickey ice cream bars from them for waaaay cheaper than at the park. Sunscreen, batteries, and shampoo are also in every order. Play smart!


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Early entry/rope drop for Frozen or Remy's is nice but be aware that the rest of World Showcase doesn't open until later morning. So plan that you will need to go to the front of the park for things to do until later morning. I had planned to tour the pavilions & gift shops but very few were open until later and by that time it was raining.

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Don't sleep on the lounges at the MK resorts as a dinner alternative. We ate at both Steakhouse 71 lounge in the Contemporary and Tambu lounge in the Polynesian. No reservation required, and you can still get the most popular menu items with no crowds! We enjoyed both, practically had the place to ourselves and it was a great way to relax during the hottest and most crowded times of the day at MK around 5pm.


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Whenever my family and I go to Disney, we have my little brother who is 6. But last time we went he was 4. So one thing that we did when he wasn't tall enough to go ride a ride, my grandmother and my mom, would go and take him on another ride while we were riding a ride that he was not tall enough to ride. - Jude


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In every park, there is always that one ride that will have LONG wait times. Save it to the end. When in MK in May '21, we got in line for Splash Mtn just before the park closed. As we left, we were able to get amazing park pics at night. In Jan. '22, we did the same thing in AK where we walked on DINOSAUR an hour before park close and got in line for FOP. Knocked out two great rides and closed Animal Kingdom - something many people don't do. We ended up waiting 65 minutes for FOP. Super helpful


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Disney, in general, is great with allergies! While my daughter only has a peanut allergy, for folks with traveling parties with more significant or less common allergies, you can contact a special division ahead of time to assist in keeping you and/ or your party safe. You can speak to the chef at any restaurant (sit down), and they can assist in providing offerings that are tasty and safe. Even special events, such as the after hours parties or previous Halloween/ Christmas parties have allergy-friendly offerings!


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First things first, Florida is HOT. The hottest parts of the day? Around Lunchtime to early evening. Unless you are used to working outside 12-14 hours a day in the heat, do yourself a huge favor and take time for an afternoon nap. When my spouse and I go to Disney we generally get up and rope drop the park and hit it hard until lunch time. We take time for a sit down lunch then evaluate how we are feeling. If we are hot, tired, and/or cranky, we hop on a bus or call a Lyft to take us back to the resort for a nap (neither of us are big swimmers but this is also an option for those who are as its a good way to cool off) and to get away from the crowds for a couple hours. After we feel cool and rested (this could be an hour or two or 4) we grab a coffee or soda (and refill our waters) and head back to the parks and go until closing time. We have found that when we do this and take the time to rest, we feel much better and much more pleasant toward each other. We fought less, and we didn't wind up with the "Disney flu" that a lot of people talk about getting from running themselves ragged on their vacations. Remember you are on VACATION!! Enjoy it. If you aren't enjoying it because you are tired then what was the point?


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How many of us get up at 5 a.m. to catch the flight to Disney and by midnight at the parks, we are wiped out?


We fly in the day before our reservations begin, and spend that day at Disney Springs and stay at a cheaper hotel. We go to bed early, wake up and catch the bus to our resort. It's a game changer!


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Since masks are required at Disney right now. If you aren’t use to wearing a mask all day at work (like some people have to do), I would suggest practicing wear your mask at home more, to and from your car when going to the store. Get your kids use to wearing it longer and longer each day. And wearing them the correct way covering your nose and chin. Yes they are hot and uncomfortable but think about the people who have to wear them all day (medical professionals, cast members, clerks in the store etc). If they can do it, you can too. Just get use to them.
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Word of warning if you have short children. Walt Disney World is very strict about height restrictions. They have figured out through physics what is the minimum height needed. Don't promise your child he/she can go on a ride unless they are 44" tall or whatever the height restriction for a particular ride is... or wait until they are tall enough. Safety should be the #1 concern. - Ruby
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I love to help families plan their first trip to Walt Disney World. I have three tips they must follow, although I have plenty more. #1. Plan one year in advance to maximize savings. #2. Begin to exercise (walking) as a family, at least 3 to 4 months in advance. I tell them they might walk five-plus miles a day on concrete. #3. Set your expectations realistically. You can't do everything Disney has to offer, it's just too big. If you have low expectations and you meet them, it's a Magical day. High expectations will make it a Tragical day. - Alan R. Malesky
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A great way to tote around your umbrella strollers is to use a "camping" or "sport" chair bag from home. Put the stroller in the bag when you are about to board the bus and easily store the bag in/on your stroller throughout the parks. It will make holding your stroller so much easier while toting those little ones around, too. I would love to take credit, but this is a tip someone else shared with me that I know everyone could use. - Jessica Stahl
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Just got back from our first trip to the Magic Kingdom with a toddler. He goes down for a nap each afternoon and after not getting him to nap while going around Fantasyland/Tomorrowland in a stroller (probably too much noise and visual stimulation), we were going to go back to the hotel. On our way back toward the exit we strolled through the Tomorrowland Terrace. Less noise, no visual stimulation and protected from the sun, it was the perfect place for our son to finally fall asleep! It was also a good place for an adult to rest. It probably saved us an hour round-trip to the hotel and back. - Doug Chen
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One of the things we always bring is a folding stepstool for the room that fits nicely in our luggage. Great for the little guys to use the toilet, wash hands and brush teeth without Mom and Dad's help. Also serves as a time-out chair when necessary. Yes, the resort may have some available for guests, but I don't want to be the 100th person asking and find they are already all loaned out. - Melanie Drake
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When our daughter, Megan, was small, she loved receiving Mickey Mouse stickers from cast members in the parks. When she was 5, we bought her some brightly colored sticker sheets of her own: love hearts, flowers and smiley faces. Every time she received a sticker, or any sort of attention from a cast member, she gave them a sticker in return. They loved it, and so did she! By the time our holiday was finished, she was giving out stickers to most of the cast members she met. It was so lovely, for us and for her, to see their faces light up, and she got lots of attention from cast members in return. - Alison
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