Growing up about an hour from Orlando, I was fortunate to visit Walt Disney World® often as a kid. We took our toddler for the first time in March, which prompted me to take notes on ways to have a successful trip with young children. Planning a Disney World vacation with your kids? Here are some ways to make the most out of your trip!
Bring a Stroller
If you’re on the fence about whether to bring a stroller, don’t be. It’s a lot of walking and a long day. Even good walkers will get tired, so unless you’re ready to do a lot of carrying, I highly recommend bringing your stroller. Heads up: As of May 1, 2019, there are new rules regarding strollers (no strollers more than 31 inches in width and 52 inches in length, and no stroller wagons).
Mark Your Stroller for Easy Finding
While going on rides, you have to park your stroller. Finding your black stroller in a sea of other black strollers can be a nightmare, so I recommend putting something on your stroller to set it apart. I tied a big neon blue ribbon on my handle and it worked like a charm. Someone moved our stroller while we were on a ride and it would have taken hours to find it had it not been for the handy ribbon!
Take Advantage of Disney Fast Pass+ Service
Be sure to read up on the Disney Fast Pass+ Service ahead of your trip. It will save you a lot of time waiting in lines. It allows you to essentially make “reservations” for specific rides at specific times using the mobile app or website. You still have to wait in line, but you wait in the Fast Pass+ line, which is much shorter than the regular line. You can make reservations 30 days in advance (60 if you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel). Be sure to make reservations ahead of time as the popular rides book up fast and you may not be able to get a reservation at the last minute (you can still ride the ride, but you have to wait in the long line). Ideally, you should go into the park with an itinerary of rides and times (It’s a Small World at 10:00 AM, Dumbo at 10:45 AM, etc.). There are also Fast Pass+ kiosks in the park so you can make or change your selections the day of your visit.
Use the Baby Care Centers
All 4 Disney World theme parks have Baby Care Centers that make life much easier when visiting with an infant or toddler. There are nursing rooms, changing areas, feeding areas with highchairs, kitchens with microwaves, and even a store where you can buy formula, baby food, diapers and any other necessities you may have forgotten or run out of. When we were there, there was no line and very few other families inside.
Place Mobile Orders for Food
Rides aren’t the only Disney attractions with long lines. You can cut the lines by placing mobile orders on the My Disney Experience app. Order and pay from your phone, then skip the line and pick up your food and drinks! This will come especially in handy if you have your heart set on the popular Dole Whip (the line was wrapped around the corner and I walked right up to pick ours up!).
Avoid the Crowds
If your dates are flexible, try to schedule your trip to avoid the most crowded dates. We went in March for my son’s birthday and the place was PACKED with spring breakers, which definitely made it a little more complicated to do everything we wanted to. Check out this site for some insights.
Utilize the First Aid Center
All Four Disney World Parks also have First Aid Centers if you should need them for any reason (anything from Band-Aids to more serious emergencies). The First Aid Center can be especially useful if you are visiting with a child with special needs. Need a private room for more complicated diaper changes or just to have a quiet moment to calm down? No problem. We have visited Disney many times with my sister who has special needs, and they are always incredibly accommodating and happy to help.
Have a great trip! And check out this post from Rachel with pertinent answers to questions about going to Disney. If you want to use a travel agent (for free) check out Pixie Vacations.
Do you have any tips to add to these? Leave a comment below!