Quick Tips for Visiting Disney World With Toddlers
Planning a Disney World visit with young children may seem impossible but these tips for visiting Disney World with toddlers will change your mind. Not only is it not impossible, but the joy you will feel when your child sees their favorite character for the first time is indescribable.
Traveling to Disney World with Toddlers
Traveling with toddlers (or even just the thought of it) can be terrifying. After a day of battling over sippy cups and safety hazards, many of us are left hanging by a thread. But the reality is you probably need a vacation now more than ever!
This is why I’ve put together some basic tips to help plan the perfect Disney World Vacation with your toddler.
Early To Rise
As many tired parents know, most toddlers are up with the sun. At Disney World, this is a good thing! Arriving at the parks early is one of the best ways to beat the crowds. This, in turn, means shorter wait times in line.
Also, for guests of Disney Resorts, take advantage of Extra Magic Hours which are offered on a daily basis. This is another way to beat some of the crowds. A 2-year-old’s attention span isn’t going to make waiting in a 45-minute line much fun. So roll with their natural rhythm and get out the door early. You won’t regret it!
FastPasses
Book your FastPasses! Staying at a Disney Resort will allow you to book FastPasses at 7:00 AM, 60 days prior to your arrival. Anyone else can book 30 days prior to arrival with an advanced ticket purchase. If you’re using a Disney Travel Agent (such as MickeyTravels), they will be happy to do this for you saving you the time and hassle. FastPasses are going to save you from waiting in long lines.
Dining
If you plan to enjoy any table service meals consider character dining. You’ll be checking two things off your list in one sitting- a meal and character meet and greets! Try and plan your meals a little earlier than you usually have them at home. The days at Disney are packed full of fun (and often heat) so you want to try and avoid any meltdowns by being prepared and planning ahead.
Be sure to make your dining reservations! It’s safe to say there won’t be many (or any) reservations available the day of so make your plans in advance. You can do this at 6:00 AM, 180 days prior to your arrival. Again, this is something your Travel Agent can handle for you.
Disclaimer: Of course, if you know your child is terrified of characters try something else. Disney offers a wide variety of restaurant experiences and cuisines to choose from so you will find something to make everyone happy.
Characters
If you are passing on character dining, make sure you plan a character meet and greet. There is an abundance of characters available to meet throughout the parks. Make sure you know where characters are available to meet and always check the Times Guide when you arrive at the park that day.
Each park features unique characters so don’t expect to see the same ones within each park. However, Mickey is available for meets at all four Walt Disney World Parks.
Attractions
Be sure that you are choosing age-appropriate attractions for your little one. While many rides are family friendly, certain attractions have height restrictions and others may be too intense for your child.
If there is an attraction you are unsure about, head over to YouTube and do a quick search. There are thousands of videos available giving you an idea of what to expect for each attraction. This is also how I prepped my kids (3-year olds at the time) for the Haunted Mansion. After watching the video online they knew what to expect and had fun pointing out all the familiar haunts.
Something Sweet
What would a Disney trip be without a little indulgence? Every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy their first Mickey Ice Cream Bar. Even if it’s going to require more than the allotted number of hand wipes you have available. But remember, you are on vacation to, so be sure to treat yourself as well.
Take A Deep Breath
The best part about planning a Disney World Vacation for parents is that Disney is family and child-friendly. From attractions to dining to waiting in line, Disney has designed the parks with families in mind.
Did you know there are people who help plan Disney Vacations every day? Thanks to years of personal experience within the parks and with children, I can help guide you through all of the planning to make sure your vacation is perfect. Contact me now and we can work together to make your Disney dream come true! Call my office at (716) 601-7710, email me or follow me on Facebook. Then you can pack your bags and leave the rest to me!