10 Unexpected Reasons Parents LOVE Disney World
It’s no secret that Disney World is great for kids. Beloved characters, exciting rides, and PLENTY of sweet treats — what’s not to love?
Photo: Disney
But when people ask me WHY I bring my family back to Disney World year after year, the answer isn’t characters, or fireworks, or even that undeniable Disney magic.
Obviously, those things DO play a part. I love Pirates of the Caribbean just as much as the next guy, and that moment when Tinker Bell soars from Cinderella Castle during Happily Ever After? It always takes my breath away.
Happily Ever After Fireworks at Magic Kingdom
But the biggest reasons we love doing Disney as a family aren’t about the fantasy, or the magic, or the nostalgia.
As parents, our favorite things about Disney World are rooted in practicality. They’re the details that make traveling with kids easier, less stressful, and more fun…so we can relax and enjoy our vacations.
Photo: Disney
What makes Disney World so great for families isn’t just that it’s great for kids (although it is, of course, GREAT for kids). It’s that it’s ALSO great for parents, in ways you would never expect.
Photo: Disney
What exactly do I mean? Let’s check it out!
10 Unexpected Ways Disney World is Great for Parents
When you’re a kid, vacations are effortless. But as a parent, vacations mean planning. They mean budgets, decisions, and remembering to pack the toothpaste. Not to mention all the trials and tribulations of traveling with little ones!
Photo: Disney
No matter what you’ve heard about Disney World – about the crowds, the lines, or the heat — the truth is that Disney World makes traveling with kids EASIER on parents. How, exactly? Let’s take a look!
1. Happy Kids = Happy Parents
To put it simply, happy kids mean happy parents! And in Disney World, it’s pretty tough to be miserable for long.
Photo: Disney
No, this doesn’t mean that your little ones won’t melt down, cry, or whine (they will).
But when kids are constantly engaged, entertained, and excited for what comes next, they don’t linger long on the hiccups or obstacles that come their way. Let’s just call it “Disney-induced resilience.”
Photo: Disney
Even better? When your kids are entertained and engaged, parents are free to relax just a little — and maybe even partake in some adult conversation.
Photo: Disney
2. Kids are Welcome (Basically) Everywhere
It’s true: there are a few adults-only spaces in Disney World. But by and large, kids are welcome and expected basically everywhere in Disney World, including adult-oriented restaurants like Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and California Grill over at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Photo: Disney
This gives parents the freedom and flexibility to dine at upscale restaurants with kids in tow.
At home, we rarely get the chance to experience fine dining restaurants for fear that kids aren’t welcome. But in Disney World, we book an early Advance Dining Reservation and bring the kids along!
Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club
Not only do we get to enjoy delicious foods and beautiful restaurants, but our kids have expanded their palates and learned how to behave in adult-oriented spaces.
3. Sense of Security
Sadly, we live in a world that feels dangerous on an everyday basis. And as parents, we worry constantly about the safety of our kids and our families, whether we’re headed to school or to the grocery store.
Which is why I am endlessly appreciative of Disney’s strict and multi-layered approach to security.
International Gateway at EPCOT
Sure, it will take you an extra minute or two to get through security. But once you’re inside the gates, you can rest a little easier knowing that Disney is doing everything it can to keep guests safe.
From security screenings and hidden cameras to plainclothes police officers, security is TIGHT at Disney World.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Does this mean parents are off the clock in Disney World? Obviously NOT. But it does mean that we can relax enough to ease off the anxiety, stay in the moment, and enjoy our vacations with our kids.
4. Incredible Disney Cast Members
It’s a fact of life: kids have tantrums – even at the Most Magical Place on Earth! Fortunately, Disney World is FULL of understanding, non-judgmental Cast Members who are happy to help where they can.
Photo: Disney
Disney Cast Members are not only used to dealing with kids, but many of them are also astonishingly good at diffusing tough moments with a smile, a joke, or a little special attention. And sometimes, that’s all you need to snap your kid out of a funk!
Over the years, we’ve encountered SO MANY kind Cast Members – like the one who replaced a spilled ice cream unasked, or the Steakhouse 71 server who brought our toddler a GIANT bowl of mashed potatoes after noticing it was the only thing on his plate he would touch.
Trading with Cast Members
As parents, we all know how upsetting and embarrassing it can feel when our kids act out in public. But in Disney World, it’s generally understood that kids are kids, and they all have their moments.
Obviously, that’s not an excuse for rude or out-of-control behavior (insert reminder to ALWAYS be kind and courteous to Cast Members!). But it’s still nice to know that a run-of-the-mill meltdown isn’t the end of the world.
Photo: Disney
5. Changing Tables…in the Men’s Room
Okay, moms, this one’s for you! Have you ever noticed that changing tables seem to exist exclusively in women’s restrooms? Of course you have.
UK Restroom
This means you’re usually responsible for diaper changes whenever your family’s out and about. If you’re anything like me, this can involve multiple bathroom trips for multiple kids, and an additional trip back for yourself.
If you’d like a break, you’re not alone! Which is why you’ll be pleased to know that MANY of Disney World’s men’s rooms ALSO feature a changing table!
Toy Story Land Restrooms
So go ahead and let Dad handle the diaper change this time — it’s always nice to share the burden!
6. Baby Care Centers
While we’re on the topic of babies and diaper changes, let’s talk for a minute about Disney World’s Baby Care Centers.
Baby Care Center at Magic Kingdom
Baby Care Centers are one of those things that EVERY parent should know about — yet few of them actually do.
So, in case you missed it, each of Disney’s theme parks features a Baby Care Center, where you’ll find baby essentials (like diapers, wipes, baby food, and formula) along with a quiet place to feed, nurse, and recharge your little ones.
Baby Care Center
These air-conditioned reprieves even offer high chairs, televisions, and microwaves, so you’ll have everything you need when you need a time out.
Baby Care Center
Traveling with a baby can be unpredictable and overwhelming — but it’s much, MUCH easier when your travel destination understands the needs of parents and actively works to provide them with a positive vacation experience.
7. Inclusive Height Requirements
If you’ve ever taken your kids to a non-Disney theme park, you may have found yourself struggling with height requirements. Either your child is too short to ride the “big rides,” or you’re too tall to ride the kiddie rides with them. The end result? There’s very little you can actually do together.
Slinky Dog Dash
While Disney World does, of course, utilize height requirements for the appropriate rides, many — if not most — rides have no height requirement at all. These include Frozen Ever After, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and SO MANY MORE.
Photo: Disney
This means you’ll have PLENTY of opportunities to enjoy attractions with the entire family, including your toddlers and infants.
Na’vi River Journey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
When we travel as a family, the whole point is making memories and spending time together. We love that Disney’s family-friendly approach to rides and height restrictions allows us to do just that!
8. The “Disney Bubble”
You’ve heard of the Disney Bubble, right? In case you’re unfamiliar, the term refers to the feeling you get when you’re fully immersed in the magic and wonder of Disney World.
Walt Disney World Railroad
At the risk of sounding trite, the Disney Bubble is a REAL thing.
When you stay on-property at a Disney Resort, utilize Disney transportation, and let yourself escape into the fantasy, it’s like the rest of the world falls away.
Photo: Disney
The news, social media, that snide comment from a coworker? Consider them (temporarily) GONE.
I can remember one visit that fell during the series finale of Game of Thrones. We came fully prepared to sneak in a viewing while the kids were asleep — but once we were inside the Disney Bubble? We realized it just didn’t matter (and TRULY, it didn’t – iykyk).
Photo: Disney
The point is, we all experience distractions in our everyday lives. But when you’re in the Disney Bubble, those stressors and distractions seem suddenly peripheral. Yes, you’ll have to get back to them eventually (boo). But for now, it’s all about the here and the now — about being fully present and experiencing true magic with your family.
9. Food Options for EVERYONE
If you regularly cook ONE dinner, and everyone in your household happily eats what’s on their plates, I envy you.
As for the rest of us, mealtimes can be an epic daily struggle. Ditto for finding a restaurant where adventurous eaters can enjoy an interesting menu, but where picky eaters can be boring still have options.
Yak & Yeti Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
As more adventurous eaters, my husband and I often find ourselves wanting to experience new foods and flavors. But with two picky eaters for kids, our options are generally pretty limited.
But in Disney World? Well, that’s a whole different story, because nearly EVERY Disney World restaurant offers kid-friendly favorites, like chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, or pizza.
Kid’s Quesadilla Meal
This means we get to branch out and treat our taste buds to cuisine we won’t normally get at home — all while the kids munch happily on their grilled cheese sandwiches.
10. Easy Access to Healthcare
Getting sick on vacation is never fun, but when your kid gets sick on vacation, the stress can be unimaginable. You’re hours away from your doctor, your pharmacy, and the comforts of home…and you don’t know where to turn for help.
AdventHealth
Luckily, Disney World makes it exceptionally easy to get medical attention when you need it (need more info? Check out our Full Guide HERE!).
With First Aid Centers in each park, along with nearby urgent care facilities (and complimentary transportation), parents can rest easy that their kids are never far from medical care.
Photo: Disney
Ready to Book Your Next Disney Vacation?
If you’re ready for a family vacation that’s as great for parents as it is for kids, MickeyTravels can help! Their talented agents will help you secure the perfect accommodations and plan a magical Disney itinerary — all at no extra cost to you.
Book with MickeyTravels now!
As always, stay tuned to MickeyBlog for all the latest Disney Parks news!
