Walt Disney World offers resources for parents while on vacation, and many of these tools and experiences aren’t heavily promoted. Sometimes a parent might not realize a perk exists until speaking with one of the thousands of knowledgeable cast members across the theme parks. Cast members are excellent at meeting guests’ needs in this way.
As a former Disney cast member, there were many tips I wish I could have told every parent that they might not know about. Though it might be nearly impossible for every parent to have a one-on-one consultation with a cast member about their family vacation, we hope this article is the next best thing. Below, we share what Disney cast members wish parents knew before visiting. See also what cast members wish Disney World first-timers knew. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including new free perks for guests at every Disney World hotel and a Disney World change prompted by guest complaints.
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Don’t Pack Those Baby Items
Of course, you’ll need to pack some travel necessities from home when you travel to Disney World, but you probably don’t need to bring as much as you think. For guests staying in any official Disney World hotel, Disney provides the following items for infants and toddlers free of charge:
- Bottle warmer and sterilizer
- Diaper disposal
- Infant-sized bathtub
- Night light
- Stroller storage
- Pack ’n Play travel crib
- Refrigeration
- Bathroom stepping stool
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Your Brave Kid Can Ride Everything Twice
This tip only applies to a specific type of travel party, but it’s worth sharing nonetheless. If your travel party has two adults, one child who wants to ride an attraction, and another child who is either not tall enough or afraid to ride that same attraction, use the Rider Switch Service, also called the child swap.
In this scenario, Parent #1 and Kid #1 wait in line and experience the attraction while Parent #2 waits outside the attraction with Kid #2. Afterward, Parent #2 enters an expedited queue to get to the ride faster than waiting in the regular standby line, and Kid #1 can join them, getting to ride twice.
See the full Rider Switch Service rules, including options for different group sizes, on Disney World’s website.
Disney Has Kid-Friendly Alternatives to Adult Attractions
This is Disney World, so pretty much every attraction is creative and interesting in its own way, but some experiences admittedly might seem more on the boring side to kids.
The educational exhibits of EPCOT‘s World Showcase pavilions especially might be a big ask for young children. Rather than avoiding World Showcase on the assumption your kids won’t enjoy it, look for the Kidcot Fun Stop in each pavilion. This activity station provides free masks for kids to create, which they can take to each country’s Kidcot Fun Stop to continue adding to.
Disney also offers the complimentary Wilderness Explorers program at Animal Kingdom. Guests (of all ages, not just kids) can pick up a free guide and track their animal encounters throughout the park with stickers. It’s a great way to engage kids with the many educational components of the park that many guests miss completely.
Every Park Has a First Aid Station
Hopefully you won’t need it, but every Walt Disney World theme park has a first aid station, and you should know where they are:
- Magic Kingdom: Next to The Crystal Palace, near the entrance to Adventureland from Main Street, U.S.A.
- EPCOT: Next to The Odyssey building, between Test Track and the Mexico Pavilion
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Next to Sid Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind on Hollywood Boulevard, immediately to your left upon entering the park
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Next to Creature Comforts (Starbucks), to your left just before crossing the bridge into Africa from Discovery Island
Each first aid station provides complimentary over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen or Pepto-Bismol, as well as quiet spaces with cots to lie down if needed.
In the case of an emergency, don’t try to trek all the way to the first aid station. Ask a cast member for immediate help or call 911 yourself. Cast members are trained to deal with emergencies.
Know Where the Freebies Are
Yes, there are free activities to enjoy at Disney World, and too many of them go under the radar. Guests staying at any official Disney World hotel can find the full schedule for all the free programming happening at their resort by glancing at the Activities Schedule. This is usually found as a QR code on signage near the pool or lobby. You can also find it in the “Recreation” tab on your hotel’s page on DisneyWorld.com.
We mapped out our picks for free perks happening at every Disney World hotel this month. These are really unique opportunities that many guests have no idea they can attend for free. For example, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has a family dance class, and Disney’s Old Key West Resort offers an aqua fitness session! See all of our picks here.
Stroller Rental Access Transfers When Park Hopping
You might be bringing your own stroller from home, which is fine, but Disney also offers stroller rentals at every park if you prefer to not haul yours all the way to Orlando. Stroller rental locations are at the front of each park. Single strollers cost $15 per day, and doubles cost $31.
You can save money by purchasing multi-day stroller rental access upfront on your first day. With that discounted rate, a single stroller is $13 per day and a double is $27.
If you’re park hopping, your rented stroller can’t go with you from park to park, but you still retain stroller access at park #2 on the same day. Return your stroller when you leave park #1 and show your receipt to the cast member at the stroller rental location at park #2. You won’t have to pay for a separate stroller rental.
End the Evening with Storytime
If you forgot the storybooks at home, or just prefer a uniquely Disney way to read a story as a family, your Disney World hotel has you covered. All hotel rooms have a TV and an Alexa device called “Hey, Disney!”
On your TV, open to the main menu and find the selection of storybooks on-demand featuring favorite Disney characters. You may also be able to find a continuously running storytime channel on the TV’s traditional channels.
As an alternative, say out loud, “Hey, Disney, read me a story” within listening range of the Alexa device in your room. Follow the prompts to choose one you’d like to hear.
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