10 Tips For Taking Small Children to Walt Disney World

The thought of taking children to Walt Disney World may be overwhelming. Will they enjoy it? What can they do? How do I prepare? There are so many fears and questions that may be flooding your mind right now.

While it’s understandable that you may have multiple concerns, taking young children to Walt Disney World can be one of the most magical experiences that you ever have.

I personally have been taking my two children to Walt Disney World since they were very tiny and have very much enjoyed it. Today, I’m going to give you some tips, tricks, and advice to help you prepare for your magical vacation with your little ones.

1. Prepare to Have a Day That's Ideal For Them

When visiting Walt Disney World with a small child, it’s best to be realistic about the day you’re going to have. In your head, you may plan on having a park open to park close type of day and pack in as many activities as you possibly can. However, when you’re traveling with children, this simply isn’t how things are going to go.

A full day at Disney is exhausting for most adults. It affects children and their little bodies even more. There are things that they most likely won’t be used to like the Florida weather, the constant go-go-go of the day, and the mass amount of excitement that they’ll be feeling.

More often than not, your little one is going to need a break at some point. Sometimes they’ll need a midday nap. Other times, they’ll need time to play and be a kid. While you may not want to take time out of the day for these simplicities, it’s vital for them and ultimately for the day you’re wanting to have.

Make sure that you give kiddos grace during your time at Walt Disney World. Let them rest and recharge whenever necessary so they too can enjoy themselves. You may have to get to the parks late, leave the parks early, and take breaks at times that seem unideal. However, when you listen and tend to their needs, you’ll end up with a better Disney day.

2. Best Walt Disney World Hotels For Children

In regard to Walt Disney World hotels, simple is better when you’re planning a trip with children. The best on-property hotels for children are actually some of the most affordable!

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort are both perfect places to stay when you’re traveling with children. Both of these resorts have amazing theming that children love, including bright colors, larger than life statues, and favorite characters. These resorts also have cafeteria style food halls that offer a variety of kid-friendly meals and dishes. On top of that, they are both within walking distance to the Disney Skyliner, which is one of the most convenient transportation methods at Walt Disney World.

Art of Animation is especially ideal for traveling with children, because family suites are available at an affordable rate. These suites sleep up to 6 adults, have a kitchenette, dining area, living space, two bathrooms, a separate bedroom with a queen bed, a sleeper sofa, and a murphy bed. My family and I have stayed in these suites multiple times and we’ve always been very pleased.

If you’re looking for even more affordable options, Disney’s All-Star Resorts have many of the same qualities as Art of Animation and Pop Century. The biggest drawback is that they don’t have access to the Skyliner and the buses tend to take a while for these resorts.

3. Strollers

Don’t underestimate the power of a stroller at Walt Disney World. Even if your child doesn’t usually use one, you may want to consider having one with you. Disney World requires a LOT of walking. A large portion of your child’s exhaustion can be avoided by having a stroller available for them.

There are a couple ways that you can acquire a stroller. First, you can take your own. This may be ideal for the fact that this is the stroller that your child is used to and most comfortable in. However, depending on your method of travel, it may be a nuisance to lug a large stroller around with you on travel days. If you’d like to take your own stroller, it would be helpful to have one that’s specifically made for travel, such as this Lightweight Travel Stroller.

READ MORE – 10 of the Craziest Food Items You Can Get at Disney Parks

Stroller Rental

If you don’t want to bother with your own stroller, you can rent one instead. Stroller rentals are available at all four of the Walt Disney World theme parks and at Disney Springs. Both Single and Double Strollers are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Walt Disney World Stroller Rental Prices

• Single Stroller (Recommended for Children 50lbs. or less)
  • Daily: $15
  • Multi-Day (Length of Stay): $13
• Double Stroller (Recommended for Children 100lbs. or less)
  • Daily: $31
  • Multi-Day (Length of Stay): $27

When renting a stroller at Disney Springs, a $100 credit card deposit is required.

There are a few setbacks to renting a stroller directly from Disney. The first is that you’re not guaranteed a stroller. Since they’re on a first come, first serve basis, you don’t have that relief of knowing that you for sure have a stroller secured. There’s also the fact that these strollers are extremely uncomfortable. They are made entirely of plastic, with no padding. While they do provide a way to get children off of their feet, they aren’t the most comfortable option.

Another option is to rent a stroller from a third party company. There are many reliable companies in the Orlando area that will deliver a stroller to you directly, leaving it with you for the entirety of your stay, and then pick it back up from you on your departure day. 

4. Feeding Little Ones at the Parks

When planning for a Walt Disney World vacation with little ones, one thing that  you’ll want to put some thought into is what they’ll be eating. For meals, you’ll want to think about their eating style, especially if you’re considering a dining plan. Take a look at the menus beforehand to see if they like anything that’s available at the restaurants. Maybe a dining plan is a great idea for your family. Perhaps it isn’t.

If you’re traveling with picky eaters, don’t fret. You’re allowed to take food into Walt Disney World! Both of my children are extremely picky when it comes to food and this is what I do for every trip. If you’re staying at an on-property hotel, consider placing a grocery order. Grocery delivery is an extremely easy way to have all of the food that you need without having to worry about traveling with it.

Another thing that you’ll need to prepare for are snacks. Whether it’s due to the Florida weather or the pure exhaustion of a Disney day, everyone seems to need snacks between meals while they’re at Walt Disney World. There are plenty of snacks available within the parks such as Mickey Ice Cream, Churros, Mickey Pretzels, Popcorn, and Dole Whip. However, if you want to save money on snacks, or want to provide healthier options for your child, make sure that you pack snacks for them to munch on throughout the day.

5. What to Pack in Your Park Bag

When packing your park bag, you’ll want to make sure that you pack all of the necessities for your child. If you’re traveling with a baby, you’ll of course want all of the standard materials that you pack in their diaper bag such as diapers, wipes, powder, etc.

You’ll also want to make sure that you have items that will help protect them from the weather. Fans, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and cooling rags for warm weather, ponchos and jackets for rain, and warm jackets and pants for cooler weather.

For messes, it’s a good idea to have a spare change of clothes with you. This goes for babies, toddlers, and older kids. You never know when they’re going to have a diaper mess, spilled snack, or need to change out of wet clothes. Another great thing to keep with you for messes are wet wipes. This will be exceptionally nice if they’re enjoying a sticky snack, but need to get cleaned up quickly.

You also never know when accidents are going to happen. It’s a good idea to keep a few first aid materials on hand such as band aids and antibiotic ointment. However, if you happen to forget these items and find yourself needing some, you can always visit the First Aid stations that are located within the parks.

6. Baby Care Centers

If you’re traveling with a baby, keep in mind that all four of the Walt Disney World theme parks have a Baby Care Center for you to utilize. These centers provide a quiet and private space for you to tend to your baby’s and toddler’s needs.

Within the Disney Baby Care Centers, you’ll find:

• Private nursing room with rocking chairs
• Changing room with tables
• Restroom facilities
• Feeding area with highchairs
• Kitchen with microwave and sink
• Main room with television, table, and seating
• On-site shop that offers formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medicine, and clothing

For simple diaper changes, changing tables are available in most restrooms across Walt Disney World property.

7. Becoming Separated From Your Child

No one wants to think about being separated from their child, but it’s important to have a plan in place just in case. Walt Disney World is a large place and there are lots of people there each day. Oftentimes, children don’t like to hold hands, are prone to wandering, or are easily distracted by everything that’s going on around them. All it takes is a quick second of looking away from them and they can be lost in a large crowd.

Your plan for separation will vary depending on the age and understanding of your child. If your child is familiar with the parks and knows how to get around, you can pick out a specific meeting location for them. This should be a place that your child is able to easily get to from any point within the park. Make sure that they understand that if you ever get separated, this is where they should head and where you will meet them.

For children who aren’t old enough for a meeting spot, or aren’t familiar with the layout of the parks, make sure they are able to identify Walt Disney World Cast Members. Let them know that these are people they can trust and who they should go to if they aren’t able to find you. It will be extremely helpful if they are able to relay information such as your name and phone number so the Cast Members can get in touch with you.

Lost children will be taken to the Baby Care Centers, where Cast Members will wait with them until they are claimed by their trusted adult.

Tools for Separation

If you have a little one who likes to walk, but doesn’t like holding hands, consider getting them a safety wrist strap or harness that connects to you. This is a safe way to make sure that your child is always with you, even if they start to wander off or attempt to dart away.

For little ones who aren’t able to memorize your information, it’s a great idea to put this identifying information directly on them. A permanent marker can be used to write your name and phone number somewhere on them, such as their arm, so people can get in touch with you upon finding your child. You can also get pre-made temporary tattoos with this important information on them!

A tracking device for your child is also a good idea. An Apple AirTag can easily be attached to your child by using a clip, wristband, or by putting them somewhere like their shoes. This will give you a way to keep tabs of your child’s location and provide a way to quickly track them in the event that you get separated.

Some children have their own phones which would allow you to easily get in touch with them. However, not all children have phones. For our daughter, we purchased a Gabb watch. Gabb devices offer a safe alternative to regular smart phones and watches, because children aren’t able to access the internet on them. If your child is old enough to navigate an electronic device, this is a great way to ensure that you have a way to communicate with them at the parks.

8. Make MagicBands More Manageable

If your family is using MagicBands, you may find that they’re a bit much for your little one’s wrist. The band may not fit properly, can easily fall off and get lost, or your child may continuously take it off. There are a couple things that you can do to make a MagicBand more manageable for your child.

If your child has no problem wearing the band, but you’re afraid of it coming off, you can purchase a MagicBand Protector. These help secure the band so it doesn’t easily become loose, unlatch, or fall off.

For those who dislike wearing the bands, there are other options available. You can remove the puck (the circular piece that the Mickey head is on) from the band and place it in a puck holder. After doing so, the puck holder can be used as a keychain or lanyard to make it more feasible for your child to wear. My children both do extremely well wearing a lanyard with their pucks attached to it. The lanyards don’t bother them and their pucks are always easily accessible and ready to scan when necessary.

9. Special Experiences That Can Be Planned

While you’re preparing to take your children to Walt Disney World, remember that this is the most magical place on earth. There are so many opportunities to make the trip extra special for your little ones.

Before your trip, take a look through the Enchanting Extras that are available at Walt Disney World. On the list, you’ll find things such as Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – a boutique where little ones can get a prince or princess makeover. Perhaps they’d like to have a special experience on Batuu and build a droid or lightsaber in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. If they enjoy outdoor activities, consider booking a fishing excursion or horseback riding for them.

Beyond the Enchanting Extras, you can create special experiences for them during their meals. Character dining is a great opportunity for kids to get an up close and personal experience with some of their favorite characters while they’re enjoying a meal. If it’s their birthday, consider adding a Mickey Mouse cake to their meal! Nothing’s more magical than a birthday at Disney World.

A dessert party is another fantastic way to treat your little one. This will give them an opportunity to get a great view of nighttime spectaculars while enjoying some sweet treats.

Whether you’re looking for something big or small, there are plenty of ways to add a little extra magic to your kiddo’s trip to Walt Disney World.

10. Rides and Attractions That Are Great For Kids

One of the best things about Walt Disney World is that there are MANY attractions that kids can enjoy. From rides, to stage shows, live performances, and film screenings, they’ll always have something to do. For your convenience, here’s a list of the rides and attractions that little ones can enjoy in each park.

Magic Kingdom

• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station
• Character Greeting near Buzz Lightyear’s Star Command
• Country Bear Musical Jamboree
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• The Hall of Presidents
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Jungle Cruise
• Liberty Square Riverboat
• Mad Tea Party
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• Tom Sawyer Island
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Walt Disney World Railroad
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

EPCOT

• Advanced Training Lab
• The American Adventure
• Awesome Planet
• Bruce’s Shark World
• Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360
• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Frozen Ever After
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
• ImageWorks – The “What If” Labs
• Journey Into Imagination With Figment
• Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana
• Kidcot Fun Stops
• Living with the Land
• Reflections of China
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• SeaBase
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Spaceship Earth
• Turtle Talk With Crush

Hollywood Studios

• Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
• Disney Jr. Play and Dance!
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Star Wars Launch Bay
• Toy Story Mania!
• Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie
• Walt Disney Presents

Animal Kingdom

• Affection Section
• Animal Encounters: Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight!
• The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
• The Boneyard
• Conservation Station
• Discovery Island Trails
• Donald’s Dino-Bash!
• Feathered Friends in Flight!
• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
• Fossil Fun Games
• It’s Tough to be a Bug!
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Maharajah Jungle Trek
• Na’vi River Journey
• The Oasis Exhibits
• TriceraTop Spin
• Wilderness Explorers
• Wildlife Express Train

All of the rides and attractions that I’ve just listed have no height requirement. However, your child may have even more experiences that they can enjoy depending on their height!

Besides these rides and attractions, there are also many live performances, parades, character meet and greets, and nighttime spectaculars that little ones can take part in.

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