Many people advise against going to Disney with young children. I do not agree at all: everything is real for them at that age, and they will cherish those moments forever. This article contains my top 5 Disney hacks for toddlers.
Traveling with little ones does not have to be a problem. They are full of energy and are always ready for a new adventure.
In this article, I will share my favorite tips with you so that everyone can have a great time.
Disney Hacks for Toddlers
1. Stroller Talk
Whether the child is one or five years old, you will find the stroller really useful during your visit. Even if you don’t use them at home anymore, you will walk for miles every day and the children will definitely get tired. The stroller will let you go on with your day seamlessly. Babies (and toddlers) will be able to nap and you can use that time to hop on all the thrill rides you can handle, or have a quiet lunch or dinner.
Can’t I just rent one when I get there? Well, you definitely can. However, they are not the most comfortable models and they are a bit pricey for only one day. Also, if you park hop, you need to leave it before changing parks and get a new one at the second park you visit. This has no extra cost, but you may have to wait for a while and time is money.
A good tip (if your toddler is not using their stroller anymore) is to buy a cheap one from Amazon and have it delivered to your hotel, or go to the closest Walmart and get one for less than $30.
I recommend the umbrella or compact style as the stroller needs to be closed while you’re on the bus. You can add a portable fan in case it gets really hot while the toddler is napping.
If your little one does not want to be in the stroller, you can find it very useful for avoiding having your backpacks on your back the whole day, so that’s a double win!
Here are some recommendations:
Buy From Amazon
2. Bring the Grandparents (or some other extra hands)
We don’t always want to travel with extended family, but sometimes they can come in very handy. A trip with the grandparents can translate into a date night for the parents or even some adult naps. Sometimes the grandparents may also prefer to rest in the pool while the adults go on a shopping trip.
Traveling with your extended family does not mean that you all have to sleep in the same room. You can choose a rental home with the number of rooms you need, or even different hotels depending on your budget.
A few years ago, I traveled with 10 family members, and despite it being extremely difficult to organize, we remember it every day with a smile. Everyone had a different kind of trip: some of us stayed at the parks until closing time, others spent hours by the pool and some others decided to eat around the world for two whole days throughout Epcot. We spent some very special lunches and breakfast together, we celebrated a birthday with Disney Junior characters; and to this day we all remember fondly the moment when the only toddler of the family (my then 18-month-old son) waited (im)patiently while a cast member opened his Buzz Lightyear toy package.
If you have the possibility of traveling with more people, go for it! There is always someone willing to take care of the children.
3. Day Backpack Tips
In Magical Day Tips there are several articles on what to bring to Disney. I recommend reading them and putting together a list according to the interests of the toddler in your family. It is also very important to think ahead about your daily backpack. Your priorities will be diapers (if needed), sunscreen, bug spray, extra clothes (for the adults too), and some entertainment.
Do not forget your coat: the temperature change can be harsh. You will also need something to protect them from the heat: it can be a cooling towel or a portable fan. Always carry something to keep them hydrated, whether it’s their formula, water, or juice. It is very important to know that the adults in the group are responsible for insisting that they drink during the day.
I also recommend packing some healthy snacks. During the day they will have high doses of sugar: cotton candy, churros, waffles, syrups, ice cream, desserts, and so much more. It does not hurt to have dehydrated fruits, cheeses, or even some nuts handy. Bring cookies that don’t have chocolate, or offer eggs for breakfast. It all depends on the tastes of the child, but the main goal is to make sure they do not end up with tummy pain due to all the junk food.
It may happen that kids lose their appetite there, especially if they traveled many hours and are jet-lagged. You can offer them items that you know they like (my son ate rice and potatoes for two days in a row until he even tasted meat again).
For more information, you can read The Complete Guide to Disney World with Kids on this blog:
[RELATED POST] Disney World with Kids: The Ultimate Planning Guide
4. Be Flexible: Plans May Change
This tip is very important. Traveling with a small child means that they will go at their own pace. They may be far more interested in a hole in the wall than in the carousel ride you planned. They may encounter their favorite character walking and they decide you all need to follow them throughout the park (true story with Kevin, the bird from Up!).
I say this all the time, but I will say it again: keep in mind that your times are not their times. If they want to play in a splash panel, let them do it while you all rest for a few minutes. It is a magical moment for them and they are having the happiest days of their childhood.
Some kids need to go back to the hotel for a nap, but others can just keep up with the adults’ pace. Plans can and will change. I put together a beautiful itinerary that contemplated returning to the hotel every day with my baby for a nap during his first trip, but we ended up realizing that it was less stressful for mi to just sleep in his stroller while we continued our day. Disney transport can be heavy for them too.
It is also very important that they rest, so you should definitely go on with your night routine if you have wine. You can set up a nice bath, dim the lights, and even add lavender cream for massages. The hotel can be noisy depending on where the room is located, in which case white noise can be your ally. There exist mobile applications, you can search on streaming platforms, or you can buy a white noise machine to cover help with night loud noises.
5. Do Your Research When it Comes to Favorite Characters
Young children are at the point where they believe characters are real. Take advantage of that 100%.
Find out beforehand where your little one’s favorite characters are. The My Disney Experience has a character filter that you can apply on the map.
If their favorite character is part of a specific Character Dining, consider splurging on lunch or dinner to see the character up close. Character Meals are a great way to meet multiple characters at the same time. They walk right by your table so you can see them very close. They are usually a bit more pricey than a classic restaurant, but this may be a good bang for your buck as it will avoid standing in line to greet them.
These were my five favorite hacks for Disney World with toddlers.
I am sending an extra hack to my e-mail subscribers, so you can just request to be added through the form.
Other Posts You May Like
- What to Pack for Disney and Disney Packing List for Toddlers
- Disney World for First Timers
- Magic Kingdom Rides You Can’t Miss
