WDW and Kids, Park Tips

This Article Was Contributed by Scott

I've been to Disney with my girls from when they were 5 to 16, The biggest tip I could give is to prioritize and take it easy, there's no use going in full tilt and burning out and getting grumpy. Even in WDW a grumpy family is no fun!

Other Tips That Magictrips Members Have Given

1. Take full advantage of the baby care centers. There are private rooms for rocking/nursing, supplies in case you forget/run out of the essentials, and a playroom for siblings to keep busy while the little one is being tended to.

2. Know which characters you can ALWAYS plan on seeing and where. If your child/ren is an Ariel fan, make a stop at the grotto. If you promised them Mickey, head for Toontown. If their favorite character is less common, like Mushu, ask a Cast member; they will find out where and if they can be found. Be sure to manage expectations and don't promise them a visit you can't make good.

3. Focus on quality, not quantity. Let them enjoy whatever they're really into without rushing them off to "get something else done." Now that I think of it that's probably a good tip for Mickey's Pals of all ages.

4. Bring your own strollers that allow the kids to lay down and be comfy. Not only are Disney strollers expensive --you can't bring them out of the park for that long walk to the buses and your resort room. Plus they hold your bag of essentials and treasures the kids just had to have.

5. If you have little and older ones, and at least two adults, this worked for us: let the little one nap in a stroller (or on mom or dad), while the other adult takes the older one(s) on rides that the little one can't go on. This saves time!

6. Remember you can't take a stroller in the queue's, so have some plan. You'll know what's best to keep them occupied. (Mine was funny- at two we took the stroller, but by three he wasn't using it and wanted to walk everywhere anyway!)

7. Take some sticky notes to cover the sensors on automatic toilets. They are really unpredictable with the little ones, and you don't want them startled so they jump off mid-job!

8. If your kids are older, let them do their own thing in the parks, give them a walkie-talkie/cell phone for "just incase". Have a back up plan, "just incase" a battery dies. The back up plan would be a meet location and time. Get them into DisneyQuest, you can have a drink or walk around the shops, then go and pick them up at the arranged time. They can wait at the other side of the barrier, so they are not leaving the site till you go to the exit and pick them up.

9. Take a change of clothes for the kids to the parks, kids will love playing on Donald's Boat and in the water fountains, and will inevitably get very wet. If you plan a day where you know they are going to get wet, stick a swim suit on under their clothes, then they can change later.

10. Kid Swap policy gives both mum and dad a chance to enjoy the latest attractions without the wait. One parent waits in line with a small child while the other parent rides the attraction. The first parent returns to the loading area and takes the child while the second parent rides.

11. Kids can write to Mickey and he WILL send a letter back. Write to:
         Walt Disney World Info/Guest Letters
         Letters to Mickey Mouse
         P.O. Box 10040
         Lake Buena Vista, FL   32830-00100

For more tips when taking your youngsters, click here.

Last Updated: May 20, 2009