Planning your first vacation to Walt Disney World with small children? Here are my 10 tips for a fantastic Disney trip with little ones (especially for first timers).
10. Start a fun Disney savings jar, buy a Disney gift card once a month at the grocery, and get the Disney Visa to start earning Dream Reward Dollars to put toward your trip. Every penny helps.
9. Stay on property! We have always had pretty good luck with Disney transportation between the parks and resorts and love the convenience of not having to drive, especially at the end of a long day at the parks. Not to mention the conveniences included, you just feel even more encapsulated in that Disney cocoon.
8. If you aren’t surprising them, get your kids involved in the planning. Start a fun countdown. Give them a few chores to earn souvenir money. Let them help make decisions about attractions and restaurants they want to mark off their Disney bucket lists. Kids get so much more excited (is that even possible!?) when we let them be a part of the planning process and it’s really a lot of fun for mom and dad too.
7. Remember that Florida weather is more than likely a little different from the weather anywhere else. Expect humidity, scorching temperatures (depending on the time of year), and sweating. Some tips to beat the heat – dress in light clothing that dries quickly, drink lots of water, take advantage of shade and air conditioning whenever you can, and for the love of Mickey Mouse, just buy the cooling mist fan (or bring your own). I’m not kidding – that thing was a game changer and worth every bit of $18.
6. The early bird catches the … mouse in this case. Lots of people seem to like sleeping in on vacation, but my kids don’t. We get to parks at rope drop and enjoy smaller crowds for a couple of hours while the rest of the “World” is waking up, eating a leisurely breakfast, and making their way to the parks. We get there early and knock out a number of attractions, and then head back to the resort to nap or relax at the pool during the hottest part of the day before heading back for dinner, and maybe fireworks if we have any energy left!
5. Plan on going at a slower pace. If you’ve been to Disney before becoming parents or caregivers of young children (we used to go a lot before kids!), the change of pace might be eye opening. Kids tire easily, need more ‘stuff’ to be comfortable, take more potty breaks, and request lots of snacks and drinks. Even with strollers, you aren’t going to be able to zip through the parks like you used to.
4. If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to be making payments on your vacation for a year afterwards. Book early by making a $200 deposit and then set a schedule for monthly payments (or whatever works for you) and stick to it so your trip is paid off before you even step foot on WDW property.
3. Do your research – and be realistic. Every trip and every family is different but it would be impossible to see everything during one trip to Disney World. Make the attractions that your family would enjoy the most a priority – you don’t want to head home with a sweetie who is devastated she didn’t get to ride Frozen Ever After.
2. Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute. You can currently book dining reservations 60 days in advance and it’s something that is super important if dining experiences are a priority. Plus the earlier you book, the more options you’ll have on where to stay – meaning the better chance you’ll have to get the room type – and potentially lower cost – that you want.
1. Finally, my number one tip is to use a travel agent and follow their advice! Nancy has all the expertise and information you could ever want or need and at no cost to you! She will work with you to make sure you have the perfect trip booked, will help you make the most of your time (and money) and will keep you up to date on the latest news and changes.
Find out how the FREE services of a travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple and STRESS FREE!
Candice was raised in east Tennessee. While in college, her best friend dragged her to a Walt Disney World College Program recruiting session at the University of Tennessee and the rest is Disney history. In the Fall of 1999, Candice became a quick service food hostess for Sunset Ranch Market and Fantasmic at Disney-MGM Studios – or what is now known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While soaking up her time as a cast member, she met Ryan, a neighbor and a fellow college programmer who worked as a custodial host at Epcot. Four years later, Candice moved to the Midwest and married that boy from across the hall. They now live in Greenwood, Indiana with their two little boys. The Disney-loving foursome took their first family trip to The Happiest Place on Earth in 2013 and Candice is eagerly planning their return. Candice also works full-time at a community mental health center and enjoys taking photographs and blogging at Mommy in the Midwest.
