Disney World is a big trip! Disney World with a toddler can feel overwhelming. You’ve invested so much time and money into this trip, and we are here to give you some strategies to make sure it is a great trip!
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#1. Location, Location, Location
Choose your resort carefully, because location is critical on a Disney World trip. Of course, our top choice would have been to stay in a Disney Resort with easy access via monorail or skyliner, but that just wasn’t in our budget. Our daughter does best when she has her own sleep space, so we decided an offsite vacation rental was the best solution.
We rented a timeshare from an owner at Wyndham Bonnet Creek, and it was the perfect stay! The resort is on Disney property, so we had quick access to all of the parks, which was ideal for midday naps. It also had amazing pools, a few decent restaurants, and tons of space for our family.
#2. Plan Around Naps
Does your toddler still nap at home? Vacation doesn’t change a toddler’s need for a nap. Eloise usually takes 2 hour naps at home, but the vacation activity had her taking 3 hour naps. We returned to our hotel each day to get a quality nap, and a break from the heat. A stroller nap just isn’t going to be enough, especially for a week-long trip.
#3. Schedule Downtime
On our first few days, we tried to return to the parks after out afternoon naps. We found that these days were just too action-packed and Eloise was getting worn out. For the rest of the trip, we took each afternoon off- we spent a few hours at the pool, then went to dinner at Disney Springs, or explored one of the Disney resort hotels.
#4. Bring a Stroller
Disney rents strollers, but they can’t be taken outside of the theme parks. With long walks to hotel rooms and large parking lots, we recommend bringing your own stroller. We brought our travel stroller that is comfortable to push and can be folded up easily for the plane ride. Even if your kid walks a lot at home, they will need a stroller.
#5. Pack Snacks
Our first stop after leaving MCO airport was a Publix to get food for the trip. Because we had a condo, we were able to get easy breakfasts and refrigerated items. Each day, we had a quick breakfast in the room before heading to the park. While we bought our meals in the park, we also packed snacks for Eloise, including fruit, veggies, cheese, and goldfish.
#6. Arrive Early
Crowds are lowest first thing in the morning. Plan to arrive at the parks at least 30 minutes before opening to take advantage of these low crowds. As the day goes on, crowds get higher and the parks get hotter. We were able to walk onto most toddler rides in the first 2 hours.
#7. Use Genie+
Genie+ is Disney’s replacement system for FastPass. It is a paid program that allows guests to wait in a shorter line for select rides.
Genie+ with a toddler requires a different strategy than Genie+ with an older crowd. For this trip, we were focused on toddler rides and didn’t use Rider Swap. We found Genie+ particularly helpful in Magic Kingdom, where there are so many rides that use it.
We also chose to buy Genie+ on one of our Epcot days to use for Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. It was useful for those two rides, but not necessary otherwise. We skipped Genie+ at Epcot and Hollywood Studios because of the limited attraction options for small kids.
#8. Use Rider Swap
If you have older kids or want to ride the “Big Kid Rides” use Rider Swap. This system allows one parent to wait in line while the other watches your toddler. After riding, the parents swap so the other parent gets to ride.
#9. Purchase Memory Maker
It is so hard to get the whole family in the photo. For $169, you can purchase Memory Maker and get unlimited downloads of the photos that Disney photographers take on their trips. While we found the quality of the photos variable, having pictures with the whole family is magical.
#10. Meet Mickey at Epcot
Of course, you want your toddler to meet Mickey Mouse. Unfortunately, that often involves an hour long line, or an expensive character meal. There is a hidden location near Journey Into Imagination where Mickey Mouse meets indoors, and the line is often MUCH shorter. We waited less than 10 minutes to meet Mickey.
#11. Consider a Character Meal
We considered scheduling a character meal to meet Mickey and Friends. We ended up choosing not to schedule a meal out of concern that Eloise would be too nervous to meet them. It wasn’t really in the budget, and we were already limited for time, so it ended up not being a priority for us.
If meeting characters is a priority, character meals are a great way to meet a lot without long lines.
Protect Your Trip
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is that insurance is necessary to protect our travel investments and keep our family safe on the road. Depending on the policy that you choose, travel insurance can protect your family in the event of medical emergencies and canceled trips. It also takes the sting out of minor trip mishaps, such as lost baggage and delayed flights. Check out Squaremouth to compare plans and choose one that fits your family.
Flying with your toddler soon? Check out these related posts:
- How to Pack Light: Carry on Packing List for Babies
- The Best Travel Stroller for Your Next Vacation
- 19 Practical Tips for Disneyland with a Toddler
- Baby Travel Gear: A Full List of Things You Need When Traveling With a Baby
