Planning on going to Disney World with toddlers? There are many things that you should know before you head to the happiest place on Earth with your toddler!
Taking your children to Disney World is something you may have dreamed about since your little one was born.
One common question is: Is my child too young for a Disney Vacation? You absolutely can bring your toddler or preschooler to Disney World and have a great time!
In fact, according to our survey, almost 25% of families who go to Walt Disney World are bringing a toddler with them.
14 Tips For Visiting The Disney Parks With Toddlers
If you are heading to Disney World with your toddler, there are some things you really need to consider before setting foot in the Land of Mickey Mouse.
1. Magic Kingdom is the best park for toddlers.
Magic Kingdom is the best Disney park for toddlers. If possible, we recommend spending two days at the Magic Kingdom with your small children, especially if this is your first trip. Magic Kingdom has so much to see and do!
2. Your toddler will enjoy Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is also a great park for toddlers! It is animal focused, a slower paced park, and has some massive perks that little kids and their families will love. You will find play areas, a train, bird shows, and more. Many families are able to accomplish this park in 1/2 day which gives you time to enjoy your hotel pool.
3. Have an idea of what attractions to see before you go
There are a ton of rides that your toddler will enjoy! Each park has many attractions for small children and their parents. We have a list of our favorite rides for toddlers at each park. Some of our favorite options for toddlers are:
- Its a Small World (Magic Kingdom)
- Peter Pan’s Flight (Magic Kingdom)
- Wildlife Express Train (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
- Turtle Talk with Crush (EPCOT)
4. Make sure you know height restrictions for attractions and how to use rider switch.
It’s a good idea to figure out what attractions your child can go on before you get to the parks so there is no disappointments!
There are plenty of attractions that have no height requirement so don’t worry about not having things to do. Feel free to use our Disney World height chart for reference:
Disney has a fantastic system called Rider Switch. You really need to be aware of this Disney system and utilize it. This is one of our best tips for traveling to Disney with younger kids.
If the entire family wants to go on a ride but one person is too short to go on it, use rider switch!
The non-rider (in this case, the toddler) can stay with one adult while another adult rides the ride. Then, when the adult who just rode the ride is finished, you swap places and the person who was with the non-rider can now ride the ride while the one who just rode the ride stays with the non-rider.
You do not have to wait in a long line again, you just tell the cast member that you are using the rider switch pass and you will zip up to the front and avoid long lines.
We have a more thorough explanation of how this system works here, so be sure to check it out.
5. Reconsider a MagicBand
MagicBands are fun, but we are not convinced they are worth the price for toddlers. The easily fall off and toddlers don’t quite “get it” as much as older kids. Think carefully if you want to spend $30+ on MagicBands. You can explore all the options here.
6. Stay on site at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel
If you can swing it financially, we recommend trying to stay at one of The Walt Disney World Resorts.
Staying on site gives you much more flexibility. You have the freedom to run back to the hotel for naps or to enjoy a few hours at the pool. Disney resort hotels offer bed rails for your toddler so they don’t roll off the queen bed!
We do have our 6 favorite Disney resorts for families with kids. We have options in the value resorts, moderate resorts, and deluxe resorts! Staying at a monorail hotel will give you the easiest access to your hotel from the Magic Kingdom.
Many families with young children love Art of Animation for its incredible theming. Art of Animation also has family suite options and is accessible to the Disney Skyliner. You don’t have to collapse a stroller to ride the Skyliner!
7. Bring snacks and a water bottle into the parks
Be sure to factor in bringing snacks and a water bottle (or sippy cup) into the park. You can fill up your water bottle for free! Make sure your toddler is not hungry or thirsty – nobody wants a whiny two year old if we can prevent it!
You can very easily order groceries to your hotel room to make packing snacks easier! Don’t forget to pack (or order) ziplock bags or other containers for transporting food.
8. Use Air tags, ID wristbands, or temporary tattoos (for strollers too!)
For peace of mind, many parents will pack air tags to stick on their child’s shoes. Another option is to get some temporary tattoos or wrist bands with your phone number on it. In a worst case scenario of losing your child, these will help you get reconnected quickly.
We do recommend having some sort of identifying factor for your stroller as many of the strollers look the same – especially if you are renting one. Keep in mind that Disney Cast Members will sometimes move strollers to keep walking space organized.
9. Use a Stroller – rent one or bring your own
You will definitely want to use a stroller while you are in the Disney Parks. You have 2 main options for strollers at Disney.
Option 1 – Bring Your Own Stroller
Why? You and your child know it best. It will easier to maneuver, set up and take down and most importantly, identify it in the sea of strollers parked outside each attraction and restaurant.
Two important notes about your personal stroller:
- You cannot have a stroller wagon. Disney has a policy that you cannot have anything in the parks you pull, only what you push.
- Your stroller must not be larger than 31 inches wide and 52 inches long.
Option 2: Rent a Stroller
Costs are: $15 a day for a single stroller for one day, $13 per day for multiple days. For a double stroller the price $31 for one day, or $27 per day for multiple days.
Sneaky Money Saving Tip: You can save some money by pre-paying the number of days you will require a stroller and save a few bucks.
When you get to the theme park, show the receipt to the rental place and receive your stroller for the day. For more stroller tips, head this way!
10. Be Patient and Strategic With Character Meetings
We are pretty sure your child is going to want to meet their favorite Disney character! If that is Mickey, Minnie, or one of the princesses, we encourage you to try to make that happen.
We have found that the easiest way to guarantee seeing a character is to do character meals. The difficult part of this is actually getting reservations for the meals. We recommend using a travel agent to help you.
If you are able to get dining reservations we are partial to Chef Mickey’s to meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Plus, Donald, and Daisy Duck. If princesses are your toddler’s jam, try to get Cinderellas Royal Table. You will see several different princesses!
Be prepared for your child to get scared or to not respond in the way that you hoped. Its ok! Take a picture and laugh at it later. The cast members at Disney World know this happens and it doesn’t phase the.
When Katie’s oldest daughter met Goofy at Chef Mickey’s she literally hid underneath the table. She was terrified! Aunt Jen helped her calm down and we let the cast members know what was going on. The characters were so kind and waved to her without getting too close.
11. Don’t promise your child you will meet their favorite character.
One important note: Do NOT guarantee to your child that they WILL meet their favorite character. Tell them that you are going to “Mickey’s house” or seeing where “Rapunzel lives.” That way, if you are unable to meet one of the characters it will be ok.
You never know what might happen – you miss a dining reservation, the character isn’t available when you planned, or you just get too tired and need to go back to the hotel.
You can always see characters in the parades and sometimes you just might catch Snow White walking around, or Wendy and Peter running by Cinderella’s Castle!
12. Plan To Go Slow
It doesn’t take too long reading our material to realize we are sticklers for planning your Disney World trip in order to make it great. That being said, we realize that it is nearly impossible to keep a rigid touring schedule with toddlers.
You must plan your trip with this in mind. We can’t tailer make your trip for you but you can tailer make it for yourself by knowing how your family operates best.
Slow it down to your pace! This is the best way to enjoy your trip with your toddler. Slow down and know you won’t be able to do everything.
13. Adjust Your Expectations
Your Disney Trip Will Not Be Perfect! Let’s just get it out there!
If you are dreaming of the Disney World commercial where you and your family are the only ones at the park and Mickey and Minnie come running up to you as your child gives them a big group hug and takes you into the castle, I need to wake you up right now…this is only a dream…it won’t happen. That commercial is so annoying, isn’t it?
The reality is there will be a massive amount of people! It will be hot! You will spend time standing in lines!
Here is what we want you to do. Plan for the worst. Plan for 100 degrees, massive humidity, 2 hour lines, crying children and no characters to be seen anywhere. The good news? It won’t be that bad! You WILL have a good time because you have the right expectations and you are prepared!
14. Know where the baby care centers are
Each of the Disney parks has at least one baby care center. Before you get to the park, know where it is located. The baby center will be your best friend! You will get a break from the heat, you can change your toddlers diaper, pull ups, or clothes. There is a cast member there ready to help you if you need it.
We have used the baby centers on many trips and it has been such a wonderful place for us to take care of our kids in a bit of a private setting.
Disney With Toddlers FAQ
Yes, you can take a two year old to Disney World! It is very family friendly and there is plenty to experience.
Yes, it is worth going to Disney with a toddler! They will love seeing real princesses, Mickey Mouse, the castle, and more! The magic will be very real to them.
Disney does not require proof of age for your child. We always recommend honesty and if your child is three, get them a ticket.
Children under the age of three eat free at buffets. You will need to include them on your dining reservation.
If your child turns three on your trip he will be a guest of Mickey Mouse for the remainder of your time in the Disney parks and will not need to purchase a ticket.
It Will Be Magical
Enjoy meandering main street. Hang out at your Walt Disney World Resort and enjoy looking for hidden Mickeys. Let your toddler play in the play areas in the Animal Kingdom. Ride “Its A Small World” and avoid the Haunted Mansion. And for Pete’s sake, let your toddler ride that flying elephant ride that she’s seen on the commercials! Just relax and you and your child will have wonderful, magical memories for a lifetime!