Most families visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland once or twice with their kids. Make the most of your time in the Most Magical Place on Earth with these tips.
- If you could do one thing…
Before each trip we have a family “meeting” I ask each person if you only got to pick one thing to do what would it be, and I make sure those things are on my plan (I also learned to have a back up day! If it has to do with a characters there are some days they may not be out at all or maybe a ride goes down)
2. Build a “No” List
In our “meeting” these are sometimes over multiple days or dinners I will also ask each of them about each of the parks is there anything they do not want to do. (My youngest said he does not want to do Dinosaur ever again). As with everything with kids, there are sure to be disagreements. What one kid absolutely doesn’t want to do, another has it on their “must do” list. This is where planning gets even more important. With careful planning you can figure out how one kid can ride their favorite ride(s) while minimizing the downtime for the others.
3. Check the height requirements!
Especially with boys, kids are likely super excited to ride the newest rollercoaster only to find out they are just a smidge too short. If this is your first trip, check the height requirements and talk about those rides, are there any that look scary? If you have been to any other amusement parks you can compare the rides to something they may have been on before to help them understand.
4. Manage expectations; avoid meltdowns
With some of the newer rides like Remy’s you may have to manage your kids expectations of being able to get on the ride at all, with the use of virtual ques these rides can sometimes be difficult to get a boarding group. If you don’t get a boarding group consider purchasing a lightning lane pass.
5. Don’t be the parent who forces their kids on a ride
I worked at a theme park for a lot of year (Not Disney) but I can tell you forcing them to do something they don’t want to do is not the way to get your kids to love the ride. Don’t get me wrong you know your kid, they may love the ride once they are on it. Let them make that decision to ride it on their own. You can always use the rider swap if one of the kids isn’t ready. It will all be ok.
6. Peel off for potty breaks
Any one with kids will know their bladders will go from zero to sixty faster than a Tesla Roadster. The last thing you want to do is be deep into the queue for Pirates of the Caribbean and have an emergency bathroom need. Every time you walk by a restroom ask if anyone needs to use it. If you know you’re about to head into a longer line force them to at least try. And when the moment does strike, bust out the My Disney Experience app which has a handy filter on their park maps with all the restrooms available.
7. To Stroller or Not to Stroller?
When if comes to strollers that is a personal preference for sure! If your kids are younger than 5 you will probably want a stroller. If you have kids 5 and older, you know your kids best. You walk a lot more than you ever would at home, so be prepared either way.
8. Stick to your normal routine
When do your kids normally get up? If your kids are school age and used to waking up for school, it is probably safe to say they are no longer taking a nap. If the parks open at 8am but your kids are not normally up until 9 getting them up at 7 to be at the park at 8 for more than a couple of days in a row is probably going to lead to over-tired cranky kids. Expecting them to last until fireworks is not going to be realistic unless you have a break in the day or can find a spot to sit and relax.
9. Rope Drop or Not?
For some it is rope drop or nothing, and others would rather sleep in. You know your family best (see #8). You may want to look at the park hours to help you decide. Animal Kingdom’s hours are normally earlier then other parks so maybe doing rope drop for this is not going to happen for your family. That is ok, having a good plan of what you want to get out of your day will help.
10. Snacks, On Snacks, On Snacks
Always bring a few snacks with you. Sure you will want to try some of the cool snacks you can only get at Disney but with all of the walking my kids are always hungry and we all know nothing at Disney is cheap. Luckily, Disney allows you to bring bags with snacks and drinks. Just put thought into what you bring. Florida can be a little hot after all. The last thing you want is to dip your hand into a melted chocolate bar.
Bonus tip: Try New Things!
I know, I know, kids are stuck in their ways. But there are so many new and unique things to try at Disney. My oldest is probably the pickiest eater you’ve ever met. He survives off of chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, and Oreos (believe me I try to get him to eat something green and not processed…). This year we made it for the Flower and Garden Festival and finally got him to try a few new things. Lo and behold, he loved things like biegnets and lavender lemonade. Buy several things and let each kid try a few bites. By the time you make your way through the day, I’m sure your kids will get their fill of great treats.
