5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Disney Trip with Toddlers

You want to go to Disney with your sweet kiddos but also the sound of that sounds a bit intimidating, right? You’re a mom so you’re already thinking about strollers and snacks and meltdowns. Let me tell you my tips on making the most of your Disney trip with toddlers and I’ll cover all the not-as-fun stuff later!

Plan your Meals Ahead of Time!

Knowing which restaurant has food options your little one will eat is so important. I promise you don’t want to be searching the park for chicken nuggets at peak dinner time with a hangry family in tow. Head to https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/ for Walt Disney World or https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/ for Disneyland Dining. From here, you can explore every restaurant and its menu. Narrow down by dining experience, price, or cuisine – I promise this is a page you will be glad you explored. I highly recommend doing this as soon as you book your trip so by the 60-day mark, you’ll be ready to book dining reservations. If you have a family member with an allergy, please know Disney does an amazing job working with allergies! Upon arriving at the restaurant, speak to a Cast Member about your allergies. They’ll bring out either a special diets-trained Cast Member or Chef to speak with you directly and handle your meal!

Pack Plenty of Snacks and Water!

Did you know you can bring your own snacks and water into the parks? You can and please do! Bring your little one’s favorite snacks and a reusable water bottle to fill during the day. We even bring our own bottled water but you can get free ice water from Quick Service restaurants, just ask! Disney snacks can add up quickly and if your kiddos are anything like mine, they like to snack a lot! Save that snack bill and just bring your favorite snacks from home. If you’re flying, there are many grocery stores/Instacart that will deliver to Disney resorts so you can stock up on your favorites!

Build in a Rest or Nap Time Each Day

I know you’re tempted to stay in the parks all day to get your money’s worth but I promise everyone will be happier if you build in a rest/nap time in the middle of the day. And pro-tip — the parks are busiest in the middle of the day so you’ll be glad you took that break! 

Here’s what I recommend for a daily schedule. Be at the parks at opening, get as much done in the morning as you can, eat lunch in the park, then head back to your hotel for a rest. After that time, head back to the park as long as your family can hang.

Add Memory Maker to your Package

Okay moms, tell me! How many trips have you been on only to get home and realize you’re not in the pictures? Or the ones you’re actually in are a selfie to try to get everyone in the same picture? Just me? Disney’s Memory Maker can be purchased for $185 (Advance Purchase), or $210 (once your vacation has begun). Memory Maker includes all your photos and videos taken during your vacation by the Photo Pass photographers throughout the park. Want a picture in front of the castle? Find the closest Photo Pass Photographer and they’ll make the magic happen. You can save all your attraction photos, Magic Shots (with your favorite characters magically added in), and photos with characters. When you get home, you have unlimited downloads to remember your vacation forever and Mom was in the picture every time! I promise this $185 add-on is so worth it! If you’re only heading to Disney for a day, you an purchase the One Day option for $75.

Always use a Stroller!

When a mom tells me she’s going to conquer Disney without a stroller, I have heart palpitations. For us, the stroller is life at Disney! It’s somewhere my kids can always sit, it holds my backpack, and I can move faster with my kids inside. Actually, I was at Disney without my kids earlier this year (I know, GASP) but I didn’t know what to do without my stroller to hold all my things! So I promise your stroller helps everyone! I honestly can’t imagine even my 6-year-old being able to handle the 20,000 step days at Disney. He loves to walk some but his little legs get tired too! Be sure to go over the stroller guidelines before packing the car. Strollers larger than 31” (79 cm) in width and 52” (132cm) in length are not permitted. If you’d like to rent a stroller at Disney instead of bringing your own, you absolutely can. I recommend Kingdom Strollers* when renting at Walt Disney World. You can pick up at the airport or they’ll deliver it directly to your hotel. They have a great variety of inventory, all Disney-approved strollers! And my last stroller tip – make sure you take a stroller that easily folds up when you’re on the bus!

Take time to soak up the magic, Mama!

This is why you’re on this trip after all. Nothing is more magical than seeing the magic through your child’s eyes. I thought I loved Disney before kids, I can’t even count how many trips I went on before I was a mom. But I promise you, my trips with my kids are a million times better because I get to witness them experiencing the magic! Its so easy to get caught up in “we didn’t get to ride _______” or maybe you survived 3 tantrums before lunch, I get it. Trust me, my kids don’t love meeting characters and that’s one of my favorite things but I promise the good outweighs the not-as-good. Take a deep breath, meet your child where they are, and enjoy the magic!

Stay tuned for more travel tips and tricks with toddlers! If you’re ready to book your trip, fill out my quote request form! I can’t wait to help you plan your trip!