Taking kids to Disney World is quite the adventure. Here are 10 mistakes not to make with kids at Disney World:
- Do not take your child on a scary ride first – This is like Disney 101. If you take your child on a scary ride first, they will be reluctant to ride anything else. So start with mild rides like Peter Pan’s Flight, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Spaceship Earth, Gran Fiesta Tour, Toy Story Mania, Kilimanjaro Safaris or Triceratop Spin.
- Do not skip the face characters – If your child is timid or afraid of costumed characters like Mickey Mouse, start first with a face character. This includes the princesses, Peter Pan, Tarzan, Gaston, etc. These characters will speak with your child and make the Meet N Greet more fun and engaging. If they are comfortable with face characters then you can move on to costumed characters.
- Do not assume your child will follow the same eating schedule as at home – Disney will wear you slap out. Keep your children fueled with frequent snack breaks. They will eat more than they do at home and that is fine. They are burning off tons of energy during the day.
- Do not assume your child is whining because they are being a handful – Whining is one of the ways their little bodies manifest thirst and hunger. The first rule of thumb at Disney is if they whine, feed them. Pack some light snacks and fill up on the free ice water available at all food locations that serve fountain soda.
- Do not push your kids – Take a break in the middle of the day for some time in the air conditioning or the pool. If you child still naps, this is a great time to do that. Plus this will put you out of the parks during the hottest part of the day.
- Do skip the park on arrival day – After a long day of traveling with the kids, don’t rush to a park. Instead lounge around the resort or head to Disney Springs for a bit. You don’t want your first time into the parks to be miserable because your little one is tired from all the traveling.
- Don’t forget the stroller – Even if your child has been stroller free for a while, they might need a stroller at Disney World. I used one up until my oldest was 6. I would park the stroller for hours in stroller parking and pick it up as needed. It was definitely great for the mad dash in the morning and the exhausting leave in the evenings.
- Don’t skip the Baby Care Center – Each park has a Baby Care Center that is great for parents with kids. There is a nursing room, a tv room for toddlers complete with high chairs, ample changing stations, a semi-private bathroom and a microwave and bottle warmers. You can also purchase baby supplies you’ve ran out of or forgotten. This is a great place to duck in for a small break and regroup.
- Don’t allow the “I want this and I want that” – The best way to put a stop to the whining about wanting to purchase items is to allow them one small souvenir on the first day (a plush is a good choice that they can carry with them) and then tell them that you won’t be souvenir shopping until the last day of the trip. If they know that you won’t be buying them anything, it helps them to quit asking. At least with my kids.
- Don’t forget your patience – Taking kids to Disney is serious business. Make sure you pack your patience. The crowds and heat can be overwhelming. Add in your kids and you will be glad you have your patience with you. Trust me!
Learn more about planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Plus overwhelmed with all the planning? Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect trip.