Planning a Disney trip that encompasses the whole family can be stress free if you know what to expect. And, it’s important to take into account the age of everyone in your travel party! When you have children of various ages and stages, we tend to wonder if the littlest ones, namely the infants and toddlers, will really enjoy themselves on any vacation! Especially to a large theme park like Walt Disney World. Rest assured, even the youngest ones can have a great time, and mom and dad can travel stress free with that little one, with some pre planning and setting expectations appropriately. This week, I am going to share some Tips for Traveling to Walt Disney World with Infants at Toddlers to Walt Disney World.
Which type of Disney resort do you recommend when traveling with infants and toddlers? Personally, I would suggest a moderate or a deluxe tier resort when traveling with infants or toddlers. If that is out of your budget, then I think a suite at Disney’s Art of Animation or Disney’s All Star Music is a better option, over a standard value resort room. Think of all the gear you’ll have with your infant or toddler, plus the things you’ll have for everyone else in your family. You are likely going to have a stroller, you’ll need to set up a Pack and Play, and all your luggage. Those Value Resort rooms will get small pretty quickly once you and your family start settling in for your stay at Disney. The All Star and Art of Animation Suites are larger, and also provide a separate sleeping space for your little one if he/she sleeps better without seeing mom and dad’s faces. The moderate and deluxe resorts are nice because again, the rooms are a bit bigger than the value rooms. Plus, staying Deluxe, particularly on the monorail, allows you easy access to the parks and quick trips back to the resorts for naps and swim breaks.
Do the Disney resorts provide cribs or Pack and Plays for our stay? Yes. If you are in a villa property, the Pack and Play will be in a closet somewhere in your villa. If you are at any other resort, you will need to request it upon check in. They are free of charge, and Mousekeeping will bring it to your room shortly after you have arrived. You can request Pack and Plays before arrival, but be sure to remind them at check in that you need one. Also, they provide a basic sheet that fits the Pack and Play. If you’d like additional blanket, be sure to bring your own.
Which Disney Parks are a “must do” for infants and toddlers? Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park and Animal Kingdom are on my “must do” list for little ones. I find that there is so much to do there for everyone in my family, and these are the two parks my little one enjoys the most. So it’s a win-win! There are very few rides at these parks, or at any Disney park, that the little ones cannot ride. I find that we can take our youngest on all but about 3 rides at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Another great “must do” for mom and dad is Epcot’s World Showcase” while the little one naps in the stroller.
How can I keep my infant or toddler on schedule while we are at Disney? Well, first is to be prepared for him/her being off schedule. I know that is hard for moms to hear, but it can be a challenge to stay on a schedule on any vacation. That being said, try to plan dining and other activities around his/her normal schedule. Schedule your table service meal for his/her best time of the day, so everyone can enjoy their meal and your little one can get full interaction with the characters. Take your own stroller, if possible. I have found that my little sleeps best in her own stroller. If that isn’t possible, rent from an outside company, such as Kingdom Strollers. Also, if you are taking your own, try to take one more substantial than an umbrella stroller. A good sunshade, a nice recline, and a spacious basket to store things are a must! Find the Baby Care Centers. These are located in all the parks and are AMAZING! They provide a quiet, air conditioned place to feed and change the little one, quiet activities for the older brothers and sisters to enjoy while you change/feed and if you forget some important baby supplies they have some for sale.
Is there a location on Disney property to purchase baby supplies? Yes, as I mentioned above, the Baby Care Centers do have some basic diapers, wipes, food, etc. for sale. The resort gift shops do as well. However, to be sure you have everything you need, you can ship items to yourself at your Walt Disney World Resort for pick up when you arrive. This is especially helpful if you are flying into Orlando and don’t want to take up luggage space with diapers, wipes, etc. Amazon and Walmart will ship to you, or you can order from a local company such as Garden Grocer to get what you need.
Are you ready for a trip with that little one? Seeing the amazement in their eyes, watching them interact with their favorite characters, and vice versa, make for special memories at Walt Disney World! Walt Disney World is fun, no matter what age your children are!
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We had a great time w our Little! We kept him hydrated, used sunblock every hour, and did “split days”. We’d arrive @ park opening (worked especially well w/ morning extra magic hours), doing the most rides/attractions we could before lines got TOO busy, and then headed back to the resort while most people were coming in (usually around 10:30/11.)
Then we’d have lunch, nap, watch a Disney movie (like his regular schedule @ home) and get ready for our dinner reservations.
Once back @ the park (same park/same day) we’d have dinner, and enjoy touring leisurely. (I’m the commando planner, my husband is the leisure planner.)
We found that it works extremely well! We miss the hottest and most trying time of the day, LO is still on a rough approximation of his schedule, and BOTH Husband and I get to enjoy the parks @ the rate we like too.
*Note: while the kids are younger, we find it more enjoyable, and less stress-inducing, to do late dinners during the parades. One of our BEST memories is walking World Showcase, because our First couldn’t handle watching Illuminations. The lights were low, he’d been in the stroller while in the parks, so walking around WSC was like his own little mini-adventure!*
Taking infants to Disney World is a form of child abuse. The infant has no idea what is going on and then they are subjected to the heat and humidity of Florida for the sole reason that their parents wanted to go.
Well i feel you are a jerk!! and no one asked for your opinion!!