Traveling to Disney with Small Children

By: Rebecca JonesFor millions of people each year, a family vacation to a Disney theme park is a dream they’ve had for years. Whether it is to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., or Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., with a little planning and knowledge ahead of time, it can be a magical dream come true for everyone, even the smallest travelers.The first thing you need to do is decide what time of year you’d like to travel. Summer is the busiest, and also the warmest, but if it’s the only time you can go, then do it! If you are in a position to schedule your vacation during the school year, you could save money and avoid the highest crowds. During the fall at the Walt Disney World Resort, for example, there are several special events, such as the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, the Candlelight Processional, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. During the spring, there is the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.Did you know that children younger than three years of age can enjoy the magic of Disney at no cost? That includes lodging, meals, and entrance to the theme parks. Cribs and Pack n Plays are available in every Disney resort room, and there are refrigerators available to rent in most rooms. So, taking your children while they are young makes a lot of sense, financially.

Before you leave home for your vacation, be sure to pack your own stroller. To rent a plastic, uncomfortable stroller from Disney is $15-31 per day, depending on the size of the stroller and the length of the rental. An umbrella stroller is inexpensive enough to purchase for just this trip, and you can spread a little Disney “magic” by giving it to another family at the end of your trip. When you are packing, be sure to include plenty of diapers, as well as snacks that your child is used to. Bringing your own snacks will save you some money, and you know that your child will at least eat something while you’re there. Then, on the way home, you can use the empty space in your bags for souvenirs and other items you received on your trip.For the youngest of travelers, each Disney park has a Baby Care Center. These areas are equipped with changing tables, high chairs, nursing rooms, and quiet areas, for when the hustle and bustle of a busy theme park becomes too much. If you run out of any essential supplies – diapers, baby food, medications – they are available for purchase at the Baby Care Centers, as well as the gift shops in most resorts.Be sure to go at your child’s pace. More often than not, the families you see trying to squeeze in one more thing to make the most of their vacation, are the ones with crying children, frustrated parents, and not a lot of magical memories. If your children are old enough, let them choose a few activities and make those your “must-dos.” Stay on Disney property for the ease of returning to your room for a midday break, whether that means a nap or a relaxing swim in the resort pool.Most Disney resorts have a child pool that is shallower and smaller for the youngest of guests. Some resorts even have playgrounds or other child-friendly areas for the kids to play in.Disney also has a couple of unique options available that are especially useful to parents of young children. They are the FastPass system and the Rider Switch ticket.The FastPass System uses your park entry ticket to essentially give you a “reservation” at a particular ride. It is available on select attractions only, but it gives you a separate pass with a time on it. You are free to go and do whatever you’d like throughout the park. When your time comes up, you return to the ride where you got the FastPass enter a much shorter line to ride that attraction. This system allows you to get more done in a shorter amount of time, thus maximizing your time in the theme parks.The Rider Switch ticket is similar to the FastPass. It is used for adults who are with children who aren’t able to ride a certain attraction. Simply ask a Cast Member (Disney-speak for employee) for a Rider Switch ticket. Then one adult can enjoy the ride while the other waits with the children. When that rider exits, the waiting adult can then use the Rider Switch ticket to enter the FastPass lane and avoid waiting in the long standby line.When you couple the FastPass system with the Rider Switch option, parents of young children can still have fun, while the kids don’t have to feel they are waiting around for Mom and Dad the whole time.Mealtime can be a great time to rest and take in some Disney magic. There are several restaurants at Disney World, both in and out of the theme parks. For smaller children, character meals are a great choice. This allows you to have a meal, while the characters travel around the restaurant, visiting each table. You don’t need to stand in a line outside, waiting to meet your favorite character – they come to you! If you’re looking to save money, schedule your meals at off-peak times. For example, a late breakfast would be less costly, and could serve as an early lunch. Or, eat an early dinner around 4, when lunch prices might still be in effect.Traveling to a Disney theme park with small children can be very rewarding. Seeing the sites and the characters through your child’s eyes makes everything so much more magical. Hopefully, these tips will give you some ideas on how to make it more economical and practical, too.For assistance with planning your Disney vacation, consult a Wishes Family Travel agent. We are ready to answer any questions you might have.