Walt Disney World is fantastically magical for all ages. Our little one-who is now 8-has seen Disney every year since she was just 6 months old! Having visited Walt Disney World with an infant, toddler, and preschooler, I can tell you that each trip is memorable in its own way.
Traveling to Walt Disney World with a little one shouldn’t scare you. Walt Disney World makes it so easy to create amazing memories with little ones-it just takes a little planning on your part. Today I am going to share some tips for you to make your first trip to Walt Disney World with a preschooler fantastic!
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Plan Ahead
This is a good rule of thumb with any first Disney trip. However, with a little one in tow, you can plan to visit Walt Disney World on the off season, which makes for lower crowds and a more relaxing time!
Planning ahead also allows you to book a Disney Resort that is within your budget-and close to the parks. It is priceless to be on the monorail when you are visiting Walt Disney World with a young one. Those resorts can book quickly, so planning ahead is a great idea.
Plan Your Dining in Advance
Walt Disney World allows dining reservations to be booked 180-days in advance. While your little ones may not want to sit through a table service meal every day, you will still want a good meal and some great character interaction. A character dining experience can accomplish both of those! Book one, or two, in advance.
If you decide to cancel them later, you can do so 24-hours before your reservation without a penalty. It’s better to book them when the window opens and have them, than to scramble at the last minute to get a meal with Mickey because your little guy is currently obsessed with him!
A Stroller is a Must
Up until our daughter was 7, we took a stroller to Disney for her. Sure, at home she had been well out of the stroller for the mall or the zoo, but Disney is different.
Not only is it a lot of walking for little legs, I liked that we always knew where she was, and we didn’t have to hold her hand and navigate the parks at the same time.
Plus, the storage in the stroller came in really handy. I know at the end of a long day, she appreciated being pushed back to the monorail in a stroller, and my husband appreciated the fact that he didn’t have to carry her!
Arrive at the Parks ASAP
Starting your day early at the Disney Parks with a little one is key. First, the parks are less crowded in the morning. So, you can accomplish quite a bit while you are there before lunch.
Second, you will want to plan a mid afternoon break {see below}. Getting to the parks early and enjoying your “must dos” right away allows time to rest and relax later in the day.
Take a Break
Your Walt Disney World Resort is more than just a place to sleep. The pools are amazing, they have fantastic family activities during the day, and the parks can be overstimulating.
RELATED READING: Best Spots to Relax or Take a Break at Walt Disney World
Everyone is happier if you can go back to your resort for a rest and swim. Then, you can return to the parks for a leisurely evening and enjoy yourselves!
Plan Your Must Dos
Is your preschooler obsessed with Ariel? Then plan to visit her at Magic Kingdom in her mermaid form, as well as at a princess meal during your stay.
Is Finding Dory at the top of your DVD watch list? Be sure to plan a time to see Finding Nemo-The Musical at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.
RELATED READING: Best Things to Do with Kids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Does your preschooler watch Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins OVER and OVER? Then it sounds like a breakfast at Hollywood and Vine should be on your list.
Make a list of your “must dos”, or characters you must see before you go. This will help you plan your time in the parks so you hit them all!
Meet Characters
At preschool age, meeting characters at Walt Disney World should be at the top of your list. It is so magical to see the little ones interact with their favorite characters, and those pictures will be so memorable.
This is the age when riding attractions is not at the top of your little one’s list, so take advantage of it! They grow so fast, so while they are into characters, make the most of it!
Find Places to Play
The Walt Disney World Parks have some great hidden gems for little ones to play. The Boneyard at Animal Kingdom is one of our favorites-when my twins were little, they could spend SO much time there!
Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom Park and Casey Jr.’s Splash Station are so much fun! Plus, the queue for Dumbo is an indoor circus tent play area-we don’t book a FastPASS for Dumbo so our daughter can have time to play while we wait our turn in line. So fun!
Walt Disney World with Preschoolers can be amazing, and magical! You are never too young, or too old, to enjoy some time at the Walt Disney World Resort.
I find that the bus system is not very efficient at Disney, and if the choice is to take a bus or drive your car to the parks, it’s usually more efficient to drive yourself. Plus the added safety benefit of your child being in a car seat and not on your lap. The only exception is that you should usually use the Disney provided transportation to the Magic Kingdom since it bypasses the Transportation and Ticketing Center.
Tyler @ The Traveling Toddler