Disney World with a toddler, are we crazy? On our way back from South Florida we stopped at Disney World and went to Magic Kingdom. We had an absolute blast! Tony and I are definitely not “Disney People,” and have not had much experience with Disney. We had to pretty much wing it and we learned a lot. Traveling with a toddler isn’t the easiest thing (no matter the destination) and Disney definitely presented some unique challenges. Today I am sharing some of our favorite moments and some things to think about if going to Disney World with a toddler!
What Is the Best Age for Disney World?
The most asked question on Instagram (by far) was whether Rosie was old enough to go to Disney World (or some variation of that). My short answer? Yes. My longer answer? She absolutely loved it, was able to go on a lot of rides (she went on 8!) and she saw Minnie Mouse (whom she absolutely loves). That being said, we went to Disney World because it was literally on the way home from a 2-week Florida trip. We would not have gone to Florida just to go to Disney (at least at this age).
I would not let your child’s age deter you from going to Disney World with a toddler. Although they won’t remember it, Disney is arguable the most magical for them. Rosie really believed in all of it and it was really special to experience it with her. Toddlers are also free! Kids under 3 are free, so it can be a more economical time to go as well. I would also gauge your toddler’s interest in the Disney characters. Rosie is obsessed with Minnie Mouse! That added to the decision-making process for us. Seeing her face light up when she saw Minnie at Magic Kingdom was once-in-a-lifetime!
Toddler Challenges
There were two unique challenges that we faced going to Disney World with a toddler. First, Rosie needs a mid-day nap for sure. We tried to get her to nap in the stroller and it just wasn’t happening so we went back to the hotel for a few hours. It ended up working out because she was able to stay up until 9pm because she got that nap in, so we spent more time at Magic Kingdom that we thought. Second, it’s really difficult to keep toddler entertained in line and we were not prepared for that! I didn’t realize that you’re not allowed to keep your stroller in line with you, so it was hard to keep her from running away!
Packing List
Here are some items that I would bring with you to Disney World! I am including in this list items that we were so thankful to have had with us, and some items that we wish we would have had. This is in addition to your normal packing list (of course).
1 – Belt Bag: The expert moms seemed to all have a belt bag situation. This seems like the best way to keep your important items with you for the rides. A crossbody works well too, but it’s a little more mint he way.
2 – Sunscreen: We went through so much sunscreen! Bring more than you think you need. Disney doesn’t have a ton of shade, your toddler can’t be in their stroller all the time, and also Rosie preferred wearing her ears compared to a sun hat!
3 – Stroller Cover: When we got to Disney, it was POURING! We had rain gear, but our stroller (and everything in the bottom of it) was soaked.
4 – Ponchos: Continuing on from #3 above, it rained a lot one day and ponchos are compact and lightweight which is great for a day at Disney.
5 – Stroller Fan: I bring this with me on most trips, but we used our stroller fan a ton at Disney. It got hot mid-day and Rosie started to get hot and tired, and the fan was crucial for keeping her happy. I also used that to try and get her to nap (didn’t work!)
6 – Minnie Ears: The Minnie ears at Disney World were $30, and I got these ears 3 for $10 from Amazon. Everything is cheaper on Amazon than at the park, so definitely get this stuff ahead of time.
7 – Portable Charger: Disney does not have anywhere to charge your phone. If you plan on being there a full day, you will need this. I charged my phone mid-day at the resort during Rosie’s nap, but if I wouldn’t have, my phone would have died for sure!
8 – Refillable Water Bottle: There were numerous places to fill up a water bottle throughout the park. Bring a bottle to refill and ideally one that stays cold. We love this one and have been using it since Rosie was 1.
9 – Stroller Caddy: This is on our stroller 100% of the time, but it came in handy at Disney. It was a great place for water bottles, phones, food, etc. A cup holder on your stroller would be great too!
Where We Stayed + Transportation to Park
We stayed at Disney’s Art of Animation, which is one of their value resorts. Art of Animation (being one of the “value” options) was one of the cheapest resorts and it’s also dog-friendly. This resort is a 10 minute drive from Magic Kingdom and you have to take the bus. If we go again someday, we agreed we would stay at one of the resorts that is close to Magic Kingdom (Grand Floridian, the Contemporary, etc.) These resorts are closer and are connected to Disney by the Monorail. Because we had to go back to the hotel during the day for Rosie’s nap, it would have been nice to be a bit closer. Those resorts are a lot more expensive though, but just something to think about!
Eating at Magic Kingdom
The restaurant reservations at Magic Kingdom open 60 days in advance and book up! We didn’t book our trip early enough, so we weren’t able to get any reservations. That being said, the restaurants were all really expensive (like $50+ a person) and didn’t seem that great? Maybe I’m wrong? I also think it’s just difficult to sit at a restaurant with a toddler! We ended up filling up on all of the “snacks” but we kind of loved that! We had a Mickey pretzel, cream cheese stuffed pretzel, dole whip, spring rolls, a hot dog, fries, and a Mickey ice cream bar, and we shared everything. In hindsight, I also would pack more snacks to keep in the stroller. There aren’t a ton of quick food options. We wished we would have had protein bars, goldfish, etc.
Tips to Save Money
Everything at Disney is pretty expensive, but I think there are some bargains to be had too. Here are some tips for keeping costs down.
- Snacks at at the park are cheaper than the restaurants
- Bring refillable water bottles and don’t pay for beverages
- Buy Minnie ears (or other Disney items) ahead of time
- Buy souvenirs outside of Disney (there are cheap shops on International Drive)
Covid Considerations
Masks – Unless you are taking a photo or eating, you must wear masks at all times. If you are taking a photo, you must be outside and social distanced. If you are eating, you must be seated and social distanced.
Reservations – You must have a reservation for the Disney park in addition to just buying tickets. This is a 2-step process and CRITICAL. They will not let you in to the park if you didn’t reserve that park for that day.
Wait Times – The wait times were about 20-30 minutes. It was nice that the park has a lot fewer people and a lot shorter lines right now!
Ordering Food – At most of the quick-service restaurants, you have to order through the mobile app ahead of time and pick it up. This was pretty slick! I actually preferred this, and was how we ate at our resort and at Magic Kingdom too.
For more tips on traveling with a toddler, see this post!