A trip to Walt Disney World is a magical experience, full of smiles, laughs, and great memories. Nothing is better than seeing your children meet their favorite character for the first time, or the look on their faces as they marvel in the Wishes Fireworks. A trip to Walt Disney World with children takes careful planning to ensure your vacation is a magical experience and not a stressful one.
Here are ten tips to help make your Walt Disney World family vacation seamless:
Stay in a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel
Stay in the middle of the magic. Walt Disney World Resort Hotels provide many benefits that can actually save you money. You don’t need to rent a car, Disney will provide transportation for you the minute you step off the plane with Disney’s Magical Express. Disney Resort Guests also have the use of Disney transportation to the Theme Parks via bus, monorail, or boat. Plus, Extra Magic Hours allow you more time to enjoy the Theme Parks. From Value Resorts to Deluxe Villas, Walt Disney World has a Resort Hotel to meet everyone’s needs and budget.
Purchase the Park Hopper Option
With the purchase of the Park Hopper Option you can visit more than one park in the same day offering optimal flexibility for your vacation.
Dine with the Characters
Walt Disney World offers an array of Character Dining from Princesses to Mickey Mouse, to Lilo and Stitch. Many restaurants offer Character Dining, and if you choose wisely you’ll be able to meet many of the most popular characters. Rather than standing in long lines in the parks choose character dining where the characters come to right to you! They’ll sign autograph books and strike the perfect pose for pictures, all while your family enjoys breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Best of all, when you purchase the Disney Dining Plan, the character restaurants are included and can be used as your Table Service Meal for that day!
Use Extra Magic Hours
During Extra Magic Hours one of the four Theme Parks opens either one hour early or remains open up to three hours later than the published operating hours. Only Walt Disney World Resort guests can enter the parks during Extra Magic Hours allowing Resort Guests more time in the Theme Parks with lower crowd levels. You will be amazed how much more you can see and do during these special times.
Take Advantage of FASTPASS and Rider Swap
Disney’s FASTPASS works like this: Go to the FASTPASS attraction. If the line is longer than you would like to wait, insert your Walt Disney World Theme Park Ticket (or Key to The World Card) in the booth for a FASTPASS ticket that has a time frame on it. Then go and enjoy the park. When the time on the FASTPASS rolls around, return to the attraction to ride with little to no wait. Rider Swap is a program that allows parents with young children to swap on rides with height restrictions. So instead of having to wait in line twice you tell the attendant that you would like to use Rider Swap, and they will give you a FASTPASS that you may use immediately so that the parent that stayed with the child while the first parent rode can now go board the ride with little to no wait.
Bring a Stroller With You
If you have children still young enough to be in a stroller, bring one along with you. Stroller rentals are expensive at the Theme Parks, and you can’t take them back to your hotel. Bring a stroller that you are familiar with, one that is easy to fold and unfold. The more compact the better, making it easier to board the buses.
Pack a Goody Bag and Pen Light
Sometimes lines and dark rides are unavoidable. Pack small toys or trinkets for the children to play with in line. One of my favorites is the travel sized Aquadoodle, perfect for playing Hang Man or Tic Tac Toe. When it’s time to ride they fit perfectly in your pocket or a small travel bag. Although most attractions at Walt Disney World are nothing but fun, some dark rides can scare more timid children. A pen light is a great way to give your child control of the situation with that little bit of light giving a measure of comfort. Being mindful of other guests, allow your child to hold the pen light and let them shine it in their lap or on the floor of the ride.
Slow Down, Take Your Time, and Enjoy an Afternoon Nap or Pool Time
Walt Disney World is an enormous place! You will never be able to do and see everything in one vacation so save some attractions for your next vacation to Walt Disney World. Slow down. Don’t just rush through the Theme Parks in order to ride every attraction and see every show. Some of the most magical moments happen when you least expect it, and if you’re rushing you will most likely miss those moments. I always recommend my clients take an afternoon break with naps for young children who need them or resort pool time for older children. Everyone will be much happier and re-energized when it comes time to return to the Theme Parks later in the day. Plus, by doing this you avoid the busiest, hottest part of the day.
Bring the Magic to Life
It’s only a matter of time before children no longer trust in make-believe. There’s nothing more magical than surprising your children with a trip to Walt Disney World. Write a letter from their favorite character inviting them to come for a visit. Or place a surprise in the hotel room from their favorite character and watch their eyes light up when they receive their gift from Mickey Mouse!
Use a Travel Agent That Specializes in Disney
A travel agent who specializes in Disney is a wealth of knowledge. This is your vacation so let someone else do the work for you including booking your resort, dining reservations, and day-by-day, detailed itinerary planning. Not only are these specialized travel agents great for planning your vacation and giving time saving tips, but they may also save you money by watching for discount offers. If available, they’ll make sure your reservation includes an offer that will save you money.
About the Author: Michelle Fleury is a full-service Travel Agent specializing in Disney Destinations. She is employed by Glass Slipper Concierge, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency. Michelle will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding Disney Travel. Contact her at 207-966-1005 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Does it have to be disney. You sohlud try seaworld, bush gardens and Aquatica and even wet n wild. Seaworld has mostly indoor activities and a couple coasters while Bush Gardens has something for everyone. We are a family of 4 2 like coasters and the fast paced rides and 2 of us like the slow paced rides and the shows. Check out there web sites. If you can do any other water park then Disney do Aquatica.