Never let anyone tell you that your kids are “too young for Disney”. Toddlers get a bad rap. Sure, they are emotional creatures that can be associated with powder kegs, but at their core toddlers are so pure of heart and believe in magic. Toddlers can be so fun at Disney, who cares if they remember it. Parents remember it. Every bit of it.
It can be intimidating to bring a tiny human that doesn’t exercise rational thought and is prone to very loud tantrums, regardless of how many people are watching. Learn from our mistakes and our wins so you can have a magical vacation in Disney World with your toddler.
Snacks for Toddlers
We all know that a quick-fix way to tame the beast is to throw snacks at it! First of all, Disney World welcomes outside food. You can bring in snacks, meals, whatever. As long as it doesn’t have glass or loose ice, Disney is fine with you bringing in outside snacks.
Bring in your kid’s favorite snacks that they like from home. Disney is beautiful and amazing, but it can be a little overwhelming. If they are enjoying something from home, it can be comforting. When they start getting a little overwhelmed, break out that snack that smiles back!
Do yourself a favor and save the holy grail (gummies) for when you really need them. Whether it’s waiting for the parade or convincing them to get back in the stroller when they don’t want to. Basically, gummies are your ultimate bargaining trip.
Quiet Places in Walt Disney World
Whether or not your toddlers take a nap during the day, they need quiet time each day for their brains to unwind. Quiet time is possible in Disney World! The first key in helping them get quiet time is to slow down and shake off the “I need to do everything” or “I need to get my money’s worth” mindset. We’re guilty! It’s hard to not want to be on the go, go, go, but trust us, if you Disney that way with toddlers, you will go, go, go down the road to a messy tantrum.
Magic Kingdom
Storybook Circus Area
Once you pass Dumbo, you will find that there are a lot of very quiet corners in Storybook Circus. Pull in to an empty big top and find nothing but quiet. Our kids have taken many naps under these tents!
BEWARE!
You will have to pass a splash pad before you get to the sweet spot. If your toddler is already on the edge, stay away!
Tom Sawyer’s Island
Forget that you’re in the most populated theme park in America while you are on Tom Sawyer’s Island. It is dense with trees and paths for kids to just run around without the crowds and noise.
Liberty Belle
Have you noticed that huge steam boat in the lake by the Haunted Mansion? It takes little trips around the lake. It’s a slow, luxurious 20 minute boat ride that can be very relaxing if your child is close to nap. There is a very loud horn that blows before the boat disembarks, but Disney tired is next level tired, so they might sleep right through it.
EPCOT Quiet Places
Morocco
The Morocco pavilion is perhaps the most beautiful pavilion in the World Showcase, and the one that really makes you feel like you were dropped in its home country. It is also the least crowded pavilion. There are a lot of twists and turns, tucks and corners, and even a quiet little museum (that is also air conditioned!).
Hollywood Studios
Animation Courtyard
Hard to believe that back by the Disney Junior Dance Party would be a quiet place, but here we are! Hollywood Studios is packed with intense thrill rides and various fandoms. It’s a safe bet that those crowds aren’t breaking down the gates to see Vampirina.
Animal Kingdom
EVERYWHERE!
Animal Kingdom was built to be an oasis for the animals that call it home, but it is also a great place for toddlers, too. There are paths all through the park that are calm and peaceful for a toddler to unwind and take a nap.
Rides for Toddlers at Disney World
Disney World is the ultimate family theme park! There are tons of family-friendly attractions that have no height requirement, which means…….Toddlers can ride! Note: If you only have 1 day in the parks, Magic Kingdom is hands-down the go-to park with toddlers because it has the most family-friendly attractions.
Here are the top 3 attractions for toddlers in each Disney park:
Magic Kingdom
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
EPCOT
- Frozen Ever After
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Journey into Imagination with Figment
Hollywood Studios
- Disney Junior Dance Party
- Toy Story Mania
- Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Animal Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Safari
- Na’vi River Journey
- Various Bird Shows
***It’s Tough To Be A Bug is a “family-friendly” attraction in the Tree of Life. You will feel compelled to see it because it’s inside of the big tree… DON’T DO IT! As an adult I love it, but really, it’s unnecessarily terrifying. Like, your day will be ruined afterward, scary.
Waiting in Line with Toddlers
Waiting in line is the scariest part of bringing toddlers to a busy theme park. The biggest thing is to know your kid. If your toddler is a runner, one of those backpack leashes is a good idea. If your toddler is scared of his own shadow, then a baby carrier is a good idea. Maybe your toddler will surprise you and want to stand like the big kids. Do what is best for your kids. Unlike the real world, in Disney, anything goes. Moms don’t look on in judgment.
Child Swap with Toddlers
Even though there are rides in Disney World that your toddlers can’t ride, doesn’t mean that YOU can’t ride! As long as you have at least one other adult with you, you all can ride with a service that Disney calls Child Swap.
Child Swap is easy and you don’t need to register for it. It is not the same system as Disney’s Disability Access service (DAS). When you want to use Child Swap just walk up to the Cast Member managing the Lightning Lane and they will scan your ticket. Your party will wait for the ride as normal and when they exit the attraction you will switch. They will stay with the baby and you will ride.
Disney’s Child Swap takes place outside of the actual queue line, so that is a great time for you to walk the toddler around for one of those quiet times. See more about Child Swap here.
Strollers / Wagons for Toddlers at Disney
Before we get into strollers and why you need them, let’s clear up confusion: DISNEY DOES NOT ALLOW WAGONS OF ANY KIND. If it was made by Red Flyer, it’s a no. If it pulls behind you, it’s a no. If it has wagon in the name, it’s a no. Unless you’re a Kardashian, you cannot bring wagons into Disney. Don’t be turned away at the gate because you want to argue why your wagon is not a wagon-wagon. We’ve seen it happen.
Strollers are absolutely necessary for toddlers. Disney World is not like the real world. In Disney, kids that are 5,6,7, and even 8 are riding in strollers. The average Disney day logs about 10 miles of walking. That’s a lot on little legs.
Storage
Strollers are also great because they can carry all of your stuff so you don’t have to. Toddlers need snacks, back up clothes, diapers, wipes, etc., but as adults you need things in Disney, too. Do you know how heavy water bottles feel after 10 miles?! Store them in the stroller! Win.
Stroller Rules
Disney’s stroller rules are very reasonable. They do not allow strollers larger than 31” wide and 52” long. Knowing that there is a limit gives a lot of people anxiety, but the average single stroller is 20” - 27”, and the average double stroller is 30.5” by 48”.
Renting vs. Bringing Your Own
There are pros and cons to both bringing your own stroller and renting strollers. You can rent strollers in Disney World for $15 per day or $13 for multiple days, but these are also not the most comfortable strollers ever made. They are cute, but they are hard. If you are planning on renting a stroller, consider Googling stroller rental companies around Disney. The strollers are much more comfortable for the baby and might actually be cheaper.
Stroller Parking and Apple Air Tags
There are set stroller parking zones all over the park. Do not freak out when you return to the parking zone and you don’t see your stroller. It’s common for Cast Members to have to move strollers for one reason or another.
Technology can be a blessing and a curse. Everyone it seems is covering everything in Apple Air Tags. Don’t panic when your phone shows that the stroller is moving. The odds of your actual stroller being stolen are very low. But the odds of it being moved by Cast Members is high.
Tips for not Losing your Stroller at Disney World
If you thought it was easy to lose your car in the parking lot, just wait until you have to find your black stroller amongst 1,000 other black strollers!
- Buy a balloon! Those insanely expensive Mickey balloons that the kids always want actually can serve a purpose! Tie it to your stroller and you can find it in the crowd.
- Other great ideas include covering in decorations, glow sticks, or colored electrical tape! (These obviously apply to only the strollers you own.)
How to Cut Down on Toddler Tantrums
