Disney vacation: Tips for traveling with toddlers

By Erin Kregor

Planning a Disney vacation with small children? It can be daunting, but don’t let it intimidate you; Disney World has plenty to offer kids of all ages. Here are some tips and recommendations for traveling with toddlers:

Accommodations

Consider staying at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. It’s perfect for visiting both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot (both have can’t-miss attractions for small kids) as the monorail actually stops right by the resort at the transportation and ticket center. From there it’s only two stops from the Magic Kingdom, and there’s another line directly to Epcot. The monorail will be your fastest way to the parks, the kids will love it, and it’s free if you stay at a Disney hotel.

Another great benefit is that the Polynesian Resort offers a character breakfast, which is extremely popular (consider calling ahead for availability and reservations, as it may be sold out). It’s a great opportunity to have one-on-one time (and pictures) with the Disney characters. Another perk of staying at a Disney hotel on property is the Extra Magic Hours, where every day a select Disney park opens at least an hour early and stays open up to three hours later. For a Disney vacation with little kids, it would definitely be worthwhile to go early and beat the crowds so you can get on the rides faster. Ask the front desk for a schedule when you check in, as these hours change seasonally.

Theme Parks

No Disney vacation would be complete without a stop in the Magic Kingdom. Many of the must-sees for toddlers are within Fantasyland. They include Dumbo the Flying Elephant (no fast passes), Peter Pan (fast passes available) and Winnie the Pooh (fast passes available). I would get there first thing, grab fast passes for Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh, then go ride Dumbo. If the park is pretty empty, skip the fast passes and just go for it!Also within the Magic Kingdom is Mickey’s Toon Town Fair, which is perfect for little kids, especially if they need to run off some energy. There are jungle gyms and other things for them to climb around on, as well as Minnie’s house, which is super cute and a kid pleaser. This is a great place to spend time while waiting for fast pass scheduled times.

Be sure to check out at least one parade within the Magic Kingdom during your Disney vacation. The biggest and brightest is SpectroMagic in the evening, which features lit floats and tons of characters. Wishes fireworks also are at night and are definitely a must see. You can ask any of the cast members (staff) and they’ll tell you the schedule.

The second must-see Disney park is Epcot. By far the favorite kiddy ride here is The Seas with Nemo & Friends. The interactive queue is like a show before the ride, and the ride itself is very cute and kids go bonkers for it. Don’t miss Turtle Talk with Crush, which is an amazing CGI interactive experience, and Bruce’s Shark World. Also be sure to check out the saltwater tank — it’s one of the largest in the world and basically an aquarium within the park. These all are located within the Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion, so it’s easy to hit all three. To maximize the fun, I would go on the day Epcot has Extra Magic Hours and get in early, as it’s very popular. (There’s a restaurant as well, so you could stay through lunch.)

Transportation

For your trips to and from the airport, take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express. This service is free if you stay at a Disney hotel, and I think it’s amazing. You drop your bags off when you check in at your home airport, and next time you’ll see them is when you get to your hotel room! No fighting for overhead space, lugging four bags through security or shoving them into a taxi. You’ll ride in nice (air-conditioned) coach buses from the airport to your resort. It works both ways, so on the way back you drop your luggage at the bell desk, and you can enjoy your day in the park bag free. Then you take the bus back to the airport and your bags are already checked in for you. It’s a great value and makes your Disney vacation that much easier.

Related Orbitz resources:

• Disney vacation

Related articles:

• Disney World Tickets: Magic Your Way vs. Park Hopper
• Bringing the kids to Disney World: Dealing with lines
• Dealing with the young and the restless at Disney World

Erin Kregor is a senior analyst at Orbitz Worldwide.

Tagged: Florida