Tips for Disney World With Kids: What Parents Say Actually Helps
If you’re looking for tips for Disney World with kids, you’ve probably already come across a long list of hacks and strategies.
Some of them are helpful. Some of them sound good in theory but don’t really hold up once you’re actually there, especially when you’re managing everything on your own with little kids.
So instead of putting together another generic list, I did something a little different.
I asked other parents what actually made a difference for them at Disney World. Not the big planning stuff, but the small, real-life things that helped their days go more smoothly. Then I went through everything and pulled together the ones that kept coming up, along with a few that I use on every trip with my own kids.
These are the kinds of tips that don’t always make it into planning guides, but end up being the things that save your day when you’re actually in the parks.
The Small Things that Make a Big Difference
Before our first few trips, these are the kinds of things I wouldn’t have thought twice about. But once you’re actually in the parks with kids, these are often the things that end up saving your day.
Glow sticks or lights on your stroller at night
This came up a lot from other parents. We’re usually out of the parks earlier since we stick to earlier bedtimes, so I haven’t personally needed this, but it makes a lot of sense. Stroller parking areas all start to look the same at night, and having something like glow sticks or small lights would make it much easier to find yours quickly. I could also see this being a simple way to keep kids entertained at the end of a long day.
AirTag your stroller
This is one I haven’t personally done, but it came up a lot and a lot of parents swear by it.
Cast Members move strollers around pretty frequently to make space, and it can feel like yours just disappeared when you come back. Having an AirTag makes it much easier to track it down quickly.
And while it’s unlikely, strollers can get taken by mistake or even stolen. In that case, having a way to track it would make a really stressful situation a lot easier to deal with.
Bring a large bag for bus transportation
If you’ve ever had to fold a stroller while a bus is pulling up, you know how quickly that moment can turn chaotic.
This is a big one for me, especially when I’m traveling alone with really little kids. I’ve had situations where I’m holding a sleeping child and trying to fold the stroller before the bus leaves, and there’s no extra time to think through where everything is.
Because of that, I usually try to keep very little in the stroller. But on days when we end up with more stuff, having one large bag where everything is already together makes a huge difference. You can grab it with one hand, fold the stroller, and keep moving without everything falling apart.
Bring Ziploc bags
This came up over and over again, and it’s something I use constantly. They’ve saved me in so many situations, like when my kids have had accidents, blowout diapers that got on their clothes, or even just wanting to take snacks like fries with us for later. I usually bring gallon-size ones because they’re the most versatile. I’ve tried reusable wet bags, but I honestly prefer Ziplocs for this. If something gets really gross, I can just throw it away and not deal with it for the rest of the day. They’re also great for things like wet clothes or keeping your phone dry on water rides.
Take photos of your kids’ reactions, not just the rides
I’ve never really thought about this before, but I love this one and will absolutely be doing it next time we’re there. There are endless perfect photos of fireworks and parades online, but the moments you’ll actually care about are your kids seeing it all for the first time. Those reactions are what you’ll want to remember.
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Handling Naps and Long Days
This is one of the areas where Disney advice can feel really conflicting, especially once you’re actually there trying to figure it out in real time. What works for one family doesn’t always work for another, and I’ve found this is especially true when it comes to naps.
You don’t always have to leave the park for a nap
This is one we do all the time.
My kids have never really followed their normal nap schedule when we’re at Disney World. Everything is so overstimulating that they usually end up falling asleep earlier or more often than they would at home.
Because of that, I actually prefer not to go back and forth to the hotel in the middle of the day, especially when I’m alone and dealing with transportation and the stroller. It can easily turn into 45 minutes to an hour each way, and by the time you get there and back, it’s a big chunk of your day.
Instead, we just plan for stroller naps. We travel with a stroller that fully reclines, and I let them fall asleep whenever they need to.
One time after an early morning flight, both of my kids fell asleep in the stroller at Animal Kingdom and slept for almost two hours. I got to walk around and explore on my own, and honestly it was one of my favorite parts of the trip.
That said, this is one of those things that really depends on your kids. Some families really do better with a full break back at the hotel.
But if your kids will nap in the stroller, it can make your day feel a lot more flexible.
But sometimes you really do need the break
All of that said, this came up just as strongly from other parents too.
If you’re a family that likes to start early and stay late, going back to the hotel in the middle of the day can be the reset that makes the whole day work. A nap, some time in the pool, and a slower pace for a few hours can make a big difference before heading back out at night.
This is one of those things where there really isn’t a single right answer. It depends on your kids, your pace, and what kind of day you’re trying to have.
Bring pajamas and change them before leaving the park
I haven’t actually done this at Disney yet, but I have done it at home when we’re leaving somewhere later in the evening, and it makes such a difference.
If your kids are already in pajamas and fall asleep on the way back, you can just lay them in bed and walk away without having to wake them up to change them. After a long park day, that would make the end of the night so much easier.
When Kids Start to Hit Their Limit
This is the part of the day that can either go really smoothly or completely fall apart. Most of the tips here are less about preventing meltdowns entirely and more about knowing how to handle them when they start to happen.
Go with the flow more than you think you should
This came up a lot, and it’s something I fully believe.
You might go into Disney with a lot of expectations for how your day will look, whether that’s from past trips before you had kids or from what you see online. But one thing you’ll learn pretty quickly is that your kids don’t have those same expectations.
They’re going to find the most random things exciting.
One time my kids spent 15 minutes outside a store in Disney Springs just throwing brand new stuffies up in the air and catching them, and they had the time of their life. And every single time we pass the train set in the Germany pavilion in EPCOT, they have to stop and watch it for way longer than you’d expect.
Those are the moments they remember.
Trying to rush past those things to get to the next ride or the next plan is usually when everyone starts to feel overwhelmed. Letting them lean into those moments is what actually makes the day feel good.
Save the “fun stuff” for when you need it
This is something I do all the time.
I always plan to buy my kids a few toys or snacks, but I don’t do it right away. I usually save those for when I need just a little more time or patience out of them.
One time I really wanted them to stay for the fireworks in EPCOT instead of heading back early, and they were starting to get antsy about an hour before. I bought them new toys right then, and they happily played with them while we waited. We made it through the fireworks with no issues.
A lot of parents mentioned doing this in different ways, whether it’s bubble wands, balloons, or special snacks. It’s one of those simple things that can completely turn the mood around at the right moment.
Lollipops or small treats during shows
This is similar to the last one, but more specific to those longer shows or fireworks.
Saving a really special treat for that moment can help push them through when they’re getting tired or starting to feel overwhelmed. It also works as a distraction if they’re nervous about loud noises.
This was suggested by a few parents, and it’s one of those small things that can make a big difference in how that part of the day goes.
Remember: if you’re overwhelmed, they probably are too
This one isn’t really a tip, but it’s important.
Heat, crowds, noise, long days… it all adds up quickly. Sometimes what looks like a meltdown is just a kid who needs a break.
It’s also a good moment to check in with yourself. I’ve definitely had times where I’m pushing through thinking “I’m doing this for them,” when in reality they probably need the rest just as much as I do. Sometimes it makes more sense to skip what you had planned and find somewhere quiet to rest instead.
Things That Help a Lot With Younger Kids
These are the kinds of things you don’t really think about until you’re in the moment with little kids and realize something simple would make things a lot easier.
Post-it notes for automatic toilets
This is one I haven’t personally needed, but I thought it was such a smart idea.
Almost all of the toilets at Disney World are automatic flush, and if you have a little one who’s potty training, that can be pretty jarring when it flushes in the middle of using it. A simple Post-it note over the sensor stops that from happening.
They’re easy to throw in your bag, don’t take up any space, and you can just toss them when you’re done.
Headphones for loud rides and shows
Disney can be much louder than you expect, especially for little ones.
We now bring noise cancelling headphones with us because my son is really sensitive to loud noises. It’s not just fireworks and parades. Some of the rides themselves can be surprisingly loud too. Frozen Ever After and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train are two that stand out for us.
Having headphones has made a big difference. It helps reduce the noise and makes those experiences feel a lot less overwhelming.
Change of socks and shoes
This isn’t something we usually worry about since I try to travel as light as possible, but it came up a lot and it’s a really good tip.
It rains a lot in Florida, and often without much warning. Wet shoes and socks can make kids uncomfortable really quickly.
Even if you don’t want to carry extras into the park, having a backup pair at the hotel can make a big difference. It can take a long time for shoes to dry, and starting the next day with wet sneakers is not ideal.
Use the Baby Care Centers
I use the Baby Care Centers all the time, and they are one of my favorite resources in the parks.
Before I had kids, I didn’t even really know they existed, and I was honestly floored by how helpful they are. They have nursing rooms, changing tables, tiny toilets for kids who are potty training, free cold drinking water, bottle warmers, and even tables where you can sit and have a snack while Disney cartoons play on the TV.
One time I was even able to get baby Tylenol with a syringe for my daughter when she refused to take it from a cup.
It’s one of the easiest places to reset for a bit. Air conditioning, a quieter space, and somewhere to just sit for a minute can make a big difference in your day.
Decisions That Can Make Your Day Easier
These aren’t small, in-the-moment tips, but they came up enough that they’re worth thinking about ahead of your trip.
Lightning Lanes can be worth it with kids
This is something I do every single time we go to Disney.
Even if we’re just using the Lightning Lane passes for smaller rides with shorter waits, saving even 10 minutes in line with wiggly toddlers is worth it to me. And once you start using them for bigger rides with longer waits, it can make an even bigger difference in how your day feels.
This came up a lot from other parents too. Shorter wait times can change the pace of your day, especially when you’re managing everything yourself.
Character dining instead of long meet-and-greet lines
This is something we’ve always done, but not really on purpose. I didn’t fully think of it this way until I saw it come up from other parents.
Standing in line to meet characters can be tough, especially with little kids. The waits can get long, and then the interaction itself is pretty quick.
With character dining, it tends to feel a lot easier. The kids are sitting, eating, and distracted while they wait for the characters to come around. In my experience, the interactions are often more relaxed and feel a little more personal.
And as a bonus, most character dining experiences are buffet or family style, which means kids under 3 eat for free.
If you can, stay somewhere with easier transportation
This is a huge one for us, and something I think about every time we plan a trip.
I’m usually traveling alone with my kids and managing a double stroller by myself, so how we get around really matters. The easiest days are always the ones where I don’t have to fold the stroller.
Being able to walk to the parks, like in the EPCOT resort area, or take the monorail where you can roll the stroller right on without folding it, makes a big difference. The Skyliner can be great too depending on your stroller. Smaller strollers can roll right in, but my double is too big and has to be folded.
And that’s where it gets tricky. Folding a stroller while holding a sleeping child, and then getting onto a bus or boat, can be a lot when you’re on your own.
It’s not always possible to choose your resort based on transportation, but if you can, it can make your entire trip feel a lot easier.
A Few of My Personal Favorites
These are a few things I’ve figured out over time that I now do every trip without even thinking about it.
Skip the stretching room at Haunted Mansion
My kids used to be scared to go into the stretching room, and honestly I get it. It gets dark suddenly, there are loud noises and screams, and it can feel pretty intense for little kids.
The good news is you can skip it entirely.
When you get to the entrance, just ask the Cast Member who’s letting people into the Mansion if you can bypass the stretching room. They’ll give you a card and direct you down a hallway that brings you to the ride entrance on the other side.
It makes that experience so much more manageable if you have a child who might be nervous about it.
Use the Dumbo playground without riding the ride
The Dumbo ride has a big air conditioned playground inside the queue, and it’s one of the best places to cool down during a hot day in Magic Kingdom.
If your kids don’t really care about riding Dumbo, you can still use the playground. You don’t have to go on the ride to take advantage of it.
The only thing to know is that if the line is long enough to extend past the playground entrance, you will have to wait in line until you reach that point. But once you’re there, it’s a great place to let kids run around for a bit while you sit and take a break.
Early entry doesn’t always mean doing the most popular ride first
This is one of my favorite ways to start the day right now.
We still show up for early theme park entry and rope drop, but instead of running straight to the most popular rides like everyone else, we do the opposite. I usually save those for Lightning Lanes and use that early time to head to quieter parts of the park.
We’ll ride things like PeopleMover with almost no one else on it, walk onto rides with little to no wait, or just grab coffee and something small to eat and take it slow.
Some of our most memorable moments have come from doing this. We’ve had one on one time with characters who were just out wandering around, like Chip and Dale near Space Mountain, or dancing with Figment by Journey into Imagination.
It’s such a different experience being in the park before the crowds really build, especially when you’re there with little kids. Slowing down and easing into the day can make everything feel a lot more enjoyable.
Keep your stroller empty or covered
This is one I’ve learned just from being there.
It rains a lot in Florida, and it can happen really unexpectedly. You can leave your stroller sitting in full sun and come back to pouring rain you never saw coming.
I see this all the time with strollers that are packed with snacks, electronics, and souvenirs, all just sitting there uncovered.
If something matters, I take it with me onto the ride. And if you do leave things behind, having a rain cover makes a big difference.
What Actually Makes the Biggest Difference
After going through all of these, the biggest takeaway isn’t one specific tip. It’s having a few things in your back pocket that make the day easier when you need them.
Some of these you’ll use all the time. Some you might not need at all. And some will end up being the thing that saves your day in the moment.
Not all of these are going to work for every family. You’ll figure out pretty quickly what works for your kids, and you’ll probably end up with your own little routines and tricks along the way.
That’s honestly part of the experience.
It’s not about doing everything perfectly, it’s about finding what works for your family and making the day feel a little easier as you go.
Have questions about these tips or want advice from other solo parents? Join my free Facebook group for parents traveling alone with babies, toddlers, and young kids. You’ll find support, real-life answers, and tips from parents who’ve been there, wherever you’re headed in the world.
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