5 Tips to Survive (and Enjoy) the Disney Parks with Little ones!

As a mom who’s been to Disney with my own littles for the past 4 years, I thought I’d share the lessons I’ve learned along the way to not just Survive but Enjoy the Disney Parks with Little ones! For context, my little ones are 4 and 7 and I’ve been using these tips since they were a <1 and 3, these tips will probably come in handy for any kids younger than 10 years old.

Let them steer…and more importantly let them pull the brakes

Did you know that Disney parks are designed to look completely different at 3.5 feet than at 5 or 6 ft.? Those imaginers man, they’re tricky. This means that your kid is seeing a whole different park! So yes have your itinerary but schedule some time where you just let them lead the way. It’s amazing what they will find! If you are always leading the charge, you’re going to miss out on how Disney was truly meant to be explored, hand in hand with your child! Now this part is also important, when they’re done…be DONE. I promise you, no “just one” last ride, snack, or photo will every go well once you’re kid had decided they are done. Besides why would you want to end such a magical day on a note of overtired misery? Make your peace with being done and just Elsa that ish and Let it Go.

Keep them comfy

I know those Woody cowboy boots and that Cinderella dress are just darling and will make the cutest pictures ever! By all means bring them…take the picture…and then take them off your kiddos and stick them in some cute, comfy, weather appropriate, active friendly, ketchup hiding clothes. If you wouldn’t prance around the Florida heat and humidity in a full polyester dress with 17 layers of tulle…don’t make your kid do that either. Also, we all know the outfit they loved last week is now their least favorite clothing item ever, so bring options.

Take Breaks

This one is touted often, Disney can be overwhelming and chances are your kids’ normal schedule involves a whole lot more rest than what they will get on a Disney vacation so make sure to schedule in some nap/rest times! I’m a typical park commando-rope drop to fireworks, so I won’t be a hypocrite and tell you to leave the parks in the middle of the day (even though that’s great advice) but my kids can nap anywhere and I take advantage of that. If you are like me, find yourself a nice long show, or honestly some soft hub grass, throw a blanket over the stroller and sip your coffee (or margarita you just got in Mexico) and let everyone get some rest!

Keep them fed and watered

This requires more planning than you might think. Yes Disney snacks are amazing, and it feels like a crime against humanity to pack food…but sometimes you might find yourself in the middle of a theme park Sahara without a snack cart oasis in sight. Add mobile ordering to the equation and you are asking for trouble. Kids often go from- Can I have a snack to full blown HANGRY in less than 10 seconds, so pack those snacks. Or get real good at anticipating their hunger. Also, dehydration in Florida is no joke, set a timer on your phone to make sure everyone takes a water break at least once an hour!

Love the trip you are on, not the one you planned

You’ve spent months planning every detail, and you just can’t wait for all those magical moments to happen exactly as you imagined them…and then reality hits. I’m a planner, I get it, I really do, but kids don’t. I’m not saying don’t have a plan, I’m saying get yourself emotionally ready for that plan to go out the window, and be ok with it.  Enjoy the trip you are on, imperfections and all. Be in the ACTUAL moment, not the moment that you designed months ago. So many times I just sat there fuming as fastpass times came and went, because I couldn’t drag my 3 year old away from a bubble machine, then I remembered, I’m on this trip to make them happy, and that bubble machine makes them happy, and that is a very good reason to love this trip at that moment.

Listen friends, your kids don’t stop being your kids once they cross that turnstile, if anything Disney doesn’t always bring out the best in kids. Don’t let that get you down, or scare you away from Disney. We’ve all walked past kids in meltdowns with parents that look super frustrated, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Follow these tips, and follow your gut, no one knows your kids better than you. Whatever works to calm them down and keep them happy in normal life will work in Disney (just with a few more mickey bars).