You are planning your trip, getting excited about all the fun rides and then bam...you run into the 40 inches tall dilemma.
What is the 40" dilemma you ask? It is the height restriction for most of the action packed rides (Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, etc). Each ride is different so make sure you check out the restrictions ahead of time.
So now what? You REALLY had your heart set on riding Space Mountain.
Here is a simple tip that we found worked well for us. Throughout the day pick a couple rides that are must dos. Let's say you want to ride Space Mountain. Grab your fast passes. Then when the time comes, dad goes on the ride and mom heads over to the Buzz Lightyear meet and greet. You will find that the timing is perfect. When dad gets out, he can take the kid(s) to People Mover, or grab a treat while mom rides.
Splash Mountain or Big Thunder is the same way. One parent gets in line to ride, while the other does the Woody and Jessie meet and greet. Than when you swap, one parent can take the little one(s) to the play ground or over to Country Bear Jamboree.
It's not as much fun going alone, I know. But it's still awesome knowing that you get to go on your favorite rides while your kiddos are perfectly content.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Making the most of Disney Parks with Tots
The one thing parents know for a fact is that kids are as unpredictable as the weather. While the Disney Parks are designed for kids, there is so much stimulation, that even the most routine of kids can be thrown off. Here are a few tips that have come in handy:
1: Do not overplan
I admittedly do not follow my own rule. I want to see and do it all! There are rides to ride and characters to meet, parades and fireworks to see. The thing is, most of our kiddos, while they have abundant energy, can't keep up with it all. Make sure you have realistic expectations and pace yourself.
2: Stick to the routine/nap times
Kids like routine. So stick with it as much as possible. If your little one eats lunch at 11:30 and naps at 12 than plan accordingly. My little guys have a harder time sleeping on vacation (away from their own beds). Realize that nap time may be a bit longer than usual. My husband and I (if we aren't sleeping as well) will trade off on pool time. Moms, this hour or 2 by yourself is heavenly!
3. Bring plenty of snacks/water
It's hot in Florida more months than not. Bring plenty of water/sippy cups with you. And pack those snacks. Over pack in fact. They work up quite an appetite.
4. Take advantage of the playgrounds
You go all the way to Walt Disney World to...play on a playground? Counterintuitive right? Actually no. It took me a few tries to understand just how important the playgrounds are. It brings a sense of normalcy to little ones.
So where are these located?
5. Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses
The Florida sun is hot and my fair skinned little guys burn easily. Even in the off months, it's still probably more sun than your little ones are used to.
6. Baby Care Centers
There is one in every park. They have changing tables, family bathrooms, a kitchen and even a room for nursing mothers. You can also purchase supplies if you forget diapers or wipes.
Basically, approach Disney World from a slower perspective. Get to the parks early for rope drop (and before the mid-day crowds arrive), leave around lunch (the sun is at it's peak anyway) and nap, and go back late afternoon.
You will have a blast no matter the pace.
1: Do not overplan
I admittedly do not follow my own rule. I want to see and do it all! There are rides to ride and characters to meet, parades and fireworks to see. The thing is, most of our kiddos, while they have abundant energy, can't keep up with it all. Make sure you have realistic expectations and pace yourself.
2: Stick to the routine/nap times
Kids like routine. So stick with it as much as possible. If your little one eats lunch at 11:30 and naps at 12 than plan accordingly. My little guys have a harder time sleeping on vacation (away from their own beds). Realize that nap time may be a bit longer than usual. My husband and I (if we aren't sleeping as well) will trade off on pool time. Moms, this hour or 2 by yourself is heavenly!
3. Bring plenty of snacks/water
It's hot in Florida more months than not. Bring plenty of water/sippy cups with you. And pack those snacks. Over pack in fact. They work up quite an appetite.
4. Take advantage of the playgrounds
You go all the way to Walt Disney World to...play on a playground? Counterintuitive right? Actually no. It took me a few tries to understand just how important the playgrounds are. It brings a sense of normalcy to little ones.
So where are these located?
- Magic Kingdom..under the railroad tracks/train station in Frontierland.
- Animal Kingdom...The Boneyard in Dinoland, USA
- Hollywood Studios...Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Streets of America
5. Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses
The Florida sun is hot and my fair skinned little guys burn easily. Even in the off months, it's still probably more sun than your little ones are used to.
6. Baby Care Centers
There is one in every park. They have changing tables, family bathrooms, a kitchen and even a room for nursing mothers. You can also purchase supplies if you forget diapers or wipes.
Basically, approach Disney World from a slower perspective. Get to the parks early for rope drop (and before the mid-day crowds arrive), leave around lunch (the sun is at it's peak anyway) and nap, and go back late afternoon.
You will have a blast no matter the pace.
Planning Made Easy
So you have decided that you are going to take the plunge. Congratulations!
Now what?
Here are a few simple steps (an outline so to speak) to plan your perfect Disney Vacation.
Step 1: Set your budget
This seems pretty self explanatory right? Wrong. Set a budget, otherwise you can get in over your head quick. Plus, your budget determines lodging, food choices, days at parks, which parks, etc.
Step 2: Determine When
The beauty of traveling with little ones is that our kids aren't in school yet. This gives us a lot of flexibility. And, because they are so small, swimming is not a big deal. The best times to travel with tots is September (when US kids have gone back to school) and January (after the 1st week).
I say it's the best time, because it is the least crowded. Just keep in mind that September is still hurricane season in Florida. A great resource to research crowd levels is Undercover Tourist. They have a crowd calendar by month, week and day.
Step 3: Pick a place to stay
This one is much more complex. You have so many options (and I've done them all).
You can stay onsite. There are many perks to staying in a Disney resort. There is transportation (or free parking at the parks if you choose to drive, which we do), extra magic hours, dining discounts may be available, and much, much more.
You can stay offsite at a hotel. There are a lot of hotels in the Orlando area that offer great deals (many which are close to Downtown Disney). So how do you find out about the deals? Subscribe to the newsletters of Allears.net and Mousesavers.com. Many hotels offer special discounts to subscribers of these. September and January are low seasons for hotels as well and they offer great discounts.
Another offsite option is vacation rentals by owner. It takes a bit of time to sift through all the condos/villas and determine location, etc. We found a villa that was 2.5 miles from the Magic Kingdom for $420/week in January.
Step 4: Food
Often, Disney will run a promotion for free dining at some point in the fall. This year it is select weeks September through December, but you have to book by September 15th.
If you do not have free dining than consider what your food budget is and plan accordingly. You can choose a dining plan or pay out of pocket. Often you can have breakfast in your hotel/villa and pack lunch to have at the parks (remember to pack those snacks!).
One thing I will say is that at Disney, the World is your oyster and the food is fantastic at the table service restaurants. And there are so many to choose from. Research, research research.
Once you've determined where you want to eat, schedule it ASAP (via website or by calling reservations). Reservations open up 180 days in advanced. Popular eateries like Ohana or Cinderella's Royal Table tend to fill up fast, even during the slower months.
Step 5: Sign up for My Disney Experience
Go to the Walt Disney World website and sign up for My Disney Experience (it's also an app). This is a great way to research food, events, parks, etc. You can make reservations and have it all linked in one place. If you are an organizer, this is for you.
I am a planner and usually start planning my Disney vacation 6-9 months in advanced. The beauty of a Disney vacation is that there is so much to do! You can meet the needs of everyone in your family.
Now what?
Here are a few simple steps (an outline so to speak) to plan your perfect Disney Vacation.
Step 1: Set your budget
This seems pretty self explanatory right? Wrong. Set a budget, otherwise you can get in over your head quick. Plus, your budget determines lodging, food choices, days at parks, which parks, etc.
Step 2: Determine When
The beauty of traveling with little ones is that our kids aren't in school yet. This gives us a lot of flexibility. And, because they are so small, swimming is not a big deal. The best times to travel with tots is September (when US kids have gone back to school) and January (after the 1st week).
I say it's the best time, because it is the least crowded. Just keep in mind that September is still hurricane season in Florida. A great resource to research crowd levels is Undercover Tourist. They have a crowd calendar by month, week and day.
Step 3: Pick a place to stay
This one is much more complex. You have so many options (and I've done them all).
You can stay onsite. There are many perks to staying in a Disney resort. There is transportation (or free parking at the parks if you choose to drive, which we do), extra magic hours, dining discounts may be available, and much, much more.
You can stay offsite at a hotel. There are a lot of hotels in the Orlando area that offer great deals (many which are close to Downtown Disney). So how do you find out about the deals? Subscribe to the newsletters of Allears.net and Mousesavers.com. Many hotels offer special discounts to subscribers of these. September and January are low seasons for hotels as well and they offer great discounts.
Another offsite option is vacation rentals by owner. It takes a bit of time to sift through all the condos/villas and determine location, etc. We found a villa that was 2.5 miles from the Magic Kingdom for $420/week in January.
Step 4: Food
Often, Disney will run a promotion for free dining at some point in the fall. This year it is select weeks September through December, but you have to book by September 15th.
If you do not have free dining than consider what your food budget is and plan accordingly. You can choose a dining plan or pay out of pocket. Often you can have breakfast in your hotel/villa and pack lunch to have at the parks (remember to pack those snacks!).
One thing I will say is that at Disney, the World is your oyster and the food is fantastic at the table service restaurants. And there are so many to choose from. Research, research research.
Once you've determined where you want to eat, schedule it ASAP (via website or by calling reservations). Reservations open up 180 days in advanced. Popular eateries like Ohana or Cinderella's Royal Table tend to fill up fast, even during the slower months.
Step 5: Sign up for My Disney Experience
Go to the Walt Disney World website and sign up for My Disney Experience (it's also an app). This is a great way to research food, events, parks, etc. You can make reservations and have it all linked in one place. If you are an organizer, this is for you.
I am a planner and usually start planning my Disney vacation 6-9 months in advanced. The beauty of a Disney vacation is that there is so much to do! You can meet the needs of everyone in your family.
Why travel to Disney when the kids are little?
One of the things I hear parents say most often is that they want to wait until their kids are older to go to Disney World. The main reason is that they want their kids to remember the experience. I say why wait? Go now!
Reason 1:
Kids are free until their 3rd birthday. This applies to both tickets and buffet meals. If you are traveling on a budget, this is an excellent way to save a few $$$.
Reason 2:
Memories that last a lifetime. Will your child remember every single event? No. But you probably will. And what you don't remember can be relived through photographs. I first went to Disney at age 3. I was so confused upon returning as an adult and not seeing the Skyway. I thought maybe I had made it up, until I saw old pictures.
Reason 3:
It's easy. This may sound strange, but it actually is. Going to Walt Disney World has got to be one of the easiest vacations with little ones. Trust me on this. Everything is geared towards kids. And, with rare exception, there are few companies out there that go to the extra mile to create an overall experience.
Reason 4:
It's fun for both kids and adults. Most of us love watching our children's faces as they experience new things. But it goes beyond that. There are great restaurants and even a bit of a nightlife (I will post later about child care at Disney).
Reason 5:
Meeting the characters. Our kids watch Disney movies and the Disney channel so they are pretty familiar with most of the characters. When my 1 year old saw Minnie Mouse for the 1st time, he simply lit up.
We only have one life. I figure, why not enjoy it? If we always wait for the perfect time, the opportunity might pass us by.
Reason 1:
Kids are free until their 3rd birthday. This applies to both tickets and buffet meals. If you are traveling on a budget, this is an excellent way to save a few $$$.
Reason 2:
Memories that last a lifetime. Will your child remember every single event? No. But you probably will. And what you don't remember can be relived through photographs. I first went to Disney at age 3. I was so confused upon returning as an adult and not seeing the Skyway. I thought maybe I had made it up, until I saw old pictures.
Reason 3:
It's easy. This may sound strange, but it actually is. Going to Walt Disney World has got to be one of the easiest vacations with little ones. Trust me on this. Everything is geared towards kids. And, with rare exception, there are few companies out there that go to the extra mile to create an overall experience.
Reason 4:
It's fun for both kids and adults. Most of us love watching our children's faces as they experience new things. But it goes beyond that. There are great restaurants and even a bit of a nightlife (I will post later about child care at Disney). Reason 5:
Meeting the characters. Our kids watch Disney movies and the Disney channel so they are pretty familiar with most of the characters. When my 1 year old saw Minnie Mouse for the 1st time, he simply lit up.
We only have one life. I figure, why not enjoy it? If we always wait for the perfect time, the opportunity might pass us by.
Welcome!
Welcome to Disney for Tots. I thank you for taking the time to stop by and visit.
I developed this blog out of research for my own Disney vacations. I have 2 little guys and we are big Disney fans!
Please note, this blog is not sanctioned by Walt Disney World. I do not represent the company and make no representation thereof. I am just a stay at home mom who loves to plan Disney trips.
My goal is to provide the best information and resources I can to parents who are traveling with little ones (infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers).
I look forward to your comments and feedback.
Have a great day!
~Anne
I developed this blog out of research for my own Disney vacations. I have 2 little guys and we are big Disney fans!
Please note, this blog is not sanctioned by Walt Disney World. I do not represent the company and make no representation thereof. I am just a stay at home mom who loves to plan Disney trips.
My goal is to provide the best information and resources I can to parents who are traveling with little ones (infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers).
I look forward to your comments and feedback.
Have a great day!
~Anne
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