Disney World with Toddlers | Tips for Traveling with Little Ones

Taking your toddlers to Disney World can seem overwhelming, but it is a magical experience that offers fun for the entire family. The key to enjoying Disney World with toddlers is to plan ahead, and to focus on activities that are suitable for young children. These are our favorite tips for planning trips with toddlers!

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Start by considering your little ones’ specific needs and preferences. From shorter ride queues to toddler-friendly attractions, the park has many options that cater to young visitors. Remember to pack snacks, plan for nap times, and take frequent breaks to keep your kids happy and energized throughout the day.

Tip: Grab our planning itineraries for every theme park on our Guides page!

Researching and choosing the right time to visit can also enhance your experience. Look for less crowded seasons and take advantage of resources that can help you maximize your time at the park. With a bit of planning and flexibility, your family can enjoy all that Disney World has to offer.

Planning Your Visit to Disney World

Planning your trip to Disney World with toddlers requires a bit of preparation. And there are some ways you can help your trip to go as smooth as possible.

Choosing the Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Disney World is during off-peak seasons. These are typically January, February, and September. During these months, the Florida weather is nice, and crowds are smaller.

Visit our article on the best times to visit Disney World for ideas on what weeks to consider. Make the most of not having to adhere to a school calendar and plan your visit for a week that most school aged children will be in school.

Consider special events like holidays or festivals. For example, Christmas and Halloween attract many visitors. They can be fun but expect longer wait times during the busiest travel weeks. Aim for weekdays to avoid larger crowds from locals visiting on the weekends.

Check for weather forecasts. Summer can be hot and humid, so plan for mid-day breaks when the heat is at its hottest if you’re visiting this time of year. Visiting in cooler months might mean more comfort for your family.

Plan what to wear in every month of the year with this article!

Creating a Toddler-Friendly Itinerary

Create a relaxed itinerary for your visit. Focus on age-appropriate attractions such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant or the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Magic Kingdom. Our kids also loved the Disney Junior area in Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios when they were toddlers and preschoolers!

You’ll want to set a schedule that includes breaks. Toddlers can get tired quickly, so plan downtime at your hotel or in the park. Relaxing is important to keep everyone happy.

Have a flexible approach. If a ride is too busy, have backup options ready. This way, your family can enjoy Disney World without stress. Use our free itineraries to start planning your flow from one area of the park to another.

Essential Items to Pack

Packing the right items can make your visit easier. Download our free packing list printable to make sure you pack the essentials!

A stroller is essential for navigating the parks. Choose one that is lightweight and easy to fold. You’ll need to fold it up each time that you get on a Disney bus. There’s more information on renting strollers at Disney World in the linked article. 

Sun protection is key in Florida. Bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to keep your toddler safe from the sun. Remember to reapply sunscreen often.

Snacks and drinks are also important to keep energy levels up. Pack mess-free snacks in your park bag. Don’t forget a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day.

A first-aid kit with basics like band-aids and wipes can be helpful. Having these items on hand makes it easier to handle small bumps or scrapes. There are also First Aid Stations in every theme park.

Found in photo:

Air Tags / Air Tag Clip / Mouse Ear Holder / Stroller Organizer

Stroller Rain Cover / Air Tag Pin / Mouse Clips / Travel Diaper Bag

Don’t forget these stroller essentials!

Experiencing the Parks with Toddlers

Visiting Disney World with toddlers can be a fun adventure. There are attractions designed for little ones, dining options that cater to all ages, and places to rest when needed. Here’s what you need to know.

Toddler-Friendly Rides and Attractions

Disney World offers many rides suitable for toddlers. At Magic Kingdom, rides like Dumbo the Flying Elephant and It’s a Small World are gentle and colorful. Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is another great choice, full of familiar characters.

In EPCOT, Turtle Talk with Crush is interactive and engaging. At Animal Kingdom, enjoy The Festival of the Lion King for a fun theatrical experience. Hollywood Studios has Disney Junior Dance Party, where your toddler can dance and play with their favorite characters.

These attractions keep toddlers entertained and are fun for the whole family!

Toddler Friendly Activities Quick Guide – These are our favorite areas to visit at Walt Disney World with toddlers.

• Magic Kingdom – Storybook Circus, outdoor water play area when the weather is warm. It’s also home to Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride which has a great indoor play area for kids.
• Magic Kingdom – Fantasyland, has the largest concentration of toddler friendly rides, with favorites like It’s a Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, Mad Tea Party, and Prince Charming Regal Carrousel.
• Magic Kingdom – There are also lots of great stops in Adventureland, Flying Carpets of Aladdin and Jungle Cruise – and Tomorrowland, People Mover and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, that will keep little ones entertained.
• EPCOT – While EPCOT appeals widely to adults and older children, there are some great gems for little ones. Don’t miss the Living Seas, with real aquariums and The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Our kids also love the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros in the Mexico Pavilion. And Frozen fans won’t want to miss the Norway Pavilion, where you can meet Anna and Elsa – and ride Frozen Ever After.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Animation Courtyard is home to a number of fun characters that preschoolers will recognize, and the Disney Junior Play and Dance! show.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom – This theme park is extremely friendly to have a slow moving day for toddlers and preschoolers. Stop by the Kilimanjaro Safaris to see real animals in their habitat, watch The Lion King show, and don’t miss Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond. All of which are entertaining for little ones.
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Soon to be extinct… Dinoland is soon closing, but if you have a trip during 2025, don’t miss The Boneyard play area. One of the best play areas our kid’s have ever gone to. There is one entrance/exit and it’s huge, so this is a great one for adventurous kids.

These are our standout favorites that we made sure to visit every time at Walt Disney World with toddlers and preschoolers along!

Dining with Toddlers at Disney World

Disney restaurants offer many toddler-friendly meals. Quick service meals will often work the best with toddlers, as your can find many kid-friendly options on their menus. Most quick service restaurants also offer mobile ordering, this will help reduce your wait time to get your food and lets you focus on enjoying your meal.

If you’re looking for a special experience that gives you an opportunity to meet a number of characters at one time (while sitting in the air conditioning!) and getting a great meal – character dining is one of our favorite hacks to plan into our day with little ones.

We loved planning character dining experiences a few times during our trips with toddlers and preschoolers, as not only it provided an excellent break time, but it was a nice way to see a number of characters at one time.

Cinderella’s Royal Table gives your child a chance to meet princesses in the regal setting of Cinderella Castle. Chef Mickey’s is one of my kid’s favorites, and provides a lively atmosphere, perfect for character dining. ‘Ohana offers family-style dining, which is convenient for young kids.

You can also find options like chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese that appeal to picky eaters.

Visit our guide to character dining, for more information to help you plan these fun experiences!

Meeting Characters with Toddlers

Meeting the characters at Disney World may be an important part of your visit, some toddlers love interacting with their favorite characters that they recognize from shows!

Some toddlers may be a bit more timid to meet characters, so here are some tips to test out whether meeting characters is for them.

• Ask your toddler ahead of time who their favorite characters are and start a conversation about what characters they may see at Disney World.
• Catch a parade early in your trip, this way your child can see the characters from a distance and you can test their reaction.
• Keep mess-free snacks handy in line so that way if they get hungry while waiting you have something to fill them up.

Rest and Relaxation for the Family

Planning rest breaks is important for keeping your day on track with toddlers. Each park has Baby Care Centers equipped with changing tables, nursing rooms, and feeding areas. These spaces allow you to recharge away from the hustle.

There are Baby Care Centers in every theme park at Walt Disney World. Magic Kingdom has the largest center, located just near Casey’s Corner. EPCOT’s Baby Care Center is near The Odyssey, located near the entrance of the World Showcase.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a small Baby Care Center located right near the entrance of the theme park, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park has a Baby Care Center located near Creature Comforts that features Starbucks coffee. So you can grab a coffee and head to the care center to refresh!

To beat the heat, there are some fun water activities throughout the theme parks. Look for splash pads in parks like Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. These offer a fun way for your toddler to cool off. These areas are open seasonally.

• Magic Kingdom splash area is in Storybook Circus.
• EPCOT splash areas are available in the World Discovery area.

Alternatively, consider finding a shaded area to sit and relax. Taking moments to pause ensures that your family stays happy and recharged throughout the day.

• At Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, our kids always love taking some time to play the drums in the Africa area. They also have fun misting areas.
• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, stop for some ice cream at Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction and have some ice cream on the bench while you enjoy the view of the lake!

Planning Disney World with Little Ones

Disney World is a HUGE place and there is a lot to take  in there, so it can be overwhelming for some little ones. By arriving with a solid plan of what your must do activities will be and knowing the best way to take breaks for your family, will help keep spirits high during your trip.

We’ve been to Disney World many times with little ones along, and keep our family well fed is key. Along with taking strategic breaks throughout the day, and even going back to the resort to rest for a while in the middle of the day during the hotter months of the year. 

Use our Guides resources page for other helpful planning tips and suggestions. Also, don’t miss our itineraries for every theme park at Disney World! We have daily itineraries planned out for both thrill seekers and those parties that are looking for slower paced rides. These can help you maximize your time and have the best Disney day ever!