• On Feb 10, 2021
    Jessica from NC Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I haven’t been to Disney since 2014 and we’re taking my 1 year old niece and 4 year old nephew in April, but staying off property which I’ve never done before. What are some must sees and dos and what should we do before we go since we’re off site?

    Hey there, hi there, ho there Jessica! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with another great question. How exciting that you'll be taking some Mouseketeers along on your upcoming vacation!

    My son and daughter are similar in age to your niece and nephew and have been visiting Walt Disney World since they were infants. We almost always stay onsite, but since we have family in Florida, we sometimes sneak off to the theme parks for a day trip when visiting them. I'll share some tips for arriving from offsite as well as some of my kids' must-do experiences.

    Since you'll be driving in from offsite, you'll want to try to arrive as early as possible to secure a good parking spot. During the current phase of reopening, the parking lot trams are not running, so you may be in for quite a walk. Plan for a little extra time to unpack the car, buckle the kiddos into a stroller, and hike to the tapstiles! We prefer to bring two single strollers rather than one double for our kids, as they have different interests and we usually split up a few times each day. 

    Even though you'll be visiting from offsite, you can still use a MagicBand (either newly purchased or reused from a previous trip) to redeem theme park admission and link Disney PhotoPass images. We keep one MagicBand per family member at my relatives' house in Florida to use for our day trips. It saves us a stop at Guest Relations upon arrival if we don't have to pick up admission cards. 

    Now let's talk about must-do attractions for the youngest Mouseketeers in your crew. Everything will be so incredible for them, and I can't wait for you to experience the magic through their eyes. Your niece can ride any attraction without a height requirement, and I recommend trying as many as you can; you never know what she will enjoy! If Disney's Hollywood Studios is on the itinerary, don't miss Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. It is so much fun and perfect for the whole family. If your nephew meets the 38-inch height requirement and is a little on the adventurous side, he'll love Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Slinky Dog Dash, and Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all new since your last visit!

    My kids love to see their favorite Disney pals on vacation, and the best way to catch a glimpse of Mickey Mouse and his friends these days is to book a character meal (my pick is Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera) or to watch for the character cavalcades as they make their way through the theme parks.  

    Jessica, I hope this gives you some ideas as you continue preparing for your magical adventure. Please come back as more questions arise; we're happy to help with everything from packing to getting the whole family involved in the planning. Thanks again for stopping by, and we'll see ya real soon!

    Betsy
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Meet the Panelist: Betsy, Maryland

Greetings! I'm Betsy, a middle school teacher, wife, and mom of two. My family and I love to travel the world, but our best memories are those made when we're visiting Walt Disney World. No matter how many times we visit, there is always something new to see, ride, or eat at the Disney Parks. Learn More About Betsy

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