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Mom With Kids After RunDisney; Mickey Fantasia Hat; Donald Duck Hat; Goofy Hat
  • On Feb 8, 2008
    Caroline from DE Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    My husband and I are planning our first family trip to Disney. We have been several times, but have never gone with children. We plan to go in September when our children will be 16 months and almost 3. Any planning tips would be great-where to stay etc

    We had to make the transition to touring Walt Disney World as parents too. There are a few adjustments that will help make the trip easier on everyone.

    You’ll most likely be spending much of your time in the Magic Kingdom. There are delightful attractions at each park for toddlers and preschoolers but the Magic Kingdom will be your major focus.

    I would suggest staying in a resort that makes transporting your family to that particular park as easy as possible. Ideally, one of the monorail resorts would work best. However you’ll pay for the convenience with higher room rates. The Wilderness Lodge hotel offers bus and boat transportation. In transit time by boat is approximately 8 minutes. The Wilderness Lodge is also a deluxe hotel but it is not as pricey as the monorail resorts.

    For a moderate resort, look at the smaller and quaint Port Orleans French Quarter. The pool delights kids. For a value resort, check out the Pop Century. This resort does not share buses with any other resort. So when you get on the bus, you’ll go directly to your destination. In transit time to the Magic Kingdom is about 25 minutes.

    Next, utilize the baby care centers offered in each park. These are quiet places for your little ones (and you) to take a break. It’s a good place for potty-training kids too. Look at your park map for locations.

    Realize that you won’t see and do half as much as you did when touring alone. Instead slow down and soak up the magic through your children’s eyes. Be ready for unexpected stops. When our son was 2, he was fascinated by the squirrels, ducks and rabbits at the parks and hotel. Instead of rushing him along, we let him stop and observe these creatures. This gave us time to stop and notice the details that make the parks so special. The music, the architecture and the themes.

    Finally, take mid-day breaks. An afternoon nap in the room and/or time spent in the pool, will refresh everyone. You’ll all have more fun if you are rested.
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Meet the Panelist: Kimberly, Tennessee

I am a stay-at-home mom with a 12 year old son. I thrive on planning vacations, especially to WDW. Inspiring families to vacation at Disney with a memorable itinerary and budget-saving tips is extremely rewarding for me. Learn More About Kimberly

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