Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Ken!
I'm so excited to hear you're planning a visit to the Walt Disney World Resort with your princesses. My Mouseketeers were right around your daughters' ages when we visited for the first time, and we also had low expectations – but when we stepped onto Main Street, U.S.A. and saw Cinderella Castle in the distance for the first time, we were all instantly hooked on the magic! I hope your family has the same experience.
This
list of attractions, which you can filter to see height requirements, will help you determine which rides will work for your family. You'll find the most "any height" attractions in Magic Kingdom Park, but there are many wonderful attractions for their ages at all four theme parks.
I highly recommend making at least one reservation for
Character Dining. This way, your girls will get a good meal (I love buffets at Disney, because they satisfy even picky eaters and the kids can get some fruits and veggies in their day) and you'll be able to meet several characters at once and get some great photos.
My family loves
meeting characters, and that's always a priority for us. I recommend purchasing
Memory Maker, which gives you access to PhotoPass photos that are taken when you meet characters, on select attractions, or when you stop to pose in iconic locations around the theme parks. There's even a really fun feature called Magic Shots, where magical surprises appear in your photos.
Don't miss the
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade and the
Happily Ever After fireworks spectacular at Magic Kingdom Park. Both are just breathtaking, and your daughters will sing, clap, dance and gasp in delight as they see their favorite stories come alive in both shows. I also love the Move It! Shake It! Mousekedance It! Street Party – it's just too much fun!
Ken, my favorite tips for avoiding magical meltdowns are: take breaks, bring snacks, and let them run around. I bring a backpack with sunscreen, bottles of water, and lots of snacks. For breaks, we either return to our Walt Disney World Resort hotel for a nap and a swim, or we head to a nearby resort hotel to enjoy a meal and explore. If your daughters still nap, try to find a way to nap –
I provide my favorite napping spots in this answer. Check each park map for play areas; some of my favorites are the
Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station,
The Boneyard, and Tom Sawyer Island.
As you plan your visit, be sure to read the Disney Parks Blog for news and tips, and check out this helpful
Planning Guide for Preschool Kids & Little Ones. Here on the Moms Panel, we have an endless supply of planning advice, so come back and see us if you have more questions. Ken, I hope you have the best time with your princesses at The Most Magical Place on Earth!
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn