Disney is a magical destination for families with small children, but a first trip can feel overwhelming. What should you pack, where should you stay, and how do you plan days with toddlers? This guide shares practical tips from multiple family visits to help you make the most of Disney with little kids.
Our family’s first Disney trip with kids was when our daughters were 6 and 2. Since then we’ve returned several times, stayed at different resorts, tried character dining and learned what works best for toddlers. Below I’ve condensed those lessons into clear, usable advice so your first visit can be more relaxing and more fun.
Our Disney Experiences
Our first trip we were novices, and we learned fast. Over several visits we experimented with different resorts, character meals, and ride strategies including Genie+, Lightning Lanes and individual selections. A few consistent takeaways: plan ahead, consider using a reputable Disney travel agent if you want help, and be realistic about how much your little ones will tolerate in a single day.
Disney Tips by Category
Where to Stay
We’ve stayed at three Disney resorts: Art of Animation, All-Star Movies and Caribbean Beach. Each has pros and cons depending on budget, convenience and your priorities.
Art of Animation (Value)
Art of Animation was fun and themed (our room was Little Mermaid), and it saved money. Downsides: rooms are small, the layout can mean long walks from the bus drop, and transportation can be slower. Good for budget-minded families who don’t mind more walking.
All-Star Movies (Value)
We stayed in a preferred All-Star Movies room close to the lobby and bus stops, which made transit easier. The resort is inexpensive, but buses stop at multiple All-Star properties, so travel times can be longer.
Caribbean Beach (Moderate)
Caribbean Beach is our favorite: comfortable rooms, a great family pool with slides and splash areas, and access to the Skyliner for quick rides to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. If you can, book a room near the Skyliner or pool. For future visits we’d also consider resorts like Beach Club or Yacht Club for their pools and proximity to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
Character Dining
Character meals are memorable but can be pricey. For young children they’re often worth it because characters come to your table and it’s a relaxing break from the parks. Here are the meals we tried and what we thought:
- Topolino’s Terrace (Riviera Resort) — Our favorite. Great food, excellent service and adorable character interactions that feel special without being rushed.
- Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom) — Iconic experience to eat in the castle and meet princesses. A perfect midday break during a long Magic Kingdom day.
- Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast (Trattoria Al Forno, Boardwalk) — A fun character meal featuring Ariel and Rapunzel; convenient to schedule on an off day since it’s not inside a park.
- Other meals — The Crystal Palace and Akershus offer classic character lineups. Some character restaurants are less satisfying due to food quality or cost, so weigh price versus experience.
Tip: Choose a few unique character meals you really want and use other strategies (ride lines, Lightning Lanes, meet-and-greets) for the remaining characters to avoid overspending.
Daily Schedule
With toddlers, our best plan was: arrive early for rope drop, ride major attractions with shorter lines first, stay until early afternoon, then return to the hotel for naps. After naps we’d go back to the parks for the evening. If your children are older and can handle full days, you can stay from open to close and schedule a sit-down meal or show during the hottest part of the day.
Favorite Rides for Little Kids
When our kids were small the most-loved rides were Barnstormer and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Magic Kingdom. Other family-friendly attractions we enjoyed include Peter Pan’s Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and the gentle rides at EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. More intense or popular rides often require Lightning Lane or individual selections.
Early Entry
If you stay at a Disney resort, you can take advantage of early entry (typically 30 minutes before park opening). To make the most of it, be at your resort transportation about an hour before early entry starts so you’re ready when gates open.
Memory Maker
We recommend purchasing Disney’s photo package (Memory Maker) if you want professional photos from character interactions and around the parks. It saves you from juggling a camera and ensures you have high-quality pictures of your visit.
Daily Surprises for Kids
To limit impulse purchases in the parks, we brought small pre-bought gifts that Minnie “left” each morning: activity books, small toys, glow sticks for nighttime, sunglasses, and themed shirts or pajamas. These little surprises added excitement and cut down on in-park spending.
Strollers
Renting a heavy-duty stroller is a game-changer if you have young children. We rented a double stroller that handled long park days and storage for bags. Even if a child can walk reasonably well, a stroller can save energy and provide a place to rest during long days.
What to Pack for Disney with Kids
- Packing cubes – Great for organizing family clothes in small resort rooms.
- Belt bag / fanny pack – Convenient for essentials and easy to keep on during rides.
- Pop-up laundry bag – Useful for dirty clothes and for doing laundry mid-trip.
- Stroller hooks – Handy for hanging water bottles or small purchases.
- Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks – You’re allowed to bring food and drinks into the parks; snacks help with hunger and wait times.
- Portable phone charger – Essential when you use the Disney app frequently.
- Refillable water bottles – Refill at quick-service locations to stay hydrated.
- Glow sticks/necklaces – For nighttime parades and fireworks without park purchases.
- Disposable ponchos – Florida rain is common; lightweight ponchos save money and hassle.
- Backpack – Pack daily essentials, extra clothes and small first-aid items.
- Soft-sided cooler – If you plan to carry perishable snacks, bring a soft cooler (allowed at the parks).
- Blister bandages – Pack specialized bandaids for blisters; they make long walking days manageable.
- Comfortable walking shoes – Bring multiple pairs if possible to avoid blisters and accommodate wet weather.
Planning Essentials
Two planning resources we found invaluable were a trusted Disney-focused planner for crowd and itinerary advice and an automation tool that helps manage Lightning Lane bookings. Whether you plan independently or use outside help, having a clear ride and dining strategy will make your days smoother.
Final Thoughts
Disney with little kids is a mix of planning and flexibility. Prioritize what will be most memorable for your family—special character meals, signature rides, or just relaxed pool time—and be willing to adjust when toddlers need rest. If you prefer to let an experienced agent or planner handle details, that can remove stress and let you focus on enjoying the magic.
If you have questions about a specific resort, ride, or packing item, feel free to ask — happy to share what worked best for our family.
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- What to Take to the Beach with a Toddler
- Organizing Kids’ Art and Memorabilia
- The Best Easter Basket Ideas for Kids