Planning our first Disney trip with an 8 and 3 year old. Might you consider doing a video with tips for disney-ing with littles? Special experiences just for little kids? What to do if one in your party is too short for a ride (can part of your group tap in for a lightning lane while others do something else with the little and then switch?) Advice if you want to leave a park for a mid-afternoon nap and come back (ie: worth the splurge for a monorail hotel for ease of return)? Would really love your advice and thoughts on how to make the most of this experience with a “younger and shorter” family member. Thanks so much!!!
top of page
bottom of page
I’ll also add that the rider swap option might make your 8 year old love it even more if they like rides. They can ride several rides twice that way.
I love this topic. I’ve got 3 boys now 5, 8, and 11 but we have been going to Disney since my oldest was 4 and been addicted since. Some say don’t take little ones but for us it’s the best time to take them. While yours isn’t free anymore, the 2-4 year old age is the sweet spot for us as far as our favorite memories. We have done some trips where we all take nap breaks after lunch at the hotel. Sometimes we drink around the world while they nap in the stroller. Sometimes we go all day and night and let them fall asleep whenever they feel like it. My advice is to have a plan but be flexible. We rarely do resort pools much but typically plan an off day to do just that if the weather is nice. No matter what you decide you’ll be fine. Every family is different so do what you feel is best for your kids.
My advice:
Rent a jogging stroller (Orlando Strollers is the cheapest I’ve found). Bring a cooler with drinks and snacks for the kids and adults. Bring glowsticks for the kids. Let them eat ice cream or a cinnamon roll for dinner one night if they want. My kids get tired of the same kids menus everywhere so that’s what we let them do at Magic Kingdom. On your off day book a meal at a monorail resort (Ohana, Chef Mickeys, Steakhouse 71). Take a ride around the monorail before or after dinner. In Epcot, sign up for the scavenger hunts to entertain them in the world showcase. Take plenty of pictures and videos. You’ll watch them years later and miss those ages.
Also - little kids often prefer to spend more time at the resort pool than you might expect. On more than one occasion I’ve heard parents be shocked that their little ones want to go back to the hotel instead of ride more rides. 😅
Hi Amanda! This is a tough one for us because we don’t have a lot of experience doing Disney with little ones. There have been a few times that I have been to the parks with family and friends who have little kids and the main things I have learned are that WDW is very exhausting the really young ones so midday breaks are essential. Also, using rider switch on the rides where one kid is not able to ride is great for the kid(s) who can ride because they get to ride twice. I wish I had more advice to offer, but our experience with this is very limited.