Disney World with Kids: Tips for a Magical Experience (Part I)

Those who know us, know that we are a Disney family. We got married at Disney World, I ran my first marathon there, and our son got to go to Disney parks 4 times before his 5th birthday–kids are free until they're 3 after all! The pandemic put a pause on our Disney adventures, but we returned triumphantly to Disneyland in 2021 and last year we headed back to Disney World TWICE to celebrate its 100th Anniversary and 10 years of marriage for us with a kid-free(!) Disney adult trip.

All that is to say, if you have questions about preparing to visit Disney World with (or without!) kids, we've got answers. It can be an intimidating experience for the uninitiated, but with these tips and a little bit of prep, I hope it can be as magical experience for your family as it has been for mine!

First time? Go with a Pro!

In this digital age you're probably used to booking flights and hotels yourself and the idea of using a travel agent might seem obsolete. But when it comes to Disney, there are some real advantages to booking with an agent and very little downside. If it's your first time planning a Disney trip, you might not have any idea where to start. There are plenty of travel agents who specialize in Disney vacations, and it doesn't cost you a penny to have them do the legwork for you. A good agent will keep fully up to date on Disney park news and developments, ensure you get the best deals when new discounts are announced, and even secure hard to get dining reservations.

Going pro isn't just for Disney newbies either. In the past, I managed everything myself, but this year I enlisted the help of my friend, Brittany of Fairytale Journeys to manage our bookings. Beyond booking our hotel and park tickets, she helped us arrange airport transfers, rent strollers, and book extras like Memory Maker (the photo pass for Disney). She got up before 5am to make our advanced dining reservations. If that alone doesn't sell you on why you should go with a professional, then you must not be as sleep deprived as this momma is.

Choosing the Right Time of Year

We've been to Disney World pretty much every season, but the best time to go? Hands down, when school is in session. If you want to avoid the biggest crowds and the hottest weather, consider taking your kids out of school for a few days in the fall, end of winter, or even the beginning of May. Room rates and flights are often less expensive too during the off season. When people talk about having a miserable time at Disney, it's more often than not because they went during the insanity over Christmas break, Spring break, or even Mid-Winter recess (NYC schools observe this every year during the week of President's Day).

If your kids are older or pulling them out of school isn't an option, look for unusual school breaks. We happened to have a 4 day weekend at the beginning of June this year, and jumped on the spring room discounts. A lesser known fact, Labor Day is actually not a crowded day since around the country school has just kicked off. But early September is also hurricane season, so if you take a chance on Labor Day, know that you might experience some weather related hiccups or delays–this happened to us in 2019!

Sweet Deals for Return Visits

Ready for some pixie-dusted news? Bounceback offers are back, baby! If you're staying at an official Walt Disney World resort, keep your eyes peeled for a special treat—a Future Stay offer! You might find this magical deal as a flyer in your room or even popping up on your resort TV. And here's a new sprinkle of magic: you’ll also get an email with these offers on the morning of your checkout day.

So, what's the big deal? Well, these offers could score you a fantastic 20-40% off rack rates or even nab you free dining plans! To take advantage of these sweet deals, you’ve got to book the offer and make your deposit within 7 DAYS of checking out from the resort. For now, you can still only book these over the phone. If you’re calling from outside your resort room, no worries—just dial 407-934-7639.

Not sure what your plans are next week, let alone next year? Don't sweat it! You can cancel up until 30 days prior to your arrival date for a full refund of that deposit.

Choosing the Right Parks

Deciding which parks to visit depends a lot on the ages and interests of your family members. If you have the time and the energy to do all four parks at once, go for it! More often than not though, we find that we can only do three parks after factoring in two days of travel. With little ones even three days in a row of Disney could feel like too much, so if it means you'll get more out of the experience, take that into consideration. Consider scheduling only two park days with a resort day to decompress in the middle, you can always return to Disney another time and visit the other parks you missed!

To help you narrow down the choices, here's a quick breakdown of the different parks so you can decide which ones to prioritize for your family.

Magic Kingdom: Best for the Classic Disney Experience. As the OG, any trip to Disney World without a stop at the Magic Kingdom might feel a bit strange. It has all the classic rides, a good variety for all ages, and is the best place to see cavalcades of princesses and the Fab Five. It has the biggest parades and the best nighttime fireworks and light show of all the parks. With all the different "lands" there is so much to see and do in the Magic Kingdom that you could easily spend two days there.

Main drawback at Magic Kingdom: Of the four parks, it's still the only one where you won't find alcohol openly served and carried around. If you need a drink to take the edge of family vacation off–we've all been there, right?–you'll have to dine at a table service restaurant which require advance reservations, or ditch the park altogether and visit the bars at any of the deluxe resorts along the monorail.

Hollywood Studios: Best for Disney Plus addicts. If your kids' favorite babysitter is Disney Plus, then they're probably growing up watching Disney Jr., Pixar films, and Star Wars. We used to skip Hollywood Studios, but since the addition of Toy Story Land and Galaxy's Edge, that park has a lot more to offer than when we were growing up and may have the most exciting "celebrity" sightings for our fully indoctrinated Disney kids. Our son has now watched virtually every Star Wars movies or show that has been released, so we are hopeful his first experience with the interactive Rise of the Resistance attraction will blow his mind. Our daughter, in the meantime, will be off meeting Doc McStuffins or Vampirina and joining in on the Frozen Sing-a-long.

Main drawback at Hollywood Studios: It has very few rides that are good for smaller children. Notably, before the recent addition of TRON at Magic Kingdom, the Rock 'n' Rollercoaster at Hollywood Studios had the tallest height requirement of any rides in any of the four parks at 48 inches. Plus, securing a ride on popular attractions like Slinky Dog Dash or Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run can feel more difficult and more complicated than securing a spot in daycare for your toddler.

Animal Kingdom: Best for Zoo Lovers. Think of Animal Kingdom as an enormous zoo that has been Disneyfied. Like a zoo, there are many meandering paths and animal habitats to explore. Our kids especially enjoyed the Kilimanjaro Safari and Lion King musical performance. The two Pandora rides, especially Flights of Passage, are very popular, and Expedition Everest gives Big Thunder Mountain Railroad a run for its money as the best classic coaster.

Main drawbacks at Animal Kingdom: There are fewer opportunities to escape the sun and heat compared to the other parks which have more "dark" rides and attractions. If your family doesn't mind getting wet (and meets the 38 inch height requirement), a ride on Kali River Rapids will get you completely soaked and is sure to cool you off.

Epcot: Best for Making Learning Fun. We like to compare Epcot to a natural history, science museum, and aquarium all rolled into one and sprinkled with fairy dust. Some might call it the "boring" park, but it's our family's favorite. If anyone can make learning fun, it's got to be Disney. My favorite time of year to visit is during the Food & Wine Festival which now goes from the end of July clear up to the week before Thanksgiving, so plenty of time to get your eat and drink on.

Main drawback at Epcot: We think the attractions are perfect for a younger and adult crowd, but with the exception of the newest Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride, there might not be much to appeal to teens.

We found Animal Kingdom and Epcot to be the best for toddlers, kids, and adults, who are easily overwhelmed – our highly sensitive child had more opportunities at those two parks to take a moment and reset. These two parks are a bit less thematically Disney and more grounded in the familiar which can be helpful for those with sensory sensitivity.

As you embark on your Disney adventure, remember that the magic is in the details. From choosing the right time to visit to picking the perfect park, your journey is bound to be unforgettable. For more tips, insights, and personal experiences that make every family trip special, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter. Join our community for weekly updates that will help you navigate the wonders of Disney and beyond. Subscribe today and keep the magic alive!