Embarking on a magical journey to Disney with your little ones can be both exciting and daunting. As a seasoned Disney parent, I’ve discovered that the key to a truly enchanting experience lies in the simple yet powerful mantra, “Let them be little!”

In this blog post, I’ll share my tips for ensuring that your family’s visit to the most magical place on earth is not only memorable but also filled with joy and wonder. So, let’s delve into the art of embracing the magic through the eyes of your little ones and creating cherished moments that will last a lifetime.

Get Those Wiggles Out

So much of our son’s time in the parks was spent in his stroller as we were walking from one ride or attraction to the next. I quickly realized that he needed more time out of his stroller to explore, play, and get those wiggles out!

Here are my favorite places in each park to do just that:

Magic Kingdom – Hub Grass in Front of Cinderella’s Castle

Grab a Quick Service mobile order and have a picnic on the grass while your little one crawls, toddles, or runs around! You may even catch a stage show or a parade go by!

Epcot – Canada & Morocco Pavilion

We love to get our son out of the stroller to explore both of these countries on foot. There’s something around every corner for them to enjoy!

Check out my blog post “traveling epcot’s world showcase with a preschooler” for more tips!

Hollywood Studios – Disney Junior Dance & Play

Our son absolutely loves being able to dance and play along with some of his favorite Disney characters!

Animal Kingdom – Maharaja Jungle Trek

Walking hand-in-hand with our son as he explored this incredible trail was a memory we will cherish forever. Check out my blog post “toddler approved hidden gems in Disney’s Animal Kingdom” for more information!

Take Advantage of Your Resort Amenities

From themed pools and splash pads, immersive play areas, and fun modes of transportation, your resort really is a treasure trove of experiences! Let your resort become an integral part of your Disney journey, as a place to unwind from the often-overstimulating parks and an extension of enchantment that defines the Disney experience!

These are our three favorite ways to let our son be little at our resort:

Pool & Splash Pad

If your little one is a water baby like mine, you are going to to want to make time to visit the pool and splash pad area at your resort!

On-Site Playground

We all know that play is the best way for our little ones to learn and explore! In true Disney fashion, these playgrounds are fun, interactive, and sure to entertain your little ones. I love being able to say that our son went down his first slide at our Disney resort!

Extra Modes of Transportation

It’s not every day that you get enjoy a boat, Skyliner, or monorail ride! Take adavange of any extra mode of transportation at your resort and ride them just for fun!

Our Walt Disney World resort has quickly become more than just a place to rest our heads during our trip. We have found that fully taking advantage of our resort’s amenities has led to some of our most cherished Disney memories and truly allowed our son to be little!

Schedule Rest into Your Trip

There is nothing I love more than spending an entire day in a Walt Disney World theme park, but I quickly realized that in order to truly enjoy our time in the parks, we needed to incorporate rest into our trip! Amidst the rides, attractions, and character meet and greets, it’s easy to underestimate how overstimulating that can be not only for our little ones, but for ourselves as well.

These my favorite tips for ensuring our little one stays well-rested during our trip:

Let them sleep in

When it comes to Disney, the age-old adage, “never wake a sleeping baby” holds true!

Take a Midday Break at Your Resort

Even if your little one will nap in the stroller, I still find that taking a midday break at your resort to get a really good nap allows for a much more enjoyable afternoon and evening experience in the parks. Especially if you want to make it to fireworks!

Schedule a Full Rest Day During your Trip

Back-to-back days in the parks are tiring for even the most seasoned Disney goer. Enjoy time at your resort, spend a morning in Disney Springs, or schedule a late-morning character meal. We’ve found that our rest days tend to be our favorite in Disney!

“Let them be little” as you embark on your Disney adventure. Channel the boundless energy of your little ones by playfully getting those wiggles out. Make the most of your Disney resort with its incredible amenities, and don’t forget to schedule rest into your trip – I promise you won’t regret it! Embrace the joy of letting your children be little, and you’ll be sure to have a Disney experience filled with laughter, wonder, and lasting family memories.