Mom Hacks for Walt Disney World

Bring (or rent) a stroller

 If you plan on staying in the parks all day or late into the evening. Even as your kiddos get a little older, trust me on this one, a stroller is a life saver!  At one point after the fireworks I had my 9 year old, 7 year old and 4 year old all piled into my double stroller!  Not only will it save you when they are wiped out from walking but it also keeps them all in a controlled space when navigating through crazy crowds. Additionally having a stroller allows you to bring extra bags for snacks, change of clothes, small cooler, etc. Make sure to check the Disney Website (Click here) for Disney's rules and size restrictions before you go.

Avoid extra time in security

 Breeze through security by avoiding anything metal, including insulated water bottles. These have ALWAYS set off the metal detectors and then they will need to search everything and every bag you have with you.  I am obsessed with the Milton water bottles. They are smaller and super lightweight. I fill them up the night before, throw in the freezer, and then a cooler in the morning. They are easy and light to throw into a back pack when you need to park your stroller and get in line at an attraction and you can easily refill at any quick service or water filling station. 

 Invest in cooling items

 If you are going to Disney World anytime from March - October, invest in cooling items! Cooling towels, mini fans, spray fans, stroller umbrella's/stroller fans, etc. Some areas of the park have little air flow, then you add in LOTS of people, plus just the normal heat and humidity of Florida and it is intense!

Bring a light jacket or sweatshirt into sit down dining

Yes, Florida is hot, and that means that the restaurants crank the air conditioning. 

Splurge on at least one dining experience

 While I don't believe you need to do a dining experience each day to feel like you experience all of Disney (unless you really want to). Disney does some amazing and memorable dining experiences that I do believe doing at least one of during your stay is worth it. My favorites are:

• Character Dining at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort - see Mickey and the gang!
• Character Dining at Akershaus Royal Banquet Hall at Norway in EPCOT. This restaurant looks like castle inside and you'll meet many of the Disney Princesses. If you aren't sure about Norwegian food for the price do the Breakfast - it is American food. 
• Hoopty Musical Review at Disney's Wilderness Campground - not only is the food amazing here but every time we go someone from our table gets picked to be in the show. They really involve the audience throughout the night make it a dinner you won't forget.

Eat and drink your way around the countries in EPCOT

Take a long afternoon dedicated to the countries in EPCOT. Walk through the shops, grab small bites and drinks as you go. You really will feel transported into each country.

Bring organization items for your room

 Command hooks, small bins/baskets, collapsible hanging organizers. All of these things will help you keep your room from feeling cluttered and chaotic. 

Pack a small flexible/fabric cooler bag or backpack

 Keep ANYTHING that can melt in it. Pack lots of snacks and anything with chocolate (like granola bars or cookies) keep in your cooler - they will melt otherwise!  Just remember Disney doesn't let you bring ice in so pack frozen water bottles or ice packs. You can get ice in the parks once you are in. 

Bring a pair of flop flops into the park

By now you've probably have heard everyone tell you to wear comfortable shoes in the parks. I also pack a pair of light weight sandals incase our tennis shoes get wet from the afternoon rain showers or cool off spots Disney has. 

Avoid the parks in the afternoon 

 We always have the best park experience by getting there 15 min before the park officially opens, leaving around lunch and then coming back 2-4 hours before the park closes. Use that break to avoid the hottest park of the day and the most busy. Enjoy your resort pool, take a nap or grab a late lunch/early dinner at Disney Springs.

Download the My Disney Experience App before you arrive! 

Download the app as early as you can and start familiarizing yourself with it and how to use it. Disney has done a great job providing almost everything you need to navigate the parks, preorder food, etc with this app.

Go Resort Hoping!

When you check in, ask for the schedule of all kid's events

Each resort has events for kids throughout the day and night, from pool games, to movies outside, to craft room open hours. Take advantage of these activities.

Don't make ANY promises to your kids

This is the most important of any of my tips. You can plan a Disney World vacation as much as you want, but unexpected things will happen. That's life. Don’t promise your kids they’ll meet Anna and Elsa, don’t promise your teenager that they’ll be able to ride Gardinas of the Galaxy, etc. What if an attraction is shut down? What if you miss the window for a certain character? Tell them everything you hope to do and will try to do but make it clear nothing is guaranteed

Bonus tip - don't try and do EVERYTHING