Having travelled with kids, here are just a few tips we found made our holiday that little more relaxing.
Before you go, buy some Disney Dollars from the Disney Stores and keep giving them as their pocket money – this way they have some money to spend on that huge cuddly toy that every child has on the plane trip home.
Get them to write to Mickey and he will send a letter back – send the letter to: Walt Disney World Info/Guest Letters/Letters to Mickey Mouse, PO Box 10040, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-00100 – really gets them excited about the trip.
Disney caters for everything for children, there are Baby Services – private rooms with seating and low lighting for nursing mothers, feeding rooms with highchairs, bibs, plastic spoons and nappy changing rooms. Baby-care products such as disposable nappies, pull-on rubber pants, formula and teethers are for sale - remember these will be US milk and “diapers” so whilst great for an emergency, obviously have your own supply. They even have nappy changing areas in the men’s room so no excuses for Dads!
In-park stroller rental ($6 a day plus $1 refundable deposit) makes travelling through the theme parks easy so no need to worry about taking your buggy, although you will have to carry your child from the car park.
Take a swimsuit and possibly a change of clothes for the kids to the parks, kids will love playing on Donald's Boat & in the water fountains around all the parks, & will inevitably get very wet!
"Kid Switch" policy gives both Mom and Dad a chance to enjoy the latest attractions without the wait. Here's how it works. One parent waits in line with a small child while the other parent rides the attraction. The first parent returns to the loading area and takes the child while the second parent rides.
Make sure your child knows what to do if he/she gets lost - tell them that cast members wear name badges, & to go to one of them immediately if he/she gets lost; or for older kids arrange a place to meet if they get lost. Introduce them to one of the Cast Members, they are always happy to chat to the kids to make them feel at ease and tell them to come straight to someone who wears the same uniform as them. If your child has pockets put their name on a piece of paper just in case. Disney does has special name tags for very young children. Guests can get them at - City Hall or Baby Care Centre (Magic Kingdom); Guest Relations or Baby Care Centre (Epcot); Guest Relations (Hollywood Studios & Animal Kingdom). If you do lose your child, report to Guest Relations/City Hall, Baby Care Centre, or tell a Cast Member.
Character Meals are great for youngsters – make sure they eat all their food otherwise the characters won’t visit with them!!!! Works wonders for those fussy eaters.
If your son hates having his haircut, wait until your holiday and take them to Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, Magic Kingdom.
Be prepared for the Florida sunshine. Bring extra sunscreen, a hat, umbrella, plus a jacket/cardigan for chilly, air-conditioned theatres.
Buy an autograph book for your child to get character's autographs and a big pen for the characters to hold – there hands are too large for small pens and always have the autograph books open ready to save time for everyone.
Try to get your child used to the different characters before you get there by watching Disney movies. Explain that the characters will be bigger than them & there's no need to be scared. If your child does get scared when meeting a character, don't force them into it just because you want a picture of them with Mickey Mouse! So many parents seem to push their kids up the characters when it is obvious they are terrified – don’t worry, they do grow out of this practically the next year.
Kids under 3 are admitted to the parks for free. Kids over the age of 9 are considered adults in Disney's eyes, & so have to pay adult rates for tickets & passes.
And don’t forget when they get tired, take them back to the villa for a nap and return later.