A trip to Disney World is an ideal first vacation for your preschooler. Help your child (and yourself) make the most of their Disney vacation by choosing the right resort, packing the right gear, and experiencing the best rides and attractions for the little ones.
When to go
Preschoolers don’t have a firm school schedule, so plan your Disney vacation for the time of year that suits you best.
Look out for specials in the fall for preschoolers to enjoy once the “big kids” are back in school.
Where to stay
Disney resorts have been designed with families in mind, and each resort has something different to offer. If you’re traveling with preschoolers, look for fun themes, babysitting activities, and easy meal options.
Some of the best resort options for preschoolers include All-Star Movies, Art of Animation, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Wilderness Lodge Resorts.
- Your preschooler will enjoy the bright colors and familiar characters featured at the All-Star Movies resort, and will love being able to park right in front of your building.
- The Port Orlean French Quarter resort has a fun pool, complete with a whimsical alligator band and dragon-shaped waterslide, and the resort’s food court offers a variety of options designed to tempt even the pickiest of diners.
- Guests of the Wilderness Lodge have easy access to a fun-filled child care center and one of the loudest and most fun places to dine in all of Disney’s world – The Whispering Canyon Cafe. The Wilderness Lodge also offers a convenient location and great transportation options (including a complimentary boat ride to the Magic Kingdom).
Move
Each Disney theme park offers rental strollers for daily use. Use a stroller to get around the park quickly and to give your preschooler a chance to rest his legs between walks. If you bring your own stroller from home, opt for an easy folding stroller; You will need to fold the stroller to carry it on most Disney transports, including buses, boats, and trams. If you don’t use a stroller, look for attractions that are also transportation; The railroad at the Magic Kingdom is not only fun, it can take you from one part of the park to the other, saving you time for walking.
Rides and attractions
Some Disney theme park attractions are clearly not for preschoolers; roller coasters and other thrill rides have clearly posted height restrictions. Others can be dark or have loud noises and some can be absolutely terrifying to young children. The best games for preschoolers include those with smooth movements, easy-to-understand stories, and familiar characters. If you have questions about an attraction, do it yourself first to make sure it is acceptable to your preschooler.
Character greetings are an important part of the day at any Disney theme park. Disney characters are very large and can intimidate young children. Even if your preschooler is not afraid of a character, make sure the interpreter knows your child is there and help your little one learn good manners to greet the characters.
If your child is too young for an attraction others want to ride, look for a kid-friendly option to make the most of their wait time. Some attractions offer waiting areas designed with little visitors in mind, and most attractions have shopping and snack areas nearby. Another option is to use Disney’s Rider Switch Program, which allows one adult to ride while the other waits with their little one … then switch places without any additional wait.
Food
Most Disney restaurants are kid-friendly, and almost all offer a children’s menu. If your child has a favorite character, consider reserving a table at one of the character’s meals. You can meet princesses, Playhouse Disney stars, and favorite Disney classics at these locations. Children under the age of three eat free at Disney character buffets.
You don’t like character meals? Try the Coral Reef (Epcot), where each table has a view of the exotic marine life featured in the adjacent Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion, or head to the Rainforest Cafe (Disney’s Animal Kingdom) and dine like animatronic wildlife from natural size. Look son.
Tip: Visit Les Chefs de France on a weekday and see Remy, the Disney / Pixar star of Ratatouille, as he visits each table at lunch and dinner.
