17 Tips And Tricks For Taking Young Grandchildren To Disney World

Toting a four-year-old and a one-and-a-half-year-old, our first journey to Disney World with our grandchildren was a hoot. Our kids visited Disney World for the primary time after they have been round 4. We knew what a joyful expertise it was for us and our kids that we needed to take our oldest granddaughter and began planning for her fourth birthday.

A Disney World journey for youthful youngsters will be a number of work, but additionally wonderful enjoyable. Watching the wide-eyed amazement as beloved characters come to life proper earlier than their eyes is a second to not be missed. Your grandchildren’s first Disney World trip will probably be crammed with princess clothes, tiaras, magic bubble wands, and Buzz Lightyear costumes.

When you plan forward, be ready for plans to alter, and benefit from the loopy Disney World environment, you’ll have a beautiful time —  and your grandbabies will too.

The Disney World Parks

Every park has its challenges and rewards. To keep away from attempting to cram all of the Disney enjoyable into one exhausting day, select a multi-day, Park Hopper Pass possibility. Underneath the present Disney laws, Park Hopper hours begin at 2 p.m.

1. Animal Kingdom

I feel Animal Kingdom is one of the best park for the primary day to ease into the go to. The parks will be utterly overwhelming for younger youngsters and exhausting for us grandparents. There are good trip choices relying on the age of your grandkids.

The Kilimanjaro Safari opens at 8 a.m. which is ideal if you’re an early riser and staying on Disney property. The children love watching all of the unique animals. They enchant even very babies.

One other child-friendly trip in Animal Kingdom is the Wildlife Express Train. The quick practice trip, which for the little ones is an journey, drops you off at a winding path by means of the “jungle.” Finally, you land at a kid-friendly petting zoo and exhibit.

2. Magic Kingdom Should-Do Rides

My finest recommendation for the Magic Kingdom is to plan your must-do rides. There are such a lot of rides to select from, however it is best to determine that are the must-dos for you — whether or not it’s “it’s a small world”, Mad Tea Celebration, Dumbo, or one thing else. While you take your grandkids to Disney World they count on a magical time and that is the park to deliver on the magic.

Intersperse wild, tummy jostling rides just like the Mad Tea Celebration —  I can solely take a lot spinning —  with rides the place you sit. The PeopleMover, “it’s a small world”, and the Market Carousel are calming choices.

Watching the fireworks show over Cinderella’s Fort is a time-honored custom, and everybody needs an ideal view. Magic Kingdom’s Predominant Road can develop into extraordinarily crowded through the festivities. In order for you an excellent view, arrive early. Company begin lining up two hours forward of time and navigating a stroller by means of the crowds is difficult.

3. Epcot And The World Showcase

Epcot isn’t just for adults, it’s value spending a minimum of half a day right here with younger grandchildren. Frozen Ever After is a must-see for any younger Disney fan, and Soarin’ Around The World is one other fantastic trip. If you end up prepared to take a seat, go to The Seas with Nemo and Friends; it’s cute and applicable for all ages.

4. Disney’s Hollywood Studios

I might skip Hollywood Studios in case your grandchildren are actually younger. There may be a lot to see and do on the different parks. When they’re of their tween years, they’ll love the wild rides right here.

Disney Resort Should-Haves

A Disney Resort Resort is the best choice for a keep. Every themed lodge gives nice choices, however I like Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The monorail runs proper by means of the lodge, making it straightforward to get to the Magic Kingdom. Moreover, they host breakfast at Chef Mickey’s. Be certain to get a reservation at Chef Mickey’s beforehand or be part of the walk-in waitlist the day of by checking if there may be eating availability on the My Disney Experience App. The primary aim with little ones is to maintain it straightforward and easy.

5. A Nice Pool

Mixing in a couple of pool days is tremendous vital. Grandpa needs to go to the park day by day, however with little ones, it’s vital to have downtime. Nothing will get everybody prepared for a nap higher than a swim.

6. Keep Shut To The Park

When you can’t keep within the park, let’s face it, the on-property resorts are expensive. Search for a lodge that’s near the park. The Springhill Suites by Marriott is near all of the motion for a family-friendly worth. For different choices, flick thru this list of resorts which can be collaborating in Disney’s Good Neighbor Resort program!

7. Kitchen

Groceries will be delivered proper to your condominium, lodge, or Airbnb. You don’t wish to waste time operating across the grocery retailer. Plan a couple of meals and wholesome snacks earlier than you go. Organize them to reach when you find yourself unpacking and settling into your short-term residence.

Getting your infants’ favourite snacks similar to the fitting yogurt, crackers, and fruit will assist preserve the youngsters comfortable and common —  an important consideration to maintain them joyful. Younger youngsters will be choosy eaters and having your personal meals will prevent cash.

Further Surprises

Disney parks are designed to course of plenty of friends. Be ready for lengthy strains and throngs of individuals by stashing a couple of additional surprises in your magic bag of methods.

8. Enjoyable Toys

You may order widespread objects like the ever present bubble wands earlier than you go for lower than in-park costs.

9. Disney Wearables

Ordering Disney pajamas, character t-shirts, and Disney hats earlier than you go is a enjoyable method to unfold the magic with out breaking the financial institution. You should still wish to buy a small trinket or two on the journey for memento functions.

10. Genie+ Service

Improve the Disney magic by utilizing the Genie+ Service. You might want to arrange an account on the My Disney Experience App, however you’ll want to do that anyway. The service prices $15 per individual in your group. You may have all members of your occasion on the account which makes reserving parks, rides, and extra a one-stop-shop.

As of June 2022, Disney has eradicated the pre-purchasing possibility for Genie+. Company can buy the service on the day of their park reservation.

11. Lightning Lanes

The Genie+ Service is one of the best ways to keep away from lengthy strains on your most desired rides. You may enroll your total group for a time window to entry the lightning lane for a selected trip. There are a couple of restrictions; it’s relevant for sure rides, however many widespread ones can be found for an upcharge. Relying on the park and your timing, you’ll be able to count on to improve two or three rides to lightning lane passes —  for those who arrive on the park early.

12. Order Meals

With the My Disney Expertise App, you’ll be able to order and pay for meals at counter service eating places all through the park utilizing the Cellular Order function. No want to face in line for a snack! You’ll be notified when your order is prepared for pickup.

13. Wait Instances, Character Meet And Greets, PhotoPass, And Extra

The My Disney Expertise App will show wait occasions for rides, exhibits, top necessities, character meet and greet occasions and areas, in addition to PhotoPass photographer areas, and extra. It is a useful instrument that can make your expertise much less frantic.

Visiting Walt Disney World

14. Purchase A Park Hopper Go

A Park Hopper Go provides extra to the price of your ticket and provides flexibility to your go to. With Park Hopper tickets, you’ll be able to get pleasure from sights on the Magic Kingdom within the morning, journey by means of Pandora in Animal Kingdom through the afternoon, then end the night time watching Epcot’s new nighttime spectacular Harmonious.

15. Begin Early

Go early within the morning. It’s at all times crowded however intention to be on the park when it opens. Head straight to the must-do trip of the day and luxuriate in a shorter line, then meander from there.

If you’re staying on property or at a Disney Good Neighbor Resort, you may have the benefit of 30-minute early entry to the parks. This may make a giant distinction in wait time for probably the most sought-after rides.

16. Take A Noon Break

With a multi-day park hopper cross, you may have the choice to go away the park and enter a distinct one. Observe that you probably have a day cross (with out park hopper entry) and reservation for a Walt Disney World theme park, you’ll be able to go away the park and re-enter later that very same day. Make the most of the noon droop and head again to the lodge for lunch, a swim, and a nap —  not simply Grampy, however the youngsters too. After a refreshing break, you can be prepared to move again into the park.

17. Be A Versatile Planner

Lastly, be versatile. Pre-plan your days to find out which days will probably be park days and which will probably be pool days. That manner, you’ll have a greater and extra environment friendly journey.

Joke: One time when my women have been younger, it was our sixth day getting into the park. My youngest daughter, 5 on the time, had a meltdown within the parking zone. She threw herself to the bottom and screamed, “No extra Mickey —  no extra Mickey!” We have been lengthy overdue for a pool day.

A Good Walt Disney World Trip

It doesn’t exist. Don’t intention for perfection, intention for creating particular moments. Going with the move and having enjoyable is extra vital than getting on that final trip.

Visiting Walt Disney World along with your grandchildren is a magical trip. I can’t wait to deliver them once more when our grandson is sufficiently old to recollect the expertise and make priceless recollections.

Professional Tip: With the little ones, deliver mother and pop alongside. Give them an evening out, however deliver them to the park — little ones are exhausting and people teacups are traumatic for Gigi after the fourth go round!