How to Plan a Stress-Free Disney World Trip with Kids

Planning a Disney world trip this summer? We can sense the anxiety from here! We get it; a day-long trip to the world’s most magical place, with kids, where there will be tons of walking, tons of keeping eyes on, and a lot of mini-heart-attacks. 

And to top it all off, the kids are going to be on so much sugar! 

We don’t want to frighten you, and we will prove this through our plan to plan a stress-free Disney World trip with kids. So, sit back, relax, and let us paint you a perfect picture of a hassle-free day at the ultimate kids’ paradise on earth. 

The Day Before: How Can You Prepare?

The day before your trip is almost as important as the day of, especially when it comes to preparing.

There are a few things you cannot prepare ahead of time enough when kids are involved; we know that very well. 

Here are some tips we recommend to ensure you and your family have the best time possible and to make your time at the park fun and free of any unnecessary worries.

• Get Your “Park Bag” and Stroller Ready: Pack your bag as best you can to include some sunscreen, napkins, your portable charger, some cooling towels, and a pack of diapers. If your stroller has a handle, hang a bright ribbon or “stroller tag” so you can quickly identify your stroller among hundreds.
• Prep “Flat-Lay” Outfits: The night before, get everyone’s complete clothes, including shoes and socks. This means no one will complain about their Mickey shirt at 6 am.
• Download and Master the App: Check if the “My Disney Experience” app is updated and your credit card is linked for mobile food ordering. 
• Save Your Itinerary As Screenshots: Take screenshots of any reservation confirmations, and other important info as park WiFi is unreliable and apps may experience glitches. If you experience any glitches in any of these apps, you will need to show these screenshots to Cast Members to assist you.
• Prep the Ride: Make sure your car (if you’re driving your own) has enough gas or charge, so you don’t have to freak the passengers out on their way by stopping at stations or trying to find them.

Bonus Tips: There are some things you must prepare beforehand, not the day before, because things like restaurant reservations not only need to be prebooked, but opening becomes available without much warning. This is why signing up for Mouse Dining Alerts can help you know when a spot is available.

While you might think you could get away with doing some of these things (definitely not the gas thing) in the morning, you’ll be fooled and then traumatized at how deceptively overwhelming even the smallest things can get at that time. 

Trust us when we say that you’ll give yourself a pat on the back when you take care of this stuff the night before.

How to Plan a Stress-Free Disney World Trip with Kids

Planning a trip to Disney World with kids is a massive responsibility to say the least, something you’d prepare yourself weeks prior for. But what makes it a stress-free experience is shifting your mindset from seeing everything to enjoying everything. 

With a little bit of pre-planning, you can avoid long lines and mid-day meltdowns, keeping the focus on the magic.

1. Master the Digital Tools

Before you even step onto the property, you need to be comfortable with the technology that runs the modern Disney experience. Being tech-savvy means you won’t be staring at your phone while the parade passes you by or you hear the piercing screech for missing the light show.

• Download My Disney Experience: This will provide real-time updates for wait times, be your guide for park maps, and direct you to character meet and greets.
• Mobile Ordering: Grab your lunch while waiting to get on a ride, or at the restaurant.
• Lightning Lanes: Familiarize yourself with the newest ‘Multi Pass’ system that allows you to bypass wait times for the most popular rides.
• Linking Groups: Link all your friends and family to the App. This way all your reservations can be made by one person for the entire group. 

Knowing how to use the App before getting into the parks is a big help in reducing the amount of time you spend searching for rides and food for you and your kids.

2. Pack for Comfort and Survival

The Florida heat and the sheer amount of walking can take a toll on little ones. Being proactive in packing a well-stocked kit is the difference between a quick recovery and a trip back to the hotel.

• The “Pro” Stroller: A stroller will provide shade and a place to sleep for your child, if you don’t rent or bring one. It is also helpful for carrying heavy bags.
• Hydration & Cooling: To fight the heat and humidity, pack cool towels or batteries; and pack each family member reusable fresh water bottles.
• Portable Power: Get a high-quality battery charger, so you can recharge your phone while using GPS and checking your phone (Disney App) after only being there until noon. 

Once you have the right items, you also ensure that your kids have enough energy when they’re comfortable, and you’ll help to prevent the stress and frustration that can come from being very tired.

3. Simplify Your Dining 

Hungry kids lead to high stress, and boy do they get angsty when they’re stressed. Planning your meals ahead of time prevents the hangry meltdowns and frantic search for a table in a sea of thousands of people.

• Mobile Order Early: Place your lunch order via the app at 10:00 AM for a 12:00 PM pickup so you get the time slot you want.
• Pack Familiar Snacks: Bring goldfishes, granola bars, or fruit from home. Familiar snacks are a lifesaver during long attraction queues.
• Book One Advance Reservation: Having one guaranteed sit-down meal per day gives everyone a chance to sit in the air conditioning, recharge, and plan forward.
• Utilize Grocery Delivery: Have water, milk, and breakfast items delivered to your resort to save money and time in the mornings.

Eating smart keeps everyone’s energy levels stable, makes for a fun and stress-free trip, and eliminates the frustration of long waits for food when the kids are already tired.

4. Prepare for the Unknown

It’s often the small, logistical details, like transportation and weather that cause the most friction during a park day.

• Get Familiar With The Transport Map: Every time you reach a different resort you’ll want to double-check if your location offers monorails, skyliners, and buses to plan your time between each park correctly.
• Preparation for Rain: It often pours suddenly during the afternoons. Keep a light poncho or raincoat at the very top of your bag, so you’re prepared for inclement weather immediately when it happens instead of trying to get them out once you realize it.
• Identifying Your Stroller: Use either a large bright coloured balloon tied onto the handle of your stroller, or a large coloured ribbon tied onto the handle of your stroller so you may easily see which stroller belongs to you, especially in “Stroller Parking” areas.

These tips will help make your transition from hotel to park easy and worry-free.

5. The Lights Are There to Stay

The most common mistake is trying to stay in the parks from opening until the fireworks. A rope drop to fireworks schedule is often too much for children (and parents) to handle.

• The 1PM Farewell: Leave around 1-2 PM and get some midday rest before gearing up for the fireworks show at night. Get some sleep, order in some cozy room service, and recharge before the evening.
• Top Three Must Do’s: Have the kids each identify their 3 top priorities early in the trip. Let the kids determine which will be done early, then everything else that day will be low pressure, bonus time.
• Early Bedtime: Don’t feel bad about missing the night show once or twice to make sure everyone has enough sleep for the next day.

An enjoyable Disney vacation is not about how well you stay on your schedule to be able to get to every attraction in the park (it is really all about being prepared to deal with any and all of the unexpected changes, delays and pivots you will experience).

Instead of stressing out about the essentials (i.e. technology, comfort, quantity of rest, meals, and logistics), you will find that the most magical place in the world will live up to its name.

Bringing The Magic Home

A successful Disney trip is not just about how well you follow an itinerary or how well you plan. It’s also about your ability to be spontaneous and go with the flow when unexpected things happen, whether that be an impromptu character dance party or simply sitting back while eating a Mickey pretzel and watching the lights around you. 

Those are the moments that make lasting memories for you and your family.

The success of your vacation will be measured by how everyone feels when they leave, either by plane or car on the way home. If the group is tired yet happy when they head home, then you’ve accomplished all of your goals!