Tag Archives: travel with toddlers

The Best Places for Nap Time at Disney World in the Theme Parks

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If you are traveling to the Walt Disney World Resort with an infant or toddler, you will likely need to allow time for your child to nap during your day. One popular option for families staying at a Disney resort is to go back to their resort during the day to rest and even allow older children time at the pools. However, some families may not want to leave the park during the day, especially if there are rides and attractions older children may want to see. There are plenty of places throughout the parks where you can take a break and let your little one have nap time at Disney World.

nap time at Disney World

Baby Care Center

All four of the Walt Disney World theme parks have an indoor baby care center. These offer amenities such as a private nursing room with rocking chairs, a changing room, a feeding area with highchairs, a kitchen with microwave, oven and sink, a sitting room with TV, and an on-site shop offering formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications and clothing for purchase. They offer a break from the heat and crowds and an area for your child to nap. The Baby Care Center at Magic Kingdom is located between the Crystal Palace and Casey’s Corner, just off of Main Street, USA. Epcot’s Baby Care Center is located between the Mexico Pavilion in the World Showcase and Test Track in Future World. The Baby Care Center at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is located just inside the entrance of the park, next to Guest Relations. Animal Kingdom’s Baby Care Center can be found behind the Creature Comforts store before you enter Africa. Every park also has attractions that can work well for nap time at Disney World, too.

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom has many attractions for families with children of all ages. If your child is small enough to nap in your arms or lap, Tommorrowland is a great area for you to start. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a quiet Audio-Animatronics show that runs just over 20 minutes and allows guests to sit in a theater and watch 4 different scenes progressing through time. Also in Tomorrowland is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover which is a slow-moving 10 minute ride through Tomorrowland. Another perk of these two attractions is the wait is generally very reasonable. Another great option for nap time at Magic Kingdom is the Walt Disney World Railroad which is a real train that circles the entire park, making three stops along the way. You can ride as long as you like, plus you’re in the shade. Of course, you can always sit on a bench or push your child in their stroller through the shops down Main Street as well.

Epcot

nap time at Disney World

Epcot’s Spaceship Earth is a quiet, dark 16-minute ride where children can easily relax and nap. It usually doesn’t have a very long wait, either, if you can ride in the afternoon or later in the day. The World Showcase at Epcot is 1.2 miles around the countries which is a nice walk for parents with children napping in their strollers. There are a number of shops and restaurants to visit along the way. The Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion is another option for parents who want to be inside with napping children as there are two floors of viewing areas inside the aquarium in addition to the ride and Turtle Talk with Crush show.

Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is full of shows that you can sit through with a napping child. The Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage 30-minute show is a great option outdoors, but in the shade. Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream is a great indoor option for hot or rainy days where guests can walk through a gallery exhibit and even sit through a 15-minute movie.  The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show is also outdoors, but if you are able to sit in the back, should not be too loud for your napping child. The Voyage of the Little Mermaid is a 20-minute show that is inside a theater and generally isn’t overly loud, if you can carry your child in. Although you may want to wait for your little ones to wake up so they can watch, other great shows include For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Beauty and the Beast- Live On Stage, and the Disney Junior Dance Party!

Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has two Broadway style shows where you can carry your napping child into- The Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo- The Musical. As far as seating, the farther back in the theater you can sit, the quieter it will be during the musical numbers. One of the best parts of Animal Kingdom with little ones is all of the walking paths where you can push your children through in their stroller. These areas are generally pretty quiet and you will get to see some animals along the way. Discovery Island Trails and the Maharajah Jungle Trek are two great walking paths during this time.

Where are your favorite spots for nap time at Disney World?

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Best Disney World Rides for Toddlers (and Shows, too!)

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Although some families wait to take their children to Disney World until they are “old enough to remember,” we think you can make some pretty magical memories with little ones. Even if your toddler may not remember the trip, your photos and memories will be priceless. We hear a lot of concerns about what little ones can actually do and enjoy in the parks. So, we have compiled a list of the best Disney World rides for toddlers that we hope will help ease any concerns about traveling with a little one.

best Disney World rides for toddlers

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom truly has something for visitors of all ages. Many rides don’t have a minimum height restriction which means you can all ride together. There are, by far, the most attractions for toddlers to enjoy in the Magic Kingdom.

In Tomorrowland, your toddlers will love Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Astro Orbiter, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover, and the Tomorrowland Speedway, where they can actually drive mom and dad around!

Back in Fantasyland, you can’t miss Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, Enchanted Tales with Belle, “it’s a small world,” Mad Tea Party, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, and Mickey’s PhilharMagic. The Barnstormer is a great “first roller coaster” and has a height requirement of just 35 inches. Your kids can also cool off at Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station.

Back in Adventureland, the whole family can see the eighth wonder of the world, the back side of water, on The Jungle Cruise. You can also spin around Adventureland on The Magic Carpets of Aladdin- just watch out for the spitting camel! If you’re all comfortable with heights, you can explore the Swiss Family Treehouse. Take a boat ride over to climb around and explore Tom Sawyer Island, too.

There are still even more attractions that your toddler may enjoy at Magic Kingdom that we haven’t mentioned!

best Disney World rides for toddlers

Epcot

Although Epcot isn’t often thought of for families traveling with little ones, I’d argue that there is still plenty for little ones to enjoy. Your “Frozen” fans can’t miss Frozen Ever After in the Norway pavilion, starring Anna and Elsa. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet Anna and Elsa in the Norway pavilion. Enjoy a quiet boat ride through Mexico on the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, which often has very short wait times.

Your family can ride in a “clamobile” on The Seas with Nemo and Friends where you help find Nemo (again) under the sea. At the end of The Seas with Nemo and Friends, you can explore the incredible aquariums or stop by Turtle Talk with Crush. Spaceship Earth can be a quiet and slow-moving educational journey through human communication.

Living with the Land takes you inside some of the greenhouses where Disney grows fruits and vegetables they serve throughout the parks and resorts. You can “Journey into Imagination with Figment” to learn about the five senses. At the end of the ride, your kids can explore ImageWorks- the “What If” Labs, full of sensory activities and games that spark creativity. 

The annual festivals often bring play grounds which are a great way to let them explore and burn some energy in a confined space. Kids of all ages are encouraged to participate in the Kidcot Fun Stops where they can draw, color and collect activity cards at every country throughout World Showcase. 

best Disney World rides for toddlers

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is so much fun for toddlers! My family’s favorite Disney World attraction is Toy Story Mania. No matter how young or young at heart, you can compete against your family on five carnival style games. Hollywood Studios’ newest attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, is a fun adventure through a cartoon with Mickey and Minnie. Little ones at least 32 inches tall can spin around with the aliens from Toy Story on Alien Swirling Saucers. Slinky Dog Dash is a family friendly coaster with a height requirement of just 38 inches.

Your family can meet Disney Junior characters like Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, and Doc McStuffins in the Animation Courtyard or at Hollywood & Vine. There is also a Disney Junior Live on Stage show where your kids can dance and sing along with their Disney Junior friends. We also recommend Muppet*Vision 3D, the Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage show and Frozen Sing Along show. Little races won’t want to miss Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy.

best Disney World rides for toddlers

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is Disney World’s largest theme park. Their attraction Kilimanjaro Safaris is big enough to fit the Magic Kingdom inside of it! On Kilimanjaro Safaris, you will feel like you have traveled to Africa where you can get within just feet of giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, lions, and more. The Na’vi River Journey in Pandora is a calm boat ride through the Pandora rainforest, similar to Magic Kingdom’s “it’s a small world.” TriceraTop Spin in Dinoland allows guests of all ages to ride in a dinosaur, similar to Magic Kingdom’s “Dumbo.” Your little one can even control your up and down motion in addition to your forward and backward motion. Don’t forget to ride the train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch and check out the Affection Section petting zoo, too.

Aside from rides, there are two incredible Broadway style shows at Animal Kingdom that the whole family can enjoy together. You may also want to check out the Maharajah Jungle Trek where you and your family can see some incredible animals like the Sumatran tigers. Little ones can burn some energy exploring The Boneyard, a dinosaur dig site.

If you’re traveling to Disney World with a little one, don’t forget to take advantage of the rider switch service for any rides that your little one either isn’t big enough for or ins’t comfortable trying.

What do you think are the best Disney World rides for toddlers?

PS- Don’t forget these 10 items you need when traveling with a toddler!

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10 Items You Need When Traveling to Disney World with a Toddler

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Does a Walt Disney World Resort vacation with a little one sound daunting and overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be! We’ve spent a lot of time at Disney with little ones and have learned that you can bring (or purchase) items that make traveling easier on everyone. We wanted to share with you some items that you can pack to make traveling to Disney World with a toddler as easy and stress free as possible! Plus, one of the best parts about traveling to Disney World with a toddler is that they are still FREE until their third birthday!

Reusable Straws: In an effort to be more environmentally conscious, Disney Parks (and Disney Cruise Line) no longer offer any plastic straws. Although they do have paper straws available, we have found them to be very difficult for little ones to use (and even not the greatest for adults when trying to drink a slushie or Starbucks). We love bringing reusable straws for both our kids and ourselves. We have had great luck with both metal straws and silicon straws with a handy portable case.

Water Bottle: Some locations (like Disney’s Animal Kingdom) do not have lids for their cups, either, so the reusable straw won’t help avoid spills. If you aren’t using a dining plan to receive a free resort refillable cup (that comes with a lid), then we recommend bringing a water bottle to the parks.

Folding Potty Seat: If you have a little one working on potty training, it can be difficult to not lose any progress while traveling. Public restrooms can be a little intimidating for little ones We think the Minnie Mouse Folding Potty Seat and Mickey Mouse Folding Potty Seat are perfect for any Disney vacation.

Sticky Notes: We have found with our kids that they are typically not a fan of the automatic flushing toilets. When little ones need a little time to sit without having to worry about the toilet flushing before they’re done, we recommend placing a sticky note over the sensor.

Autograph Book: At this age, many little ones love seeing and meeting Disney characters throughout the parks and resorts. Autograph books (or another item to autograph) can be a great way to keep little ones engaged and start their interaction with the characters. We love the traditional autograph books, Encyclopedia of Animated Characters, photo mats, and more.

10 things to make traveling with kids easier

Glow Sticks: You can save so much money by bringing glow sticks or light up toys with you. If your kids are up late enough to enjoy the nighttime spectaculars at the parks, there’s a good chance that their little eyes will be amazed by (and want to purchase) all of the light up items. We pick up some glow sticks and have enough to cover each night of the trip!

Packable Rain Coat: You (almost) never know when a rain shower can pop up in Florida! It can be a challenge to pack jackets and rain coats for everyone in the family and carry them around in the parks all day. We love our packable rain coats for days in the parks. They are much sturdier than ponchos so you don’t have to worry about tearing and also fit much better to keep you dry.

Snacks: My second child is one that is always on the move and needs to keep busy which has made traveling slightly more challenging than it was with my first. I have had to become a little more creative and found that snacks are a great way to occupy her while waiting. We can open a pack of Goldfish or M & M’s or Smarties or applesauce while riding a bus to the parks, waiting in line, or even flying on the airplane to keep her busy and content.

Tylenol or Motrin: Unfortunately, you never know when a little one can spike a fever. My daughter had been perfectly healthy on our vacation until the night of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party when she ended up with a 103 degree fever. First aid was wonderful and gave me one dose to take back with us, but I was thankful to have packed a travel size bottle to keep the fever down throughout the rest of our vacation, if necessary.

Wipes and Hand Sanitizer: I generally am not THAT bad about cleaning every surface my child touches, especially now that I have two kids, BUT I think that it’s never a bad idea to wipe down the airplane seat, tray table, and arm rests when your child is stuck there for hours. You may also find wipes handy when you find a dirty table at a quick service restaurant or when your little one spills in the stroller. We also love these hand sanitizer wipes!

What do you find most useful when traveling to Disney World with a toddler? Be sure to let us know!

Please note that this post does contain affiliate links so we may make a small commission if you decide to purchase any of these items. Thank you for your support!