Can you really enjoy a Walt Disney World Resort vacation with small children? Disney Parks fans recently discussed the reality of visiting theme parks with young kids.
Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park are more magical through the eyes of a child. But the physical and emotional toll of a theme park visit is a lot for adults–let alone little ones walking, talking, and experiencing more sensory input than any day at home. The routine disruption can yield devastating tantrums.
The conversation about traveling to Walt Disney World Resort with kids began when Redditor u/WeCaredALot asked, “How do people enjoy the parks with very small children?”
“I was just at EPCOT and Universal recently and saw many parents there with small babies that looked to be under 1 years old,” the Disney Park guest wrote.
“…I can understand coming with toddlers who can walk and enjoy some of the rides and attractions, but I figured babies under 1 would mostly want to nap and eat. You could easily spend an entire day at one park, and even some of the toddlers looked like they were a bit cranky by the afternoon.”
Most commenters said enjoying a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort vacation with little ones requires more breaks and lower expectations.
“We have done everything ten times over, so what we’re trying to get out of the trip is totally different now,” u/pawswolf88 explained. “It’s about going at a slow pace and doing the things that bring my children joy.
Wandering around EPCOT having snacks and a couple beers while our kids nap, seeing the live shows, etc. Plus no one wants the lightning lanes for little kid rides so you basically never wait in line.”
“Is it a pain to lug a stroller, diapers, formula, etc? Of course, but it also helps to slow down the day and keep you from trying to DO ALL THE THINGZ!!!!!!” said u/thethedude.
Some parents even said visiting Disney parks with young children was more manageable than older ones.
“Truthfully it was so much easier taking an infant to the parks than a toddler/preschooler who was insanely independent and just wanted to go go go,” u/Wild_manufacturer555 wrote.
“Honestly, Disney is an incredibly easy trip with babies/toddlers,” u/emotional-parfait348 agreed. “…The thing about Disney is that it’s meant for kids. Everyone there expects kids. Every restaurant has high chairs and kids menus. There’s baby care rooms, and family bathrooms. I never worried if the restaurant would have a changing table, or if we would be the annoying family with toddlers. I didn’t have to research every single thing we did to make sure it would accommodate two toddlers. I just knew it would be fine.”
Still, others said they just accepted that their Walt Disney World Resort visit wouldn’t be as enjoyable and went anyway.
“I had parental leave and an Annual Pass so it was either I could be miserable at home with a newborn or be miserable at Disney soaking up a bit of sun,” said u/Rough_Durian8602.
“There were some big age gaps between siblings in my family,” u/hypothetical-fox wrote. “We’d go, often with a baby in tow. Was it fun for the grownups? Probably not the whole time, but they didn’t want the ‘big kids’ to miss out just because they had a baby.”
Is it possible for parents to enjoy a visit to Walt Disney World Resort with young children? Share your opinion with Disney Dining in the comments.
