Tips for Visiting Orlando Florida with Kids

Visiting Disney World in Orlando Florida can be one of the most memorable experiences in the life of a small child.  It can also be just as memorable for the parents who take them there.  Magic Kingdom presents children with the dreams that really come true - with real Princesses who will have a Royal dinner with your child, or a flying ship that will carry your child through the clouds with Peter Pan.  Each and every moment in Disney with a child carries a little bit of extra magic.

However, there are also times when that magic can feel faint.  There are times when the frustration, the heat, and the crowds can feel overwhelming.  This is why traveling in Disney with kids is something that should be carefully planned and organized.  There are a number of important things you can do to make your Orlando Florida vacation with your little one a truly memorable one.

Avoid Over-stimulation and Fatigue

Before leaving on your trip, you will likely feel the urge to plan out every day to make the most of the park hopper tickets that you'll be purchasing.  You will likely feel the need to make use of extra-magic morning hours and extra-magic evening hours almost every day.  There is one small detail that is far too easy to forget - we're talking about a child.

These theme parks are huge - and it can easily take a day or more to explore from one end to the other.  They were meant to be enjoyed over the course of several days.  When walking from one end to the other, and exploring every nook and cranny, even adults get very tired.  Just imagine how children, with their little legs, must feel like.  To make matters worse, when they are going through a Disney theme park, children are experiencing a multitude of brand new sights and sensations that they've probably never experienced in their lives.  This can often pile over-stimulation on top of the exhaustion they are already feeling.

Make sure to plan an afternoon break every day.  Doing so may feel as though you are "losing time" - but in the long run it will make for a much more relaxing and enjoyable vacation.  Your child, exhausted by lunchtime, will sleep very well for an hour or so - and afterwards will feel rested and rejuvenated, and ready for an evening of more excitement and fun.  If your little one claims that they don't feel tired, then take them to the pool and have them swim.  It will take the pressure off their little feet and will cool them off after a long morning in the hot Florida sun.

Prepare Them to Meet Characters

If this will be the first time your child is meeting a Disney character in real life, and if they've never met a character in real life, it may do some good to introduce those characters to your child.  Watch a few Disney movies and explain to your child that the characters are bigger than them in real life and that when they meet them, they don't need to be afraid - they can shake the character's hand or give them a great big hug!

Another method to get them used to meeting large characters in real life is to take them to a baseball game or some place where there is a mascot that kids can meet.  Have your child meet the mascot and get used to meeting such characters in real life.

When you are in Disney World and your child is meeting a character, if they do become afraid, don't force them to stand next to the character for a photo.  There will be plenty of other opportunities during the course of your vacation to get some great photos.

Additional Tips

•·         Baby service locations provide comfortable feeding rooms for nursing mothers.

•·         Baby changing stations are available in all bathrooms

•·         Don't drag around your stroller from park to park; reserve a park stroller at your resort.

•·         Always have a change of clothes available for your children in case they get wet.

•·         Take advantage of Disney's "Kid Switch" policy where parents can take turns going on rides.

•·         Try to sit near the exits at attractions in case you need to leave quickly with your child.

•·         Have a plan in place that your child understands should they ever get lost in the park.

•·         Take advantage of the special name tags Disney offers for very young children.

•·         Make sure to reserve character dining at least once during your trip - it's something your children will always remember.

•·         Florida is very sunny!  Bring lots of sunscreen and even an umbrella.

•·         Choose to stay in a Disney hotel - traveling is much easier with children to Disney hotels, and you can also enjoy extra magic morning or evening hours.

•·         Kids under 3 get into the parks for free!