Destination Guide: Walt Disney World

How to have the best time with a toddler at the most magical place on Earth.

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Once other parents find out that I’m a travel writer on the playground, the first destination they always ask me about is Disney. I’ve been going to Disney every year since I was a toddler (so, 30+ years) yet one of my favorite trips EVER was bringing my then-1.5-year-old.

Proof that I’ve been a Star Wars nerd AND a Disney kid since when madras bucket hats were fashionable the first time (so, 1999).

This destination guide is the culmination of thousands of hours of park time, but also going through the (truly logistically difficult) process of planning a Disney vacation from start to finish: Hotels, restaurants, rides, fireworks. This guide will have answers about ALL of these things, plus lots of links to other resources you can pour over, if you too want to bring your kiddos to Disney World.

This destination guide would not be possible without a big shout-out to my parents (especially my mom) for taking the time and effort every year to bring this kind of magical trip to life, and yes, I know how privileged I am to have a ridiculously expensive theme park experience feel like a second home to me.

You should skip Disney if…

• If you’re reading this rolling your eyes because ugh, Disney, then don’t go! If it sounds like the worst thing ever to you, then don’t put pressure on yourself to do it. There is literally an entire world to explore. (I will be doing destination guides for all sorts of places!)

• Unless your baby is a younger sibling, I would skip Disney. You can do it, but it won’t really be as fun…and tbh, it’s just way too hot for them (and for you).

• The other big thing with Disney: It’s expensive. Like, every time you blink at a store it costs $25 expensive. So if you are on a tight budget, or psychologically struggle spending money/feeling like something is “worth it” then Disney may not be fun for you.

• If your kid gets overstimulated super super easily and/or they’re very sensitive to lights/sounds/crowds I would skip Disney. The parks are a LOT even for me, someone who has been there a million times. I can attest firsthand how fun Disney is at every age, so if they’re in a phase where it doesn’t seem like it will work, don’t feel pressure to go right now.

Why go: Disney is the most toddler-friendly place you’ll ever go.

But! It’s also the best place ever.

Not only will you be surrounded by other families (hello, safe space), Disney bends over backwards to make sure there’s everything you need. There is *always* a high chair available. There are tons of rides that require no height limit that are a true delight. You can catch a breather at baby/toddler centers in every park. And it’s just fun.

You’ll find so many small moments of magic, too—because to your toddlers, all of it is real. All of it. More than a year later, my toddler is still talking about meeting Winnie the Pooh. (And they say don’t meet your heroes.)

The best part? Kids under 3 are free to get into the parks and often get discounted dining, too. It’s the cheapest Disney can ever cost you.

The Travel with Toddlers guide for more magic, less meltdowns

This guide contains:

• Why you should stay on-property and which hotels I recommend

• How to maximize your park time working around toddler nap/meal schedules

• The best restaurants for picky eaters

• How to watch fireworks without scaring little ones

• The no-fail packing list

• And more!!!

This guide is for paid subscribers only. If you are interested in the guide and aren’t ready to go all-in on paid (don’t worry, I get it) you can purchase it directly for $7 here.

Or, you can become a paid subscriber! Paid subscribers receive monthly destination guides plus other exclusive content and access to the full archives. It takes hundreds of hours of lived experiences, research, and reporting to create these guides, so I deeply appreciate your support.

Still with me? Okay, planning a Disney vacation takes a little faith, trust, and pixie dust…here we gooooo!