How can we visit Disney World without wearing out our preschooler?
Disney World is so huge that unless you've got a few weeks to spend, you could never see it all. Here are some strategies for making the most out of your time at Walt Disney World with young children.
Plan Ahead Check the Disney website in advance and check out NickJr.com's City Insider: Orlando and decide with your preschooler what rides you absolutely want to do and which ones you can afford to miss. Preschoolers tend to be most interested in the Magic Kingdom, the Animal Kingdom, and Disney-MGM Studios, so consider limiting your time to one or more of these areas. Check the height requirements online and explain to your child which rides she will be unable to go on in advance of your trip.
Go When It's Slower
If possible, vacation during Disney's "off-season," which usually means when older kids are in school (right after Labor Day week until the week prior to Thanksgiving; the week following Thanksgiving until mid-December; after New Year's Day until just before the week of Presidents' Day in February).
Rise and Shine
If you're staying at one of the Walt Disney World Resorts, take advantage of the Early Entry program, in which guests are admitted one hour before the official opening. Walk directly to the back of the park (without stopping) to enjoy nearly empty rides and attractions. Work your way to the front, and by the time you reach the entrance again the rides in this part of the park will be freer.
Break Up Your Day
The parks hit peak capacity between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., so return to your hotel by early afternoon for a refreshing nap and a pool break. Head back to the parks after 4 p.m., when more guests are departing than entering.
Make a Reservation
At crowded rides you can take advantage of the Fast Pass system, which allows you to reserve a time to come back and ride without having to wait in line. At dinner, ask about Priority Seating, Disney's reservation system. It doesn't work like most restaurants' reservation systems though: You are guaranteed the next available table for your party's size within about 10 to 20 minutes of your agreed-upon time.
Do the Opposite of Crowds
When evening fireworks and parades kick off, make a beeline to the suddenly less-crowded rides. If you want to enjoy the Spectro-Magic Parade but avoid the masses, skip Main Street and opt for less-dense Liberty Square or Frontierland instead. For lunch, you'll find the restaurants less crowded before noon or after 2 p.m.
The most popular preschool rides and attractions are:
Magic Kingdom
It's a Small World
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Cinderella's Golden Carousel
Peter Pan's Flight
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Mickey's Toontown Fair
The Jungle Cruise
Disney MGM Studios
Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3-D
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Disney--Live on Stage
Animal Kingdom
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Conservation Station
TriceraTop Spin
Laura Manske is the editor of Family Travel: The Farther You Go, the Closer You Get.
