Pre-Schooler Guide To Disney

I think it is safe to say, we are becoming Walt Disney World regulars. Our kids are at the age where they are Disney obsessed and if they are like me – this probably won’t ever fade. I am pretty sure I get just as excited if not more every time we book a trip to Disney! It really is the happiest (sometimes the hottest) place on earth! Ha!

Over the past few trips with multiple kids – I have gotten pretty park savvy if I do say so myself. I thought it would be fun to give you guys a guide for first timers or first timers with kiddos! Or, if your like me – the more knowledge before I go the better, and maybe I will let you in on a little hack that you didn’t know about!

|| Where to Stay ||

This was our first time staying at the Disney’s Art Of Animation Suites and we were more than impressed. This hotel was built for families with small children and has everything you can think of. On campus food, multiple pools, a splash pad, play ground, and is a kids dream as far as decor and themes. We stayed in the Car’s building and it was the cutest little suite. The beds, table, dresser, and even bathroom vanity were all aligned with the Car’s theme. The outside of the hotel felt as if you were walking through a movie set of Car’s which the kids also loved. There is also a Nemo building – which is where the splash pad and large pool are located. The kids especially loved the talking seagulls every time we walked to the pool.

|| When to Go ||

If your kids are in preschool or younger (or if they have a few extra days they can miss school)  – your schedule is probably a lot more flexible since it is easier for them to miss school. Pro Tip: My favorite time to go to Disney is always the week before a major Holiday. Everyone else is still in school and parents are trying to finish up last minute work before the kids have days off of school. Allowing parents with younger kids to take advantage of the less crowded time! ie. the week before Memorial Day week, the week before Easter, the week before Thanksgiving, etc.

|| Must Do Rides For PreK ||

Animal Kingdom:: Festival Of the Lion King Broadway Style Show, Finding Nemo – The Musical, Kilmanjaro Safari, Na’vi River, Donald’s Dino Bash, The Boneyard, Triceratops Spin

Magic Kingdom:: Buzz Lightyear – Space Ranger Spin, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mad Tea Party, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, Princess Fairytale Hall

Epcot:: Frozen Ever After, Turtle Talk with Crush, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Grand Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, Kidcot Fun Stops

Hollywood Studios:: Disney Junior Dance Party, Lightening McQueen’s Racing Academy, For the First Time in Forever: Frozen Sing-A-Long, Toy Story Land ( Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania!), Jedi Training

|| Must Do Experiences : Disney Springs ||

Eat: T- REX Restaurant – the boys loved this restaurant. The dinosaurs looked so real and they were entertained the entire meal just by watching all of the animation around them. Disclaimer: Charli did get frightened when it would get ‘dark and stormy’ about every 15 minutes but it never lasted long and she was fine as long as we covered her ears, just keep in mind if you have small children. As I mentioned – the boys loved it and this was actually their favorite part!

Do: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – I had NO idea they did this for boys as well, but they do and the boys had a blast. This was such a fun experience and the boys loved wearing their costumes the rest of the trip. I highly recommend this for boys or girls on one of your first days there so they can enjoy the costumes the rest of the trip as well!!! This is a MUST for all of our future trips now!

Other fun do’s: Lego Store, World of Disney, Once Upon a Toy, Carousel & Train Ride, Ghiradelli Chocolate Samples

|| Where to Eat ||

You can’t really go wrong in Disney with the food. The parks do such a great job making all of the restaurants entertaining and show-like. I will list our favorite in each park below!

Epcot: We love getting a snack from each of the different countries. Allowing us to graze all day. Mexico has a really great restaurant on the water to the right, when your walking into ‘Mexico’ that us and our kids really love. We have eaten there every trip for the past 4 trips!

Magic Kingdom: Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen

Hollywood Studios: Hollywood & Vine Character Breakfast

Animal Kingdom: Yak & Yeti Restuarant + Rainforest Cafe

|| Transportation ||

This was our first time using the Minnie Van Service because we typically drive down to Disney, but if you fly in and have small children in carseats – or even if you don’t to be honest. This service is AMAZINGGGGGG! They are waiting on you at baggage claim and help you grab your luggage and load it into the car. You can book to have carseats already installed for each of your children and they have Disney movies, books, snacks, drinks, etc all ready to go when you get in. It was about a 15 minute ride to and from our hotel – and honestly it could have been way longer because the kids were so happy and entertained the entire time!

To and from the parks – we used the Disney Bus System. Each hotel is different on how many buses they have coming and going and how often but we never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus!

|| Park Ease Tips ||

Every time I go to Disney, I learn something new that I wish I had realized trips prior. First, I always saw the signs for the Baby Care Center in each park but never went in to check it out. I would just change diapers in the bathrooms and suffer through if we were missing something. Boy – was that stupid! You guys, go in there if you haven’t! The Baby Care Centers have everything from diapers, wipes, bandaids, medications to clean and air-conditioned places to change your baby, feed your baby or privately breast feed. Plus, there is always an attendant in there to help you out!

Rider switch – this is crucial if your using a fast pass (or not) and you have a child who can not go on the ride. It allows a parent to stay with them while the other one goes and the second parent will get to go in the fast pass line since they had to wait outside the ride!

Stroller Rental – we have always brought our strollers – but if your flying and do not want to travel with it, or if your kids are older and you don’t typically use one at home – they are nice to have for when the kids get tired and just to stick all your things. Waters, souvineers, snacks, change of clothes, etc. I truly don’t know how anyone gets through Disney without a stroller. Ha!

Wear Your Baby – In the summer it is HOT, and this was a little harder this trip because Charli and I would both be sweating after a while. But, if you have multiple kids and want to be able to switch them out in the strollers or if you have a crazy toddler who sometimes decides they do not want to sit in the stroller anymore and starts wiggling their way out – this is a great option so you do not have to carry them and exhaust your arms!

I hope these recommendations and tips help you guys out on your next trip to Disney!!! If you have any other suggestions for myself or readers – please feel free to leave them in the comments below!!!