Is Your Toddler Ready to Go to Disney World?

On any given day at Disney World it is likely you will witness at least one toddler meltdown while wandering around the Disney parks. Disney World is especially appealing to families with toddlers who are fascinated with all things Disney, from the popular Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Goofy, to the many Disney princesses. The idea of taking your toddler on their first trip to Disney World can seem like the perfect vacation, but there are some factors to consider before packing the luggage.

Toddlers include children who are somewhere between infancy and early childhood and all toddlers have their own distinct personalities at this age. Disney World can be a magical place for some, and overwhelming for others. The key factors for deciding on whether your child is ready for their first trip to Disney World can help to decide whether to plan a vacation or wait until your child is a bit more ready.

Toddlers Have Fears
Most toddlers develop at least a few developmentally normal fears during the toddler years. One of the most common fears is the fear of the dark and dark places. Other toddlers may suddenly become frightened by larger-than-life Disney characters who seem much less terrifying on television than in person. Disney World has character meet and greets throughout the Disney Parks and many characters dressed in full costume. Some of the Disney attractions, such as The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and even It's Tough to Be a Bug take place mainly in the dark. If your child is hesitant to see live characters up close or sleeps with a night light, these factors should be considered when planning a Disney vacation.

Height Requirements
Toddlers tend to be on the short side. Disney World does have plenty of attractions designed to entertain its smaller guests, but there are also many Disney attractions with height requirements. Daring toddlers will not be able to ride some of the height requirement rides no matter what type of platform shoes they wear. There are height measurement stands at such attractions to check. If your family includes older children who will want to ride some of the attractions with height requirements, be sure to have a plan for keeping your toddler busy during the wait time.

Nap Times and Meals
Does your child have a set nap time everyday? This is the first question to ask when planning a Disney World trip with a toddler. Nap times tend to go by the wayside at times on vacations for many reasons. Nearly all toddlers need a daily nap and fitting in a nap at Disney World will take some planning ahead of time. If staying onsite at Disney World, it may be easier to ride back to the resort with a toddler to get some naptime in midday. Offsite guests will need to drive and exit the parks when naptime hits. Disney parks are often too busy for most toddlers to take a quick nap while visiting.

Meals may be a concern for some families with toddlers. Packing a snack bag can be helpful for keeping toddlers happy. Disney World offers children's meals at most counter service restaurants for about $5 with a selection of kid-friendly choices. Fussy eaters may find the choices limited, however, so parents may want to check online menus before heading out to the parks without a back up meal plan.

Toddlers Away from Home
Toddlers typically like routines. A vacation to Disney World with a toddler will challenge this significantly. Children who are not used to sleeping away from home may take some time adjusting to the newness of a resort hotel room. If the Saturday night sleepover at grandma's didn't go well, be prepared for your toddler to have some away from home anxiety. Parents can prepare for a toddler Disney trip by bringing a favorite familiar toy or doing a trial run of a night away from home.

Crowds and Toddlers
Disney World is a busy place nearly all times of year. Holiday and peak times will have even more crowds to contend with. The large number of fellow guests may be intimidating to some toddlers. Even adults struggle with crowds at times, and pushing the stroller through mass crowds can be challenging. Long wait lines due to crowds is another factor some toddlers may not be able to deal with at Disney World. Parents can prepare for crowds by planning an off season trip or having a flexible plan for how many attractions to visit each day.