Growing up, I was completely obsessed with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. If you stepped into my childhood home in Brooklyn, you’d find all kinds of products emblazoned with the beloved characters. My twin bed was decked out in Mickey and Minnie stuffed animals, my vanity was stocked with Disney jewelry, and there was even a backpack or two. I just couldn’t get enough. (And I’m proud to report that this enthusiasm for the popular mouse duo remained strong well into high school.)
So it’s no surprise that when I had kids of my own, I’d dream of treating them to a Disney World trip. That moment finally came last month, when I was able to attend Disney’s Cool Kids’ Summer event with my two elementary school-aged kids. You can only imagine their excitement when I shared the BIG news. They couldn’t believe it, and neither could I. Screams of joy ensued, a memory I’ll never forget.
Now that we’ve returned from such a special four-day trip, with my editor and mom hats on, I’m sharing Disney World tips for first-timers traveling with kids in elementary school. Plus, I’ve sprinkled in helpful pointers from a few Good Housekeeping editors (and fellow parents), who visit Disney frequently.
Stay at a Disney hotel for the perks.
My family stayed at Port Orleans Resort - Riverside, a Disney hotel that’s designed with rural Louisiana in mind and falls into the Moderate price category. It’s a beautiful, 300-acre resort with all the bells and whistles—think lush greenery, guest rooms situated in mansions, horse-drawn carriage rides, photo opportunities with Disney characters, bike rentals, a spacious arcade, and more. Another bonus? Every day, we’d take a five-minute walk from our hotel room to hop on a complimentary shuttle to any of the six theme parks, including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT. Even though the hotel is not as close to the parks as the Deluxe Disney properties, we found it convenient. The shuttle stops were also clearly marked at all of the parks, so it was always a breeze to return to our hotel at the end of the day.
At certain Disney properties, including Port Orleans Resort, you can even request extra amenities to make your stay with babies and toddlers more enjoyable. Your room can be stocked with essentials like Disney crib sheets, a baby bathtub, diaper pail, bottle warmer, and bed bumpers for safety. Genius!
While you can certainly find more inexpensive hotel options rather than booking at a Disney-owned property (there are more than 25, by the way), you’ll miss out on the perks. “Staying at a Disney resort hotel gives you access to benefits that make the trip easier, like free (and more convenient) transportation, extended hours to visit the parks, and earlier access to booking lightning lanes,” says the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Lexie Sachs, who visits Disney several times a year. “Disney offers three price tiers of resorts (Deluxe, Moderate, and Value) to offer something for every budget.”
Plan for the heat. Yes, really.
This may seem obvious, but you need to be ready for the heat. I knew it would be hot, but I was still surprised by how blazing and humid it is in Orlando in May. I dressed my kids in lightweight clothing; shorts and simple t-shirts or tanks did the trick throughout our stay. Plus, we opted for well-worn sneakers and breathable socks. The last thing you need is to be fussing with uncomfortable footwear while battling the heat.
Portable fans were also crucial and one of the first items I purchased for the trip. We used them everyday, all day. I grabbed a neck fan with four speeds as well as a handheld model for the kids, and they said the whiffs of cool air made our experience exploring the different parks more comfortable. When the heat became too much to bear, we’d pop into a souvenir store for a quick shopping break.
Sachs is onboard with portable fans, too. “We visit Disney World every summer, and fans are one of our most essential items, even though they're bulky to pack. Also, make sure to bring hats and plenty of sunscreen, including a travel-size you can carry in your bag and reapply during the day,” she says. She also recommends ordering a case of water bottles (and snacks if you need them) to your hotel from Instacart or Shipt. “You can bring your own reusable water bottle and fill up at water refill stations,” Sachs says, noting that it helps to minimize expenses at the parks.
GH’s Deputy Editor, Marisa LaScala, suggests packing cooling towels for your family. "We brought Frogg Toggs Chilly Mini Cooling Neck Towels with us everywhere we went," says LaScala, who covers parenting. "They were my daughter's comfort object on long lines."
Take mid-day breaks.
If you’re heading to Disney during the summer, build mid-day breaks into your schedule. We used this time to grab lunch, snap photos around the resort, you name it. LaScala swears by this tip as well: “It's nice to go back to the room, swim in the pool, or take a nap, then you can go back into the parks for dinner and fireworks,” she says.
You should also plan to arrive at the parks when they first open, so you can enjoy the rides before it gets too steamy outside. Of course, the temperature will likely vary if you travel during the fall and winter, so always check the weather forecast so you know exactly what to expect once you arrive.
Put thought into meals and snacks, especially for children with food allergies.
My kids’ travel with EpiPens, since they’re highly allergic to nuts and eggs. For this reason, I decided to load our backpacks for the day with safe snacks and beverages from our hotel. The hotel’s food staff was diligent about every order. The restaurant even had a counter designated for food allergy orders. I can’t emphasize enough just how much comfort this brought me every single day.
We were able to choose from a nice range of food options (there was everything from Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles to grilled salmon and chicken tenders with tater tots). There were also refrigerators and baskets fully stocked with things like fresh fruit, yogurt, chips, and bottled water. At the parks, we mainly stuck to buying popcorn made with coconut oil and slushies to avoid any issues. We ate breakfast and dinner at our hotel as well, since we knew exactly what to expect.
Snag Lightning Lane passes to avoid long lines.
It’s no secret that the lines can be long at Disney parks. We used Lightning Passes to bypass lines on certain rides, especially popular ones. For instance, the regular Guardians of the Galaxy line at EPCOT had about a 15-minute wait, while you could enter right away in the lighting lane. Expect to pay up to $40 per person every day (keep in mind that the cost is based on the date and Disney park you’re visiting).
Sachs always recommends this Disney perk to friends. “With the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can reserve up to three rides ahead of time and you’ll need to book a one-hour window to redeem the pass. Once you redeem each one, you can book another ride (for example, you can have three rides booked at a time). With a Lighting Lane Single Pass, you can buy a one-off pass for Disney's most-high demand rides,” she explains. These passes do tend to sell out, so aim to book for each person well in advance (seven days if you’re staying at a Disney hotel or three days if you only have park tickets).
Consider souvenirs in advance.
If you have traveled with kids, you know it can be hard for them to practice restraint when souvenir shopping. Aim to avoid as many impulse purchases as possible and have a general sense of souvenirs you want to commemorate the trip. My kids mainly shopped for t-shirts, mouse ear headbands, and keychains. LaScala keeps it simple, too: “With our daughter, we let her pick out one item per park. “Otherwise, she would ask for everything she sees,” she says.
As for Sachs, she purchases Disney gift cards for her kids beforehand for a more stress-free shopping experience. “I give my kids a Disney gift card before the trip, typically around $50 to $100, depending on the occasion and length of our stay. This means I'm not constantly saying ‘no’ when they endlessly ask for souvenirs. They get the joy of making a purchase, there's a set limit in place, and they have to decide where to spend their money,” Sachs explains.
If you’re heading to Disney with your family this summer, plan carefully to make the most of your trip. There’s no shortage of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Plus, the Cool Kids’ Summer event, which runs through September 8, is a major bonus, as you’ll have more chances to interact with Disney characters and enjoy special experiences around the parks. Thinking through everything from meals to the new rides you want to try in advance can save you time and money. And who doesn’t love that?
