Disney Mommy Tips

The all-powerful Disney World! What an overwhelming place. As a South Florida family Disney is always an option.  Living here there are billboards, Florida Resident Rates & Hotel Discounts…all to get you and your family to this magical place. And after all of the planning and
travel….it is truly magical!!But since we have been now many times…I wanted to share some of the things I have learned that can make the trip even better & easier on your wallet! These are just my own personal MOMMY TIPS!

HOTELS: I love the Disney properties, some are so close to the parks that you can take the monorail right into the parks and avoid the park (and shuttle) to ferry or monorail to your final park destination. BUT of course, you pay for the convenience. Another option is to stay near downtown Disney, a lot of these downtown Disney hotels offer  shuttles
to the parks and some even have Disney character breakfasts so that your children have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite characters up close
and personal. One of the hotels I like a lot is the Hilton Bonnet Creek, great kids’ activities, lazy river, pools and arcade. There are others close by that
are great as well, this is just one of my favorites.

So far my only Disney World park experience has been with Magic Kingdom, of course because my daughter is still a toddler so this park caters to
her. Here are a couple mommy tips on this
park:

BUTTONS: When you go to the ticket booth to pay the “Wait how much it is it” fee for your family to get into the park. The ticket person has free (yes free) Disney buttons for almost EVERY occasion: First time visitors, birthdays, weddings, anniversary’s( just to name a few). Take advantage of this and get your family some Disney buttons! They are cute and fun! The Disney associates in the park will greet you based on what your button says….it’s a great way to make the kiddies feel special!

TIMES: Disney is ALWAYS packed; I have actually had my best experiences with Magic Kingdom on a rainy day…no lines for rides or for character meeting. But rain can also be a pain so is in my opinion its best to plan the day so that you can come and go if you please. Meaning go first thing in the morning…maybe leave the park for lunch/naps and return in the afternoon for the parade and fireworks.

WATER: You can bring you own water into Magic Kingdom.  YES YOU CAN! So bring lots of fluids
because you’re all going to need it!

SOUVENIRS: Of course!!!!!!!!!All Children want something to bring home. Heck I even want a souvenir to prove I survived the trip. BUT my best
advice to save your pockets parents….stop at your local Disney store before you take your trip and stock up! If you get your kids favorite thing at the Disney Store, pick it and bring it with you, you will save money and still put a smile on your child’s face. Yes it means carrying a backpack to the park BUT you will need one anyway to put your water in!

STROLLERS: A mother told me once to bite the bullet and pay for the strollers that they offer in Disney…instead of bringing your own. This is
the BEST advice. The strollers are not that expensive and the Disney Strollers actually work better in the park. Best advice….rent the stroller there, much easier then struggling with traveling with your own.

RAIN: Buy ponchos at your local dollar tree or at a convenience store in Orlando. Its Florida, it rains for no reason, it’s better to be prepared then to get stuck in the rain and have to purchase a 12-16 dollar
poncho in the park. While you’re in the Dollar Tree pick up some glow sticks/bracelets/toys (you can use these during the evening parade.

CHARACTERS: There are tons of iPhone/smartphone Apps that you can download that will help you with character times and schedules. Download one because it’s hard to chase the characters around the park and you will never see them all that way.

EVENING PARADE: Plan ahead, if the parade starts a 8pm (times may vary) Find a spot and get your family settled about an hour before. YES and
hour, in order for your kids to enjoy the experience, they should be front row and center, and you won’t get the opportunity unless you are camped out and hour before. To keep the kids occupied for that hour, break out your Disney store souvenirs and buy a funnel cake or two….before you know it Mickey will be waving at your kids and you will be able to see the true magic in Magic Kingdom!

GETTING HOME: The parade is magical, the fireworks….even more magical, BUT that makes for a treacherous journey back to your car/shuttle/hotel. There is no way to avoid the lines to the monorail….if you stay for the parade and fireworks the only advice I can give is to stay in the park after the fireworks are done (even though you and your kids are EXHAUSTED)  or leave before they even start.

Magic Kingdom is oh sooo MAGICAL! In fact, all of the parks are….it’s all about being prepared and living in that magical moment…your kids will never forget it and neither will you!

BONUS: Lunch with the princess in the castle is well worth the money and is an experience your little one will never forget! If you go this route (to save a little money) if your princess is going to dress up…buy the costume in advance!

Save travels!!!!