Your Stress-Free Disney World Vacation: The Ultimate Checklist for Families with Kids

updated August 2023

If you’re gearing up for an enchanting Disney World vacation with your kids, you’re probably thrilled and, let’s face it, a bit anxious. I pride myself on being a traveling mom. I have traveled with my toddlers since they were newborns, after all, and have more than a few tricks up my sleeves. But after we booked our Disney World dates, the overwhelm set in. Wading through the chaos of planning a Disney World vacation is – a lot.

I continually found myself frustrated, feeling like I didn’t have the time to sift through all the information and opinions and strategies… and that my vacation would be less than magical because I just couldn’t figure it all out.

So, what did I do? I figured it all out.

I became a Disney World insider and I’m here to share with you the ultimate checklist for a stress-free and magical Disney World vacation. Let’s dive right in!

How to Choose the Perfect Dates for your Disney World Vacation

• If you are not dealing with school breaks, Opt for quieter times like January, February, or September* to escape the crowds.
  • *Note: September can be fantastic for low crowds, though it may come with unexpected weather challenges, like our experience with Hurricane Ian
• If you are dealing with school breaks, don’t fret! I’ll show you how to strategize and make the most of your visit.
  • Pick parks based on crowd projections, not just personal preference.
  • Don’t forget to secure your Disney Park Reservations for each day (until January 9, 2024 reservations are still required)
  • Leverage Early Entry for a head start on park exploration – Disney resort guests can enter the parks early and, although it may sound nice to sleep in, it is SO worth it.
  • Top Tip: Utilize a crowd calculator. I swear by Touring Guide’s crowd calculator ($17.95/year at publication).

How to Choose the Perfect Disney World Resort

If it’s in your budget, it is absolutely worth it to stay at a Disney World Resort. Not only will you get early entry into the parks (a huge perk with kids!), you’ll also get free transportation and exceptional customer service and assistance.

• We love the Animal Kingdom Lodge and did not mind the distance from the parks one bit (even traveling with kids).
  • The buses to the parks are convenient and quick.
  • You can usually get a Savannah View room for less that the cost of a room closer to the parks.
    • Note: While we opt for a savannah view room (and it is amazing to wake up to giraffes out our window…) you can see animals all over the resort, so it’s definitely not necessary.
• If you want to be right in the action you can walk to the parks from these resorts:
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower (10 minute walk to Magic Kingdom)
    • Pricey, but you can’t beat the location if you have little ones!
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (20 minute walk to Magic Kingdom)
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (25 minute walk to Magic Kingdom)
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas (5 minute walk to Epcot)
    • Epcot is (sneakily) our favorite park, all four of us. Definitely worth staying close!
  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Villas (10 minute walk to Epcot)
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (10 minute walk to Epcot)
  • Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort (10 minute walk to Epcot)
• You can also use Marriott Points, if you have them at the following resorts:
  • Dolphin Hotel
  • Swan Hotel & Swan Reserve
  • Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

How to Choose (and get!) The Perfect Disney World Dining Reservations

• Dining at Disney World really brings the extra magic to your vacation (albeit at a cost) and should not be overlooked.
  • If you are staying at a Disney World Resort, you can make dining reservations 60-days in advance of the first day of your stay at 6am Eastern Time.
  • If you are not staying at Disney property, you can make dining reservations 60-days in advance of the day you require the reservation at 6am Eastern Time.
• Prioritize character dining—options are limited and in high demand.

(Psst! Sleep in! There are better ways to get dining reservations and I break them all down in the Essential Disney World Planning Guide) .

How to Choose The Perfect Disney World Parks:

With four parks at your fingertips, choosing which ones to include in your family vacation may seem overwhelming, compounded by the multitude of opinions out there. My best advice is to let your family’s passions serve as your compass.

• If you’re traveling with little ones, love princesses, and want to feel the classic enchantment of Cinderella’s castle and an air of timeless Disney charm, then Magic Kingdom is for you.
• Animal enthusiasts should undoubtedly make a beeline for Animal Kingdom, where a world of wildlife and thrilling adventures awaits.
• If the world of Toy Story, thrill rides, or Star Wars beckons, then Hollywood Studios is your must-visit park.
• If your family is entranced by Frozen, Ratatouille or a culinary experience, EPCOT is a must. I might be biased towards EPCOT (it’s my family’s personal favorite), but trust me when I say that no Disney World experience is complete without a trip to EPCOT.

If I had to prioritize for any visit with kids, my recommendation would be:

1. Magic Kingdom – you just can’t miss it!
2. EPCOT – it’s a dream!
3. Animal Kingdom – the Safari alone is worth it!
4. Hollywood Studios – my least favorite park, but my family isn’t into Star Wars or thrill rides.

For more guidance, here’s my Parks At-A-Glance:

For a further breakdown of each park, dining guides, how to get reservations, and a full itinerary, check out the Essential Disney World Planning Guide .

How To Pack like a Pro:

• You absolutely do not want to forget:
  • If you have anyone still in a portable crib, you’re going to want a SlumberPod.
  • Stroller for kids
    • Make sure your stroller is Disney approved
    • Add something that makes your stroller stand out in a sea of stroller-parking strollers, like a stroller spotter.
    • If you’re flying, don’t forget a gate check stroller bag!
  • Water bottles
    • Bonus for filling them with ice before leaving your hotel!
  • Sunblock
  • Swim suits
  • Sun hats
  • Comfortable shoes (and clothes!)
  • Portable phone charger (phone batteries die extremely fast at Disney!)
  • Your magic bands (they are your ticket, your wallet, your lifeline!)
  • An Apple AirTag on a keychain or bracelet is a great item for peace-of-mind keep track of wandering little ones.

How to Save Money:

• Use your Target Red Card to get 5% off Disney Gift Cards and use them for everything
  • TIP: Ask everyone for Disney gift cards for birthdays & holidays. Your child will likely appreciate a dream vacation more than another toy, anyway!
• Utilize grocery delivery or grocery pickup.
  • By packing your own snacks for the parks or eating one non-Disney meal per day, you can save a shocking amount There are lots of options, but we like Target and Garden Grocer
    • Don’t forget to check out the local Disney selection at the Orlando Target!

Keep in mind that a less expensive Disney World vacation doesn’t mean an inexpensive Disney World vacation! Weigh the pros and cons and consider the following cost saving tips as well:

• No Park Hopper. Downside: you may not get to every park during your trip, or if you happen to finish a park early (hello, Animal Kingdom), you may end up feeling trapped
• No Genie+. Downside: you may have long waits at lots of attractions
• Stay offsite. Downside: longer commutes to the parks, no Disney transportation, less Disney magic
• Eat offsite. Downside: less convenient than eating in the parks (more commute time), less Disney magic
• No Souvenirs. (Ok let’s be reasonable – limited souvenirs) Downside: fewer keepsakes

How to Play the Disney World Planning Game

Planning a Disney World vacation can feel like playing a game, and those who play it best get the best benefits – fewer lines, better dining reservations, more character meet and greets, etc. Without wading through pages and piles of Disney World content, I am bringing you the must have information. So buckle up and get ready to become a great player. Provide your family the most magical, stress free Disney vacation with the Essential Disney World Planning Guide.

Your Disney Dream Awaits:

And there you have it, the ultimate checklist for a truly magical Disney World vacation. But wait, there’s more! Don’t wait—start planning your dream Disney World vacation today!