How many times have you heard, "Wait until your kids are older before you take them to Disney"? Or just generally thought that the struggle to go wouldn't be worth it? There are many that criticize bringing younger children to Disneyworld, but rest assured, Disney will make even the smallest guests feel welcome! As we are preparing for our first trip with young children this fall, I have discovered some tips to set a parents mind at ease when grappling with the fear of how to navigate the happiest place on earth with children that are preschool aged and under. 

• Locate the parks Baby Care Centers! 
  • These centers are in all four theme parks providing an air conditioned space to nurse, feed, and change your children. Even mini kitchens and mini toilets!
• Did you know that you can baby wear at Disneyworld? 
  • To my surprise I discovered that you can wear your baby on any ride that doesn't have a height restriction! I will definitely be packing my Ergo carrier and Sakura sling. 
  • Get some chilly pads to keep you and baby cool in the carrier!  
• Rider Switch
  • Adults can take turns riding rides while their partner waits in line. You can just swap out parents without waiting in line all over again!  
• List of rides under 40" 
  • There are SO many attractions without any height requirements at Magic Kingdom! See the list and the image below!
    • Astro Orbiter® 
    • Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin 
    • Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade 
    • Cinderella Castle 
    • Cinderella's Golden Carrousel 
    • Country Bear Jamboree 
    • Donald's Boat 
    • Dumbo The Flying Elephant 
    • The Enchanted Tiki Room – Under New Management 
    • Frontierland Shootin' Arcade 
    • The Hall Of Presidents 
    • The Haunted Mansion® 
    • "it's a small world" 
    • Jungle Cruise 
    • Liberty Square Riverboat 
    • Mad Tea Party 
    • Main Street Vehicles 
    • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 
    • Mickey's Country House 
    • Mickey's PhilharMagic 
    • Minnie's Country House 
    • Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor 
    • Peter Pan's Flight 
    • Pirates of the Caribbean® 
    • Snow White's Scary Adventures 
    • "SpectroMagic" Parade 
    • Swiss Family Treehouse 
    • Tom Sawyer Island 
    • Tomorrowland® Transit Authority 
    • Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress 
    • Walt Disney World® Railroad 
    • Epcot Theme Park
    • The American Adventure 
    • American Adventure Pavilion 
    • Canada Pavilion 
    • Captain EO starring Michael Jackson
    • China Pavilion 
    • Circle of Life
    • Ellen's Energy Adventure 
    • France Pavilion 
    • Germany Pavilion 
    • Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros 
    • "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" 
    • IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth 
    • ImageWorks – The Kodak "What If" Labs 
    • Imagination! Pavilion 
    • Impressions de France 
    • Innoventions 
    • Italy Pavilion 
    • Japan Pavilion 
    • Journey Into Imagination With Figment 
    • Disney's Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure 
    • Living with the Land 
    • Maelstrom 
    • Mexico Pavilion 
    • Mission: SPACE Advanced Training Lab 
    • Mission: SPACE Pavilion 
    • Morocco Pavilion 
    • National Treasures 
    • Norway Pavilion 
    • O Canada! 
    • Reflections of China 
    • Spaceship Earth 
    • Spaceship Earth Pavilion 
    • Test Track Pavilion 
    • The Land Pavilion 
    • The Seas with Nemo & Friends 
    • The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion
    • Turtle Talk with Crush 
    • United Kingdom Pavilion 
    • Universe of Energy Pavilion 
    • Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme Park
    • Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame Plaza 
    • The American Film Institute Showcase 
    • The American Idol Experience 
    • Studio Backlot Tour 
    • Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage 
    • Block Party Bash 
    • Fantasmic! 
    • The Great Movie Ride 
    • "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" Movie Set Adventure 
    • Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular! 
    • Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian 
    • Lights, Motors, Action!™ Extreme Stunt Show 
    • The Magic of Disney Animation 
    • Muppet*Vision 3-D 
    • Playhouse Disney—Live on Stage!™ 
    • Sounds Dangerous with Drew Carey 
    • Star Wars: Jedi Training Academy 
    • Toy Story Mania! 
    • Voyage of The Little Mermaid 
    • Walt Disney: One Man's Dream 
    • Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
    • Affection Section 
    • The Boneyard® 
    • Conservation Station® 
    • Cretaceous Trail 
    • Dino-Sue 
    • Discovery Island® Trails 
    • Finding Nemo – The Musical 
    • Fossil Fun Games 
    • Habitat Habit! 
    • It's Tough to be a Bug!® 
    • Kids Discovery Clubs 
    • Kilimanjaro Safaris® 
    • Maharajah Jungle Trek® 
    • Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade 
    • The Oasis Exhibits 
    • Pangani Forest Exploration Trail® 
    • The Tree of Life 
    • TriceraTop Spin 
    • Wildlife Express Train

• Get to the park early
  • Hit up Fantasy Land as soon as the park opens and enjoy some reprieve while this area isn't super busy yet. Fantasy land has the largest number of rides for toddlers!  
• Work with a Disney planner! They are completely free, answer all your questions (big or small), book your meal reservations, character meals, book specialty add ons, and find the best deals before anyone else!!! Cheryl Popoutsis is ours and she has the experience of being a lifelong Disney vacationer and goes there every year. You can't beat her knowledge and experience and she has made the planning process exponentially less stressful. It's like having a wedding planner you don't have to pay for!  The best way for a stress free planning experience.  
• Get a babysitter, parents need fun too!
  • If you aren't lucky enough to have grandparents tag along for help, Disney offers in room child care services and childcare activity centers! 

All in all, Disneyworld is an overwhelming place. And if you are only ever going to go once in your life, waiting until your children are older is probably a good idea. But if you want to make this magical location a destination you go back to time and time again, just remember that you aren't going to fit everything in. Enjoy what the parks have to offer for the different stages your children are in, and watch their eyes light up each and every time. With toddlers specifically it seems best to stay on sight, go back for naps, cool off in the baby care centers, and just enjoy what they can enjoy for now. Vacations are always the best when you don't push yourself too hard and that is something I have to remind myself time and time again. Making an itinerary with your Disney planner is a good way to ensure that you aren't overwhelmed by all the options and figure out what rides you just have to go on before you even get there. 

 Comment below with toddler Disney tips! Let's make this post a great resource   for parents ready to brave the journey!