We spent 8 magical days at Disney World with our three kids, ages 4, 6, and 8, and it was a whirlwind of fun, excitement, and a few lessons learned along the way! My mom joined us, which was a huge help—having an extra pair of hands made all the difference. Here are some tips and tricks that worked well for our family:
Travel Tip: Plan Your Return Day Wisely
We flew out on a Sunday and came back the following Sunday. If I could do it again, I’d plan to return on a Saturday. Having an extra day to relax and recharge before jumping back into the chaos of everyday life would’ve been worth it, especially after such a busy trip.
1. Plan, Plan, Plan!
Eat Breakfast at Home
Our days were packed—we’d arrive at the parks at opening time and stay until closing. To make mornings smoother, I laid out the kids’ clothes the night before. We’d wake up, get dressed, brush our teeth, eat a quick breakfast, and head out. We stayed at a timeshare with a full kitchen, so we did a grocery run on the first day. This made it easy to prepare breakfast and pack lunch for the park, which saved time and money. I woke the kids up as late as I possibly could each day so that they could get the most sleep, although there were plenty of days they were up before the adults!
Pack Lunch for the Park
Disney allows you to bring in your own food, which is a huge win. Packing lunch meant we didn’t have to waste time figuring out where to eat or waiting in lines. Plus, my kids don’t eat much on vacation because they’re so excited, so having snacks and sandwiches (peanut butter & jelly, hardboiled eggs, granola bars, fruit, and plenty of water) made it easy to keep them energized without stopping for long breaks.
Pajamas in the Car
We packed pajamas in the car so that after a long day at the park, the kids could change and fall asleep on the 20-minute drive back to our condo. This saved time and helped them settle down quickly, sometimes! They were just excited all week!
Bring Ponchos & Extra Clothes
We didn’t end up needing our ponchos, but Florida’s weather can be unpredictable, so it’s a good idea to be prepared. My mom had bought us all ponchos in case of rain, and we also had an extra set of clothes just in case. We also were there for Halloween which led to also bringing costumes to the park! Our stroller was packed for the day!
2. Don’t Forget Exercise!
I made sure to keep up with exercise during the trip. Will and I took turns running in the mornings before heading to the parks. Even just a mile was a chance to get away for a bit and clear my head. On rest days, we did longer runs, but between walking 15,000–20,000 steps a day and pushing a stroller, we definitely got our exercise!
3. Rest Days Are Essential
Out of the eight days, we planned two full rest days. After a long travel day and late night at the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, we took a rest day right away. Our middle son slept in until 11 a.m. (a true miracle!), and we enjoyed quiet time at the resort. The kids played bingo, we swam in the pool, and we took turns napping—such a relief!
4. Incorporate Learning & Play
Even though we were on vacation, we still made time for a little schoolwork. We pulled the kids out of school to avoid the crowds, so we did some homework and caught up on learning during our rest days. The kids also loved playing games like LCR (Left, Center, Right) with quarters as prizes—perfect for relaxing together.
5. Witnessing Resilience in Your Kids
Our kids wore pedometers, and they were walking as much as we were—around 15,000 steps a day! Sure, there were complaints along the way, but overall, they were champs. They waited in long lines, played games like “20 Questions,” and Charlie even used the time in line to test his upper-body strength. Occasionally, Charlie wasn’t tall enough for certain rides, but he took it like a trooper, which made me so proud. They truly enjoyed every moment, no matter the obstacles.
6. Family Time Is Everything
One of the best parts of the trip was sharing it with my mom. She’s done the same for other siblings in the family, so it felt special to have our turn. Her help and humor were a huge bonus for all of us. It was also a wonderful bonding experience for our family, spending every moment together—exhausting at times, but so much fun!
7. Laundry—A Game Changer
The condo we stayed in had a washer and dryer, which was a lifesaver. I managed to do laundry throughout the week, which sounds mundane but was so helpful. By the time we returned home, only 2 of our 5 carry-ons had dirty clothes in them!
Our Schedule:
- Sunday: Travel day: Arrive at noon, grocery shop, Magic Kingdom (4 p.m.–1 a.m.) – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
- Monday: Rest Day – bingo,pool, dinner out.
- Tuesday: Magic Kingdom (9 a.m.–10 p.m.)
- Wednesday: Hollywood Studios (9 a.m.–9 p.m.)
- Thursday: Rest Day – breakfast out, bingo, and pool.
- Friday: Epcot (9 a.m.–9 p.m.)
- Saturday: Animal Kingdom (8 a.m.–7 p.m.)
- Sunday: Travel Day – Airport by 1 p.m.
Our Disney adventure was a whirlwind, but so incredibly rewarding. With careful planning, strategic rest days, and lots of snacks, we made the most of every moment and created memories that will last a lifetime.