Disney For The Holidays: The Most Magical (And Stressful!) Time Of Year. Get Prepared For Your Family Adventure At The Merriest Place On Earth

Disney family vacations with babies and toddlers are equal parts magical and stressful, fulfilling and overwhelming, memorable and nice-to-put-behind-you 😉. The holidays are even more special at Disney theme parks with all the festive decorations, jubilant celebrations and spectacular fireworks. We’re big fans of Mickey Mouse and all his friends, so you’ll definitely catch our families (and team!) visiting a Disney park during the holiday season, no matter the crowds.

The best way to make visiting a Disney theme park less stressful during the holiday season is to PREPARE well in advance. Here are recommendations from our team as to how to make your visit less stressful and more magical than you ever thought possible (and yes…it IS possible)!

1. Reach Out To An Expert

Disney Travel Planers of all kinds are readily available and just a quick Google, Instagram or Facebook search away! Whether working directly with a Disney Cast Member or an Individual Travel Planner, they can offer you expert advice, tips, recommendations and more that will help make your family vacation as smooth as possible. Disney’s websites (Disneyland and Walt Disney World) are incredibly helpful and offer direct phone numbers to (yes!) actually speak with someone. Individual travel agents are all over social media, with some like @magicmorningsvacations specializing in Disneyland vacations and some like @mousemadetravels specializing in Walt Disney World vacations. Trust the experts, reach out well in advance, get some help and lighten your load…at least a little.

2. Plan & Prepare Your Luggage & Gear

Based on the age(s) of your kids and the length of your vacation, you can decide what gear & luggage you MUST bring, what you’d LIKE to bring and what you can LEAVE at home. Less is easier from a physical standpoint, but having the gear you’re used to provides comfort that can be important when away from home and spending long days at a theme park. Whatever you decide, decide it weeks before your trip so you have time to make any last minute purchases.

If bringing your child’s car seat, this bag is fully protective when checking it as luggage, and this bag is compact yet still protects from dirt, wet weather and unwanted tampering for gate checking it. If bringing your child’s stroller, this bag is great for checking it as luggage and this one for gate checking it. You do have the option of renting your car seat and/or stroller at your destination, but we personally like to have our own gear (at least our stroller) for long theme park days.

If you’re in need of new luggage and feeling festive, this, this and this are super cute and will last you for years to come.

Most Disney resort hotels, and hotels in the vicinity of Disney theme parks, offer cribs/pack ‘n plays for rent or even just for use during your stay, so make sure to check with your hotel. There are many rental services as well for all types of baby gear, such as Baby Quip and Baby's Away, which is a great option for those who prefer to travel lighter. Renting a high chair, baby seat and other items can really help make you feel at home when in a hotel or rental property.

3. Check The Weather & Purchase Accordingly

Disneyland weather usually follows a mild seasonality…summers are hot, fall is warm during the days and cool at night, winters are colder and spring is cool. Rain occurs mainly during winter and spring, when there’s a legitimate storm in the forecast. At Walt Disney World, however, you can expect the traditional Florida 3pm rainstorm and you better be prepared! Summers can be hot and sticky, making long days even more tiring.

For cooler and rainier months, make sure to bring sweatshirts and jackets as you’ll be layering for long park days. Beanies and light blankets can be needed for late nights watching fireworks. Consider ponchos for adults and kids, and stroller rain covers like this one to keep your littlest ones dry and your bags, souvenirs, etc. protected.

For warmer months, keep clothes light and airy…dry fit options are great as they can get wet and dry quickly. Crocs are awesome park shoes for the kids as they’re both comfortable and great for water rides and play fountains. Consider fans to stay cool, such as stroller fans and personal fans. An insulated snack bag with ice pack keeps food and drinks cool for a refreshing snack break. Hats are essential (and sunscreen!).  

4. Outfits (And Ears) Are Fun – Go Big!

Disney vacations, for many, are once-in-a-lifetime or at least once-every-five-years. So…GO BIG! Make the most of it! These memories are ones you’ll never forget, and your photos will look even better if your family is dressed in your Disney best!

Matching, custom family shirts? Go for it! Coordinating family ensembles for certain character groups, movies, themes, theme park themes and more…the sky’s the limit! There are so many affordable options from Etsy to Amazon. Make Pinterest boards, make purchases, make them yourself. Whatever floats your Steamboat Willie 😊 Have fun! And don’t forget your ears!

5. Organization Will Save You

The more organized you are before your vacation, the more organized you’ll feel DURING your vacation. Here are some ways to get and stay organized, so you can actually enjoy your Disney vacation (yes, it’s possible!).

• Packing Organization – We love packaging cubes, especially for incorporating infant clothing into your luggage. For toddlers, we recommend their own (small) backpack and rolling luggage. We thoroughly recommend planning out daily outfits for everyone, then bringing layers and an extra outfit or two in case accidents happen.
• Stroller Organization – The more readily available everything is, the easier it’ll make your day at the park. This organizer provides lots of extra storage space for clothing layers and souvenirs, while this one is absolutely perfect for quick-access items your toddler can reach and is our favorite for bubble wands. 😉 We love the idea of attaching an insulated snack bag to your stroller handlebar so all snacks are in one place, as well as a stocked diapering station so you can easily grab and go when a diaper change is needed. If you’re bringing a travel system (infant carrier + stroller) to the park, consider this cover for much needed shade for naps throughout the day. If you have a toddler who likes to walk on their own, consider this to keep them close by. And of course a stroller fan and weather shield depending on the forecast. Your stroller has never looked (and functioned!) better!

  

    

• Diaper Bag/Purse Organization – If you organize your stroller properly, you won’t need to access your diaper bag too often as it’ll probably be stuffed in your stroller basket. Your diaper bag can then be used for back-up clothing, extra diapers, nursing accessories/bottles, and mealtime accessories like these disposable (and colorable!) placemats and disposable highchair covers. We swear by them for making meals at theme parks SO much easier & cleaner.

To sum it all up, our #1 tip for any traveling family, especially when heading to a theme park, is the more prepared and organized you are before your trip, the more fun you’ll have during your trip.

Now go be the incredible mom or dad that you are and make some magical Disney memories with your family! Travel Happy.