The Ultimate Checklist for a Stress-free Disney World Vacation with Kids

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If you’re planning a trip to Disney World with your kids, you probably already know that it can be both thrilling and stress-inducing. 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. We selected our Disney World dates and resort, and then… paralysis set in.

Cut to me having cold sweats in my dark bedroom while I waded through the chaos that is planning a Disney vacation.

I continually found myself overwhelmed, feeling like I didn’t have the time to sift through all the information and opinions and strategies… and that my vacation would be much less than magical because I wasn’t a Disney World insider.

So, what did I do? I became a Disney World insider!

And I want to help you become one too. That’s why I’m bringing you the Ultimate Checklist for a Stress-free Disney World Vacation. Let’s get into it!

1. Choose the Best Travel Dates

• If you are not dealing with school breaks, make sure to plan your Disney World vacation during a quieter time of year to avoid crowds (January, February, September*).
  • *We recently traveled at the end of September and enjoyed low crowds, but also had to deal with Hurricane Ian.
• If you are dealing with school breaks, don’t fret! You can still plan your days to avoid the largest crowds.
  • Choose which day you will go to which park based on crowds, not preference
    • Don’t forget to make your Disney Park Reservation for each day!
  • Use your early entry wisely!
• Tip: Utilize a crowd calculator: I love Touring Guide’s crowd calculator and rely on it heavily. ($17.95/year at publication)

2. Stay at a 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!
  • 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)
    • 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)
    • 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)
  • See Section 5 if you prefer a resort with other forms of Disney transportation!

3. Plan Ahead for Dining & Attractions

• DINING:
  • Ding at Disney World really brings the extra magic to your vacation and should not be overlooked!
  • If you stay 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 a Disney Property, you can make dining reservations 60-days in advance of the day you require them at 6am Eastern Time
  • (Psst! There are better ways to get dining reservations and I break them all down in the Essential Disney World Planning Guide) .
  • Prioritize character dining – with staff shortages and phased reopening, there aren’t many options for character dining and they go FAST.
• ATTRACTIONS:
  • You may want a brief overview prior to making your park reservations in order to determine which parks you want to attend
    • (Psst! The Parks-at-a-Glance section of the Disney World Resource Guide is perfect for this – FREE for a limited time!)
  • Otherwise you will need to know your top priority attractions by 7am Eastern Time, when you can make your first Genie+ Lightning Lane selection (the most popular ones sell out in minutes).
    • (Psst! You guessed it – I break down all the best strategies for Genie+ in the Essential Disney World Planning Guide)

4. Utilize Disney Transportation

• It’s free, it’s convenient, and it’s easy!
  • If your prefer to travel by gondola, The Skyliner*, will connect you to Epcot & Hollywood Studios from these resorts:
    • Disney’s Riviera Resort
    • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
    • Disney’s Pop Century Resort
    • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
    • *From January 22, 2023 through January 29, 2023, the Disney Skyliner will be closed for refurbishment. Complimentary bus and FriendShip boat service will be available.
  • If monorail is more your style, you can get to Magic Kingdom from these resorts:
    • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
    • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
    • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • If you prefer a more leisurely route, there is also a water taxi.
  • Bus is your other (less whimsical but no less efficient!) transportation option from the rest of the resorts.

5. Pack Like a Pro

• Check out my favorite travel products for kids – you won’t want to miss them.
• You absolutely do not want to forget:
  • Stroller for kids
  • Water bottles
  • Sunblock
  • 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!)
• For a more complete packing list, download the Disney World Resource Guide (free for a limited time!)

6. Save Some Money

• Use your Target Red Card to get 5% off Disney Gift Cards and use them for everything
  • Hint: 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
• 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

7. Be Prepared to Play the 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.

So there you have it! The ultimate checklist for planning a magical Disney World vacation. And if you want even more help making your Disney dreams come true, be sure to download the Disney World Resource Guide (free for a limited time!). It’s packed with tons of tips and tricks for having the best possible trip. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your dream vacation today!