We recently took a trip to Disney World with our 18 month old daughter. Like many first timers with small children, we searched the internet for all the tips we could get. We went in feeling fairly prepared for the trip, and for the most part, we were. However, there are a few things that we wish would have been talked about more. So, without further ado, here is our list of lessons learned:
Timing is everything, from the time of year you go to the time you go to the park. Timing can make your experience so much more magical. Late February to early March in the spring or late October to early November would make for the perfect temperature to visit Florida. For some, especially with kids, it just isn't possible to go at this time. Regardless of time of year, we suggest being at the park as soon as it opens. We purchased the PhotoPass and were able to take so many pictures with few to no people in the background. Additionally, we were able to visit so much more in a lot less time.
On that same note, purchase the PhotoPass! We have so many pictures as a family, and we didn't have to ask someone who was more worried about getting to their next destination than taking our picture.
If you have small children, this is by far the best advice I can give you. Each park has a baby care center. As soon as you get to the park, make sure that you locate it before going about your day. We used it so many times, and it was a life saver. Whether it be a diaper change or a place for your child to take a mid day nap, this place has it all. Our first day was super hot, and we used the center to take our little one in to escape the heat.
Speaking of mid day, Florida has a habit of raining for awhile in the middle of the day. On our trip, this happened every day that we were there. Luckily, I had lived on the South Eastern coast before, so I was already prepared. It's almost like clockwork. Expect it and avoid the stress of trying to find a good hiding spot to ride out the rain.
Lastly, wear super comfortable shoes and bring a change of socks. There is nothing worse than being half way through your day and your feet are soaked and throbbing.
While this is only a small list, and by no means all inclusive, these are just a few things that we wish were talked about more. We hope that this can help make your trip a little more enjoyable.
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