21 Hacks for Visiting Disney World With Kids, According to Travel Experts

Sleep is essential for kids (and parents!) while visiting Walt Disney World, so a suite or villa is a great option if you're worried about having the whole family share one sleeping area. Villas are located in the Deluxe Resort category (i.e., the most expensive hotels) and have full kitchens, living rooms and dining areas. Suites are available within all hotel categories (including Value Resorts, the least expensive).

If you're looking for the best bang for your buck, check out Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort (pictured here; it's a Deluxe Villa Resort with tons of kid-friendly amenities, but isn't located adjacent to any of the theme parks) or Disney's Art of Animation Resort (a Value Resort that has family suites with pull-down beds, a kitchenette and impeccable Disney theming throughout). If you're willing to splurge and want to be closer to the parks, I recommend villas at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort (near Magic Kingdom) or Disney's Beach Club Resort (near EPCOT).

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I get the appeal of wanting to wait until elementary school for the first visit because it's easier to travel, and they'll remember more. That being said, I first took my kids to Disney World when they were 6-months and 3-and-a-half-years old, and I am so happy that I did. My 6-month-old didn't require a paid ticket, and everything was pure magic to my 3-year-old. From a developmental standpoint, preschool-aged children typically don't understand the difference between fantasy and reality, so I got to experience the magic of believing through my daughter's eyes. And while they don't remember everything firsthand, they love looking at the photos from the trip.

This Disney-owned question-and-answer forum provides advice from a panel of experienced Disney guests. Unlike social media groups where you'll get a wide range of answers to your questions, you can trust these responses to be accurate and up-to-date because each panelist has been selected by Disney. You can also browse answers to other questions that have been asked.

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...especially if you want to save money (on both park tickets and hotel rooms) while also avoiding crowds. Holiday school breaks are going to be the most expensive and busiest times to visit Walt Disney World. If your kids are young enough that they can easily miss a few days of school without added stress, it's worth prioritizing an off-peak travel time. Check out the Disney website for special offers on park tickets and hotels, which are sometimes available during off-peak times.

It's no secret that park tickets are pricey, but keep in mind that the cost per day decreases as the length of your visit increases. The price varies based on dates, but a one-day theme park ticket can cost well over $100. However, the cost of going from a five-day park ticket to a six-day park ticket could be just around $20 extra.

This do-it-all app is going to be your guide throughout the trip, so it's a good idea to get used to it before you go. Use it for everything from making dining reservations, checking attraction wait times and accessing your family's photos to getting directions within the parks and checking showtimes. When it comes to your Disney hotel, you can even open the door with the app and check bus times when heading to the parks.

If you're staying at a Walt Disney World hotel, you can book dining reservations for your entire stay 60 days prior to your check-in date. That means you get early access for dates that are more than 60 days away, so try booking the hard-to-get restaurants towards the end of your trip. One of the most high-demand meals is the character breakfast at Topolino's Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort (pictured here). Others include Space 220 at EPCOT and Cinderella's Royal Table at Magic Kingdom.

Though it can be tempting to take your family photos in front of the iconic backdrops right when you enter the parks, you'll find that it's nearly impossible to get a shot without a crowd in the background. Instead, look for the spots that Disney refers to as "hidden gems," including an overlook between Asia and Africa in Animal Kingdom for the Tree of Life (pictured here) and the bridges to Fantasyland, Frontierland and Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom for Cinderella Castle.

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Even if your kids are past the stroller phase, it'll make your visit so much easier. Not only will you be walking several miles each day, but it also allows you to have some extra storage space to carry the essentials. Most airlines allow you to check a stroller for free; just note that it needs to be collapsible if you plan to bring it on Disney transportation. If you prefer not to travel with a stroller or rent from a third-party platform, you can also rent one at the Walt Disney World parks.

If you're willing to spend extra for Genie+, Disney's service that lets you access Lightning Lanes (i.e., shorter lines for certain attractions), make sure you learn how to use it before you go. Some kid-favorite rides book up quickly and have consistently long wait times — like Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Slinky Dog Dash and Peter Pan's Flight — so make sure to prioritize these attractions when you book your first Genie+ reservation of the day.

They're not just for babies. While they do have facilities that make traveling to Disney World with an infant easier (like changing tables and nursing rooms), they're also great for young kids. You can find a Baby Care Center in each of the four parks for when your toddler needs a break, and there are quieter restrooms (sometimes even with smaller toilets!) if the public restrooms feel too overwhelming.

If your child is too short or too scared for certain attractions, Disney offers a Rider Switch option so everyone else can ride without having to wait in line twice. And if you don't want to ride alone, you may bring one guest from the party on with you after you switch (e.g., if you have an older child going on the ride, they can ride with each parent while the other is supervising the younger one). Make sure to tell a Cast Member when you're in line that you'd like to use this feature.

Trust me on this one. Even if you're already in the dining location, ordering from your phone is going to save you a ton of time, especially during peak meal times. You can find mobile ordering at a handful of quick-service restaurants and snack kiosks throughout the parks. The menus have pictures of the food, and you can choose between ordering in real time or scheduling for a later pick-up.

If you've got early risers, take advantage of the morning hours in the parks. It's calmer with fewer crowds and the weather is cooler, which is especially helpful in the spring through fall. I personally prefer to prep outfits and pack our bag the night before so we can get to the park before it opens. Even if you don't plan to "rope drop" the most popular rides, you'll find lower wait times throughout the parks. Plus, there's a fun welcome show at Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom with favorite Disney characters right before the park opens.

It's hard to pack light when you're spending a day at the parks, and it can be difficult to find what you need in a fully-packed bag. Zippered mesh pouches like this one on Amazon have been a total game-changer for my family, separating out snacks, sunscreen, autograph books, accessories and more.

Believe it or not, there are spaces at Disney World where kids can run free. Though it may feel like you want to stick with the can't-miss attractions, young kids will love the opportunity to let loose at these sites. Pictured here is The Boneyard at Disney's Animal Kingdom, a shaded complex of slides, bridges, climbing areas and a dig site. Other favorites include the circus-themed (and air-conditioned!) indoor playground in the Dumbo The Flying Elephant queue at Magic Kingdom and the Green Family Landing Play Zone at EPCOT.

This is one of my kids' favorite activities and, in my opinion, one of the most underrated experiences. There's no reservation required, and we've never had to wait in line, plus there's no cost for the session itself; the images are included in Disney's Memory Maker packages. Pictured here is the Royal Portrait Studio inside of Sir Mickey's at Magic Kingdom (right behind Cinderella Castle); it has plenty of props for kids to pose with. If you head to Disney Springs, check out the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs, which offers virtual backdrops, including scenes from theme parks or favorite movies.

Walt Disney World offers a variety of daytime shows and parades along with nighttime spectaculars to pick from. If an evening show is on your wishlist, but you're worried about the late night with a young child, I recommend opting for Fantasmic at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It takes place in an outdoor theater so you get a seat, there's a concession area for snacks, and it's easy to exit at the end. It was also more engaging for my young kids than the fireworks at other Disney parks.

You've probably heard about a ton of "must-do" attractions at Walt Disney World — especially thrilling rides and nostalgic experiences — but some of the most memorable attractions for kids aren't talked about as much. Pictured here is the Affection Section at Disney's Animal Kingdom, where kids can interact with animals. Also check out Living With The Land at EPCOT, a boat ride through greenhouses that's filled with plenty of hidden Mickeys in plant form.

One of the most common questions I get asked by first-timers with young kids is how they can meet characters from favorite movies and TV shows. The characters vary by park (and some even by day and time), so if there are any that your child is eager to meet, make sure to plan in advance. You can find the characters available for meet and greets at each park on the My Disney Experience app, as shown here for Magic Kingdom.