4. All tuckered out!

Like little Grogu, Disney magic can make babies and toddlers, “Oh-so sleepy”. Where an adult can keep powering ahead all day, most tiny kids are going to need breaks and naps throughout the day. You may be lucky enough to get baby to take a stroller nap (the cobbles of World Showcase are a very nice place to accomplish this) or a quick babywearing doze, but more likely, you’re going to need to plan some downtime.

There are a few ways to accomplish this. Within the parks, there are places you can manage a quick nap like the Baby Care Centers or quiet indoor locations (such as Star Wars Launch Bay or the exit area of Spaceship Earth). Some resort lobbies and public lounge areas can also work in a pinch.

The ideal scenario is to take a mid-day break. My family swore by this practice, and though I chafed against it at times throughout my childhood, in truth, it helped prevent Disney days from becoming exhausting. Queues in the parks tend to peak a couple hours after park opening (around lunchtime). This is a great time to take a breather. At Walt Disney World, this is easiest accomplished if you’re staying at a Disney-owned resort (or the Swan and Dolphin), but the same premise works at other lodging options near the parks as well. After a couple hours of downtime, return to the parks refreshed. You may even find yourself arriving as other families are starting to head home.

5. “AHHHHH!!! WHAT IS IT?!”

How this looks is going to vary from kid to kid, but it’s important to note that tiny kids have very different perspectives from adults or older children on what is scary. For some, just the crowds at Disney can be enough to send them burrowing into mommy’s shoulder. For others, the size of huge objects like Spaceship Earth or the behemoths of Toy Story Land can prove overwhelming.

Most important to keep in mind is that kids under four are still in the window where they don’t fully understand make-believe. Infants and small toddlers may still be figuring out basic concepts like object permanence, let alone wrapping their minds around the giant-headed chipmunk twins strolling up to your dinner table. As far as they’re concerned, everything in the parks is totally real, including objects on rides, animatronics, and especially characters. Some babies and toddlers do great with characters, but for others, their huge, unnatural heads are freaky as all get out (in my own case as a little tyke, I apparently was uniquely terrified of thumb-sucking Prince John).

Disney experts tend to agree not to rush introducing small kids to characters. Something like a character meal might prove too much right off the bat. Go slow, maybe starting with face characters like princesses, then working your way up. Watch your little one for = signs of discomfort and maybe wait until next visit if they start getting scared. Every kid is different. Some little ones are far more comfortable with Chewbacca than Mickey, and that’s okay. If they seem uneasy, withdraw!

6. “PLAY!”

Your little one is going to see all sorts of opportunities to play at Disney parks and resorts. There’s a reason many teeny-tinies prefer the resort pool—it’s an environment where they can play, play, play and hold your attention to their heart’s content.

In contrast, the parks can prove more frustrating to small children than we’d expect. Think of it this way: a Disney park is a bit like a great big playground full of all sorts of things your littlest child is interested in. The problem is they’re tethered to adults! They don’t understand things like long queues, height restrictions, boundaries, and “don’t touch the mystery gum under the bench”. In the end, the arrangement can prove exasperating for kids whose idea of fun is climb all the stuff and touch all the things.

The older babies and toddlers get, the more they are going to start experiencing a desire to be independent and have some control over some choices. There will definitely be times you need to tell your little one no, but it’s also worth planning for some intentional flexibility. If the opportunity presents itself, give your little one the chance to explore, play, and choose some interactions. Plan for playtime at the pool, to run around play areas, and to linger in spots they show interest. Considering enjoying a picnic instead of a sit down meal, or even planning a purposeful day away from the parks specifically to enjoy those lower-pressure together moments. Above all, have fun, and enjoy these youngest years. Babies and toddlers can be challenging, but they are also more full of wonder than they ever will be again. Slow down and enjoy the moments, embracing patience during meltdowns.

What other tips do you have for resolving meltdowns for babies and toddlers at Disney parks? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook. Thanks for reading!