Disney World with kids doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These practical Disney World hacks can save parents time, money, packing space, and stress.

Everyone warns parents that their first Disney World trip with kids is going to be a monumentally difficult venture. You need to pack a million things, book a million experiences or dining reservations, and map out the conveniences that’ll keep you sane and your kids comfortable (and entertained!). But it doesn’t actually have to be that hard.

As a mom who’s ventured to Disney World with a kid under age three, knowing the right hacks ahead of time can save you money, effort, and time. So, don’t make plans without keeping these ones in mind.

Bring Your Regular Stroller – Not a Travel-Sized One

Before I ever gave birth, a wise sales associate at Pottery Barn Kids shared a crucial Disney World hack with me: Never bring your travel stroller to Disney Parks. At the time, it only kind of made sense; I knew, based on my Disneyland experience, that travel strollers were a bit too lightweight. Once I brought my kid to the park? It became clear.

Travel strollers may be lighter and easier to fold, but many skimp on three key details: comfort for kids, comfort for parents, and storage space. Kids won’t be comfortable enough (or able) to lay back and sleep for a stroller nap in most slimmed-down travel strollers. And with smaller, less capable wheels, navigating one of these around Disney World can be uncomfortable for adults.

Photo by Rich Ramos

Plus, you want plenty of space to store backpacks, sweatshirts, water bottles, fans, and souvenirs. The less you carry in your hands, the better. 

Opt to bring a full-size stroller that you know very well — and know how to collapse and adjust quickly — and your life will be far, far easier. 

Always Have Travel Trash Bags on Hand

I discovered the magic of carrying a roll of travel trash bags thanks to my son’s penchant for throwing up during his first Disney Parks visit. But they’re for more than messy situations. 

Photo by Brett Svenson

I break them out at Disney World for wet clothes (or swimsuits) after visiting a splash pad in the parks. They also come in clutch for accidents, as you can seal up messy clothes in a bag. I’ll also use them to wrap up opened snacks that we aren’t ready to toss. And in the event of wet surfaces, they also double as a makeshift dry place to sit.

So, do yourself a favor and attach a trash bag dispenser and a roll of bags to the inside of your park bag for all of those potentially-messy situations.

Head to the Parks with Plenty of Snacks

Snacks are crucial for kids whether you’re at Disney World or in your own living room. And if you’re hoping to make it through your vacation without spending hundreds of dollars on chicken strips, French fries, and Mickey-shaped ice cream bars, you’re going to need a ton of snacks.

I like to stock up on both prepackaged snacks and fresher, healthier options before we leave our resort each stay. I’ll fill our bag with Cuties, cut-up fruit, bananas, and even DIY Lunchable ingredients like cheese cubes and crackers. Usually, there’s enough variety for my son to snack his way from mid-morning to dinner without needing to stop for lengthy meals.

Older kids may not get as much mileage out of snacks with their larger appetites; toddlers, after all, notoriously refuse meals. But snacks you can pull out during long wait times or when kids start getting grumpy are always a good idea — and the more nutritious the options you have on hand are, the better their “hanger” will likely be satiated.

Do Laundry During Your Trip

Lastly, this hack isn’t a fun one, but it is one that’ll save you space in your luggage. Plan to utilize the laundry facilities wherever you’re staying, and you’ll be able to pack far less.

Photo by CJ Ayd

Kids come with a lot of baggage and many, many accessories, so making room for everything they need (and all of the bubble wands or stuffed animals they’ll want to buy) isn’t easy. If you plan to do laundry during your trip, you’ll save yourself a ton of room. You can pack the kids — and yourself — essentially a capsule wardrobe, focusing on bottoms and tops that can be rotated to pair in any combination.

You will need to to do laundry a couple of times if you’re staying for a week or longer, but the payoff when you’re able to stash all of those souvenirs comfortably on your way home is well worth it, in my experience.