How to Keep Your Kids from Having a Meltdown at Disney World

Kids, especially toddlers, can be especially temperamental and therefore can be known to throw a tantrum for no reason at the drop of a hat. Believe me, as the mom of an 18 month old, I know all about tantrums. To avoid these types at the parks there are a few simple tips to keep in mind and “rules” to follow – after all you don’t want your kids to be the ones screaming in the middle of Magic Kingdom because they “just don’t want to”. Here are 8 simple rules to follow to keep your little ones happy and avoid meltdowns at Walt Disney World.

• Drink Lots of Water – Staying hydrated is incredibly important for everyone while at the parks, but it is especially important for your little ones. A thirsty little one is a grumpy little one, and soon a grumpy little one is a cranky little one that doesn’t want to stand in line for that ride, even though they love it, and will soon be throwing an all-out tantrum. A great way to ensure that your little ones stay hydrated is to allow them to have their own water bottles. Water fountains are located all over the parks, so you should never be without water.
• Snacks – Hungry little ones also start to become grumpy little ones. Keeping small snacks in your park, so that you can have them with you in line since it is always when hunger strikes, is a great way to ensure that your little Prince or Princess doesn’t turn into a Beast. Crackers, Goldfish, sliced fruit and/or veggies, and granola bars are great healthy snack options that will tide your little one over ‘til the next meal and don’t take up too much room in your park bag.
• Keep Cool – We all get grumpy when we’re hot, but keeping your little ones cool can also keep everyone happy. Make sure that your kids aren’t over dressed, this is the first step in keeping cool. After a few hours those princess dresses can start to get hot and scratchy, so bringing an extra set of clothes can help to keep your little princess cool. Mister fans can be found throughout the parks, but they can be pricey, you can pick one up from the Dollar Store and bring it with you. Taking advantage of the splash zones and water rides throughout the parks is another great way to keep cool, but be sure to bring an extra set of clothes so that they aren’t cold after these experiences.
• Avoid Tired Feet – A Walt Disney World vacation involves A LOT of walking, we’re talking miles upon miles, and this amount of walking leads to tired feet. A little one with overly tired feet is a grumpy and soon to meltdown little one. A great way to avoid this is to have a stroller with you so that your little ones can get off their feet for a while. You can bring your own stroller with you or you can rent a stroller from Disney or an outside company if you don’t want to deal with having a stroller in the airport.
• Nap Time – If your little one still takes naps allowing them to take a nap during the day while at Disney will make it so that you can avoid meltdowns. Keeping nap time around the same as it is at home is best. An afternoon nap back at your resorts is a great option, it also allows for some pool time and an escape from the afternoon heat and crowds. If you don’t want to leave the parks for nap time a stroller is also a great place to take an afternoon nap.
• Small Toys for Lines – Bringing small toys or books for you little ones to play with in line will keep your kids happy and avoid tantrums over long lines.
• Avoid Sugar Crash – Sweets are pretty much inevitable, after all there are so many amazingly delicious treats available in the parks and at the resorts. However, ensuring that healthy snacks and meals are eaten will help to avoid a sugar crash and grumpiness.
• Burn off Energy – Allow your little ones to burn off some energy in the afternoon. After standing in lines all morning they need to stretch their little legs. There are some amazing places to let your kids have some fun and for the adults to sit down for a while – or you can get in on the action and play, too!

Did we miss one? How do you keep your little ones from having a meltdown at the parks? Let us know in the comments!

My name is Miriya Whitaker, I am a travel agent with World of Magic Travel, a writer for Chip and Co and Disney Addicts, and I would love to help you plan a magical vacation for the whole family. Contact me at miriyawhitaker@worldofmagictravel.com to start planning. Also, follow me on Facebook for more Disney and travel information.

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