Can You Have Fun at Walt Disney World with a Toddler?

Walt Disney World is a dream trip for many families. However, it can be expensive and tiring, so many people wait until their kids are older. I didn't want to wait, so I took my two-year-old to see if we could have fun together. There are good reasons to wait, but I wanted to try it and see what it's like.
I took a 10-hour flight to Orlando with my two-year-old to find out what we could do together. Many people warned me that it might not be magical because my child is so young.
The trip was not all easy, but we had a lot of fun. I was surprised by how much we enjoyed it.
Here's what I learned about taking a toddler to Walt Disney World, including my mistakes so you can avoid them...
The new Buzz Lightyear ride is great for all ages.
There are many things to do with a toddler at Walt Disney World, and many rides don't have height limits.
In Magic Kingdom, we rode fun rides like Peter Pan's Flight and It's A Small World. Our toddler loved all the colors and music, even though he doesn't know all the Disney movies yet. The new Buzz Lightyear ride is interactive and fun for adults and kids.
At EPCOT, we enjoyed rides like Remy's Ratatouille and Frozen Ever After. There's also a fun interactive area after the 'Journey Into the Imagination' ride. The Butterfly Garden is a quiet spot that our toddler loved. The 'Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana' was a highlight, with water play and a cool place to relax.
'Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana' was a big hit with our toddler.
At Animal Kingdom, we took a fun jeep ride and walked on trails. Our toddler loved looking for animals and seeing all the plants. The Avatar Na'vi River Journey boat ride was also great. And fans of Bluey will love the interactive Bluey's Wild World at Conservation Station!
Disney's Hollywood Studios has a reputation for thrill rides, but it also has plenty for little ones. The Toy Story area is a dream, with fun rides like Toy Story Mania. There's also a new Disney Jr. show with dancing, bubbles, and characters.
You can't take strollers into queues, so be prepared with a baby carrier or snacks and toys. Pick a few big rides to wait for, or use Lightning Lanes to make your day easier.
While Magic Kingdom is classic, my favorites with a toddler were EPCOT and Animal Kingdom.
Animal Kingdom had many spots where we could relax.
EPCOT has areas inspired by countries around the world, so when my toddler napped, I could walk around and enjoy the atmosphere, try snacks, and have a drink.
Animal Kingdom doesn't have many big rides, so it felt very relaxed. The walk-through attractions like Maharajah Jungle Trek were great and not too crowded, so our toddler wasn't overwhelmed.
Disney is very stroller-friendly, with monorails, walkable paths, and buses that allow strollers. You can also use the 'Minnie Van' service, which has car seats and cartoons for kids.
You can bring your own snacks and drinks into the parks, and there are kids' menus and high chairs at restaurants. If you need milk, you can buy it at coffee shops.
If you need cow's milk, you can buy it at coffee shops, and staff are happy to help if you run out.
For naps, our toddler can sleep in his stroller, so we used that time to wander and find snacks. Some days, we went back to our resort for a few hours to recharge.
Manage your expectations: you might miss evening shows, but enjoy the day magic and parades. You can still have a full Disney experience.
The new Bluey's Wild World at Conservation Station is a must-see for younger families.
Don't stress about fitting in too much fun. There are many things to do that aren't rides, like gardens, character statues, and live music.
Time zones were surprisingly easy to adjust to in Florida because our toddler was busy and stimulated. The return home was a bit harder.
You can book a two-week Hotel and Ticket package at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, including free dining and drinks, from £3,923. Virgin Atlantic offers direct flights from the UK to Orlando.