Author Archives: Jennifer Price

If we’ve learned anything this year, it is that things have changed. 

As we all start to get comfortable with the “new normal”, some are starting to head to the parks again. If you have gone to Walt Disney World before, I am sure you had your list of items to bring to the park; well now we need COVID19 edition items!  So with your usual list of items to bring to the park we also suggest the following:

Masks

Right now, Walt Disney World requires you to wear a mask at all times while outside. Here are the official rules on masks from Disney:

Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing. 

All face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) must:

• Be made with at least 2 layers of breathable material

• Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin

• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face

• Be secured with ties or ear loops and allow the Guest to remain hands-free

At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings.

Since Orlando can be very hot and humid, I recommend bringing multiple masks with you, so if they get all sweaty you have extras!

Hand Sanitizer

All around Walt Disney World you will be seeing extra hand sanitizing stations, but I still think it is important to have your own. Disney has a few cute hand sanitizer holders too that you can clip onto your bag. Target is selling cute Disney Character ones right now.

I also bring along a small container of sanitizing wipes. I use these to wipe down eating surfaces, little kid hands sometimes, and some high touch areas in the hotels

Water

Pre-COVID I would bring my reusable water bottles and fill them up at the water fountains found throughout the park or ask any kiosks for a glass of ice water. Although water fountains are open currently, I don’t see this as the safest option. They also are currently not giving out the free ice water at kiosks. I suggest you bring a large water bottle with you and if that doesn’t last for you, you can always buy a bottle of water.

Park Bag

Before all the madness, I would bring a park bag and even have items hanging off of it. Not everything would be contained in the bag. I now want to make an effort to bring as little with me as possible, and make sure everything fits in my bag so there is less contact between my belongings and all of my surroundings.  

Gratitude

This is the most important one! We just recently lived in a time where all Disney Parks, Resorts, and Cruise ships were completely closed. Thousands of people lost their lives, thousand lost their jobs, and we were told to stay home all day. Although things are not back to normal, some of the parks are open, some cast members are back to work and we’re slowly moving toward a new normalcy. Please be mindful that Cast Members are getting used to the new normal; this is all new to them too! Be grateful, even waiting in lines. Remember there was a time we would have been so happy to wait in any line instead of sitting alone in your houses.  Enjoy your time and, in keeping with the theme of 2020, embrace the changes, be ready to pivot, and have fun!

When traveling to Disney World with toddlers, it can be overwhelming and tiring.  The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is home to a ton of options for your littlest travelers, and deciding which rides fit your toddler can be tough. I have been to the Magic Kingdom with my three kids at every stage of baby and toddler and have outlined the top 8 rides for toddlers so you know what rides not to miss!

#8. Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

This colorful ride has everything your toddler is looking for: comfy seating in a shell, colorful characters, entertaining music, and little scare factor.  Plus, after the ride you can go directly to Ariel’s Grotto to meet Ariel herself. Lines aren’t typically too long and the que line has shells in the ground that the kids will love trying to pick up!

#7 The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

There is nothing better than

climbing into a honey pot to start your journey to the Hundred Acre Wood. This ride bounces, floats, and lifts through the story books. It will keep your little one entertained, and pointing out all their favorite characters.  One of the best things is the queue which has many activities to keep your little one occupied.

#6 Tomorrowland Speedway/Jungle Cruise

Listing two? That’s cheating, right? Hear me out!

Children under 2 head to the Jungle Cruise, an easy cruise through the jungle with lots to see, while the adults are entertained by the boat skipper’s commentary.

Over 2 head to Tomorrowland Speedway.  I have never heard my sons laugh so hard as when they were driving me around the track.  That’s right, a 2-year old takes the wheel of the car and you control th

e gas and brakes.  Since the car is on a track they can swerve to their hearts desire and taking Mom and Dad for a spin will be remembered for years to come.

#5 Mad Tea Party

A ride for the littlest and the oldest travelers in your party.  You can spin the wheel as fast or as slow as your little one would like.  It is also a great photo opportunity for  all your family fitted into a tea cu

p. Hearing my boys argue about who made Mommy dizzier was a highlight!

#4 It’s A Small World

Going to the Magic Kingdom and not going to It’s a Small World is like having a birthday party without blowing out the candles. It’s a classic Disney ride for the whole family. A slow-moving boat takes you through lands around the world while singing the familiar “annoying” song.  There are so many colors, animals and items from the ceiling to the water that your little ones wi

ll love taking a relaxing ride around the world. Great place to give a baby a bottle too!

#3 Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

This ride is a must in my house, and a ride that is talked about for many months after. A 2-person ship takes you into Buzz Lightyear’s Ranger program where you will fight off the evil Emperor Zurg. Each person gets a laser gun, easy to use for the little ones and they can spin your ship around and around. Although the adults will try to get the highest score, your little one will love spinning you and shooting at the targets with their own sound effects of course!

#2 Peter Pan’s Flight

I’ll be honest, I never understood why this ride always had high wait times, until I had kids.  You board a 2-person pirate ship and away you go, flying into the London night and off to Neverland!  There is no scare factor to this ride as it is all colorful fun.  There are so many objects to point out to your little one, and it is a very smooth ride even for infants.  This ride can have high wait times, so try going first thing in the morning!

And #1 Dumbo the Flying Elephant

There is nothing more classic than Dumbo.  Kids of all ages will love that they can control whether you go higher or lower, and flying over Fantasyland makes Dumbo a perfect ride for your toddler.  A plus is after you get off the ride they added a stationary Dumbo so you can take your little one’s picture on Dumbo!