tipsforplanning

We all know that there is something at Disney for EVERYONE. This being said how do you plan a Disney trip that will please BOTH your toddlers and teenagers? It will be EASY to please your toddlers, BUT your teenagers? They will be a little harder to please, not because there aren’t things that they will like, BUT it’s more about the fact that when you travel with toddlers the pace is just… SLOWER. Here are some tips to help tip the scales in your favor on your next Disney trip. Our last trip to Disney was made with a 2, 3, and 16 year old so I know from experience that it can be done!

  1. Let your teenager help with the planning. Ask them to download the My Disney Experience app. Have them give you suggestions on what they would like to do. They might even surprise you and give insight to what their younger siblings will enjoy too! Partaking in the planning will hopefully make your teenager more invested in the trip!
  2. Don’t forget to use rider switch! For those who don’t know, with Rider Switch, one adult can wait with the toddlers (or non-riders) while the rest of the party enjoys the attraction. When the other adult returns, they can watch the toddlers, and the waiting adult can board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again!

While dad takes the teen to ride first you can take your toddlers to a smaller attraction or to enjoy a snack. Can we say Mickey pretzel? Once they return you can ride the attraction AND your teen can ride it again with you! I’d say that is a win-win situation! Full bellies for the toddlers and double the thrill-seeking rides for teenager!

  1. Don’t be afraid to split up. I know… I know… It is a “family” vacation, you should be together the entire time right? I would say wrong… Let’s face it. Toddlers just don’t have the endurance that your teen is going to have. PLUS, I don’t know about your toddlers, BUT mine become mini-dictators when they are overly tired. Our solution? Get to the parks early, enjoy the day together as a complete unit, have a nice dinner AND then… allow one parent to take the teenager out to enjoy Disney after dark! What a fun way to spend some one on one time with your teenager! While one parent is out with the teen, the other parent can enjoy the pool or even watch a movie under the stars with the toddlers. If schedule allows, do this a couple times, so each parent can have that special one on one time…  castle
  2. While you are having some one on one time with your teenager plan something extra special just for the two of you. Surprise anyone? There are fireworks cruises, dessert parties, and even teas that you can reserve for just the two of you. My 16 year old and I will be partaking in a glorious afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian during our next trip in September! I can’t wait to surprise her (I hope she doesn’t read this blog!) and I can’t wait for the one on one time in my happy place.

Traveling with mixed age groups? Not a problem! Disney has you covered. Hopefully these tips will help you plan your next Disney vacation with toddlers and teenagers! Need more help? I am here!

My name is Lizeth and I am a Disney Travel Specialist. Contact me at Lizeth@TravelWithTheMagic.com, on Facebook or by phone at 1-800-670-4312, ext. 143.