Planning to head to the happiest place on earth? Before you make a visit to Disneyland in California or Disney World in Florida with a toddler in tow, be sure to plan ahead to ensure a successful visit. We checked in with two Disney veterans to give us their best tips. Teronya Holmes is on the official Disney Parks Moms Panel and Amanda Topinka is “Traveling Mom with Toddlers” over at TravelingMom.com and a huge Disney fan.

Disney with young children – our best tips!

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Stay in onsite lodging

This is key with a toddler. The Disney transportation makes it extremely convenient if the toddler has a meltdown in front of the castle. Otherwise you can spend hours waiting on the designated pickup time for your off-property resort. (Amanda)


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Clik here to view.Bring your own stroller to the park

Or… arrange to rent one from an outside rental company. The Disney Parks rental strollers must be turned in before leaving each Park (though if you keep your voucher/name tag, you will not have to pay another rental fee if you visit another Park within the same day). However, if your toddler is asleep as you are leaving the Park, it’s best not to have to wake them up to take them out of the stroller. It’s more convenient to have your own to use outside the Parks in the Resort areas and at Downtown Disney. (Teronya)


Mark your stroller

Disney Cast Members have to “corral” the strollers to keep areas clear for traffic, so you may come out of an attraction to find that your stroller has been moved. In order to find it quickly, we have marked ours with large, colorful laminated name tags. I have seen others attach flags, balloons, or ribbons them to make them noticeable and easy to find in a sea of strollers. (Teronya)


Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Use the Rider Switch

Rider Switch allows mom and dad to switch off going on a ride while the other parent stays with the toddler – without having to wait in line again. It’s also perfect if you have older kids. Genius! (Amanda)


Take advantage of the Child Care Centers

There are child care centers located in each of the Parks. These are wonderful, relaxing (most of the time), air-conditioned places with large changing tables, a kitchenette and feeding area, and even a quiet room with rocking chairs for nursing or rocking to sleep. I used these so much when mine were younger! (Teronya)


Understand and appreciate their fears

If meeting Mickey and/or Minnie is too over-the-top … don’t push it. They’ll meet them when they’re ready to. (Amanda)


Take breaks

There are wonderful locations to stop and allow the toddlers to do what they do best, toddle! Nice playgrounds, splash pads, and even green spaces. Enjoy them. And if possible, take time to go back to your resort for a nap or rest time during the afternoon, so you’ll all be fresh and rested to come back in the Parks after the sun goes down to enjoy lighter crowds, cooler temperatures, and the evening festivities. (Teronya)


Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Take pictures and create happy memories

More than likely your toddler won’t remember their Disney vacation … and that’s perfectly fine! That’s what’s great about photographs. As they get older, they can look back and know that even though they don’t remember much (if anything) from their Disney vacation, they vacationed together as a family – making happy memories. (Amanda)


Do you have any other tips that made your Disney vacation with toddlers easier and more enjoyable?