It is essential to have a plan when heading into your Walt Disney World vacation. Knowing what rides and shows are top priorities can help your touring plans run smoothly as you travel around the Disney Parks.
One plan you might not think about planning for is what to do when your kids get worn down. Walt Disney World is huge, and a trip to Disney can be exhausting for everyone, tiny ones. Just like it is essential to have a plan for touring Disney Parks, it is also important to know what to do when everyone gets worn down.
We have a few suggestions for what to do when kids get worn down during a Disney vacation. These can be helpful for both kids and adults as they navigate the magic of Disney.
Snacks Are the Best
One way to battle all the emotions is to take time to enjoy a snack. One of the great options at Walt Disney World is that you can bring your food. This can be nice for little ones that have their favorite snacks.
Take time to sit down on a bench, on the hub grass, or around the Tree of Life and enjoy some goldfish, a Mickey Pretzel, or some ice cream. Enjoying a snack is a great way to slow down, refresh, reset and be ready for the next adventure.
Enjoy the Hotel
Even though it is tough to leave a Disney Park, take time to explore and enjoy your Walt Disney World Resort. As everyone gets worn down in the middle of the day, take time to step away from the Parks.
Head back to the Resort and enjoy a rest or take a swim. In the afternoons, the feature pools at all Disney Resorts have games and activities for kids. This is a fantastic way to continue the Disney fun without being in the busy Parks.
Also, at Disney Resorts, you can ask for the Resort activities. Often, the Resorts will have scavenger hunts or other ways for kids to explore the Resorts. Again, these are unique and easy to explore at your Disney Resort.
Play Disney App
If you want to stay in the Park, consider downloading the Play Disney App. This is an interactive app that uses where you are in throughout Walt Disney World to give you trivia and games to play.
Although we often want to disconnect from electronics while on vacation, as kids get worn down, the app is an excellent way to stay in the magic but allow kids to take a break. This is also a fantastic way to engage while waiting in lines.
The app can provide questions and trivia about the ride you are waiting for. This can be a fun way to learn more about the ride or attraction you are about to explore.
Kids Pick
Consider allowing kids to choose the next activity when they get worn down. Let them choose which ride, show, attraction, or snack everyone gets to enjoy together.
Giving them a choice in what will happen next can help them reenergize and reengage in the magic. Sometimes you might be surprised by what they choose to do as well. We always found it fun to see what our kids would pick when it was up to them.
Be prepared to enjoy the same castle show or ride a few times.
Kidcot Fun Stops
If you find your kids getting worn down while visiting EPCOT, visit the Kidcot Fun Stops. These are small activity centers in each country throughout the World Showcase. You can collect different cards bout the country, find small activities, and talk to the cultural representatives that are now back.
The Kidcot areas are an excellent way away from the busy World Showcase. It can allow kids to take some to be creative while parents enjoy a snack or beverage from around the world.
Wilderness Explorers
Very similar to the EPCOT Kidcot Fun Stops is the Wilderness Explorers over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Stop at one of the headquarters to pick up your booklet and head out on your adventure.
Kids can explore different animals found throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom and earn baggage along the way, just like Russel did in UP! These activities are a great way to get kids to explore the details found throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom and earn some fun stickers.
EPCOT Scavenger Hunt
If you are visiting during a festival at EPCOT, another way to help kids when they get worn down is to do one of the many scavengers hunts offered. During each festival, there is a fun scavenger hunt with kids looking throughout the different countries to find Olaf, Remy, or other fun items.
It is a great way to explore the countries and keep kids looking at all the details as you travel through the World Showcase.
Play Areas
This might seem strange, but sometimes kids just need to be kids. If you find them cranky, think about taking time at one of the play areas. Let them run around and be kids. Disney’s Animal Kingdom has one of the best play areas with the Boneyard. This is a huge play area with slides and areas to explore. A fun way for kids to have some unstructured time to play.
Over in EPCOT, you can find a variety of play areas both inside and outside. Visit the Sea Pavilion and explore all the different aquariums and Bruce’s Shark World. Spaceship Earth and Mission Space have interactive play areas that allow kids to get hands-on and explore.
There are also a few play areas outside that kids can explore. Look for the playground outside the Creations Shop for a great outdoor option.
Although it might seem strange to take kids worn out to a play area, sometimes they just need time to be kids. No rushing from place to place, but time to play.
We all get worn out while at Walt Disney World. These tips can help you navigate those moments during your Disney vacation.
