SIMPLY SUNNI

Surviving a Disney Trip as a Mom of Two

Sunni Baerwalde

Surviving a Disney Trip as a Mom of Two

Taking a Disney trip as a mom of two is both magical and chaotic! Between the excitement of meeting characters and the logistics of managing a toddler meltdown in the middle of Main Street, USA, there’s a lot to juggle. 

As much as I adore Disney, adding a newborn into the mix meant those carefree park days were suddenly a thing of the past. But as every Disney-loving mom knows, the magic always calls you back—no matter how crazy things might get. 

So, when my three-year-old begged for a trip, I decided to give it a shot, armed with snacks, strollers, and sheer determination.

This blog is here to help you survive Disney World as a mom of two young children, offering practical tips, tricks, and a little humor to get you through the day. It might not be easy, but with a bit of planning (and flexibility), you can make the magic happen for you and your little ones, too!

Now, let’s get into it.

Disney World with a Toddler and a Newborn

As much as we love Disney, adding a second child into the mix meant our carefree park days took a backseat—especially with a newborn in tow. But as any Disney-loving family knows, the magic eventually calls you back! 

Fast-forward four months. My daughter had been begging her father and me to go to Disney. My husband asked me, “Why not take the girls to Disney tomorrow?” I hesitated for just a moment. I knew he had work the next day, so he suggested I take our baby and toddler to the park on my own. I took just a moment to think about it, then decided that I could do anything I put my mind to.

So what did I do? I tried to make it happen! The next thing I know, I found myself agreeing to a last-minute trip—just me, the girls, and a whole lot of snacks!

Spoiler: It wasn’t as easy as our pre-kids Disney days, but it was definitely memorable!

Planning For a Disney Trip with the Kids

Let me start by saying that planning is everything. Here’s how the events unfolded as soon as I decided that this Disney World trip was going to happen, no matter how challenging it would be.

First, I Invested in a Double Stroller.

My first mission was to make sure I had the right gear. We quickly realized that a double stroller was necessary, so I snagged the Graco Ready2Grow 2.0. It’s now our Disney go-to with multiple seating options and an easy fold. It has many options for older children, such as a bench, a standing plate, and a regular seat! We have now used this same stroller six more times at Disney, and it is easier than one of our old regular strollers! By far, my favorite! 

But lesson one? Assemble it before you hit the parking lot in 100-degree Florida heat. Trust me on this one.

If you’re curious, here’s a link to check out our new go-to Disney stroller! 

Next, Pack the Night Before.

Thankfully, I already had lunch meat and bread at home, so I quickly packed my three-year-old and me some sandwiches and chips for lunch, drinks, and the baby’s bottles. This took little time, but soon enough, the bags were by the garage door and ready to go!

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to charge everything—phones, fans, and those precious Magic Bands!

Need a quick and easy packing list for a day trip to Disney with a toddler and a four-month-old? I’ve got you covered:

For the Newborn:

For the Toddler:

And For Mom (or Dad):

how to survive disney with two kids.

The First Attempt and the Lessons Learned

The following day went by pretty smoothly; both girls woke up at 6 am (they do this naturally), I made the baby a bottle and breakfast for my three-year-old, and started getting ready for the day! At the time, my four-month-old went down for her morning nap around 8 am, so I finished getting myself ready and loaded the car full of diaper bags, the cooler, and fans. 

On the Way!

The baby woke up. I gave her a bottle and drove to our first stop– Target! I even had time to grab my Starbucks with Target pickup (they bring it to your car with your order, no joke!).

We also picked up the double stroller and a stroller organizer there since the stroller only has one cup holder. We were in the car for about an hour and 30 minutes with Orlando traffic.

Pro Tip: I upgraded our parking from Magic Kingdom to preferred parking since it was closer, and not knowing how this trip was going to go, I wanted to be able to get to the car as quick as possible. 

Arriving at Disney

But here’s where things went sideways—imagine me sweating, trying to assemble that new stroller in the Disney parking lot. After an hour of battling the wheels, I threw in the towel. We went home defeated but with valuable lessons learned—mainly, pre-assemble everything before you leave the house.

(Very) Quickly Learned a Valuable Lesson

Yes–My toddler, the baby, and I were all upset at the change of plans as we left the parking lot and returned home, feeling defeated. But we learn as parents, and I now know how to plan way better than I did with this trip! I think I got too excited about taking the girls to Disney, but who wouldn’t? 

I called my husband and told him what happened and that we could try again tomorrow after putting the stroller together. We came home, both girls went down for a nap, and I got some work done. 

Lesson Learned: Always practice assembling new gear before the big day! 

Thankfully, our second attempt went much smoother, and I could enjoy the day with my girls.

The Second Try: Disney Magic Achieved

Round two was much smoother. The stroller was ready (yay!), the kids were excited, and we breezed through our day! 

Our Magical Day at Disney as a Mom of Two

We rode Dumbo, got popcorn as a snack, and just enjoyed the day by watching the parades, Show at Cinderella’s Castle! 

Pro Tip: get the refillable bucket for $2.75 refills—lifesaver.

It was filled with Laughter, love, and memories! I did some quick shopping at the Emporium at the front of Magic Kingdom before we left! 

Ending Our Fun-Filled Day

Both kids passed out in the car, and mom was listening to a content creation podcast on the way home for inspiration for work (this doesn’t happen often; if you are a parent, you know). We got home at the same time as my husband, and our three-year-old shared her fun day with her dad.

We ended our night with a family Disney movie with the popcorn left over from our day because it was the best! Things might not go as planned, and that’s okay. Flexibility is critical to enjoying the day.

10 Tips for a Disney Trip with Two Kids

I’m sure my story was entertaining—it had the drama, the happy moments, the excitement, and all you could ask for! But what’s especially important are all the things I learned as a Mom of two tackling a Disney trip all on her own. 

Now, it’s time to share all the things I’ve learned as a Disney-loving family. Here are a few tips that all families can use for their next trip to the most magical place on earth!

1 | Plan, Plan, Plan!

Obviously, planning thoroughly was one of the biggest lessons learned. Be sure to book the tickets, accommodations, and dining reservations early. I like to create a simple itinerary focused on my kids’ favorite attractions.

2 | Pack Smart

Bring snacks, water bottles, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. Remember comfort items like a favorite toy.

3 | Stroller Strategy

A double stroller is great for younger kids. Familiarize yourself with stroller parking areas and all the rules that accompany them.

4 | Take Breaks

Schedule downtime to avoid burnout. This is a biggie! Use shows and parades to rest while still enjoying the experience.

5 | Snack & Hydrate

Keep snacks handy and stay hydrated. You can get even more ahead by using mobile ordering to save time on meals.

6 | Manage Expectations

Prioritize key attractions and stay flexible with your plans.

7 | Use the App

Check ride wait times and use mobile ordering for food.

8 | Prepare for Rides

Know height requirements and use Rider Switch if needed.

9 | Entertain in Lines

Bring small games or use the Disney Play app to keep kids busy.

10 | Capture Memories

Most importantly, take tons of photos and collect those character autographs. These are the moments you’ll cherish!

Share Your Family Disney Experience with Us!

Have you taken your little ones to Disney? What tips and tricks worked for you? Share your experiences in the comments below—I’d love to hear them! Reach out to the Simply Sunni team and follow along on social media to stay connected.

– Cheyenne Baerwalde

Simply Sunni Social Media & Analytics

 

The intern turned team member, Cheyenne, is responsible for the Simply Sunni analytics and works with our social media. As a busy wife and mother of two little girls, her plate is always full. But somehow, she is our get-it-done gal! Cheyenne recently graduated from UF and is happy to be a stay-at-home mom with a career that allows her to work from anywhere. She would be more than happy to serve as your social media marketer to help your business shine.

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