The Best Disney Park for Little Ones (and 3 Sanity-Saving Tips)

With crowds, heat, and overstimulation, toddler trips to Walt Disney World can feel like a gamble. There’s no guarantee the excitement will eclipse a nap, or the heat will induce a stage-five tantrum. The unknowns of traveling with little ones to any theme Park can add stress to what’s meant to be a magical memory in the making.

The good news is Disney Imagineers are pros at accommodating kiddos and parents, creating spaces throughout the Parks that allow for much-needed breaks and captivating entertainment. With air-conditioned spots like Mickey’s PhilharMagic in Magic Kingdom, The Festival of the Lion King in Animal Kingdom, and Muppet Vision 3D at Hollywood Studios, each of Disney’s Parks caters to the kiddie crowd, but one Park trumps them all.

Related: The Top Five Disney Resorts for Toddlers

The Best Disney Park For Tots

The key to kid travel is flexibility, and a Walt Disney World Park leaves the most space for an open itinerary: EPCOT. The world celebration at the World Showcase features a kid-friendly experience (and plenty of cocktails for tired parents). With Kidcot Fun Stops at each World Showcase pavilion, your little ones can get crafty and keep themselves occupied.

Stopping in the shops at the Norway pavilion or snagging an air-conditioned Gran Fiesta Tour featuring Donald Duck in the Mexican pavilion is ideal for tiny tots on Disney grounds. Your kids can venture around the pavilions and find plenty of trinkets to marvel at.

While EPCOT with little ones isn’t as focused on which rides you’ll go on, seven attractions without height requirements can help you plan your day, including:

• Frozen Ever After
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Journey Into Imagination With Figment
• The Seas With Nemo & Friends
• Spaceship Earth
• Living With The Land

They’re almost evenly split between the futuristic and cultural sides of the Park, which gives you plenty of opportunities to explore and take breaks along the way.

3 Tips for Toddler Travel at Disney

Use these three quick tips to preserve your sanity in the central Florida heat.

Rider Switch

If you have more than one child in your party, you can let a Cast Member know you want a Rider Switch pass. With a Rider Switch pass, one adult and up to three children can get on a ride while the other parent stays back with the younger child. It’s easy to keep the whole family happy without missing out on attractions.

Bring a Stroller

Whether you bring your own or rent one in the Parks, a stroller can be a lifesaver when doing Disney with littles. Stroller nap, anyone? It can be a nap vessel, a storage bin, and a way to give your kid(s) legs a break.

Stay at a Disney Resort

It’s worth it to spring for a Disney Resort on the property, especially one with access to the Disney Skyliner, monorail, or boat. The closer you are to your Hotel, the easier it is to pivot when plans go left. Resorts like Art of Animation, Disney’s Polynesian Village, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach are all solid options with Disney transportation nearby.

Related: This Interaction Between a Toddler and Minnie Mouse is Melting Our Hearts

If you keep an open mind, take advantage of kid-friendly Park perks, and stay near the Parks, you’re in for a magical Disney trip with your little ones.