Toddlers and Amusement Parks

Tips for Having a Great Time with Your Toddler at a Theme Park

By Mark Stackpole

Nothing will kill your amusement park buzz like carting around a heavy bag filled with diapers, diaper rash ointment, wipes, snacks, drinks, extra outfits and whatever else you can cram in there.

Do you remember the carefree days of going on any ride that you wanted to? Over. How about staying until the parks closed, perhaps hoping for a stolen kiss on a darkened ride? Please. The frustration of waiting in all of those long lines has been replaced with the frustration of not being able to wait in those long lines. Funny how life works.

But does the addition of a toddler or two have to turn your "amusement park experience" into the "opposite-of-amusement park experience"? Maybe not, especially if you can find the right parks at the right time.

Even though they are the happiest places on earth, parents of toddlers may be intimidated by the vastness of Disneyland and Disney World. Not so fast – the good folks at Disney are listening to your concerns.

"We strive to create magical experiences in every way possible," says Michelle Baumann, a publicist for Disney. "Our research told us that families with toddlers and preschoolers wanted to visit but wanted to make traveling and navigating our parks as easy as possible."

In addition to their "Magical Beginnings" program – travel packages, entertainment opportunities and services and amenities aimed specifically at families with young children – Disney is also developing the "Little Ones Travel Season," which runs from August to October.

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