All your tips for visiting with a 3 year old please

[Dinoswearunderpants]

Hi all

I've just booked a 10 night break to celebrate my son's 3rd birthday.

I understand most park visits are free for under 3's. I'm not sure how we'd go about buying a ticket after his birthday as it'll only be for a couple more days.

I know it's naughty but what's the likelihood of them asking to see his passport to confirm his age?

We're staying at Coco Key. Looks like a great as there's a water park too.

Just looking for all must dos and how to save some pennies.

Also do you think hiring a car is a must?

Tell them he is 2 - they won’t check . I didn’t pay for my son when he was 3 and he was massive and looked about 5!
Take a buggy - even if he doesn’t use one at home - you will definitely use it at Disney as there is a lot of walking and it’s busy and long days .
I have always hired a car as I like the freedom and don’t like waiting for shuttle buses or being stuck to their restricted timetables . Don’t get conned into buying extra insurances at the airport though . You will have breakdown and insurance already included .
parking os $30 a day though at Disney - so bear that in mind .
Go to Walmart or another shop and stock up on snacks - they are so expensive in the parks .
you can get water refilled everywhere - water fountains all over every park .

Plan your days - it is too busy and crowded to just wing it .
If you don’t want to buy the expensive UK tickets for Disney then u can get 4,5 day etc online - depends how long u are spending in the parks as to what is more cost effective

I think I may have gotten away with the under 3 rule when my daughter was a few weeks over also although it was a while ago.

Uber is just brilliant in Orlando for hopping between parks if you are close by although with a 3 year old you’ll be lugging a car seat (Ubers with car seats are less frequent and cost more).

Definitely stock up on water. Water available from the fountains in Disney has a strong smell although it’s safe to drink. I find it horrible. Also stock up on juice boxes etc if your son has those.

It really depends how long you are staying whether it’s worth a UK based ticket or getting a shorter one. The UK ones are excellent value for maximum flexibility and visiting round all 4 parks for a long stay.

Official rules are nobody ages at Disney World. You buy the ticket for the age of the child on day 1, and that is valid for the rest of the trip - this includes free entry for under 3's.
So no need to "get away" with anything 😊 Have a fantastic trip.

Thanks for the replies. It feels so exciting knowing we're going to Disney THIS YEAR!

My number one tip is take a pushchair that folds small, ideally with a sunshade - distances are huge and he'll get exhausted. Secondly be realistic how much you can do in a day. Thirdly to save money there's lots of nearby supermarkets, including some with hot food to go

Buy a bubble wand!! Pretty much all the kids have them and they are $35 in the parks!! We got one at Walmart for $15 but they were cheaper from Asda and Amazon in the UK! We took an insulated bottle each which we got refilled throughout the day at the quick service restaurants or water fountains. The other really handy thing we took was a couple of dolmio pasta pouches (if you’d hotel has a microwave) they were great when DD had slept through dinner and had just had snacks all day so she got a proper but fast dinner before bed and for us it was something she’s guaranteed to eat!

That's so exciting that your Disney trip is this year! A few more tips - definitely get a stroller like others said. Also pack light snacks like fruit, granola bars etc to avoid huge costs for food in the parks. Have an amazing trip and hope your son loves celebrating his birthday at DisneyWorld!