A Little Magic—and Your Favorite Travel Agent

Let’s be real for a minute—Magic Kingdom is magical—BUT it can also be overwhelming, crowded, and bursting with anxiety; and that’s just
for me. The kids have it way worse! As a travel advisor, Disney lover, and Mama to two kids with serious Nero-Divergent sensory needs, I’ve
learned the hard (and yes, sometimes the hilarious) way to turn chaos into core memories. So, I’m sharing the real hacks that have
helped families like mine thrive—not just survive-the most magical place on Earth.

Hack 1: Is Rope Drop Necessary?

The early bird gets the worm—well, in this case, skips the lines and possible meltdowns. Set a “morning mission” with your entire group—like “We’re heading for Peter Pan before breakfast and we may even get his autograph!” It gives kids who are resistant to routine shifts that little bit of extra processing time that may just help avoid verbal protests and the “why” games. We picked one land to focus on at Rope Drop (Fantasyland is our favorite)
and hit 3-4 rides before the crowds got heavy. On the drive up, our kiddo made a little list of his top 5 rides he simply could not miss out on. When that ride was accomplished, out came the list and a Smiley Sticker. When we got all 5, he got a special surprise (lunch with Tigger at the Crystal Palace!)

Hack 2: Portable Hydration = Park Happiness

This probably goes without saying, but this is Florida, folks! The state where the humidity is so high water practically evaporates out of the top of refillable cups. The formula here is simple: Florida Heat + Long Park Days = Cranky Kids, Cranky Parents, and a Not-So-Magical experience for everyone. If you can, splurge for the refillable mugs found either in the parks or at your resort. There are drink kiosks all through the parks with refills available every 10 minutes or so. There is a daily re-activation fee, but if you drink juice, soda, energy drinks, or sports drinks, it pays for itself quickly. What I do: I’m all for the refillable mugs, but sometimes using one from home hits harder. Perhaps, it has something to do with having a kiddo that refused to drink anything if it wasn’t in his Hulk water bottle. Luckily, you can refill any reusable water bottle with ice water, FREE, at any kiosk or restaurant. My tip if everyone wants a mug: get different colors, different straws, stickers, or cup charms in order to avoid sharing.

Hack 3: Know Where the “COOL” Spots Are

Any parent can tell you how difficult it is to remain calm, cool, and collected when your child has become overstimulated. Level-up that anxiety if one of those children has a Nero-Divergent need, or you have your own sensory sensitivities. Knowing where the “Cool and Calm” spots are throughout Magic Kingdom is essential for those much needed breaks. I’ve been to most of them for either myself, or my son, and I must say, for crowded theme park, these SPOTS are magical in their own right. Here’s my list of the top Overstimulated Oasis’ Magic Kingdom has to offer.

• Main Street, U.S.A—Center Street-Just a little side street behind the artist’s booth, the only foot-traffic you’ll see here is the occasional Cast Member! Bonus Spot: Head just 6 minutes south to get to the Hall of Presidents. This is the perfect spot for napping toddlers as it has Solid AC conditioning throughout!
• Walt Disney World Railroad: This is a Nicholson Family favorite! We hit this ride up at after the morning rush of those first few rides. This calming train ride allows tired and hot humans to start planning their next rides, check out the food options, and people watch all without being in the sun! 10 out of 10 stars for this go-to!
• Storybook Circus-Dumbo Area: This giant tented area is perfect for cooling off and taking deep breaths. There are also couches there!
• Miner’s Cove-Frontierland: This refurbished area near the exit of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is beautifully shaded, quiet, with lots of seating options.

Of course, there are more areas that are off the path. I’d love to hear back if you have a location suggestion for Magic Kingdom!

Hack 4: Comfort Kits for Everyone

Even on the dream-vacation, there is comfort in the familiar. For small children and Nero-divergent folks, the familiar can mean the difference between deescalating the anxiety and increasing the panic. We’ve created Comfort Kits for both kids that included their Must-Haves as well as Laminated Cards with visuals in case the anxiety is at a level that words are lost. All this fits easily in a Ziplock bag or a small sinch-close backpack. Our supplies have evolved over the years to grow as the kids mature, but we have learned to never travel anywhere without them. Here’s just a few examples of what’s in my son’s Comfort Kit:

• Noise-Canceling Headphones
• Small, hand held fidgets (I threaded para-cord through his 2 favorite so that he can wrap it around his wrist. This has prevented accidental drops and/or leaving it on rides.)
• “Safe Snacks”-Whatever your dreamed safe foods are, should be available in this kit. Our top two-Albanese Sugar Free Gummy Bears and Pirate’s Booty Puffs.
• Weighted Plushie or Weighted Sensory Vest
• Chill Cards: These are his cards that have pictures of to represent different needs: a hug, a nap, water, etc…again, just in case words fail.

Hack 5: Photo Prep

Permission to be honest? I am not the Mom that was blessed with the ability to visual the perfect family pictures. My photos always turn out okay, but someone is always making a face, has their eyes closed, or not looking at the camera. I have to credit this hack to my sister, the shutter-bug of the family, for all her helpful advice anytime we travel. When I think about it, these ideas are so obvious, I’m almost ashamed that I didn’t think of them first. First, always bring a change of clothes/shirts for your person that just can’t keep clean! Second, use bubbles to make kids smile in front of Cinderella’s castle. (Pro Tip: When editing your photos, change the bubbles to pixie dust for a truly magical memory.) And probably the biggest and best photo hack—Take the photo your most anxious about, first thing in the morning. This way, everyone is fresh, clean, and is still able to smile on cue.

Final Thoughts….

Above all parents, remember to give yourself grace. Comparison is the thief of joy. Perfection is better left on Pinterest, and not every single moment has to be pre-planned and choreographed. You know your travelers best, and believe me, they’ll let you know if they’ve had enough. Let the magic of the park work for you, not against you—and don’t be afraid to slow down, pivot, or find your own pace. Your vacation is about creating memories with your little loves, so don’t hide behind the camera the whole time—they want a picture of you too!

As always, if you have questions, suggestions, or would like more information about how to begin planning your next magical memory (with these hacks built in!), I’d absolutely love to help you out! 🏰❤️

What would you put in your Comfort Kit? I’d love to hear/read your thoughts and suggestions!