Every time I step into a Disney park I notice families having a meltdown together. I’ve seen teenagers throwing temper tantrums like they are toddlers, fathers screaming to get off of Tom Sawyer Island, and mothers crying because they didn’t get to ride their favorite ride. Now we can all be judgmental of these guests, but before we do that, let’s make sure we don’t become those types of guests. Here are my suggestions to help prevent your family from having a meltdown in Walt Disney World and Disneyland:
1) Don’t Let the Little Things Bother You
In Walt Disney World, it will rain on your child’s stroller at some point during your vacation, Orr in Disneyland, there may be too long of a standby wait for an amazing attraction like Radiator Springs Racers. Snags like this are going to happen. If you let these difficulties ruin all of your family’s fun that you’ve had up to that point, you need to change your perspective. There are always solutions to these small problems, so don’t let them create a riff in your vacation. Try talking to a cast member about your problem, and if they don’t have a solution try taking a break and eating Dole Whips as a family. Dole Whips will always help!
Additionally, don’t blame these snags on members of your family because again this is how family meltdowns occur. So dust off these little hitches and go have fun – you are in the happiest or the most magical places on earth!
2) Get Enough Sleep
It sounds silly, but with Extra Magic Hours it seems like the parks are staying open later and later. If you are up until 3 o’clock in the morning, don’t pull everyone out of bed first thing a few hours later just because the parks are opening back up. This lack of sleep will leave everyone grumpy for the entire day in the parks. What is the point of going to a Disney park if you are not going to be able to enjoy it due to lack of sleep? This lack of sleep will most likely cause everyone to want to return to the hotel for a nap anyway.
If certain members of the family are old enough to go to the parks themselves, then let them go and meet up with everyone later in the day. That brings me to my next point…
3) Split Into Groups if Needed
Some people like thrill rides, others don’t. Some like to run around and do as much as possible, and others like to take it slow. There isn’t one correct answer, and that’s why it is okay to split into groups when you are visiting as a family. Meeting up for meals, and for the rides that the entire family enjoys can keep the family camaraderie together, but just because it’s a family vacation doesn’t mean you have to stick together the entire time you’re in the parks. Forcing every member of your family onto “it’s a small world” just because it is a classic attraction isn’t reasonable, and the resentment of forcing everyone to stay together will cause a family meltdown.
4) Let Everyone Ride at Least One Attraction of His or Her Choosing
Going to Walt Disney World or Disneyland can be a once in a lifetime trip for some families, but even if it’s not, it is important to make sure everyone gets to ride at least one attraction of their choosing. Not riding the Mad Tea Party Tea Cups might not be the biggest deal for everyone, but it might be someone in your family’s favorite experience. Considering that most families don’t have the ability to come to a Disney park every year, it is important to ride their favorite attraction at least once.
