Establishing a few simple family rules before a Disney vacation can make a world of difference in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. With expectations running high at the most magical and happiest places on earth, it’s crucial to set some guidelines to help your family have the best possible trip. These rules aren’t overly strict (except maybe the first one, which focuses on safety), but they can definitely make your visit more enjoyable.
I’ve never had to rely on this safety net myself, but it’s a simple precaution that could make all the difference if the need arises. Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t.
Have a ‘Just in Case’ Meet-Up Location
Cell phones can lose battery, kids can get separated (even if it’s rare), and plans can easily get confused in a busy theme park, so it’s a smart idea for families to designate an emergency meeting spot when visiting Disney parks. While it’s unlikely that you’ll ever need to use it, you’ll be thankful for the peace of mind if the unexpected happens. In fact, Disney Parks sees millions of guests annually, and while it’s rare, separations do happen every single day, especially in the crowd-heavy times of the night, like immediately following the fireworks.
If The Line is Wide, So Are We
Some queues are wider than others—Soarin’ and the post-merge point at Cosmic Rewind come to mind. There are others, but those two stand out. In these oddly wide queues, it’s important for everyone in your group to stick together and prevent others from splitting up your party and jumping ahead. If someone is just trying to rejoin their group, that’s fine, but if it’s a group of teens trying to skip the line because the queue is unusually wide, that’s when my family gets into “defensive mode.” This never needs to get physical (and, of course, it shouldn’t), but we want to make it clear that cutting in front of us isn’t going to happen.
Make Sure Everyone Gets to Choose at Least One Attraction
As I mentioned earlier, the joy you take away from your trip often depends on whether your expectations are met. If you’re excited to finally experience Living with the Land because it’s been getting rave reviews online and your family usually skips it, then it’s important to make sure you get to do it if it’s your top priority. It may not be everyone’s favorite, but they’ll get their chance to do what they love, too. Whether you’re seven or seventy, everyone should leave feeling like they had a great time. This might mean splitting up the group at certain points, but in the end, it’ll be worth it.
Take Responsibility for Your Own Belongings
Once you’re no longer using a stroller, it’s important to start taking responsibility for your own belongings. Of course, Mom and Dad are always here to help if needed, but we don’t want to carry everything for the whole family. If you want to bring something into the parks, be sure to pack your own bag and be ready to take care of it throughout the day. It’s a great way to help everyone feel more independent while also making sure no one gets stuck playing pack mule!
Share what you’ve done to ensure a stress-free Disney vacation for your family in the comments section below!
