Thinking of a Disney & Universal Vacation? Here Are Our Top Tips for Families

So you're dreaming of magic, thrills, and unforgettable memories with your family in Orlando, and we don't blame you! 🌟 Whether you're heading to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, or both, a little planning goes a long way. As Orlando's go-to stroller rental experts, we've helped thousands of families navigate the parks with ease. Here are our top tips to make your trip as smooth (and fun) as possible.

🗓️ Plan Your Days Around the Parks, Not the Other Way Around

Both Disney and Universal are huge, and trying to do it all in one visit is a recipe for meltdowns (toddler and adult!). Pick your must-do attractions before you arrive and map out a rough schedule. Disney's Lightning Lane and Universal's Express Pass can save you hours, worth considering if you're visiting during peak season.

⏰ Beat the Crowds: Arrive Early or Stay Late

The parks are quietest in the first hour after opening and in the last hour before closing. Early risers have a big advantage, especially at Magic Kingdom and Hogsmeade, where the most popular rides fill up fast.

🌧️ Make Time to Relax, and Plan for Orlando's Rainy Season

Orlando has its rainy seasons and it's really worth planning around them rather than letting them catch you off guard. The good news is there are so many brilliant options when the weather rolls in! If you're in or near Disney, Disney Springs is a fantastic rainy day destination, you can catch a movie, go bowling, browse the shops, and hunt down those precious souvenirs without a park ticket in sight. 🎬🎳🛍️

If there's no lightning in the area, you can absolutely still enjoy the hotel pools and water parks, a warm Florida rain is actually brilliant fun to swim in! However, if lightning is detected within 6 to 10 miles, pools and water parks will close for safety and you'll need to head indoors until the all-clear is given. ⚡ It's just how it works in Florida, so don't be caught out by it. Use that time to grab a bite, relax at the resort, or catch up on some downtime, everyone needs it!

And here's a great tip for beating the crowds during busy periods: use pool and water park time strategically during the peak hours of the day when the parks are at their busiest. You'll come back refreshed, the queues will have died down, and you'll have so much more energy for the evening magic. 🌊💦

🎒 Pack Light, But Pack Smart

Sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, snacks, and a portable charger are non-negotiables. And if you're bringing little ones, a lightweight, easy-to-fold stroller is your best friend. (Psst, that's where we come in! 😉)

🐣 Rent a Stroller, Don't Drag Yours Through the Airport

Flying with a bulky stroller is one of the biggest family travel headaches. Our premium strollers are delivered straight to your hotel or resort, so you can skip the luggage carousel stress entirely. We cover all the major Orlando resorts and theme park areas, making it easy to hit the ground running from day one.

✨ Our Favourite Disney Resorts for Stroller Families

If you're staying on Disney property, the Skyliner hotels are our top pick for stroller-friendly travel. The Disney Skyliner gondola system is a game changer, if you have a single stroller or a back-to-back double stroller, you don't need to fold it up to board, which is a huge win with tired little ones. (Worth noting: if the Skyliner is down, you'll need to hop on the transportation bus instead, but when it's running it's genuinely one of the most magical ways to get around.) 😡

When the Skyliner is up, the options really open up. 🚅 Glide straight over to Hollywood Studios, and from there you can walk to EPCOT with a stroll along the Boardwalk for food, entertainment, the Boardwalk oftern has Jugglers, entertainers, you can pop in and grab some food, Pizza, Sandwiches, Ice Cream, Cakes, and just enjoy the lovely atmosphere. So many great options in one go!

For Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs, the bus is your go to. But if you're feeling adventurous and want to keep costs down while keeping the kids entertained, try this: take the bus to Hollywood Studios, walk over to EPCOT, then jump on the monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and either walk across to Magic Kingdom or hop on the monorail or boat. 🚤 It sounds like a lot but it's genuinely fun, there's so much wildlife and scenery along the way that the kids stay engaged the whole time. And trust us, they will absolutely sleep well that night! 😄😴

🎸 Our Favourite Universal Resorts for Families

For Universal, our top pick has to be the Hard Rock Hotel. It's perfectly located, just a short walk or a scenic boat ride across to CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, and Islands of Adventure. It feels like you're right in the heart of the action from the moment you arrive, and the Express Pass perk for on-site guests is a serious bonus.

If you're looking for something a little easier on the budget, Endless Summer Surfside is a brilliant option. It's the smaller sister hotel to Dockside but don't let that put you off, it has everything a family needs, and free transportation to CityWalk is included. It's a great base that keeps costs down without compromising on convenience. 🏖️

And here's something UK visitors absolutely need to know 🇬🇧: if you're booking your Universal park tickets from the UK, Epic Universe is included in your ticket purchase. Epic Universe is an absolute must-visit, it's brand new, jaw-dropping, and not to be missed. This is one of those insider tips that can make a huge difference to how you plan your trip, so make sure you check your ticket inclusions before you book! 🌍

💧 Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks

Florida heat is no joke, even in September and October. ☀️ Build in shaded rest breaks, keep everyone hydrated, and don't underestimate the value of a midday rest (for the little ones and maybe you too!) and remember, Universal have drink stations where you can get Ice and Cold water to refill your bottles, and Disney, ASK at any Starbucks, Joffrey's or quick service for a cup of water.

🏨 Use the Resort Hotels to Your Advantage

Disney resort guests get early park entry, and Universal's on-site hotels offer Express Pass perks. If you can swing it, staying on-site unlocks real time-savers that make the whole experience less stressful.

👋 Join the Facebook Groups, Seriously, Do It

One of the best-kept secrets for Orlando vacations is the Facebook groups dedicated to Disney and Universal families. When families finish their trip, they often leave behind all sorts of goodies, strollers, reusable mugs, water bottles, snacks, and more, and they post them in these groups for other families to claim. It's a brilliant way to pick up useful items for free and pay it forward when you leave. 🙌 Search for groups like "Disney World Tips and Freebies" or "Universal Orlando Families" and join before your trip. You'll be amazed at the community spirit!

📲 Come and Find Us on Social Media!

While you're at it, come and join our little community over on social media! We're @parksidestrollers on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, and every single day we share hints, tips, park photos, and all the Orlando content you need to get excited for your trip. 📸✨

And we absolutely love seeing your holiday photos too! If you spot our stroller out and about in the parks, tag us in your favourite picture, we'd love to share it and celebrate your family's adventure with you. 💛💙

🌟 Don't Forget the Hidden Magic

Some of the best moments aren't on the ride map. Character meet-and-greets 🥳, street entertainment, themed food 🍭, and just soaking up the atmosphere. Slow down and let the little ones lead sometimes, those moments are often the most memorable.

🎢 Ready to Go?

With the right prep, an Orlando theme park trip can be genuinely magical for kids and grownups alike. And if we can take one thing off your plate, we'd love it to be the stroller logistics. Check out our fleet and book your delivery at parksidestrollers.com, we'll have it waiting for you when you arrive. 👨👩👧👦❤️

Parkside Strollers is proud to recommend Vacation Grocery Delivery as a trusted partner for Orlando families. Please visit their website directly to place orders and check availability.

Affiliate links may earn you money back when a qualifying booking is completed. Affiliate rewards are subject to the programme terms.