Walt Disney World is a great place for families. But sometimes, just a little Mom and Daughter Disney vacation is nice too! If you’ve ever thought about doing a mommy and me trip for a little togetherness time, Walt Disney World is perfect for that! Here are some tips for a Mommy and Me trip to Walt Disney World.
Planning a Mommy and Me Trip to Walt Disney World
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be quite an undertaking. But it doesn’t have to be. It can be as simple as Tea at the Grand Floridian and meeting the Princesses where you can find them. And obviously, if Dad is craving some solo time at Walt Disney World, you can easily turn this into a Daddy and Me trip! For this post on Planning a mom-and-daughter trip to Disney World, we’ve rounded up the best things to do, to make your trip extra special.
Start with a budget and your dates and secure a resort reservation. This will help solidify your dates and also give you access to things like perks and dining reservations, especially if you are staying on the property. We recommend making reservations as far as you’re able to. Disney is pretty reasonable when it comes to rescheduling, so if your dates do change, you usually have some flexibility. And the deposit is just $200 for a package, or the equivalent of one night’s stay if you’re not purchasing a package, making it a fairly low investment. You can always cancel later, but if you secure your reservation ahead of time, you’ll have more options! And if you’re waiting for a deal, you can always have the added-on to an existing reservation later as well.
The Best Disney Resorts for Moms and Daughters
Whether you’re bringing your little prince or princess on this trip, or your adult mother or daughter, there are plenty of resort options perfect for Moms and Daughters. While there are benefits to staying on and off property, for this type of trip, we do recommend staying on property. This is especially true if you’re not used to solo parenting or traveling solo with your kids. Staying on property at Walt Disney World does add an extra bit of ease that should not be overlooked. And, of course, there is a little extra magic there.
If you’re bringing a princess fan, Port Orleans Riverside has some of the most magical Princess rooms. More of a pirate fan? Caribbean Beach Resort has pirate rooms that have easy access to Disney’s Skyliner. And for the all-around Disney fan, we love the rooms and theming at Art of Animation.
Things to Do on a Disney Trip for Moms and Daughters
There are so many things to do at Walt Disney World; there is literally something for everyone! We’ve chosen some of our favorite things for a Mommy and Me trip, but keep in mind this is just a shortlist. There are so many unique experiences at Walt Disney World that you can experience together.
Character Dining
Love meeting characters? Character dining is a fun way to get your character interactions in without waiting in line, dealing with the Florida weather, and also getting to enjoy a meal. Character dining isn’t for everyone though. So make sure both of you are ok with having your meal interrupted several times to interact with the characters. Some of our favorites include Crystal Palace, Topolino’s Terrace, Tusker House, Garden Grill, and Storybook Dining at Artist Point.
Horse Drawn Carriage Ride
Try something unique on your Mommy and Me trip to Walt Disney World! Like a horse-drawn carriage ride. Carriage rides are available at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.
At Port Orleans Riverside, you’ll ride along the Sassagoula River. This area is beautiful and peaceful and is a great way to get away from the chaos. At Fort Wilderness, you’ll be in a more rustic setting, where you can look for wildlife and enjoy the shade of the forest.
Carriage rides are $55 for a 25-minute ride and advance reservations are highly recommended. Call (407)WDW-PLAY or (407)939-7529 to make your reservation. You can read all about carriage rides here.
Watch a Show during your Mommy and Me trip to Walt Disney World
There are so many fun shows to be seen in the Walt Disney World Parks. And a lot of times in the hustle and bustle of Park days, things like taking in the time for a show can get pushed aside. Many of the shows are not only amazing and you almost never have to wait in line for them. Pay attention to the times that the show is being played and arrive about 15 minutes early to get a spot. We especially love the Beauty and the Beast show at Hollywood Studios and For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along which is also in Hollywood Studios. A Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom is another must-see. It usually has long lines though, so we recommend getting to that one a little earlier.
There are others throughout the Parks, and you can find those in the My Disney Experience app!
Have Dinner inside a Castle
Have you ever wanted to dine inside of a castle? Let’s be honest, who hasn’t?! Well luckily for you, there are a couple of different ways you can do this at Walt Disney World! And we think it’s perfect for a Mommy and Me trip. Be Our Guest is the Beast’s Castle and has some of the most magical theming. We love eating here. Be Our Guest is located in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom. You can see the full menu for Be Our Guest here.
Another option is dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Located inside Cinderella Castle, this dining experience is like no other. The views of the Park from inside of the castle are absolutely stunning! And the details of the restaurant are beautiful. You’ll truly feel like royalty!
Both restaurant options are pricey though, so if you plan to dine at either of these restaurants, make sure you budget for it! And both restaurants are highly coveted, so make sure you plan to get reservations for it as soon as you are able. They go fast!
Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian
Afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian has long been a favorite of my daughter and me. We love the intimate setting. We love the menu. And most of all, we love the break from the chaos that really just allows us to spend time together. There are menus for adults and kids, so even if your child isn’t much of a tea drinker, you should be able to find something they enjoy. Reservations are highly recommended and this has been an experience that has been growing in popularity over the last few years, so be sure to get them as soon as your reservation window opens.
Character Meet and Greets during a Mommy and Me trip to Walt Disney World
Character Meet and Greets are available at all the parks. For those of you who love interacting with characters up close and personal, this is great news. There are a lot of fun ways to add character interactions to your mommy and my trip. You can choose a theme, like princesses or the fab five, and try to meet them all. You can be sure to meet one character at each park. Or you can just wing it and meet whoever you see!
Miniature Golf
Did you know that Walt Disney World has two miniature golf courses? Many times when you book a vacation package, you can even get a voucher for free miniature golf! Fantasia Gardens is located behind Epcot and is an easy 15-20 minute walk from the International Gateway there, And Winter Summerland is located by Blizzard Beach, and you can generally catch a Disney bus to take you there.
Make time for Movies Under the Stars
If you’re staying on Walt Disney World property, every resort has Movies Under the Stars. Disney movies are played on a large screen outside. The location is different for each resort, and you can find the schedules usually by the lobby or pool. It’s free to attend and is a great way to just relax at the end of a long Park day. We know though, that sometimes when you’re traveling with a larger group, finding time to relax can be difficult. So take this time to grab a drink or snack from the food court, curl up on the lawn and end the night on a calm note. My daughter and I love making time to see Movies Under the Stars when we can!
Fireworks Dessert Cruises
Looking for a really spectacular way to see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom? Well, then the Ferrytale Fireworks Dessert Cruise is for you! Board a ferryboat and sail out onto Seven Seas Lagoon for Disney fireworks as you’ve never seen them. And enjoy treats and drinks while you’re there. There’s even a scavenger hunt for the little ones onboard. This unique experience will cost you $99 for adults and $69 for kids. Advance reservations are highly recommended and can be made online here or by calling (407) 939-7529.
Whether you’re traveling with a small child or an older one who’s a kid at heart, we hope this post has helped you find some unique ideas for a mommy and-me trip at Walt Disney World. Have you ever taken a solo trip with your child? Let us know your favorite part and if we should add anything to this list!
Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she's not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .
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