Play Date! Kissimmee Makes Entertaining Toddlers (and Parents!) Easy

Traveling with toddlers can have its challenges. They can often be the most opinionated and least patient members of the family. The endeavor can feel akin to a spy mission, with parents diffusing potential tantrums rather than diffusing bombs. However, a vacation in Kissimmee makes toddler travel a cinch! There are plenty of area attractions to keep little tykes happy, with room for the adults in the group to have fun too. In this post, we've got travel tips and tricks for navigating some of Kissimmee, Florida's most popular theme parks and attractions with your toddler-aged kids.

Tips For Traveling With Toddlers

Before you take off for your Florida vacation, you'll want a few tricks in your back pocket for surviving a flight or car ride with your toddler. Don't worry, we've got you covered! 

• Entertainment is everything! Consider how much screen time you want to allow, and load up devices with games, movies, and TV shows accordingly. 
• Believe it or not, there are podcasts for kids! Try out a few episodes at home, and if one sparks the interest of your child, download the archives for the road. But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids, and Wow in the World are popular options.
• Gift-wrap small toys, picture books, coloring supplies, and more. The delight of getting to unwrap a gift will perk up your toddler, and what's inside will help keep them occupied.
• Choose flight times, or hit the road, based on when your toddler's moods are best.
• Pack a variety of healthy snacks and treats.

Once you've arrived in Kissimmee, you're all set to relax and have fun! Here's where you should head with your toddler.

Aquatica, SeaWorld's Waterpark

Looking to make a splash with your toddler? Check out Aquatica, SeaWorld's Waterpark. Walkabout Waters, a highlighter-colored multi-story fortress of shallow pools, slides, water-propelled gears, bridges and water cannons, is like the world's coolest tree house (and this one doesn't have a sign that says "no adults allowed").

The rolling waves of Cutback Cove might be too intense for youngsters (swells reach up to five feet), so head to the wave pool right next to it: sitting at the edge of Big Surf Shores, which alternates between high and low waves, makes for a great spot to play. Ready to dry off? The sandy shores next to the dual wave pools make for a fun place for your child to play in the sand while you bask in the glorious Florida sunshine.

Safety is paramount at Aquatica, so SeaWorld Orlando offers life vests at several attractions, essential for keeping your toddler safe and secure.

Looking for other great Central Florida water parks? Check out this article. 

LEGOLAND Florida

Built brick-by-brick with their smallest guests in mind, Duplo Valley is the ultimate location for tiny tots to explore at LEGOLAND Florida. The designers of the park made sure that kids came first when planning Duplo Valley. For instance, while waiting for attractions like the Duplo Train, children can play in an area filled with Duplo bricks while their parents hold a spot in line until it's boarding time.

One of the most well-received areas of Duplo Valley is Duplo Farm, an indoor, air-conditioned play area where kids climb on tractors outfitted with slides and play in classic red barns while parents watch. The same building is also home to a Toddler Play Room that's filled with Duplo blocks and a great baby care center.

Kids of all ages enjoy MINILAND USA, which is filled with famous landmarks-like Kennedy Space Center, the Statue of Liberty and Daytona International Speedway-built with more than 32 million LEGO bricks. Even more fun, several of the scenes have interactive elements. With the push of a button, find special surprises like a pirate ship gliding across the water in the Pirate Shores scene. It's the small touches that make these building bricks come alive and continue to delight.

Crayola Experience Orlando

This place is for anyone who's ever picked up a crayon. (And who hasn't?) The Crayola Experience's 25 hands-on attractions allow the young, and the young at heart, to let their creativity run free. Over at Modeling Madness, you and your youngster can mold, shape and swirl colorful creations with Crayola Model Magic, a clay-like material. What will you create? (Other than great memories, of course.)

At Toddler Town, youngest guests play with colors and light on a gigantic light-up pegboard (think Lite-Brite). Don't leave the Crayola Experience without creating a Crayola crayon label and having it wrapped around a crayon at Wrap it Up!

Walt Disney World

The key to doing Disney with a toddler is knowing which rides and attractions will enchant them before you enter the park.

An absolute must for any wee one's first visit to Magic Kingdom Park is the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. As you enter Fantasyland through Cinderella Castle, you'll hear classic Disney songs being played on an old-fashioned organ before you see 90 hand-carved horses galloping around and around on the ornately decorated carousel. The horses come in several sizes. Stand next to your kids or giddy-up and ride on the steed beside them.

Ride the rails of the Walt Disney World Railroad on a grand circle tour around Magic Kingdom Park. This authentic steam train is a great way to spend some time with your youngsters because there's plenty to see as you wind through the woods surrounding the park. While the round-trip tour takes 20 minutes, you're welcome to get off and on at Frontierland, Fantasyland and Main Street, U.S.A. All aboard!

A classic attraction that's known as the happiest cruise that ever sailed, "It's a Small World" takes you on a slow boat ride through the counties of the world. The colorful sets, singing dolls and relaxing ride speed make this a perfect ride for toddlers. Just try not to sing along!

Here's an insider tip: you can watch the small world boats go by while having lunch or dinner at Pinocchio Village Haus, which is a great way to keep the kids occupied during mealtime.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant has an ingenious circus-themed play area where your half-pint can play while waiting for a turn to ride Dumbo. Your child can get their wiggles out while you relax in the festively colored and air-conditioned circus tent.

If your child is more adventurous, you both can take to the skies and blast off in your own rocket on Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland. You'll whirr around just like the Jetsons. Enjoy the view!

If there's one thing Magic Kingdom Park has, it's character, and you find several of your toddler's favorites at Pete's Silly Sideshow. At this circus-themed meet-and-greet under the Big Top, you'll be able to see Donald, Goofy, Daisy, and Minnie. If you're looking for that main mouse, Mickey, you'll find him backstage at Town Square Theater as he gets ready in his rehearsal room.

Celebration

If you're looking for some free kid-approved entertainment, check out the splash pad in downtown Celebration. Originally developed by The Walt Disney Company, the city celebrates community with its cozy, walkable downtown. The town's gigantic splash pad fountain is a great area for the kids to cool off on a hot day while adults enjoy the shade of a palm tree. Need a treat after soaking up the fun? Follow the sweet scent of melted chocolate across the street to Kilwins for some ice cream, fudge or a caramel apple. A well-timed cool treat will soothe even the crankiest toddler!

This is just a sample of things to experience with your toddler while on vacation in Kissimmee, but there are many more attractions and memories to be made when you get here. Let's play! Get a free destination magazine and start planning your family's Kissimmee getaway today.