Travel with toddlers and preschoolers can be daunting. There’s a lot to consider between naptimes, attention spans, age-appropriate activities, diapers and potty-training, and mealtime challenges. However, the reality is sometimes you just need to get away. Walt Disney World may not be the first vacation destination you think of for children in this age range since it usually means traveling quite a distance, staying for more than a couple of days, and more expense than a local amusement park. That being said, you should give it a second look. There are a lot of reasons why Walt Disney World is the perfect vacation destination for young families. Here are the top ten.

#10: No Ick Factor – In my experience, it’s rare to be out in a very public place and not say, “Ick.” As parents of small children, we spend an inordinate amount of time in public restrooms, wiping down restaurant high chairs and tables, and saying, “Dirty. Don’t touch.” Visitors to Walt Disney World will marvel at its cleanliness, even at the end of a busy day when thousands of people passes through its gates. It’s unusual to see stray garbage on the walkways, restaurant tables and high chairs don’t have that disconcerting sticky feel to them, and restrooms are amazingly clean. Walt Disney World’s cleanliness is one of the reasons we return time and time again.

#9: Family Friendly - “Pooh,” “More!” and “Cool!” are about the extent of the four-letter words you’ll hear at the Walt Disney World Resort. This emphasis on a family-friendly atmosphere makes the Walt Disney World Resort stand out among other theme parks. My husband stopped taking our son to the large, local theme park because he couldn’t stand in a line at the entrance or the refreshment stands without hoping our son didn’t pick up any words that would embarrass mom and dad. In all my visits to Disney World, I can’t remember hearing inappropriate language or conversations.

#8: Miles and Miles of Pathways – If you’ve traveled with a baby or toddler, you’ve probably experienced the challenges of naptime while on vacation. My kids, who are consistent sleepers at home, just won’t take afternoon nap in the hotel room – being in a new place is much too exciting for them to settle down. The most effective way to get them the sleep they need is to walk with them in the stroller; they can’t fight the gentle, soothing motion and before we know it, they’ve dozed off. Traditional hotels with their very limited grounds or locations on major roadways make pushing a stroller either very boring or very dangerous. The theme parks have plenty of quiet places to explore with a cool beverage while the kids drift off to dreamland. If we’re at one of the resorts, its sprawling grounds and gorgeous landscaping make a couple of hours pushing the stroller relaxing and enjoyable.

#7: Baby Care Centers – The Baby Care Centers in the Disney World theme park have everything needed to make visiting with little ones easier and more convenient. Need a quiet place to feed infants, complete with rocking chairs and high chairs? There’s a place for that. Did the baby drop his pacifier and you need to replace it? There’s a place for that. Is your little princess potty-training and does she need a smaller toilet to feel comfortable? There’s a place for that. It’s called the Baby Care Center.

#6: No Whining with your Dining – Dine with princesses, eat under the stars at a drive-in theater, or enjoy a vegan and gluten-free treat at Walt Disney World. There is no shortage of unique and immersive dining experiences that are sure to keep your kids entertained. As a parent, I love that there is a focus on delicious but healthy eating at Disney World. Fruit, vegetables, water, and milk are offered as healthy alternatives to fries and soda at dining venues. Disney World also places special emphasis on accommodating family members with food allergies or dietary restrictions. By contacting the special diets department (SpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com) at Walt Disney World, guests are able to work with Cast Members to ensure they can safely dine while at Disney property.

#5: Kids Under Three Eat and Ride Free – What’s better than free? Between travel expenses to get to Orlando, lodging, tickets, food, and souvenirs, you can run up your credit card balance pretty quickly while on vacation. Park entry as well as buffets and family-style restaurants are free for children under the age of three. The best part is that many of the character meals such as Chef Mickey, Crystal Palace with Winnie the Pooh and friends, and Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, are buffet or family-style experiences. This means your toddler can meet their favorite Disney friend for free.

#4: Attractions for the Whole Family – Many amusement parks are oriented either to adults or to children. For those that accommodate both, the park usually features thrill rides with a smaller area with kid-sized attractions. Walt Disney World bridges the divide with many attractions that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Like many Disney films, there are layers of humor and attraction detail. Children may focus on one aspect while older guests enjoy the attraction in a different, more adult way. Some of my favorites are Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Jedi Training Academy, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Living with the Land.

#3: Multi-Day Destination – A weeklong beach vacation can be difficult if the kids tire of the sand and surf. Having built-in entertainment is definitely a plus with small children who often have short attention spans. Families can easily spend a week at Disney World without running out of things to see and do. Within the parks themselves, there are rides, theater attractions, and playgrounds where little ones can let off some steam. Outside of the parks, families can do a little shopping at Downtown Disney, play a round of miniature golf, or watch an outdoor movie at Fort Wilderness.

#2: Service with a Smile – Cast Members are Walt Disney World are truly a cut above and take great pride in making guests’ vacations magical; there are no ambivalent cast members here. You’ll always be greeted with a friendly smile and are never made to feel you are “bothering” the cast member with your question or request. Oftentimes, the Disney difference is a small but noticeable gesture that improves your vacation. I still remember the young Cast Member who saw us looking at our park map and approached us asking how he could help us find what we were looking for.

and the number one reason is…

#1: Kids Believe – Small children unconditionally believe in the magic without hesitation or doubt. The looks of pure delight on their faces as their favorite Disney character or princess comes to life makes the Walt Disney World Resort THE perfect vacation destination for young families.

Big thanks to Lisa Battista for writing this special Disney Top 10 article, she is an expert on kids and Disney! Lisa M. Battista is the author of Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers. You can connect with her on Twitter @DisneyExplorer or become a fan of Beyond the Attractions on Facebook.

Granted, most people head to Walt Disney World with their kids in tow, and many people would not even consider it a vacation destination without kids. However, you can’t beat a night (or a week) in Disney without the kids, whether you leave them in the room with a sitter, or leave them at home all together. Those who have only been in the parks with little kids, running from character meal to parade to nap time miss out on the wonderful options available in the parks, if you just take a few minutes to look around.

#10: Downtown Disney – Now, of course, you can enjoy Downtown Disney with kids. That is true for most of the options below, but if your kids are anything like mine, they bore quickly when shopping, especially when there are rides to be riden.  Downtown Disney has some great restaurants (Fultons!), some great “adult” shops, especially on the West Side. Even with Pleasure Island closed, Downtown Disney is a great place to hang out and enjoy yourself. I had intended to add Cirque du Soleil as #9, but I will include it here. Great show, even better when you don’t have to shell out all that money to take the kids too.

#9: Street Performers – By far the most hidden gem of Disney World, the street performers of Hollywood Studios are a site not to miss. There are others that are great too, the Jammitors of Epcot and the Mayor and his posse in the Magic Kingdom. Just hang out and watch for a while, you will laugh like you have never laughed before.

#8: Boat Rides – Disney offers numerous boat rides throughout the Walt Disney World resort. Many in and around the Magic Kingdom to nearby resorts and the Transportation and Ticket Center, from Epcot to Hollywood Studios and back (with stops at the Boardwalk area resorts), the boat from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney, etc. Many times with kids, you just want to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible, which often precludes you from enjoying one of the many boat rides. Relax, the kids are safe, and enjoy the ride.

#7: Special Events in the Parks – Disney offers many special events in the parks year round, many of which can be enjoyed even more without little ones. I love the Food and Wine Festival and the Flower and Garden festival in Epcot, which are much, much better when you can take your time and enjoy. Also check out the Eat to the Beat concert series, the Candlelight Processional, ESPN the Weekend and any of the Disney marathons. Fantastic events that make Disney special.

#6: The Boardwalk – One of my most favorite places in all of WDW, especially in the evening. Great restaurants, a few shops, Jellyrolls, bike rentals and buskers. Just take some time strolling and checking out the performers, grab a treat at the bakery, you will be in for a fantastic evening.

#5: Just act like a kid for once – With kids around, especially if they are little, you end up riding kid rides all day long (Hello Dumbo for the 13th time!). Worrying about the kids, getting on and off the rides, you really can’t enjoy the rides for what they are. Take time and ride a few of the “kids” rides, Peter Pan is my favorite, Snow White is decent too.

#4: Dinner at a Signature Restaurant – I prefer not to take my kids to super nice restaurants while at WDW, not because of the cost or that they won’t behave themselves, but because the (and all kids) tend to fall asleep on the table. Not sure why, long day, slow service, etc. Take your significant other out to a nice meal, Disney offers some of the nicest restaurants in Florida. I love Flying Fish and Jiko, but any signature place will do.

#3: Ride the “Boring” rides – My kids have a list of boring rides they refuse to ride (or will only ride once), many of which are my favorites. I could ride Living with the Land over and over (same with Tomorrowland Transit Authority). Without kids, you can relax and enjoy those slower rides, and not worry about having to drag the kids on kicking and screaming.

#2: Explore the Resorts – My kids can’t think of anything more painful that taking time out of the parks to explore other resorts. My wife on the other hand, can’t think of anything better to do. The kids always win. Disney has some fantastic resorts, with great themes and grounds. Maybe schedule a nice dinner at a resort one night, and spend a few minutes just walking around to see what the resort has to offer, you may find a new place to stay your next trip.

#1: Quiet places in the Parks – Disney has built some fantastic places in each park, many of which you never notice as you are running to fit in that last Pirates of the Caribbean ride before the parade and fireworks. Without kids, you can sit and relax your feet for a few minutes without hearing constant crying (unless your feet really, really hurt). As you walk around, take your time and find those secret places. The English Garden in Epcot is fantastic, and the Animal Kingdom is full of quiet corners and fantastic benches.

Disney is so much more than a theme park, it is full of wonderful places, restaurants, rides and entertainment. I love taking my kids to WDW, but if I had the choice, I would leave them home, it makes for a much better vacation.

Walt Disney World has some amazing shows, from great stage shows with live actors to 4-D shows with classic Disney characters. Most of the shows are fantastic for kids, as they are entertaining, non-moving and for the most part, right on their level. Below are our top 10, do not miss, shows for kids at Walt Disney World.

#10: Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage! – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – While not great for all kids, this Playhouse Disney show if fantastic for the preschool kids, where their favorite Playhouse Disney characters come alive right in front of them. This is an interactive show, with dancing and singing.

#9: Muppet Vision 3-D – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Fantastic 4-D show featuring the Muppets, from Kermit to Miss Piggy. Adults might get a bigger kick out of this show. Don’t miss the pre-show, absolutely classic Muppets.

#8: Voyage of the Little Mermaid – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – This is a live action show recreating the Little Mermaid movie, with actors on stage, along with some animated shots from the movie. Great fun, wonderful music and a great place to cool off on a hot day.

#7: Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – This live action stunt show gives kids a look at how movies are made, especially the dangerous stunt involved in making action movies. Featuring Indiana Jones, this 30 minute show is great for kids of all ages, though the young ones may get a bit bored during the scene changes.

#6: Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor – Featuring Mike Wazowski, the audience is involved in a comedy club type setting, where the monsters are attempting to get laughs to power Monstropolis. The great thing about the Laugh Floor is that it is an interactive show with animated characters, the no two shows are alike. Great fun for kids, especially if they are part of the show.

#5: Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Disney’s newest show, imported from Disneyland Paris, is a look at how stunts are performed in movies, especially those involving cars. This show is loud, fast and involves a lot of explosions and fire, perfect for kids.

#4: Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – A live reproduction of Beauty and the Beast, this is a Broadway style production with great sets and actors. Great fun for kids, especially those fond of Beauty and the Beast. Very limited show times during the day, make sure you plan so you do not miss it.

#3: Mickey’s PhilharMagic – Magic Kingdom  - Another 4-D spectacular, staring Donald Duck, with help from Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters. Great 3-D effects and fun gags make this show a must see for kids and adults. I can still smell the Apple Pie.

#2: Legend of the Lion King – Animal Kingdom – A live action show featuring your favorite Lion King characters, as well as singers, dancers and acrobats performing to the Lion King songs. A lot of fun, kids really seem to get into the songs and characters.

#1: Finding Nemo – The Musical – Animal Kingdom – Disney’s newest show is also it’s best. Recreating the Finding Nemo movie on stage would be good, but set to new music makes it even that much better. Live actors portray the Finding Nemo characters, with oversize puppets, this show is very similar to the Lion King that has been on Broadway for years. Do not miss this show!

Walt Disney World and pictures go hand in hand. You have to figure close to a million photos are taken on Disney property each day, and that is just by guests, not including all the ride photos taken. So, where are the places you shouldn’t miss having your picture taken? Below is our Top 10 Walt Disney World photo spots:

#10: Lego Store – Downtown Disney – This is a unique choice, as it really isn’t Disney, but a Lego store located in Downtown Disney. Lego has done a great job making the Lego Store a fun place to be, with a bunch of life size lego creations that you can have your photo taken with.

#9: From the top of the Contemporary Resort – Located on the  top floor of the Contemporary is the California Grill. If you are lucky enough to get a reservationn there,  you will have access to the Contemporary catwalk. This is a big platform on the North end off the building, and is outside, with fantastic views of the Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian and Contemporary.

#8: Japan Pavilion, Epcot -  While the Japan pavilion is beautiful and all, what makes this spot special is the great view you get from the lakeside looking back across the lake towards Spaceship Earth.

#7: Expedition Everest – Animal Kingdom – Disney’s newest thrill ride also give you some great photo opportunities, from up close, or further away. It is a beautiful mountain, and with all the work Disney has done to make it look like it rises from a small town in Nepal, you are sure to find some great photo spots.

#6: Tree of Life – Animal Kingdom -  The centerpiece of the Animal Kingdom park is a bigger than life tree, carved with hundreds of animals into it’s trunk, and can be seen from just about anywhere in the park. My personal favorite spot is on the bridge going from Discovery Island to Harambe Village, you get a nice clear shot of the Tree, and there is plenty of space to get your whole group in the shot.

#5: Sorcerer’s Hat – Disney’s Hollywood Studios – A relatively new theme park icon, Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat has become one of the most photographed items in any of the Disney theme parks. Just a fantastic backdrop to your entrance to Disney’s Hollywood studios, and while great looking during the day, it is at night when it really shines.

#4: Spaceship Earth – Epcot – Located at the entrance to Epcot, guests constantly stop to get a picture with Spaceship Earth in the background. No mistaking where that photo was taken. If you want to try a less popular, but honestly better angle, try walking past the ride and on the other side of the Fountain of Nations, you get a great angle, plus the fountains.

#3: Entrance to Magic Kingdom – Once you walk through the turnstiles of the Magic Kigndom, there is a great photo op, with the over sized Mickey made of flowers and the Magic Kingdom train station in the back, you can’t help but snap a photo of the kids.

#2: Tower of Terror – Sunset Boulevard – Disney’s Hollywood Studios -  While you may be a big chicken and wimp out before you actually get to the Tower of Terror, there is nothing like having your picture with it in the background while you are still feeling brave.

#1: Cinderella’s Castle – By far the most photographed area of Disney World is Cinderella’s Castle. There are several great areas to shoot from to get a great photo, walking down Main Street, from Tomorrowland or Adventureland, from Fantasyland even to get the back side. My favorite is from the entrance to the Crystal Palace. There isn’t anything block your photo, it is all trees and grass.

Most people head to Walt Disney World with kids in tow. One of the most important decisions in planning your Disney World vacation is deciding where to stay. And if you will have kids along with you, that decision becomes even more important. So, here are out top 10 Disney resorts for kids.

#10: Port Orleans Riverside – Riverside, along with the other moderate resorts are ok for kids, but honestly, are better for adults without kids. They are quiet and decent resorts, but not anything overly fun or stimulating for kids. Riverside is the one exception, as they have a very fun pool, a cool boat you can ride to Downtown Disney along with the coolest thing, old time bamboo fishing poles you can rent and fish in the river. Riverside is a great resorts as well if you have three kids, as many of the rooms will sleep 5, the only moderate resort that has this amenity.

#9: Pop Century – While Pop Century, and the #8 All-Stars, were built for kids and families, they really aren’t the best resorts for kids. The pools do not have slides, and the resorts tend to get pretty crowded and often loud. Granted, Pop Century is well thought out and it is a fun resort. It has several big pools and a great arcade and food court, and plenty of Disney magic.

#8: All-Stars – While technically I would put All-Star Movies here at #8, in reality, the All-Stars are basically identical with only their theme separating the resorts. These resorts are similar to Pop Century, in not having a slide at the pools, but they have fun themes that kids seem to love. Whether your kids are into Sports, Music or Disney Movies, you can find something at one of these resorts to make your kids happy.

#7: Disney’s Fort Wilderness - Fort Wilderness offers both camping spots for tents, trailers and RVs as well as cool Wilderness Cabins. Kids love camping, and if you don’t want to rough it, the cabins are a great answer. Fort Wilderness has fun activities from campfires at night to hay rides and golf carts you can rent. A fun resort to spend time at for kids and adults.

#6: Polynesian – The Polynesian has many great attractions for kids, a great pool with ultra cool volcano slide, a beach, the monorail and a great view of the Magic Kingdom. The rooms are fun, and you really get into the feel of the Polynesian, especially at night, with the tiki torches. Plus, all kids love sitting on the beach and watching the water parade at night.

#5: Boardwalk Inn – Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is a great kids resort, with a fantastic roller coaster water slide at the pool, a great location near Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Boardwalk right out your door. Not only are there great restaurants on the Boardwalk, including the ESPN Zone, but you can also rent surrey bikes and hang out and watch the buskers, where are a blast.

#4: Wilderness Lodge – The Wilderness Lodge is a great resort for kids, with a fun, swimming hole type pool, great courtyard area and one of the funnest restaurants in Disney, Whispering Canyon Cafe. Plus, there is a great boat ride over to the Magic Kingdom available if you wish. Also, you can get a room with bunk beds, which always seems to solve a few fights over sharing a bed between the kids. Now, you just have to deal with the fight over who gets to sleep on the top bunk.

#3: Beach Club/Yacht Club – While technically the Beach and Yacht Club are separate resorts, in most cases, they really are only one resort. The Beach Club and Yacht Club have the best pool by far at WDW, Stormalong Bay. In addition to the great water slide, this sand bottom pool has a lazy river, a whirlpool and many other fun places to explore. Kind of like having your own water park outside your hotel room. Plus, the Yacht and Beach Club is right next to Epcot, and not far from the Boardwalk and Disney’s Hollywood Studio.

#2:  Contemporary – there is just something magical about the Contemporary for kids. I don’t know if it is the monorail running through the lobby every few minutes, or the great views of the Magic Kingdom from the room, or the kids pool that is out in Bay Lake. The rooms are fun, just having been totally redone, and have nice balconies where kids can hang out and watch the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. Plus, it is only a 5 minute walk over the Magic Kingdom if you don’t want to wait for the monorail, the only resort you can walk to the Magic Kingdom from.

#1: Animal Kingdom Lodge -  Well, kind of a no brainer for me. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is my kids favorite resort, and that holds true for most kids I have ever asked. With rooms right on savannas, kids can sit and watch the animals for hours from their rooms. Plus, there is a great pool with super fun water slide and you can even see animals from the pool area. Just a great place for kids to stay, they never seem to complain when you are leaving the parks to head back to the resort.