March Break With Toddlers (But Make It Feel Like a Break)
March Break has a way of sneaking up on us.
January has 181 days, February is going 80 in a 60 zone, and then just like that, it’s March.
One minute you’re wondering how you’re going to survive another snow day, and the next you’re contemplating the best flight times and wondering if you should pre-pay to check a third suitcase for all the “just in case” kid ‘stuff’.
If you’re preparing for March Break travel with toddlers, especially if this just happens to be your first ‘big trip’ with them, take a deep breath.
Yes, it can feel like a lot. By the time March Break rolls around, I am not aspirational-mom tired. I am over-extended, touched-out, and another level of exhausted with winter to blame.
The problem with planning March Break with toddlers can feel like adding a second full-time job. Researching. Booking. Coordinating. Packing for every possible weather and emotional -based scenario. If I’m going to parent in a different location for a week, I need it to feel lighter, not heavier.
That’s exactly why we chose Walt Disney World. (Don’t give me that look).
No, not because it’s trendy.
But because with a little bit of prep, it quietly removes 80% of the mental load.
I Don’t Want “Epic.” I Want Easy.
At this stage of parenting I’m not chasing bucket-list adrenaline. I’m chasing peace. That’s why they call it a ‘break’, right?
My family destination that already understands ‘us’. I don’t want to have to Google:
Is this stroller-friendly?
Where do we change a diaper?
Is there somewhere to sit when everyone melts down?
What do toddlers actually do here?
I want infrastructure. I want dependability. So yeah, we researched. We looked at other options, multiple destinations. Nothing else seemed ‘fit’ our family the same way.
So whether you’re a Disney person or not, it’s hard to argue with this: everything there is built with families in mind. Bathrooms everywhere. Quick-service food. High chairs. Baby Care Centers. Transportation that connects it all without having to lug around car seats.
When the environment anticipates toddler needs, I’m not constantly problem-solving.
And that feels like a break.
Why It Works for Toddlers (Without Overworking Me)
Toddler travel only works if the destination meets them where they are.
Toddlers are intense little learners. Some are visual: give them parades and bright colors. Some are auditory: music and storytelling keep them engaged. Others are purely tactile, kinesthetic learners: they need to climb, press buttons, explore.
The beauty of a place like Walt Disney World is that it’s immersive without requiring me to manufacture the fun. (Hello, hands-off parenting!)
The stimulation is there while the pace is up to us. The expectations are flexible.
We don’t have to “do it all.” We can do one park in the morning, swim in the afternoon, grab something easy for dinner, and call it a day.
It scales to toddler energy, which for me is a parenting win
Let’s Talk About the Budget (Because March Break Isn’t Cheap)
March Break pricing is no joke. Flights are higher. Hotels are fuller which means prime pricing. Everything feels peak-season inflated.
One practical reason we’ve chosen this destination during the toddler years? Children under three don’t require a theme park ticket at Walt Disney World. (Yep, you heard that right).
That alone can be a HUGE savings.
Dining is also more flexible than people realize. At buffets and family-style meals, children under three can typically eat at no additional charge when sharing with a paying adult. At many sit-down restaurants, toddlers can eat from your plate, and servers often offer a simple side like mac and cheese or butter noodles (because god forbid there’s sauce where there shouldn’t be) to help out.
If your toddler survives on air and half a cracker? You’re not paying full child pricing for that phase of life.
It’s not about doing Disney on a budget, it’s about recognizing when a stage of childhood makes certain trips more manageable.
Flying With Toddlers During March Break
Let’s not romanticize this part. Airports during March Break are busy.
But flying with toddlers isn’t automatically a nightmare, especially once they have their own seat. That defined space actually helps. Familiar car seats onboard can mean better rest (for all members of the family).
Most airlines still allow strollers to be gate-checked, essential child equipment to travel without additional fees, and family boarding.
Is it effortless? No.
Is it survivable? Absolutely.
Waiting their turn. Sitting for takeoff. Adjusting to a new routine for a day. It’s new, but its also exciting. I can’t promise it will be perfect. I can promise it will be memorable.
The Real Question: Will It Feel Like a Break?
Here’s what I’ve learned after traveling with toddlers for a few years now.
A “break” doesn’t mean no parenting.
It means being able to enjoy the environment as a family, without the stress of cooking, cleaning, scheduling, prepping activities, cleaning up, etc. etc. etc.
In a place like Walt Disney World, a lot of that is simplified. Entertainment is built in. Food is accessible. Transportation is integrated. The environment expects children.
I’m still mom.
But I’m not operations manager, event planner, and crisis coordinator all at once. That’s the exhale.
Will there be meltdowns? Yes.
Will someone spill the bubbles from the $35 bubble wand 5 minutes after you bought it? For sure. Will you question your life choices at least once in the airport? Probably.
But there’s something powerful about changing the scenery in the middle of winter. Warm air. Bright colors. A place that doesn’t treat toddlers like an inconvenience (or make you feel like a bad mom when they decide to throw a tantrum at dinner).
We didn’t choose our March Break destination because it’s perfect. We chose it because it’s supportive for families like ours.
And when you’re a tired mom who still wants the best experience for her family, supportive feels like luxury.
Are you planning travel with littles over the break? Tell me where you’re headed and what made you choose it!
