IT'S 3pm at Magic Kingdom. Since it’s the hottest part of the day, I have found a little spot in the shade of Cinderella Castle to have a break.
It’s my 55th visit to World Disney World in Florida. I first came here as a child and now I’m a travel journalist and content creator, as well as a mum-of-two.
Watching stressed-out parents and grubby kids battle the afternoon heat in Florida is a scene I have witnessed many times.
Having two children under eight myself, I know exactly how they feel. Fortunately, this time I'm here for work and so blissfully child-free for a few days.
A hot and bothered family are sat by me and everyone looks a bit frazzled. One kid is asleep and the other is having a typical toddler meltdown.
I smile at the mum in solidarity. We've all been there.
I first took my son, Finn, to Disney when he was six months old and trust me, I have made exactly the same mistakes as everyone else does.
However, after so many years navigating the Florida theme parks with a buggy, bags of snacks, two energetic kids and a typically 'disenchanted' dad, I have picked up a few tips to make your Disney trip as stress-free and fun as possible.
Here are some expert ways to parent in the Disney parks and still have fun…
With some families saving up for ten years or more for the trip of a lifetime to Florida, it's understandable that you'll want to squeeze as much as possible into your trip.
With the cost of flights, hotel and tickets to the major theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, we all want to get our money's worth.
Tickets for Walt Disney World are cheapest when you buy a 14-day ticket that grants you access to the four theme parks; Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios, plus two Disney Water parks.
However, going to a theme park every day for two weeks is a lot for any adult – let alone children.
It's a mistake to think that you need to go every day to get the most bang for your buck.
In fact, going for less time and spreading it over two weeks makes for a far more relaxed visit.
Prioritising quality over quantity will make it much easier for you as a parent. You don't need to do it all.
Plan a day that works best for your group – just because everyone's going on certain big rides, doesn't mean you have to.
I find you see and do just as much (kids have more energy when they are not as tired) and it's far more enjoyable and memorable when you take your time.
Plan in some rest days too, where you do very little other than sit by the pool or play at your villa or hotel.
As well as recharging your batteries, it helps manage the excitement and over-stimulation of being at the theme parks.
And, whatever you do, don't consider a water park day as a rest day.
We often do as many steps at Typhoon Lagoon as we do at Magic Kingdom, plus the added energy required for the swimming, steps to the slides and staying afloat your tube on the lazy river while your kids try to tip you off.
As a mum who travels a lot with their kids, I am often asked for tips on jet lag and managing long flights and different time zones.
People are always surprised when I say I always have a plan to tackle jet lag and preserve everyone's energy.
Yet, I am often surprised that people haven't given it any thought at all!
A big error I think parents make when taking on a big holiday like a two-week trip to the US is disregarding your children's usual schedule.
Florida, for example, is five hours behind the UK. This means that as well as waking up much earlier than they usually would, a few hours into your day at Disney would actually be the kids' usual breakfast time.
Children don't manage as well with disrupted sleep and changes in meal times as adults do.
We always eat a regular meal at breakfast, lunch and dinner at local time, but I also pack snacks like bananas, apples and flapjacks to feed them at the times they would usually eat in the UK.
Although I am no dietary expert, this seems to regulate their blood sugar and energy levels. Plus, it stops them asking constantly for sugary snacks and ice cream.
Even if your child no longer uses a pushchair at home, I also recommend bringing one for kids under six.
This is not necessarily to push them around when they can easily walk, but more for the opportunity to have a tactical nap.
Older kids and adults can better manage jet lag and get through the day, but younger children can sometimes benefit from a cat nap. Especially when the weather is hot.
Of course, it also helps whisk them off to the car or shuttle bus quicker after the fireworks.
Last year, my three year old was wide awake for the fireworks at Epcot as she had napped earlier in the day.
However, my six year old had been running around doing 15k steps on his little legs, so he was passed out in the pushchair before we exited the park.
It's well discussed that having a plan for visiting Walt Disney World is recommended.
With so much to see and do, getting organised and forming a plan can really make a difference to the ease of visiting.
The My Disney Experience app (and the Universal Orlando Resort app for the Universal parks) can help you plan a route around the theme park, help you decide what shows and parades to watch and book attractions using Lightning Lanes.
Lightning lanes are where you can pay to skip regular lines.
But, it's best to have a personal plan for your family or group.
Work out the must-ride attractions, the areas you plan to visit and when and where you think you'll stop for snacks, a rest and meals.
Where possible, try and stick to the plan. Time flies when you are walking around in circles, getting lost and starting to panic about getting everything done.
This is when important aspects like making sure everyone has eaten something and is staying hydrated get pushed aside.
At home, it's second nature. But in theme park world, it feels less of a priority and that's when things start unravelling and everyone gets tired and grumpy.
Walt Disney World and other enormous theme parks in the US, like Universal Orlando, Legoland, Six Flags and Busch Gardens are some of the most over-stimulated places on earth – especially for children.
With many people saving up for a long time to visit, it can often be a holiday of a lifetime.
However, as parents focus on the significant spend, long journey and seemingly infinite amount of stuff to see and do when you get there, they don't consider the things you can do before you even leave the UK.
Children very much respond to their natural surroundings, so before you take them to the busy, chaotic, vibrant and happiest place on earth, practice 'holidaying' at home.
Often, at the theme parks, I see children who don't appear to have much exposure outside of their lives with family and at school.
No one can prepare you for your first trip to Disney World, even adults find it overwhelming.
Children who are not used to busy public spaces, loud and chaotic restaurants and environments where you have to follow strict rules (such as safety procedures on rides and long queues), can sometimes react dramatically.
I recommend taking your kids out for regular visits to your local city, riding public transport instead of always going by car, going to local tourist attractions or having a day at a busy area nearby to practice being in an exciting and crowded space.
If you don't often eat out with your kids, I recommend doing this too.
You don't have to go anywhere fancy or expensive. A few trips to Nandos or Pizza Express can help kids understand how to handle sitting at the table, manage boredom and eat food that isn't cooked at home and caters especially for their tastes.
It seems like a simple idea, but when you're paying money to dine at a Disney restaurant, where main courses can often be £25 or more, you'll want to ensure everyone can cope with being sat around the table and that they will eat their food.
In order to make sure everyone has a magical time and usually for the safety of guests, staff members and performers, there are rules that should be followed at theme parks.
One thing that can cause stress for parents is disregarding safety requirements.
Always measure your child in their regular shoes (or preferably without shoes to be on the safe side) before you start planning your holiday with them.
Height and age minimums, as well as the requirement to ride with an adult are strictly enforced.
The last thing you'll want is your child to be disappointed when you're at the parks.
For example, if you have a Guardians of the Galaxy fan in your group, the height minimum for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is 42 inches (107cm).
Manage expectations before you get there if your child is too small to ride. Staff wont make an exception.
Being told they can't go on, especially after lining up or paying for a Lightning Lane, will be a huge blow.
As well as dealing with your upset child, remember an adult will also have to leave the line with them so you might have to skip the ride also.
This is level of stress and upset that can really spoil the day.
Spending money at theme parks is the easy part.
Between extra fees for rides, the temptation of exciting mouse-shaped snacks and an unlimited shopping list at the gift shop, parents begin to feel the stress building with every transaction.
Give yourself a realistic budget for the entire holiday and stick to it.
Packages like the Disney Dine and Drink Plan (where you can book a package up front and have your meals and beverages included) can help control how much you spend on food and drink.
But, it's wise to have a monetary amount in mind that you want to spend on average, each day.
That way you can keep track of what you have spent without having a panic attack mid-way through week two when your kid asks for a Limited Edition Lightsaber.
I let my kids pick one significant souvenir from our holidays and encourage them to wait until nearer the end 'in case they see something better'.
The under-16s have a habit of forgetting about the things you bought them earlier on the trip when they see something else shiny and colourful that they want.
I always build a contingency plan into my budget so I don't have to be too rigid.
You are on holiday after all, so not everything has to be fixed and pre-planned.
For example, my son was very proud of himself after riding Slinky Dog Dash – a family roller coaster, for the first time, as he gets nervous with heights.
We bought him the T-shirt to congratulate him and as a treat for being brave. It was an extra £28 we hadn't budgeted for, but worth every penny.
Just be careful you aren't being too fast and loose with your own budget, especially if money is tight.
There are lots of ways to save cash at Disney, such as bringing your own lunch and snacks, buying souvenirs outside the parks and picking up budget outfits and accessories here in the UK, before you travel.
Kids at Disney World are still kids. And, parents are still parenting.
Ultimately, everyone will have a better time if they are not tired, stressed out and grumpy.
Setting yourself the impossible task of seeing and doing it all can totally spoil what is a truly magical holiday.
Manage expectations, not just for your kids but also for yourself and the magic will take care of itself.
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