A Disney theme park nanny has revealed the most common misstep she sees parents make when bringing children to the parks.
Megan Lewis runs a round-the-clock childcare service for families vacationing at major Orlando attractions, including Disney World and Universal Studios. She says one issue crops up again and again for parents visiting with kids for the first time, particularly during the summer months.
After 15 years of nannying experience and graduating from the University of Central Florida in 2024, Lewis turned the idea into a business called Dreamland Nannies.
She noticed a rapid need for extra hands in the crowded, high-energy environment of the parks. Within a year of launching in 2025, she’d already expanded her team to 30 nannies.
Her work can look different from one booking to the next — from maneuvering strollers and supervising children while parents go on rides, to assisting with diaper changes, placing mobile food orders, and keeping little ones occupied through long park days.
Some families hire Dreamland Nannies for a short three-hour window, while others book support for as long as 14 hours in a single day.
Lewis said the variety keeps the job unpredictable, with certain shifts spent inside the parks and others focused on helping families recover at hotels or Airbnbs after a draining day in the Florida heat.
But according to Lewis, the biggest mistake she sees is that many parents try to power through without building in enough downtime.
She said: “I definitely would say during the summer specifically, I would just tell the families take breaks.
“Bring fans, cooling towels, make sure you know you are feeding your children, you’re taking care of yourself, grab a water.”
She explained that summer temperatures can climb past 100 degrees, making it crucial to step away from the parks for a few hours if possible — whether that means returning to the resort to cool off in the pool or simply taking time to rest, depending on distance and logistics.
Dreamland Nannies provides multiple support options for families who want added help during their trip, and Lewis noted that their rates don’t change based on whether care takes place in a hotel or inside the parks.
Pricing starts at $35 per hour for one child, $40 per hour for two children, and $10 per hour for each additional child.
She also said families don’t need to purchase an extra park ticket for the nanny supporting them.
“We have a 10 hour surcharge from the hours of 12 AM to 8 AM,” she further noted.