I just got back from a 3-day vacation to the happiest place on Earth. Yup, you know what I'm talking about: Walt Disney World! This was my first time staying for longer than a day, taking advantage of their beautiful hotel resorts and convenient transportation, and actually going to all four parks and then some. If you're not taking advantage of all of Disney has to offer, than you're not doing Disney to its full potential. it truly is an amazing experience that everyone should get to experience. My trip was nothing short of magical. So next time you take a trip to Disney World, make sure to do the following things so your trip can be magical as well!
1. Stay at a Disney Resort
This was my first time staying at a Disney Resort and I would 10/10 highly recommend. The hospitality is incredible as well as the numerous perks you get, including free transportation by bus to all the parks. Which means free parking!! Did I mention free parking? Not to mention, a lot of them are super affordable and still super nice. I stayed at the Pop Century resort. It had amazing home-cooked style meal choices in the cafeteria, a cute gift shop, several swimming pools, an arcade, and so much more! And my room was only $92 a night!
2. Get the park hopper option
With the park hopper option, you get to go to all four parks, to and from as much as you like for that day. You may pay a little more, but it's totally worth it! One day I went to Magic Kingdom in the morning and then to Animal Kingdom for one specific ride, and then back to Magic Kingdom again. You know why? Because I could and it was great.
3. Visit Cinderella's Castle
I feel like this is a no-brainer but I had to include it because if you don't get a picture of Cinderella's Castle at Magic Kingdom, why are you even at Disney? No, but really it is the most beautiful aspect of all the parks. At certain times, Cinderella and her prince even make an appearance!
4. Meet a Disney Princess
This was my first time meeting a Disney Princess and it's honestly such a great experience. They're all so gorgeous and friendly and they really give you their undivided attention. Not to mention, you can get your picture with them and even their autograph! I got mine with my favorite princess, Anna at the Arendelle part of Epcot. It's basically everyone's childhood dream.
5. Get Mickey-Shaped Food
Because you're at Disney and everything you do should be Disney related. This chocolate chip cookie was from Animal Kingdom and it was delicious.
6. See the Circle of Life Tree at Animal Kingdom
It is absolutely breathtaking and definitely a must see. This was my first time seeing it and it's actually quite larger than I expected. It's in the heart of Animal Kingdom and it even illuminates different colors at nighttime. Beautiful!
7. Visit Disney Springs
The was also my first time going to Disney Springs and it is so amazing. It's basically any shop-a-holic's dream. It has all the name-brand stores we know and love as well as some amazing restaurants and a huge Disney World merch store. Pandora, Sephora, Origins, and Alex & Ani were my main stops.
8. Visit Epcot
Epcot is my second-favorite park and definitely one that you need to spend the whole day at. Not to mention you can visit numerous countries all in one day just by walking around the lake, but there's also an underwater aquarium and a super-cool area dedicated to space and the future. With live music, and every-sort of food you can imagine, it is definitely something to feast your eyes on. The World Showcase is so realistic it really feels like you just walked into France and then into Germany in about 5 minutes.
9. Go on the Mission Space Ride at Epcot
Mission Space at Epcot takes you on an interactive adventure to Mars. You go through astronaut training and then you get strapped into a shuttle with your team of 4 and are each assigned a position and task. You have total control with the throttle and different buttons and the whole shebang. You really feel like you're actually in a shuttle flying into space. It was so cool, definitely one of my favorite rides at Epcot.
10. Visit Pixar Studios at Hollywood Studios
Definitely a must see at Hollywood Studios and one of the nicer parts of the park. The Toy Story Mania ride is my favorite ride there and its neat to see the little green men from Toy Story walking around and trying to scare you. Sneaky little things.
11. Get fast passes for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan's Flight at Magic Kingdom
Probably the two most popular rides at Magic Kingdom and ones that always seem to have like a one hundred and fifty minute wait time. Definitely get fast passes for these! Peter Pan's Flight is a classic and the Seven Dwarf's ride is a fun mini roller coaster-like ride for people like me who don't like heights or big drops.
12. Go on the new Frozen Ever After ride at Epcot (and get a fast pass!)
Hands down my favorite ride at Walt Disney World. It's absolutely worth the one hundred and fifty minute wait that it tends to have, but I got in in about ten minutes with my fast pass. It's the new Frozen ride at Epcot and it is absolutely magical. It's a slow boat ride through Arendelle, (that is until you hit Elsa's castle and you go backwards down a short waterfall) with the characters and songs we know and love. It is so beautifully made and the characters look insanely real, more so than other rides at Disney. 10/10 for sure. If you're a Frozen fan, don't miss this ride.
13. See the Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom.
This was hands down the best part of my trip. I saw it twice, and would have seen it a third time if I had had more time. The Festival of the Lion King is kind of like the Broadway version of the Lion King packed together in a thirty to forty minute celebration. The show is at Harambe Theater and happens every hour on the hour. With acrobatics, aerial, dancing and singing with the characters we know and love, it was an absolutely breathtaking experience. The singers were incredible as well as the dancers. It's interactive and the seating is really close to the stage so you really feel like you're singing and dancing along with them. Highly, highly, highly recommend.
14. Spend too much money on Disney Merchandise
Because there's literally a gift shop on every corner of every park and resort and the temptation is too much. I don't need that stuffed Squirt from Finding Nemo but I must have it. RIP to my paycheck.
15. See the Main Street Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom
At around 9pm at Magic Kingdom, you know this parade is about to start because everyone crowds around Main Street and it's almost impossible to get through the crowd and into any rides. But it's ok because the music, the lights, the characters and the nostalgia of it all is so incredible you'll want to stop and watch.
16. Watch the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom
Although I didn't get to fully watch the fireworks this time, I still got to see it from just walking around the park and from some of the rides I was on. The fireworks here at Disney are absolutely unbelievable and you'll be completely starstruck watching them.
17. Get the Mac & Cheese at Friar's Nook at Magic Kingdom
Honestly half the reason I went to Magic Kingdom was for this mac and cheese. It is so good and it's only around $10 plus you get a drink. You can just plain mac and cheese or you can get it with BBQ chicken which is my personal favorite, both topped off with delicious bread crumbs. Yum!
18. Buy Mickey Ears
It's a Disney tradition to have a pair of these. With so many different varieties, from classic Mickey ears, to princess ears, pirate ears, etc, there is a pair for everyone.
19. Go on a water ride
Because we all know Orlando heat is brutal and the need to cool off is real. You can always go on Splash Mountain to get drenched but I prefer rides like Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom because I'm a wimp when it comes to roller coasters.
20. Plan your next trip!
Because we all know that the second you leave you're going to start having Disney Withdrawals. I know I am.
