I got to experience the magic of Disney World again the other day, for the first time since I was probably around 11 years old. I was apprehensive to my visit, thinking that I might have outgrown the “magic,” and that it might be weird to meet the princesses and see the castle. However, I learned that you are never too old for Disney World. Here’s why:
1. Walking in down main street and seeing the castle for the first time (or again if you’ve been before) is super cool. It makes you remember the opening of all the movies you watched as a kid and probably still watch sometimes.
2. Fast passes make the waiting in lines seem much more bearable. With the three free fast passes, and the ability to make more once you have used your first three, it allows for a smoother experience with less waiting in lines and more attractions. They really do make it easier on the visitor.
3. Visiting the Disney princesses is still cool. I’ll admit I was very unexcited by the prospect of meeting the princesses or characters as I walked in. I’ve been a mascot before and it just weirds me out thinking that they are real people just working. However, they do their jobs so well. When I talked to the first princess I met (Cinderella, of course), she made entertaining conversation and it wasn’t weird at all to be older and meeting her (even though there were mostly little kids in the line).
4. The younger-seeming rides are still awesome. When I was on these rides, I could imagine that I was under the sea with Ariel or in the air flying with Peter Pan. It’s like reminiscing in a childhood dream. The Winnie the Pooh ride is also a classic (if you were a fan of his as a child).
5. There are older kid rides too (I say kid as a loose term – meaning teenagers, adults, and grandparents). These attractions include thriller roller coasters, water rides, and even comedy shows with Mike Wazowski. Good for all ages, over the height limit at least, they keep the fast pace of Disney between the (sometimes) long wait for the rides. Definitely worth it.
6. They keep adding more rides! I went to at least 3 new attractions since I had last been, and they were all very well done. I could take a ride on my favorite rides from when I was younger, or I could see an old favorite princess, then go on a new ride of hers! It’s a great way to keep the crowds coming.
7. When you do have to wait in line, most rides have interactive games and things you can do along the way. This is definitely new since I remember going, for most rides, but some of them have interactive games between the countless rows of anxiously waiting people. It keeps the pace moving and is especially good to keep children entertained.
8. The shows are spectacular. All of them. And they’re not hard to get to. Or not hard to avoid if you want to go on rides when there are shorter lines! The fireworks and Tinker Bell flying, the light show on the castle is super cool, and all of the little ones around Disney, whether it’s a parade or interactive, are all magically awesome.
All in all, the experience is something you want to experience more than once in a lifetime, and no matter what your age is, the magic is so real. You’re constantly reminded of that there, and even if you’re a skeptic like me, you will love the park and have your magic reignited. Thank you for the love and happiness, Disney World.
