Disney World..what dreams are made of. I’ve always loved Disney World from the first time my parents took me, to my senior trip, to taking my kids. Disney is just a magical place where kids are amazed and thrilled. Last weekend we took the family (including extending family) to Disney World on Saturday. Our trip consisted of myself, husband, our three children, my mother, and my sister and nephew. The day started off a little chiller then we had anticipated. Have I mentioned I’m from Florida and thrive in the heat. I absolutely hate the cold so I was a little uncomfortable (in my shorts) until the weather finally warmed up.
Our day got off to a later then expected start. After a quick thought to be quick stop for breakfast (we encountered a bus load of people at the local McDonald’s) we headed off to the Magic Kingdom. I knew that I was going to have to wait in line to retrieve my complimentary passes and prepaid tickets. For this reason I specifically asked an employee where guest relations was. I was told I could wait in the sales ticket line. I was a little skeptical but did as I was instructed. Sure enough after a 45 minute wait through the line I was told guest relations was across the lake on the park side. After taking the ferry we waited in another 30 minute line and finally stepped into the park at about 11am.
We walked and rolled (I forgot to mention my sister was in a wheel chair just having surgery on her knee) into Future Land. It is so surreal to see how things have changed over the years. My mother said the first and ONLY time she took us to Disney was in 1982. I have gone several times since then and slowly rides become outdated and replaced with new and improved rides. For example the “Buzz LightYear” ride I remember use to be (I think) If you had wings or if you could fly. Our main purpose for hitting Future Land first was to make sure we rode “Space Mountain”. Unfortunately when we went to get in the line for the ride we found that it had been shut down unexpectedly and they didn’t have a re-opening time. So instead we ventured over to “Grand Prix”. Honey was nervous about driving and couldn’t decide if she wanted to or wanted me to do the driving. In the end she took the wheel and had a great time.
This is not the first trip for the kids. We took the boys to Disney many years ago before Honey was born.
We took Honey when she was about 2 or 3 and she went one more time a couple years ago with my sister. This was the first time for me though to really enjoy her excitement over the rides and fun! We didn’t ride on nearly enough rides there seemed to be a lot of re-construction going on at Disney. In fact they appeared to be creating an all new Fantasy Land. Like the first time we took the boys Thunder Mountain was once again closed. We did get to experience “Splash Mountain” which Honey said was her favorite ride.
I didn’t get very many photos at all of our day. This seems to happen when I spend the time enjoying the company and day. I tend to forget about the camera. I did manage to snap a photo of all the kids while we were waiting in line at “Pirates of the Caribbean”
My nephew was trying to be brave and said he was going to go on “Haunted Mansion” with us but as we approached the door and the creepy music got louder he decided he would feel better waiting for the rest of us to get off. Honey had no fears about the ride however she did mention when she got of she was NOT going on the ride again. I think the darkness and creepy music and voices at the beginning had her on edge.
The lines at Disney were about average not too long or too short. I’m always amazed that some of the longest lines are the rides in the younger children area like Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, etc. Those were still pretty long so we by passed most of them. The day seemed to go by pretty quickly and with a lot of walking and pushing the wheel chair the adults seemed to tired pretty quickly (or at least I did). We worked our way back up front in hopes of riding Space Mountain to find the ride was up and running and had a 95 minute wait. Needless to say we ended up skipping the ride. This was probably my biggest disappointment of the day (next to Thunder Mountain being closed). I really wanted to see what Honey thought of the ride.
Disney is definitely a must try experience, however both of the boys said they much prefer parks with lots of roller coasters. Overall the day was still a success and great to spend time with the family and see Honey experience some of the rides.
My tips for Disney goers near and far are:
- Double check what rides are closed before heading to the park
- Use your fast pass which is included in your ticket price to fast pass the big rides that you want to go on first.
- If going with multi families coordinate leaving time and where you are going to eat BEFORE you get on the rode.
- If at all possible purchase and HAVE your tickets a head of time to skip the entry lines.
- Trip to get to the park first thing to miss the mass of people that stroll in between 9-11
- Budget your time accordingly to spend a little time in each of the lands hitting the rides you want to first before the lines get long.
- Most of all enjoy yourself and the magic of Disney. Relax and know you may spend some time in line but use that time to talk and enjoy your company.
Disclaimer: I received two complimentary passes to Disney World. Opinions are my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. You may read more of my disclosure here.
Melissa says
I’ve been to Disney once and that was 2 weeks after my hysterectomy. Not much fun but I am hoping my next trip will be fun.
Stacie Cavagnaro says
Looks an sounds like an amazing family time.
julie hawkins says
I definitely agree with your tip to check which rides are closed before you go, so no one is disappointed!
Robin O says
I think the ‘Magic Kingdom’ is a great name for a place that is truly magical. I loved reading about your trip–and thanks for the travel tips!
letessha says
My family would be so lucky to go there. These tips are great to keep in mind when planning our trip.
Helene Tienda says
It looks like the kids had fun!!
Jan Messali says
I’ve also noticed that the longest lines are on the kiddie rides. When my daughter was little she wanted to go on Dumbo repeatedly and it always had a huge line!
Looks like you had a great time!
Jennifer Hedden says
I have never been to Disney World. Thank you for sharing this tips.
Deborah Wallin says
I have never been, and really hope to some day. It seems like such a magical place. I hate spending lots of money to go to an amusement park, and then having to spend most of the day waiting in line.
wallindeb@yahoo.com
Gianna says
Looks like a lot of fun!
Jorge Granda says
It’s a fun place to vist when you’re a kid. I was there a long time ago, when I was a kid.
Julie Lutz says
Ahh this post is so nostalgic for me. We lived in Florida for over 13 years and always got the resident passes. We went to Disney at least three times a year it was always the greatest place on earth for us as a family. We moved from Florida about six years ago. I can honestly say they only thing I miss about Florida is the fact that we haven’t been able to go to Disney since we’ve been in South Carolina. A seven or eight hour drive verses a three hour drive and the difference in ticket prices along with personal financial issues have made it so far impossible for us to return. I hope we can go again soon before all our kids move out and we all start to go our separate ways as kids often do when they become adults.
Sherry Jennings says
Looks and sounds like a very good time. I have never been to Disney land
kelli sanders says
i have never been there, but a few years ago my son got to go with some friends of mine and he loved it. i keep telling him i hope before he is grown we will go.
kathy pease says
sadly we have not been on vacation in years so we are long overdue. The trouble with us is that we have so many animals 2 dogs,4 cats and 2 guinea pigs. it is impossible to just pick up and go. I would need to find a good housesitter. it looks like you guys had a blast 🙂
Lesley F says
Looks like a great time! Love the photos
Allyson Bossie says
I am jealous!!! I would love to be in Disney with you guys. Looks like you guys had a blast!
janet says
looks like all had fun:)
melissa shirley says
I have always wanted to go there and have never went. One of these days I will.
Claudia SMigel says
I see smiles that means everyone is having a good time
Nicole Strunk says
Thanks for the tips! My sister is going soon and will find these useful!
Christina Perry says
Love all the photos, looks like a great time makes me want to plan a trip now!
R Hicks says
Disney is a wonderful place to take the kids. I still remember going to Disney Land in CA when I was 5 yo. with Grandparents.. Later went to Disney World in FL at about age of 9 or 10. As an adult, I want to revisit again.
Great tips btw!
Julie Green says
Love the photos!! I can wait to take my kids.
Melissa says
Great tips! I just love the picture of them when they were younger!
Pameula Henson says
I have never gone to Disney. But my parents have taken all 10 of their grandchildren. It is weird that all the kids rides have the longest lines. If and when I go I do want to go on Splash mountain. Thanks for sharing.
Linda @ Linda's Lunacy says
I’ve been to Disney World twice. Once during my senior year of high school with my family, and once with my husband and kids. We went on our sons Wish trip in 2002. We would love to take them back, as some were to young to remember the trip. You have a great list of tips!
Patricia says
Great tips…definitely have to keep all those things in mind to create a memorable trip. Love the pics.
Austin Baroudi says
I’ve wanted to go to Disney for so long. I always got promised as I was growing up but it never followed through :/ Looks like you had a good time though 🙂
Haley Preasmeyer says
I love Disney Land Looks like fun!
vivian says
looks like you had fun ty.
Kristie D. says
I love Disney! I also noticed that the Magic Kingdom has the most strollers anywhere on the planet!!! Yikes! I agree about the Fast Pass. Also, if you want to eat at a sit-down place or a character event you really need to make reservations in advance. Sounds like you had fun! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
Tonya says
What a wonderful post! Disney is amazing & it looks like you all had a wonderful time!
Shannon M says
Looks like you had a great time. I can not wait until I take my grandchildren.
Lily Kwan says
Sounds like a lot of fun. I can’t wait to go to Disney World too!
jennifer speed says
looks like you all had a great time…..
Kimberly M. says
Thanks for the great tips. I so would love to take my grandchildren to Disney. Took my children when they were younger. You have a wonderful blog.
Chelsea Saulpaugh says
Disney fast passes are a life saver when it comes to lines. I wish more amusement parks used them.
Nels A. says
Disney is great. I never went as a kid, but still enjoy it as an adult (well, some might question that adult part). It is on my lists of trips to do in the next few years.
Debbie Welchert says
The first and only time I got to see Disney World was with my parents and daughter many years ago. I’m hoping to take my grandchildren there too. I think they would just love it.
Mike Stavros says
Looks like a great time – I regret not taking our family when my daughter was young.
Mike Stavros says
When are you taking me? lol! Looks like you had a great time.
shelly peterson says
Your kids look so happy. Disney is an awesome place. I went once back when I was 14. Would love to take my kids there
Blessie Nelson says
THanks for the tips and warnings ahead!