Disney World Recap 🏰

Okay, not my usual blog post but so many of you are taking your kids to Disney soon and wanted all the details, so I thought it would be fun to give you the low down on everything we did / what I’ve learned about DISNEY WORLDDDD.

First, you’re going to have the BEST time with your kids! Go in with NO EXPECTATIONS and it will be a trip of a lifetime!

My Top Tips:

1. Low expectations

2. Bring tons of snacks and drinks! You can bring whatever you want in.

3. Measure your kids height before you go

4. Map out your trip and focus on things you definitely want to do

5. Order food in the park on the app and pick up / find a table! Trust me!

6. BRING A CARRIER. Period.

7. BRING A STROLLER. Period.

8. Stay for fireworks!!!

9. Be okay with cat naps as needed.

10. Pack glow toys / items for parades

How We Prepared:

• Got a travel agent (follow @faithmakesmagic on IG).

• Talked to friends that had been before

• Watched “Blippi’s Magical Walt Disney World Adventure” on YouTube

• Watched YouTube videos on where we were going (hotel, parks, etc)

• Reviewed maps and reservation times

• Packed clothing for all climates (including coats and fans)

Let’s Start Our Convo With Room & Board

Our family stayed at the Grand Floridian and man did it live up to our standards and expectations.

This Disney Resort is walking distance from Magic Kingdom and also has a Monorail to EPCOT. It is the home of a Michelin Star restaurant (is anyone thinking this is giving Emily in Paris vibes!?), Victoria and Albert’s. 100 Park Fare is another great restaurant inside the resort where you can have breakfast with many of your favorite characters. Plus, there are many other things like pools, splash pad, shops, and a waterfront view.

We stayed in a 1 bedroom with 2 queen beds and it was perfect for our little family. You can also see the Castle fireworks from Magic Kingdom at this resort, making it a great place even if you turn in a little early.

Okay, But What If I Am Staying Somewhere Else?

There are many many hotels and resorts on Disney’s properties, or off the premises. Most resorts and hotels have transportation to the parks, so you’ll just need to plan ahead and to ensure you make the shuttle times.

I highly recommend taking transportation, or walking if in close proximity, to the parks if you can. It will save you so much time and hassle with parking and such.

I’ve included a few hotels and resorts that are nearby individual Disney parks.

Magic Kingdom

• Disney’s Contemporary Resort

• Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

• Disney’s Polynesian
  All within walking distance, or available via monorail.

EPCOT

• Disney’s Beach Club Resort

• Yacht Club Resort

• BoardWalk Inn

All are in easy waking distance to EPCOT and the monorail also goes to this park, so you can access the park easily from the resorts near Magic Kingdom.

Animal Kingdom

There is no walking path to this park from a resort, but most hotels and resorts provide transportation into the park.

Hollywood Studios

This is the last park in the Disney World Orlando line-up.

• Swan & Dolphin Resorts

• Swan Reserve

• BoardWalk Inn

• Yacht Club

• Beach Club

All have a walking path directly to this park.

During our trip we were not in the room very much. The main perk for us is that we could walk to the park and skip all the traffic during crowded times. Regardless, just plan ahead and you will be all set to make the most of your trip.

Now the Park Passes

We were only there for a few days, and we wanted to visit as many parks as possible. We opted for the Park Hopper pass, which gets you into each park.

We booked with a travel agent and this was the best option for us, but planning out when / what you want to do will help you decide on what pass is best.

The best part is that kids under 3 are free. And there is so much a kid under 3 can do at the parks, so don’t let that deter you! I will cover that below!

You can add on Lightning Lane passes with every ticket. The passes open 7 days before your trip if you are staying on Disney’s property and 3 days if you aren't. These book fast depending on when you go, so snag them and plan your day around the times of your must-do rides.

Magic Bands

We opted to buy the Magic Bands, but you can totally do without them. We lost a couple of them due to snaps not being very strong.

They are easy to use and serve as your room key, debit card, park pass and more (as long as you don’t lose them!). You can always find all of this information on the My Disney Experience app.

Park Breakdowns & Rides

Hollywood Studios

We went to Hollywood Studios our first day and didn’t spend much time here. There were a few cool things like Mickey’s Railroad and Toy Story, but lots of things were more older kid / adult focused.

Rides we experienced:

Slinky Dog Dash

• Roller Coaster

• Located in Toy Story Land

• 38 inch height minimum

Toy Story Mania

• 4-D game to blast targets and get high scores. Gamers will love this!

• Any height

• Located in Toy Story Land

• Family friendly, babywearing friendly

Star Wars: Rise of Resistance

• Ride with battle-themed story intertwined

• 40 inch height minimum

• Big-kid approved

• Located in Star Wars Area (VERY COOL AREA)

There were many shows like Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, and more, so just be sure to check any show times / plan ahead if that’s something you may want to do. If shows are your thing, I’d plan to attend them at a time where you need rest / baby needs a nap.

Magic Kingdom — THE REAL MVP

This gets rated as the best park and now I know why!

This is KID CENTRAL. There are so many fun things to do and see! I am going to break down attractions into categories.

Rides:

• Carousel: All ages, family-friendly, baby wearing friendly. I highly recommend it.

• Small World: All ages, family-friendly, baby wearing friendly. I highly recommend it.

• Haunted Mansion: All ages, family-friendly, baby wearing friendly. My kids were a little scared. I’d skip with littles.

• Little Mermaid: All ages, family-friendly, baby wearing friendly. I highly recommend it.

• Dumbo: All ages, family-friendly, baby wearing friendly.

• Peter Pan: All ages, family-friendly, baby wearing friendly.

• Pirates of the Caribbean: All ages, family-friendly, baby wearing friendly. A little scary IMO.

• 7-Dwarfs: Family-friendly coaster. 38 inch requirement. My toddler LOVED this!

• Tron: Large coaster. 44 inch requirement.

• Space Mountain: Large coaster. 44 inch requirement.

• Go Carts: 32 inches. Family friendly. Not infant / baby wearing friendly.

Attractions:

Magic Kingdom Fireworks
THE BEST EXPERIENCE EVER. Nothing beats this firework show. It’s truly magically. You have to stay and see.

Magic Kingdom Starlight Parade
10/10 recommend. Plan ahead to secure a spot and think ahead of the fireworks after the parade. Securing a spot in view of both would be ideal. Plan to eat something between the parade and fireworks to kill time.

Bippity Boppity Boutique
Best for little girls 3 years+. It takes 1-2 hours. They give you a dress, shoes, accessories, glitter and more. If your kids are too young (like mine), or you don’t want to take the time / spend the money, just BYOPD (bring your own princess dress!).

Food:

• Cinderella’s Castle: Ideal for kids 3 years +. A great way to meet many princesses with no wait. Pay ahead for your meal with a 3 course menu with steaks, fish, etc.

• Pinocchio Village Haus (FantasyLand): Great pizza, large tables. We preordered on the app.

• Casey’s Corner: Corndogs and hotdogs. We grabbed this before the fireworks and it was perfect. We preordered on the app.

• Various snacks around: popcorn, caramel corn, pretzels, ice cream and more!

Character Meet Ups:

Public Meet & Greets
There are pop-up meetings that are set up around the park(s). You can’t get fast passes for characters, so you will have to wait in line. You can find specific information on when / where characters will be on the Disney App.

Private Meet-Ups
These are scheduled meet ups that require a reservation.
Meet ups we did: Aerial, Mickey, Tiana, Sleeping Beauty, and Mickey Mouse

EPCOT

The last park we visited was EPCOT.

This was def my second favorite park because there was a lot to do for kids and adults.

Rides:

• Ratatouille Adventure: All ages, family-friendly, baby wearing friendly. My 2 year old was a little scared.

• Frozen: All ages, family-friendly, baby wearing friendly. I highly recommend it!

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Very large coaster. 42 inch requirement.

• Soarin: 40 inch height requirement. Fun for older kids!

• Test Track: 40 inch height requirement. Fun for older kids!

• Living with the Land: All ages, family-friendly, baby wearing friendly. I highly recommend it!

Attractions:

So many great views and entertainment in every country! You really feel like you are visiting other countries, it’s crazy.

Food:

There is so much to eat! SO much variety! You will never go hungry at this park. Order on the app and pick up / find a table!

Character Meet Ups:

Public Meet & Greets
There are pop-up meetings that are set up around the park(s). You can’t get fast passes for characters, so you will have to wait in line.

Private Meet-Ups
These are scheduled meet ups that require a reservation. For example: Meeting Elsa and Ana near the Frozen ride.

Okay, so that was a lot, but that was a recap of our Disney World experience with 2 young kids (2 and 3). I hope this helps you have the most magical time! It is going to be a memory you will have forever! ✨