Well we got back last week...just now finally having time to sit down and do a review of our trip. We had a great time...lots and lots of walking (average 8 miles per day) but the girls did great, only a few complaints! We did take lots of little breaks, including waiting in lines. This was my first time at Disney with kids and since my last trip so much has changed with technology, crowds and all the stuff there is to do.
Here are some tips to help if you are planning a trip to Disney:
Here are some tips to help if you are planning a trip to Disney:
- Buy the meal plan (or go when they offer it for free) - it was so nice not having to figure out how much to take to pay for food. We each got a snack, one quick service and one table service meal per day. Still plan on spending some dough on water...esp when its hot! MAMA TIP: We took water bottles so the girls could split a bottle of water each time we filled up.
- Book reservations for your table service meals...they go fast so get those in as soon as your able. If you have a Princess lover I highly recommend Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot.
- Purchase the Memory Maker!!! You will get photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers at locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort. Make sure to scan your Magic Band once they are done taking the pics, it will load on your account. The photographers will also take pics using your phone/camera.
- If traveling with kiddos, bring some snacks from home (crackers, gummies treats, etc) and also breakfast items. Most mornings we just ate in our room before we left for the day.
- Stock up on ponchos from the Dollar Store - you won't feel guilty wearing them twice and tossing them.
- Some goodies I brought from home that the kids loved, glow sticks - helped with night time at the park and all the crazy expensive gadgets they bring out. Compressed bath towels in Disney characters - made bathtime FUN!
- Download and use the My Disney Experience app for your phone. You can check wait times for rides, see where the closet restrooms are, places to eat, and lots more!
Of course there were tons of fun things to do and see in Disney. Its impossible to see and to it all in one trip. Since it was the girls 1st time there, I tried to pack as much fun in as I could.
Here are our favorite rides/attractions/things to see and do:
(FYI we have a 4 year old and a 6 year old that have deemed themselves Princesses!!!)
Hollywood Studios:
Here are our favorite rides/attractions/things to see and do:
(FYI we have a 4 year old and a 6 year old that have deemed themselves Princesses!!!)
Hollywood Studios:
- Frozen Sing-Along - For the First Time In Forever - Even my hub thought it was good. Now that has to say something! I recommend using a FastPass+.
- Toy Story Mania - I think I had just as much fun on this as the kids! Also use a FastPass+ the wait time for this was over 40 min.
- Soarin' - It was pretty rad! Feels like you are flyin' thru fields, water, forests and more!
- The Sea with Nemo and Friends - Favorite part for the kids were the pelicans outside yelling: "Mine, MINE, mine". Also after the ride check out all the Sea has to offer. We got to see manatees, dolphins, sharks and lots of cool fish!
- Living with the Land - I'll admit I was pretty impressed at how they have their gardens set up and how many things they can grown in small areas!
- The World Showcase - I wasn't sure how much fun the girls would have in the World Showcase, but turned out they loved it. While we were there it was also the Wine and Food Fest! Lots of extra food carts and places to grab a drink - great for the parents! The girls met Mulan in China, Jasmine and Aladdin in Morocco and learned some Japanese when we picked out pearls!
- Finding Nemo - The Musical - Super awesome! The cast was great!
- Kilimanjaro Safaris - Despite the rain, we saw a lot of animals. Including several giraffes that were up close and personal! Kids love trying to spot different animals on the adventure. I recommend using a FastPass+
- Meeting Baloo and King Louie - These two were great! King Louie stole my hub's safari hat and Baloo asked to get a picture with my him - guessing he rarely meets eye to eye with anyone!
- Enchanted Tales with Belle - This was awesome and not at all what I expected. The kids (and some adults) get parts and reenact when Belle met the Beast. The girls had fun and since we were in a small group, it made it extra special.
- It's a Small World - We rode this twice...the girls had so much fun looking at all the different kids of the world. It also proved to be a small world, as the couple behind us rode home on the same flight!!!
- Prince Charming Regal Carousel - I lost count how many times we rode this. Never more than a 5 min wait!!!!
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - Heigh-Ho!!!! This ride showed me the girls are thrill seekers! They got to sit in the very front cart for this ride and had their hands up (and screamed) the whole ride. Also using a FastPass+ for this ride is a must, unless you like waiting in looooong lines!
- Splash Mountain - Lots of fun following Br’er Rabbit thru the briar patch. With a nice little SPLASH at the end!
- Monster's, Inc Laughing Floor - Super funny! Girls had a great time and the monsters (on screen) really interact with the audience!
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin - Basic carpet ride, not too long of a wait time - we rode it three times and basically walked on each time. Watch out for the camel by the ride - he spits!
- Peter Pan's Flight - You can Flyyyy! I wasn't super impressed with this ride, but the last cast member we saw sprinkled pixie dust on us and the girls thought we were really flying thru...how could i crush that!
- Meeting Elsa & Anna - I really don't think I have to say much more about this...and you probably know - get a FastPass+!
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique - Its every little girls dream! The girls both got princess makeovers here and I think it just might have been their favorite! Princess buns, make up, nails, crowns! The one in Cinderella's Castle was all booked up when I planned our trip so we went to the one in Downtown Disney (soon to be renamed Disney Springs). The Fairy God Mothers we had were awesome! MAMA TIP: Bring your dress from home! That easily saved me over $100 vs buying the costumes there. MAMA TIP #2: To get a few says worth of that perfect princess bun, wrap bun and hairline with toilet paper and if you have one place a night cap on top for bedtime!
Ahhh - now I can sit back and enjoy all the pics and stories the girls tell about our Disney Vacation! Hoping for another trip soon! :)