As we celebrate 100 years of Walt Disney this year, let's rewind to the magical days when my family and I dove into all the wonders of Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Picture this: It was back in 2019, marking not only my first-ever flight to the United States but also the birthday bonanza for both my dad and me.
And here's the cool part – we had this awesome family friend working at one of the hotels in the resort. Lucky for us, they hooked us up with their family pass, unlocking the gates to all the Disney goodness! Can you believe the timing? It was like the universe conspiring to make our trip absolutely unforgettable!
My 1-week vacation in Orlando started with a 4-day visit of all the parks--Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. It took us a day for each park since it's our first time there and we were traveling with my younger brother who was just 4 years old that time.
So as usual, we started with a visit to the Magic Kingdom where most of the kiddie rides and classic Disney characters can be found. We had the meet-and-greet with the main characters Mickey and friends, watched the day parade, tried some of the rides my brother can enjoy and of course watch the fireworks at Cinderella's castle .
On the second day which is our birthday, we visited the Hollywood Studios where all of us surely enjoyed. We started the day with watching the Star Wars show, had a quick cool down watching the Disney JR show, tried the simulation rides of Tron & Star Wars and was amazed with the Lightning Mcqueen show where you'll actually see him in a real car talking just like in the movies. Sadly, we are not allowed to take photos inside. The park staffs knew it was our birthday so they gave us some treats and birthday pins as souvenir.
I surely loved this park but visiting Animal Kingdom was a whole different experience. This is by far the BEST zoo I have been to. But due to high heat weather, we have not seen the king of the jungle sitting at his high rock.
We did saw some other animals and enjoyed the performances by the lion king characters. The foresty vibe of the entire park is just amazing but the highlight of the day is of course the tour around Pandora -- The World of Avatar. The entire side of this attraction is as realistic like in the movies.
Aside from the crazy rides, the journey to the magical Na'vi River is the best part that you should never miss in Pandora.
Let's not forget about the tour around the world experience at EPCOT. Each of the corners of the park are picture perfect. Plus, the sci-fi related auditoriums are just amazing!
We can go on and keep talking about this amazing Disney World experience but let's take a pause and get right on to what this blog should be all about. With my research and going through how we spent our first time at the 4 parks, I figured out this ultimate guide on how travelers with kids can enjoy all of the parks in just 3 days! Here's how:
Day-by-Day Strategy:
Day 1: Magic Kingdom
Morning: Focus on Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.
Afternoon: Adventureland and Frontierland.
Evening: Enjoy the nighttime spectaculars like Happily Ever After.
Day 2: EPCOT
Morning: Head to Future World, especially popular attractions like Soarin' and Test Track.
Afternoon: Explore World Showcase.
Evening: Catch the nightly fireworks show, if available.
Day 3: Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom
Morning: Prioritize popular attractions in Hollywood Studios.
Afternoon: Head to Animal Kingdom for a mix of shows and rides.
Evening: Return to Hollywood Studios for nighttime entertainment like Fantasmic or Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.
Sounds easy right? But in reality we all know it isn't especially if you have little ones to carry around. So, here are some tips you might want to consider for you and your family to prepare before hustling your way to Orlando and Disney World.
Tip #1: Buy your tickets ahead online - Buy your tickets early from your online booking platform of choice--direct Disney World website, Klook, Trip.com , Kkday or Viator by Tripadvisor. Make sure to check the park calendar for the regular and peak season rates.
Tip #2: Get the magic bands or the Genie+ - Skip the lines and get priority entry to the rides.
Tip #3: Bring some snacks and drinks - Save some bucks by bringing your kids favorite snack instead of trying to get those sugary treats that cost a lot at the park.
Tip #4: Download the My Disney Experience App - for event schedules, directions , mobile ordering , wait times, showtimes or make changes of your FastPass selections.
Tip #5: Stay until the Nighttime Spectacular - There's always a way where you can enjoy each parks more at night where most of the people decide to go home after the fireworks.
Remember to adjust these tips based on your children's ages, preferences, and your family's pace. Flexibility is key to ensure everyone has a magical experience!
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