Our First Disney World Adventure
My family and I took a trip to Florida in June 2022. By the way, very busy time to go to Disney. We actually stayed in a beautiful 5-bedroom Airbnb located about 25-30 min away from Disney’s Magic Kingdom. As we prepared for our journey, we were filled with much anticipation and very high expectations of what Disney had to offer. However, our first visit to the magical world of Disney exceeded all our expectations and left us with memories we will cherish forever. Here’s a glimpse into our adventure, along with some tips and must-haves for anyone planning their own Disney trip with family.
Highlights of Our Disney Experience
1. Meeting the Characters
Our children were absolutely thrilled to meet their favorite Disney characters. We stood in line for maybe 45 minutes to see Princess Tiana and Rapunzel. This was definitely one of their favorite memories of visiting Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
2. Rides and Attractions
At the time, our kids were 2, 4, and 6 years old, so we weren’t able to get on any of the big rides, but we did take advantage of all of the storybook rides. “It’s a Small World”, “Under the Sea”, the “Dumbo” ride, and the “Haunted Mansion” are some of the rides we were able to enjoy.
3. The Famous Disney Parade
The Disney character parade was one of our favorite events while at Magic Kingdom. One thing to note is you definitely want to make sure to find a spot right upfront on the Boardwalk and stay in it until the parade begins. If you don’t like crowds and people being very close to you, then you may want to skip the parade. Our kids were super excited to see all of their favorite Disney characters from Mickey and the gang to Peter Pan and Captain Hook!
4. The Firework Show
We arrived at Magic Kingdom around the time the gates opened at 9am and didn’t leave until the gates were getting ready to close around 10pm. We told ourselves that we had to stay for the firework show and we were absolutely glad that we did. Disney puts on one of the best fireworks displays we have ever seen hands down! Make sure to get yourself a good view of the castle in the background as you watch the fireworks light up the night sky.
Must-Haves for a Family Disney Trip
1. Comfortable Footwear
The Disney Park is very big and there is a lot of walking and standing in line for different rides. Make sure to have a comfortable walking shoe. Oh, by the way, a spray bottle and portable fan will be your best friend.
2. Snacks and Water
The Park has quite a few places for the entire family to grab a bite to eat, but those Disney Park prices can get a bit expensive when feeding a family of 5. So, it’s best to carry snacks and water in between meals so you won’t break the bank. Splurge a little but stay in budget!
3. Stroller/Wagon for the Littles
No need to explain further for those who have kids, if you know, you know.
4. Sunscreen, Umbrella, and Hats
The tropical weather in Florida can be very unpredictable. One minute rain, the next minute the sun is shining like nothing ever happened. Make sure to take sunscreen, hats and collapsible umbrellas to keep you dry from the rain and protect you from the sun’s rays.
5. Portable Charger
It was very important for us to make sure we stayed connected, and our phones stayed charged. My wife and I split up for a little and she allowed me to take our girls on a couple of rides while she walked our 2-year-old son around. So, we wanted to be sure we were able to contact each other to meet back up. Also, we like taking memories (pictures).