How to Disney…

I’m a planner, I like to plan. I like to have order and I like to be organised.

It’s not military precision, I can cope with being a few minutes late here and there, although that does entirely depend on what it is I’m doing at the time.

If you’re going out for a meal, then yes you have to be on time for your reservation but the evening tends to be a relaxed one, there’s not much planning going on.

If you’re going on holiday then that’s an entirely different ball game! There will possibly be transfer times, flight schedules, hotel check-in times etc., so much to plan, so much that needs organising.

The same could be said if you are planning a particularly exciting trip to a little place called Disney World!!

Disney World is quite possibly one of my most favourite places in the entire world ever. Now I’m not usually one for manufactured, oversold, mass-produced stuff. I love a good independent shop and I’d choose an indie restaurant over a chain place any day. However, I have been going to Disney World since I was about 4 and I will never forget that magical moment of stepping through those gates, the smell of popcorn and sugary goodness, then the magnificence of Cinderella’s castle…

It’s just wonderful and until you’ve been there you won’t understand just how wonderful. I’ve only ever met one person who had been to Disney and didn’t like it, and in all honesty, I believe she was just saying that because she wanted to seem cool. Well, you don’t seem cool, you seem like a douche.

Disney has something for everyone. Literally.

Now I’m not claiming to be an expert, there are many things I don’t know about the Disney parks but I’ve been enough times to know that you will need an itinerary to fit everything in. And on that note, if you want to see and do absolutely EVERYTHING then you’re going to need to spend about a month there. In fact, just move to Orlando because they’re always adding new stuff.

I’ve been to Disney World twelve times, the first of which when I was 4. Funnily enough, I don’t really remember that one but I know it was awesome.

We’re planning a trip back there next year but this time it’s going to be way more relaxed, I want to go and soak it all in, not be rushing from one place to the next. I’m not overly bothered about most of the rides anymore, I want to go and see the things that I’ve missed whilst we’ve whooshed past trying to get in line.

If you’ve never been before I think the best thing to do is speak to someone who has.  Have a look online at the most popular attractions, watch YouTube videos of other peoples experiences and decide for yourself what you think you NEED to see.

A good way to decide is based on your favourite films, shows, characters etc. If you make a plan based on each person’s preferences it will save a lot of arguing later. Make the day fair for everyone and don’t forget to add in food and snack times!

There are plenty of places to choose from to eat and loads of snack carts dotted around to graze throughout the day but it’s a good idea to plan at least one proper meal at one of the restaurants. Many of which are extremely popular so make sure to book in advance. If you download the Disney Parks App they give you option to reserve tables on there.

Try to keep in mind that you will not see everything all in one day, also you don’t want to be zooming around like a headless chicken from one ride to the next and miss all the other fun stuff in between.

Have a look at maps beforehand to see where all the rides and attractions are that you want to visit and don’t forget to download the parks app as this will give you wait times for all of the rides, this is helpful for when you have tired, hungry people or you need to know if you have time to go for a wee!

There’s always the option of buying a fast pass ticket, which is brilliant for queue jumping but can be expensive.

Here are a few of my ‘must sees’ for Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM and I will forever refer to it as MGM).

Magic Kingdom

• Haunted Mansion
• Jungle Cruise
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Space Mountain
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover
• Carousel of Progress

Epcot

• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Mission SPACE
• Spaceship Earth
• Soarin’
• Living with the Land

Whilst you’re in Epcot don’t miss the opportunity to dine at the rotating Garden Grill Restaurant which overlooks the Living with the Land ride. It is one of my most favourite eating establishments and I have many happy memories of that wonderful place 🙂

I also feel like I need to mention the Universe of Energy ride, which has now unfortunately closed down but I will never forget Ellen Degeneres and Bill Nye teaching me about all kinds of awesome stuff. That ride is one of my earliest memories and I will cherish it forever.

Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s (Formerly MGM)

• Rock n Roller Coaster
• Star Tours
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

My recommendation for eats here is definitely the 50’s Prime Time Cafe, with ‘I Love Lucy’ playing on repeat and the warm fuzzy feeling of being surrounded by family, this place is perfect for a pit stop. Just don’t forget to clear your plate or else you’ll know about 😉

Once again I have to mention a dearly departed ride. The Great Movie Ride has gone to the great big theme park in the sky. I have some of the fondest memories of this ride and it also terrified me as a small child when the damn alien came through the ceiling and dripped on us! Good times.

I think the one thing to remember is to have fun. Also, realise that you won’t have time to see everything all in one go but that’s okay because what you do get to see is going to be incredible!

Enjoy your Disney experience and let me know which is your favourite ride!

That’s all folks… oops nope, that’s not right…

Live long and prosper? Yep, that’ll do 😉

‘You must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand until you know what good and evil will follow that act’ ~ Ursula.K.Leguin