Visiting Disneyworld

Disneyworld is a great place to visit. As I shared in a previous post, I have been a fan of Disney for as long as I can remember. This blog will highlight a brief overview and my recommendations for the four primary parks in Walt Disney World.

Disney World in Orlando, Florida, offers four distinct theme parks that cater to a variety of interests and age groups. Magic Kingdom, the iconic park that greets visitors with Cinderella's Castle, is home to classic Disney attractions, enchanting parades, and beloved characters. Epcot takes guests on a journey around the world through its World Showcase, featuring authentic architecture, cuisine, and experiences from various countries, as well as Future World, focusing on technology and innovation. Disney's Hollywood Studios immerses visitors in the world of movies, with thrilling rides and shows inspired by popular films and franchises. Lastly, Disney's Animal Kingdom combines entertainment with education, offering safari adventures, live shows, and exotic animal encounters in immersive themed lands. Each park at Disney World promises a unique and memorable experience for visitors of all ages.

Animal Kingdom

With the addition of Pandora, the Animal Kingdom has become a much more popular park. While you may often get to enjoy a 90+ minute wait if you want to ride a banshee on the Avatar Flight of Passage, it’s definitely worth the wait. (When visiting with my family we enjoyed a multiple hour wait (crazy, I know) for this ride and I would have to say it was worth it—although I would suggesting taking advantage of with Genie+ or Lighting Lane for this ride. But one of my favorite rides is Kilimanjaro Safaris. This ride gives you an opportunity to enjoy a safari ride, in America.

I’d also encourage you check-out A Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King. It’s an action-pack performance where the audience enjoyed a show in the middle—delivered with the famous music of the Lion King. Asia contains some of the best rides, with Expedition Everest—the legend of the Forbidden Mountain and Kali River Rapids. While Expedition Everest provides a high-intensity roller coaster experience, be prepared with get a good dousing on Kali River Rapids (make sure you have a way to keep your phone and wallet dry).

Food: Tiffins: Offering a diverse menu inspired by explorations around the world, Tiffins provides a sophisticated dining experience within Disney's Animal Kingdom. Enjoy dishes influenced by African, Asian, and South American cuisine in a charming setting adorned with artwork inspired by the Imagineers' travels. Yak & Yeti Restaurant: Nestled in the village of Anandapur, the Yak & Yeti Restaurant serves up delicious Pan-Asian cuisine in a lavishly decorated dining space. From Korean beef to lo mein noodles, the menu caters to a variety of tastes, making it a popular choice for guests exploring the park. And Flame Tree Barbecue: For those craving mouthwatering barbecue delights, Flame Tree Barbecue is a must-visit destination. Situated along Discovery River, this outdoor eatery features an enticing menu of smoked ribs, chicken, and pulled pork, allowing you to indulge in smoky flavors

Epcot:

This is a great park for exploring, however, because there are fewer rides you will most likely find lines are always long for the “good rides”. However, this park is home to Soarin, Frozen ever After, Test Track, Living with the Land, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure—to name a few. But perhaps the showcase of Epcot is Spaceship Earth. This ride is housed within the Epcot Ball and takes travelers through a journey of history of the world. From ice age to modern today. Overall, Epcot is set-up as a tour of the world, it brings together multiple countries and showcases Disney movies and characters which originated from each. I also encourage you check-out what is playing at the America Garden Theater—in every occasion I have sat-down to enjoy what is playing, it has been well worth the stop.

Rides/Attractions: Spaceship Earth: This iconic attraction takes guests on a journey through the history of communication, from ancient civilizations to modern technology, all housed within the park's iconic geodesic sphere. Soarin' Around the World: Experience the sensation of flight as you hang-glide over iconic landmarks and landscapes from around the globe in this exhilarating simulation. Frozen Ever After: Embark on a musical boat ride through the kingdom of Arendelle with Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and other beloved characters from Disney's "Frozen." Finally, if you take my advice for food below and enjoy Mexican at San Angels, I’d encourage you take a nice float through the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros: Sail through the picturesque scenes of Mexico alongside Donald Duck and his friends in this delightful boat ride featuring Mexican culture and music.

Food: I highly recommend San Angels Inn Restaurante for a meal. It is my favorite place to enjoy dinner, but it is very hard to get reservations—so plan ahead and book early. The restaurant is indoors and provides a picturesque skyline of the Mayan ruins. In addition to San Angels, I recommend Coral Reef Restaurant, guests here enjoy a view of the multi-million gallon aquarium home to sea turtles, sharks, and a plethora of fish and other ocean beauty.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is a favorite of mine, but it may not be for the reason I’m going to give… so guess away. Give up? It’s because Fantasmic is there and I would argue it’s perhaps the best show Disney produces. While it’s offered at Disneyland as well, Disneyworld has a venue built just for it, so it shouldn’t surprise you too much that I say it’s better here. A few tips that I’ve come to adopt when I’m wanting to see the show: 1) book a dining package which includes reserved seating for the show; 2) make sure to get a mickey pretzel to enjoy during the show; and 3) no need to bring a poncho, because the show get’s cancelled if you’d need one.

Rides/Attractions: I’d encourage to get on the Hollywood Tower of Terror; it’s an experience unlike any other—going up in an elevator just to be dropped 10+ stories—who wouldn’t want that? Frozen sing-along is also pretty good, Mickey’s Runaway Railway, Toy Story Mania, and Star Wars; Rise of the Resistance are among my favorites.

Food: The Hollywood Brown Derby is a great restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine to enjoy lunch or dinner—steak, chicken, fish—you name it. A few other great options include the Studio Cafe: freshly made sandwiches, salads, and wraps; Reel Diner: A retro-themed diner known for its classic Hollywood ambiance and comfort food like burgers, milkshakes, and all-day breakfast options; Spotlight Bistro: A fine dining option for those special occasions, Spotlight Bistro serves up modern American cuisine with a touch of elegance. With an extensive wine list and decadent desserts, it's a favorite among Hollywood's elite; and Blockbuster BBQ: Craving some hearty BBQ flavors? Blockbuster BBQ is the place to be with its mouthwatering ribs, smoked meats, and tasty sides. The laid-back atmosphere and generous portions make it a hit among cast and crew members alike.

Magic Kingdom

Who can’t like the Magic Kingdom? I could spend hours in this park without even going on any rides. This park is full of shops and shows that are great. My favorite thing to do in this part: the Hall of Presidents. The Hall of Presidents at Disneyworld showcases animatronic figures of all U.S. Presidents, providing an educational and entertaining experience for visitors. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of the United States through an engaging multimedia presentation. Best of all, it has my favorite president giving the Gettysburg Address.

Rides/attractions: This park is also home to the Jungle Cruse, Tron, Space Mountain (a favorite), the infamous It’s A Small World and many, many more. One that is often forgotten, but still a great relax (especially if it’s a hot day and you want some air conditioning and there usually isn’t a long-line) is the Carousel of Progress. I highly recommend this park to enjoy when you have a full-day to spend.

Food: You must get a Dole Whip—trust me. The Diamond Horseshoe is a great treat for a meal and for the first time, I’m headed to Be Our Guest next month—I’ve heard only good things, but I’ll make the final verdict when I get back.

Traveling to Hawaii?