“We didn’t realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.” -Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)
When developing your Park Planning strategy, a quick Google search will highlight many “must dos.” These will most likely focus on E-Ticket/Tier 1 rides, Character Dining, and Night Time Spectaculars. There is so much to do, see, and experience at Walt Disney World. Many things your search engines and AI bots suggest are on my list too.
Still, I invite you, even if this is your once in a lifetime trip, to dive a little deeper. Seek out those quieter corners of the Parks, investigate the underrated rides, experiences and shows. Find one or two things that appeal to you or your child’s unique interests.
Though it is certainly possible, often your most special memories won’t be found on that thrilling ride or even during an expensive Enchanting Extra. Instead, the greatest joy may be found in a snack break, during a show, a quick character interaction, an unexpected rainstorm, a spontaneous hand hold or cuddle, or even a Tier 2 attraction.
If you have the time and interest, I’d love to review some of my most Magical Park moments to give you a better idea of what I’m talking about. They don’t receive Top Billing, involve a large crowd, long wait time, or hefty fee. Yet, they make up my most precious Core Memories.
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Between Pinocchio’s Village Haus and the entrance to Be Our Guest Restaurant, down a path nestled behind some stroller parking, you will find Maurice’s Cottage. This is home to “Enchanted Tales with Belle,” an interactive show that lasts about 20 minutes.
Before visiting Disney World with my own children, this attraction had never found its way onto my “must do” list. In fact, I’d never even heard of it. Then, during our first trip as a full family (including Eric) we found our way to the Standby Line.
My youngest had recently turned 3. Though she’d been potty trained for close to a year, she was still in the “when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go,” stage. The line moved quickly, but as we were about to enter Maurice’s Workshop…she had to go. I popped out of line, leaving Morgan with her father and Auntie Lindsay and dashed next door to the bathroom. Maggie and I spent the rest of our time seated on a rock wall near the “Lightning Lane” entrance munching popcorn and awaiting the remainder of our party.
When they exited, Auntie Lindsay began sharing pictures of Morgan (who was all smiles) participating in the show. I was feeling a bit tearful over having missed the main event, when a nearby Cast Member called “Would you all like to go again?”
Never expect Pixie Dust, but when it finds you it is magical. The Cast Member put our whole group back in line via the Lightning Lane and into the next show. This time, instead of being cast as a plate, Morgan donned a red cape and got to stand in for the Beast. I was teary again, this time with joy, watching my eldest’s face as she danced with Belle (one of my favorite Princesses since childhood.) Even Maggie, too shy to participate, was given the chance to pose for a picture at the end of the show.
While it may not have the same impact for everyone, in November of 2023 this attraction was an experience that will forever be locked in my memory banks.
The Imagination Gardens
In EPCOT, in World Celebration, to the left of Journey Into Imagination with Figment you will find The Imagination Pavilion. EPCOT has changed a lot since it first opened in 1982. The lands have new names, there are new rides and interactive experiences. There are Princesses and Characters meeting and greeting who didn’t exist during my childhood in the 80s and 90s. However, the Leapfrog Fountains in the Imagination Gardens remain.
I have fond memories of chasing those streams and balls of water with my three brothers in the early to mid-90s. Yet, it was an attraction I almost missed out on re-experiencing. Thanks to my youngest, one cool evening near the end of our EPCOT day, I rediscovered their delightful whimsy and simplistic beauty.
I spoke in another Blog Post about my reluctant rider. The truly special thing about having a kid who doesn’t do all the rides, is that it opens your world up to Disney World’s many other offerings. While Morgan (my oldest) rode Soarin’ with her father, Maggie and I went off to see Figment. When the app revealed a short wait time for Spaceship Earth, Morgan and Eric made a beeline for one of Maggie’s least favorite experiences (see that Reluctant Rider post for details.) Nearing the end of our park time, having ridden what Maggie would ride, and it being a bit too cool to get soaked again at Moana’s Journey of Water, we wandered over to a limited time Mickey and Minnie meet and greet for the 50th Anniversary.
When we exited, the sun had set, “The EPCOT ball” was lit up, and the Leapfrog Fountains caught Maggie’s eye. Morgan and Eric had just met back up with us. For the next 20 minutes my girls laughed and ran and played. They theorized where the next stream would come from or jump to. Morgan giggled when she got a little wet trying to “catch” the water. Eric and I stood beside our double stroller and watched their exuberance with Spaceship Earth and the Monorail as the backdrop. The perfect ending to our day in the Park.
Casey Jr Splash N’ Soak Station
In front of Pete’s Silly Sideshow, if weather and time of year permit, you will find the animal occupants of Casey Jr spraying those adventurous park goers who get too close. It is part of “New Fantasyland,” which I’m pretty sure most people just refer to as Fantasyland now. Though it didn’t exist in the Disney of my youth, it turned out to be a great new .
During my kids’ first trip to Disney World, I learned that I was the parent to only one kid who liked rides. While Morgan boarded The Barnstormer with Nana, Uncle Tim and Auntie Lindsay, Maggie and I explored the nearby area. I had hoped to do some Character meet and greets, as Maggie loves a snuggle with any of the Sensational Six. Unfortunately, Pete’s Silly Sideshow hadn’t opened for the day.
Then, to my daughter’s sheer delight, we discovered the Casey Jr Splash N’ Soak Station. The sun was shining in a brilliant blue sky and my young New Englander found the February Floridian weather ideal for jumping in puddles, shrieking, and running from jets of water. Getting completely soaking wet without a bathing suit in sight proved to be just the right amount of thrill.
Full disclosure, I am a maximalist mom and always travel with a set of back up clothes, so she was actually in no danger of being sopping wet for the remainder of our full Park Day. When Morgan disembarked after two rounds on her first ever roller coaster, she joined in the fun. The grownups enjoyed watching the silly raucous fun, taking a moment to rest their feet at nearby benches and picnic tables. Unplanned, untimed, unstructured fun that helped slow our pace and increase our enjoyment of the day. It was also when I understood, with relief, that Disney was going to be fun for both my children, even if it didn’t look the same.
Fireworks outside the Parks
For my final walk down memory lane, I give you a more general experience we enjoy. My girls are currently 5 and 6 years old. We stay relatively true to their usual wake and sleep schedules on vacation. It’s what works for us. That being said, in the winter when the sun sets a little earlier, “Happily Ever After” lights up the sky over Magic Kingdom a little sooner as well. At these times we have found ways to enjoy a little piece of this luminous magic.
- We have watched from the beach at Fort Wilderness, with sweatshirts over nightgowns and the music playing from speakers by the water’s edge.
- We have viewed the nighttime spectacular as our boat retreats from Magic Kingdom back to our Resort aboard the green flagged boats that travel along Bay Lake.
- From the arms of Mama and Nana, my sleepy girls have even caught some bursts of light from the dock on the walk to our golf cart ride to bed.
- Lastly, on a best friends adult only trip, Auntie and Lindsay and I enjoyed the show from behind Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
Those happen to be ways we have enjoyed fireworks, but there are many others. You can consider a resort with a Theme Park and Fireworks View room. The beaches along Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake offer viewing spots, some with music piped in. There are also dining experiences and locations that will give you a seated view away from the crush of crowds. If timed right, you can catch glimpses from a variety of modes of transportation as well.
So, whether you have littles who can’t hang late into the night or just want to avoid the crowds associated with viewing the fireworks and departing the parks afterward…you can experience the magic even if it’s at a distance. It just requires thinking outside the box somewhat, and enjoying the experience for what it is.
✨Now that you have a little insight into my Core Memory banks, I hope you feel inspired to seek out your own. Better yet, to be open to the moments you aren’t looking for or expecting. The best way to do that is to build in some down time each day, gaps in the itinerary where you have flexibility to go where the mood takes you.
Happy Planning,
Jody