Q&A about Disney World!
Last week I was able to escape reality and take my thirteen-year-old son Titus for his 13th Birthday trip. We have told each of our kids that when they turn 13 they get to pick a trip, anywhere (within the united states) they want to go with whichever parent they decide. My oldest picked NYC with Jesse and they had the best time exploring one of our favorite cities. Titus had been planning the same trip with Jesse but recently asked if he could swap NYC for Disney and asked if I could take him. It was a quick “Yes!!!” from me and off we went to the Most Magical Place on Earth.
We are no strangers to Disney World I asked on Instagram if yall had any questions I could answer and here we are, a new blog all about Disney!
First off “What is your... favorite park, ride, food, character meeting, resort, and memory?”
My favorite park is Magic Kingdom, I love seeing Cinderella’s castle hearing the music in the hub, and reminding myself that this place is all because of someone’s dream and creativity. My Favorite ride is probably Big Thunder Mountain or Mt Everest over at Animal Kingdom. I am a sucker for a fun roller coaster! My favorite food at the park is really anything Mickey Shaped! Just kidding but really a mickey pretzel always hits the spot. Characters….We love meeting characters at Disney, we have trained our kids to ask the characters questions like…Princess Anna, “What’s your favorite kind of chocolate?” To Rapunzel, we asked her where Pascal was hiding or for her to show us her best Flynn Rider smolder. This makes for memorable interactions and some fun pictures. Meeting the princesses is always high on my list. It looks different now with Covid19 safely Protocols in place but just this last time Titus had a really fun conversation with Rae from Star Wars in Galaxies Edge. Have questions in mind and your cameras ready!
My Favorite memory is walking into Magic Kingdom with our kids and seeing them see the castle for the first time. It was so big and epic and just meant too much to my mama heart that I loved seeing them so happy and excited for this family trip. And then along with the character meet and greets the first time Zoe met Cinderella was so sweet and there was the time when Titus called Donald Duck, Daffy (on purpose) and Donal pushed him out of the restaurant. It was SO funny and so fun! We have so many precious memories made around those parks!
So now let’s really dive into the other questions and I’ll give you my best advice…
Is it worth going right now?
I think yes! As of August 2021, the parks are still not at max capacity, meaning there are not as many people in the parks as there were on, say, March 1st of 2020. Fewer people in the parks equal short lines and not as crowded streets when walking around.
Now coming up is the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World and they have said that they are going back to max capacity by the end of the year so I do think it’s worth going now while the crowds are down some, YES!! Crowds are definitely going to pick up closer to October through the end of the year!
Masks- When & Where?
This is something that has changed off and on with Disney. As of right now, masks are only required in doors like stores, restaurants, indoor rides, really anywhere you are in a building. BUT not required outdoors or in outside lines or rides.
Titus and I always had a mask with us and would throw it on when we walked in anywhere or whenever they asked us to put them on. When I visited WDW last year masks were required outdoors, indoors and all the time except when standing still to eat or drink. They have definitely relaxed this rule and I see them doing it even more so in the future.
Where do we stay?
We typically stay on property at a WDW resort so we can take advantage of their bus and transportation system and any deals they have like the dining package (Which has not yet returned) and fast passes. Our very favorite resort is Disney’s Boardwalk. It's dreamy and so fun. But this last time we stayed at Art of Animation and I loved it. It’s not a far bus ride to the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom and there is the new Skyliner that connects you to Hollywood Studios and Epcot and we loved the overall fun vibe of the pools, parks, and all the incredible artwork decorating the walls!
What is the best way to get to and from the airport with littles and car seats?!
Ok, so let's start by asking a question first...do you travel with your car seats?! If so I would say Uber or Lyft. The Mickey Magical Express is an option for now but this complimentary service is ending in January 2022. The Mears Connect Transportation service is now available with vans and buses with one time or a round trip fee and from what I can tell on the buses young children can be in parents' laps or seated next to them. I am not 100% sure how this will work! But for the most part, we jump in an uber for $25-40 straight from the airport to our resort.
Any and All tips?! Fast passes, buses, monorail/ Skyliner?!
So real quick the fast pass is being retired and being replaced with the new Genie+ Service. I think we are waiting for more info on when and how this new service will work but we do know it will be a paid service per day at the park and per guest. So many thoughts and questions!!
- My biggest tip for a Disney trip is this...You will be waiting in lines. There's no way around it. Be prepared to wait. We love playing the heads-up game while we stand in line. It’s easy and on phones. The Disney Play app has some fun trivia and games to play while you wait as well. Be prepared to wait, have snacks in your backpack and water.
-Next tip wake up early and rope drop the parks. If the park says it opens at 9 be at the park at 8. Be there early and ride the attraction you cannot wait for! At Disney the early bird gets the most rides done!
-When in doubt get a mickey bar. It’s really amazing how much a little ice cream can change your mood.
-The Skyliner is a great transportation option if you are staying at a resort that is connected to the parks. HOWEVER, I would not use it in the morning on the way into the parks there will be long long lines and you want to get to the park early...I would uber! I would use the Skyliner mid-day or in the evening on the way back. Getting to the parks early in the morning is always a priority for us. A midday break is also great, so you can skyline back and forth but uber in the morning!
-Wear good shoes. We walk no less than 7 miles a day! Good shoes are a MUST!
-Bring a water bottle and fill it up constantly! No need to purchase a water bottle every time you are thirty just refill it!
-We love to talk to Cast Members (Disney World Employees). We challenge our kids to call them by name and ask them about their day, how they like working at DW and where they are from. It creates friendships and sometimes magic comes from it!
I would LOVE to know...
What’s your WDW advice?!
What's your favorite Disney memory?!
OR Let us know what your favorite Disney movie is?!?
Comment below and share!!
