Awhile back I decided to write down a bunch of tips and ideas that related to traveling to Walt Disney World. I absolutely love Disney and all things related to it. I have helped a lot of friends and family plan their WDW vacations, have built touring plans for them, suggested and made dining reservations and even referred them to the travel agent we use. If I could I would make Disney a full time career somehow. That is how much I love it. So, I thought I would share those tip sheets here on MapleMouseMama. If you come across this and find any of it useful I would love to hear about it so feel free to share your thoughts. Likewise, if a tip seems out of date or inaccurate in some way please share that with me to. Happy reading!!
-If you can, have lunch at the Crystal Palace. It is a huge restaurant, buffet style and the characters from Winnie the Pooh visit your table!! This is one of our favourite places to eat.
-Try to eat at Cinderella’s Castle. The number for restaurant reservations is #407-WDW-DINE or #407-939-3463. You can actually book any reservations this way. Dining at the castle is truly a magical experience!
-Lots of great places to snack, but there is a place in Adventure Land that sells a Dole Whip. If you like pineapple, this is a great place to have a rest and get a treat. I love dole whips!!
-There are photographers all over the place that will offer to take your photo. They will give you a card to view the photos on line and then you decide if you want to buy any or not (you can buy a CD and print your own as well). They are called Photo Pass. They will take a photo for you using your own camera as well. Since they are professionals, it is worth it to have them use your camera some times.
– You will see people selling balloons, usually on Main Street. Even if you do not want to buy one they are the coolest thing to look at in such a big bundle. You can ask the balloon person to let you “hold” the balloons while your hubby or the Photo Pass person takes your photo. It is so neat and a great way to remember how the balloons look.
-In the centre area in front of the Castle it is called the Hub. This is the best place to view the night time fireworks show, Wishes. Yes, it is loud, but it is so worth it if you like fireworks. I actually get very emotional watching them!!
-In the Hub there are some cool things to take photos of. All around it on the stone ledges are small, brass statues of various Disney characters. They make awesome photos. Try to get them all!!
-Keep your eyes open as you walk around and try to spot the Hidden Mickeys. These come in various forms and are literally the shape of Mickey’s head and ears (think of three dimes and how that would look). They are all over the place and are in many forms, like a painting on a wall, a sign for a show, rope curled on the floor etc..
-Take a boat from MK to the Grand Floridian or Polynesian Resort and walk around. These places are stunning and there are great places to eat there as well. If you go at night, make sure to go to the beach at one of them (my favourite is the Grand Floridian) and watch the Electric Water Parade. It is on the water and usually after the fireworks end. Really cool to see.
-The bakery on Main Street makes the best baked goods. If you don’t have breakfast, then stop for coffee and a cinnamon roll. You will die! They are awesome!
-There is a statue of Goofy sitting on a bench when you walk into the MK. It is on the right hand side and the bench is white. Go sit there for a bit. Goofy might surprise you and have a chat!! My daughter was four when she was climbing all over Goofy for the first time. It was so funny when he “spoke” to her all of a sudden. I thought I would pee my pants laughing!!
-Get a photo of both of you together sitting with Minnie Mouse and Roy Disney at the small hub near the entrance of MK. It is a wonderful statue and pays great homage to a wonderful imaginer. There is another one in the Hub by the Castle of Mickey with Walt. They are must dos.
– The Haunted Mansion is a very cool ride. Take the time to check out the “grounds” as you head to the entrance!! Same thing for the Pirates of the Carribean ride.
-The Jungle Cruise is a somewhat lame ride, but it is one of those things you have to do at least once.
-My most favourite show in all of DW is Mickey’s Philharmagic. It is in Fantasyland and I love it.
-The store by the Winnie the Pooh ride has the best Winnie stuffies!! I love it there.
There is a ton of wonderful things to see and do in the Magic Kingdom. Far too many to put up here as random thoughts. So as they come to me I will add more 🙂
I have never been there it must be beautiful !
I want to go there
I want to go there someday!
Suz you are so lucky!
Sounds amazing, love the photo people, cool!