Thanks to Disney World for courtesy theme park tickets. All opinions are my own.
We recently returned home from a week in Orlando with our daughter, son-in-law and four of our grandkids. It was the grandkids’ winter break and we visited the Magic Kingdom Theme Park and Universal Studios. We try to visit parks that the smaller kids will like and some that the older kids will enjoy.
On previous visits, we’d hit more than 2 parks during the week, but those days are over. I can only take so much. Plus, I like to spend time by the pool reading and relaxing.
Yes, I bought them Disney shirts. Matching Disney family shirts for these boys would have been over the top and a big No from them.
To the best of my knowledge, this was my 10th or 11th trip to Disney World. Maybe 12th. We were trying to figure it all out but I’m sure I missed a trip or two.
I first visited Disney when I was 17. We visited right after Christmas and spent New Years in the park. It was truly magical! This time around, the crowds were not nearly as bad as they are during spring break, special holidays, etc. Don’t get me wrong, there was a wait for all rides, but only two were really long.
Space Mountain was closed during our visit. That’s fine. I’ve had my fair share of Space Mountain over the years. Also, Small World was unanimously vetoed by everyone except me. Waa!
We are now at that place in life where we’re always with the grandkids when we visit the Magic Kingdom and other theme parks. I’m proud to say that I rode every ride the grandkids rode.
Magic Kingdom Theme Park Favorites
I’m a sucker for a good parade and Disney never lets me down. The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom is awesome! I may be even more excited than the boys!
I packed my DSLR camera in a waterproof backpack type case so I could get some great photos and I did. Yay! We had a great spot on the parade route and was able to get up close and personal. We didn’t cross the taped-off line, but you know what I mean.
I won’t share all 89 photos, but I do have quite a few of my favorites!
Tinker Bell
I love Snow White, especially when she’s surrounded by the seven dwarfs.
Prince Charming is so charming! Too bad Cinderella is on the other side. Oh, well.
The Festival of Fantasy Parade is so colorful!
I always get Goofy and Pluto mixed up but this is Goofy (according to my daughter.)
Where’s Pluto? Here he is!
Beauty and the Beast are always big favorites and now I want to watch the movie again.
How about a fire-breathing dragon?
I have so many photos, but I’m only going to share a couple more. I can’t end the parade without Donald Duck.
There are so many more characters in the parade and of course, they save the best for last – Mickey and Minnie!
Favorite Rides at the Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
You must be 40″ to ride this one. My youngest grandkid (age 7) was plenty tall enough. You race through a haunted gold-mining town aboard a runaway mine train. There are small drops, lots of twists and turns and lots of fun.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
This is one of my very favorites! The competitive kid in me comes out on this one. You “fire your laser to earn points and defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg as you journey through a galactic space battle.” This one is suitable for all ages.
Pirates of the Caribbean
This is another ride that’s suitable for all ages. It reminds me of Small World but with a scary pirate theme.
Dumbo The Flying Elephant
I love riding this one. Yes, it’s a kid’s ride but it’s suitable for all ages. Of course, a selfie is required when you’re riding an elephant. I even got four of the other family members behind us on the ride.
Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
This is a fun interactive show for the kids and my grandson, Caden, was picked to participate in the show. He did such a good job! He had a microphone and everything.
The One Ride We Missed
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one of the rides we skipped. The wait time was off the chain and the fast pass times were gone when we tried to get ours. You snooze, you lose. This is a great article to learn more about fast passes.
Wait times for most rides were reasonable and we only used one of our three fast passes.
In other news, Universal was practically a ghost town. On many of the rides, you could hop off one ride, jump in line and ride it again.
Once again, we’ve made precious memories with the grandkids.
P.S. – Don’t forget to grab a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle when visiting the Magic Kingdom. This classic can be found in Adventureland next to the Enchanted Tiki Room, near the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. They also have a pineapple upside down cake topped with Dole Whip and a Dole Whip Float (with pineapple juice). Our favorite is the twist – Dole Whip and Vanilla. Yum!
P.P.S. – The boys aren’t really into having their photos made with the Disney characters, so there’s that (no waiting in character lines). Yay!
19 comments
The parade was wonderful to watch wasn’t it. There is so much to do and starting at the magic kingdom always makes good sense.
So fun! We’ve been here many times and just love it. We’re heading back in June and cannot wait. We love a lot of these things as well.
Love the pics!!
You did a great job of showing us all that is going on at Disney. I am so excited to go and see some of the new rides and the old ones also
That looks like a great trip and so much fun to relive it with a new generation. The parade of stars was a fun way to see all the characters
It looks like you guys had a great time. Kudos to you for joining your grandsons on all of the rides! I definitely would get the Fast Passes as well if we go.
Your pictures make me miss Disney. It’s been too long since we’ve gone and I think this year we will have to make the trip.
What some absolutely amazing things to do in Magic Kingdom! I really want to go back to disney one day I don’t remember much of my only trip sadly. I will do it though at some point.
I can imagine that was such an unforgettable time for everyone! Looks like everyone had a blast. Magic Kingdom is so much fun.
Wow, it looks like you guys had an amazing time. We’ve never been to Magic Kingdom, but it looks like there is really so much to do. I would love to take my kids.
It looks like you had a great time! Your photos are great! I have only been to Disney a few times, but it is always lots of fun. I remember the first time we watched the parade, I was surprised how excited I was to see the characters.
What an amazing place to visit and have fun in Magic Kingdom. This is perfect spot for kids, for sure they will enjoy it.
What a magical place this Magic Kingdom is! Definitely a must visit place. The whole family will have a lot of fun, I am sure!
I loves this post! I’m going to Disney World for the first time in a few months and I am SO EXCITED!!!
I am in love with Walt Disney World and seeing your pictures brought back such happy memories for me. Thank you, now I want to go back.
My boys are not so crazy about going to Disney, but one of these days we will go and I’m going to drag them if I have to. Ha!
The parade looks amazing! I’d love to go to Magic Kingdom and ride on all the fun rides!
I love all your parade photos. We have been to Disney 7 times and have never ever seen a glimpse of the parade. I wish we had made time but my daughter was all about the rides!! We did get to go on 7 dwarfs ride but we got to the park early but even then there was a wait.
OH my goodness. I want to go. Like. Right now! Magic Kingdom is one of my faves, I am due for a trip.