Intro
Imagine that you could go back to that very first time you went to Disney World, walked down Main Street, and saw Cinderella’s Castle. Or see the joy on your child’s face the first time they saw Mickey and Minnie. Side note: the first time I met Minnie I was genuinely terrified, so my mom had to carry me over to her. It was sadly not love at first sight for me and my girl, Minnie, but I got over it pretty quick once I got over the initial shock of meeting my favorite characters in real life! Do you remember the first time you met a character at the parks? Or the first time your kids met a character?
This week’s vacation is a classic Disney trip, with your family – including your young kids. It is your kids very first Disney trip, so it has to be extra special! You have a whole week at the parks and wanted to be sure you had enough money to buy a few dozen Mickey bars, so you’re staying at All Star Movies (a value Resort) and not getting Park Hopper tickets. Let me add a plug here, that to me, it is always worth it to pay the extra bucks to stay on property (this means staying in a Disney Resort that is on Disney property). The amenities and extras that come with staying on property are totally worth the cost to me, even with all the recent changes.
Breakdown
- Theme: Classic Disney Trip, First Trip
- Length: 1 week
- Age and Group: Family with young kids
- Spending: $
Check-In
You arrive at your resort to check in on a Tuesday. I like to arrive and depart on “off days” if possible. For me, that means arriving closer to the middle of the week if possible. Arriving at the start or end of the week, can often be a little crowded at check-in. Flights are typically cheaper too! Speaking of flights – if you do fly into Orlando International Airport, I always recommend taking advantage of the Magical Express (the free shuttle from MCO to the resorts). PLEASE NOTE: this service is ending in 2022 and will be replaced by a paid service from Mears Transportation. I will keep you updated as we learn more!
Once you arrive and check in at All Star Movies (you can usually check in mid-afternoon), it’s time to go explore Disney Springs! Go to the bus station and hop on the first bus heading to Disney Springs. Disney Springs has *literally* everything you could need! There are fun shops and activities for the kids, as well as plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Food
For dinner tonight, you head to Homecomin’ (a Disney Springs favorite). It is casual dining and has something for everyone.
After dinner, you explore Disney Springs a bit, then head back to the resort to get a good night’s sleep before your first park day!
Day 1: Magic Kingdom
For a classic, first timer Disney trip, starting with Magic Kingdom is a must. So, for Day 1, you get an early start, eat breakfast at World Premiere Food Court, and get on the bus to Magic Kingdom!
Rides
All right, time for the rides! With the ending of Fast Pass, there is a new “skip the line” system that just debuted called Disney Genie+. This new option allows you to pay $15 per person, per day to skip the line for most rides. You can also pay an extra “per-ride” charge to ride the more popular rides. The good news is, you can always just use the stand by line and not worry about paying the extra fee for this service. For a trip like this where we are trying to stay in budget, we would not opt to purchase Disney Genie+ or the additional Per-Ride Lightning Lane option. I will be sure to provide more insight in a separate post once I have had a chance to try out the system, because it is a lot to take in!
For your classic Disney trip, you are sure to get on Dumbo, Peter Pan, Small World, and Jungle Cruise. These rides are all Opening Day Attractions, meaning they have been up and running since the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971!
If your kids are tall enough (35 inches or taller) and they like rollercoasters, you will definitely want to try out The Barnstormer. It’s in Fantasyland, inside Storybook Circus. This area as a whole is great for young kids, with Casey’s Splash and Soak Station and the playground in the queue for Dumbo.
Something else to consider, depending on when you go, are character experiences! Right now, there are not any character meet and greets available, however they are coming back soon!
Food
For lunch, check out Casey’s Corner for some classic park food (corn dog nuggets, hot dogs, and French fries). For a classic Disney afternoon snack, grab a premium Mickey ice cream bar or a Mickey pretzel. Pinocchio Village Haus is a perfect spot for dinner. It has flatbreads, chicken nuggets for the kids, and salad. The best part of this restaurant is that you can grab a table with a view of the Small World queue! It is a great place to cool down and take a little breather before the fireworks.
Closing out the night with the nighttime fireworks show is the most magical way to end your first park day. Be sure to get to your spot early. A few favorite spots for me are right in the hub (by the Walt and Mickey statue) or farther back down Main Street. If you are planning to head back to the resort directly after the show, being at the end of Main Street is helpful to get in front of the crowds, since many families will have the same plan! Alright, now it is time to get on a bus and go get some sleep before Day 2!
Day 2: EPCOT
It’s Day 2 and it’s time for EPCOT! EPCOT holds a special place in my heart. It feels so nostalgic to me and I just love the atmosphere in the park. The history of the park is so interesting, and I love learning more each time I go. There is always something new and exciting to check out at EPCOT. This park could really be broken up into two days, one for Future World (which is currently being revamped and I am so excited to see how it transforms) and one for World Showcase.
Rides
Since you are bringing your kids, I am going to take a wild guess and assume they are going to be absolutely dying to ride Frozen Ever After. Other rides you might want to check out might be Spaceship Earth, Soarin’ (if your kids are over 40 inches), and The Seas with Nemo and Friends. There is a cool aquarium area once you exit the Seas with Nemo and Friends that your kids will love!
Food
For lunch, you head to Garden Grill, in the Land Pavilion. You will need an Advanced Dining Reservation for this one, so be sure to book it when your reservation window opens. This restaurant is also a little pricier (currently $55/adult and $36/child), however it is Family-style and all you care to eat, so you get your money’s worth. This is also a character meal, so you get to see and/or meet characters, which definitely makes it worth it. And if all of that wasn’t enough, this restaurant slowly spins as you dine and even shows portions of Living with the Land. For dinner, you head into World Showcase’s Italy pavilion to Via Napoli.
After dinner, explore the World Showcase for a while and snack on some amazing treats from Kringla Bakeri, in the Norway pavilion. Then, stake out a spot for the nighttime show! There are good viewing spots all over World Showcase, but my favorite is always right at the entrance to the World Showcase. In between France and the UK is also a great viewing location.
Be sure to get a good look at Spaceship Earth on your way out of the park, once it is lit up. It is pretty breathtaking!
Day 3: Hollywood Studios
Get the Millennium Falcon ready because it is time to head to Hollywood Studios! Obviously, the biggest draw to Hollywood Studios right now is Rise of the Resistance, however there is so much else to explore at this park after you’re able to get on Rise of the Resistance. I will be doing a Star Wars superfan trip soon, so be sure to check that out if you dream of moving to Batuu!
Rides
The system for Rise of the Resistance is ever changing, so be sure to check the latest updates before your trip. Right now, there is no Boarding Pass system and no virtual queue, but you can purchase an Individual Lightning Lane selection for this attraction.
With all the changes to Hollywood Studios, many of the “classic” MGM rides aren’t in operation any longer. So, you will focus on mostly kid-friendly rides with some of the older rides sprinkled in! You are sure to ride Slinky Dog Dash, as long as your kids are okay with rollercoasters and tall enough (38 inches). While in Toy Story Land, you also check out Toy Story Mania and Alien Swirling Saucers. To fit with the classic theme, you check out Star Tours and Muppet*Vision 3D. Lastly, you head to the ride that took the place of the Great Movie Ride, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. This ride is in the beautiful Chinese Theatre and perfect for kids, as well as Mickey and Minnie lovers!
Food
To save time, grab a quick breakfast in Galaxy’s Edge at Ronto Roasters. They have delicious Morning Ronto Wraps that will be perfect to grab on this busy morning and give you the energy you need to explore Batuu! Pick up a quick lunch at ABC Commissary, which has an updated menu with a wide selection, including sandwiches, salads, and tacos. For dinner, make an Advanced Dining Reservation at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre. This unique dining experience makes it feel like you are eating in an old car at a drive-in theatre. They play old sci-fi films while you eat classic diner food. The kids may not be as interested in the movies, but they will love the atmosphere!
Day 4: Resort Day
Did you know that when you are at Disney you walk an average of 15,000 steps each day? With that many steps each day, you’re going to need a rest day. Taking a day to stay at the resort to enjoy a dip in the pool and relax a bit is a great way to get some energy back after a few intense park days. It is also good to stay at the resort on a Saturday, since the parks can get pretty crowded. Check out the Fantasia Pool, there is a kids play area to keep them happy all day! Check the schedule for the day to see if there is a movie being played at the Reel Spot that night. You can grab some food and unwind watching a movie under the stars!
Day 5: Animal Kingdom
Sadly, it is your last day at the parks. So, you better go out with a bang! Where better to do that then at the largest of the four Disney World parks, Animal Kingdom. While each park is so special to me, Animal Kingdom definitely ranks pretty high up there. The theming is so immersive you can’t help but feel relaxed when you walk through those gates. If you ever need some calming music to listen to, find the Animal Kingdom entrance music on YouTube!
Rides
Animal Kingdom opened in 1998 and there are a few Opening Day attractions still running today! You start with It’s Tough to be a Bug, which is inside the Tree of Life and great for kids. You can also check out DINOSAUR, depending on your kids comfort level as it is a little scary for some kids (and adults because to be honest those dinosaur jump scares still get me to this day). Also be sure to get on Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you get up close and personal with some of our favorite Animal Kingdom residents!
The newest area in Animal Kingdom, Pandora, is also a must do. They will love exploring Pandora and riding Na’vi River Journey. You also take a little time to cool off and watch the amazing Festival of the Lion King. It is a live show that everyone in the family will love. There are also a few animal trails that remind you why Animal Kingdom is so special!
Food
For lunch, stop by Yak & Yeti (the counter service option, it will be quicker and a little more affordable). Yak & Yeti is a staple of Animal Kingdom, with Asian cuisine and kids meals available as well. For dinner, go to Flame Tree Barbecue for some pulled pork, ribs, coleslaw, and beans. If you want to splurge and get something fun to drink, head over to Pongo Pongo in Pandora. They always have fun, unique snacks and drinks to try (non-alcoholic options as well).
A must see in Animal Kingdom is Pandora as the sun sets. Head over there right before the sun starts to set and either find a good spot to sit or wander around. Watch the flowers and other wildlife come to life. The music starts to change and the whole world comes to life. Watching Pandora come alive at night is one of my absolute favorite memories!
Check Out
Ending your Disney trip is such a hard thing to do. But luckily, you have so many good memories to look back on from this trip and you can start planning your next visit to the most magical place on Earth on the trip home!
Checking out of the resort is a breeze. Be sure to know the check-out time for your resort (usually late morning) and head to the lobby to officially check out. The Magical Express will take you back to the airport, if you are taking part in that service, or whatever is available at the time. Now, it’s time to say see ya real soon to Disney and have a relaxing trip back home!
Overview
- Resort: All Star Movies (Value Resort)
- Check-in Day: Disney Springs
- Food: Homecomin’
- Day 1: Magic Kingdom
- Rides: Dumbo, Peter Pan, Small World, Jungle Cruise, The Barnstormer
- Food: Lunch at Casey’s Corner, Dinner at Pinocchio Village Haus, Snacks – Premium Mickey Ice Cream Bar, Mickey Pretzel
- Day 2: EPCOT
- Rides: Frozen, Soarin’, Spaceship Earth, and the Seas with Nemo and Friends
- Food: Lunch at Garden Grill, Dinner at Via Napoli, Snacks at Kringla Bakeri
- Day 3: Hollywood Studios
- Rides: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania, Alien Swirling Saucers, Star Tours, Muppet*Vision 3D, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
- Food: Breakfast at Ronto Roasters, Lunch at ABC Commissary, Dinner at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre
- Day 4: Resort Day
- All Star Movies Resort
- Day 5: Animal Kingdom
- Rides: Tough to be a Bug, DINOSAUR, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Na’vi River Journey, Festival of the Lion King
- Food: Lunch at Yak & Yeti, Dinner at Flame Tree Barbeque
