The Happiest Place on Earth

Who doesn’t love Disney World? Of course I am referring to Walt Disney World theme park in Orlando, Florida. (Technically, it is in Lake Buena Vista, FL, but most people think of it as Orlando…probably because that’s the closest major airport where most Disney visitors will fly into.)

[The photo above is part of a photo package we purchased from Disney - they offer a photo service which I will discuss more in depth later. The other photos we took ourselves.]

There is so much to see and do, there is sure to be something for everyone. But it can be a bit overwhelming for new visitors – both the planning of your trip (travel options, hotels, best times to go, where to buy tickets, etc.) and what to do once you arrive (getting around, park rules, popular attractions / what to see first, where to eat, etc.)

That’s where I can help. I have been to Disney World quite a few times, so I have become somewhat of an “expert” on Disney. And I am always happy to share my Disney knowledge with anyone interested, especially those who need help planning a trip to WDW. Therefore, if there is enough interest here, I will post regular articles, attempting to focus each on individual topics of interest.

So, you probably want to know a little about me and how I became a Disney “expert.” I was quite young when I first went to Disney World. I think it was June of 1980 or 1981…? It was just the Magic Kingdom back then. I remember seeing huge billboard signs that said, “EPCOT Coming Soon!” I went back again in June of 1988 and June of 1990. By then, Walt Disney World included the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios (known as MGM Studios then).

Fast forward to April of 2014, when my wife and I decided to go to Disney World for our honeymoon. There had been some noticeable changes in 24 years! First, it’s more crowded. Disney won’t tell us exactly how many people they allow into the parks each day, but it is noticeably more crowded, and I can’t imagine going there during peak season or holidays! I definitely recommend going during the less crowded times of the year (which I will address later), but don’t let the crowds deter you from having a great Disney vacation. There are ways you can plan your activities and manage your time wisely during your vacation. Next big change since 1990, which we knew in advance and were looking forward to – Disney’s Animal Kingdom! This is one of the best zoos in the country. It’s like a hybrid zoo/theme park. If you like zoos and animals, you will love the Animal Kingdom. Another change – theme parties, most popular Halloween and Christmas parties from September through December. The parties are a lot of fun, but you need to be aware of the party schedule even if you don’t plan to attend because they do close the Magic Kingdom early for the parties, and you will need a separate ticket to attend.

Anyhow, we love Disney. We didn’t really plan it, but Disney World has become an annual trip for us – 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 so far. Through personal experience, I can offer advice on where to find discounted Disney tickets, places to stay, best times to visit, what to bring, where to eat, how to get around, tips for avoiding long lines, etc. So if you’re interested, please let me know and I will gladly write more in depth on these topics. Maybe I can answer some specific questions you may have. I hope you will enjoy my little Disney blog. Thank you for taking the time to read it.