After two years, my husband and I are finally heading back to Walt Disney World for a vacation.  He has a conference for work at the Marriott World Center, which just happens to be 1.5 miles away from WDW, so we’re going down early to get our Disney fix.  The last time we were down there, we got engaged.  A lot has happened since then, and I am really looking forward to heading back to my home away from home. 

 

In preparation for our (short) visit I’m going to post each week on various aspects of Walt Disney World up to our trip, then a review after I get home. 

 

Without further ado, I give you

Countdown to Disney: (6 weeks)

Magic Kingdom

 

Yes, I start with the most well known park in WDW.  Many (stupid) people refer to it as just Disney World.  It is what people think of when they picture the 30,000 acre resort area that spans two counties in Florida.  The Magic Kingdom is based on Disneyland, but is much larger that it’s Anaheim brother.  One of the best features of the park is the one most people don’t consider when they picture it. 

 

I’m speaking of the Transportation and Ticket Center that takes guests from the parking lot to the gates of the Magic Kingdom.  Most people don’t realize that the extra travel time every guest takes to get to the park is very intentional.  When Walt Disney was designing Magic Kingdom, he wanted guests to have time to forget the real world and leave their troubles behind in anticipation of getting into the park and seeing the beautiful castle.  That’s why you have to take either the monorail or ferryboat to get to the gates. 

 

A little known fact: if you are on some of the first ferryboat loads of the day into the park, you may have Chip and Dale or Pluto hitching a ride with you.  They are usually on the top deck. 

 

Now, I’m not going to bore you with step by step details and facts of the park that a lot of people already know.  No, I’m going to bore you with what makes this park my favorite out of them all at WDW. 

 

Reason 1: Unexpected Entertainment

Besides being the only way to get to the castle and all the other areas of the park, Main Street USA has some fun you may not notice if you only run through the street to get to the Space Mountain FastPass first.  Take a stroll, you may get to hop on the fire truck or horse drawn trolley that will take you to the other end of the street.  Or you could catch a show from some dancers on the trolley or sit on a bench and you may hear the Dapper Dans quartet.  Don’t forget to watch out for some of Main Street’s local residents, Scoop Sanderson (reporter), Tabatha Quidnunk (town gossip), Hildegard Olivia Harding (socialite), or Mayor Weaver.  On top of all that, you could get a haircut at the barber shop, shop to your hearts content, or meet a pretty good selection of characters in the town square area with smaller lines than many of the other areas of the parks.  And this is all before you even get to the Castle!

 

But Main Street USA isn’t the only place to find unexpected entertainment.  Tomorrowland has its own band and talking (maybe even moving) trashcan (affectionately known as PUSH).  Adventureland hosts pirate lessons for kids, I mean, swashbucklers of all ages.  Frontierland has the “Notorious Banjo Brothers and Bob” and a Hoedown.  Even Fantasyland has a sax quartet and story time with Belle.  And if you’re leaving the park at closing time, turn around after you walk under the railroad tracks – Mickey will be there saying goodbye to you and sending kisses!  All of this plus all the regular character meet and greet spots, how can you not feel the magic of Disney?

 

Ok, ok, so you’ve come for the rides?  Magic Kingdom’s got them too. 

 

Reason 2: Rides

You got the mountains; Space, Splash, and Big Thunder.  All of them bring back the nostalgia of my childhood, but my favorite is most defiantly Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  Not only is this a fun tummy tickler with a significant shaded wait area (including water fountains!); it has a flawless theme and is a very different thrill at night (keep an eye out for a spectacular view of the castle and the multi-hued springs next to the dino bones).  What I enjoy most about the ride is that it reminds me of sitting next to my silly Dad who would exaggerate the twists and turns by squishing me into the side or pulling me tight next to him.  Throw in his Goofy scream (Yaaahhaahahhhoooeeeyyy!) and you wouldn’t know it from us that the roller coaster was only classified as mild.  It puts a smile on my face just thinking about it.  Oh, and don’t forget: “Hang onto your hats and glasses, folks, cause this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!”

 

Of course there are more than just the mountains at Magic Kingdom.  You have Pirates of the Caribbean, Dumbo, Peter Pan’s flight, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Jungle Cruise, and so many more that most everyone has heard of in some way or another. 

 

Yes, the rides at WDW are lots of fun, but they are only just a fraction of why so many come back again and again.  Magic Kingdom is all about being a kid and experiencing magic.  Which brings me to:

 

Reason 3: Everything Else

There is just so much that can be done and seen while you’re in the Magic Kingdom.  You like parades?  They have at least one, if not two or three everyday.  (SpectroMagic is my favorite and should be checked out.)  While you’re waiting for them, cast members come out and entertain you with games.  You like shopping?  You can buy crystal and fine art, watches, clothes, stuffed animals, shoes, rain gear, almost anything.  Have a family picture taken in front of the castle.  Learn your genealogy and get a plaque with your family’s personal history on it.  Stop for a game of checkers or an ice cream cone.  Ride the train.    Ride the riverboat.  There is just so much to do!

 

So what is my favorite thing to do of them all?  Watch the nightly fireworks show, Wishes.  There is no way for me to describe this show to you.  I could try to explain that it’s beautiful and funny and sad and inspiring, but it’s something you have to experience on your own.  It means so very much to me for so many different reasons and it makes me cry every time I see it.  I think it’s what I’m most looking forward to when my husband and I go down in six weeks. 

 

And in true Disney fashion, this is where I leave you.  As the fireworks signal the end of the night, so this brings this Countdown to Disney (six weeks) to a close. 

 

See ya’ll real soon!