If you know me and my family, you know one universal truth: we are Disney people. Not just “we love Mickey” Disney people. I’m talking deep-dive-into-Walt’s-life, admire-his-hustle, quote-his-biography-at-dinner Disney people. We love the man, the myth, the legend who created a world where kids—and let’s be honest, grown-ups—could live in a fantasy land where taxes, laundry, and emails don’t exist. It’s basically Peter Pan’s dream life, and we are here for it.
Even though we have passes to the OG Disneyland (home turf), we make an annual pilgrimage across the country to Disney World, because if you’re going to immerse yourself in all things Disney, why not go where the immersion level is dialed to “11”? This year marked our second grand journey to Florida, and just like any good sequel, we learned from last year’s plot holes and came back wiser, bolder, and ready to level up.
Last year, in our rookie enthusiasm, we stayed off-site at the JW Marriott. And look, the resort was gorgeous—picture perfect rooms, an epic waterslide, a lazy river that lived up to its name, and a pool that looked like it belonged in a celebrity’s backyard. But there was one major catch: getting to the parks required summoning a car like we were trying to leave the airport during a rainstorm. Uber was our daily chariot, and while I’m sure the Marriott offered some sort of shuttle, it ran on a schedule that felt more like a suggestion. Yes, they tried with the Disney-themed breakfasts, but no matter how many Mickey waffles they threw at us, we always felt like we were just outside the magic bubble—like we were at the party, but not on the guest list.
This year, we went full fantasy and booked a stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. I had one goal in mind: luxurious accommodations, delicious food, proximity to the parks, and for the love of all things mouse-eared, a monorail stop at the doorstep. What I didn’t expect was how many perks came with staying at a Disney World resort—and let me tell you, once you experience it, there’s no going back. You get a slew of discounts at different restaurants and stores, free miniature golf (which my kids loved), free day at the waterpark on your day of check-in, and honestly a few other things that I don’t quite remember, but it was a lot.
Sure, the Floridian was around $150 to $200 more per night compared to our Marriott stay, but the benefits more than made up for the cost. First, there was the convenience. Transportation was a dream. No more calling Ubers or crossing your fingers hoping the shuttle hadn’t already left. The resort had built-in transport to all the parks. No car needed, no ride-share apps, no stress. Just walk out the door and boom—you’re whisked away to Magic Kingdom like Cinderella going to the ball, minus the pumpkin carriage. You can take the bus to the parks, the tram to one of the other resorts, or take the skyliner to the one of the parks.
Food-wise, I was bracing myself for a financial gut-punch, but surprisingly, the options ranged from wallet-friendly to “Okay, this is bougie but worth it.” The character breakfast was about $60 per person—expensive, yes, but where else can your kids eat pancakes with Mary Poppins while you inhale eggs Benedict? For our everyday meals, we lived at Gasparilla Island Grill at the Floridian. It had customizable salads for $10, plenty of kid-friendly options, and it stayed open late for those post-fireworks snack attacks. Plus, the variety meant nobody ever complained—except that one time someone dropped their Mickey pretzel. RIP.
Another thing we didn’t think we’d need but absolutely loved: the on-site stores. Forgot a toothbrush? Need an emergency souvenir because someone fell in love with Stitch? They had us covered. Even better, Disney lets you bundle all your resort and park purchases into one shipment and mail them home in a single box. We hit the $40 max shipping fee and felt like logistical masterminds. I didn’t have to cram a single pair of Minnie ears into my suitcase. Disney magic, right there.
And then there was the photographer on the second floor. Just hanging out, taking professional-quality pictures, uploading them straight to our Disney account. We now have an entire album of non-blurry, non-sweaty family pics, which in theme park terms is the equivalent of winning the lottery.
The resort also threw in a fun scavenger hunt where the kids had to find a hidden penguin four times throughout the week. If they succeeded, they got a prize. Spoiler: they found the penguin, they got the prize, and I got 30 minutes of quiet while they searched. Win-win.
Let’s not forget the pools—three of them, each with a purpose. There was a calm, classic swimming pool, a cute one for the under-nine crowd, and a party-pool complete with a waterslide. And every single night, we had a front-row view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. No crowds, no rush—just pure sparkle from the comfort of our room.
Transportation was a dream. The monorail stopped right at our resort, making it a breeze to get to both Epcot and Magic Kingdom. And for the ambitious among us (read: the kids), Magic Kingdom was also just a 15-minute walk away. We even hopped around to other resorts one day so the kids could try the Skyliner on our way to Hollywood Studios. It was like a theme park transportation tasting menu.
Now, because we were flying all the way from California, I figured we might as well go full throttle and splurge on the Premier Lightning Pass. And let me just say: worth. every. single. penny. Normally, you can purchase the pass three days before your park visit. But when you stay at a Disney World resort? You get access seven days in advance. That’s like getting backstage passes before anyone else knows the concert is happening.
I also grabbed a few multi-passes since my kids enjoy riding things not once, but twice (or seven times, if it spins). Pro tip: Lightning Pass pricing varies by park, and yes—Magic Kingdom is the most expensive. But the amount of time we saved not standing in lines made every dollar feel like an investment in joy. We never waited. Not once. And because we weren’t racing to beat the morning rush, our days started slower, easier, and with much less caffeine-induced panic.
As for the parks themselves, each one brought its own special magic.
Magic Kingdom was our classic thrill ride haven, and possibly the biggest of the four. We devoured Italian food at Tony’s Town Square and loaded up on snacks from the Cheshire Cat, Friar’s Nook, and Storybook Treats (don’t leave without trying the princess swirl cone). Our favorite rides? Tron, Space Mountain, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Basically, anything that involved speed and screaming.
Hollywood Studios came in hot as runner-up. It’s home to some epic rides—Rockin’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash, and Rise of the Resistance were non-negotiables for us. The Fantasmic show was the cherry on top. We always book a meal at one of the restaurants that includes seating for the show so we can avoid the “musical chairs” scramble for a good spot.
Animal Kingdom felt like the chill cousin of the group. Smaller, calmer, and packed with beautiful scenery. Our top picks were the Avatar ride (stunning) and Expedition Everest (thrilling). The safari was a nice mid-day breather, and the kids loved spotting animals like little mini zoologists on vacation.
And finally, Epcot—the adult-friendly, tastebud-tingling park that still has plenty for kids. We made our way through the countries like the food critics we pretend to be. Fish and chips in the UK? Yes. Crepes in France? Absolutely. Churros in Mexico? I would walk through a thunderstorm for those. Our favorite rides were Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (best ride in the universe) and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (adorable and immersive).
And don’t forget to set aside a night or 2 for Disney Springs which is basically Downtown Disney. It has a lot of great stores, and places to eat. We stopped at Amorette’s Patisserie for some desserts and a mini birthday cake for my daughter and we devoured every last crumb. They also had great espresso. My kids also enjoy going to the Coca-Cola store because there is a restaurant on the top floor with a great view and an option to purchase a tray with soda from around the world and do your own tasting. And I must mention the Disney World Store that has everything Disney that you could possibly imagine.
So what more can I say about Disney World? It’s magic. It’s madness. It’s memories. Try every dessert. Ride everything that moves. Take too many pictures. Laugh at your sore feet. And above all, soak in those little moments—because even though the trip eventually ends, those memories? They’re forever. Just like our love for Walt, churros, and a perfectly timed Lightning Pass.