Welcome back to Walt Disney’s World. Come along for Part Two (read Part One here) of our Walt-inspired tour of the Most Magical Place on Earth. You don’t have to visit Disneyland in California to walk on the same ground Walt once walked. In the final years of his life, Walt visited the swampy Florida landscape several times. By the time of his death, he had purchased all the property he needed, and planned the first stages of development for what he was going to call Disney World (it was only after Walt passed that his brother Roy insisted on calling the resort Walt Disney World). 

The very first order of business in developing Walt Disney World was to create a Disneyland-style park, which would attract visitors and fund future Florida projects. Magic Kingdom fit the bill perfectly and included many of the whimsical touches Walt infused into Disneyland, as we explored in Part One. Resorts and other parks followed, and have combined to make Walt Disney World the top vacation destination in the world. Here in Part Two of our series, let’s connect with Walt in other Walt Disney World parks and resort hotels.

EPCOT

“But the most exciting and by far the most important part of our Florida project… in fact, the heart of everything we’ll be doing in Disney World… will be our Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow! We call it E.P.C.O.T.”

EPCOT was by far the most progressive portion of Walt’s Florida project. What was once meant to be a prototype for future living, transformed, after Walt passed, into a demonstration of scientific concepts and cultural ideals. Disney artists, designers, and Imagineers incorporated two key elements of Walt’s EPCOT dream – technology and world culture – into the two facets of a World’s Fair-style exposition.

World Showcase

As much as the 1964 World’s Fair was a celebration of…well…the world, in actuality it shone brightest as a showcase for Walt Disney’s imagination and his talented team. Walt was always interested in world culture, as evidenced by some of his more internationally-flavored films such as Pinocchio, Mary Poppins, Saludos Amigos, The Three Caballeros, Darby O’Gill and the Little People. These stories, and others, are celebrated throughout World Showcase.

The Germany Train

Many guests breeze right by the dynamic model train set dutifully running its loops outside the Germany pavilion. Others (such as myself and a great many other kids) are entranced by the sense of peace and purpose embedded in this tiny society. As we know, Walt Disney was a train enthusiast through and through. While this set doesn’t (to my knowledge) have a direct link to Walt, just the presence of a working train system like this is enough to connect with him.

Future World (now World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature)

Walt Disney wanted to entertain his guests first and foremost, and secondarily, help them learn something. While Disneyland and Magic Kingdom weighed heavily on entertainment, EPCOT’s Future World skewed more in the direction of education, matched with a healthy dose of entertainment. This philosophy, dubbed “edutainment” – a phrase used by Walt as early as 1954 – set EPCOT apart from all other theme parks in the 1980s.

The educational component of Future World has faded over the last couple decades, with most of the original pavilions being replaced with more story-based rides. Still, plenty of EPCOT’s World’s Fair flavor remains, including the immensely popular seasonal festivals, celebrating food, art, and culture from around the world.

The Monorail

The introduction of the Disneyland Monorail is the stuff of legend. Just ask Disney Legend Bob Gurr how the first official ride in that Monorail went. The look of the Disneyland Monorail circling above Tomorrowland directly inspired the way Walt Disney World’s EPCOT beam Monorail circles above the Future World portion of the park.

Diving a little deeper into the Monorail, we learn that Walt Disney didn’t just want the Monorail to be a ride. He wanted it to be a fully functioning mode of transportation. Today, almost sixty years after Walt’s death, the Monorail is still running strong in Florida.

Nighttime Spectaculars

When viewing the nighttime spectaculars in EPCOT (and other parks for that matter) keep an ear out for Uncle Walt. You just may hear his smooth, comforting voice stopping by to shmooze the crowd. Of particular note in EPCOT, the intermittent fireworks display “EPCOT Forever” features Walt giving part of the quote you read at the top of this section. It’s always nice to hear Walt.

Coming Soon – “Walt the Dreamer” in Dreamers Point

For several years now, EPCOT has been in a state of transformation, as Future World has been changing over to the trio of lands to be known as World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature. Coming soon to World Celebration, right behind Spaceship Earth, guests will have a new way to thank Walt. A “Walt the Dreamer” bronze statue will show Walt sitting at the top of a handful of steps (to be called Dreamers Point), gazing out at the endless possibilities of the world in front of him. Guests will be able to step right up to Walt, for a quick photo or just to pause and reflect.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly known as Disney-MGM Studios) was created to honor the world of cinema and film, and celebrate the glitz and glamor of Hollywood and moviemaking. According to previous Disney CEO Michael Eisner, the park celebrates “a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine, a place where illusion and reality are fused by technological magic. We welcome you to a Hollywood that never was—and always will be.” Of course, this romantic version of Hollywood lines up precisely with Walt Disney’s heyday in Tinseltown, and it’s only appropriate that the first entry on our list for this park is the only attraction in Walt Disney World specifically dedicated to celebrating the life of Walt Disney.

Walt Disney Presents

Perhaps the most complete (yet amazingly compact) way to learn about Walt and connect with him in Walt Disney World is by visiting Walt Disney Presents. This self-guided mini museum tour walks guests through the life of Walt Disney, starting with his childhood, continuing through his early career in Hollywood, the building of an animation and film empire, Disneyland, Disney parks worldwide, and looking toward the future. Originally opened to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Walt’s birth, the gallery includes a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind sketches, photos, models, costumes, artwork, and more. Guests looking for a quick break from the Florida heat can easily spend 10-15 minutes strolling through and cooling off. But Walt superfans like myself may spend an hour or more exploring the nooks and crannies of this trip through the life of a creator, dreamer, and doer.

At the end of Walt Disney Presents, guests often have the opportunity to catch a quick 15-minute documentary film called Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream. This short film showcases the life and times of Walt, featuring audio recordings, historical footage, and rarely seen home movies. If you are looking for a shot of inspiration, One Man’s Dream will certainly do the trick. Occasionally, One Man’s Dream is replaced with sneak peeks of upcoming Disney or Pixar films. While those sneak peeks are fun too, I’ll take a short film on Walt any day.

Hollywood Boulevard

Entering Hollywood Studios, guests first find themselves on Hollywood Boulevard – the “Main Street, USA” of the park. This chrome and neon-adorned thoroughfare immediately puts guests back into Walt’s heyday.

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

At the far end of the boulevard, guests will find a full-scale replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre – the famous Hollywood landmark. Grauman’s Chinese Theater notably hosted premieres of Mary Poppins in 1964 and The Jungle Book in 1967. Disney’s theater facade proudly honors Walt’s greatest creation – Mickey Mouse – with an attraction all his own (of course, park purists still lament the loss of the theater’s former attraction – the much missed Great Movie Ride). In the theater’s forecourt,  guests can explore over 100 celebrity imprints, including Audrey Hepburn, Tom Cruise, Dick Clark, Donald Duck, Michael J. Fox, Michael Jackson, Angela Lansbury, Roger Rabbit, George Lucas, and Robin Williams, among many others.

Echo Lake and Gertie the Dinosaur

So you know that tall green brontosaurus happily wading in the lake to the left of the Chinese Theater? It’s not a misplaced resident from Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand U.S.A. It’s Gertie the Dinosaur – a pioneer of animation! Gertie is an homage to one of the earliest animation pieces, created by Winsor McKay in 1913. Early animation pieces like Gertie were among the largest influences of an up-and-coming animator named Walt Disney.

As for the lake Gertie is using to cool off? That is Echo Lake – based on a small lake of the same name in Northern Los Angeles. Being conveniently located in LA, the lake has been the filming location of many movie scenes. Are you a Star Wars fan like me? You may have mistakenly thought Echo Lake was named after Echo Base – a location from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. Given the nearby proximity of Star Tours and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this is a perfectly understandable mistake to make!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Opening alongside the Polynesian Resort and Magic Kingdom in 1971, Disney’s Contemporary Resort has Walt’s urban planning fingerprints all over it. The skeleton of the unique A-frame building was constructed in place, but the individual rooms were actually built off-site, then lifted by crane and slid into place in the frame, with the intention that rooms could be replaced when needed, based on the need for updates. In keeping with Walt’s historical insistence of cohesive theming, the modern-looking hotel blends nicely with the futuristic feel of nearby Tomorrowland.

The resort is located only a short walk from Magic Kingdom, but it also offers the convenience and whimsy of hopping a ride of the Monorail, which passes directly through the hotel’s Grand Canyon Concourse. The name of the concourse was inspired by the giant floor-to-ceiling mural created by Disney Legend Mary Blair. Blair was one of Walt’s favorite artists. She and her husband Lee both had the privilege of joining Walt on his South American goodwill tour, as part of “El Grupo.” Blair’s use of color and simplistic designs appealed to Walt, and her style directly influenced films like Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan, and the iconic attraction “it’s a small world.”

The Pueblo Village Mural wraps around all four sides of the Contemporary’s center support (which also functions as the main elevator bank). The mural stands 90 feet (nine stories) tall, and includes over 18,000 one-foot-square tiles. 

Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Always a kid at heart, Walt Disney enjoyed a lifelong fascination with trains. They were a part of his life from his earliest days in Marceline, Missouri. The Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge celebrates Walt’s love of trains. This peaceful place doesn’t attract many visitors. It is not in a heavily traveled area, and there are no cast members offering tours. Functionally speaking, it is one of those quiet little nook rooms that Walt Disney World sprinkles outside the main lobbies of most of its moderate and deluxe resorts. There are a few tables, a handful of chairs, a stone fireplace…and an awe-inspiring collection of memorabilia and imagery celebrating Walt Disney’s romance with the rails.

The centerpiece of the room, carefully protected in a plexiglass case, displays two cars from the Lilly Belle train that circled Walt’s backyard of 355 Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Nearby on the wall, guests can see photos of Walt and his visitors (many of them children) enjoying the train in his yard. Other pieces in the room include models of other Walt-centered trains, memorabilia, photos, paintings, and notes. This room is a must-see for fans of Walt Disney, railroad enthusiasts, and anyone who just wants to rekindle a bit of that childlike sense of wonder. You can read my full experience of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room here.

Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

One of the newest additions at Walt Disney World is Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The sixteen-story tower is themed with a modern twist to classic Spanish style, and celebrates the relationship of Walt Disney and Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali, who jointly created the breathtaking short film Destino.

This film was literally 58 years in the making. Production on the collaboration began in 1945, but was put on hold in 1946 (conjecture on the reason for pausing production ranges from financial constraints to creative differences). True to the “No Good Idea Ever Truly Dies” spirit of the Walt Disney Company, the project was resurrected by Walt’s nephew Roy E. Disney in 1999, during production of Fantasia 2000.  The short was completed and released in 2003.

The story is largely set in the surreal world of Dali’s paintings, and features the ill-fated love story of a mortal woman named Dahlia and the immortal Chronos, who personifies time.  Though the two wish to be together forever, their destiny will not allow for it.

The influence of Salvador Dali and Destino can be found all throughout Gran Destino Tower, in the art and decor. Dahlia is specifically represented in a beautiful portrait in the main lobby, across from a similar portrait of Walt and Mickey. Destino plays on several screens in the main lobby and in the Dahlia Lounge, located on the tower’s 16th floor.

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Thank you for coming along on our Grand Circle Tour of Walt Disney’s inspirations in Walt Disney World. Keep Walt’s spirit alive by leading an inspired, creative, and positive lifestyle. You just may be surprised at what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it!

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Disney parks worldwide offer guests a chance to shed the weight of “real life” and experience a bit of magic and whimsy for a few days. The essence of Walt Disney is embedded into each and every Disney park, and specific connections and tributes are plentiful, if you know where to look. Disneyland may be the “holy grail” of Walt Disney connections, but Walt Disney World has more than its share of inspiration from the man who started it all.

In this two-part series, let’s take a look at the best places to appreciate Walt Disney in Walt Disney World. Since Magic Kingdom is chock full of Walt’s spirit, we’ll start there in Part One, and move on to the other parks and a few resorts for Part Two.

Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is the closest thing Florida has to Walt’s original Disneyland park. So it is unsurprising that the majority of Walt Disney connections reside firmly in this park. Let’s go for a walk. You’ll notice many of these highlights mirror what you’ll find in Disneyland (and that’s perfectly ok).

Main Street Train Station

The very first place guests go on the way into the park is beneath the famous Disney train tracks. Much like in Disneyland, Magic Kingdom’s train tracks lovingly wrap the park, encircling guests inside Walt’s wondrous world. The station’s exterior is modeled after a former Saratoga Springs railroad station, which no longer exists today. The most notable homage to Walt on the outside of the building is the famous window reading “Walt Disney World Railroad Office – Keeping Dreams on Track – Walter E. Disney – Chief Engineer.”

The bottom floor of the train station (which is primarily used for stroller rentals) is chock full of images celebrating Walt’s love of trains. The ground floor also features a bulletin board displaying train arrivals and departures. The destinations on this board are full of subtle Disney references, including Kimball Canyon (named after Disney Legend Ward Kimball), Medfield (named after Medfield College – the setting for a number of Disney films, including The Absent Minded Professor, Son of Flubber, and The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes), and Harrington (the town depicted in the Disney film Pollyanna), among others. Even if you have no need for a stroller, a visit to this space is well worth the time.

To ride the rails, guests must first ascend to the second floor loading platform. There, guests might catch a ride on one of four trains, No. 1 – Walter E. Disney, No. 2 – Lilly Belle (named after Walt’s wife), No. 3 – Roger E. Broggie (head of the Disney Studios machine shop and fellow train enthusiast, often considered the first Disney Imagineer), and No. 4 – Roy O. Disney (Walt’s brother). There’s no better place to ride with Walt than on a “Grand Circle Tour” around his wonderland.

Main Street, U.S.A.

The ideals of Walt Disney’s America began in the place where Walt spent his most vividly memorable childhood days – Marceline, Missouri. Main Street, U.S.A. captures the romantic spirit of America’s small town yesterday, nestled in between the train station and Cinderella Castle. This early 20th-century throwback is a combination of Walt’s boyhood home of Marceline, mixed with a bit of Fort Collins, Colorado (the childhood home of Disney Legend Harper Goff).

On Main Street, time stands still, so feel free to take it slow, relax, and enjoy a trip into the idealistic past. The smells of popcorn and pastries waft through the air. The klip-klop of horse-drawn buggies and the ringing bells of busy trolleys ping the ears. If you’re there at the right time, the Dapper Dans will fill your soul with the musical melodies from a simpler time.

Walt Disney was the ultimate American. As he himself stated, “If you could see close in my eyes, the American flag is waving in both of them and up my spine is growing this red, white and blue stripe.” At Disneyland, Walt insisted that the American flag be respectfully raised up the Town Square flagpole every morning, and safely tucked away each night – a tradition that continues to this day (even during the COVID park shutdowns!). Flag raising and retreat ceremonies are part of daily life on Magic Kingdom’s Main Street as well.

You may wonder about all the flags atop the other buildings along Main Street? Those flags are of a slightly different design, with a slightly different number of stars and stripes. As such, those flags don’t qualify as Old Glory, and serve instead as pennants, which wave proudly through day and night, but don’t carry the same protocol of maintenance.

Speaking of Town Square, don’t forget to say “hi” to Walt’s brother Roy, who sits comfortably “Sharing the Magic” on a bench with Minnie Mouse. Roy was not only Walt’s brother, he was a tireless business partner 100% invested in Walt’s dream, who worked behind the scenes to help his brother’s whimsical dreams come reality. After Walt passed, Roy postponed his own retirement so he could guide the opening of Walt Disney World. He courageously delivered Magic Kingdom’s Opening Day speech on October 1, 1971, and sadly passed away only a few months after the park opened.

Walking up Main Street towards Cinderella Castle, don’t forget to look up. Many windows along the Main Street shops pay homage to folks who helped make Disney magic a reality. Disney Legends like Buddy Baker, Mary Blair, X. Atencio, Tony Baxter, John Hench, and Walt Disney himself (among many, many others) are memorialized here in beautifully crafted, clever nods to greatness.

When you reach the hub at the top of Main Street, take a moment to thank Walt for the magic that surrounds you. In fact, feel free to take a picture with him. The “Partners” statue of Walt and Mickey stands proudly at the center of the park.

Nods to the 1964 World’s Fair

The later 1950s and earlier 1960s was a time of explosive creativity for Walt Disney and his storytellers and artists. Disneyland’s Tomorrowland was given a major expansion and update in 1959 with the addition of the Monorail, Submarine Voyage, and the Matterhorn. In the early 1960s, prominent corporations came calling for Walt when they wanted show stopping attractions for the upcoming 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Walt and his team wowed the world when they created four unforgettable attractions (and one very cool tower) for the fair. Three of those attractions are represented in Magic Kingdom.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Originally created for General Electric, the Carousel of Progress is a four-scene play, following the American family through four eras of life, seen through the progression of technology. The father, John, narrates the journey from a central, fixed stage. The audience revolves around the central stage, giving the carousel its name. The Carousel of Progress wasn’t the first attraction to feature audio-animatronics, but the previous pioneering of this technology paved the way for this show. The Carousel of Progress was moved from its location at the World’s Fair to Disneyland in 1967, and then eventually to Magic Kingdom in 1975.

Of course, no discussion of the Carousel of Progress would be complete without acknowledging the legendary Sherman Brothers, who penned the show’s original theme song “It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” as well as a one-time replacement theme song “The Best Time of Your Life.” Before you head into the theater, take a few minutes to watch the video of Walt Disney with Richard and Robert Sherman, playing the show’s signature song as a sort of “pitch” to General Electric. The video perfectly showcases Walt’s unending charisma.

“it’s a small world”

Another World’s Fair inspiration, “it’s a small world” was created for Pepsi Cola (way back when Pepsi was still a major partner with Disney). This journey around the world of children was of particular importance to Walt, who himself always maintains the spirit of a hopeful child. The Magic Kingdom version doesn’t quite match the caliber or spectacle of the Disneyland version, but it still speaks to Walt’s unfailing optimism. And you know that infectious earworm song? You can thank the Sherman Brothers for that little tune.

Hall of Presidents

Another of Walt’s big splashes at the World’s Fair was Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, created for the state of Illinois. Lincoln was, at the time, the most advanced animatronic ever attempted by Disney, and he wowed guests from all over the world with his lifelike movements. The original Mr. Lincoln moved to Disneyland after the conclusion of the Fair, and he resides there to this day.

But over at Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square, A second Lincoln leads a cast of every president ever to serve the United States in the Hall of Presidents. Lincoln once again recites his famous Gettysburg Address, and George Washington recites a speech as well. The current U.S. president recites the presidential oath.

Walt’s patriotism is fully on display here, as evidenced by several photos of Walt with former presidents. There’s also a bust of Walt in the attraction’s lobby. And perhaps the coolest nod to our Founding Fathers is the The Great Seal of the United States, which is only displayed in two locations – the White House and Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents.

When you leave the Hall of Presidents, be sure to walk across the square to check out the Liberty Tree and its hanging lanterns, made famous in Disney’s 1957 film Johnny Tremain. Next to the Liberty Tree, check out the state flags of the original 13 states and a replica of the Liberty Bell. Walt would be proud of this homage to colonial America.

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

The birthplace of Disney’s famous audio-animatronics is Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland. This roughly 15-minute show treats guests to a relaxing “tropical serenade” including over 150 singing and dancing birds, flowers, tikis, and even a singing waterfall.

Walt originally conceived of the Tiki Room as a restaurant where guests could enjoy a meal while being serenaded and entertained. Rolly Crump – one of Walt’s favorite creators – led the artist design of this legendary attraction. This attraction, along with the Carousel of Progress, are the only ones in Walt Disney World which are titled “Walt Disney’s…” Tip: grab a Dole Whip nearby before entering the attraction – you can enjoy it during the show!

Country Bear Jamboree

One of the last projects Walt Disney was working on before his death in 1966 was the Mineral King Ski Resort in California. While not a great skier, Walt enjoyed a good day on the slopes. His dream ski resort in the Sequoias would have included upwards of 14 ski lifts and a gondola system that would connect eight mountain peaks above the resort’s village. Dining options would include ten restaurants and cafes, and a 150-seat coffee shop set atop Eagle’s Crest Ridge, which would be called Walt Disney’s Sky Crown.

Entertainment at one of Walt’s restaurants would be provided by none other than a group of audio animatronic bears, straight out of the Sequoias. Disney Legend Marc Davis designed the show with a healthy portion of his classic humor and wit.

After Walt’s death, environmental concerns over the development of this pristine land stalled the project. With growing environmental opposition, and without Walt to champion the romance of the project to success, the Walt Disney Company eventually dropped the idea. But out of this failure was born the Country Bear Jamboree, an attraction which lives on to this day in Magic Kingdom.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

Transportation and urban planning were among Walt Disney’s passion projects. Walt’s fascination with transportation improvements led him to employing the short-lived Viewliner in Disneyland, which was followed by the world-famous Monorail. A slightly more casual way of traveling around Tomorrowland was the PeopleMover. While this attraction no longer exists in Disneyland, it is still wildly popular in Magic Kingdom.

While the transportation aspect of this attraction is a worthwhile Walt connection in and of itself, an even more poignant connection to Walt resides along the PeopleMover’s route. When cruising above Tomorrowland on the way to Space Mountain, attentive guests will notice a small diorama of a “city of the future” along an inside portion of the route. This is a portion of Walt’s Progress City/EPCOT model. This model formerly resided outside the window of the last scene in Disneyland’s Carousel of Progress. When the attraction moved to Magic Kingdom, the model was displaced, and a portion of it was installed along the PeopleMover’s route.

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Did you find enough of Walt Disney in the Magic Kingdom? He’s all over the place, once you know where to look. Connect with Walt in other parts of Walt Disney World in Part Two of our series, where we’ll explore other Walt Disney World parks, as well as a few resorts.

While we are talking about Walt, do you have a favorite Walt Disney quote? Share it with us with a comment to this article, or on social at:

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On that very first Disney trip back in October 2004, I was undoubtedly nervous. Not because I had no idea what Disney had in store for us, I had been there when I was ten and loved it even then. My nervousness was largely due to the ring strategically hidden in the pocket of my shorts for the past few days. Day two went by, and then day three, as I was constantly searching for an opportunity to steal away a moment with Colleen to create the perfect memory.

The time never seemed to be right, even when we met up with friends in Magic Kingdom, which would allow us the time to get away on our own. Finally, late that night on a moonlit beach at The Contemporary Resort, as Karen drifted off to sleep, I seized the moment. During a short stroll with Colleen, just yards from our garden suite patio, as I commented on the resort lights reflecting at the water’s edge, I took a knee and bought into the magic before me. The warm night air, that moonlit beach, and most importantly of all, the woman who came to mean so much to me throughout those past 11 months. And she said yes!

I’m sure there are many stories like that and more just as spectacular in their own way. The one thing they have in common is the magic surrounding them as they choose to make their dream come true. This has always been the basis of our love of Disney, and specifically Disney World. Whether it is the grand gesture of a proposal or the added sparkle in a little girl’s eyes when they discover the delight of breakfast at Cinderella’s Castle, the magic is there if you search for it.

That little girl became a big sister twice in two years, thoroughly enjoying sharing with her brothers all things Disney. Beginning with movies and then onto Disney World, that little girl became an accomplished guide for her brothers as they all found a bond with the magic they discovered together. Colleen and I entertained the idea of buying into the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) in 2009 but ultimately decided it wasn’t the right time.

Finally, in 2012, on our fifth vacation to WDW, we took the plunge and literally bought into the magic. We chose our Home to be Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary, which was literally built in the area I had proposed. The magic there has held a deeper meaning to us all ever since.

Becoming DVC Members has allowed us to stay at top-tier resorts, known as deluxe resorts, in a way we couldn’t otherwise. Split-stays between two resorts during one vacation, for example, is not something we would have typically been able to do financially without our DVC membership. The ability to stay at a resort we most likely wouldn’t have been able to have given us memories we cherish to this day.

Once such memory was a split-stay between Bay Lake Tower and Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL). We booked a week-long trip which ended with two days at AKL. At the time, our daughter was in high school and beginning to question the appeal of yet another Disney trip. In fact, for that trip, we had her bring a friend to help with the potential “Disney again” attitude. When we arrived on the fifth day of our trip to our Savana-view rooms, our daughter and her friend were so taken by our new resort that they asked why we hadn’t booked our stay longer than two days at AKL. They absolutely loved it!

For planning purposes, being a DVC Member has also allowed us to plan way ahead – 11 months ahead for our Home Resort, Bay Lake Tower, and seven months ahead for all other resorts. The result? It has been a rare incident when we’ve found it difficult to book a room exactly when we needed it.

Being a Disney-loving family based in the midwest, it is important for us to be able to book a reservation for the resort we want during the dates we have available. We don’t typically have much flexibility with our dates and would like to stay as long as we can when we book. Planning with confidence has always been a benefit you rarely hear about, but which, for us, has been priceless.

When it comes right down to quality rooms and amenities, which are appreciated and have come expected, DVC resorts deliver. They consistently deliver spacious rooms with amenities that have grown with our children, including fitness facilities, walking/running paths, pools, gift shops, and various locations. Even in vacationing it can be all about location, location, location. As our kids have grown, they’ve come to want to experience different locations.

Boardwalk has been one such location that has benefited our children as they’ve gotten older. EPCOT has become a must-do and a full-day park. Several quality resort choices located right next to EPCOT on Crescent Lake allow access to EPCOT through the International Gateway entrance and become an attractive option for growing families.

No matter how you achieve your stay in Walt Disney World, traditional bookings, or DVC-specific resorts and villas, one thing is the same; the magic. It’s still there, even if, at times, the magic is self-made. A game of cards while sitting out a short rain storm behind Drinkwhallah in Animal Kingdom, asking for a once-in-a-lifetime ride up front on a Monorail (when it was possible), or watching your children’s eyes light up for the 50th time they watch Happily Ever After because within those fireworks are memories… the magic is still there. We chose to buy into the magic long before we bought into DVC. And how could we not? It was and is everywhere.

Sometimes it’s the magic created by the performer in a show or the magic of an exhilarating ride, or possible, on occasion, it’s the magic in the memories we make ourselves because of where we are and what that makes us feel.

I was blessed to spend the week of my 40th birthday with 13 friends and family at Walt Disney World. It was an amazing trip, all of us together like that. We stayed at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. We loved the convenience of the quick walk or boat ride to EPCOT (bonus: it was during the Food & Wine Festival!) and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I can’t tell you how often my dad and I went down the awesome water slide in Stormalong Bay, the Yacht Club, and Beach Club’s water park area. I had two solo days at the end of that trip when everyone else had gone home. While I enjoyed my solo time at a slower pace (this was on Days 7 and 8!), what I remember most from that trip are the memories that my loved ones and I created together.

In December 2018, my family once again went to Walt Disney World to celebrate a milestone birthday for my mom. What my mom didn’t know was that I had been planning since July with my Aunt Carol and Uncle Ray for them to come and surprise her! My mom noticed on My Disney Experience that we had 2 extra people on our dining reservations – I told her that it was an error on Disney’s part (sorry, Disney!), and that I’d call and correct it. She truly had no idea that they were coming. We had so much fun surprising her like that, and then the rest of the Disney vacation was just magical. This was my aunt and uncle’s first trip to Walt Disney World! We really had a wonderful time together.

In January, my aunt became ill. She sadly passed away at the end of February. At her memorial services, people close to my aunt told my mom and me how much joy it gave my aunt to plan that trip with me and to surprise my mom. They told me how my aunt told them how wonderful a time we all had together on the vacation. Our shared memories are all the more cherished by us, with my aunt having passed so recently, just a few months after our trip together.

People sometimes save up for months, if not years, to take their family to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. They plan and have a set itinerary; then they are stressed during the trip to make every FastPass and dining reservation. Don’t get me wrong, I am a HUGE planner! I love planning Disney trips. I recommend using the My Disney Experience app in the parks to make FastPasses, reserve dining, and for mobile ordering at the counter service locations that offer it. Here’s what I also recommend – be flexible with your plans. Allow for contingencies because things will happen. There will be a downpour when you plan to watch fireworks (it’s Florida!). You will miss a bus or a boat to a park. Someone you’re with will get sick on your trip, and then you will get sick! I’ve had all these things happen on my Disney trips.

What Matters Most is Being Together and Creating Magical Memories Together

The Disney parks are the perfect background for these memories, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you missed your character breakfast dining reservation. So when you’re feeling stressed on your next Disney vacation, take a deep breath, and relax. Put your phone away. Watch your loved ones as they smile and laugh on rides. Talk to each other in the line queues (did I mention putting your phone away?). Be present.

Now, go find a loved one to hug, and then plan your next Disney vacation to create more magical memories together.

What are some of your favorite ways to create magical memories with your loved ones? In my next few posts, I’ll discuss different ways to make some magic with your friends and family – inside and outside the Disney parks, and on the Disney Cruise Line! If you’re looking for fun activities for adults without needing a park ticket, here are some ideas for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort areas.

What is resort hopping, you may ask? I define resort hopping as splitting your vacation into two or more resort stays. I started resort hopping a few years ago (more on why later!). In a way, resort hopping feels like more than one vacation. I especially like resort hopping for longer trips, it helps to break up the trip.

Here are my pros and cons for Walt Disney World resort hopping.

Pros of Disney Resort Hopping

Maximize Your Valuable Vacation Time

Vacation time is very precious because you’re spending your hard earned money to have fun on limited time, so we want to maximize that valuable time as much as possible! When you stay at two or more Walt Disney World resorts during the same vacation, you can stay close to different parks in the same trip. Plan your itinerary around the closest parks and restaurants to each resort to minimize your travel time and maximize your fun time at the parks and at each resort.

If you stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, take full advantage of being 5 minutes away from the Animal Kingdom Park. If you stay in the Boardwalk area, it’s a quick walk or boat ride to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. So maximize your time in those parks, and enjoy exploring the Boardwalk area while you’re staying there.

What About the Luggage?

Disney will move your bags for you, from your first resort to your next resort, free of charge. Note that your bags may not be available until later in the day at your new resort. I prefer to move my own bags from one resort to the next. You can take your bags on Disney transportation. I’ll either drive or take a car service to my next resort. If my room isn’t ready, then I’ll store my bags at Bell Services and either explore the resort, or head to the parks or Disney Springs. If you want to truly maximize your time, head to the parks while Disney moves your bags for you. Then make your way to your new resort, where your bags will be waiting for you!

Experience Fully the Different Resorts

When I lived in New York and only went to Walt Disney World once a year (if that), I really enjoyed resort hopping as a way to learn more about different resorts on the same trip. It’s great to visit a resort during your WDW vacation, but I think you learn so much more about the resort by staying there and really experiencing it firsthand overnight. Now that I live in central Florida, it’s not as important to me to resort hop because it’s much easier for me to go to WDW for a 1-night stay at a different resort each time.

Take full advantage of your resort stays whenever possible, and build some time into your itinerary to simply explore the resort. Most resorts have special activities at different times of day – some are published, and some are not.

Around 4:00 PM at the Grand Floridian, often Cinderella and Prince Charming descend the grand staircase into the lobby and waltz, as the Grand Society Orchestra plays. Then they invite others to join in the waltz. It was such a sweet unexpected moment!

Non-Parks Days

It’s very easy to spend a non-park day at many resorts. At Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can take a culinary tour of restaurants; explore the different paths along the savanna; and watch animals on the savanna from the paths or one of the many higher up viewing areas that have relaxing rocking chairs and binocular machines. You can explore the amazing Zawadi Marketplace gift shop, where often people are creating their crafts – I’ve seen woodcarvers whittling away their creations, really amazing! I’ll be writing more soon about resort ideas for non-park days.

Amanda’s advice… For split-stays, start with the lower category resort.  When you move to the higher category resort, it feels like an upgrade. 

Cons of Disney Resort Hopping

No Home Base for at Least 5 Hours

Check-out is usually 11:00 AM at WDW Resorts. You can request a late check-out, but usually only until 12:00 PM (and your request isn’t always granted). Then you have to wait until at least 4:00 PM to check into the next resort. If you head to the parks or Disney Springs in the morning and don’t need your room until that evening, then this won’t affect you. However, I’ve found that there are many days when I wanted to go swimming in the afternoon, or just go back to my resort room for a breather to take a break from the heat. If I was in between resort stays, that wouldn’t work, unless my new resort room was ready before 4:00 PM official check-in time.

Amanda’s advice… Sometimes, rooms won’t be ready until after 4:00 PM, so be prepared for that. Unfortunately, this happened to me on my last 2 stays at the Beach Club, when all I wanted to do was change into my swimsuit and enjoy every moment possible at the amazing Stormalong Bay! I could have planned better and packed my swimsuit in my day bag.

You Have to Pack More than Once

There’s no way around it – if you move resorts, you have to pack up your resort room more than once. This may not be a big deal if you’re traveling solo, but it may be more difficult with more people in your party.

You Will Not Be Able To Reserve All Dining At Once

If you are going on a long trip to WDW and are staying at the same resort, you have a better chance of snagging the really popular dining reservations 60 days out from your arrival date. If you do a split-stay, you can only make dining reservations 60 days from each resort arrival date, so you lose that advantage. One way to still resort-hop and have a better chance of securing the dining reservations you want is just to spend your last 1-2 nights of a longer trip at a second resort.

Be Aware Of Some Disney Reservation System Technicalities

This is more for all resort stays with multiple people and multiple credit cards in one room… If you have 2 or more people in one room on separate credit cards, and one person leaves before the others, the last person who vacates the room has to be the one to check out. Otherwise, the remaining people can’t get back into the room if the first person leaving checks out. This applies even if someone leaves a day or more earlier than the scheduled last day on the reservation. We found this out the hard way. When one person left a day early, we still had a day left on our room reservation. After she checked out, our MagicBands would not work to let us back into our room because she had stopped at the front desk to close out her account with her charge card. When she checked out, the Disney reservation system automatically marked us as having checked out of the room. For a split stay, this is important if, for example, you stay with a friend at All Star Movies, then you resort hop to Wilderness Lodge for a night, but your friend continues to stay at All Star Movies.

Final Thoughts on Disney Resort Hopping

I fully recommend resort hopping. Try it at least once, and then decide if it’s right for you and your travel party. Resort hopping probably isn’t ideal for every single trip. Plan what you think will be best for you if traveling solo, or for you and your travel party if going as a group.

This event has evolved and expanded greatly over the years. I remember going in November 2000, when we didn’t have to wait in line at the booths. Back then (I’m dating myself), there weren’t nearly as many booths as there are now – over 30 booths this year! Considering each booth has 5-10 foods and beverages, that’s between 150-300 items to sample! It’s a good thing we still have over 2 months remaining to indulge.

While it’s certainly fun to go to the Festival with family and friends, here are some advantages to experiencing the Festival solo.

GO WITH YOUR GUT

Maybe you’re craving sweets and want to hit every dessert at the Festival, especially that chocolate lava cake in Ireland. Or maybe those Hummus fries at the Morocco booth are the best thing you’ve ever had, and you need 2 more helpings. There’s no one with you (not that your friends and family would ever judge you, right?), so go for it! Eat and drink whatever you like.

BE FLEXIBLE

It’s hard to predict how long lines may be at certain booths. If you see a long line at the Africa booth, move on to any of the 7 nearby booths between China and Italy. Then loop back to the Africa booth when the line dies down.

TREAT YOURSELF TO SOMETHING SPECIAL

There are many special events offered during the festival. These events are some of my favorites, as they aren’t offered any other time of the year. A few years ago during the Festival, I went solo to a special 8-course dinner and wine pairing at Flying Fish. I was seated at a table for 8 people. Our table consisted of 2 couples, one group of 3, and me. By the 2nd course, we were all laughing and enjoying our food and wine together. Plus, the executive chef and the winery owner introduced each course and wine pairing. It was a really enjoyable and delicious evening.

SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS

For a small fee, the Festival features several types of culinary demonstrations and beverage seminars. This is a perfect activity to do solo, since you’re either watching the chef make a dish  or mix a drink (and maybe sampling it if you’re lucky). Book these events before you go if you have your heart set on one, just in case it fills up.

DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING

Do you feel the need to dance along with Boyz II Men to Motownphilly? Or maybe you want to rock along with Starship. Enjoy the Eat to the Beat concert series while at the Festival. A great part about being solo is that it’s far easier to find a seat for just one person in the American Adventure pavilion. If you’d rather just enjoy the tunes and not commit to sitting down in the pavilion, then grab some food and drinks at the Hops & Barley booth as you sing along to the music in the background.

Here are my top 10 ways to enjoy the Disney parks solo.

#1 – Don’t Feel Self-Conscious

On my first solo trip to Walt Disney World in 2014, I thought people would see me by myself and would wonder why I was at a Disney park alone. Aren’t Disney parks supposed to be for families, especially kids? It turns out that everyone was so focused on their own plans, like rushing to their next FastPass (at that time) or comforting their cranky kid, that they could have cared less that I was by myself. Now when I go to Disney parks solo, I don’t worry about what others may think. I wait in line to have a PhotoPass photographer take my picture solo because I want to capture the memory of my visit for myself and share it with family, friends, and you!

#2 – Talk to Cast Members

If you’re traveling solo and are feeling a bit lonely, or just want some great conversation, talk with a Cast Member. When I’m going solo, I find that Cast Members take more time speaking with me. Most Cast Members enjoy sharing their wealth of Disney knowledge, discussing where they’re from (indicated on their nametags), or answering any questions you have.  It’s usually challenging to engage a Cast Member in conversation while waiting for an attraction because they’re doing their job to keep the line moving and safely loading people into the attraction, and I don’t want to interfere with that! The best places to speak with Cast Members tend to be in shops when they’re not busy, at the resorts when there’s not a line of people behind you at the front desk or bell services, and at restaurants and bars when it’s not super busy. If you’re lucky enough to have a solo bus (yes, it’s happened to me a few times), some bus drivers really love to chat, and they have some great stories!

#3 – Sit at the Bar or Counter

Most restaurants with table service in Disney parks and at resorts will have an option to sit at the bar or the counter. If you don’t have an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) and it’s a busy time of day, ask at the host stand if there’s room at the bar or counter. This has worked for me at Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and it was great fun to watch all the food being cooked and the sundaes being made!  Sitting alone at the bar or counter is another great way to interact more with Cast Members – of course, you have to understand that they are doing their job, but if it’s slow, it’s a great time to talk with them, as well as other guests sitting around you who are open to chatting.

Amanda’s advice…

Sit at the bar in a lounge because you’ll typically be served faster by the bartender than the servers who come around to the tables. Plus, it’s usually easier to find one open seat at the bar than to find an open table. One of my favorite bars is Phin’s inside of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort.  

#4 – Reserve a Special Activity

If you’re hesitant about going to the parks by yourself, reserve a special activity that you’ll do with a group of people. Disney Parks offer several guided group tours. I loved the Keys to the Kingdom tour at WDW’s Magic Kingdom, a 4-hour backstage tour. Our tour group had about 24 people and included lunch with assigned tables. Disney planned it well and assigned me to sit with 2 other solo travelers and the tour guide – bonus! Another great solo activity is to make a spa appointment. Disney has some terrific spas at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. I highly recommend the Mandara Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Disneyland.

#5 – Put Your Phone Down

This tip is really for anyone, not just solo travelers. These days when I’m in the Disney parks, everyone is on their phones – in lines, while eating, and sometimes while walking! When I travel solo, my first instinct when I’m waiting in line is to grab my phone. I encourage you to put your phone down and really take in the park with all your senses. Did you know that the sense of smell is most closely linked to our memories? Take in the smells of a nearby food kiosk or of the dampness in Pirates of the Caribbean. Listen to the background music playing in each land. Watch other people in line or walking by. See if you can spot other people traveling solo – I almost always do these days in the parks.

#6 – Explore Outside the Parks

Even though I’m now a local to Walt Disney World, I know the feeling of wanting to cram everything in each park into the limited number of days on a Disney trip. I’ve done it many times, and I’m telling you – resist that urge! Disney has so many great resorts that are worth exploring. One of my favorite moments on an unexpectedly cool November trip to Walt Disney World was exploring Wilderness Lodge for the first time and finding a fireplace on a higher floor with a rocking chair – it was heavenly! Also, don’t forget to check out Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Downtown Disney at Disneyland when you need a break from the parks.

#7 – Meet Characters

Do you enjoy meeting characters? I admit as an adult, I felt awkward about meeting characters at first. Once I started meeting them, I realized how much fun these interactions can be. Some characters, like the princesses and Mary Poppins, will carry on conversations with you. The characters who aren’t ‘face’ characters (like Mickey and Minnie) don’t often speak, but they are still a lot of fun to meet!

You can meet characters at a character meal, wait in line at designated meeting locations in the parks, or watch for characters wandering around the park. Characters in training seem to frequently be spotted around EPCOT’s International Gateway and the UK. I was exiting EPCOT that way and ran into Gepetto and Ariel on different days.

#8 – Skip a Park Opening

I know this tip sounds crazy! It pains me to write it because, as a Disney planner extraordinaire. I know that park opening is the best time of day to experience the most attractions since the lines are the shortest. If you are blessed to spend multiple days at a Disney park, I recommend skipping a park opening one day.  One morning, I went swimming at the Port Orleans Riverside leisure pool, and I had the entire pool to myself.

Amanda’s advice…

Often, it can be easy to make a last-minute ADR for one person. I’ve made same-morning breakfast ADRs several times when I woke up and felt like taking it slow that morning. The Grand Floridan Cafe is a favorite of mine for breakfast and often has morning availability. 

#9 – Be Spontaneous

Again, the planner in me wants to resist this, but some of my favorite memories have come from allowing myself to be spontaneous. On that same cold November trip, I was in the Magic Kingdom for the evening. Many people had left because it was so cold, but I stuck it out. I had a great view of the nighttime parade, the Main Street Electrical Parade, because hardly anyone was still in the Magic Kingdom.

Another way to be spontaneous is to try bus roulette at Walt Disney World. Take the first bus that comes from your resort. It may be to a park or to Disney Springs. (Full disclosure – I love my plans and haven’t yet been able to bring myself to jump on the first bus yet, but it’s a goal!)

#10 – Don’t Wait to Go Solo!

Perhaps the most important tip… don’t wait to go solo! Don’t wait for your friends and family to decide if they want to go with you. Set the date, plan the trip, and do it! Going solo costs more than splitting the cost of a hotel room with others, so consider that when setting your budget. If you can’t afford to go solo, then carve out some time during your next visit to a Disney park with friends or family. If they want to sleep in, tell them you’ll meet them later and go on your own for a few hours. This is a great way to see if you like going solo.

Do you have favorite ways to enjoy the Disney Parks solo?  Connect with me here »