DISNEY!!!

Ok, I love Disney.  I love Disney World, I love Disneyland, I love Disney food, I love Disney Food Festivals, I love Disney races!

Up until 2018, I was a annual passholder at Disney World. I have a lot of advice and opinions and information that could help you out.  I have been to Disneyland twice and some of my general tips are relevant there as well, but there are plenty of people that have more info on that location than I do.

This information is what I've created for friends and family going to the parks for the first time.  Some of it will soon be outdated as things change, in terms of attractions as such, but most of it will remain relevant.

Disney According to Kris

Chapter 1: Important things to know

- Download "My Disney Experience" and set up your account. You can access it by computer or smart phone and its is a great source of information.  You can set up your fast passes, you can review menus, you can set dining reservations, you can do all your planning.  While at the park, you can use the map, you can check ride wait times, you can check for ride closures and you can look for bathrooms.  It uses GPS and can direct you anywhere you want to go.

- You will probably look at my bazillion page list of tips and feel overwhelmed.  Disney is huge and there is so much to do and know.  The unprepared will often have issues.  The more you know the better your time will be.  The more prepared you are the more relaxed you will be during your trip.

- Disney can be extremely overwhelming for kids.  Especially young kids, so pace yourself and be sure to take time to recharge and rest throughout the day. 

- Hydration is important.  Dehydrated kids are cranky.  Dehydrated adults are also cranky.

- Estimate you will be walking 10 miles a day on park days.  Wear very good, broken in shoes.  Wear 2 pair of socks.  Pack Band-Aids.

- Florida is hot and many people chose to wear shorts or skirts rather than long pants. It is important to remember that you will be in and out of air-conditioning all day long. You sweat, the sweat dries and leaves microscopic salt crystal on your skin. You don’t ever want your skin rubbing up against other skin. This includes thighs, under the arms and (for the ladies) under the boobs. Chaffing is horrible and can quickly ruin a Disney trip.  Prevention is key.  Spanks or bike shorts under your skirts or flowy shorts. You can also use runners lube such as RunButta or Body Glide.  These work well under the boobs and under the arms.  Using a stick deodorant can also help if you forget to pack other items.  If you forget, and you are stuck with chaffed skin, you can use diaper cream or a medicated cream when you get back home or to your hotel.

- I know a lot of people with kids that head back to the hotel mid-day for a swim in the pool/nap/general downtime.  It gives the kids (and adults) time to recharge.

- Every park has a "kid areas" where grownups can hang out and rest and kids can play on the playground or run around the pirate fort etc.  This is a great place for kids to burn off some excess energy when parents get tired.

- Every park has a ‘baby center’ where you can go for a longer rest with an infant.  It has potentially needed supplies and rocking chairs etc.  It’s good to know where these are in case the parks over stimulate the little one.

- Know where your "sit in air-conditioning" activities are.  These same activities are good for bad weather of any kind.  Sometimes this is also a great place to rest.

- A fast pass allows you to skip the line.  If you buy your tickets in advance and download your Disney Experience, you can reserve 3 FastPasses per day.  If you don’t do them in advance, you can do them once you are in the park.  Popular rides run out of FastPasses very early, so if you have a favorite, you’ll want to try to get it.  Once you use up your 3 fast passes, you can add another fast pass.  You can't add more than 1 at a time, but you can potentially end up with 6 or 7 fast passes in the day if you start early.  The first 3 you schedule in advance, the rest you must add one at time after you've used the previous ones. 

- Every park (except Epcot) has a fun opening ceremony and an elaborate closing ceremony.  These are incredibly beautiful and worth it if you can get up that early/stay up that late.  Again, there is nothing wrong with an afternoon nap at the hotel if you want to experience both.

- Character Meet & Greets – you can spend your entire trip chasing down character autographs and photos.  The lines are often long for the most popular characters.  If you want to do this, purchase an “Autograph” book first thing so you can have a complete souvenir of your experiences.  If you just want to participate in one or two, you’ll want to look for the list of characters available and the times they are doing meet and greets.  It could be a really fun thing to do if your child has a ‘favorite’ or two, but otherwise it can eat up most of your day, so choose wisely.

Chapter 2: Magic Kingdom

Top kid friendly rides worthy of a Fast Pass

1. Peter Pan - best kids ride at Disney, part of the original park and is one of the first kids ride to run out of fast passes.  You'll want to grab this one.  The average wait time without a fast pass is 90 minutes.

2. Jungle Cruise & Pirates of the Caribbean - both of these rides average a wait time of 45 minutes, but you can get lucky early morning and later in the evening.  Worthy of a fast pass.

3. Buzz Lightyear - this is an interactive ride and one of my favorites.  I don't have kids so I'm not sure 5yos will love this or it will be over their heads.  But you get to shoot targets to help defeat Zorg.  No shooting of people or minions or anything inappropriate.  It’s a laser gun and you get points for hitting the targets.  This line can be 90 minutes or 10 minutes.  It is extremely unpredictable.

Not really worth an initial fast pass, but if you can add it on after the fact, it’s worth it.

3. Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - one of my favorites, on average 20-30-minute wait and they have some great kids’ interactions in the wait area.  Bring hand sanitizer.  5,000 kids a day touch all those interactive things.

4. Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid - ride wait times vary from 5 minutes to 30 minutes.  I try not to wait here if i can help it, but they also have cute interactive things for kids, so waiting isn’t' the end of the world.

5. Haunted Mansion - this may or may not be on your list.  I know kids that love this ride.  I know kids that were traumatized by this ride.  My 7-year-old niece covered her eyes through 2/3s of the ride in a panic.  Then an hour later decided she was ready to try it again.  It’s not really that scary, but kids that are anxious or easily frightened may find it upsetting.  In terms of line: if the line for this ride is more than 30 minutes, skip it.  Don't hit it immediately after the end of a parade because it will be swamped.  But they move people through here very fast, it’s rare that it has much more than a 20-minute wait.  If the line is long, circle back around in an hour and you should be in better shape.

6. Barnstormer - this is a children’s "starter" coaster.  If your kids are feeling brave and they meet the height requirement, it might be a good option.  It’s rare that it has a line.  Adults can ride this ride and may be required to accompany a small child.  But it isn't comfortable. 

7. Dumbo - this is a must-do ride for most children.  Its traditional, its iconic and since Disney built a 2nd one, it no longer has horrible line issues.  This used to be a 90-minute wait, now the move people through very easily.  It also has a great interactive play area inside a tent to entertain you while you wait.

8. Tomorrowland Speedway - This loses its fun after you turn 16 and get your driver’s license.  But for kids, this is one of the best rides.  If your kid can reach the pedals, you'll want to be sure to hit this one.  They move people through pretty fast but it occasionally gets backed up.

Other attractions:

1. It’s a Small World - Classic, traditional, iconic - line before 5pm 45 minutes, line after 5pm 5 minutes.  I never wait for this ride.  If there is a line, I move on to something else and come back later.

2. Prince Charming Regal Carousel - built in 1917, this is a true piece of art.  And you can try to pull out the Sword in the Stone in front of the carousel, also a Disney tradition.

3. Mad Hatters Tea Cups - Kids love this.  Adults hate this.  Use your best judgement.

4. Transit Authority - you sit down and get air conditioning for most of the ride.  Rarely is there a line but on occasion it gets backed up.  This is a nice smooth low intensity ride to just rest for about 5 minutes.  You also get a little peak inside Space Mountain.

5. Astro Orbiter - I admit; I've never been on this ride.  You need to take an elevator up and then you go in a space ship that goes in a circle.  This might be extremely exciting for a 5-year-old, I'm not sure.  I've never really paid attention to the line or wait times, so if you think it’s something your family will enjoy you'll want to watch the wait times on your Disney Experience App.

6. Paddleboat - this is a nice low-key ride.  You get to go around Tom Sawyers Island and they have fake frontier scenes set up.  You can stand, you can sit, you can just chill while your kids try to find the animals hidden between the trees.

7. Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride - it goes in a circle.  Kids love it.  The camel spits, beware.

8. WDW Railroad - it goes around the park and has 3 stops.  It’s good for transportation, it’s good for an excuse to sit down for a bit.  And it was built around 1925, so again, a real antique.

9. Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – Even if your kid has never read the book, this is the ultimate treehouse and worth a climb up with the stairs. Rarely a wait.

10. Parades are awesome and worth the stop.  One of my bucket list items is to drive the dragon in a Disney parade.

Sit down shows with air conditioning:

1. Hall of Presidents - when this came out in 1971, it blew people away.  The tech has been updated throughout the years and it’s still very impressive.  This is a great place for your kid to catch a quick nap if they aren’t into history and its air-conditioned and dark and the seats are comfy.

2. Country Bear Jamboree - animatronic bears singing some blue grass.  Very kid friendly and dark and air-conditioned with comfy seats.

3. Carousel of Progress - One of my favorites.  Kids may or may not grasp the coolness of this ride.  Actually, most adults don't grasp the coolness of this ride.  It’s a side by side comparison of different stages of the 20th century to the present.  I've loved this ride since I was a kid so I hope others like it as well.  It’s often empty and I worry it’s not as valued as it should be. 

4. Enchanted Tiki Room - Singing birds and flowers in a Polynesian paradise.  Classic and iconic and located next to the famous Dole Whip food booth.

5. Stitches Great Escape - may be too scary for a young child.  Its currently on the chopping block as rumor has it, and only running seasonally.  Use your best judgement.

6. Monster Inc Laugh Floor - very kid friendly, very cute, monsters doing stand up.

7. Mickey PhilharMagic - it’s a 3D movie with good animation and great music.

Tom Sawyers Island

- Between Liberty Square and Frontierland is Tom Sawyers Island.  This is a great place for kids to run around if they have a little extra energy to burn or if they are getting cranky due to too much structure.  There are hidden caves, a playground, trails and Fort Sam Clemons.  This is a great place for kids to have a little free time to interact and not just sit and watch.

- You get to the island on a raft.  During bad weather they close the island.

- In the front of the islands you will find rocking chairs, bathrooms and a drinking fountain.  It allows parents to 'take turns' supervising the kids while the other one can sit in a rocking chair and relax.

- Harpers Mill has an old mill wheel that creeks and squeaks.  If you listen closely, you'll hear Down by the Old Mill Stream.

Casey Jr Splash N Soak

- Another place for kids to run around and get wet. 

- Its much smaller than Tom Sawyers Island and both parents can sit down and still have visuals on the kid. 

- Your kids will get wet.  Be prepared.

Rides that are for bigger kids, but your younger ones may enjoy these.  You’ll want to check the height requirements.

1. Space Mountain

2. Seven Dwarves Mine Ride

3. Big Mountain Thunder Railroad

4. Splash Mountain

FOOD!

1. Character dining - Character dining is expensive, but for some kids this can be the highlight of the trip.  Sometimes it’s worth the extra buck.

2. Be Our Guest - one of the top-rated restaurants in Magic Kingdom.  Breakfast and Lunch are fast service and Dinner is sit down.  It’s a weird set up but it works.  The sandwiches are the size of a Buick so order with caution.  All the food I've ever had here was excellent.  This is the 2nd restaurant to fill up on reservations so if you are interested you'll want to set up your reservations early.

3. Healthy snacks - Every park has a fruit stand that has things like apples, bananas, pickles and other organic or healthy options.  In Magic Kingdom, its located in Liberty Square between the Hall of Presidents and the Paddle boat dock.

4. Dole Whip – Dole Whip is a non-dairy ice cream type pineapple soft serve.  Disney is one of the few places in the world you can find it.  It is very yummy and a lovely midday treat.  You can also find it at Epcot and Polynesian Resort.

4. Other meals, you'll want to review the menus and have an idea.  There is some outstanding food at Disney.  Mac & Cheese with roast beef next to Pooh.  Clam chowder and seafood mac & cheese next to Haunted Mansion.  Flat bread pizzas across from Peter Pan.  Even the fast service food is really good and as Magic Kingdom is very centered around children, I think every restaurant will offer a kid’s menu, but you can verify that online.

Chapter 3: Epcot

Epcot is traditionally not the best park for young kids, but they've been making some changes to make it more kid friendly over the last view years.  Its important to keep this in mind though, because your child will most likely get bored before you do.

Epcot is broken into 2 separate areas: Future World & World Showcase.  Future World is about science and technology.  World Showcase is about culture and food, there are 11 countries represented.

Top kid friendly rides worthy of a Fast Pass

1. Frozen - This is the newest ride at Epcot and it’s a fan favorite for children.  This a great option for a FastPass if they are available.  You can use your Disney Experience to keep tabs on the wait times, first thing in the morning and later in the evening is usually shortest waits.

2. Soarin - Epcot only has a couple of FastPass worthy attractions and its set up so you can only use one of the 'high demand' fast passes.  Lines at Soarin can exceed 90 minutes, if you aren’t able get a fast pass for this one, you'll want to jump on this early in the morning or later in the evening for reduced line size.  Also, this is a simulated ride.  Not everyone does well with simulated rides, if you know you are one, avoid it.  However, this is a universal favorite among most Epcot attendees, so it’s worth checking out.  Check height requirements, it’s a very gentle ride but there may be requirements.

3. The Seas with Nemo and Friends - Early in the day, you may have to wait in line, later in the evening, they are sending empty cars.  I usually just save it until evening, but its available with a fast pass and if you want to structure your day, it’s a good way to use a fast pass.  At the end of the ride is one of the largest aquariums in the world.  Its worth it to spend some time here.

4. The Giant Golf Ball (aka Spaceship Earth)- Ok, that’s not the real name, but it’s what we all call it.  There is an actual ride inside:  The history of communication. The ride itself is fun, and at the end there is a computer interactive program.  On the way up, they take your picture to use on the interactive game.  Smile and look at the camera.  I usually forget and my photo looks like a mentally challenge orangutan, but this can be fun too.  First thing in the morning, the line is huge.  At night, they are running empty cars.  I usually catch it on the way out.  But again, if you want to structure your day, you can FastPass this during a busy time.

5. Journey into Imagination with Figment -  a few times during the day, this gets a bad line.  Most of the time its walk on.  If you want to structure your day, you can do a fast pass, but it’s just as easy to come back later.

Other attractions:

- I could go thru every attraction in Epcot, but I don't want to overwhelm you too much.  So I'm going to hit the highlights that will be the most helpful with a child.

Future World

 - The Seas Pavilion, The Land Pavilion, Imagination Pavilion are probably your best stops.  None of the rides here are intense, there are a number of kid friendly kind of things and there are plenty of areas to sit and rest.

- Innoventions - There are all kinds of little play areas and video games and educational things around here.  This area changes often due to sponsorships and such. But it’s a great area for the kids to play for a while.

- Coke Cool Spot - you can try different flavored sodas from all over the world.   This is very fun.  It’s a great place to get a little sugar boast when you are feeling tired.  You get a little Dixie cup and you can try as many as you like (I think there are 8?).  DONT drink the Beverly.  You have been warned. 

Test Track, Mission Space - both very intense and maybe not for younger kids.  Test Track might be ok for the older ones.  Mission Space provides barf bags….so use your best judgement.

World Showcase

- Countries represented: Canada, UK, France, Morocco, Japan, America, Italy, Germany, China, Norway & Mexico

- Only 2 rides in the World Showcase: Norway (Frozen) and Mexico (Three Caballeros Featuring Donald Duck)

 - 2 Sit down air-conditioned movies: France & China

- 1 Stand-up air-conditioned movie: Canada (360 circular theater)

- Each country has authentic food, entertainment and shopping.

- 1 Sit down air-conditioned animatronics show: America

- Favorite live action shows China (acrobats) and Japan (drummers) but you'll want to check the show schedule to see if there is something else that looks interesting.

Kid areas for running around:

- The innovention areas – activities and attractions vary but usually a lot of fun and educational activities.

- Small water play area on the main walk way between Futureworld and World Showcase

- Imagination Works Lab - in the Imagination Pavilion and full of fun interactive experiences

- The Seas aquarium - lots of educational interactive things

- In the World Showcase, between Germany & China there is a little area with drums that can be played.  Kids love this area. 

- Throughout Epcot are "Kidcot Fun Spots" where they have small activities designed for small children.

- Agent P's World Showcase Adventure - not sure what age is appropriate but its targeted for kids and it turns going around World Showcase into a game.  I really don't know that much about it, but it’s worth looking into if you are going with children.

Chapter 4: Hollywood Studios

- This is an excellent park to use on a rest day.  This park is currently under major construction as it becomes another park.  It’s up for a name change and many rides/shows have closed during the construction.  I can do all the things i want to do here by 2pm.  But you'll be doing it at a different pace and with children, so it will probably take you a bit longer.

* I have given up my annual pass this year to travel the globe.  As this park is currently under transition, I may not be up to date on closings and openings on attractions.  I’ll do my to keep things updated, but you’ll always want to check for changes or updates on the Disney website.

- There is only 2 smaller kid friendly attraction here worth a Fast Pass: Toy Story Midway Mania & Toy Story Slinky Dog Dash.  Toy Story Midway Mania has been fan favorite for years and Slinky Dog Dash is the most popular new ride released during the renovations. Toy Story Midway Mania has recently built a second track, lines aren’t as bad as they used to be but there is still generally a decent wait.

- Star Tours and various Star Wars shows/interactive things might be a winner if you have Star Wars fans in your group.  Star Tours is a SIM ride and not everyone can do those, but if you can you should.   Under construction currently, is a full Star Wars Land…so that will be exciting when it opens.

- More intense rides your older kids might be ok with (check the height requirements and use your best judgement)

• Rock n’ Roller Coaster – it’s an inside coaster, it goes upside down, it is very fast.

• Twilight Tower of Terror – I takes you up and drops you.A few times.Its super cool.

   

  - Kid friendly shows and attractions:

• Voyage of the Little Mermaid (multimedia show)

• Muppet Vision 3D (4D movie)

• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Show (edutainment explaining how they do stunts in the movies)

• Beauty and the Beast stage show

   

   

   

  Food

   

  1. If you can get a reservation at the Sci-Fi Dine In, this is the most awesome of the themed restaurants at Hollywood Studios.

  2. 50’s Prime Time Café is my second favorite themed restaurant at Hollywood Studios. Its like walking onto the set of Leave it to Beaver and they have all your favorite comfort foods. 

  3. Fruit stand is down by the Beauty and the Beast entrance.

  4. Woody’s Lunch Box is a fun new addition with the recent opening of Toy Story Land and great for a quick bite.

   

  The previous kids play area has been closed as it’s in the area that is being re-visioned.  I don’t think they have replaced it with anything yet.

   

  Chapter 5: Animal Kingdom –

• Animal Kingdom is broken up into sections: Africa, Asia, Dinoland USA, Discovery Island, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Pandora.It is kind of like a zoo with extras.It’s an excellent place to eat and has as much diversity in the food as Epcot.If your kids are picky eaters, there are things for them too, but you’ll want to review the menus a head of time so you know where to go.

Africa: 

• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail – a nice walk, beautifully designed habitats, lots of primates

• Kilimanjaro Safaris – you board a ‘trail buggy’ and drive the animal habitats.Many of the animals, you can only see them on the safari.Its bumpy, put the smaller kids between the adults.Bring your camera, I get some spectacular photos here.

• Festival of the Lion King – this is a fantastic show; all your kids will love it.

Asia

• Expedition Everest – this is a full roller coaster, check the height requirements and use your judgement.

• Kali River Rapids – it’s a raft water ride, everyone gets wet.I’ve never been on it, so I can’t provide much detail.

• Maharajah Jungle Trek – lovely walk through the animals.I particularly like the bats.

Dinoland USA

• The Boneyard – giant sandbox full of fake animal bones.Kids love it.

• Dinosaur – this is a very fast rough ride.Not a coaster, but it sends you back in time and your jeep gets chased by a dinosaur.So might be fun or might be too intense for your smaller kids.Use your best judgement.

• There is a little ‘carnival’ type section with carnival games, and carnival rides etc.

Discovery Island

• Tree of Life – there are hundreds of animals carved into this tree and I never get tired of trying to find them all

• It’s Tough To Be a Bug – 4d movie, very fun – located in the root system of the tree of life

• Lots of animals on the island, mostly smaller ones.Spring time brings lots of babies.

Pandora

• There are two rides in this section.FastPasses go quick and they often run out before the non-Disney resort people get access.The lines will be long nearly all day.If this is a priority, go early and join in the run when the gates open (be there an hour early) or be prepared for a wait.

  • Na’vi River Journey – this is a standard dark ride and appropriate for the whole family.It will have a smaller line than the 2^nd one.

  • Avatar Flight of Passage – the line for this ride a week after it opened was 5 hours long. That’s not a type-o. I was there. FIVE HOURS! It’s not nearly as bad now, but it will be long.This isn’t appropriate for smaller children but it is currently the most excellent ride Disney has.It makes every other ride at Disney World obsolete.It has probably made every other ride you have ever been on obsolete.Disney has raised the bar.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

• Catch the train in Africa to get to Rafiki’s Planet Watch.It’s a traditional African train with all the seats facing the same way.It’s an education center with lots interactive activities and a petting area.You can usually catch some Meet & Greets there and its worthy of a look. The educational center is airconditioned and they have some really interesting things going on.

Other helpful information

• Fruit Stand in Africa by the entrance to the safari

• Try the food, be adventurous

• Best place to be when in bad weather – Bugs Life, Festival of the Lion King or Rafiki’s Planet

• The end of the night show is truly beautiful and if you can keep the kids up that late, you should try to see it.

• If you get fast passes, use them for Festival of the Lion King, and the Safari. Festival of the Lion King is amazing and the fast past will allow you to get your choice of seats. With the Safari: sometimes there is no line, sometimes there is a huge line.There isn’t a lot of things you need a fast pass for here, so these are as good a use for them as any.

   

Chapter 6: Other Stuff

• Disney Springs is a shopping/eating area that is free to enter.It’s a nice way to spend some time.They have concerts at House of Blues, and in the evening, they have street musicians and choirs and all kinds of stuff.There are a million places to eat and shop.You can take a ride in an amphibious car.You can get a cupcake from a vending machine.The most fun place for kids to eat is probably the Dinosaur T-Rex restaurant and Rainforest Café – both a little expensive, but super fun.

• Boardwalk – this is more shopping/eating areas and its set up to look like the New Jersey Boardwalk.In the evening, they have entertainers and unique boardwalk food.

• Mini-golf – Disney has 2 mini golf areas that are a nice way to spend some low-key time.One is over by The Dolphin Hotel and the other is over by Blizzard Beach.

• There are also 2 water parks.These are a great way to take spend a hot day or take a break from the main parks. They have everything from scary slides for the brave, lazy rivers for the tired and everything in between. Plenty of things to do and explore or plenty of places to lay about and read a book.