Tag: Disney World Resort

The Happiest Place On Earth

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Yes! Finally, Disneyland! My daughter’s only wish for her 7th birthday was to visit Disneyland and without second thoughts we let her wish come true just like fairytales. Also, the adults are a bit excited to visit the happiest place on earth. It’s not just for kids okay? So last year, we went to Disney World Resort in Florida to visit 2 theme parks there (Magic Kingdom and Epcot) and spent a day in Clearwater Beach in Florida. But what would have been a 4 day trip was magically extended to 6 days! Our plane going back was cancelled due to a tropical storm in NY leaving us no choice but to visit Universal Studios in Florida. lol

Just a bit background, there are 2 States in United States with Disney Parks. California has Disneyland and Florida has Disney World Resort which has 8 theme parks namely: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Theme Park, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney Springs, ESPN Wide of World of Sports Complex. It is highly advisable to spend a day at each them park since there are lots of rides and things to do. A day wont be enough actually if you want to try all the rides and attractions. A park ticket must be purchased beforehand through online on Disney’s website.

New York to Orlando, Florida is approximately a three- hour flight, luckily there is no time difference between the 2 states.

We checked-in at the Springhill Suites by Marriott in Orlando, Florida. Note that one can either purchase hotel accommodations inside Disney World. They are a bit expensive given the location and attractions so we decided to choose one that is outside the Disney World Resort. Our hotel was just 10 minutes away via Uber to the park entrance. From the airport, it took us 30 minutes to the hotel though. Florida’s streets are so vast though if you compare it to New York City’s grid-like streets.

Late night yogurt after we landed at the hotel

We visited 2 Disney Parks during our visit, the first day, we went to Magic Kingdom and the second day we visited EPCOT. There is only one entrance to Disney World, all visitors regardless of which park go through the same entrance. And from the entrance, you ride your way to the parks through the monorail.

Inside the monorail. Feels like riding the subway.lol
View of the Cinderella Castle from the monorail.

MAGIC KINGDOM

Most of the photos you see about Disney (especially those with fireworks) is the Cinderella Castle which is located in Magic Kingdom. This is the most visited of all parks as this is where all the magic happens! Kids and the feeling kids (including me) love this park. Most Disney characters I grew up with are here.

Entrance to Magic Kingdom

Upon entering the park, we were greeted by the parade of Disney princesses. Since this was a time when Disney has just reopened after the pandemic, there was no hugging and meeting with characters. Apparently, these magical characters still has to practice social distancing. lol

Disney Princesses meet and greet at the balcony.
The most fun rides we had at the park were the Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The park’s rides were mostly for kids but we enjoyed the Jungle Cruise and the Pirates of the Caribbean
Before getting wet at the Splash Mountain
Big Mountain Railroad

We most probably rode most of the rides and a day won’t be enough if you want to experience all the rides and attractions in Magic Kingdom.

One of the most memorable was dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table. It was like dining in a castle!

While waiting for our table.
The food was a delight 🙂
Cinderella made an appearance when we were eating.lol

And to cap our day at the MAGIC KINGDOM,

DAY 2 We went to EPCOT, short for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. But prior to this, we had our daughter’s birthday breakfast at Chef Mickey’s

Minnie Mouse is also practicing social distancing

Chef Mickey’s was fun. Seeing Mickey, Pluto, Minnie and Goofy in chef costumes and singing songs is something every kid (also adult) would wish for. lol

EPCOT with it very large golf ball

At first I thought EPCOT attractions and rides was mostly for adults but then it’s not. My daughter is a fan of Elsa and Anna in Frozen and she was so happy seeing them.

One of out favorite rides was the Soarin’ Around the World attraction where you get to go to different tourist attractions all over the world through a flight simulator. I remember we were the only ones screaming Wooow! ahhhhh! ohhhhh… or so we thought?!

EPCOT also has the World Showcase which shows 11 pavilions representing countries around the world, and with each pavilion, there are also attractions and restaurants and drinks! It was so huge that we were not able to visit all the pavilions.

This is France. One of the attraction here was the Beauty and the Beast Sing along. It was so funny as everyone was singing!

We did lots in EPCOT but due to severe excitement, I wasn’t able to snap decent photos

The day was once again capped with fireworks just like Magic Kingdom. We promised to be back again and try a different park, after all, there is 6 more left.