Find the Kid in You at Disney World
Disney World isn’t just for kids but for adults too!
When Bonnie’s husband said he had a business trip to Orlando, she jumped on the opportunity to go! It was her chance to go to Disney World! Disney is where magic happens! Disney World is not just for kids, but for the kids that never grow up. It’s important to focus on fun, play more often, laugh and smile as an adult.
After all, Walt Disney said…
Have your dreams faded with time?
How often do you get out and play?
When was the last time you laughed your head off?
When was the last time you wished upon a star?
The Disney theme parks are full of inspiration and creativity that adults can appreciate. Bonnie would have loved to meet Walt, the man behind Disney. She thinks he created entertainment more for adults than for kids. Walt said, “that’s the real trouble with this world, too many people grow up.” Have you ever noticed the adult humor on Disney rides and in Disney movies. At Disney World, you never have to grow up. It’s a time to play, have fun, be entertained, laugh, and find the kid within yourself. This is what Disney is all about.
Have you ever been to Disneyworld alone?
Is it weird to go to Disneyworld alone? Once Bonnie arrived at the park she felt like the only one who was alone. This is the second time she has been to Disney by herself. It didn’t bother her a bit. There is a big advantage to going alone. You can choose your own schedule and be on your own timeframe. Some attractions like Rock-n- Roller coaster, Expedition Everest and Test Track have a single line to gain faster access to rides. Never be afraid to do things on your own!
Who is your favorite Disney character?
Bonnie chose a classic! Mickey Mouse!
Years ago, Bonnie went to Orlando and purchased a two-day park hopper ticket. It was her goal to do all 4 parks in one day. As an adult this is entirely possible but exhausting. It makes for a long day and lots of walking. She mapped out a plan of the highlights she wanted to visit at each park; Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and the Magic Kingdom. Her second hopper day was spent at the Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. This year, she wanted to focus on the Magic Kingdom.
Bonnie’s Highlights of the four Disney Theme Parks
The Animal Kingdom
Don’t miss the Festival of the Lion King Show! It’s energetic and the music is uplifting. This show will put you in a good mood. Want to grab a cocktail before or after the show? The Dawa Bar offers refreshing, alcoholic beverages in a shaded area to escape the heat. The Kilimanjaro Safari is a highlight of this park. They have giraffes, lions, and elephants. It’s almost like being on a real African safari. In Africa you will even find Gorillas. Disney does a great job of transporting you to another place in the world and you haven’t left the USA.
In Asia, you will find the Expedition Everest Roller Coaster, a thrilling ride with long lines. Use the fast pass for this ride. There aren’t many thrill seeking rides at the Animal Kingdom. The main draw of this park are the animals. There is a petting zoo too. Go early. Animals are usually more active in the mornings than the afternoons. The animal kingdom although a theme park feels more like fun interactive zoo with entertainment.
Opening on May 27th, 2017 is Pandora, the world of Avatar. The Avatar Flight of Passage ride is new. You get to ride on a Banshee in the Pandora World. Rivers of Light is their new nightly show and it uses new innovative technology to make the water and colors illuminate. Extra magic hours at Pandora will be from 11:00 pm to 1:00 am for guests staying at Disney Resorts from May 27 thru July 4th, 2017.
Hollywood Studios
The highlight of this park is the Aerosmith Rock-n-Roller coaster. Use the fast pass for this coaster! The singles line is great for faster access too. This is Bonnie’s favorite ride in all the Disney parks. It’s fast! You go 0-57 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds. The music is loud too with speakers and amps built into the coaster. You will be singing, ” Love in an elevator” all day long. This ride makes your heart race and puts a smile on your face. You will want to ride it over and over again. Bonnie came back a second day on her hopper pass only to ride this ride multiple times again!
Epcot
If you love travel, you will love Epcot. Epcot is a fun place for adults. Where else can you drink yourself around the world? Epcot only hires employees specific to each country. You can meet people all around the world as you purchase a cocktail. Go to France, you will be able to practice your French. Speak Spanish in Mexico, ” Uno Margarita por favor! The cocktails and menu items are specific to each country too. Get a bratwurst in the German Biergarten. Eat an oversized Turkey Leg in America. Order a sweet French Crepe in France.
In each country, you will find quality entertainment such as the Jeweled Dragon Acrobats of China. Grab a map and look at the performance times to schedule your journey and destinations. You can even meet a Disney Princess at Epcot too!
The gardens and flowers make this park the most beautiful Disney park! Disney characters are created out of trees and shrubs. Come in the late afternoon to early evening. Use your fast pass for Soarin, Test Track, and Mission Space. In the evening, grab a cocktail from your favorite country and watch the Illuminations fireworks show. It’s truly spectacular!
Disney’s Magic Kingdom
This 2017 trip to Disney World, Bonnie wanted to focus on the Magic Kingdom park. Her theme of 2017 is, ” You can star as the Princess in your own Fairy Tale.” Do you know how many Princesses are in the Magic Kingdom!
You can wander through areas of Adventureland and Fantasyland. How often do you go to Fantasyland in real life? When was the last adventure you had? Walt was onto something urging kids and adults to have more fantasy, daydreams, and adventures. Here at Disney you can make it happen. 
Map from early May 2017
Bonnie’s favorite rides are Big Thunder Mountain, It’s a Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Johnny Depp was recently at the Pirates of Caribbean to promote his upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Can you imagine if he was sitting next to you on the ride? The pirates on this ride even look like Johnny Depp. This boat ride floats you thru dark canals of whiskey drinking, singing Pirates and Wenches. Ride this at night, it’s more fun. Did you know that this was Walt’s last ride he worked on? It opened three months after he died. I wonder if Walt was singing, “Yo, Ho, a pirate’s life for me.” before he passed?
Big Thunder Mountain is a gold rush roller coaster on a wooden track that twists and turns in and out of covered dark mine shafts. It will put a big smile on your face and give you a rush. It is located in Frontierland next to Splash Mountain.
It’s a Small World ride is another boat ride. You tour through various country scenes of singing dolls. The rooms are brightly colorful and they sing, ” It’s a Small World after all” in repetition. You will definitely have this song in your head. If you love to travel it’s a classic Disney ride that gives you appreciation for people and countries in the world. It is a reminder that we are all the same sharing this small world together.
Laugh your head off with the Monster, Inc Laugh Floor comedy show. Kids and adults both will enjoy the improvisational humor. You may not want to be selected in the audience because this show is interactive and will feature you on a giant screen. It’s hilarious.
If there is a parade, don’t miss it. The costumes and floats are spectacular. It’s a good time to wave at your favorite Disney characters.
You will want to use your fast pass for your favorite rides. Every attraction has quite a long wait since this park is more crowded. It’s hard to ride every attraction at the park because the wait times are so long. You may want to allow a full day at the Magic Kingdom. Most importantly plan to stay at the Magic Kingdom until they close. You can plan to attend a night on extended hours to maximize all that it has to offer. Magic hours are for guests staying at a Disney resorts.
Don’t miss the fireworks show!
Bonnie saw one of the last performances of Wishes. It was spectacular! Disney has a new, nightly fireworks show called “Happily ever after. ” The fireworks are better than any 4th of July show. Simply amazing!
Bonnie’s 15 Tips for Disney World Parks
Don’t bring a selfie stick, they are not allowed in the parks.
Book your ticket early. Download the Disney app for your phone and register your ticket before going to the park.
Make a game plan and pre-plan the most important shows and attractions you want to see. Sign up for the fast pass on your most desired attractions. You can add shows to your schedule too.
Take a screen shot of your fast pass and show schedule. The app eats up the battery of your phone and you will want to take lots of photos. Use your battery on your phone wisely. Grab a map at the entrance of the park to save the battery.
Don’t try to see all 4 parks in one day. Although Bonnie did, she wouldn’t recommend it. It’s a long day! She started at 9:00 am and stayed until midnight. 2 parks in one day is perfect! Save Epcot and Magic Kingdom for the evening because their firework shows are amazing! The new Rivers of Light at Disney’s Animal Kingdom looks pretty cool too.
Wear comfortable shoes. You would be surprised how much you walk!
Bring sunscreen, snacks, and a water bottle. Everything in the park is expensive. It’s hot and they have water fountains in the park near the restrooms. Don’t pay for water.
Buy your costumes and ears on Amazon before you go to save money. Get Bonnie’s Tiara Mouse ears on Amazon.
No one had the same ears as Bonnie in the entire park!
Take lots of photos!
Children are often exhausted by late night. Schedule a nap time for a few hours during the day at your hotel. You will get a break from the heat and come back refreshed in the early evening ready to watch the fireworks.
Take an adult only vacation to Disney World and learn how to be a kid again!
If on a convention, check with your hotel for a conference discount. Bonnie got a convention discount with the Hyatt Regency for a ticket after 5:00 pm. AAA sometimes offers discounts depending on your local club. Try MouseSavers.com for the latest deals and promotions.
If celebrating an event like an Anniversary, Birthday or First time at Disney, ask a retail store for a pin! They are free.
Bonnie was celebrating her new website and her dreams with the retail clerk at a Disney store. Bonnie told her about the Bonnie’ism ” you own the power to create your happily ever after.” Bonnie wasn’t celebrating an Anniversary but celebrating working on her very own Happily Ever After and asked for a pin. The clerk smiled and said, “you just made my day.”
Bonnie thought the Magic Kingdom was a dry park, but in late 2016 some restaurants in the park started selling wine and beer at certain restaurants. Cinderella’s Royal Table has sparkling wine! These are only to be enjoyed while dining. At Epcot you can carry your adult beverage and stroll around the park!
For guests staying at Disney resorts, check the park hours for Magic hours. They give you even more time to stay up late and enjoy more time in a Disney Park.
Can you only imagine if Walt gave up on his dream?
He is an inspiration to us all, big and small.
The Magic Kingdom keeps the dream, the wish, and the fairy tale alive each and every day to those who visit.
Walt says, ” Who says we have to grow up.”
Bonnie says, ” You can star as the Princess in your own Fairy Tale.”
The reality is you can be whatever you want. Magic happens when you believe in yourself. Reflect back to when you were a kid. What did you love to do? What did you want to be when you grew up? No matter what age you are, some of your answers may still be the same today. If you can’t answer these questions, you need to book a trip to Disney ASAP! When you go to Disney, find the kid in you. Once you do, you will probably look years younger. Disney could be the fountain of youth. Bonnie believes in magic. Question is, Do you?
Big, Happy, Smiles at Disney World!
Keep laughing, Keep Smiling and Keep having fun,
Bonnie
What is your favorite Disney ride or attraction? Got any great Disney tips? How is the new Pandora World?
Bonnie would love to hear from you!
