Our Magical Experience on a Disney World Vacation

In April 2024, we embarked on the most magical Disney World adventure. It was my kids’ first time at Disney, and the experience was truly unforgettable—Disney magic is real! In this post, I’m excited to share the highlights of our journey, the magical moments, and the experiences that made this trip so special.

Planning and Prep for a Magical Adventure

Embarking on a trip to Disney World is a dream come true for many, but the cost can often feel overwhelming. I didn’t have $10,000 or even $4,000 to spend, so I set out to plan our trip within a budget, relying heavily on travel reward points for most of our pre-arrival expenses. Our airfare was fully covered using JetBlue points, and we booked our stay at the Marriott Imperial Palms Villas using Marriott reward points.

While staying at a Disney Resort Hotel has its perks, we chose a non-Disney hotel to maximize our points and enjoy the added convenience of a full kitchen—an easy way to save on meals. There are many excellent non-Disney hotels in the area, offering similar comfort and convenience.

Full kitchen at Marriott's Imperial Palms Villas

For our Disney tickets, we opted for 7-day Park Hopper Plus tickets (including water parks) and used American Express travel rewards from my American Express Gold card to cover the cost of 2 out of 3 tickets. Keep in mind, that ticket prices can vary based on factors such as the length of your trip, time of year, and ticket type (like the Park Hopper option).

By strategically using travel reward points, the total cost for 3 round-trip tickets from New York to Orlando, an 8-night stay at the Marriott Imperial Palms Villas, and 7-day Park Hopper Plus tickets for 3 people came to just $1,414. This was a much more manageable expense for us, compared to the full cost of $6,363 had we not used points.

Cash Cost for Our Trip

Airfare for 3 people: $1,431
7-day Park Hopper Plus tickets for 3 people: $2,360
Marriott Imperial Palms Villas (3-bedroom villa for 8 nights): $2,572

By leveraging travel reward points, I was able to drastically reduce the total cost of our trip to just $1,414 for three people. Without utilizing points, the total would have been $6,363. This highlights the incredible savings that can be achieved through strategic planning and travel hacking.

Planning and Reservation for Disney World

My kids had a few enchanting extras that they wanted to do. My daughter likes baking and chose to do Amorette's Patisserie Cake Decorating Experience. My son and I love animals, so he decided to do Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Caring for Giants, and Up Close with Rhinos.

To manage dining costs, I purchased Disney gift cards weekly at the grocery store. This not only spread out the expenses but also helped me earn extra travel reward points on my American Express Surpass Card through grocery store purchases.

I combined the physical gift cards into one virtual gift card using this website. I added the virtual Disney gift card to my phone’s wallet, which made paying throughout the parks a breeze.

Day 1: Arrival in Orlando and Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

We arrived at Orlando International Airport around 12:30 PM, and knowing we'd all be tired, we opted for a relaxing evening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. For our first night, I booked the Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, which starts at 8:30 PM (it has to be after dark). This allowed us to get dinner at The Mara and walk around the lodge before our tour.

We had dinner at The Mara, where the menu offered a variety of hot entrées, sandwiches, and kids' meals—something to satisfy everyone in our group. Afterward, we toured the lodge, which is absolutely stunning.

Every detail is designed to transport guests into the heart of Africa. While exploring, we were treated to breathtaking views of the savanna and spotted animals like wildebeests, giraffes, and zebras right from the lodge.

Zebra up close at Starlight Safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge

The highlight of the day was, without a doubt, the Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was an unforgettable experience! The tour took us behind the scenes in a safari truck, offering a closer look at the savanna. Each guest was provided with night vision binoculars, allowing us to see the animals up close in the dark.

The truck made several stops, bringing us right next to the animals for an intimate view. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about the animals and their care. The Starlight Safari was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the magic of the African savanna after dark—an experience we’ll never forget!

Day 2: Magic Kingdom

On the second day of our Disney World trip, we immersed ourselves in the magical world of Magic Kingdom. The moment we stepped into the park, we were greeted by the sight of the iconic Cinderella Castle towering over Main Street, USA—a truly enchanting view that set the tone for an unforgettable day.

Thanks to Disney Genie+ and some careful planning, we were able to experience many attractions without much waiting. Our itinerary might look a bit different from most, as none of us are roller coaster fans. We kicked off the day in Adventureland, exploring the Swiss Family Treehouse, cruising the Jungle Cruise, and sailing through Pirates of the Caribbean.

Afterward, we headed to Frontierland, where the kids had fun on Tom Sawyer’s Island, followed by classic rides like the Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World. Around 3 PM, we made our way to the Grand Floridian Hotel for our 4:10 PM dinner reservation at 1900 Park Fare. Taking the Monorail to get there was a welcome break from the afternoon heat.

Dinner at 1900 Park Fare was one of the highlights of our trip. The combination of delicious food, Disney characters, and a charming ambiance made for a memorable dining experience. While my son wasn't too interested in meeting the characters, he kept asking to go back for the food, which he says was the best he had at Disney World.

The buffet was fresh, the staff were friendly, and the character interactions were delightful. We got to meet Cinderella, Tiana, Aladdin, and Mirabel, which made it extra special.

The air-conditioned comfort of 1900 Park Fare was a refreshing break from the Florida heat. After dinner, we returned to Magic Kingdom to explore Tomorrowland. One of our favorite attractions there was Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor—it was so funny that we ended up doing it twice before wrapping up an amazing day!

Day 3: Epcot

On the third day of our Disney World trip, we kicked off the morning with Amorette's Patisserie Cake Decorating Experience, located in Disney Springs. We reserved two tables, and four of us got to make a Mickey Mouse-themed cake. It was such a fun and unique experience, especially learning the techniques behind the intricate cake decorations.

Our instructor, a Disney chef with 15 years of experience, shared fascinating stories, including how he was one of the original chefs at Be Our Guest restaurant. My daughter, who loves watching cooking shows and is passionate about baking, was absolutely thrilled. It was truly a highlight for her. Amorette’s kindly stored our cakes in their fridge, so we could head straight to Epcot afterward without worry.

Cakes made at Amorette's Patisserie Cake Decorating Experience

We had a 12:40 lunch reservation at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway pavilion. We arrived at Epcot around noon, giving us plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely stroll to Norway. Along the way, we stopped for some photos with the Disney Photographers (more about Photopass later) and soaked in the atmosphere.

At Akershus, there was a bit of a wait for our table, which was tough in the heat, but the excitement of meeting the princesses made it worthwhile. My daughter was ecstatic to meet Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Tiana, and Aurora, and loved taking pictures with them.

However, I felt the food wasn’t as kid-friendly as other Disney restaurants—my daughter only ate the mac and cheese, and my son stuck to the rolls. That being said, the food was delicious, and both kids enjoyed the dessert.

Dessert tray at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring Epcot’s rides. We enjoyed Mission: SPACE, Soarin’, Living with the Land, Frozen Ever After, and Turtle Talk with Crush. By the time we wrapped up around 4 p.m., we were all ready for a break and returned to the hotel for some rest.

That evening, we returned to Magic Kingdom for the fireworks show, which the kids had eagerly anticipated. We managed to get a spot fairly close to the castle, and the fireworks were breathtaking. My kids and I were in awe—it was the perfect way to end an unforgettable day.

Day 4: Hollywood Studios

Our magical Disney World adventure continued on Day 4 with a visit to Hollywood Studios, and the excitement was palpable as we stepped into the park. The atmosphere felt like a movie set, with iconic landmarks like the Hollywood Tower Hotel and the Chinese Theater welcoming us. My son, a huge Star Wars fan, was especially eager to explore Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Star Wars- Galaxy Edge at Hollywood Studios

We kicked off the day with Star Tours and the Muppets 3D Movie, followed by an incredible experience on the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and a stroll through Galaxy’s Edge. My son was in awe as we explored the immersive Star Wars world, and it was just the beginning of an unforgettable day.

For lunch, we had reservations at Hollywood & Vine, where we enjoyed a delicious variety of food. Meeting the classic characters like Minnie, Mickey, Pluto, and Goofy added to the fun. Afterward, we made our way to Toy Story Land, riding Toy Story Mania and Alien Swirling Saucers, which the kids loved.

Hollywood and Vine lunch was great character meal

After recharging, we headed back to Galaxy’s Edge to ride Rise of the Resistance, a truly epic experience that lived up to the hype. We also took advantage of the Disney PhotoPass photographers for some fantastic shots in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which turned out to be some of our favorite photos from the trip.

Before wrapping up the day, we strolled down Sunset Boulevard, indulged in snacks, shopped for souvenirs, and braved the Tower of Terror. As the sun set, we capped off the day with the spectacular Fantasmic! show, which brought together many of our favorite Disney characters for an incredible finale.

Day 4 at Hollywood Studios was full of excitement, adventure, and unforgettable moments, leaving us with magical memories that will last a lifetime.

Day 5: Hollywood Studios Repeat

Originally, we planned another day at Magic Kingdom on Day 5, but both kids were eager to return to Hollywood Studios. Feeling a bit exhausted, we opted for a slower morning instead. We took a relaxing trip to Target to pick up some souvenirs and then headed to Hollywood Studios around 3 p.m., once the afternoon heat had started to subside.

Once back in the park, we revisited all three Star Wars rides and enjoyed another go on Alien Swirling Saucers. The highlight of our day was getting better seats for Fantasmic!—since we had arrived late the day before, we were determined to get there early this time. Arriving 30 minutes before the show, we managed to snag front-row seats. (Fair warning: you will get wet!)

Watching Fantasmic! up close was an unforgettable experience, even better than the first time. The kids loved it, and it was the perfect way to cap off our return to Hollywood Studios.

Day 6 Animal Kingdom:

On the fifth day of our Disney World adventure, we set out to explore the wild and enchanting world of Animal Kingdom. As soon as we arrived, we made a beeline for Kilimanjaro Safaris, which was such a peaceful ride. It was a joy to see all the animals living in the open savanna, providing an immersive experience with nature.

Elephants at Caring for Giants in Animal Kingdom

After the safari, we had some time before our Up Close with Rhinos reservation, so we strolled along the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, taking in the lush scenery and observing the animals.

Up Close with Rhinos was an unforgettable experience! We got the chance to pet a White Rhino named Ranger. It was fascinating to learn how the caretakers train and interact with the rhinos, and I was surprised to discover that rhinos love being petted!

Being so close to such a majestic animal was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will stay with us forever. The Disney cast members’ passion for caring for these animals was evident, and their enthusiasm made the experience even more special.

With some time before our next “enchanting extra,” Caring for Giants, we squeezed in a ride on Kali River Rapids and grabbed lunch at Yak & Yeti Local Foods Café. The meal was just what we needed to refuel before heading off to see the elephants.

While Caring for Giants didn’t allow us to pet the elephants, it provided an exclusive viewing area where we could observe them up close for an extended time. It was relaxing to sit and watch these gentle giants, and our guide shared fascinating insights into their behavior and care.

Elephant Dung on the Caring for Giants Tour

After the tour, we treated ourselves to some refreshing Dole Whip before heading back to the hotel for a well-deserved break. Looking back, I wish we had scheduled two days for Animal Kingdom, especially with the extra experiences. There's so much more to see, but the enchanting extras were absolutely worth it and gave us unforgettable memories.

We wrapped up the day with dinner at Story Book Dining at Artist Point, where my daughter was overjoyed to meet Snow White—an enchanting end to an extraordinary day.

Grumpy at Story Book Dining at Artist Point

Animal Kingdom truly delivered on its promise of merging magic with nature, making it a day we will always cherish.

Day 7 Typhoon Lagoon:

My kids absolutely loved Typhoon Lagoon—they had an amazing time in the wave pool! Originally, I had only planned for one day at the water park, but they enjoyed it so much that we ended up spending a day and a half there. Their favorite part was definitely the wave pool. They've been to plenty of water parks, but this one really stood out with its massive size and powerful waves!

While Typhoon Lagoon doesn’t have a lot of typical Disney theming, it’s a fantastic water park. The kids had a blast, and the adults appreciated the chance to relax and unwind.

Day 8 Typhoon Lagoon and Epcot:

On the morning of Day 8, we had originally planned a relaxing day at the hotel, followed by an afternoon and evening spent eating around the world at Epcot. However, my kids were eager to go back to Typhoon Lagoon, so we rope-dropped the water park and stayed until 1:30 PM.

After a short break at the hotel, we headed to Epcot around 3 PM to begin our culinary tour around the world. We started in Canada with delicious soft-serve ice cream and maple popcorn. From there, we moved on to England, where we picked up some tea to bring home. In France, we rode Remy’s Ratatouille, which turned out to be a really fun experience.

By the time we reached Morocco, we were ready for a break and a bite to eat, so we grabbed a table at Spice Road Table. The tapas-style dishes were perfect for sharing, and everything we tried was delicious. Next, we enjoyed gelato in Italy and a caramel dessert in Germany.

At this point, it was already 8:15 PM, and we were feeling a bit tired. We decided to find a table near the water to relax and wait for the fireworks show. It was absolutely worth it—the Harmonious show was breathtaking and the perfect way to spend our last evening at Disney World.

My Disney World Trip: A Magical Adventure

Before our trip, I was a bit concerned about how my kids would handle full days at the theme parks. To help, I made sure to include them in the planning process as much as possible and got their input on activities and priorities.

To my delight, the kids did amazingly well on the long days. One of the best ways we found to meet characters without waiting in long lines was through character dining. We didn’t stand in any lines to meet characters in the parks, some of which had very long wait times.

Reflecting on our recent Disney World trip, I’m filled with wonder and gratitude for the magical experience we had. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we were transported to a world of fantasy and imagination. The vibrant parades, thrilling rides, and enchanting character encounters made me feel like a kid again, filled with joy and excitement.

Each day brought new adventures and surprises, whether it was meeting our favorite Disney princesses or being mesmerized by the breathtaking fireworks at night. The memories we created on this trip will last a lifetime, and I’m already counting down the days until we can return to the most magical place on Earth.

Overall, the trip exceeded all of my expectations. I can’t wait to share my stories and photos with friends and family, and for anyone considering a Disney World vacation, my advice is simple—go for it! You won’t regret it.

A Journey Through the Magic: Our Disney World Vacation