One of my readers suggested that they would love to hear about how I spend a day at Disney, so I thought it would be fun to share that with you all! Because I go so often I don’t always do the parks the way a typical person might – there are rides I will skip since I did them last time if the line is too long, or I’m there for a special event (like the Princess half marathon!).
But on Friday, February 19th I spent a day in the Magic Kingdom with my husband, his brother, and his brother’s girlfriend. The two of them hadn’t been in quite awhile so we made sure to hit a lot of the most important things in the park! We arrived very close to opening time (we had just missed the opening show but were still in the park by 8am – there was an extra magic hour this morning that got us into the park early!). We made a beeline for Peter Pan’s Flight since the wait time can get really long on that one and we didn’t have a fastpass for it. It seems that now only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open for extra magic hours, which is kind of bummer, but we also did Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Under the Sea before the park officially opened.
Once we were allowed into Liberty Square we headed straight for some breakfast – which was a waffle sandwich at Sleepy Hollow! I’m bummed that they took away the lunch waffle sandwiches, but glad that my all-time favorite is still there. Jason and I split a huge waffle covered in nutella and loaded with fresh bananas, strawberries, and blueberries. This thing is so good, I highly recommend you try one if you’re headed to Disney World!
After digesting our breakfast we went to ride Splash Mountain, since the wait was pretty short. It was a little cool still, which is why I think there wasn’t much of a line, but we were near the back and didn’t get too wet so it was all good. Up next was a fastpass for the Haunted Mansion followed by our next fastpass for 7 Dwarfs Mine Train. I enjoy the Mine Train, it’s a cute ride, but as an adult I definitely don’t think it’s worth the 60+ minute waits that it routinely has. Thank goodness for fastpass!
Following a full morning of rides we headed to our lunch reservation at Be Our Guest. If you know me well you probably know that I’m a huge Beauty and the Beast fan, so it’s no surprise that Be Our Guest is my favorite restaurant. The food is good and the inside of it is absolutely gorgeous. There are three rooms to sit in – the ballroom, the west wing, and the rose gallery. We sat in the rose gallery because the other two were really crowded. It’s decorated with lots of Beauty and the Beast tapestries – one of which I recognized because we have it hanging in our bedroom! I got the turkey sandwich on a baguette and it was very good. The baguette in particular is delicious here, so if I go for lunch I always get one of the sandwiches for that delicious bread.
After lunch our last pre-selected fastpass was ready, so we went on Space Mountain. By this point it was the afternoon and we were out of fastpasses, and the lines were all quite long. So instead we decided to play some Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom! If you’re not familiar, it’s a card game that’s kind of similar to something like Pokemon, where you have spells which different levels of power, rarity, etc. They give you a pack of cards for free to play, and you explore the park and look for the interactive portals at various locations. It’s a lot of fun, and we definitely got my brother-in-law addicted to it!
While my family was running around playing Sorcerer’s I went in search of my blogging friend Ariel, who’s currently working in the Magic Kingdom. I finally found her and it was exciting to meet up and chat for a little bit, even if it was brief! You can check out her blog at Keys to my Life – Ariel is awesome!
I met up with the others in Adventureland where I finally got my favorite Disney treat of all time – the citrus swirl. I know a lot of people prefer the Dole Whip, which is pineapple, but I’ll always be a fan of the icy orange and creamy vanilla swirl. My brother-in-law ordered one too and because it was his birthday and he was wearing his birthday button, they gave it to him for free. Love that Disney magic!
We rounded out the afternoon by watching the Festival of Fantasy parade, seeing Mickey’s Philharmagic, and riding the Peoplemover. The Peoplemover was especially cool because it goes through part of Space Mountain. And at the time Space Mountain happened to be down so they had the lights on, which is a rare thing to see! It looks so crazy when you’re not in the dark.
Jason and I had dinner reservations at the new Skipper Canteen, so we headed there while the others went to find food somewhere else. I’ll be doing a full review on the Skipper Canteen soon, but we really enjoyed it! The food was different but very good and the host who seated us was hilarious.
After dinner we rode Jungle Cruise before heading back to the resort. Normally I would have stayed to watch Wishes but this time I had to be up at 3:30am the next morning for a 10k, so we called it an early night so I could get some sleep!
It looks so beautiful!
It truly is a beautiful place!
Cool! I always make sure to go on the Haunted Mansion. If I get that and do nothing else, I’m happy, lol!
I don’t really ever go on the Peter Pan ride; I probably haven’t been on it in years now! I just didn’t find it all that enjoyable.
What’s the Dwarf Mine Train like? I haven’t been on it yet. Is it like Thunder Mountain-level of speed and thrills? Or is it less than that?
We did Haunted Mansion multiple times this trip! And I’m not a big fan of Peter Pan either but one of the other people I was with had some nostalgic attachment so we made sure to do it first, because the waits can get really long. They did just build a new queue for it that’s pretty cool to walk through.
I think mine train is less thrilling than Thunder Mountain. It certainly feels more gentle.
If I ever get to go back, Hopefully, Your suggestion will be a great help.
I hope you do get to go back!
I don’t remember the Peoplemover. Did we go on it? How long has it been around?
It’s been around for quite awhile, but I’m not sure we went on it. You would like it though! We’ll have to do it when you go back 😉
Reading your blog makes me want to go back soon!
That sounds like a great day! I haven’t been to Disney World in years, but it is magical. My sister and her best friend just completed the Princess half marathon, it was their first time and they loved it!
Congrats to them for finishing the half marathon! It really is an awesome experience.
Looks like a great day! I feel like I might be the only person in the USA to say this, but, I’ve never been to Disney.
Haha not the only! I went with a friend last year who’s in his 30’s and had never been. I do recommend going if you ever get the chance!
That Nutella waffle thing looks so yummy! And it is cool to have some ideas about recommended things to do, because I feel like it would be easy to walk around aimlessly!
It was so good! And you’re right, I think it’s important to at least have a general plan at Disney. Otherwise you might be overwhelmed with everything.
Sounds like a fun day! I’ve always wondered what Space Mountain looked like with the lights on!
Me too, I’d heard about people seeing it with the lights on before so I was excited that I finally got the chance to see it too!
Wow I want to go to Disney now!!! Oh and get one of those waffles for sure 😀
Ohh yes, the waffles are so good!
Disney’s masterful at kids’ entertainment, isn’t it? Always a magical time there.
They’ve really got it nailed down at Disney! I’m always looking forward to what they come up with next!
That waffle looks amazing!! We will have to make a trip someday!
I crave that waffle! I need to get a waffle maker at home so I can recreate it 😉
Ahhh Ariel! I love her! She is so sweet! I really hope to get to the magic kingdom one day. Not super important to your post but the outfit in you sidebar main pic is adorable.
Yes, Ariel is wonderful and I’m hoping to meet up with her again next time I’m down there! And thank you! 🙂
I LOVE Magic Kingdom! My daughter, who’s almost 3 and just as obsessed with Disney as I am, was telling me today in the car, “I want to go to Magic Kingdom! I want to see the lights on the castles when it’s dark!” (Clearly, I’ve raised her right.) We actually got stuck on Space Mountain one time, the cast members put the lights on, and we were escorted off the tracks back to the loading zone. The tracks are so, so close together!
Aww, I love that your daughter is such a Disney fan! And that must have been crazy to actually be on it when the lights were on. They do look so close together I think it would be scarier to ride it with the lights on! The only ride I was ever evacuated from at Disney was Toy Story Mania.
Looks like a great time! We haven’t been to Disney in a little over a year…we go once every few years to get our “fix” and see the new stuff!
I think that’s a great way to do it – it’s amazing how many new things they’ll add in a couple of years!
I’ve ALWAYS wanted to see Space Mountain with the lights on! Thanks so much for taking a photo of it! I love the PeopleMover, my friends and I used to just go round and round on it when I lived in WDW. 🙂 Loved this post!
— LisaLDN.com
You’re welcome! I didn’t expect the lights to be on when we went around so I was scrambling to get out my phone. Not the best picture but it’s something!
Looks like the four of you had a wonderful time at Disney, lovely pictures! You are making me want to plan a trip there soon. Hope your 10K was great fun too!
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Thank you! It was a great time – and I highly recommend you go if you get the chance!
It’s been so long since I went to Disney, I think I’d like to try it now as an adult! Looks like an amazing time 😛
I absolutely love Disney as an adult! People think it’s just for kids, but there are so many things to do.
I’m so glad you posted this! I’m finally heading to WDW in September and although I feel like I’m cheating on Disneyland, I’m excited! I need to brush up on all things WDW to see what I should do!
Ahh that’s so exciting! If you have any questions about anything let me know!
I can’t believe I’m just now seeing this. Ahhh I’ve been so busy! I was so happy you got to come find me! it seriously made my day 🙂
Haha well I’m glad you’re catching up and finding it! It was great to meet you!