You’ve been to Disney before, right? And maybe you’re wondering, “Can the next trip feel just as magical as the first?”
I get it, there’s something so special about that very first visit. But here’s the good news: the magic doesn’t have to fade. In fact, for our family, it’s only grown stronger with each trip. And I think that’s because we’ve found a few simple ways to keep the wonder alive every single time. Here are my 10 favorite ways we keep the magic alive on every Disney trip:
- Let the kids lead the way
This is pretty basic, but SO important. I learned a long time ago that my bucket list for my kids was completely different from what they actually wanted. On our last trip, I decided that we were going to throw my agenda out the window and I was going to let my kids lead the way. What happened next was pure magic. We stopped for every character meet-and-greet, collected all the autographs, and soaked up the joy in those little moments. And you know what? I didn’t miss out on anything, and it meant the world to my two young daughters. They even have a scrapbook to remember the whole trip, and we had some special one-on-one moments searching for our next princess.
- Stay in the “Disney Bubble”
This is an absolute no-brainer. The Disney bubble is a very REAL thing for my family and me. Crossing under the magic archway is significant for us, and I know we’re entering ‘hallowed’ ground. That might seem a tad melodramatic, but I know that when we stay on property, there’s an energy you cannot explain. Everything from the skyliner cars dancing over our heads to seeing the EPCOT ball across the distance, we know something magical is in store for us. You don’t get that driving down the I-4 corridor daily from your Air B&B, you simply don’t.
- Character dining- just do it!
Yes, character dining is pricey, and sometimes the food isn’t the caliber that you would get at a Michelin star restaurant, but my 6-year-old STILL talks about the interaction she had with Mirabel at 1900 Park Fare. It was a simple conversation where Mirabel told her to wish upon a star, and her dreams would come true. My little girl latched onto it; it was such a sweet moment, and she still reminds us of that interaction. The characters that your kids know and love from movies come alive, and they get to talk with them! It’s like you getting to meet your beloved Taylor Swift for all you ‘Swifties’ out there! You see them on the big screen, you act out their adventures, and then you get to hug them! And remember, this brief moment of time is just that; it won’t be long before they’ll be moving on to more down-to-earth adventures, so enjoy these meals while you can!
- Don’t get FOMO
This one can be tough, especially since Walt Disney World is designed to keep you wanting more. But try to resist the urge to do it all. Disney parks are full of excitement, and it’s easy to get distracted by what’s next while you’re still enjoying something else.
Stay present. Soak in the moment you’re in rather than thinking about what you could be doing instead. It’s not about doing every ride or show; it’s an experience, not a checklist. Let it unfold one memory at a time.
- Don’t book Bibbiddi Boppiti Boutique…..or do?
This is super controversial! But you know your kiddos, and if spending two hours in the Bibbiddi Boppiti Boutique is what you KNOW they’ll love, go ahead with it; but if you have doubts that they’ll enjoy it, just skip it! As moms, we think that our kids want to experience it all and we want to check that off our bucket list for them, but they might be just as happy riding the skyliner for an hour.
Here’s how I like to look at experiences like BBB: You’re already paying big money to be in the Magic Kingdom, so why pay extra money for an experience that’s going to take you out of the parks? We love to save BBB visits for our cruises when we know we’ll have more downtime, and the girls won’t be quite so hot and sweaty walking around the parks in their dresses.
- Watch the fireworks
Does this need further explanation? YES, watch the fireworks! And if you want to really enhance your experience, book a fireworks cruise or even a dessert party. Bonus tip: Don’t bring along the whole family! This will save you money, and you can have a nice one-on-one experience with the birthday kiddo! This is a great way to have a mom-and-me experience that will surely give them a core memory.
- Be Flexible!
It’s going to rain. A kid is going to puke on Guardians. A diaper is going to fail. Things are going to happen that completely derail your day, and you might have to rearrange things last minute. First, call your travel agent if anything big needs to happen for guidance, and then take the other moments in stride. You might be surprised—leaving a park early could lead to a relaxing evening by the pool or an unexpectedly great meal at a quick service spot. Primo Piatto at Riviera is a perfect example. Those chicken tenders are worth writing home about. When plans shift, make the most of it. Turn those lemons into limoncello and keep rolling with the punches.
- Plan for relaxation time
Have you noticed that every Disney resort has a pool, and most of them have multiple pools? Did you ever wonder why? First, it’s because it’s hot in Orlando, like really miserable heat at times. Second, it’s because your kids LOVE to swim. Refer back to point number 1- let your kids lead the way, and I will bet you, they’ll be asking to swim at the hotel pool. It just looks like so much fun, and they will be begging to experience it. So let them.
- Get Dessert
And better yet, wear a celebration button and let Disney pixie dust you with some free dessert! No, it’s not a guarantee, but if you’re celebrating a big moment (birthday, anniversary, personal triumph), tell Disney about it. They do celebrations the right way, and they genuinely want to congratulate you on your achievement. That’s what’s so magical about the cast members here, they actually do care and they love to show you! There are so many treats across the parks (both savory and sweet), so start digging into the app and find your favorites! Have a little bucket list ready to go before you head down, so you know where to look- hint: the quick service spot in your resort always has a great selection, and some treats are resort-specific.
- Commit to the experience
If you’re going to come to Disney, truly come to Disney! One day in the Magic Kingdom does not make a Disney trip. If you truly want to come and experience all the parks and resorts have to offer, let’s do it right! And you might be saying, “I don’t have $10,000 to spend on a Disney vacation.” It doesn’t take that! I can show you how to do Disney on a budget that will fit your family’s needs and keep you within a budget that’s comfortable. Let’s enjoy the experience together.
I can show you the ins and outs and design a trip around your family that will have you bawling as you say your final goodbye to the castle when you walk down Main Street for that last look.
Let’s get started! If you’re dreaming about a Disney trip but don’t really know where to start, start right here. I can start working on a quote for you this week, and we can explore ways to make your trip magical!
OR, come follow along on my adventures here!
