Disney World is one of m y favorite places to vacation with my kids. Even though we own a timeshare there and go every other year, it seems that we always find something new each time we go. This year, since my oldest son, Schyler, already got his trip (he wanted to go snow skiing, so we did that a few months ago), I decided to take my youngest son, Zane, who is 10 and Angela Lee, who has only been to Disney Land in California (and that was when she was a child).
We decided to split up where we stayed this year and spent our first two nights at the Animal Kingdom theme park. Home to more than 1,700 animals from 250 species and sprawling across 500 acres of lush landscape, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is the largest animal-themed park in the world! It was so much fun to have a hotel room in the midst of a number of exotic animals, including zebras and giraffes. Animal Kingdom is divided into seven areas: Oasis, Discovery Island area, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch area, Asia and Dinoland U.S.A. area. Each area includes both real and fantastic animals, some of which you can pet and some of which you can ask for an autograph!
Our third and fourth night we stayed at our regular time share which is in the Saratoga Springs area of Disney. Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is an equestrian-themed, Victorian-style Disney Deluxe Villa Resort on the shores of Lake Buena Vista. The resort includes Disney’s newest vacation homes, the Treehouse Villas, that allow up to nine guests to sleep high up amongst the lush forest leaves. We didn’t stay in the Treehouse Villas, but we did get to take a tour and were very impressed. Zane especially liked the idea of sleeping in a large treehouse and I’m sure the next time we’ll go, he’ll put his vote in for staying in one!
The inviting buildings and grounds of this 65-acre resort are inspired by historic Saratoga Springs, a late-1800s New York retreat famous for its spas and horse racing.
It’s a peaceful, tranquil place to stay when you need a break from all the action as you can stroll around listening to the fountains and looking at the lakes, swimming in the huge pool or getting a treatment at the award-winning spa. The other great thing about this resort is that it’s in walking distance of downtown Disney, which you’ll definitely want to visit.
Since we have visited Disney before and since we wouldn’t be there that long, we wanted to do a few of our favorite activities and really show Angela why Disney is so great! One of those activities is Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Designed like a wheel with the hub in front of Cinderella Castle, pathways spoke out across the 107 acres of Magic Kingdom theme park and lead to seven whimsical lands: Main Street, U.S.A.® area,
Adventureland® area, Frontierland® area, Liberty Square, Fantasyland® area, Mickey’s Toontown® Fair area and Tomorrowland® area. The Magic Kingdom also has some of the best parades, but we suggest you go on the rides during the first parade to avoid lines and then attend the second parade since many people go home after the first and it’s not as crowded.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park is another must-see as it is the home to our two favorite rides—the Rock n’ Roll Rollercoaster and the Tower of Terror. A fast pass is a must for these two rides at peak times as they are very popular. For more about fast passes, make sure you check out our ‘tips’ section. Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers behind-the-scenes glimpses of Hollywood-style action with live shows, thrilling attractions, backstage tours and special events that only happen in this Disney Park dedicated to entertainment. The glitz and glamour of the Hollywood Heydays from the 1930s and 1940s are captured by the neon, chrome, art deco and modern architecture throughout Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. The streets and sections of the four areas of the park blend together like a large, bustling movie set.
Downtown Disney is another one of our favorites. This areas features more than 70 shopping, entertainment and dining choices and is divided into Disney West Side, Downtown Disney Marketplace and Pleasure Island. This is a great night spot if you just want to grab dinner or want to grab some time without the kids for a few drinks. Downtown Disney is also the home of one of Zane’s favorite parts of Disney—LegoLand. This is a must-see, no matter what your age or your feelings for Legos! They have incredible displays made entirely of Legos, including a life-sized dragon in a lake!
Tips for Visiting Disney World:
 Since we have been to Disney a few times, I’ve come up with some tips that have helped me enjoy this destination to its fullest. Hopefully they will help you too!
--Get there as early as possible. Try to plan your days so you are at the theme parks as soon as they open. Not only is it cooler, but the lines aren’t nearly as long.
--Get hopper passes. These are very good values and allow you to see a number of different parks. It’s unrealistic to try to see more than two theme parks and one water park in one day, so make sure you plan accordingly.
--Bring your own snacks and drinks. One great thing about Disney is they allow outside food and drinks. This can save lots of money! We brought beef jerky, cheese sticks, snack mix, fruit roll ups, granola bars, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apples, oranges and frozen lemonade, water, tea and a number of other things to munch on during the day. All of these pack well in your suitcase and they keep well in your purse or a bag you bring along with you to the park. Also, when you buy these things in your hometown, you’re keeping more of your money working for our local economy! We planned for one nice dinner at a themed restaurant, but saved money on our other meals and snacks by planning ahead!
--Get fast passes for the most popular rides. These allow you to ‘wait in line’ without actually having to wait in line! You simply get one and then go do other things while you wait for your chance to ride the ride. You then come back at a set time and only have to wait in a very short line. Since you can only have one out at a time, pick the rides with the longest lines or the rides you know are most popular, such as the roller coasters, water rides and newer attractions.
--Go to the parks early, then go back to your room in the afternoon. If you try to stay at the parks the entire day, you’ll be completely burned out and won’t get to enjoy any  of the night life. We went back to our hotel room and swam, took a nap or just relaxed so we could go back later refreshed! This is also a great time to check out one of Disney’s two water parks, both of which are part of the hopper pass.
--Start at the back of the parks and work your way forward. Most people start at the front, so this is a great way to avoid lines.
--Stay on property. It might seem cheaper to get a hotel room outside of Disney, but you’ll be much happier staying on property. There are shuttles to take you anywhere you want to go and it really enhances the whole experience. If you stay off property, you have to pay to park, then if you want to go to another park, you have to drive there and pay to park again.
We really enjoyed our recent trip to Disney World and recommend it to everyone—whether you have kids or not!!! It’s such an amazing place and we can’t wait to go back. In two years we hope to take Delaney, Angie and Kirk’s little girl who is two years old now. We saw many people with babies or very young children, but I personally wouldn’t take a kid who is under four.
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