Looking Forward to Disney Fall Fun

No matter how many times I go to Walt Disney World, the experience is always the same. The endless planning, the frantic writing down of my packing list weeks in advance, scoping out dining reservations, and most of all, that sleepless night before I board the plane to Orlando. Yes, I’m that little kid that says, “I’m too excited to sleep!” I’m sure we all have our own unique ways of preparing for our latest trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth, but I think it’s safe to say that we all have a few experiences in common. So without further ado, here are six things I always look forward to as I get ready for that upcoming Disney vacation:

Discovering the New…

Whether it’s a new attraction, a new restaurant, or a new show, it always seems like there’s something new at Walt Disney World, no matter how many times I’ve been there before. I can still remember the weeks and months of anticipation as we got closer and closer to that first ride on Flight of Passage, or Rise of the Resistance, or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. And the best part? In spite of all the hype, all the lofty expectations, and all the build-up, we have never walked away disappointed. On the contrary, every new experience has quickly vaulted to the top of the list of our favorite Disney attractions. This time around, I can’t wait to join Rocket, Groot, Drax, and the rest of the Guardians as we blast off on a totally awesome adventure. But that’s not the only thing I’m looking forward to. This will also be the first time I’ve seen the new Coco segment in Mickey’s PhilharMagic, and believe it or not, the first time we stayed in the garden rooms at the Contemporary Resort (so retro!). That’s one of the great things about vacationing at Walt Disney World. No matter how many times you’ve been there before, there’s always something new to discover.

…and Meeting Up With Old Friends

Trying out new things is always fun and exciting, but it’s just as magical to get reacquainted with those beloved attractions from years gone by. Whether you’re passing by Madame Leota’s crystal ball in the seance room at the Haunted Mansion, getting a whiff of that musty water aroma in Pirates of the Caribbean, or taking that grand and miraculous journey aboard Spaceship Earth, the memories that come flooding back will surely make you nostalgically weepy. And best of all, let’s not forget the greatest Disney attraction of all, the monorail. Once you hear those doors close and you hear that familiar reminder to stand clear of the doors, you’re home again. These are the memories that keep us coming back, and every time we experience them, it’s like seeing an old friend again. Welcome home indeed!

All Those Details Just Waiting to Be Discovered

Another thing we love about Walt Disney World is that there is so much to discover. Not just jaw-dropping attractions and innovative experiences but all those little details that the Imagineers love to leave behind. No matter where I am in the parks and resorts, I’m always discovering something new. Some little hidden Easter egg I had never seen before, or a brand new Hidden Mickey in the queue of the latest attraction. Walt Disney World is constantly changing, which means that there’s always an opportunity for the Imagineers to introduce a new clever reference to a favorite character, a nod to a former attraction, a new way to hide that three-circle image into the scenery, or a self-referential inside joke. I can’t wait to discover all the hidden details on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and to try and find even more at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. I know I’ll never find them all, but that’s more reason to come back and try again!

The Food

Yes, attractions are great…but we know it’s all about the food! In addition to some new restaurants we’ll be visiting (hello Steakhouse 71!), we’ll be snacking our way around the world at the International Food & Wine Festival, along with the spooky treats of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. (I’m particularly looking forward to the M&M’s Peanut Butter Churro and the Jack-O-Lantern Float with citrus swirl and brown sugar whipped cream!)

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But in case you didn’t know, next week is also World Princess Week! Disney is rolling out a huge selection of elegant (and scrumptious!) snacks, including the Anna & Elsa Cookie (sugar cookies with chocolate ganache) at Norway’s Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in EPCOT and the Cinderella Cupcake at the Contemporary’s Contempo Café (featuring a vanilla crème custard filling, buttercream, white chocolate slipper, and fondant pumpkin!). MMMM!!!

Spooks Come Out to Play

But going back to Halloween, the calendar might say August, but those happy haunts are already putting on a nightly party in the Magic Kingdom! The park will be filled with ghoulish delights, from Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade to the new ZOM-BEATZ BASH. But the party is just one part of the Fall festivities…one of the things we love the most is walking down Main Street, U.S.A., when it’s all decked out in orange and yellow buntings with Mickey jack-o-lanterns hanging on every post. It almost makes you forget about the Florida summer heat! (Almost…)

Living the Magic…Again and Again and Again

But most of all, coming back to Walt Disney World is like coming home again. Every time we come back, we’re transported back to that very first visit: to that first time we saw Cinderella Castle rising at the end of Main Street, the first time we took that twilight tour of Tomorrowland aboard that TTA, and the first time we heard the distant howling of the wolves at the Haunted Mansion. Disney means something different to everyone, but no matter who you are or how old you are, there’s something about this place that brings out all those childhood magical feels. It’s a feeling we get nowhere else, and it’s that feeling that reminds us that dreams really can come true. Especially when you’re dreaming of new holiday cupcakes…