DISNEY WORLD

8 Things That Make Disney World So Magical (In Addition To The Pixie Dust)

Posted in Disney Lists 

Disney World has the incredible ability to turn every vacation into a “once in a lifetime experience.” It starts when we leave the real world behind and surrender ourselves to the magic that they have created for us. Here are 8 things that make Disney World a favorite place for so many newcomers and return guests alike:

1) Main Street U.S.A.

Can there possibly be any better indication that your Walt Disney World vacation has officially begun than walking out from the tunnel under the Walt Disney World Railroad and onto Main Street U.S.A.? Everything from the storefronts to the horse-drawn trolleys transports you back in time to small town America in the early 1900’s. And off in the distance, Cinderella’s Castle hints at all the wonders that await you.

 2) The Immersive Experience

Wherever you go on their property, Disney has created a storyline for you to follow. From the theming of the resorts to the interactive ride queues at the parks, that attention to detail immerses you in the action in a way that truly brings the story to life. And they back it all up with cleanliness and maintenance policies that keep everything looking fresh and inviting. Instead of being tedious, Disney’s ability to sprinkle even your wait in line with a little bit of pixie dust builds your anticipation while making time pass much more quickly.

3) The Spectacular Nighttime Shows

Nothing caps off your day quite like one of the nighttime spectaculars that Disney World features in their parks. Wishes Nighttime Spectacular at Magic Kingdom, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot, and Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios literally end your day with a bang! Fireworks, pyrotechnics, lasers, water effects, and animation are woven into the fabric of stories that feature the power of believing, the history of our planet, and a battle between good and evil. And in 2016, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will premiere their highly-anticipated new nighttime show, Rivers of Light.

4) Disney World’s Holiday and Special Events

Since no one else can build a theme park quite like Disney, it should come as no surprise that when it comes to holidays and special events, Disney leads the way there as well. Christmas brings us Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Epcot’s Candlelight Processional and Holidays Around the World. Halloween brings family-friendly scares at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. New Year’s Eve is a festive celebration across the entire Disney World Resort. At other times of the year, Disney gives us special events such as Star Wars Weekends, Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival and Food & Wine Festival, and the Night of Joy. Whatever the time of year, Disney’s got a celebration for you!

5) Character Dining

Disney World has built itself a reputation as a destination for foodies. With everything from the standard fare such as burgers and chicken to more gourmet options like Herb-Crusted Lamb and Baked Oyster Gratin or Cedar Plank Blackened Salmon, there is something available for every palate and preference. When you combine that with the opportunity to meet your favorite Disney characters, from the Fab Five of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto to child favorites like Sofia the First, Handy Manny and Doc McStuffins, a good meal is elevated to an unforgettable experience. Why stand in line to get food or to meet your favorite characters when you can combine the two into an exceptional meal where the characters come to you!

6) Disney World Transportation

Sure, it can require some planning and a close eye on the time, but Disney makes it convenient and easy to get wherever you need to go on property – and beyond. The airport shuttle and luggage delivery service provided by Disney’s Magical Express has been one of the best Disney innovations outside the parks. On the resort, a fleet of buses makes travel to the parks and resorts a breeze – one that comes around at least once every 10-20 minutes! The various resort boats provide not only a relaxing and fun way to get wherever you’re going, but also a unique look at the resort that you can’t get anywhere else. And no trip to Disney World is complete without at least one ride on the iconic Monorail, even if it’s just to make a round trip back to where you began!

7) Fun for the Whole Family

Walt Disney dreamed of a place where children and parents could have fun together. What he created was a park where families could do just that. The variety of attractions in each of the parks ensures that there is something fun for everyone to do. Expedition Everest, Mission: Space, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Space Mountain offer up thrills to even the most jaded teenagers, while Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, The Seas with Nemo & Friends and The Boneyard Playground pack plenty of excitement for young children.

8) The Cast Members

While “it was all started by a mouse,” it is the people that work at Disney World that keep things running so smoothly. It seems a remarkable engineering feat unto itself that Disney World continues to attract the large number of excellent Cast Members that it requires to bring Walt’s vision to life on a daily basis. While there are certainly exceptions, the vast majority of stories that one hears about Cast Members tend to be about how they went above and beyond to make a guest’s day special.

With all the wonder and magic that Disney World has built into every corner of their resort, it’s easy to see why family vacations there are so memorable. What do you love most about Disney World?