This is the most awaited trip for our kids. We have already visited Disney Land at Hong Kong but THE DISNEYWORLD at Orlando is a different world altogether. An experience never to be forgotten. We (Hiren and Ripa) have been to Florida right after we got married, and before we were blessed with kids; Orlando, Miami and Key West were the places we have already been to. And of course, visited Universal and Disney World as well – this was the year 2002. This is our second trip – the year 2015 – and we are staying within the Disney Resorts; earlier we had stayed in a hotel outside Disney.
So, I would not be writing about what to do in Disney / Universal – as every ride has to be experienced; and that too more than once. The Disney website is more than sufficient for “Guide to Disney World”. There is no specific plan to be followed, it should be as per the traveller’s comfort levels. I would simply give a brief summary of our experience, with the aim that it would help prospective travellers plan their itineraries.
How to reach Orlando?
Oh! there are many ways to reach here. It is the most easily accessible tourist city. Several flights operate to Orlando and of course, travelling here by road is a thrilling experience altogether.
- Take a flight from your home city to Orlando International Airport. And if you have booked the Disney resorts for stay, then be assured that the Disney staff will take care of you from the airport itself.
- Ride the train – Amtrak – from New York – Miami (several stops including Philadelphia, Savannah)
- Ride on Amtrak’s Auto Train. This is the best option if you want to use your car within Florida instead of renting. The traveller and their automobile board the Amtrak at the Washington DC area and reach Orlando after 17 hours.
- Drive to Orlando via the Interstate Highway system.
Best time to visit Orlando.
Florida has gorgeous tropical weather all year around. It is bright and sunny always. So the best time to visit Disney is “Any Time”. Just check your personal calendar, book tickets as per your holiday schedule and you are good to go…
Traveller Tips
One very important Tip – Book your stay in any of the gorgeous and luxurious Disney Resorts. Could turn out to be a little over budget, but a peace of mind totally so that we could make the best out of this trip.
- The luggage is picked up from the airport and loaded into the Disney bus
- We get a ride from the airport to Disney resorts.
- Warm welcome at Disney resorts.
- We get the Disney wrist bands, giving us a lot of privileges within the park.
- Extended hours of park.
- Bus from resort to the park.
- In house residents have a smart card and special queue to get onto the rides.
- Luggage is taken from the resort to the airport and we can leave the resort with empty hands, but heart full of fun and mind full of happy memories.
- The resorts have a swimming pool and a play area for kids.
- We can buy a refillable jar at the resort and get free refill for cold and hot beverages anywhere in the park.
- Enjoy the cookies and Brownies and a combination of both as well.. Food here inside the park is unmissable
Our experience and Travel schedule
- We would start our day early; Be ready by 9 am, have a hearty breakfast at the resort and leave by the Disney bus to the desired park.
- Enroute we would then take a map of the park and plan out our day, as to which area we would be doing in what order.
- Around 1 pm, we would obviously be tired and famished, especially tiring due to the hot Florida sun at its peak. It was difficult for us to stay out in the open under the scorching heat. So, we would take the bus back to our resort, have lunch here and then take a little nap or rest or swim and chill.
- At approximately 4 pm, we would be re-energised and take the bus back to the Park. Residents have a special privilege to stay back at the park till midnight. We would have dinner here in the park at one of the dining outlets. Nightlife at the park is not to be missed. The cool weather makes us enjoy the Disney park more at night than in the afternoon.
Thrill in the ride 
Magical Cinderllas castle
