WDW Trip Recap – August 2024

09/17/2024|MICHELLE|Disney Vacations, Magical Moments, Travel

Is there anything better than FINALLY going on your trip?

We all know having a countdown is great, but finally going on the trip is better!! Since December of last year, my life has been consumed by my big move to the Cayman Islands. Every day I had to deal with something for the move. Whether it was packing, sorting or organizing for the move. Filling out endless amounts of forms for both my husband and I and, of course, the pets, and let me tell you, there was SO MUCH to do to get them moved! It was always something.

Once I actually moved, it’s been the stress of dealing with a brand new place to live. I don’t know anyone, where anything is and getting around has been a challenge. Grand Cayman doesn’t really have buses…or sidewalks!

Needless to say, my mental health has taken a huge hit over the last 8 months!! This trip is for me. It’s for my mental health. I got be 100% selfish, thinking only of what I wanted to do, eat, see or experience for a whole week.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Sadly, due to flight delays, I missed the Disney’s Hollywood Studios After Hours Party. I didn’t end up getting to my resort until about midnight and I was EXHAUSTED!! WDW Guest Relations was very kind to me about missing the party and gave me a refund via gift card. PLEASE NOTE all party and park tickets are non-refundable, however Guest Relations is great and will work with guests to resolve issues in extenuating circumstances. It should be noted that I have NEVER gotten or asked for a refund on ANYTHING!!

I do encourage you to take a look at the information for the Disney’s After Hours Party!

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en-ca/events-tours/hollywood-studios/hollywood-studios-after-hours/

Disney’s Hollywood Studios isn’t the only park to have the After Hours Event! Be sure to check out the link for more information!

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en-ca/events-tours/after-hours/

So, even though I didn’t get to do the party, I still had a great day when I made my way to DHS. I slept in and had a later start since I already had my lightning lane passes for the rides I wanted to do so I was able to just got to go and relax, have fun and take pictures!!

I did all my favourite rides, like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Toy Story Mania, Lightning McQueen Racing Academy and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad, took a stroll through Toy Story Land and even Galaxy’s Edge and even watched Frozen Ever After Sing Along!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios definitely has the old Hollywood vibe, especially at night! At night, when everything is all lit up it is really pretty and feels like you are in a whole different park!

Epcot

If Epcot isn’t your favourite park, we can’t be friends!

Epcot, to me, is perfect. Since I’m not a huge ride person, this park has the perfect amount of rides, things to see and do and, or course, so much food!!

While there is, currently, no festival on, they are preparing for one of the most popular events, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. I do love a good Epcot festival but I’m so happy to spend the day walking around, snacking and going on the rides I love, without dealing with the huge festival crowds.

I always spend quite a bit of time at Epcot, I will go over in the evening to just walk around or have dinner or a snack. This trip I was able to spend some time there visiting with friends!! I love when you can meet up with friends! I do love my solo days, but being able to share some excitement with people is great!

My day at Epcot isn’t complete until I have ridden Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land and Frozen Ever After!

Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party

Boo to you and you and you…HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Ok, August might seem a little early to celebrate Halloween but trust me, Halloween in the Magic Kingdom is perfect!!

The Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is one of the most perfect events you can attend. It is a special ticket (not included with park admission), and runs on select nights from August – October.

Experience the Boo To You parade, special Hallo-Wishes fireworks, stage shows, dance parties and, or course, Trick or Treating in the Magic Kingdom!! Seriously, the amount of candy you get is nuts!!

Your favourite Disney characters are out in there special costumes and rides like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean get some fun add-on’s for the party!

I was so happy to be back and this time, with friends of mine! I did the party twice and it was just wonderful, not so spooky, magic both times!

Proceed with caution!! There is a LOT to do!! It is very unlikely you will get to do rides, treats, shows and characters. If you have been to Magic Kingdom before, or plan on another day during your trip, do not focus on rides. Focus on the things that are unique to the night.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en-ca/events-tours/magic-kingdom/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/

Wild Africa Trek

I’ve done a number of the tour in Walt Disney World, and can honestly say, THIS is my favourite! I have now done this tour 5 times and it’s never boring and always exciting.

The Wild Africa Trek tour is a 3 hour semi behind the scenes tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. You will meet your guide and get suited up in your safety gear before heading out.

This tour takes you along some really great paths to give you a unique look at some of the best park residents. I’m, of course, talking about the Hippos and (my favourite) Crocodiles!

Lunch is provided, and then can make dietary accommodations as necessary. This tour takes you over some rough terrain and over 2 suspension bridges, so you must be mobile. Along the tour, your guide will share insights and knowledge about the animals and world conservation. They will also take a bunch of amazing photos, which are included in your tour!

If this seems like a tour you are interested in, I encourage you to check out the link below for more information, such as age restrictions.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en-ca/events-tours/animal-kingdom/wild-africa-trek/

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is the most beautiful park, in my opinion. I send hours just walking around and taking in all the details. Again, it’s really not a big “ride” park for me, but I love being in the park.

My day at DAK includes:

Having lunch at Flame Tree BBQ and sitting by the water with a view of Expedition Everest
Taking a walk around the Tree of Life and seeing all the different animals carved into it.
Riding Dinosaur, Na’vi River Journey and Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Visiting as many Photopass Photographers I can!
Taking the walking trails to see all the animals.

DAK typically closes much early than most parks, usually around 6 or 7pm. This gives you a great opportunity and lot’s of options for your evening. I usually see this a great time to have an early night, to recharge my batteries, get some sleep and rest up for the rest of my trip!

Magic Kingdom

Ok, so if you haven’t been to Walt Disney World before and can only pick one park, it really should be Magic Kingdom. The original Walt Disney World park, this place is just jammed full of magic! All the rides, shows, characters…your day will definitely not be boring!

Magic Kingdom is the “main” park. It is the most visited and probably the one most people think of when they think of Walt Disney World. It is the original and certainly the park that is most closely associated with Walt Disney himself.

Most of the rides in Magic Kingdom are geared towards, and designed for, family enjoyment. Meaning, the vast majority of the rides have no height restrictions, so even babies can enjoy them with family. This park has the most character interactions, rides, attractions, shopping and more.

Even if you are not attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, or even Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there is still a number of treats, souvenirs, and decorations you can enjoy throughout the park.

My favourite rides include the Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, the Peoplemover, Pirates or the Caribbean and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Some of the bigger thrill rides include Tron and Space Mountain. And don’t forget to check Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!! I don’t typically do water rides in a theme park but it is truly great!

If your visit allows, I highly recommend 2 days to really see and do it all in the Magic Kingdom!