Disney - The COVID Version
I know this might be an unpopular opinion, but I would 100% pay more for a Disney World ticket if it meant COVID-level capacity again. My mom loves to talk about how we went to Disney the weekend after 9/11. With flights grounded and people scared to travel, the parks were practically empty… walk-on lines everywhere. And honestly? Our COVID trip felt a lot like that.
A Few Things About This Trip
We didn’t stay on Disney property this time. My mom actually won this trip - yes, won it. I can’t remember the hotel name now, but it was really nice, and we just drove to the parks each morning.
This trip definitely reignited our Disney obsession. When I was little, my dad worked for HP, and they gifted Florida residents and their families Disney annual passes for Christmas. Which… hello?! Yes, please. We went all the time. Disney feels very different now, though … and I’m still a little salty that they got rid of Mickey and Minnie’s houses.
Another fun fact: Ember was free on this trip. Kids three and under don’t need park tickets, which feels like a small Disney miracle.
Day 1: Animal Kingdom + Hollywood Studios
We kicked things off at Animal Kingdom. The day started strong with Ember falling off a ledge while we were taking pictures and bumping her head - so that was fun. After that chaos, we did the safari, caught a couple of shows, and rode what we could. At the time, the girls were two and six, so our ride options were pretty limited.
If you’re trying to save money, I always recommend doing one park per day-especially if you haven’t been a lot. It gives you time to actually slow down and enjoy everything. That said, because wait times were so low, we were basically done by lunchtime. We stopped by Guest Services and added the Park Hopper option right then and there-super easy. So if you’re on the fence about buying the hopper upfront, this is a great backup plan.
Also, if you can’t tell from the pictures… bubble wands are a must.
From there, we hopped over to Hollywood Studios, which is hands down my favorite park. We used Lightning Lane for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (a classic), and of course made a stop in Toy Story Land. Toy Story Mania may look like a kids’ ride, but if you’re even remotely competitive, it becomes very serious very quickly.
While the girls rode the Cars-themed attraction with their grandma, I took on Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. It’s currently being reimagined from Aerosmith to the Muppets, and I’m still not sure how I feel about that. Other must-do rides for me at Hollywood Studios are Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Tower of Terror, and Slinky Dog Dash. Between the rides and shows, you could easily spend an entire day here.
Day 2: Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom is always a must when you’re traveling with younger kids. Our first Lightning Lane of the day was Splash Mountain (RIP). I still haven’t ridden Tiana’s yet—I’m giving them some time to work out the kinks before I dive in.
If you ever ask me my favorite Magic Kingdom ride, the answer will always be Space Mountain. Always. This park is definitely the most kid-friendly in my opinion. We always ride It’s a Small World, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan, Dumbo, and of course, the Tea Cups.
Some of my favorite Disney memories are riding the Tea Cups with my dad. He would spin them as fast as humanly possible, so now I feel obligated to continue that tradition with the girls.
Unpopular opinion: I could totally skip Buzz Lightyear. I know. I know. Don’t come for me.
What we ate:
Crystal Palace
Quick Service in Animal Kingdom
Snacks that are allowed to be brought in in your bag
Quick service in Hollywood Studios
Final Thoughts
I’m sure there’s a lot I’m leaving out, but I was really just focused on soaking up the girls’ first Disney trip—and it truly was magical. We learned a few important lessons, too. Like: even if your kid is seven, get the stroller. Trust me. It’ll save everyone’s sanity halfway through the day.
The masks and six-foot distancing weren’t awful, but I’m definitely glad they’re behind us. This trip was the beginning of our Disney addiction, and there will definitely be more Disney posts to come. I’m already ready to go back. I know this was very rushed, but this trip was also 5 years ago now.. wow how crazy.. so feel free to ask any questions you may have!
