About this Trip
We did this trip in October 2025. I chose October thinking it might be less crowded than Summer, Spring Break, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Dead wrong - it was INSANELY crowded due to school fall breaks and Mickey's Halloween Party. We had a really fun time anyways thanks in large part to perfect weather, and everyone being extremely patient, excited, and flexible (not always strengths for all of us).
What to Do in Advance
Consider Pin Trading. If you’re planning to try pin trading at Disney parks, it’s a good idea to buy a starter set of Disney pins on eBay before your trip—my kids really enjoyed this.
Pin trading is a fun activity where guests collect and swap Disney-themed pins with cast members or other visitors. You simply trade one of your pins for one you like on someone else’s lanyard or pin board. It’s a great way to interact with staff, hunt for unique designs, and build a personalized souvenir collection throughout your visit.
Book your airfare. We flew Southwest Airlines from DAL to MCO.
Book your lodging. We chose to stay at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside - the room was smallish - but fine for us. If we went back, I think I would stay off property but this was really orienting for first-timers. The buses and interpark transport is nice, but we ended up taking an uber intead several times just because it was faster.
Check Park Info Carefully and Make a Plan (Don’t Skip This!) Planning is absolutely essential for a Disney trip—this is not the place to wing it. Take time before you go to review park schedules and special events. Some parks close early on certain days for separately ticketed events. For example, Magic Kingdom sometimes closes to regular guests around 5:00 PM for special evening parties (these can cost around $200 per person). You can actually use this to your advantage—those days are usually less crowded earlier on. Just decide what matters more to you: lighter daytime crowds or a full day in the park, and plan accordingly.
Disney can feel overwhelming, so it really helps to decide your priorities ahead of time. Are fireworks a must-do? Character meet-and-greets? Sit-down dinners? All of that needs to factor into your daily plan. We were very ride-focused, so that’s where most of our energy went (more on that below). I’d still recommend booking at least one nice dinner in advance, plus any character experiences you really care about.
We also started super early every day, which meant we missed the fireworks—and we were totally fine with that trade-off.
One more big tip: if you want to “rope drop” rides and you’re staying on property, get there EARLY. Like, earlier than you think. They often let guests in at least 30 minutes before the official early entry time. This is your best shot at getting on the most popular rides without paying extra. We met someone at Magic Kingdom who had already ridden five rides before we even got there.
Get the photo pass through the app - it was only 100 for all park photos all days. Very worth it.
Familiarize Yourself with the Disney App, Park Maps, and Ride Tier Structure
- Resort guests: book 7 days before check-in (for your entire stay).
- Non-resort guests: book 3 days in advance.
- Passes seemed to be about $18 to 26 per person per pass
- You book 3 rides per park in advance, before your park day.
- Important to reference the park maps when booking your attractions so you're not running all over the park (though sometimes ya have to!)
- One of your 3 ride reservations must be chosen from a limited selection of the most popular rides. The other two reservations will be for less crowded, mid- or lower-tier rides.
- You can select an hour window to show up to your rides.
- You can make all your selections before your trip, A HUGE BENEFIT if you’re staying at a Disney Resort.
Day 1 - Travel and Typhoon Lagoon
Day 2 - Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios ended up being a bit of a mixed bag for us—but still absolutely worth a visit. The park leans heavily into movie magic, with some of the most immersive lands and cinematic rides in all of Disney. That said, it was probably my least favorite of the four main parks overall. I think a big part of that came down to crowds (this was definitely my worst-planned day), and the wait times for some attractions were honestly insane. With better planning—or lighter crowds—I think I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more.
That said, there is a lot to love here, and a few standout rides that really carried the day for us.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — One of the most immersive rides in all of Disney. From the moment you enter the queue, it feels like you’ve stepped into a movie. The trackless ride system, massive scale, and cinematic storytelling make this a must-do. We rope dropped this one and headed straight there at park open, which saved us from what would’ve easily been one of the longest waits of the day.
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster (Aerosmith) — A high-speed launch coaster with inversions and a blasting rock soundtrack. This was a huge hit with the boys and probably their favorite ride of the day. Worth noting: this version just closed in March 2026 and is being rethemed into a Muppets-themed coaster, set to reopen in summer 2026—same thrilling ride system, but with a totally new storyline and music.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror — A classic Disney thrill ride. Creepy, theatrical, and unpredictable, with those iconic drop sequences that still get you every time. Definitely a must for anyone who likes a little adrenaline with their storytelling.
Day 3 - Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom was everything you want it to be—classic Disney, a little chaotic, but full of those core memories you picture when you think “Disney trip.” Full disclosure: we bought our very broke-looking Mickey ears at Walmart for about $3 each strictly for photo ops :) The ones in the park were like $50 each and honestly… no one cared about them but me. Trade-offs! I also made everyone wear matching shirts, which I stand by.
We had a really great day here—we discovered pin trading (unexpectedly fun), caught the character parade, rode almost everything on our list, and got some iconic castle photos.
Highlights:
TRON: Lightcycle / Power Run — We were able to rope-drop this ride and only had about 45 minute wait. This is a super sleek, high-speed motorbike-style coaster under a glowing canopy, and WOW—it absolutely lived up to the hype. Easily the second-best ride of the whole trip. The launch is intense, the ride is smooth, and the whole experience feels futuristic in the best way.
Space Mountain — A total classic. The dark, indoor coaster still hits, especially for older kids and adults. It’s not the smoothest ride out there anymore, but that almost adds to the charm—it’s fast, unpredictable, and one of those must-do Magic Kingdom staples.
Haunted Mansion — A Disney icon for a reason. It’s not scary, but it’s incredibly well done—more spooky and clever than anything else. The details are what make it: the stretching room, the ghosts, the subtle humor woven throughout. It’s one of those rides you could go on multiple times and still catch something new.
It’s a Small World — Slow? Yes. But also completely iconic. The song will absolutely get stuck in your head, but it’s one of those nostalgic, peaceful rides that feels like stepping back in time. Worth doing at least once just to say you did it.
Carousel of Progress — Honestly one of the most unexpectedly charming things in the park. It’s a rotating theater show that walks you through different eras of American life, and it has that old-school Disney feel in the best way. It’s a great spot to sit down, cool off, and take a break—and the song is weirdly catchy. A little nostalgic, a little corny, but we all really liked it.
Day 4 - Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom might have surprised me the most—in the best way. We got there for early entry, feeling very on top of things… only to find that Avatar Flight of Passage was already at a 90-minute wait 😵💫. Everyone was grouchy and we waited like two total hours. Lesson learned: I would 100% buy a Lightning Lane / fast pass for that ride in advance and save it for later in the day. That way, you can walk in and knock out everything else while the crowds are tied up in the Avatar line.
This strategy works especially for Kilimanjaro Safaris, which is way better in the morning when the animals are more active. We loved this one—every ride is different, and it really does feel like a mini safari.
That said, this park is AMAZING. I think it’s super underrated. It has at least two of the best rides in all of Disney, and the overall vibe is just different—more relaxed, more immersive, and honestly just really beautiful. You can absolutely do it in a half day if you plan it right, but it’s also a great place to slow down, grab a drink, and just wander.
Highlights:
Avatar Flight of Passage — One of the best rides anywhere. You’re basically flying on the back of a banshee, and it feels incredibly real. The visuals, the movement, even the little details like wind and water—it’s next level. Worth the hype, just plan smart so you’re not stuck in a brutal line first thing.
Expedition Everest — A legit thrill coaster and easily one of the best in Disney. Big drops, high speed, and the whole Yeti storyline adds to the experience. This was a favorite and one we’d ride again without hesitation.
Kilimanjaro Safaris — Such a cool experience. It’s different every time depending on the animals, and the open savanna setting makes it feel way more real than you’d expect from a theme park.
Na’vi River Journey — Slower and more chill, but really beautiful. The glowing bioluminescent scenes are super immersive, and it’s a nice break from the heat and crowds.
Day 5 - EPCOT
EPCOT was hands down my favorite park on our trip which I realize is NOT a popular opinion. It just hits differently—part thrill rides, part world showcase, part food festival. We happened to be there during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, which made it even better. You can basically snack your way around the world all day—think dumplings from China, lobster rolls from New England, pasta from Italy, tacos from Mexico, plus beer, wine, and cocktails from all over. It’s not just “theme park food”—it actually feels like a mini global food tour, and honestly, that alone could carry the day.
Highlights:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — BEST RIDE EVER. Not just of the trip—maybe ever. It’s a smooth indoor coaster that spins while launching you through space, synced to music, and it is just pure fun from start to finish. There is nothing else like it. Absolute must-do, no question.
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure — Kind of meh for us, to be honest. It’s cute and well done visually, but compared to everything else in EPCOT, it didn’t really stand out.
Frozen Ever After — Very cute, especially if you like Frozen. Not a thrill ride, but charming and well-themed.
Test Track — Fun, but the real win here was the strategy: we did the single rider line and turned a 2-hour wait into about 1 minute. Huge win.
Soarin' Around the World — Fine. It’s relaxing and a cool concept, but didn’t blow us away.
Mission: SPACE — Also fine, but I’ll admit—it made me a little claustrophobic. You’re in a tight capsule, so just know that going in.
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