There’s nothing quite like the sensation you get walking into a Disney theme park or resort for the first time in years (or ever). Frankly, you may have sociopathic tendencies if you don’t feel even the teensiest sparkle of magic as you cross over the threshold into the aptly nicknamed “Happiest Place on Earth”.
Our October 2024 park-per-day adventure to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, was extra special because this long-awaited getaway came only a few short days after our wedding. For four magical days after tying the knot, we left the real world behind, along with all of its many worldly responsibilities and emails waiting impatiently on the other side of our vacation.
We dove head-first into the magic the moment we checked into our safari-view accommodations at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The package came with a steep price tag but was well worth it for the special occasion. Immediately, we stepped into the magic with panoramic safari views, crowded at mid-day with what felt like the full cast of herbivores and feathered friends from the “Circle of Life” opening sequence in The Lion King. The lobby boasts stunning vaulted ceilings, African artwork, and a signature touch of Disney whimsy that makes you feel all at once like you’ve just begun an awesome Disney World vacation and like you’re an actual safari vacation.
The downsides of Animal Kingdom Lodge, like the price tag, the loooong walks to and from our room and to dining options at neighboring Kidani Village (we were in Jambo House, which boasts great dining options of its own, albeit extremely crowded ones), the lack of close proximity to other parks, and limited transportation options (this resort is serviced by shuttles only), ultimately didn’t have a significant impact on our trip, but are worth being aware of going in.
With our early mornings and late-night returns to our room on our long park days, we didn’t really spend too much time in our room but overall, we found it cozy and nice enough. Because we didn’t hang out at the hotel a lot, however, we also missed out on a lot of prime animal-watching time, though we got really lucky on our last day when a gang of giraffes, zebra, antelope, and birds came by our room to see us off.
After settling in to our temporary new home, fiddling around with the soundscapes offered on the in-room “Hey Disney!” console (an underratedly cool element of staying at a Disney resort), perusing the massive hotel gift shop, and purchasing our nifty MagicBands (not strictly necessary, but we ended up being really glad we got them due to the added layers of interactivity and convenience they afford the wearer), we jetted off via shuttle to the shopping, dining, and entertainment mecca of Disney Springs, the ultimate way to start or end a WDW trip if you’ve got an evening or half-day to spare.
There’s something for everyone at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs shopping, dining and entertainment complex. Got a Diet Coke enthusiast in tow? Head over to the Coca-Cola Store for your personalized souvenir can. Have a master Lego builder in the fam? Check out the incredible displays in and around Disney Spring’s LEGO store.
We toasted to our nuptials with killer margaritas at esteemed, award-winning Chef Rick Bayliss’s Frontera Cucina outpost and dined on some delicious Mexican fare, and also stopped in for drinks and some animatronic dino-watching at the prehistoric-themed T-REX.
At long last, on the official first full day of our trip, it was time to get lost in all of the wonder and whimsy that Disney has to offer. We chose to start with Hollywood Studios because it seemed like the best way to “ease in” to our rediscovery of the parks, which is to say that it was our least favorite when we first went together back in 2018 (which also happened to be my first multi-day Disney trip).
Well, we’re happy to report that Disney Hollywood Studios is no longer the ugly stepchild of Disney’s Orlando theme parks. Bolstered by the semi-recent additions of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story Land, Hollywood Studios is now a sprawling theme park with more than enough attractions to fill a jampacked, full-day itinerary.
Galaxy’s Edge is especially impressive in its size and scale, commitment to detail, and immersive atmosphere. Around every corner, you’re transported to a busy, multi-planetary-frequented space outpost, where even the most minute details like the bathrooms and trash cans give ‘out-of-this-world’/galaxy far, far away (ever wanted a space outpost Diet Coke? Now you can have one!) energy. Accept the challenge of interactive bounty-hunting missions and try not to get accosted by Stormtroopers. And watch out for the masked, not-Adam-Driver-but-TOTALLY-could-be misunderstood bad guy Kylo Ren, who can often be found confronting patrons (from the very young to very old; don’t think for a second that the kiddos are exempt from the First Order’s rules) and Jedi-mind-choking his generals in rage-fueled public displays of power.
Disney did the beloved “Star Wars” lore and cultural impact justice when it opened this expansive park addition in 2019. The Galaxy’s Edge section of Hollywood Studios truly leaves one feeling as though they’ve spent a couple hours immersed in the hustle and bustle of a remote space outpost on the frontier planet Batuu. Even casual Star Wars fans like us will appreciate the life-size, photo-op-worthy Millenium Falcon parked in the spaceport, the refreshing intergalactic blue milk (less so in the Florida heat), and the hectic cantina with fun and funky space food, refreshments and intergalactic hits spun by Batuu’s chart-topping droid DJ.
OUR FAVORITE Rides & Attractions
IN Hollywood Studios
ROCK'N ROLLERCOASTER
A timeless classic that happens to be the first upside-down roller coaster Dillon ever rode as a youth. Rock’N Roller Coaster never gets old, from the music studio queue to the high-speed sudden acceleration directly into an upside-down corkscrew, all while Steve Tyler and Aerosmith’s greatest hits blast in surround sound. This exhilarating indoor coaster mostly keeps riders in the dark other than a shotgun through the O in the Hollywood sign and other california-themed signage. Rock’N Roller Coaster is a perfect way to start your day with a bang at Hollywood Studios, and it’s always a must-ride whenever we get the pleasure of returning to Disney World.
STAR TOURS: THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES | Echo Lake
Another all-time great ride, Star Tours used to be Disney’s only representation from the Star Wars Universe, and while significantly smaller than its new counterpart Galaxy’s edge, it’s very immersive in it’s own right, making riders feel like they are walking the trees of Endor. The huge AT-AT Walker with functioning turrets and the Tour itself, which closes riders inside a StarSpeeder 1000 ship only to be guided by C3PO himself, all help to transport riders to the Galaxy Far Far Away. Unfortunately, Star Tour’s technology and 3D screen are beginning to really show their age (and by beginning to show its age we mean it started showing it’s age around 15 years ago) and we don’t believe this ride has many years left in it. We’ll keep enjoying the nostalgia while it lasts.
STAR WARS: RISE OF THE RESISTANCE | GALAXY’S EDGE
Rise of the Resistance might be the best ride in the park and potentially in all of Disney World. What they accomplished with this ride set a new standard for ultra-immersive giant practical sets and multi-level story-telling within an attraction. The size of the rooms that your first-order fleet transporter weaves in and out of are massive, the scale and detail of the set-pieces brings riders as close as possible to a real-life high-speed tour through a larger than life star destroyer. From Kylo-Ren stalking your vehicle and burning a hole in the ceiling with his effervescent red lightsaber to Hollywood-grade animatronic storm troopers blasting holes in the wall, Rise of the Resistance is Star-Wars porn for anyone who considers themself a fan of the franchise.
SLINKY DOG DASH | TOY STORY LAND
Slinky Dog Dash is just pure fun, a deceptively speedy roller coaster with varied twists and turns that keeps riders on edge (literally). The coaster is shaped like a super-sized slinky dog and it’s bells and whistles are best enjoyed at night when the tracks and coaster light up the park the park with neon holiday bulbs. Slinky dog immediately takes a steep drop and pauses again for a second launch point illuminated with a “Go-Go-Go” runway.
Riders are then spun in a downward corkscrew at high speed around a massive Jessie figurine while she lassoes Rex; just when you can’t take any more excitement the ride fittingly ends with a slinky-esque portion of the track that mimics the up-down coil-like movements of the famous toy.
Slinky Dog Dash is way better than it has any business being, it’s one of the top roller coasters in all of Disney World and it’s a great reason to stay late at Hollywood Studios before you head over to Fantasmic for Hollywood Studios’ longtime must-do grand finale.
FANTASMIC!
The absolute best show at Disney with the highest production value, bar none. Fantasmic is a spectacle filled with smoke, fire, water, lights and acrobatics. All of the most famous disney villains and heroes play a role in this epic outdoor thriller. Snippets of Disney movies past and present are projected onto a screen of mist, making for a nostalgic and unique way to experience the vault. Real-life characters have their time to shine too, as Aladdin catapults around the stage and Moana uses her water force powers. But the star of the show and OG is Mickey. This son of a bitch is fearless as he grapples with the massive stage-filling snake,Jafar, and he goes toe to toe with Maleficent’s fire breathing dragon. The show ends on a high note with Mickey seemingly transporting through space and time from the bottom of the stage to the very top of the “mountain,” donning his blue star-speckled wizard hat made famous in the Fantasia films. Mickey and the rest of the Disney characters prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that a trip to disney really is “all in the imagination.”
Noteable Eats & Drinks
in Disney's Hollywood Studios
Savory Churros from Ice Cold Hydraulics
The Fun doesn’t stop with the rides and shows at Walt Disney World, the food is just as whimsical and exciting, and there’s a plethora of new options to try every visit. We were skeptical to indulge in these savory churros topped with Coca Cola and Bourboun candied bacon, sriracha aioli, and scallions, all dusted with cinnamon sugar. This combo of flavors sounded bizarre on first glace, but the final product is a fairly delightful savory/sweet mashup. While we still prefer the traditional cinnamon churros, this savory rendition is a must try.
Oga's Cantina
Oga’s Cantina is worth the wait if you’re willing to hang around in Galaxy’s Edge, but try your hardest to snag a coveted reservation far ahead of time or you’ll wait so long you’ll be waking up to a Tatooinian double sunrise before gaining access. The immersion is unparalleled, guests truly feel as if they just stumbled into a crowded and hectic watering hole in the middle of the galaxy. It’s hard not to smile as you’re drinking and eating other-worldly drinks and eats, all while being seranded by the deep-house alien beats of DJ-R3X. A trip to Oga’s feels like being an extra on the mandalorian and a must try for star wars and non-star wars fans alike.
THE OUTER RIM – alcoholic drink at Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge. One of the most delightful and well-balanced drinks we can remember, and that’s saying something considering we live in one of the cocktail epicenters of the world in NYC (sorry for the humble brag). Obi Wan would be proud of the balance displayed by this concoction. The not-too-sweet tequila-based drink gets a boost from a delicious dollop of exotic fruit puree, all pairing perfectly well with the black salt on the “outer rim” of the glass.
HAPPABORE SAMPLER – out-of-this-world charcuterie board at Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge. We’d be lying if we told you that we know all the meats and cheeses contained in this bizarre but tasty extra-terrestrial charcuterie spread, but that’s the point! It’s fun picking at little bites of mystery meats and cheese without a clue what you’re actually eating, don’t ask questions, you’re in Oga’s Cantina so just enjoy the ride, traveler. Most of the offerings are very good, although there was a stinky cheese that tasted like old socks, but who are we to judge, it may be a delicacy on Batuu.
Woody's Lunch Box
“TOTCHOS” and GRILLED THREE CHEESE & TOMATO-BASIL SOUP. Dining at Woody’s Lunch Box comes with the caveat that by design the food much more closely resembles cafeteria food vs. anything elevated. But, there’s something downright fun about eating a bunch of stuff you would have as a kid all while enjoying the sights and lights of Toy Story Land. We had a perfect lunchbox meal courtesy of Andy’s mom with “totchos,” which are essentially nachos with the traditional tortilla chips swapped out for crispy tater tots; The grilled cheese was as standard as you can get but it paired nicely with the creamy tomato soup. This is the perfect spot to stop by and fuel up quick before you head over to the inevitable long line of Slinky Dog Dash.
PUMPKIN LUNCHBOX TART. We mostly got this for the Halloween-themed instagram post, and its vibrant neon green color makes for a great photo, but the product itself is disappointing. The pumpkin pie filling is tasty enough and the candy-corn green-icing topping sort of serves as the marshmallows on top of the pie at Thanksgiving, but the outer crust was as close to flavorless as you can get and it took up too much real estate on the tart. You can pass on this treat, but it’s still fun to try at Halloween time.
During the planning stages of your trip and throughout your magical Disney getaway, Mickey Mouse will inevitably try to sell you on at least a dozen upcharges and extras that promise to enhance your parks experience.
One such add-on available to purchase through the My Disney Experience app is Memory Maker, a photo plan that allows you to save every single one of your PhotoPass and ride photos.
To PhotoPass ... or Pass?
100% Worth it.
BTW, you also have the option to purchase PhotoPass and ride photos individually (or not at all) if you don’t want to spring for the package deal, but we found the Memory Maker feature in the My Disney Experience app to be convenient, splurge-worthy, and downright delightful.
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