Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

10 Things I Learned at Disney

October 30, 2014 by Kristin 17 Comments

October has been a crazy month. And I mean that in a good way. But, goodness, it’s flown by …

We went to Disney World and then I came home and released a book. I rarely do one thing at a time. So, needless to say, it’s been an exciting month. And these two topics are pretty much what I’ve shared about this month. But I have a little bit more I want to share about Disney, so that’s what I’m doing today.

In no particular order, here are 10 things I learned while at Disney …

1. Animal Kingdom is great.

It was on the schedule for our second day of parks, but I didn’t realize just how much we’d love it. Multiple of our favorite Disney things were there.

2. Magic Kingdom is best done over two days. 

And I liked that our two days weren’t back to back. We were able to do everything we wanted, except the new Seven Dwarf Mine Train. We saw both the afternoon Festival of Fantasy and the nighttime Electric Parade and preferred the earlier parade. Although all the lights at night were pretty.

3. Building in a day “off” was good for us. 

Two parks and then we went to Downtown Disney for lunch at T-Rex and some shopping, especially at LEGO Imagination Center. Then we spent some time swimming at the hotel.

4. Magic Bands, the dining plan, and Fast Passes are amazing. Magical, really. 

We didn’t regret the dining plan investment and loved the freedom and ease it created. To have that as well as our hotel entry, park admission, credit card and Fast Passes all on our Magic Bands was convenient. Even though I don’t normally wear watch, I kept looking at it to see what time it was! It’s not that magical!

5. Doing just Disney is more than enough. 

We would have loved Sea World, Legoland, or the beach, but I’m glad we focused on Disney. We didn’t even do EPCOT at Disney because I wasn’t sure my young kids would love it like the other parks, plus four days of parks just the right amount for us.

6. My kids – who are 4 and 7 – are at the perfect ages.

I’m glad we didn’t go to Disney any sooner and I’m glad we didn’t have to haul a stroller. Ben does still sometimes nap so he went the whole trip (minus 30 or so minutes while traveling from the park to the hotel) without a nap, which stretched him. But he managed and he slept well at night. We only kept them up late one night. Everything was really exciting to them. Of course, there’s still plenty to do if we go back when they’re older!

7. The My Disney Experience app is helpful.

Download it and maintain enough of your mobile device battery to use it throughout the day to keep track of wait times, Fast Passes, shows, and dining details. The only downfall is once you use the three Fast Passes you reserved ahead of time, you can’t add the subsequent Fast Passes. The Disney lady at one of the kiosks, where you can add Fast Passes, told me this feature is in the works.

8. Disney customer service and hospitality are top-notch. 

One of my favorite examples is not dealing with our luggage after checking our bags at the Nashville airport. Disney people retrieved them in Orland and then brought them to our room while we were out eating dinner that first night. Likewise, we checked them at the hotel before we boarded the bus for the airport and didn’t have to handle them again until we picked them up at the baggage claim in Nashville. Despite the hyperbole of Disney being the happiest, most magical place on earth, there really are happy, helpful people working there. And the parks are so clean, even with the crowds.

P.S. The customer service of the Disney planner we used also was fabulous. I highly recommend Wish Upon a Star with Jennifer Hart. And, hey, this service is free!


9. My kids can be rendered speechless. 

Everyone in our life except them knew we were going. We managed to surprise and shock them! More on that in an earlier post.

10. Buying souvenir items before we went was good advice from seasoned Disney traveling friends. 

It really nixed the “gimmes” that could easily come with all those Disney gift shops. I bought the kids some T-shirts, accessories, and pajamas that we gave them throughout the week. I gave them some coloring books and other Disney-related activities for both plane rides and had glow-in-the-dark bracelets and necklaces for the night we stayed late for the nighttime parade. Thanks to zulily sales, I found great deals on fun souvenirs in the months leading up to our trip and was able to incorporate gifts for the kids throughout the week. Ben’s gifts were wrapped in Planes paper and Cate’s in Frozen. They all were labeled for which morning or evening I wanted them to open them. They did each have some souvenir money from the grandmas, so they spent that at Downtown Disney, mostly on Legoes.

If you’ve been to Disney, what would  you add? 

________

Want to read more about Disney so, do so here: Our Favorite {Disney} Things. 7 Reasons to Use a Disney Vacation Planner. And you can see even more pictures here.

I’m linking up with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky, who inspired me to document life this way. I love these monthly posts that document life. Read more previous posts: {From 2013} June. July. August. September. October. November. {From 2014} January. February. March. April. May. June. July. August. September.

Want more stories? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Ben, Cate, Disney, motherhood, Things I Learned, vacation

Comments

  1. Jen Ferguson says

    October 31, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    We loved our trip to DW! I think Disney is fun at any age, really. My kids were 6 & 7 – we actually arrived at DW on Hannah's bday and she got to have her bday dinner at Cinderella's castle. My only other piece of advice is to make dining reservations way in advance.

    Reply
  2. KristinHillTaylor says

    October 31, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    Yes to planning dining reservations in advance. I did plan in advance, although more like 170 days instead of 180 days early that Disney allows, and I couldn't get some of my first preferences of restaurants and times. We still loved where we ate, though! A birthday dinner at Cinderella's castle sounds fabulous!

    Reply
  3. Linda@Creekside says

    November 3, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    I loved being a kid at Disney … when I was in my 20s, and then again in my 50s. It's kinda like time stands still …
    So good to be your neighbor over at Emily's today, Kristin!

    Reply
  4. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 3, 2014 at 12:45 pm

    Hi, Linda! I'm sure Disney is fun at any age – I'm looking forward to going back at some point. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Ashley Brooks says

    November 3, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    I'm so glad I clicked through to this post from the linkup. I LOVE Disney World! I know a lot of people think it's just another amusement park, but I really believe there's some special "magic" going on there. I've never been anywhere else where people are so genuinely friendly and want to make sure all your needs are met. (Not like the forced customer service you find at most places.)

    It sounds like your family had a blast! If you ever go back, I'd make sure to hit up EPCOT. The countries probably would've been boring for them at their ages now, but as an adult, they're one of my favorite parts of Disney. Plus the science half of the park has a ton of hands-on activities for kids. I just had my first baby three months ago, and this post re-inspired me to start a Disney fund so we're ready to take her when she's the right age.

    Reply
  6. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 3, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Hey, Ashley! I'm glad you came by! I personally think I would love EPCOT, but several friends thought that wasn't where I'd want to spend our time with our kids at this point. You should start a fund so you can take your girl when she's a little older. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Cynthia Stuckey says

    November 3, 2014 at 9:55 pm

    YAY!!! Kristin I love this post!!! It made me remember our WDW trip back in April and made me miss Disney too. 🙂 So happy you had a great time– thanks for sharing your tips and photos with us. AND, I know I said this earlier but the new header is so great!

    Reply
  8. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 3, 2014 at 10:06 pm

    Hi, there. I'm so glad you came over and enjoyed reminiscing! 🙂

    Reply
  9. Ashley Wells says

    November 4, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    I need to figure out what the perfect timing will be for our kids, because this looks like TONS of fun!!!

    Reply
  10. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 4, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    Yours are at pretty great ages now. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Cathy says

    November 5, 2014 at 7:25 am

    Hi Kristin, came over from Beth's to check out your blog and noticed your Disney photos! We actually just got back from Disneyland, California a few week ago! It's one of our favorite places to visit. My personal favorite attraction was Thunder Mountain, so fun! Looking forward to hopping over here for the new link-up next week. : )

    Reply
  12. Beth says

    November 5, 2014 at 3:53 pm

    Still need to get my family to Disney. My husband hasn't even been there yet. One of these days. I just love your pictures. I just love you and your family. Looks like it was great fun.

    Reply
  13. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 5, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    Y'all should go. You'd have a blast. It's definitely one of those places that can be such a fun adventure for anyone at any age. Love you, sweet friend.

    Reply
  14. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 5, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    How fun! I had been wondering how much the two parks were alike. I'm so glad you came by and I'm looking forward to getting to know you more in the coming weeks.

    Reply
  15. Karrilee Aggett says

    November 7, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    I love this! We never made it to Disney with our girlie… she never really wanted to and so we just skipped it – but she went to Nationals for DECA in her senior year, which was conveniently right across from Disney so she went with a few friends! It was strange to have her texting me photo's of being there and telling us, even at 18, that she wants us to all go as a family together! Maybe next year? So glad you got to go and surprise the littles too! How fun!

    Reply
  16. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 7, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    I've never longed to go … until I had kids, and even then, not until recently. I'm glad we went, although I do think it's a place at which you can make amazing memories regardless of your age! I'm so glad you stopped by, Karrilee!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Aboard the Disney Dream says:
    December 6, 2016 at 11:25 am

    […] and helping as much or as little as you want as you prepare for your vacation. (Read about our trip to Walt Disney World and why you should use a vacation […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • Love Your Home Once Again
  • Creating Family Unity
  • Books of 2020
  • How to make time for books
  • The Advent of Hope

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

My friend Delana called before she brought us dinn My friend Delana called before she brought us dinner yesterday and asked if we liked chocolate pie. Um, yes. Turns out both Peggy and I love chocolate pie. Delana gave us chocolate chips cookies too, you know, just in case we didn’t like pie.

My friends are loving on us so well this week with dinner & dessert, obviously. Yes, the food is good, but the way they saw a need and met it is even more gracious. (I wrote a book about gathering & nourishing your people!) Having someone provide dinner has freed up some mental space I’m able to use for taking care of Peggy and parenting my kids, some of whom have needed a little extra love and guidance this week. 

Peggy is nine days removed from open heart surgery with quadruple bypass and is doing well. She had a good check up with her primary care provider this morning. We’re thankful for our community of people who continue to pray for us, feed us, and provide help, like today’s impromptu preschool pickup when an appointment ran long. (Thanks, @katie_cunningham85 & @tstanger25!)

#bettertogether #momlife #reallife #morethangroceries #choosingJOY
We are all happy to feel some sunshine today! ☀️#thirdchild #catsofinstagram #winter #choosingJOY
Sweet @ashleelyoung brought us delicious dinner to Sweet @ashleelyoung brought us delicious dinner tonight and the dessert became a craft. I’m so thankful for the way our people love us. 💛 #bettertogether #reallife #choosingJOY
Today is National Milk Day, so Saputo, which has a Today is National Milk Day, so Saputo, which has a dairy plant here in Murray, donated chocolate milk for all the kids at @ncca.lions. This girl has never turned down chocolate milk and basically celebrates milk every day. #momlife #reallife #thirdchild #nationalmilkday #preschool
Honestly, I’ve been in a reading funk. I’ve qu Honestly, I’ve been in a reading funk. I’ve quit one book and started another today, so we’ll see how that goes. 

I did finish this one by @booksbyheather last week and enjoyed it. I loved the Southern setting, charm, and magic. And I loved how the characters untangled assumptions and expectations from their pasts to find where they belong.

What are you reading these days? #amreading #bookstagram #fiction #recommendedreads
I’ve said “I don’t know” more times the pa I’ve said “I don’t know” more times the past few days and months than ever before. I’m a planner, and I’m apparently raising kids who want to know the plan for the day and what’s coming next. Perhaps, really, that’s human nature. 

But I don’t know. 

I don’t know how Covid will affect school, basketball, and summer vacation plans. 

I don’t know how long Gran-Gran’s surgery recovery will take or what she will need from us. 

I don’t know if it will snow. 

I don’t know ... 

There are at least one million things I don’t know. But I do know this was a good weekend to hunker down inside, meet our new cousin/nephew/grandson, eat warm food, and praise God for the way my mother-in-law is recovering from quadruple bypass surgery.

#TeamTaylor #weekending #reallife #livingfaithfully #bettertogether #choosingJOY
I’m happy to report my mother-in-law Peggy is ho I’m happy to report my mother-in-law Peggy is home ... well, at our home, which is her recovery home for the next several weeks. We are grateful for all the prayers, so keep them coming as she recovers from quadruple bypass heart surgery. 

We are also grateful for all the offers to help. Today I accepted them from the @puperson27 (and @carolinemaetompkins & @norah.grace.t), @megandelaneythomas, and Julie because I needed a whole village to get my kids to and from various places and various times. 

And these flowers are lovely, courtesy Friendship Church of Christ and @serenityhcarr. Thanks, y’all!

#TeamTaylor #reallife #weekending #bettertogether
I bought a recliner that doesn’t match and only I bought a recliner that doesn’t match and only awkwardly fits in our living room. When two guys delivered it today, I looked at it up against the couch we bought last year from the same store. 

When we bought the couch at the beginning of 2020, we had no idea how much it we would use it. This house has become a refuge for us. We’ve sat in those gray cushions while having church at home, binging countless seasons of Survivor, watching some basketball games and Christmas movies more recently. Rachel has taken naps. Cate has claimed her favorite cushion. Ben will always have blanket near. 

Now we have this random recliner we never expected because Greg’s mom, Peggy, who is dear to me, had quadruple bypass heart surgery this week and needs a safe place to land when she’s discharged in the coming days. She’s going to recover here, and I was worried she would sink in the couch cushions without using her arms to push herself out. 

The recliner won’t live here forever, and Peggy probably won’t either! But the whole furniture setup is a reminder we don’t know what the future holds. This past year taught us about interrupted plans and smaller social circles. I’m thankful I had a soft place to land with my people and I want the same thing for my mother-in-law, who didn’t even know she had heart problems until recently. 

So here’s to finding refuge in the places that make sense for whatever season we find ourselves. #choosingJOY #socialdistancing #livingfaithfully #reallife #thirdchild
I’m sharing #ontheblog today about creating fami I’m sharing #ontheblog today about creating family unity. Of course, this is always a work in progress around here, but commitment, compassion, communication, compromise, traditions, and Christ all help get us there. While #socialdistancing has required all kinds of adjustments, the time together has allowed for more family game nights, home church on our couches, and deeper bonds within our home.

#linkinbio #bloggerlife #reallife #momlife #thirdchild #TeamTaylor #choosingJOY
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorite Places & Projects

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.