With the opening of the Tron roller coaster, the return of the updated Happily Ever After night show and so much more, there has never been a better time to visit!
Magic Kingdom
Tron-tastic is the phrase we’d use for the newest roller coaster Tron Lightcycle/Run to hit this wonderful nostalgic park. It’s the fastest coaster within the Disney parks, with the blast off being nearly 60mph in less than five seconds, and the biggest expansion at Magic Kingdom in over a decade. But worry not – you may find yourself riding sideways, but you don’t go upside down. You can’t miss it in Tomorrowland, with its massive, curved wave canopy that lights up with striking blue lights at night.
The high-speed ride vehicles are shaped like futuristic motorbikes, and you will find yourself entering the grid via the digitised world of Tron in a race against the rival orange team. After the G-force blast-off into the open-air section of the ride, you will be on a twisting and turning ride back into the main building, surrounded by music and video screens. Our top tip is to try and ride it more than once from the front section of the train and the back, as we noticed completely different experiences each time.
You will also find plenty of Disney classic rides here as well as the wonderful Festival of Fantasy parade, featuring all your favourite characters. Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom tend to be one of the many highlights of a Disney trip and Happily Ever After has only recently returned to light up the night sky over Cinderella Castle. The nightly fireworks show will fully immerse you in heartfelt Disney stories, as colourful projections extend down Main Street U.S.A., adding even more magic to this truly unforgettable spectacle.
Hollywood Studios
This wonderful park is home to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and is where you get the chance to take on the First Order in the thrilling Rise of the Resistance Ride – probably in our top three rides across all the parks. You will also find interactive Smugglers Run ride here, where you get the opportunity to pilot the Millennium Falcon.
Tower of Terror is not for the faint-hearted. We don’t want to spoil the fun, but we will mention that the screams can be heard throughout the park!
Roundup Rodeo BBQ is the new restaurant located in Toy Story Land. It’s a great place to grab something to eat – they offer delicious BBQ meats and fun cocktails. Kids will love it when the toy soldiers come over the speaker to say “Andy is coming”, and everyone freezes!
Fantasmic is the night-time show in this park, and it is spectacular. The show is a mix of lights, water, and all your favourite Disney characters. Make sure you arrive in plenty of time because it’s very popular and the stadium fills up quickly.
Animal Kingdom
We love the laid-back vibe in this park, although there is nothing laid-back about the breathtaking Avatar Flight of Passage, set in the Pandora area of the park. On this amazing ride you feel like you are riding on the back of a banshee, flying high above the world. Another ride we always enjoy is Na’vi River Journey, a beautiful gentle boat ride. We recommend visiting the Pandora section both during the day and evening. During the day, you can take in the sights, sounds and smells, and as darkness falls, everything comes to life.
Festival of the Lion King is the must-see live show running throughout the day and, of course, this one-of-a-kind park is the place to experience the amazing animal encounters. Our top tip is to visit either early morning or later, when it’s cooler, so you have a better chance of seeing the animals.
Epcot
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind hit this park last year and still looks to be as popular as ever – it seems to be top of everyone’s list to ride. This exhilarating ride includes hits from the ’70s and ’80s and shoots you off into the universe in reverse and rotates 360 degrees along the way! It’s an unbelievable and thrilling ride spinning you through space.
You will also find Test Track here, which at 65mph is Disney World’s fastest ride. World Showcase is situated across the lagoon and is split into lots of specific countries offering delicious food and drink options. Our go-to cocktail is always the frozen Margherita’s, which you will find at the Mexico pavilion.
Need to know
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Make sure to use the Disney app, My Disney Experience, during your stay. You can plan and book everything here, from Lightening Lane to help skip the queues, restaurant bookings and more.
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Plan ahead. Writing an itinerary will save so much time.
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Book with Walt Disney Travel Company International and enjoy a 7-night stay at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida from £1,307 per person, including accommodation at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, direct return flights with Virgin Atlantic and Disney 7-Day Magic Ticket for the whole party. Visit Disneyholidays.co.uk or call 0800 169 0737 for current pricing and to book. Price is based on two adults and two children (aged 3-9) sharing a Standard Room at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, with direct return economy flights from London Heathrow to Tampa International. Price is based on a departure date of 15 June 2023.
Words: Carly Honeyfield. Photos: Walt Disney World