Disney World 2024
For Anna’s first-ever Disney World adventure, we carefully chose late October into early November, creating a truly magical blend of experiences. By visiting during this time frame, we enjoyed both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on Halloween night and the Christmas celebrations that began on November 3rd. Our timing also coincided perfectly with Epcot’s beloved Food and Wine Festival, offering an abundance of culinary delights.
Staying at Caribbean Beach Resort made the trip even more special. Our room was ideally located on the first floor, easily visible from our convenient parking spot. We appreciated our proximity to the food court for relaxed breakfasts, and the ease of walking to the Riviera Resort to access the Skyliner.
As a seasoned Disney visitor, my focus has increasingly turned toward experiencing Disney’s incredible array of dining options. Anna and I have made it our goal to eventually dine at every location within Disney World. This trip marked a promising start.
Our dining adventures kicked off at Biergarten in Epcot, where I enjoyed a surprising new drink combination of Coke and Orange Fanta—unexpectedly delicious! Although we missed the restaurant's famous live show due to our earlier reservation, the atmosphere and flavors were memorable. That same evening we visited Space 220, an entirely new and extraordinary experience. An immersive "space elevator" took us to a visually stunning space station where we dined surrounded by panoramic views of outer space, complete with astronauts and spaceships drifting by. Special thanks to our wonderful server, Knut, who made the meal even more enjoyable.
Our next highlight was lunch at Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom. The enchanting Beauty and the Beast theme transported us into the story itself, with breathtaking details including windows displaying a snowy scene outside. Anna’s highlight here was receiving an entire baguette—her bread-loving heart couldn't have been happier. Fans of the movie will love trying the Grey Stuff here, which truly lives up to its reputation.
Halloween night brought us Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a unique event offering shorter wait times, exclusive rides, and plenty of trick-or-treating opportunities. We eagerly headed to Tron, our first time experiencing this thrilling attraction. The ride was exhilarating, though I learned quickly to bring earplugs to manage the intensity of the sound. The evening’s trick-or-treating yielded bags full of candy, which I happily shared with a young guest who wasn't attending the event—though I kept the souvenir bag as a collectible memory.
Our dining adventures continued with lunch at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, a nostalgic setting where guests dine in vintage cars, watching old movies under a simulated starry sky. Our burgers exceeded expectations, making this an especially pleasant surprise. Our final meal reservation was at Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot’s Canada pavilion, renowned for its sophisticated ambiance and exquisite dishes. The filet paired perfectly with their delectable mushroom risotto, a dish so irresistible I often order extra!
Exploring Animal Kingdom brought one of my favorite activities—capturing stunning photographs of safari wildlife. This particular safari ride was uniquely memorable, as we shared our vehicle with a friendly guest equally passionate about seeing the animals up close. Our encounter with a rhino leisurely blocking the path allowed for exceptional photographs and prolonged enjoyment of the experience.
A standout activity of this trip was undoubtedly building our own creations at Galaxy’s Edge. As a dedicated Star Wars fan, constructing my lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop was a personal dream come true. The immersive experience included choosing the hilt’s style, selecting individual pieces, and finally, the crystal determining the blade's color and sound. Anna's joy came from building a custom droid, a charming cousin of BB-8. The interactive and customizable elements made each creation uniquely personal. The droid’s special backpack, allowing visibility and interaction with nearby droids, added even more fun to the experience.
Overall, Anna’s first Disney trip was filled with magical memories, fantastic food, exciting new experiences, and unforgettable moments that laid the groundwork for many future visits to the most magical place on Earth.
