I go to Disneyland at least once a week and I miss it dearly! It’s been closed so long and Walt Disney World is open and thriving. I thought maybe I needed to get a little magic in my life and headed to Florida.

I was very hesitant to take my very first trip to Walt Disney World ever during a pandemic. Not only because, well… we are in a pandemic but also because I thought maybe it wouldn’t be as magical as before. I knew it would be different but I wasn’t sure if it would be worth it. Maybe waiting for the pandemic to end would be a better idea. I figured I better start with pricing on everything to see if it’s even doable and go from there. Let me just say, the prices are unbeatable for Disney Resorts Hotels right now. Tickets for the parks and even the plane tickets round trip were fantastic too! It was a no-brainer to book this trip. I have always loved Disney parks in October with all the Halloween decor and treats so I decided to go then! I gathered two of my sisters and my cousin and we were on our way.

I’ve been going to Disneyland since before I was one year old. I don’t know what it is like to see the park for the first time since it has always been there for me. I always wanted to get one of those “1st Visit” buttons and to experience the park from the eyes of someone who has never been before. Attractions are one of the greatest parts of Disneyland, but I’ve been on them thousands of times. Going to Disney World was going to give me these experiences I’ve always longed for.
Walking through the gates of Magic Kingdom and then floating down Main Street was enough to get my tears flowing. It felt like home just a little different and a bit more grand. Seeing the stunning castle glimmer in the Florida sun while breathing in the scents of buttery popcorn was enough to give me ALL the magical feels Disneyland usually brings. There’s not much in this world that gives me that specific feeling of pure joy.

The Magic Kingdom ignited it for me after all these months without. I was ecstatic to ride every attraction I know and love at Disneyland, right there in Florida. Even though they are named the same and the outside appearance looked the same, it was like riding each for the first time. The rides had a uniqueness at Magic Kingdom. I hate saying, it but a couple were a little better than at Disneyland, Splash Mountain included. I adored it! I also thoroughly enjoyed their Space Mountain. Space Mountain is definitely different from Disneyland’s but they kept it original. It felt like I was back in time to when the ride first opened. I got a small glimpse of how it may have been when it first opened back at Disneyland. I also have to mention the Dole Whip. It is one of my favorite treats ever and getting to taste the refreshing, fluffy pineapple treat I’ve missed was just everything I never knew I needed.

We started our trip with Magic Kingdom and ended our trip with Magic Kingdom. We visited Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios in between. Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are up there for me as far as my favorites go. Hollywood Studios also made me feel like I was back in California. Tower of Terror is one of my all time favorite attractions and getting to ride it brought so much to my soul. I rode it twice. It’s even better than ours was back when we had it in Disney California Adventure. Galaxy’s Edge is there as and it looks the exact same as ours at a Disneyland. For a second, I would picture myself at Disneyland while I walked through Batuu and I could convince myself I was in California. It felt bittersweet.
I can’t tell you what Walt Disney World was like before the pandemic but I can tell you full heartedly that it was FULL OF MAGIC even with all of the changes. Disneyland will always be my home but now I feel like Walt Disney World is my second home.