8 of Our Favorite Simple Pleasures at Walt Disney World
Harmonious. Enchantment. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The upcoming TRON: Lightcycle Run.
Disney parks are full of blockbuster entertainment and amazing attractions that employ some of the most cutting-edge technology in the world. But sometimes you want something simple. A small joy that you can savor without worrying about queues or attempting to navigate Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.
On the upcoming episode of the Celebrations Magazine podcast, our regular crew of magic makers will get together to discuss our favorite simple pleasures in the parks. In light of that, let’s dive into a few…
Toy Story Land at Night
Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of the most charming and whimsical locations in all of Walt Disney World. Amazingly, it somehow becomes even more magical at night. And that’s without even stepping foot onto an attraction.
It’s all about the lighting. During the day, the Christmas lights strung throughout the land are a cute touch, but at night they completely transform the feel. The multi-color bulbs glow like floating gems up in the night sky.
Exploring Hotel Grounds
While the parks will always be the main stars of Walt Disney World, the Imagineers have gone to incredible lengths to make the resorts into their own full experience. Whether you are wandering the grounds of the All-Star Resorts and enjoying the theming (like the interior of Andy’s room at All-Star Movies) or admiring the geyser at Wilderness Lodge, it’s fun to simply meander around the various hotels.
Pro-tip: let the Monorail take you to the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary Resorts. You’ll experience some of the most elegant hospitality Disney has to offer, and you also get to ride the Monorail. Double win.
The Smell of Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
You might not think it, but the smells of Walt Disney World are one of its most distinctive delights. Sometimes, it’s the scents on attractions like Spaceship Earth, Soarin’, or PhilharMagic. Or the delicious aroma of sweets that emanate from the Main Street Confectionery.
One of the true olfactory delights is hidden in Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe on Liberty Square. Just step inside for a moment and take a deep breath. It’s like you’re breathing in the essence of the holidays. And it’s available all year round.
Playing in the Adventureland Tiki Fountains
It’s no secret that Florida is hot. During the summer it gets downright infernal. Fortunately, the parks and resorts have plenty of water features to help you cool down. One of the best is found in Adventureland.
Near The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, you’ll find a grouping of tiki statues. On hot days, they also happen to be fountains. If you need to cool off, just step into the spray. If the spirit moves you, it’s even okay to dance in the water.
Pro-tip: after playing in the fountain, jump aboard the Magic Carpets. Spinning around up in the air with wet clothing? It’s like instant, outdoor air conditioning.
Watching the Disney Ducks
Mickey Mouse. Goofy. Rafiki. Chip and Dale. These are the animals most folks come to Walt Disney World to see. You might even go to see the gorillas, giraffes, and tigers at Animal Kingdom. Of course, they’re all amazing, but don’t let them distract you from the true stars: the Disney Ducks.
There’s no set place to see them. That’s because they’re visitors just like you. They can frequently be found in the Magic Kingdom waddling around. They’ve become so popular that they’ve even got their own Instagram page.
While they’re slightly harder to find, it’s also worth keeping your eyes open for the occasional Disney rabbit hopping around.
Exploring Pandora–The World of Avatar at Night
I hate to admit it, but I’m not particularly young anymore. I know this because I occasionally have to look up bits of slang to understand what is being said by my children or on social media. That’s how I know that a “glow up” is “a mental, physical, and an emotional transformation for the better.”
We’ve already talked about the ‘glow up’ that Toy Story Land gets at night, but it almost pales in comparison to Pandora: The World of Avatar. Many of the plants in the area are phosphorescent, so they glow after the sun goes down. So do parts of the sidewalks.
If you’ve only been during the day, don’t waste another visit not seeing this area at night. It won’t cost you a thing, and it is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable experiences you’ll have.
People Watching at the Hub
I’ve read that Walt Disney used to go to Disneyland, find a bench, and just sit and watch Guests enjoying themself at his park. He loved to see them experiencing the magic and making memories.
Sometimes you have to fight the urge to always be on the go. With so much to do, it’s tempting to run from one show or attraction to the next, trying to cram as much as possible into your trip. But there is something special about grabbing a seat on a bench around the green spaces in the Magic Kingdom (such as the Hub near Cinderella Castle) and watching the flow of humanity through the park. Even if you only do so for a few minutes, it will put a smile on your face.
Perusing the Mitsukoshi Department Store
As mentioned earlier, window shopping is one of the great pleasures of visiting Walt Disney World. That’s not to say that it isn’t also fun to buy things at the stores, but when you simply go in to look, you don’t have to worry about sticker shock. That keeps it in the realm of a simple pleasure.
For my money, the best place to go window shopping is the Mitsukoshi Department Store in the Japan Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase. Whether you’re looking at their collection of Pokémon memorabilia, kawaii plushies, candy, kimonos, or books, there’s a little something for everyone. Honestly, if you aren’t careful, you’ll wind up spending the entire afternoon there.
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