7. Tasting the magic

Image: Disney

There are some tastes at Disney that just inspire the feels like no one’s business, to the point that Disney guests will defend the honor of these items fiercely. A Mickey Mouse Ice Cream bar might appear unimpressive at first appearance—it’s basically a not-quite-Klondike bar-- but the taste and feelings associated with biting into one can’t be denied for many guests. It’s Disney magic on a stick, the taste of nostalgia, the taste of family and relaxation and childhood.

Disney brims with incredible dishes that carry guests to another world. Maybe it’s the fresh-baked scent and taste of a warm cinnamon roll on Main Street or the Boardwalk. Maybe it’s the juicy smokiness of a dripping turkey leg while you’re watching Big Thunder Mountain Railroad barrel by or the cool, frothy flavors of a Dole Whip Float enjoyed along the Rivers of America. Whether the taste of Disney magic for you is sweet and buttery as spiced school bread or robust as a freshly grilled burger at the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater, food is both half the fun and half the feels at Disney parks.

8. Taking in the view

Image: Ricardo's Photography, Flickr (license)

There are so many great views to take in at Walt Disney World, from overlooking the Magic Kingdom along the peaceful track of the Tomorrowland PeopleMover to enjoying a cup of hot tea (or ale) while gazing out over World Showcase from waterside at The Rose and Crown Pub. Who can deny the sense of wonder when you see animals grazing across the savannah on Kilimanjaro Safaris or stare in awe taking in the floating islands of Pandora?

A trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth can feel like a whirlwind of activity, but it doesn’t have to be. Stop and enjoy the view. Take the elevator to the viewing decks on the Contemporary Resort or enjoy a stroll through the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Take the ferry to enjoy the sights over Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon or find yourself a rocking chair on Tom Sawyer Island to watch Big Thunder Mountain. Let yourself get lost as you watch birds fly over the spires of Batuu. Take your time and enjoy.

9. The fireworks

Image: Disney

There’s one Disney experience we’ve hinted at that will always inspire the feels for fans young or old.

Magic Kingdom fireworks.

While Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Epcot all have excellent fireworks shows, Disney just keeps outdoing themselves with Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks spectaculars. The current show, Happily Ever After, is one of the most wonderfully eye-boggling spectacles they’ve ever come up with. The show features a hypnotic blend of elaborate projections that pair with fireworks, lasers, and lights to magically transform Cinderella Castle into a living fairy castle, complete with stunningly realistic depictions of Disney characters and iconic scenes.

The show is a parade of one tear-jerking, hide-the-snot-coming-out-your-nose nostalgia fest after the other. Characters that haven’t gotten attention in years are celebrated alongside favorites like Moana, Aladdin and Jasmine, Simba, and so many more. Quasimodo sings of freedom while swinging from a bell tower in the castle’s spire. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider declare their love as lanterns rise into the sky. The Genie sends a spire blasting into space like a rocket, the Incredibles fight off supervillains to defend the towers, and Prince Philip bravely faces Maleficent’s dragon perched on the spire. It’s an insane hodge-podge of Disney cinematic history that should feel forced, should feel like too many IP’s in one show, but it doesn’t…

You just smile the whole time, and every new reveal ushers a fresh wave of cheers from the enchanted crowd.

Happily Ever After certainly won’t be Disney’s last fireworks spectacular, but there’s no question in our mind that it is definitely one of their finest. As long as fireworks blaze over Cinderella Castle, guests will keep feeling-the-feels every time Disney lights up the sky.

10. Watching kids experience the magic

For kids, the magic of Disney is real. They don’t struggle to imagine. They don’t over-analyze (and if they do, it’s usually adorable). There are so many things we quickly dismiss as adults that are utterly captivating for kids. Rides become adventures, characters become heroes, princesses become true royalty, and a youngling not even four feet tall can lift their chin and stand toe to toe with Kylo Ren.

Whether its your kids or just random kids in the park, its seriously heartwarming to watch kids revel in Disney magic. Forget collectibles, crazy fan disputes, grumbling about budget cuts, or frustration over IP usage—when kids do Disney, they do it right. They dive headfirst into the waters of imagination and don’t look back. They don’t have to be asked twice to help Rey save the Resistance. They know they can be the one who pulls the sword from the stone. The little things become fresh and alive and marvelous to them, and you can’t help but jump on the feelings train when you watch little heroes experience Disney as it was meant to be.

What Disney parks experiences cause you to feel the feels?