4. Take in the details
This point is closely related to the matter of atmosphere—Disney parks are a place where it’s worth paying attention to the details.
Disney Imagineers put painstaking work into the lands and attractions of Walt Disney World and Disneyland—from hidden Mickeys to Easter eggs, taking in the details can prove surprisingly satisfying. This goes especially for self-guided areas like World Showcase or ultra-immersive lands like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge—indeed, Disney made an entire game to draw curious guests specifically to hidden interactive details hidden throughout the Black Spire Outpost of Batuu.
Try to recognize all the props in Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities. Learn about the bioluminescent flora of Pandora. Meander through a festival at Epcot. Decipher ancient symbols on the Indiana Jones Adventure or translate the Aurebesh at Star Wars Launch Bay. Pull the rope that says, “Don’t pull”, and try to find all of Pascal’s friends in his garden in Fantasyland. In short, have fun with the details!
5. You’re more likely to spot characters (and other magic moments)
It’s been a weird season at Disney parks, but characters are slowly making their way back into the streets of Walt Disney World and Disneyland in more than just cavalcades. Enjoy a fun encounter with your favorite characters? Your best bet to spot them is to slow down.
This was true at Disney parks long before pandemic changes—if you’re darting from ride to ride, you’re likely to miss the best character encounters at Walt Disney World. It takes a keen eye and a willingness to detour to catch Disney’s best character encounters, like Gaston shamelessly haranguing rivals or Vi Moradi stealing secret plans from stormtroopers. You don’t have to come to a complete stop to catch these moments—just keep an eye out and be willing to pause a few minutes if you spot an intriguing character. You may end up enjoying more of a show than you expected.
6. It can help solve pace differences
Disney parks can be a tricky place to navigate if you and your family can’t agree on anything—especially the pace to tour the parks. One family member might be an ultra-planner while someone else is unabashedly spontaneous. One person wants to explore at warp-speed while others prefer sloth-speed.
Making the purposeful choice to slow down for portions of your Disney vacation can, in some cases, help abate the conflicts that can arise from pace differences. Being forced to slow down can be frustrating for those who prefer a brisker pace, but it’s easier to manage if you do so with a purpose in mind, such as the above opportunities to enjoy atmosphere, self-guided attractions, or other Disney magic.
Some compromise will be inevitable in situations of pacing differences, but often, it’s easier for guests who move quickly to slow down than it is for slow guests (especially those with mobility issues) to speed up. Instead of fighting it, give that slower time some purpose to help abate the itch to sprint to the next attraction. Even if you have to get creative to keep the family on the same page, purposefully slowing down from time to time can help the whole family feel valued and included during your vacation.
7. Cherish the memories
The best gift you can give your family on a Disney vacation is to be present… something that often requires a purposeful choice to slow down.
If we’re always looking backwards at what we just missed or forwards to the next thrill, we can miss the joy of simply being in the moment with our loved ones. This same thing goes for solo travelers—visiting Disney parks solo is a unique opportunity to make some unforgettable memories moving entirely at your own rhythm. A vacation is a temporary escape, but memories can last a lifetime.
On your next vacation, make the choice to embrace moments to slow down. Enjoy the company of your family. Put down the phones to have a conversation with your loved ones. Take some pictures and videos that aren’t homogenized through the same Photopass frames and poses. Savor the taste of a Dole Whip. Listen to the birds. Pause to enjoy the music.
Make the choice to take a breath, slow down, and be present… In short, have a magical vacation.
Enjoy this article? Keep reading to learn…
- 9 Worthy Alternatives to Walt Disney World’s Most Popular Experiences
- 6 Epic Road Trip Destinations Within 2 Hours of Walt Disney World
- How to Survive a Walt Disney World Vacation When Your Family Can’t Agree on Anything
- 10 Things You NEED to Know Before Visiting Walt Disney World (Series)
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