“This post is sponsored by; Walt Disney World however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.”
December 2019:
It was a really busy day for me I had been out and about running errands and taking care of a long to-do list. Seeing as how we had just got back from Disneyland a few days prior (read that here). I was completely in over my head and super tired. Ping! my iPhone went off another work email? I went to check and then I read the subject line. You’re Invited! RSVP for Disney Creators Celebration. What!? That email not only changed the entire tone of my day but it changed my life. I was going to Disney World for the first time ever! and I was taking my entire family along with me.
The Disney Creators Celebration was a Disneyland and Sea event put together for content creators to celebrate educational opportunities and all things Disney magic. From February 18-24th content creators and their families would experience a three-night stay at Walt Disney’s brand new resort The Rivera. Followed by another three-nights aboard the Disney cruise ship The Dream. My family and I were lucky enough to be able to arrive a day early to experience four days of Walt Disney World instead of three and a whole lot of extra Disney fun. As a matter of fact, there was so much fun, so many photos, and so much to share that this blog will be broken up into 7 blogs! Yes! One for each day. There was no way to pack all the fun into just one blog. Besides each day was magical in its own way that each day deserved to be recognized. Therefore every Monday morning be sure to head here for a new Disney post. Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you…
Our first trip to Walt Disney World: Part 1
December passed, January passed, and the middle of February was finally here. It was time for the Disney Creators Celebration. After 2 long flights from California to Flordia, we finally made it. The first night we arrived it was actually very late. Around 1:30 am we arrived at Castle Hotel Autograph Collection Marriott in Orlando Flordia. The Castle Hotel was very welcoming, from their rooms to their modern decor and their amazing staff who were very knowledgeable about Walt Disney World they made my family and I feel at home. The morning when we checked out they helped us take our bags to the car and we were off to the happiest place on earth. A super huge thank you to The Castle Hotel for hosting our stay.
Disney’s Rivera Resort was one of the most beautiful hotels I had ever seen. As our Lyft driver pulled into the hotel I remember trying to record on my phone and take photos with my camera at the same time. I was amazed at how big and spacious it was just from the outside. The bellhop greeted my family and I then took our bags for us as we checked in with the front desk. The front desk staff was truly some of the nicest people ever. They gave us our magic bands and maps with how the park worked, how to find the best food, rides, etc. With a handful of maps and the excitement of Walt Disney World only a few minutes away, it was time to head to the park.
We stepped into Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom the four of us as a family for the first time ever. This was so special and something we can all say we did for the first time ever really makes my heart happy. In the weeks leading up to our trip, I had read a bunch of Disney blogs, pinned a ton of Disney tips and googled all things, Disney, just to prepare. But here we were actually there in the moment and we had no idea what to do first. We walked down main street and immediately was taken back by how whimsical the Cinderella’s castle looked in person. So giant, so sparkly, so memorizing. We snapped a few photos by it and continued our journey into Liberty Square. So many people told me I had to get my girls pixie-dusted as soon as we got to the park. I had no idea what this meant but it sounded fun, right? We found a shop and I asked a cast member to pixie dust Ivy and Aria. She squealed and grabbed a bag from behind the cash register. I kept my distance snapping photos so I couldn’t hear what she was reciting to them but I watched as she sprinkled glitter upon the girl’s hair. Each tiny drop a spark of Disney magic for my princesses. They giggled and couldn’t wait to show one another their glitter. Speaking of princesses and glitter the girl’s next stop was to meet Cinderella and Elena Of Avalor. Disneyland or Disney World it is always such a treat to meet those dreamy princesses. Rumor has it they give some of the best hugs. After we met the princesses and halfway into the park, it was only right to get a little shopping done so we headed into a shop where the girls got some of the cutest Mickey Mouse sunglasses ever. I mean hello can someone make these in adult sizes? Asking for myself.
Followed by a few potty breaks and mommy I’m tired pit stops we rode a few rides like Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train and Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road. We even met some of Disney favorites like Chip and Dale. But what’s an afternoon at Walt Disney World without snacks right? Mickey-shaped ice cream bars and sandwiches were a hit with my bunch. Though it was so darn hard eating that cute little face it was so good. The Flordia weather was heating up and we were all feeling it. We took a stroll on over to Tomorrowland where we found some cool drinks and misters to beat the heat. Aria ended up napping so Dayjhan and Ivy went ahead to explore some rides. This happened often during our trip because Aria just turned 4 and still naps a lot. But it was fine with me because I am more of a photo-taking bystander then a fun ride everything rider person. Basically, I have no problems staying on the ground watching our sleeping child.
A little after our Tomorrowland fun we all went to go catch a show that was happening at the castle. It was the girl’s first time seeing Olaf in person. Though we didn’t get to meet him during this trip it was really fun to watch him and the entire Mickey Mouse gang perform on stage. There were even fireworks. Yes! fireworks during the day. Walt Disney World did not come to play honey. We did not even get through half of the park but collectively decided it was time to head back to the resort, rest change and check out yet another park.
Back at The Rivera we finally got to check out our room, fully equipped with everything we would need during our 4 days stay such as wifi, a huge comfy bed plus two pull out beds, a balcony with a gorgeous view of Epcot and so much more it was our dream room. Be sure to stay tuned for an upcoming blog where I will give you details of the room and resort from top to bottom. After Dayjhan had an hour nap, the girls ran laps around the room and I showered and got us all changed it was time to jump on Disney’s Skyliner gondola and say hello to Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios.
For The First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration was the first thing we checked out. A 30-minute show that told the story we all know and love. My girls enjoyed this so much especially Ivy who literally belted each song at the top of her lungs. I have to say this was probably my favorite part of the entire day. No! I take that back.. actually, my favorite part was finally getting able to see Toy Story Land for the first time ever! If you know me then you know I am a huge Toy Story fan and it was at the top of my Disney bucket list. Right next to meeting Woody which I never got to do 🙁 but next time right? Toy Story Land was incredible literally everything was themed down to the trash cans Disney did an amazing job with this. The girls even got to meet Jessie before riding Alien Swirling Saucers of course. Despite never wanting to leave Dayjhan wanted to check out something that was at the top of his bucket list and I am sure many others too Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Don’t worry I have so much more to tell you about that in part 4 so again stay tuned.
We ended our first day at Walt Disney World happy, tired, and so ready for day 2 where you won’t believe this but we would get to…
Woah, Woah! I am getting ahead of myself you’ll have to come back next Monday for part 2 trust me you won’t wanna miss these next part friends.
To Be Continued…
