Its finally time to post my Orlando photos from the second leg of our USA trip in January. If you didn’t catch the first leg in New York you can read my New York Travel Diary Part 1 and New York Travel Diary Part 2. I’m starting with Walt Disney World Orlando and our trip to the Magic Kingdom Park and its a pretty photo heavy post especially the fireworks which are honestly my favourite thing in the whole world.

We went to Magic Kingdom on our first full day in Orlando and just purchased a one day ticket.  We’d already been to Disneyland in Tokyo together but I really wanted to visit the Orlando park with my husband. I’m lucky enough to have been to Magic Kingdom Orlando a few times but I just love it and you just can’t see the beauty that is Cinderellas castle enough I think, don’t you? It really is beautiful and my husband was convinced bigger than in Tokyo! Within minutes of being there I had snapped up a set of sparkly ears and a Minnie Mouse hoodie (partly because it was a little chilly!) and complete with my polka dot jeans I was totally in the Disney spirit.

Now my husband isn’t the biggest fan of huge rides but thats not really why you go to Magic Kingdom anyway. There are a few eg Space Mountain, Splash Mountain but Splash Mountain was closed for maintenance and after dragging my other half on Space Mountain in Tokyo and him nearly dying of a panic attack I decided better of it in Orlando. We went on Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion throughout the day. I also dragged him on The Little Mermaid too which of course he thoroughly enjoyed!! I’m not necessarily into character meeting. I queued up to have my photo with Mickey Mouse last time I came but this time I just wanted to wander, soak up the atmosphere and watch the parades and fireworks.

We caught the Festival Of Fantasy Parade which was so good. Anyone who follows me on snapchat (username bangonstyle) might have seen me dancing like a loon to the parade music. You honestly can’t be miserable at Disney can you? I especially loved the dragon from Maleficent which was stunning!

Later in the day the sun came out and it was such a lovely day. One thing that made me really happy was that there were still Christmas trees and decorations still up. Later in the evening when it got dark the whole park looked so festive it was amazing. If you read my New York posts you’ll know I’m a big fan of Christmas lights, so I was really pleased I got to glimpse what Disney might be like at Christmas. Of course the perfect end to the day was the firework display which started with Tinkerbell flying down from the castle. But first came an amazing digitally mapped projection show on the castle which was so amazing I didn’t take a single photo of it! It was celebrating Disney through the years and covered the castle in images of some of Disney’s most famous films along to music. It was brilliant. Then came the fireworks which is my favourite bit. I love fireworks and had them at my wedding too. Disney’s are always incredible and these didn’t disappoint. Although I was so busy taking photos I didn’t really watch it properly, oops.

I’d never seen the castle lit up with lights like this before. The last time I visited was over 7 years ago with my ex and his family and we didn’t stay for the fireworks (note not my choice!) But this time the castle looked amazing and again so Christmassy.

I loved Magic Kingdom.  As it was off peak (we were there early January)  it was quieter than usual and queuing times were around 20 minutes at most. I have to say though I can’t believe how much it is now for a one day ticket considering there aren’t that many rides. I suppose if your really into character meeting and/or taking kids its worth it but to take an entire family must cost a small fortune especially after food and souvenirs too.

Stay tuned for the rest of my Orlando Trip including posts covering both Universal Parks Harry Potter Diagon Alley and Hogsmede and a general Universal post too. Let me know what you’d like to see first?

Debs

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