The idea of going to Disney was never part of my dreams, primarily because I’m not a fan of amusement parks and have a fear of roller coasters; secondly, because as a child, I didn’t usually watch Disney movies. Whenever the opportunity to travel arose, Orlando wasn’t among my choices.
However, currently living in Miami, about 236 miles away, I began to consider that perhaps I should live this experience at least once in my life. I had heard several people share the same opinion as mine about how surreal it is to visit the Magic Kingdom.
On my birthday, I desired something out of the ordinary. Initially, I thought about going to Sedona, but as I hadn’t planned in advance, that trip would have to wait for another occasion. Until a friend invited me to go to Disney, and I thought: why not spend my birthday in the most magical place on earth?
Magical was the word I chose for my new year.
We started the journey by choosing the Brightline, a train that takes us from Miami to Orlando. The station and the train provide an incredible experience. We paid $49 dollars in the economy mode. The train is extremely clean, spacious, and modern, with a very large bathroom. The station in Miami is equally charming, including a VIP area with food and drink options. We chose the train departing at 8:50 PM, which is the economic time on Fridays.
We arrived in Orlando around 12:30 AM, and the train station is connected to the airport. We opted for an Uber to Kissimmee, where our hotel was located. We stayed at the Magic Moment Resort, a simple but cozy and clean establishment. We paid about $80 dollars for both, and the hotel even offers an American-style breakfast with a free buffet.
The next morning, when we woke up, we went to Walmart because my friend wanted to buy Minnie ears, and Walmart offered half the price compared to the park. After shopping, we took an Uber from Walmart, located near the hotel, and headed to the park, arriving around 10 AM.
Upon arrival and going through security, we took a train that took us to the entrance. The journey is remarkably beautiful, surrounded by nature, providing a view of the castle in the background. The excitement already began there.
Next, we looked for lockers to store our bags, as we decided to return to Miami on the same day. The locker rental cost $12 dollars. After depositing our belongings, my friend lost the card received at the entrance. We went to the Lost and Found, where they gave us instructions to get a new one. What impresses me most about these places is how all the staff are trained to attend to people in a polite, cheerful, and fun way. At Disney, there is no room for bad mood, sadness, anger, or impatience. It’s amazing how they can handle so many people so courteously and cordially.
We started our fun using the company’s app, which is very well developed, easy to understand, and did not experience any glitches at any time.
The park is simply breathtaking; every detail is charming. It’s like being inside a movie. In the castle, the princesses perform shows and sing songs along with Mickey and Minnie, truly lovely.
I faced two very calm roller coasters; there were many children, haha. The sensation was incredible, and I overcame my fear. What caught my attention most about the attractions were the interactive queues. For example, in the queue for the Snow White roller coaster, it feels like you’re entering a cave. At some point, interactive colored crystals become active, and when you touch them, water falls like a fountain. Further down the line, there were barrels with crystals, and if you spin them hard, the seven dwarfs appear on the ceiling. Truly incredible technology. Another attraction that enchanted me was Under the Sea, to meet Ariel. The queue makes you feel like you’re entering the sea, with enchanted treasures and starfish. When we reached the attraction, we embarked on a journey narrated by songs and stories of Ariel and the prince, truly charming.
The technology employed in the park is fantastic. Upon arrival, I encountered a vast lawn full of solar panels. The bathrooms are always clean, and at no time did we face queues, as they are well distributed throughout the park, as well as the water fountains, ensuring that you can always stay hydrated.
We chose not to sit in any restaurant, opting to buy food in less crowded places, even with fewer options. We chose the famous turkey leg, which, by the way, seemed to have almost a pound of meat. Hahaha, I found it tasty, but my friend didn’t appreciate it, considering it too greasy.
We spent the whole day at the park, enjoying the attractions, strolling, and appreciating all the beauty of the place. We did everything without haste and managed to enjoy about 10 attractions, prioritizing the less crowded ones first. At the end of the day, the crowd decreases, allowing us to get shorter lines at attractions that initially had a wait of 120 minutes. So when it got dark, it became more tranquil, as we chose not to invest in the fast pass.
The fireworks show started at 8 PM and lasted about 20 minutes. It was a magnificent conclusion to the day. After it ended, we left the park, and it took about an hour to get out and reach the transportation point. On the way back, instead of taking the train, we opted for the ferry, which left us on the other side at the entrance where the buses and cars were parked.
Indeed, Disney is a spectacular place that deserves to be visited. It was a happy and magical day, a true and unforgettable experience.
