Whenever I used to visit Walt Disney World, I would see groups of multi-gen travelers with their matching T-shirts. I used to envy them, thinking how lucky they were until I had a chance to visit with both my children and grandchildren in tow. Now it was my turn to introduce the next generation to the wonderful magic of Disney all over again. Our group of multi-gens included myself and my husband, my daughter Hilary and 6-year old Blake; my son Ari and his wife, Margo and their two boys, Asher 9 and Aaron, 6.
Our home for three nights featured two suites at The Art of Animation Resort, one of more than 30 on-property resorts that makes it easy to be a “park hopper” via the the convenient Skyliner, Monorail, or buses. The boys loved posing for pictures on the cars outside, picking their favorite foods at Landscape of Flavors and sleeping in their colorful suites. Each suite can accommodate up to six quests and also includes a refrigerator and microwave.
The Joy Begins at Magic Kingdom
As soon as I stepped into Magic Kingdom, I felt happiness radiating in the air. Main Street U.S.A. does that to you. It feels like a step back in time to a kinder, gentler place. Here I was with my children and grandchildren watching the magic unfold in their eyes, with a look of wonder and anticipation.
My favorite ride in Magic Kingdom has always been “It’s a small world” in FANTASYLAND, so we headed to the iconic ride. We could hear the song playing as we boarded the boat, mesmerized by the more than 300 animatronic dolls in traditional, colorful costumes from around the world. I watched my grandkids’ faces light up with big smiles as they sang along. My grandson Aaron said, “I can’t get that song out of my head now.” Either could I.
“Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin® is another one of my favorites that combines a ride with a 4D video game at the County Fair. We whirled, twirled and shot at the targets. Of course, Asher, left me in the dust, score-wise!
To hit the coasters or not? My kids and two of the grands love roller coasters and didn’t miss a one. It made sense for them to venture over, while we took the younger one for ice cream.
Before we found a place to sit and see the fireworks, we dined at the Crystal Palace Buffet which gave everyone a variety of choices. The kids ate chicken tenders, Mac & Cheese, while the adults devoured the country fried chicken and roast beef. We all indulged in the smooth soft serve with a choice of toppings and cookies for dessert.
When it was time for the nightly fireworks show of “Happily Ever After, ” the kids watched with eyes wide open. They oohed and aahed at the dazzling display of color, light and music from their favorite Disney movies, projecting against Cinderella’s Castle.
Hollywood Studios — Where the Movies Come to Life
Hollywood Studios was the park my Star Wars fans couldn’t wait to see. We headed to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and felt like we had just landed on another planet with the Millennium Falcon front and center. We boarded Millennium Run: Smugglers Cove and felt the same pulsating excitement like we were actually in the movie. The look of wonder in the kids’ eyes said it all. WOW!
Go Wild at Animal Kingdom
This was my first visit to Animal Kingdom and I was truly impressed with the range of amazing animals and cultural attractions. At the Kilimanjaro Safaris, we sat in an open-air vehicle that bounced around the savannah on a 20-minute journey in search of elephants, lions, and giraffes. Part of my group headed to Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain for a wild ride through the Himalayas, while I took Aaron to DINOLAND U.S.A. to dig for fossils in the Boneyard.
Discovering the World at EPCOT
To me, EPCOT has always been like taking a trip around the world… in a single day. When the grands caught sight of the iconic silver sphere known as Spaceship Earth, they knew they were someplace special. Inside this flagship attraction, riders travel through time to explore the history of human communication from the Stone Age to the computer chip.
Afterwards, we raced to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and followed the trail of the cute rat zipping through Gusteau’s kitchen, laughing from all the special effects. “Can we go on that one again,” asked Blake? My brave coaster warriors then ran to the “Guardians of the Galaxies” ride in the dark and loved it.
My kids were fascinated with the World Showcase exhibits as we traveled across the globe, learning about international cultures and tasting our way across the globe. We ate at Via Napoli in Italy for lunch and the pizza was so large, they rolled it out in a cart!
Dine with the Disney Characters
For some of us, you can never get enough hugs from the beloved Disney characters, so we headed over to the Contemporary Resort for breakfast with Chef Mickey and the characters.
After our four days in the park, I was filled with a deep sense of gratitude for the laughter, the memories and the joy of experiencing it all together. There’s something special about watching the magic come alive through your child’s eyes. Visiting Walt Disney World with my grandchildren wasn’t just about the rides or the shows or the special treats — it was about creating bonds and making memories that will last a lifetime. In Asher’s own words — “Best vacation ever!”
For more information about planning your own multi-gen trip to Walt Disney World, go to https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
Splash Magazines
Great article! Such a wonderful trip to WDW with your family. The opportunity of a lifetime that you only dared to dream of came true! That’s so Disney!