We just got back from our very first trip to Walt Disney World—a trip full of “firsts” for our girl: her first time on a plane, her first time in Florida, and our first-hand realization that she doesn’t need big or elaborate plans to have fun. That’s a big takeaway, especially after months of planning!

Yes, we’re Disneyland pass-holders, but Disney World is a whole different animal. I had the shirts made, ordered special Disney-themed masks (which, spoiler alert, we never wore), and was practically coached by an aficionado on the weather, the parks, and what not to do. I thought I was prepared for anything.

I was wrong.

Getting There (A Comedy of Errors)

Thanks to a certain virus that’s changed the way we travel, our flights were anything but smooth. Since she’s still our foster daughter, we had to get a judge’s approval to take her out of state—surprisingly, that part went smoothly. But multiple delays and layover changes meant we didn’t land in Orlando until close to midnight. Not ideal for a 9-year-old (or two tired adults).

The funny part? I had kept the final destination a surprise from her the whole time. I thought she’d catch on when the flight attendant announced we were heading to Florida. Nope. Even after walking past kiosks with Disney characters all over them, she remained completely clueless. I have video proof. It’s gold.

Day 1: Recoup Day & Clues Start Dropping

After barely five hours of sleep, we had our one “non-park” day to explore the resort and rest. We hit the pool, took a casual tour of the grounds, and laid low—thankfully. She finally put two and two together in the resort lobby and realized there’s a Disney in Florida. She didn’t say anything right away, but I could tell she knew. She played along the next morning, though.

Day 2: Epcot, Photo Shoots, and Princess Moments

We woke her up in our Disneybounding outfits—me in purple and black with matching hair extensions, and my husband wearing a Maleficent hat (which he insisted on buying, despite only wearing it for about 10 minutes). After breakfast, our little Aurora got dressed in her princess outfit, and the Fairy Godmother arrived for a full princess makeover. There was glitter everywhere—and I mean, still-in-our-luggage-when-we-got-home kind of everywhere.

We started at Epcot, my personal favorite, but quickly learned it was way too much for our girl. The walking, the sensory overload—it was a lot. She was overstimulated and begging for a stroller halfway through the day (mental note: always bring a stroller, even for older kids). Despite the heat, we got through our first family photo session, then ended the day at a Pointer Sisters concert. Yes, they’re still around—kind of. Only one original member, but the vibe was fun.

Day 3: A Long Drive to Nowhere

This was the day we made the very long drive to Miami, hoping to tour my husband’s favorite NFL team’s stadium. I had tried to arrange a tour in advance with no response, so I was not on board with going without confirmation—but he was determined.

The result? We weren’t even allowed on the property. The day ended with three cranky, overtired travelers and zero stadium photos. Lesson learned: skip unconfirmed excursions.

Day 4: Animal Kingdom and Full-On Meltdown Mode

Animal Kingdom was up next, and our second photo session started before the park even opened. You could read my sleep-deprivation on my face in every photo. I wasn’t thrilled with the end results (photographers make the worst photo clients).

It was the most humid day of the trip—I felt like I was literally melting. We adored the safari and the Lion King show, and all of the animal exhibits (the monkeys were fun). Between the weather, the crowds, and our girl’s bad attitude, we called it an early day and left before the park even closed.

Day 5: Magic Kingdom Magic

After a good night’s sleep, Magic Kingdom was a much better experience. It was my husband’s favorite park—classic Disney. Our girl was more comfortable here too, since several rides mirrored what she was familiar with from Disneyland. We especially loved the Carousel of Progress, mainly because it let us escape a surprise downpour. Pro tip: those air-conditioned, low-wait attractions are hidden gems.

Day 6: Hollywood Studios... Kind of

Our last full day was at Hollywood Studios, which turned out to be our least favorite park. Although I loved Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, the park felt overcrowded with long wait times and fewer attractions. We left after just a few hours, but the weather was perfect, and we ended the day with some light shopping and a relaxing dinner on a rooftop patio with a stunning view.

What I Learned: Bigger Isn't Always Better

What did I learn from this over-the-top, whirlwind trip? Bigger isn't always better—especially for this kid. Her absolute favorite moments of the entire vacation? Swimming at the resort pool and coloring the menus at restaurants.

Next time we head to Florida, I’m ditching the overplanning and bringing coloring books, a swimsuit, and booking nothing more than a cabana by the pool. That’s her kind of magic.

And those adorable Disney masks I bought in advance? Never wore them. The mask mandate was lifted days before we arrived—but hugs with Mickey were still off-limits. Bittersweet, but understandable.

Favorite Funny Moment:

Her: “Mommy, it’s really human today.”
Me: laughing “You mean humid?”
Her: “Yeah, humid. It’s very dry here.”

Oh, my kid. 💜