For a parent who grew up devoted to Disneyland and raises her kids just miles from Anaheim, Disney World presents a particular challenge: how do you experience something familiar as if it's brand new? That's the question at the heart of one Los Angeles family's three-parks-in-three-days visit to Walt Disney World, and their answer involves jet lag, lost sneakers, margaritas, and more than a few surprises.
Magic Kingdom set the tone. The family stayed at Disney's Contemporary Resort — a short walk to the park — and despite missing their intended early-morning rope drop thanks to West Coast jet lag, they still managed to snag a Lightning Lane Single Pass for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. A detour through Pirates of the Caribbean yielded an unexpected perk: after a child lost a shoe boarding the ride, a cast member in full pirate costume handled the situation gracefully and gifted the family a pair of Mickey Crocs. The evening ended with an impromptu spin on The Magic Carpets of Aladdin — which happened to offer a front-row view of the nighttime fireworks show.
Epcot, initially the lowest-expectation stop on the itinerary, emerged as a standout. The World Showcase's international pavilions charmed the whole group, and a stop at La Cava del Tequila inside the Mexico pavilion — described as a bar cool enough to hold its own in New York City — delivered strong margaritas and excellent guacamole while the kids napped in a rented stroller. A classic Florida downpour complicated the afternoon, but even soaked through, the family left Epcot enchanted.
Hollywood Studios closed out the trip, and it was the day they finally nailed rope drop — arriving early enough to ride Slinky Dog Dash before it ballooned to a 110-minute wait. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance drew high praise as arguably the most ambitious theme park attraction ever built, but it was Oga's Cantina — a dim, chilled bar styled as a lawless galactic outpost, complete with a droid DJ and theatrical glowing drinks — that the group called the day's highlight.
This first-person account of a Disney World first-timer was originally published by Condé Nast Traveler.
