One Girl in Disney World: A History

Hi Everyone! I wanted to officially start my posts in this section of the site by explaining why I’m qualified to give advice and write about and Disney World (which I’m sure many of you are curious to know). So, let’s get into my credentials if you will.

All right, the only way to start this is to say I have been to Walt Disney World 17 times in a cumulative 15 years. Which, for those of you who are my age (or younger) who have lived reasonably close to Disney and/or have Annual Passes, this may seem like a small number. But, considering that number broadly encompasses annual trips for 13 years (one of those years being a trip to Disneyland, which I still count toward my Disney parks list), then 2 more recent trips before the pandemic, I am by no means a Disney novice.

Me with Minnie Mouse at Ohana in the Polynesian Village Resort, 1 week shy of age 2

The very first time I ever went to Disney World was in 1995, and I was 2. And for the 26 years since that first trip, I have adored Disney and its parks. And almost everything I’m going to tell you about has been learned through years of successfully using these tips and tricks. Some of them date all the way back to 1995. From those early years, my mom devised strategies to avert a 60 minute wait time for Dumbo at 8 am with 2 under 5 (which she then put into practice in every Disney vacation I can remember). Others have been learned through making mistakes or just being in Disney parks a lot. But, regardless of your familiarity with the Most Magical Place on Earth, it’s the end goal that everyone who leaves my site looking for Disney advice will leave as knowledgeable as I am.

1995 Disney World Ticket

My parents saved this from my very first trip to Disney and the price on the back says $35.15

Also, just as a heads up, there will be several posts where you will see some co-writers and guest writers. This will be a first for my site, but I’m doing it because I want to make sure that you get the best information possible, and I do not know everything. So, get excited about that!

But, in the meantime, I wanted to share the first Disney World ad that I actively remember seeing. It was one of the previews on virtually every Disney VHS tape, for I don’t even know how many years. So, for those of you that are of my generation, this might take you down memory lane. Personally, I get a little emotional watching it because it instantly takes me back to being an incredibly excited 5-year-old awaiting the drive to Disney early the following day. Hopefully, you enjoy it, and it gets you excited for all the Disney-related content on its way!