My First Disney World Trip (and Why I Needed to Return)
I first visited Walt Disney World in 1989 when I was ten years old. I have fond memories of that trip, but it wasn’t the one that truly stole my heart.
Fast forward to 2015: after saving for years (with a little help from a PPI claim), I finally booked a two-week family trip to Disney World with my boys, then aged 9 and 7. We stayed off-site and explored Disney World, Universal, and Legoland — it was magical. But when we came home, one thing was clear: we had to go back.
How Disney World Inspired a Career Change
To make a return possible, we made a bold family decision: I closed my childminding business and went back to my career as a civil engineer. Disney World was my motivation.
My first pay cheque went straight on the deposit for our next trip, and I set up most of my salary to flow into a dedicated Disney holiday savings fund.
In May 2017, we returned — this time staying on-site at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, fully immersed in the famous “Disney bubble.” With the dining plan, careful research, and a solid strategy, we managed to avoid most queues. By chance, we were there for the grand opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar and secured a Fast Pass for Flight of Passage. I’ll never forget the overwhelming gratitude I felt after riding it. I cried — and still do every time. That’s a theme for me at Disney: lots of happy tears.
Family Milestones and Magical Disney Memories
Our third trip came in October 2018, and it was extra special. I turned 40, and Louis turned 10. We began with another stay at French Quarter before setting sail on our first Disney Cruise around the Bahamas, stopping at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
Snorkelling there with my son Cole, we spotted a sea turtle — a magical moment we’ll never forget.
After the cruise, we stayed three nights at Universal Orlando’s Portofino Bay. With Express Passes included, the vibe was wonderfully laid-back. Universal is smaller and easier to do in a few days, while Disney World is so vast you always have to make compromises. Sometimes I wonder how long I’d have to stay before I could finally say, “I’ve done it all — I’m ready to go home.” (2 years maybe?)
Disney World Plans During Covid – and Discovering Disney Vacation Club
Our fourth trip was planned for May 2020 to celebrate Cole’s 14th birthday… but of course, the pandemic put a stop to that.
The silver lining was financial. With the trip refunded in full, plus no commuting, no daily coffee splurges, and no lunchtime retail therapy, I managed to save more than ever.
That saving finally allowed me to buy into Disney Vacation Club (DVC) — something I’d been researching for years. DVC is essentially Disney’s version of a timeshare, and it secures our accommodation at Disney resorts until 2054. For a UK family like ours, it was a big decision, but one that means Disney will always be part of our future.
Our 2022 Disney World Trip – Coronado Springs, Boardwalk & Animal Kingdom Lodge
We finally returned in August 2022, making up for lost time. We started with a week on International Drive, enjoying restaurants, shops, and day trips to Kennedy Space Centre and Wekiwa Springs State Park.
Then came Disney. We split our stay across three resorts:
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- Coronado Springs Resort (5 nights): I cried on arrival — it was so beautiful. Even better, the front desk found us a room ready early (crying works!).
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- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn (5 nights): The location was incredible. There’s something so special about taking a boat back to your resort after leaving the parks.
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- Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village (5 nights): We had a spacious one-bed villa overlooking the savannah. Sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine while giraffes wandered by was unforgettable. I’ll also never forget hearing the news of the Queen’s passing while there — surreal, experiencing such sadness while living my happiest life.
Disney Beyond Florida: Paris, California & Aulani
Since that trip, our Disney adventures have continued. We visited Disneyland Paris in 2023, and last year we combined Disneyland California with a dream stay at Aulani, Disney’s resort in Hawaii. I’ll share more about those magical experiences in future posts.
This year, we’re heading back “home” to Florida. We’ll start with a week at Universal Orlando, then move to Disney. We’re especially excited to try Club Level at Animal Kingdom Lodge and end the holiday in a Treehouse Villa at Saratoga Springs Resort.
Why Disney World Will Always Have My Heart
For us, Disney isn’t just a holiday destination — it’s part of our family story. It has shaped career choices, given us unforgettable milestones, and created countless happy tears and magical memories. That’s why Disney has my heart.
Do you have a Disney trip planned? Would you like help planning your first (or next) Disney World holiday? Are there any Disney World tips or tricks you’d like me to share in future posts?
I’d love to help you make the most of the most magical place on earth.
