Whether you’re headed on your first Disney World family vacation or your 10th, there are tricks to maximizing the magic for an unforgettable trip
The Ultimate Guide to Making Memories on a Disney World Vacation
Published on Feb. 12, 2025
I only went to Disney World once as a kid, when I was 6 years old, but I still remember so much about that one trip. I fondly recall loving It’s a Small World so much that I begged my mom to take me again—and how delighted I was when she did. And I remember having the pants scared off me when the doors to the Haunted Mansion closed, then realizing the ride is two parts funny to one part spooky.
Now that I am the mom and have been fortunate enough to take my own family to Disney, it’s a pleasure to share my memories with my own kids and help us all make new core memories that I know will last my lifetime—and theirs. On my most recent Disney trip this past January, my daughter and I left the boys at home for the ultimate mom-daughter vacation. This was Nola’s fourth trip to Disney—her first was when she was 4 years old.
Every trip to Disney is a memory in the making, but there are some ways to make it truly unforgettable. Read on for my tips on having the best Disney vacation ever.
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Ask for a complimentary celebration pin
Cast members (what Disney calls its employees) are known for their friendliness, to begin with, but if you want extra attention, stop by guest services at the park or at the front desk of your hotel to ask for a complimentary celebration pin. At Disney, “celebration” is a term that’s used loosely in the best possible way. Your celebration might be your first trip or your third, a family reunion or, in my daughter’s case, celebrating her 10th birthday two weeks ahead of time.
As we walked through the parks, we lost count of how many people wished her a happy birthday. On top of that, a server at Be Our Guest restaurant gifted her a light-up chalice, and on our way into the Frontier Trading Post shop, a cast member sang her a hilarious and super short (on purpose) rendition of “Happy Birthday,” all while a crowd gathered. Pure magic!
Do something a little scary
On my first and only trip to Disney World as a 6-year-old, I was too scared to ride Space Mountain, and on all my subsequent trips, I never sought it out. Our recent trip coincided with Space Mountain’s 50th anniversary, so what better time to take a spin? Nola and I sat in the first and second seats, respectively, and shot off into the darkness. I get why I would have been scared as a kid, but as an adult, I smiled and cheered the whole way. So did my brave daughter.
I asked Nola what rides she remembers from her first trip, and the Slinky Dog Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios was her favorite—it’s impossible not to love the Toy Story theming and fast turns and steep dips (but no loops, which makes this a fun first coaster). We make a point of returning to it every trip and still delight when Slinky Dog starts his countdown to blast off. With all due respect to the gentler rides, it’s moments like these that excite and scare you that make a lasting impression.
Recreate favorite photos
On Nola’s first trip to Disney, she wanted to meet every character she possibly could to get their autographs while I snapped pictures to capture the moment. Those photos of a toddler Nola beaming proudly next to Mickey and Minnie, Chewbacca and all the princesses still melt my heart. On this trip, she wanted to revisit her favorite princess, Tiana, who can be found at Princess Fairytale Hall to recreate their photo.
I showed the original photo to Tiana, who like the one of years past, is dressed in her iconic green ballgown from the end of Princess and the Frog. I sheepishly asked her if she wouldn’t mind recreating the photo (that’s one big dress to maneuver to the floor in). Princess that she is, Tiana graciously agreed, and now we have one of the best milestone photos ever. I look forward to recreating it again on our next trip!
Even if you’re not into princesses or don’t want to wait in line for character meet-and-greets, the parks offer so many iconic backdrops, from Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Magic Kingdom to the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom to the entrances of classic rides. You’ll also find murals and iconic signs tucked into locations around the park. Take photos—lots of them!
Indulge in classic favorite foods
Along with its characters and attractions, Disney is known for its foods, ranging from iconic treats (Mickey Mouse–shaped pretzel, anyone?) to upscale dining. Of course, there are only so many sweets and treats you can enjoy in a day, so pick a favorite or two and make that “yours.” For Nola and me, it’s the LeFrou’s Brew at Gaston’s Tavern, a delicious concoction of frozen apple juice with toasted marshmallow and passion-fruit-and-mango foam. We discovered it on that first trip when we wanted to cool off with a more famous Dole whip but the line was too long. (This was before I figured out how to order on the app to skip the line.) It has since become our go-to treat, though on multi-day trips, we do make time for a Dole whip too, as you can see in the picture above.
Discover the joy of pin trading
I’ll be the first to admit that I struggled with souvenirs at Disney (and elsewhere). At this point, we have countless pairs of Minnie Mouse ears, I’m reluctant to add to Nola’s overgrown collection of stuffed animals, and does she really need another T-shirt she’ll grow out of in a few months? But collectible pins—and pin trading—solved my souvenir problems.
Disney pins are affordable (most are in the $13 to $20 range), there’s one to represent every aspect of Disney parks (from characters to rides to iconic foods to special milestone events), they’re small and easy to bring home, and they’ll last forever. And pin trading is as simple as it sounds: If you find a pin you like better, you trade your pin for it. (You’ll find official pin trading stations at snack carts and stores throughout the parks and at front desks of many of the park’s hotels.) There’s no value associated with the pins, so it’s a one-for-one trade. Nola remembers exactly when and where she got every pin.
Word to the wise: The Mickey ear–shaped pin backs are notorious for falling off. Upgrade to a metal back (you can find them on Amazon) to prevent lost pins.
Make time for magic
While I appreciate those whose goal is to go on every ride possible or hit all four parks in a day (like the young man we met on EPCOT’s Soarin!), if you slow down, you’ll open yourself up to magical moments. On our recent trip, we had two that stood out: At Animal Kingdom, we witnessed a guest dressed as Russell from Pixar’s Up interact with Kevin, the rainbow-colored giant bird from the same movie. Russell giddily petted Kevin, who reacted with sheer delight, shaking her head and lowering her long neck down so he could get a better reach.
The other was when we returned to our hotel to pick up our bags before heading to the airport. While I retrieved our luggage, Nola spotted Daisy Duck. The two strolled through the lobby hand-in-hand as Daisy pointed out her favorite artwork. Sheer magic!
One of the best parts about Disney World is that it means different things to different people. From families with toddlers to Disney adults, it belongs to all of us. While some attractions are more popular than others, everyone has their favorites, and your must-dos will look different from mine. The one thing I know for sure is that anyone who has been to Disney once is sure to remember it forever!
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