In his March 12, 2010 article, “Traditions,” staff writer Steve Russo shared some of his family’s traditions for visits to Walt Disney World. The following readers wrote in to share their own traditional activities for Walt Disney World and Disneyland vacations.
Andrew S. writes:
Many of our family traditions have changed over the 26 years that we have been visiting Walt Disney World. Most often this is the result of the evolutionary nature of the resort. Places, events, rides just disappear over time. One practice which we still honor after all these years is having someone take a picture of us reclining in the ears of the giant aluminum Mickey sculpture just outside the rear of the Contemporary Resort. Strangely enough, we have always taken the picture at night.
Yes, it seems that things do change so picking something that will be there “forever” is difficult. I like your choice of the sculpture though.
Shad E. writes:
Thanks for the article. I always enjoy remembering my own Disney trips. I know what you mean about best and favorite. Citizen Kane is the best movie I have ever seen, but Mary Poppins is my favorite.
I have a couple of Disneyland traditions that I enjoy. I try to catch a red-eye to southern California. I can get enough rest on the plane to make a foray into the park possible on the day I arrive.
I usually arrive in time for breakfast at the Carnation Cafe, where I hope to see Oscar wandering the tables and talking to guests. Then I head over to the Haunted Mansion. Every trip requires at least one mint julep and a vegetarian gumbo. I also try to find a pin from an attraction that was around in 1972. (I am still looking for one from Adventures Thru Inner Space.) On the last day, I like to walk through the Disney Gallery.
Thanks for sharing. It seems many of have identical, or at least similar, traditions but your “mint julep and a vegetarian gumbo” is, I’m betting, unique. Thanks for writing.
Will M. writes:
My partner and I visit Orlando once, sometimes twice, a year. At the parks we have our traditions. For example, we always visit during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival; we start at England, eat our way around, and wind up our visit in France, where we buy a bottle of wine and watch IllumiNations. We always enjoy a meal at Kona Cafe. We always go to Property Control.
Some of our Walt Disney World traditions take us away from the resort. We always take an afternoon to visit our favorite Orlando thrift stores and to have lunch at Beefy King on Bumby Avenue. We always meet our dear friend Amy for a long, chatty dinner.
Kim T. writes:
My kids are 10 and 11 so we’re still establishing our own traditions. But Walt Disney World is already firmly entrenched as a family tradition in and of itself! But here are a few of our must-dos:
- First day, first thing, favorite park, Epcot, favorite ride Soarin’
- Once we were selected Family of the Day while waiting for rope drop. Now we always stand in the same spot.
- After an Extra Magic Hours morning at Magic Kingdom, when the masses start arriving, we sit with a cinnamon bun outside Main Street Bakery and watch the look of amazement on people’s faces as they march up Main Street.
- On the last night, Wishes… and make fun of Mommy as she cries…again.
- Sing along with Off Kilter. We’re Canadian, so we know a lot of those songs.
We’re going back in six weeks; maybe we’ll start a couple new ones.
Thanks for sharing your traditions… although I know quite a few non-Canadians that also sing along with Off Kilter. I enjoy them but am still more of a British Invasion guy – Beatles forever and all that. I’m right with you on Epcot and Soarin’.
Jamie B. writes:
I just finished reading your article, and it was wonderful! Living on the west coast, my family has only been to Disneyland, but we go the second week in December every year. One thing that we must do is to take a picture of each of our kids in front of the door to the White Rabbit’s house situated between the Alice in Wonderland ride and the Tea Cups. It is great to see how the kids have grown in relation to the door, and to also know that that place will always be there!
Thanks for those kind words, for sharing your “tradition” (a great one). It’s appreciated.
Susan S. writes:
Our traditions include: Our drive from Virginia to Disney World begins with a stop at Daytona Beach for an hour’s break to walk on the beach, and marvel at the sunshine (we always go in the winter) and then a short stop at the Florida Welcome Center for that cup of orange juice and all the fun Florida literature.
Upon arrival and after unpacking the car we head off to Epcot. Spaceship Earth is always the first ride with Test Track next. Over the course of our eight days in the World we always eat lunch twice at the Liberty Inn and catch Off Kilter numerous times. I always make a stop at the Department Store in Japan to pick two pearls. In the Magic Kingdom we always get a cream cheese-stuffed pretzel. In Animal Kingdom it’s always the Safari ride and then Dinosaur and out of the park to Downtown Disney for a afternoon of shopping. We always eat a breakfast at either Chef Mickey’s or the Crystal Palace. I always buy the Disney photo album and a new tee. I am sure there are more traditions, but these are the ones that stand out.
Thanks for sharing your traditions. I’m betting there are others that share a few of these with you.
Bobby writes:
The day we arrive to Disney World part of the day is usually gone, so instead of going to a park, we go to Downtown Disney and hit Earl Of Sandwich. Every park has that place that you go and relax besides eating and the attractions.
When we go to Hollywood Studios we get a couple of beers from High Octane Refreshments and sit down for a little while to recharge. In the Animal Kingdom we will stop at Quality Beverages in Asia and sit in that back corner. In Epcot it is kind of obvious to get a couple of drinks in World Showcase but particularly around France there is a cart that has Kronenbourg 1664. In the Magic Kingdom it is a bit different, we stop at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments and pickup a couple of funnel cakes and sit on the side where everyone walks between Fantasyland and Liberty Square and just people watch or we will sit on top of the train station and just take it all in. It is amazing to see the look on people’s faces when they enter the Magic Kingdom. We do the parks from start to finish, never go back to the room, so you have to take time to recharge and relax.
We also like to stop and relax in France but it’s usually with a glass of wine… or dessert and coffee from the Boulangerie Patisserie. It’s a great spot.
Mike W. writes:
For us, most of our traditions involve our dining choices. We always eat one dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern, even now that the characters are gone. Our first experience with Liberty Tree Tavern was during our first trip at Christmas in 2002. We were able to get a walk up dinner reservation on Christmas Day for dinner! To say they serve comfort food is a gross understatement. Our second tradition is at least one sandwich at Earl of Sandwich. I think this one is a very popular tradition. Our final tradition is lunch at Biergarten in Germany. The food is great, everyone manages to find enough on the buffet to fill up, the beer is delicious and it’s much less crowded and cheaper than dinner. I really enjoy the fact that you will always be seated with another family and we always try to engage in conversation with them. Being from Canada, I always like to find out an American’s perspective of us, especially depending on where in the U.S. they are from.
Sorry for the long read, but as anyone who goes to the World often, there are a lot of things that are “tradition”, even if you’ve never really thought about it.
Eryn writes:
I really enjoyed the article about Disney traditions. I think it’s great to have them. One of my traditions started by accident, as I’m sure many do! It is a picture with one of the two Indians at Disneyland. I noticed when I got a little older that my parents had a picture of me during my first visit to Disneyland at the age of 10 months, being held by my Papa and standing beside the Indian on Main Street. I then found pictures for each trip after, and they all had pictures with the Indian. I asked my Mom about this and she said she didn’t think she had done it on purpose; she just really liked the Indian! So a tradition began!
I have taken my daughter seven times and gone alone twice, and every single time, we get an Indian picture. It’s great to keep a record of how she’s growing along with our favorite place. Thanks very much and keep the traditions going!
I think you’ve stumbled on a great tradition. I wish I had started taking photos with the Cigar-Store Indian when my children were young but it’s now a missed opportunity.
