The Year of Disney technically has not ended for our family. Our Walt Disney World seasonal passes are good until early February, and we will make good use of them between now and then.
But as we approach the end of 2013, a look back at our still-fresh Disney memories seems appropriate. We’ll remember 2013 for a lot of reasons, but mostly we’ll remember it for a total immersion into all things Disney.
Even though we live only an 80-minute drive from the Most Magical Place on Earth, we planned a few overnight trips, one of which went terribly wrong almost before it began. Yet, even that harrowing weekend turned out better than it might have been, thanks to above-and-beyond compassion displayed by Disney cast members.
This list is long, but not exhaustive. It’s not meant to record every little detail. That’s what memories are for. It is meant, rather, to convey the breadth and depth of the experiences we loved, the reasons we went back again and again, and the reasons we will continue to go there, as long as it’s feasible, in the years to come.
So, in no particular order, here are 101 things our family loved about Walt Disney World in 2013 (Key – MK: Magic Kingdom; DHS: Disney’s Hollywood Studios; AK: Animal Kingdom; Epcot: Every Patron Comes Out Tired):
1. The Mad Tea Party (tea cups) at MK.
2. Memorizing the section and aisle where we parked (Goofy 71, etc.).
3. The 10 percent discount inside the parks on merchandise with the seasonal passes.
5. Hanging out with new friends and visiting family members at MK.
6. Hanging out with visiting family members at Epcot.
7. Creating our own “futures” at the end of the Spaceship Earth ride at Epcot.
8. Jay taking control of the “remote” car during the Lights, Motors, Action! stunt show at DHS.
9. Jay getting selected to toss a grape for a bird during the aviary show at AK.
11. Lunch at the Yak and Yeti Asian restaurant at AK.
12. The dolphin communication research show at the Seas pavilion in Epcot.
13. The kindness of the employees at the Port Orleans Riverside resort.
14. Riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain back-to-back on a hot, sunny day.
15. The opening ceremony at Magic Kingdom.
16. Jedi Academy Training (pictured above).
17. The Power Pack meals for kids at the DHS ABC Commissary.
18. An amazing birthday meal at the Brown Derby in DHS.
19. The nightly transformation of Cinderella Castle into a living canvas during Celebrate the Magic.
21. Watching Jay become the Rebel spy at least a half-dozen times on Star Tours at DHS.
22. Ringing in lunch together as a family at the Liberty Tree Tavern.
23. Exploring Japanese snacks and toys at the Japan pavilion in Epcot.
24. Watching the Chinese acrobats at the China pavilion in Epcot.
25. Two viewings of Fantasmic at DHS.
26. Playing hide and seek in the shrubbery maze at the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot.
27. Discovering unexpected fun like Habit Heroes at Innoventions in Epcot.
28. The Monsters University topiary at Epcot.
29. Thwarting Dr. Doofenshmirtz during Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure.
30. Finding Hidden Mickeys everywhere we looked.
32. Pizza and wine at the Via Napoli pizzeria in Epcot.
33. Jay and Chris collecting stickers for the Wilderness Explorer handbooks at AK.
34. Photos together in front of Spaceship Earth.
35. Posing on the speeder for photos outside the Star Tours ride.
36. Playing on the indoor playground at Dumbo Circus.
38. Designing a prototype vehicle and running it out on Test Track in Epcot.
39. Riding Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror back to back at night at DHS.
40. Toy Story Midway Mania at DHS.
41. The giant Mickey Mouse-shaped power line poll just off Interstate 4 that signals the arrival at (or departure from) Disney territory.
42. Hotdogs and fries at Casey’s Corner in MK.
43. Watching for mermaids on the Pirates of the Caribbean at MK.
44. The cobras in the cave along the route of the Jungle Cruise at MK.
45. The thrilling first climb up and down Swiss Family Treehouse.
46. Avoiding the camel that “spits” streams of water at passersby near the Magic Carpets of Aladdin.
47. The instruments and funky displays in the queue for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at MK.
48. Peeking through the fence at the progress being made on the Seven Dwarves Mine Train ride at MK.
49. Trying to count the coins in the water below the queue at It’s a Small World at MK.
51. Riding Space Mountain for the first time with Jay at MK.
52. The Imperial Walker at the entrance of Star Tours at DHS.
53. Waving to diners at the Pinocchio Village Haus in the windows above us as we turn into the tunnel entrance for Small World.
54. Discovering the value and flavors of the Columbia Harbor House for lunch at MK.
55. Starbucks on Main Street USA at MK.
57. Turtle Talk with Crush at the Seas in Epcot.
58. The paper “gold doubloons” and other fun shapes that drift from the ceiling during Disney Jr. Live on Stage at DHS.
59. Beauty and the Beast on stage at DHS.
60. The Illuminations firework show at Epcot.
61. The monorail that travels between Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.
62. The Heroes parking section at Magic Kingdom (but NOT the Villains).
63. The Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros (the Donald Duck boat ride) at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot.
65. The Glow with the Show mouse ear hats that change color in conjunction with the music that plays during night events.
66. Eliot the Dragon (Pete’s Dragon) in the Main Street Electrical Parade.
67. Watching the Wishes fireworks show from behind Cinderella Castle, next to the carousel at MK.
68. The Halloween decorations at MK.
69. The Christmas decorations at MK.
71. Petting and brushing goats at the Affection Section of Rafiki’s Planet Watch in AK.
72. Disney toys.
73. Disney ice cream bars.
74. Disney candy.
76. Riding under the sign that says, “Where Dreams Come True,” and saying, “We’re back!”
77. The People Mover.
79. Splitting up for two of us to grab fast passes for Toy Story Midway Mania while the other two ran to Star Tours and rode it back-to-back with no line in the morning.
80. Kilimanjaro Safari at AK.
81. Tacos, chips and salsa from La Cantina de San Angel counter service at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot.
83. Afternoon naps at the resort hotels when we stayed overnight.
84. Celebrating a birthday with a good friend at the MK.
85. Sharing a bumpy, wild ride at the Tomorrowland Speedway.
87. The dancing lights that appear at night on the sidewalk at the base of Spaceship Earth.
88. Coffee and a pastry from the Writer’s Stop Café at DHS.
89. Watching Jedi Academy training while eating or taking a break in the shade on the terrace of the Backlot Express dining hall.
91. Photo bombing other people’s pictures in front of the giant Sorcerer Mickey hat at DHS.
92. Seeing the actual prop table used on the Millennium Falcon by Chewbacca and R2-D2 to play holographic chess in the queue area for the Great Movie Ride at DHS.
93. The Citizens of Hollywood costumed characters who wander the streets and interact with patrons at DHS.
94. The recorded message on the trams – the English version and the Spanish version.
95. The views of Tom Sawyer Island, the Haunted Mansion, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from the boardwalk along the water from Liberty Square to Frontierland.
96. The new restrooms between It’s a Small World and Rapunzel Tower.
97. The view of Space Mountain and the rest of the Magic Kingdom as the monorail exits the Contemporary Resort.
98. Seeing the Earful Tower at DHS through the trees while driving along World Drive.
99. The 3D games and activities in the exit portal coming off Spaceship Earth at Epcot.
101. Finding something new to love every time we go.
Carter Gaddis, Writer & Editor 
7 responses to “101 Things We Loved About Walt Disney World in 2013”
I thought Epcot stood for Every Patron Comes Out Tipsy – World showcase, drinking around the world.
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We just took our first trip to Disney and reading through your list brought back a lot of great memories! I was actually a bit skeptical about going at first, but over the course of 5 1/2 half days we all started talking about what we’re going to do on our next visit. As commercial as it is, I’d recommend it to anyone with young kids…such a great time.
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