Why We Traveled for the Holidays
Growing up, Thanksgiving in my family meant a house full of people—twenty, sometimes twenty-five of our closest friends and relatives. There was food on every counter, drinks flowing, and a full week of prep that always ended with cooking late into the night and waking up at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day so we could eat by 2 p.m.
It was exciting, joyful, chaotic, and familiar.
But as we’ve gotten older, life looks different. Some of our loved ones have passed on. We live in different states now. And the holidays… well, they don’t look like the ones we grew up with anymore.
What hasn’t changed, though, is this: we still want to be together.
Last year, we tried something new, a Thanksgiving cruise. Even though the food tasted nothing like a traditional Thanksgiving plate, sitting on the beach in Turks and Caicos on Thanksgiving Day was priceless and stress-free. Just us enjoying the sun, the ocean, and new memories.
We realized: Thanksgiving doesn’t have to look like our old traditions to feel like Thanksgiving.
Why Thanksgiving Week at Disney
My mom has always promised to take my nieces to Disney. We even planned a Disney cruise in 2020… but like so many 2020 plans, COVID said “No ma’am.”
So this year, we said — finally — Let’s make it happen. To be honest, our planning started in January of 2025. We needed to decide the time of year, hotels, and costs. We were planning a trip for kids, working adults, and retirees, so we had to consider:
- school breaks
- heat (because Florida in July? No, thank you)
- crowds
- costs
- energy levels for both kids and the grown folks
We went around in circles — March break? Summer vacation? Columbus Day weekend?
Nothing felt right.
I kept asking:
“Why not Thanksgiving again?”
Not as hot as summer.
More festive than early fall.
And most people are already off work or school.
Plus, after that Thanksgiving cruise, the idea of traveling together again felt right.
Even with the warnings about crowds, we went for it. And I am so glad we did.
What Thanksgiving Week at Disney Actually Feels Like
Disney during the holidays is a whole vibe. Christmas decorations were already up.
Garlands everywhere.
Christmas trees taller than some buildings.
Holiday music humming through the speakers the day after Thanksgiving.
It felt warm, nostalgic, and alive — the kind of holiday energy you can’t fake. But let me tell you the truth:
The crowds are real on Thanksgiving Day.
The weather is unpredictable.
And somehow, it’s still magical.
Here’s How Are Week Went
Monday – We arrived and did a welcome dinner at the restaurant in the hotel.
Tuesday — The park was calm, shockingly calm. Perfect 80-degree weather, blue skies, and even manageable lines. We actually strolled through Magic Kingdom the entire day.
Wednesday — Hollywood Studios said, “Surprise!” Crowds everywhere. It was definitely warmer ,where we all needed shade breaks and frozen lemonade. And maybe a donut!. Epcot at night felt like New Year’s Eve, as people were in every country with a cocktail in hand.
Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) — if Tuesday felt like a gentle breeze, Thursday felt like going into a football stadium for a game. PACKED. Shoulder-to-shoulder in some areas. Lines are long. Energy high. Joy everywhere.
Until the clouds became overcast, the wind picked up and turned quickly into cold air.
My mom and I were in shorts. I looked at her, she looked at me, and we both said, “We’re not going to make it.”
We left the crew who were heading to Tianna’s water ride and headed straight to the Emporium for sweatshirts. When our other family member came off the ride, they too were freezing. We returned to the store and it was like a Black Friday sale, except no sale prices. Lines everywhere with everyone finding the closest-sized hoodie or sweater.
And as chaotic as that moment was… it made me laugh.
Because that’s life: You plan, but you also surrender.
But here’s how planning ahead worked out in our favor:
We had already done Magic Kingdom earlier in the week, so Thursday didn’t feel overwhelming nor did we feel obligated to stay the entire day because we had experienced most of the magic already.
If you’re going during a holiday:
Do Magic Kingdom on a non-holiday weekday AND on the holiday.
One day for wonder.
One day for the madness.
Where We Stayed + Why It Worked for Our Multigenerational Crew
We stayed at the Walt Disney Dolphin Resort — technically not a “Disney hotel,” but a Marriott property (yes, Bonvoy points) with Disney perks.
This was strategic because:
- we wanted transportation options for the older adults
- we didn’t want to rent a car
- we needed food access on property
- we wanted something comfortable and stylish
We could walk to Epcot and the Disney Boardwalk. Take the ferry to Epcot, the Boardwalk and Hollywood Studios. There was a shuttle to Magic Kingdom and to Animal Kingdom.
For 8 people, we booked:
- 1 Premium Suite (living room, sofa, table, fridge — perfect hangout space)
- 1 Traditional Room
Every morning and night, we all squeezed into that suite — debriefing, laughing, planning, eating snacks.
It made the trip feel connected, not scattered.
Because when you’re traveling with multiple people and generations?
Comfort is not a luxury. It’s strategy.
The Planning That Made Everything Actually Enjoyable
Let me say this clearly:
Disney is magical.
But Disney WITHOUT a plan?
Not magical. Not even close.
We started planning back in January — reading blogs, watching videos, comparing notes, and talking to seasoned Disney-goers. Eventually, we tapped into our cousin, the Disney expert of the family, and she basically saved us by helping map out the logistics of our days.
Here’s what made the biggest difference (and why we’d do it all again):
Lightning Lane
Worth. Every. Penny.
Eight people standing in a 90-minute line?
Absolutely not.
Lightning Lane kept us sane, kept the kids happy, and kept my mom from overexerting herself. Staying at a resort that allowed early purchasing helped, but honestly?
Everyone should get Lightning Lane.
Park Hopper
Our peace-keeper.
Our flexibility card.
Want to leave and nap? Go.
Want to catch fireworks? Go.
Want to hop from Animal Kingdom to Epcot? Boom — done.
Park Hopper removed the pressure of “We must do everything today.”
It gave us breathing room — which, when traveling with kids and older adults, is priceless.
Disney PhotoPass
I was skeptical at first. We all have phones with great cameras, right?
But if you want real family shots — like the kind you actually frame — PhotoPass is 100% worth it.
For about $210, one person buys the package and the whole group benefits. Photographers are everywhere: with characters, in scenic spots, at the castle. You scan your ticket, the photos go into your app, and you can download every shot from your party.
We took beautiful pictures on our phones, but some of the magic effects and group shots from PhotoPass? Captured the true magic of a family Disney Trip.
MagicBands
MagicBands are clutch — especially for kids or anyone without an Apple Watch linked to their Disney ticket.
It becomes your ticket, your Lightning Lane pass, your PhotoPass scanner… everything.
For the kids, it was freedom: they could scan themselves into rides (just make sure they remember which finger they used to enter the park).
And a fun bonus: MagicBands light up during fireworks, shows, and near certain statues around the park. Functional + memorabilia = win.
They open Disney hotel doors too, just not at the Dolphin, since it’s a Marriott property.
Snacks, Snacks, Snacks
We packed a whole suitcase of water and snacks, and THANK GOD we did.
Breakfast at 8 a.m., and by 9 a.m., my nieces wanted snacks. The adults, too.
Having snacks meant fewer meltdowns, shorter stops, and more time to actually experience the parks. It kept us moving without turning “hungry” into “cranky.”
Sneaker Strategy
Bring two pairs.
Alternate them.
Your feet will thank you.
Walking 20,000+ steps a day is not the time to be cute. It’s the time to be strategic.
Matching Shirts + Ears
Not for Instagram — for practicality.
Eight people in a crowd?
You want to be found.
We bought a variety pack of ears and color-coordinated our shirts each day. Cute and functional. And even though I may have missed the memo on some of the bottoms, I nailed the colors, so we’re calling that a win.
Eight people standing in a 90-minute line?
Our Best Moments
There were so many rides, shows, treats, and rushing from one thing to the next that it all should’ve blended together but somehow, the moments that stuck weren’t the flashy ones. They were the ones that made us pause.
1. Walking down Main Street with my balloon and popcorn
I don’t know what it was, maybe the music, maybe the castle glowing at the end of the street, but I suddenly felt eight years old again. For a few minutes, the heaviness of real life lifted, and I just… existed. Fully. Happily.
It reminded me that magic isn’t childish — it’s healing.
2. Tron sitting next to my oldest niece
I do not do roller coasters anymore, okay? My nervous system said its goodbyes to that era years ago. But she looked at me with those excited eyes, and I said yes.
We screamed. My eyes were closed 95% of the time, but afterward, she grabbed my arm and said, “Auntie, that was AMAZING.”
And I thought — yes, this is why we came.
New memories. New joy. Connection.
3. The shows
Lion King and Finding Nemo at Animal Kingdom.
Beauty and the Beast and Indiana Jones at Hollywood Studios.
Productions that, honestly, exceeded anything I expected from a theme park.
My mom’s favorite.
“It’s a Small World,” the shows, and the turkey leg.
Classic.
My nieces’ favorites?
The rides. All of them.
The biggest surprise?
Every age — from the six-year-olds to my mom — found something magical.
Everyone supported each other in different ways.
It reminded me of how families adapt, how love stretches to fit whatever season you’re in.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
Listen, even with the best planning, Disney will still give you a few lessons.
Dinner Needs A Plan
The one night we didn’t plan and tried to get quick bites on the Disney Boardwalk? Chaos.
We were tired and hungry. The kids and my mom were in the room waiting for food.
It took us at least an hour to get anything.
The next day, we booked a character dinner, and while the food was just okay, the convenience alone was worth it.
- No wandering around.
- No 45-minute wait times.
- Just sitting, eating, and breathing.
Plan For The Weather
I’d also pack more layers because Orlando lied to us. That “it’ll be warm all week” forecast?
Fiction.
Disney Springs On A Cold Day.
We did Disney Springs on Black Friday… in 40-degree weather… after Animal Kingdom.
It was not the best idea.
While Planet Hollywood was a great family place to eat, the logistics for the rideshare or even the shuttle to return to the hotel were a long walk, especially on the last day of the trip.
What Disney Really Costs
Disney isn’t cheap — let’s not lie.
But the question families really ask is”
“How Much Does It Cost To Go To Disney World?”
Here’s what we spent:
- Hotel (1 Premium + 1 Traditional Room): ~$5,328
- Disney tickets (4 days with Park Hopper): ~$4,232
- Lightning Lane: $820
- Shuttle service per person: ~$35
Let me help you with the math:
The total cost just for the hotel, tickets, and airport shuttle for 8 people was around $10,000 —
so, per person, let’s say about $1,250.
“What Does It Feel Like To Spend Money At Disney?”
- Popcorn? $15.
- Popcorn with the souvenir bucket? $25.
- Breakfast + tea? ~$20.
- Lunch? ~$25.
- Dinner? Usually $30–$45 per person.
- Character dinner for 8? ~$700.
- Sweatshirt? $79.99.
- Teacup souvenir? $24.99.
And for the extras people always ask about:
MagicBands and PhotoPass aren’t mandatory, but they’re nice add-ons.
MagicBands run about $35-4,5 depending on the style, and PhotoPass is around $210 for the whole group if one person buys it. Those aren’t must-haves, but they made our trip smoother and gave us beautiful keepsake photos.
Was It Worth It?
Yes.
Because you’re not paying for a ride — you’re paying for:
- the look on your niece’s face when she meets Tiana
- your mom’s smile when “It’s a Small World” starts
- a week where everyone finally breathes at the same time
Disney Gift cards? GREAT for budgeting.
The “How much am I SPENDING?!” panic?
Preventable.
Disney Gift Cards are the ultimate budgeting trick.
Let’s say you want to spend $500 in the parks, including souvenirs:
Buy a gift card, load it on the app or your Apple Wallet, and use it for food, gifts, everything.
It shifts your mindset from
“How much am I spending?!” → “I planned for this, let me enjoy it.”
Here’s the thing:
Disney feels VERY expensive, but not wasteful — because you see the joy immediately and walk away with memories for a lifetime.
Why I Would Absolutely Do Thanksgiving at Disney Again
This wasn’t just a trip.
It was a reminder.
That even in heavy seasons,
We deserve moments of lightness.
That magic isn’t childish —
it’s healing.
That presence matters more than place.
That traditions can evolve and still feel good.
That joy is still available, even now.
For my family — with all the changes we’ve lived through —
This trip felt like permission to make new memories
without letting go of the old ones.
And that?
That’s the real holiday magic.
Take Care, Take Breaks,
Amy