The Disney Crush Podcast by Dave and Toni-Ann

August 07, 2024 "A magical trip like no other"

Episode #353

Get ready for a magical journey as Torie Brown Hunt returns to The Disney Crush Podcast with a trip report like no other. With her daughter and 8 nieces along for the ride, some experiencing the wonder of Walt Disney World for the first time. Don't miss this enchanting episode.

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Favorite park and why

Hadley:

Magic Kingdom because the rides were the biggest and best and the most

Emily:

I would say my favorite park was EPCOT although I think we all agreed that it was only fun because we had an Auntie that bought us all the good snacks and knew all the best spots. I also loved Animal Kingdom, I think it’s kind of a sleeper hit and I can imagine if you're not an animal person you could probably take it or leave it. I genuinely couldn’t believe they had real animals though. So cool! I think I like both of those because they are the least like Disneyland which I went to many times growing up. They felt like entirely new theme park experiences.

Alyse:

If I had to pick a favorite park it would probably be Epcot because it surprised me the most and there was so much different stuff to see which was awesome.

Callie:

My favorite park was definitely Hollywood studios because I loved all the rides there because they were exciting and at the end of the day it cooled down and was super nice and pretty sunset

Elynn:

I can't decide between Epcot or Hollywood Studios I like Epcot because of all the things to see. I liked Hollywood for the ride and how pretty it was during sunset.

Addisen:

Animal Kingdom- Felt the most balanced with big and small rides. I felt like we could get everything done and it wasn't as busy. More shaded and didn't feel rushed.

Leilani:

My favorite park is Epcot because of the food and the immersive experience with all of the cultural aspects! I love that they have things from the specific countries and how they sell things from the actual places and not just all Disney themed things! Animal kingdom is a close second for me though!

Favorite Attraction

Hadley:

Tron because it was really fast and fun

Emily:

Well, one of my favorite rides at Disneyland is Rise of the Resistance but it is essentially the same at Disney World so I’m going to say Avatar Flight of Passage. There really is nothing quite like it, and it’s incredibly immersive. I would recommend it to literally everyone I know. Even if you don’t like the Avatar movies that almost doesn’t matter, it’s just a cool ride.

Elynn:

Tower of terror

Addisen:

Guardians of the Galaxy, gotta love the 80s music

Leilani:

My favorite ride is flight of passage because it really feels like you're flying and the views it takes you on are so magical and I wish I could actually go there! I love the details of the breathing of the banshee, the water droplets when you go over the water, and the scents of flowers, grass, and water! It feels like you're really there!

Favorite food

Hadley:

Chinese potstickers and egg rolls with soy sauce

Emily:

I’m a Dole Whip girly. It’s hands down the best thing at both Disney parks and I HAVE to get one any time I go. Other than that I think I liked the gyoza and egg rolls we go (don’t remember where but I’m sure Torie knows). I watch those things pretty regularly in my day to day life but there is something about being exhausted and sweaty sitting on the floor eating them that made it magical.

Alyse:

Best food were the potstickers in China or the chocolate crepe in France.

Callie:

The best food was the food from the Sci-Fi restaurant and I got a American burger and fries and fried pickles

Elynn:

The Dole Whip swirl float or the purple moose cake at Animal Kingdom

Addisen:

Hazelnut crepes in France. I will be dreaming about that forever.

Leilani:

This is a hard one because I am a foodie just like my mama, but the ratatouille galette was so good and the Texas toast brisket sandwich and the Mac and cheese at the Regal Eagle was unexpectedly amazing! The lemon sorbet from Italy was extra refreshing in the extreme heat though for sure.

What surprised you most

Hadley:

How decorated everything was and that everything was perfectly made to match a theme

Emily:

How NOT tired I was at the end of the trip. I woke up the day we were flying home and was like “I could do it again today”. I was also impressed with how eventually you just accept the heat and forget about it. I don’t think anyone complained about how hot it was and we were always so busy that you could even really think about it. Cooling cloths and hand held fans were definitely our life savers though!

Alyse:

What surprised me was how detailed everything was but especially the lines for rides. Compared to Disneyland everything was more interactive and interesting to look at. Also just the technology and engineering that takes place to make the parks happen.

Callie:

The thing that surprised me the most was Epcot because I had no idea that it was going to be decorated to well and that made it fun to see

Elynn:

I was surprised how much I enjoyed Epcot, I thought I wouldn't like it that much because I like thrill rides.

Addisen:

Epcot, only park I haven't been to before. I haven't heard many people talk about it but I was so cool. Underrated

Leilani:

The Nemo sea ride in Epcot surprised me the most because I was not expecting a whole entire aquarium after the ride! That was such a cool surprise and I had never seen a manatee in my life and they're a lot bigger and cuter than I would've expected haha

Rope drop or sleep in?

Hadley:

Rope Drop

Emily:

Rope drop 100%. I’m all here for it. That being said, I am a morning person, but it’s SO MUCH cooler in the morning and you can get so many things done before the lines get crazy. It’s absolutely worth it in the summer.

Alyse:

#Ropedrop, sleep is for the weak

Callie:

I think Rope dropping is better because it's cooler in the morning and you are able to get some of the longer line rides done early on

Elynn:

Definitely rope drop.

Addisen:

Rope drop. The cool morning makes all the difference.

Leilani:

I know you're expecting me to say sleep in, but because of the extreme heat in July, rope dropping is the move. My body just hates waking up that early hahaha. But in December and may I'm sleeping in for sureeeeee

Most cherished memory:

Hadley:

The third time riding tower of terror and pretending to control it

Emily:

This has nothing to do with the parks, but I will always remember how easy it was to connect and relate to everyone, even after not seeing people for years. This was definitely different than seeing people at family reunions, we all just got to be completely ourselves and discover that we all are very much the same. Before we all left I said “I really don’t think you could have this much fun on a trip without doing it with people you vibe with as much as we do”. I will always remember how close this made us.

Alyse:

The evening at Hollywood studios and magic kingdom, re-riding tower of terror and Tron but also being able to see everything at night

Callie:

The night at Hollywood studios and riding tower of terror 3 times

Elynn:

Hanging out at night at Hollywood and Magic kingdom, riding Tower of Terror and Tron 3 times, and seeing the parks at night.

Addisen:

Sitting down to eat or have snacks and just being able to talk with everyone.

Leilani:

My favorite memory was all of us walking through the rain together any time it rained. It felt so good when it rained and I loved splashing in the puddles! Being able to talk to everyone and connect in a deeper level is for sure the best part of the trip. It was so much fun to be able to get to know everyone for who they are just as girls being girls

Alyse’s Rankings:

Day one

Triceratops spin - 4/10 3.5/10

Dinosaur (time travel) - 7/10 7.75/10

Expedition Everest - 9/10 9.2/10

Kali River Rapids - 5/10 5.25/10

Safari - 9/10 9.5/10

Flight of passage - 10/10

Navi River Journey - 8/10

It's Tough to be a bug - 6/10

Pandoran Juice - 7/10

Yak & Yeti Cafe yogurt parfait - 3/10