Our family just returned from a 5-night stay at Walt Disney World, and this trip truly had it all—iconic parks, unforgettable dining, and one of the most convenient resort stays on property.
If you’re planning a Disney vacation (or just dreaming about one), this guide breaks down exactly where we stayed, what we did in each park, and the restaurants that are actually worth your time and money.
🏨 Where We Stayed: Disney's Contemporary
Resort
The Contemporary is always our go-to—and for good reason. The location is simply unbeatable.
You can hop on the Monorail or take a quick 8-minute walk directly into Magic Kingdom, bypassing the main entrance crowds with a much calmer security checkpoint. That convenience alone is a game-changer, especially with kids.
Why We Love It:
- Walking distance to Magic Kingdom
- Monorail access to multiple resorts and dining
- Family-friendly pool with waterslide + splash pad
- Quiet pool option for downtime
- On-site quick service + cocktail bar (huge win for parents)
We specifically recommend staying in the Garden Wing. After reading reviews about noise and elevator delays in the main tower, this was the perfect choice. It’s quieter, more relaxed, and the Bay Lake views make it feel like a true escape after busy park days.
🎢 The Parks: Our 4-Day Disney Itinerary
We dedicated one full day to each park and used the Park Hopper to return to Magic Kingdom in the evenings. Despite some rainy weather, smart use of Lightning Lanes and rope drops helped us stay on track.
🌐 EPCOT Highlights
Our EPCOT day started with a rainy rope drop for Frozen Ever After—a must for our daughter. From there, we headed to Soarin’ (short wait, thankfully) and Living with the Land, which was a perfect break from the weather.
Lunch at Via Napoli was a standout—crispy, authentic pizza that absolutely lives up to the hype. The cocktails were also top notch, don't skip the espresso martini!
We explored several World Showcase pavilions before riding Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and then capped the day with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which was easily one of the most thrilling rides of the trip.
🏰 Magic Kingdom Highlights
Magic Kingdom started strong with rope drop at Jungle Cruise, followed by Pirates of the Caribbean and a Lightning Lane for Haunted Mansion.
Lunch at Cinderella’s Royal Table was one of our best experiences yet (more on that below), and we returned in the evening for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and fireworks.
👉 Pro tip: splitting your Magic Kingdom day into morning + evening is the best way to avoid burnout and crowds. Staying at the Contemporary makes this strategy a breeze.
🎬 Hollywood Studios Highlights
We rope dropped Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (thankfully, since it went down during our Lightning Lane window).
We also caught:
- Frozen Sing-Along (always fun)
- The Little Mermaid stage show (adorable + beautifully performed)
A stop at Oga’s Cantina added a fun, immersive break with themed drinks and snacks.
And yes—piloting the Millennium Falcon on Smugglers Run was a core memory moment.
🌿 Animal Kingdom Highlights
Animal Kingdom was one of our smoothest days thanks to strong Lightning Lane selections.
We rope dropped Kilimanjaro Safaris and saw:
- Active lions
- Zebras roaming
- Flamingos (my personal favorite)
From there, we explored Pandora, riding:
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- Na’vi River Journey
We even circled back for a second safari—something I highly recommend since the experience changes throughout the day.
🍽️ Where We Dined (The Real MVP of This Trip)
🌅 Narcoossee’s
Located at Disney’s Grand Floridian, Narcoossee’s delivers a refined coastal dining experience with panoramic waterfront views.
What We Loved:
- Ocean-inspired charcuterie board (creative + flavorful)
- Perfectly cooked surf & turf with an amazing demi-glace
- Butter-poached lobster (incredible)
- Elegant, relaxed atmosphere
The only miss? The fondant potatoes lacked flavor—but everything else more than made up for it.
Dessert highlights included an almond-crusted cheesecake and a rich chocolate sourdough bread pudding.
👉 This was the perfect first-night dinner and set the tone for the trip.
🌇 California Grill
Located on the top floor of the Contemporary, California Grill is easily one of the most sought-after dining reservations at Disney—and it lives up to the hype.
Why It’s Worth It:
- Stunning fireworks views
- Elevated 3-course prix-fixe menu
- Exceptional wine list + cocktails
Standout dishes:
- Sushi selection
- Duck Thai curry
- Oak-grilled filet with truffle-cognac demi (subtle truffle, but delicious)
A thoughtful touch from our server—a custom cheese plate paired with a martini for dessert—was exactly what you’d expect from a top-tier dining experience.
👉 This remains our favorite restaurant at Disney.
👑 Cinderella’s Royal Table
Dining inside Cinderella Castle never gets old—but this was easily our best visit yet.
Character interactions included:
- Cinderella
- Jasmine
- Merida
- Aurora
- Ariel
Food Highlights:
- Shrimp cocktail with a kick
- Lamb chops (surprisingly excellent and perfectly cooked)
- Chicken roulade with truffle butter (highly recommend)
Dessert—the Clock Strikes Twelve—was a beautifully presented chocolate ganache tart with salted caramel coffee mousse.
🌺 ‘Ohana
We opted for breakfast here for a Stitch-filled character experience, and it delivered exactly what we hoped for.
What to Expect:
- Visits from Stitch, Lilo, Mickey & Pluto
- Generous portions
- Family-style service
Standouts included the pineapple bread, glazed ham, biscuits, and of course, the iconic Mickey and Stitch waffles.
✨ Final Thoughts
This trip reminded us why Disney continues to be one of our favorite family destinations. With the right planning, a thoughtful itinerary, and a few standout dining reservations, it truly can be a seamless and magical experience.
📌 Coming Next
Stay tuned for:
- Everything we ate at Disney (full food guide)
- Best Disney snacks you NEED to try
- Tips & tricks to plan your trip like a pro