Themes to Kick-Start Your Disney World Plans

Heading to Disney World and wondering where to find your favorite characters? Have a princess, pirate, Pixar or Star Wars fan in your group?  Here’s a list of options, organized by interest, to help get you started.  If you see something you like, please make sure to double-check availability with Disney before your trip!

Disney Princess fans: If you or someone you love are a fan of Disney Princesses, you will find tons of fun options throughout Walt Disney World. Magic Kingdom offers the most princess-oriented activities overall, followed closely by Epcot. Hollywood Studios offers three princess-themed shows and Animal Kingdom is currently limited to one character meeting (Pocahontas). Here’s a quick list arranged by activity and princess:

• Attractions/rides: Ariel – Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid (Magic Kingdom); Belle – Enchanted Tales with Belle (Magic Kingdom); Cinderella – Prince Charming Regal Carousel (Magic Kingdom); Elsa – Frozen Ever After (Epcot); Snow White – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom)
• Attractions/shows: Ariel – Voyage of the Little Mermaid (Hollywood Studios); Belle – Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (Hollywood Studios); Elsa – For the First Time in Forever – a Frozen Sing-a-long (Hollywood Studios); Multiple princesses – Festival of Fantasy parade (Magic Kingdom) and Fantasmic (only at the end – Hollywood Studios)
• Character experiences (excluding meals): Ariel (Magic Kingdom); Belle (Epcot); Cinderella (Magic Kingdom); Elena of Avalor (Magic Kingdom); Elsa & Anna (Epcot); Jasmine (Magic Kingdom & Epcot); Merida (Magic Kingdom); Mulan (Epcot); Pocahontas (Animal Kingdom); Rapunzel (Magic Kingdom); Sleeping Beauty (Epcot); Snow White (Epcot); Tiana (Magic Kingdom)
• Meals/Character meetings: 1900 Park Fare (dinner only – Grand Floridian); Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Epcot); Be Our Guest – (dinner only – Magic Kingdom. Opportunity to meet the Beast, but not Belle); Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom); Trattoria al Forno (breakfast only – Disney’s BoardWalk); Storybook Dining at Artist Point (dinner only – Wilderness Lodge)
• Other options/extra cost: Bibbidi Bobbodi Boutique (dress up like a princess! Magic Kingdom & Disney Springs); Royal Princess-themed rooms (Port Orleans Riverside)

Pirate fans: Arrgh. Traveling with a fan of the seven seas? Disney offers multiple opportunities to unleash your inner pirate.

• Attractions/rides: Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom); Peter Pan’s Flight (Magic Kingdom)
• Attractions/shows: A Pirates Adventure – Treasure of the Seven Seas (scavenger hunt – Magic Kingdom); Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial (stage show – Magic Kingdom)
• Character experiences – meet Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates (Hollywood Studios – breakfast/lunch character meal at Hollywood & Vine or in the animation courtyard)
• Other options/extra cost: Pirate Adventure Cruises (kids-only adventure tours; four options departing from Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans, Grand Floridian or Beach/Yacht Clubs); The Pirate Leagues (dress up like a pirate! Magic Kingdom); Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage (Contemporary Resort); Pirate-themed resort rooms (Caribbean Beach)

Pixar Fans: Pixar fans will find quite a few options to enjoy throughout the parks at Disney World this year and even more in the future! A whole new Pixar Place area is coming to Hollywood Studios sometime after 2017. To infinity and beyond!

• Attractions/rides: Toy Story Midway Mania (Hollywood Studios); Buzz Lightyear’s Ranger Space Station (Magic Kingdom); The Seas with Nemo and Friends (Epcot)
• Attractions/shows: Finding NEMO the Musical (Animal Kingdom); It’s Tough to be a Bug! (Animal Kingdom); Up! A Great Bird Adventure (Animal Kingdom); Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor (Magic Kingdom); Disney/Pixar’s Short Film Festival (Epcot); Turtle Talk with Crush (Epcot); Celebrate with the Incredibles (Hollywood Studios); Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy (Hollywood Studios)
• Character experiences:  Buzz Lightyear (Magic Kingdom); Woody, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear (Hollywood Studios); Mike & Sully from Monsters. Inc. (Hollywood Studios); Flik from A Bug’s Life (Animal Kingdom); Merida from Brave (Magic Kingdom); Mr. Incredible (Magic Kingdom-limited time); Russell, Doug (& sometimes Kevin!) from Up (Animal Kingdom); Joy & Sadness from Inside Out (Epcot)

Star Wars Fans: What a great time to be a Star Wars fan. New movies. New attractions. Although you’ll find Star Wars merchandise throughout the parks and Disney Springs, the center of Star Wars fun at Walt Disney World is in Hollywood Studios. A whole new section of the park, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, opens August 29, 2019. No need to wait though. There’s plenty of fun today. May the Force be with you!

• Attractions/rides & shows: Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple (kids learn Jedi tricks and try them against Darth Vadar and others in a participatory stage show); March of the First Order (stage show); Star Tours the Adventure Continues (3D ride); Star Wars a Galaxy Far, Far Away (stage show); Star Wars: Path of the Jedi (film); Star Wars Launch Bay (character meet ‘n greets, film, movie paraphernalia); Star Wars: a Galactic Spectacular (evening fireworks/laser show)
• Character experiences: BB-8, Chewbacca & Kylo Ren (you may also encounter Jawas and Storm Troopers, but there is no designated queue to meet them); Mystery character meet ‘n greet for Disney Visa holders
• Other options/added cost: Star Wars A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party (desserts and reserved space for viewing the evening fireworks/laser show); Star Wars guided tour (7-hour personal tour and preferred seating at all of the Star Wars attractions)

Classic Disney: Disney World offers a blend of old and new. If you’re drawn to the nostalgia of Disney, you’ll find all of the classic rides at the Magic Kingdom. You will also have numerous opportunities to meet Mickey and his friends throughout the four parks and some of the resorts too. Have a swell time!

• Attractions/rides: Carousel of Progress; Country Bear Jamboree; Dumbo the Flying Elephant; Enchanted Tiki Room; Haunted Mansion; it’s a small world; Jungle Cruise; Liberty Square Riverboat; Mad Tea Party (spinning teacups!); Peter Pan’s Flight; Prince Charming Regal Carrousel; Walt Disney World Railroad
• Attractions/shows: Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire (on the steps of the castle at Magic Kingdom); Fantasmic (montage of classic Disney films with Mickey as the star at Hollywood Studios); Mickey’s Philharmagic (3D movie hosted by Donald Duck at Magic Kingdom); Mickey’s Move It Shake It Dance Party (Magic Kingdom)
• Character experiences – Mickey, Minnie, Goofy & Donald (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom); Chip ‘n Dale (Animal Kingdom); Daisy (Magic Kingdom & Epcot); Pluto (Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom); Mystery meet ‘n greet for Disney Visa holders (Epcot)
• Meals/character experiences: Cape May (Beach Club – breakfast only); Chef Mickey (Contemporary Resort);  Chip ‘n Dale’s Campfire Sing-a-long (Fort Wilderness Resort); Garden Grill (Epcot); Garden Grove (Disney World Swan – dinner and weekend breakfast); Good Morning with Goofy (Four Seasons – breakfast only); Hollywood & Vine (Hollywood Studios – dinner only); Tusker House (Animal Kingdom)
• Other options/added cost: Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour (personalized tour of the Magic Kingdom including at least five classic rides and a meeting with Mickey)

Thrill seekers: Yes, there are high-thrill rides at Disney World. While they may not be as adventurous as those at amusement parks, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to accommodate the thrill-rider in your group.  Go ahead and throw up your hands and scream with joy.  Don’t forget to look at your ride photo!

• Attractions/rides:  Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom); Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom); The Hollywood Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios); Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom); Mission: SPACE (Epcot); Rock ‘n Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios); Test Track (Epcot); Space Mountain (Magic Kindom); Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
• Other options/added cost: Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour (7 hour exclusive tour with expedited access to ten of the theme parks’ adventure rides); Disney’s Wild Africa Trek (three hour, behind-the-scenes tour of Disney’s safari animals)

Need ideas for other themes? Leave me a comment. Thanks!