People Share What Disney Perk They’re Most Thankful For
Blame it on the holiday music rattling through every shopping center, the sense of wonder your children can’t shake or the calmness that comes with cooler sweater weather, but the last two months of the year feel enchanted. For many, it’s a time to reflect on the past year, celebrating the successes and treasured moments, while navigating the disappointments or frustrations in an effort to improve in the coming lap around the sun. One particular holiday – Thanksgiving – encourages more thoughtfulness than others, as you take stock of your many blessings. Though at the top of your list when you pass the turkey or the mashed potatoes around the table are your treasured friends and family members, you might also think of activities, adventures or items that bring you joy, too. For Disney fanatics, who live-and-breathe in Mickey Mouse ears and can’t wait to purchase their annual passes, the opportunities Disney World brings them all four seasons is a gift within itself.
If you’re planning your upcoming excursion to this one-of-a-kind theme park, it’s important to know the perks that can not only save you time and money, but help ease any worries you may have toward the trip. Luckily, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, frequent visitors share the advantage they’re most thankful for, giving you some insight on what to invest in before you trek:
“I’m most thankful for the annual pass.”
For Cristine Struble, opting into the annual pass was a no-brainer, since she journeys to WDW many times throughout the year. How come? The perks of having this membership make her time more fun and less stressful. Her favorite add-on is free parking, allowing her to come-and-go when she pleases, without shelling out $20 here and there. She also adds restaurant discounts at Disney Springs and the freebies that surprise her throughout the year. “At this year’s Epcot Food & Wine Festival, there were several passholder free pins. Each month there was a new pin and several market places had pins. It was fun to collect them!” she shares.
“I’m most thankful for the refillable mugs.”
Adventures at Walt Disney World are a family affair for Christina Heiser, who has visited Disney five times with her parents, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins over the years. Though of course the rides, the shows and the attractions are all part of the wonder that keeps her clan visiting time-and-time again, it’s actually the refillable mugs that stand out as a must-have perk. While they cost a cool $18, Heiser says they’re well worth it. “You can fill it up as many times as you want with soda, coffee, tea, and we’ve even filled ours up with soft serve ice cream at the Wilderness Lodge resort. While they might seem a little pricey, it’s definitely cost effective if you’re having multiple drinks a day, plus we take them home with us so we can use them year-round,” she says.
“I’m most thankful for the perks of staying at the resort.”
Since she was a child, Jennifer Wien has experienced the unique flair of Disney World and Disney Cruises 15 times. From bringing her husband and two girls to her mother-in-law or brother and sister, there’s something entertaining for everyone in her group. What she’s learned through her many trips is the vast importance of staying at an on-property resort, not only to save on commuting in and out of the park, but for the perks granted when you book via Disney. “We utilize and love Extra Magic Hours where we go into the parks an hour early or stay an hour later. It’s so much easier to ride a lot of the big attractions during these hours because there are so many less people there. We also love the Disney Transportation like monorail, boats and buses. Once you check in, you don’t need to drive anywhere at all until you check out,” she explains.
“I’m most thankful for alcohol!”
Christina Mango has been bringing her daughters to Disneyland their whole lives, especially since they only lived 15 minutes away from the park. Their aunt also gifted them with annual passes each holiday, giving them the freedom to walk over to Main Street and watch the parade whenever they wanted. As her daughters grew up and no longer needed to have their mom ride roller-coasters with them, Mango figured out how to take advantage of the 21-and-older offerings in this park. “It was nice to dine at Club 33 at California Adventure and enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. They were first to serve alcohol at the park. That is what I call a perk and many adults are grateful for something ‘magical’ for adults,” she says.
“I’m thankful for breastfeeding areas.”
In her lifetime, Kelly Brown has visited Disneyland more than 30 times, often with her husband or her two sons. In recent years, she’s discovered Central Family Rooms at Disneyland and California Adventure, allowing her to worry less about her packing and pumping needs when she’s on vacation. “I can go and get some peace and quiet with the baby if needed to feed, change him, and it’s always stockpiled with diapers – in case we forgot something at home, which we always do,” she says. “I’m personally comfortable with nursing openly in the park but sometimes it’s nice to have the quiet of the family rooms to get away from the hustle and bustle for a bit.”
“I’m most thankful for ‘Pixie Dust’
Though Joanna Fantozzi has been to Disney World more than 10 times with her family, the perk she’s most thankful for has always stayed the same: Pixie Dust. And no, not the real glitter, but the surprise-and-delight that cast members can sprinkle on visitors at random in the park. “Pixie Dust can be special fast passes, parade entrances, a surprise meet-and-greet with a character. I feel like Disney is so structured now: You have to get FastPasses ahead of time and sometimes make dining reservations six months before your vacation, that I am thankful for a little spontaneity during my Disney vacation,” she shares. “One time, my family and I were talking to a CM and he found out we were from NYC, so he gave us stickers and fast passes! This is when I feel the spirit of Disney is most alive.”
“It never gets old.”
Emily Guth has lost count of how many time she’s been to Disney World and Disneyland since she’s a passholder. Each year, she spends a few weeks in the area with her family or her best friend, who happens to be a WDW cast member. Though there are countless perks she can’t get enough of, the real beauty of her annual travels to Disney is how it makes her feel. “Living in New York can make you cold and occasionally bitter. It’s nice to have a place to escape to that’s rooted in fantasy. It never feels like it gets old. I also ran my first half marathon in Disney World, so I have them to thank for one of the greatest moments of my life,” she says. “I worked at a local amusement park in PA for three years during high school and a lot of my friends have moved up in that world and are now in various positions in Disney, so it’s also always amazing to see people I knew in high school that followed their dreams, Disney style.”