A Few Favorite Moments from Our Walt Disney World Spring Break (Part 1 of 2)

I'm a travel advisor. Planning Disney World is literally what I do. And I'm here to tell you that even the best-laid plans need wiggle room... because life, weather, and the occasional fractured elbow don't check your itinerary before showing up.

This Spring Break, my teenage daughter and I headed to Walt Disney World for several days across all four parks before boarding the brand new Disney Destiny for a four-night cruise. It was one of those trips that didn't go perfectly, and somehow ended up being exactly what it needed to be.

Here's what I learned, what surprised me, and what I'd tell every family planning a Walt Disney World vacation right now.

First Things First — I Showed Up in a Sling

Two weeks before our trip, I fractured a bone in my elbow. I debated everything. I went anyway.

Traveling through Disney World with one arm in a sling is... an experience. But here's the silver lining nobody tells you about traveling with a teenage daughter: she will absolutely step up. Mine helped style my hair every single morning without complaint, and I will never forget that. There's something about being a little vulnerable on a trip that invites your kids to show up differently.

So if life throws something unexpected at you right before a vacation, my honest advice is this: go anyway. Adjust. Let your people help you. The magic still finds you.

The Weather Had Other Plans Too

Florida thunderstorms in the spring are real, and this trip was no exception. Heavy afternoon storms rolled through consistently, and we made the call to leave the parks when the lightning started.

But here's what we discovered in those in-between hours that I now want to tell every family...

The resort front desks have scavenger hunts and Hidden Mickey searches you can pick up and take with you. We spent an afternoon wandering with a mission and it was genuinely fun.

We also used the downtime for a sit-down character meal at Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge. Relaxed pace, beautiful theming, no rushing. Exactly what a stormy afternoon called for.

And then one evening we just... leaned into the rain. Ponchos on, Magic Kingdom bound. The storms had kept a lot of guests away, and by the time Happily Ever After began, the rain had stopped. We found the most incredible viewing spot!

My daughter and I watched that fireworks show in matching bright pink ponchos. And afterward, we took pictures together in front of Cinderella Castle, smiling and completely in the moment. That's the one I'll keep forever.

Pack the Ponchos. Seriously.

I'll say it plainly: don't let afternoon storms derail your Disney trip. But if it's just rain? Play in it. Some of the best moments happen when the crowds thin out and you stop waiting for perfect conditions.

And traveling with older kids and teens has one very underrated perk: they enjoy afternoon naps and staying up late. Lean into that rhythm. Rest during the storms, rally for the evening... and you'll often find the parks at their very best after dark.

Wilderness Lodge and a Surprise That Made the First Night

We arrived at Wilderness Lodge in the evening after a long travel day, checked in, and found out we'd been upgraded to a Fireworks View room.

Now full transparency….the daytime view from that room looks out over the back of the resort restaurants. You'll see delivery vans and service carts. Not exactly the stuff of magic.

But at night? Completely different story.

We turned on channel 105, which plays the Happily Ever After soundtrack live in sync, and watched the fireworks from the comfort of our room. After a long travel day with a sling on my arm and a teenager who'd been a total trooper all day, it was perfect. Absolutely 10/10 for the nighttime view.

Wilderness Lodge remains one of my favorite resorts on property. The theming is immersive, the atmosphere is warm, and it consistently delivers that feeling of being tucked away from the rest of the world while still being completely connected to everything.

Saratoga Springs — A Honest Review of a First Stay

Saratoga Springs was new for us this trip, and I want to give you my real thoughts because I think it's a resort that fits a very specific kind of vacation... and it's worth knowing that before you reserve.

We stayed in a one-bedroom villa, which was a genuinely generous amount of space. Full kitchen. Washer and dryer. That laundry situation? Life-changing when you're heading straight from a park trip onto a cruise and need clean clothes.

The boat transportation to and from Disney Springs was easy, scenic, and something I'd look forward to every time. That connection point alone makes Saratoga Springs feel like a smart choice for guests who love Disney Springs access.

What I'd want you to know going in: this is a large, spread-out resort, and all theme park transportation is by bus — with multiple internal stops before heading to the parks. For some families that's completely fine. For others, especially those with young kids or a packed park schedule, it's worth factoring in.

My honest take? Saratoga Springs is an excellent fit for longer trips, families who want villa space and that kitchen convenience, and guests who aren't in a rush. It's a different pace than Wilderness Lodge. Both have their place depending on what your trip needs.

What This Trip Reminded Me

I plan Disney vacations for families for a living. And this trip reminded me of something I tell my clients all the time but needed to feel again myself...

Flexibility isn't a backup plan. It's part of the plan.

The fractured elbow, the storms, the moments where we let go of what was supposed to happen and just followed what felt right — those are the moments we're still talking about.

School-age kids and teens don't need a perfect itinerary. They need parents who are present, willing to pivot, and not afraid to put on a bright pink poncho and run toward the fireworks anyway.

That's the trip they remember. I promise.

….Coming Up Next, Part 2

We didn't stop at the parks.

After Walt Disney World we boarded the Disney Destiny, DCL's newest ship, for a four-night sailing with friends. Rough seas, villain encounters, Broadway-level stage shows, and a Grand Hall that immediately became one of my favorites at sea...

Part 2 is coming, and it's worth the wait.