One of the most important days of the year will be celebrated this Sunday, that’s right…it’s Mother’s Day. A day to say thanks Mom for all you do.
One great way to say thanks is by treating Mom to a day at the Walt Disney World Resort, but what in the world would that day look like for her? We were torn too, so we turned to Todd D., a dad and member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel, to help save the day.
“A vacation for Mom usually means she is the one focused on everyone’s mental, physical and emotional well being…everyone but herself,” said Todd. “However, to truly celebrate Mom properly on her day, we have to use some of that Endless Magic and remind her Walt Disney World Resort is the place where Mom’s dreams come true, as well.” And so begins Todd’s perfect Mother’s Day…
Let’s weave a tale that follows the hero’s journey. Mom is our daily hero, after all right? To illustrate this perfect day, I’ll use my son, daughter and myself as examples, but I highly suggest each Guests do their own leg work to recall their own treasured memories with Mom.
In our family, our hero (a.k.a. Mommy) rises with breakfast in bed delivered by room service and an introduction to the sort of Magic that awaits her on her special day. She is whisked away for a morning spa package at the closest Senses Spa & Salon, while we complete last minute details. Side note, if Mom is not one who enjoys a good spa treatment; consider starting the day with the Family Magic Tour at Magic Kingdom Park.
Next? Four theme parks in one day and the first stop is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. A quick check in with the Express Transportation Option is in order, and the first treasured memory is set to begin.
For us, my daughter would inform Mommy that her fondest memory of their shared time at Walt Disney World Resort was spent at Affection Section, when she and Mommy groomed, fed and played with the animals, made silly poses with Rafiki in Conservation Station, and watched as a veterinarian had just finished surgery on a goat.
The two relive that moment and then head over to try a new experience, participating in the Caring for Giants tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The tour is a wonderful combination of our daughter’s love of animals and Mommy’s bucket list item to photograph a baby elephant. Animal Kingdom is complete and they are off to meet my son and me at Epcot.
At Epcot its lunch at Mommy’s favorite dining location in Walt Disney World, San Angel Inn Restaurante in the Mexico Pavilion. During lunch, Mommy is presented with her Mother’s Day gift: a personalized Epcot Passport that includes the phrase “I Love You, Mommy!” in all of the different languages represented on each country’s page of the passport. For little did Mommy know that as she and daughter cared for elephants, the men were strolling through World Showcase obtaining this treasured and highly original Mother’s Day gift.
At this point there will be tears splashing into Mommy’s favorite meal, with her favorite people, in her favorite restaurant. But there is no time to stop now, after a few attractions we hop on the Express bus for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here it will be time for Mommy’s favorite son to relive his treasured experience with her at Disney Junior – Live on Stage! After the show the two will share a new experience together, Mickey and Minnie Starring in Red Carpet Dreams. The moment is captured through Disney’s Photo Pass Service and then it’s to meet up with daddy and daughter. This train is headed to Magic Kingdom Park.
At Magic Kingdom, we do three things (one for each family member) that remind Mom how much we treasure her. The first stop is Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial where our son and daughter try to become one of the volunteers to train to become a pirate.
After pirate training it’s a quick Dole Whip for Mom, thank you dad, and then straight to Splash Mountain. This time Mom’s little princess has agreed to ride along for a new family experience. Last but not least, the family takes a spin on Dumbo the Flying Elephant, one of the first and favorite attractions we rode together as a family on our first trip to Walt Disney World Resort.
Whew, by now, our kids are getting tired so a trip on the monorail takes them to Lilo’s Playhouse at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. A quick kiss goodbye to the kids, and Mommy and Daddy are headed back to the Magic Kingdom.
With the help of FastPass+, Mommy and Daddy ride their favorite five attractions: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain. These five are the attractions we, mommy and daddy, always try to get to when we tour the Magic Kingdom without the kids and this is my treasured memory!
After four Theme Parks visited, treasured memories recalled and new experiences created, the piece de resistance! Mommy and Daddy leave the Magic Kingdom for Disney’s Contemporary Resort and head up to the 15th floor for Advanced Dining Reservations at California Grill. We reminisces about wonderful times, new memories made and toast to a wonderful mother, wife and woman as the fireworks burst over the Magic Kingdom, capping off the Most Magical Mother’s Day at Walt Disney World Resort. And if not the California Grill, there is always the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue!
For more tips or to ask questions about planning your upcoming Disney vacation, be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel.
A big thank you to Todd D. for sharing his perfect Walt Disney World Resort Mother’s Day adventure.
