1. Introductions
After just getting back from a first trip to Walt Disney World, I thought it would be fun to try writing a trip report. The couple of reports I read before heading to WDW were really helpful as I was navigating the parks, especially during a really busy crowded time (Spring Break!)
Who I am:
My name here on Dis is Keladry – it’s not my real name, but a handle I often use online. It comes from a character from a Tamora Pierce book, who is my favorite author. I’m 39 approaching the big 40 this year. I teach high school German, have lived in Germany in the past, but now reside in the Midwest of the US, where I am originally from. I am also autistic - I’m hoping with this trip report to give a perspective of someone visiting the parks for the first time, and someone navigating the parks with autism. This is also a solo trip, so my apologies for a lot of the use of “I” in this report.
![2024-03-12 - Disneys Animal Kingdom Park - Disneys animal kingdom theme park(2).jpeg 2024-03-12 - Disneys Animal Kingdom Park - Disneys animal kingdom theme park(2).jpeg](https://www.disboards.com/data/attachments/842/842861-cde5e4c77bdfa33f73a9ec2f7cde188e.jpg)
This is my first time at WDW, but I have been to Disneyland once, and both Universal parks. I have an annual pass for Universal Orlando, which for me is slightly crazy seeing as how I don’t live anywhere near the parks, but hey, 40 is coming up, I might as well finish the 30s with some fun and craziness!
I started planning this trip as soon as I got back from my first time at Disneyland last summer. It was FUN! Note that I am not particularly a fan of Disney per se, and the parks had not been on my radar as a place to visit at all until I watched the Imagineering episodes on Disney + last year and was fascinated. I’m most interested in the history of the attractions, especially the older ones with animatronics (Pirates!!). I’m also a fan of World’s Fairs, and so the history of the 4 attractions developed for the 1964 World’s Fair is also a draw. I enjoy theme parks in general and experiencing different rides. My favorite areas of the parks are areas where there is immersive theming combined with multiple ride options.
![20230627_105344.jpg 20230627_105344.jpg](https://www.disboards.com/data/attachments/842/842862-78021ee4741dae5d1c30c53b40914ad0.jpg)
The above is a picture from Smallworld in Disneyland, and was one of my favorites rides/areas at DLR. During my WDW trip this week, I was also lucky enough to get a Photopass picture with the Mary Blair overlay for Women's Month:
![2024-03-13 - Magic Kingdom Park - Fantasyland.jpeg 2024-03-13 - Magic Kingdom Park - Fantasyland.jpeg](https://www.disboards.com/data/attachments/842/842864-b7c169c9dd9dd0ddda20c98edbae04ad.jpg)
Next up: Planning for the trip
After just getting back from a first trip to Walt Disney World, I thought it would be fun to try writing a trip report. The couple of reports I read before heading to WDW were really helpful as I was navigating the parks, especially during a really busy crowded time (Spring Break!)
Who I am:
My name here on Dis is Keladry – it’s not my real name, but a handle I often use online. It comes from a character from a Tamora Pierce book, who is my favorite author. I’m 39 approaching the big 40 this year. I teach high school German, have lived in Germany in the past, but now reside in the Midwest of the US, where I am originally from. I am also autistic - I’m hoping with this trip report to give a perspective of someone visiting the parks for the first time, and someone navigating the parks with autism. This is also a solo trip, so my apologies for a lot of the use of “I” in this report.
![2024-03-12 - Disneys Animal Kingdom Park - Disneys animal kingdom theme park(2).jpeg 2024-03-12 - Disneys Animal Kingdom Park - Disneys animal kingdom theme park(2).jpeg](https://www.disboards.com/data/attachments/842/842861-cde5e4c77bdfa33f73a9ec2f7cde188e.jpg)
This is my first time at WDW, but I have been to Disneyland once, and both Universal parks. I have an annual pass for Universal Orlando, which for me is slightly crazy seeing as how I don’t live anywhere near the parks, but hey, 40 is coming up, I might as well finish the 30s with some fun and craziness!
I started planning this trip as soon as I got back from my first time at Disneyland last summer. It was FUN! Note that I am not particularly a fan of Disney per se, and the parks had not been on my radar as a place to visit at all until I watched the Imagineering episodes on Disney + last year and was fascinated. I’m most interested in the history of the attractions, especially the older ones with animatronics (Pirates!!). I’m also a fan of World’s Fairs, and so the history of the 4 attractions developed for the 1964 World’s Fair is also a draw. I enjoy theme parks in general and experiencing different rides. My favorite areas of the parks are areas where there is immersive theming combined with multiple ride options.
![20230627_105344.jpg 20230627_105344.jpg](https://www.disboards.com/data/attachments/842/842862-78021ee4741dae5d1c30c53b40914ad0.jpg)
The above is a picture from Smallworld in Disneyland, and was one of my favorites rides/areas at DLR. During my WDW trip this week, I was also lucky enough to get a Photopass picture with the Mary Blair overlay for Women's Month:
![2024-03-13 - Magic Kingdom Park - Fantasyland.jpeg 2024-03-13 - Magic Kingdom Park - Fantasyland.jpeg](https://www.disboards.com/data/attachments/842/842864-b7c169c9dd9dd0ddda20c98edbae04ad.jpg)
Next up: Planning for the trip