A Disney vacation can be filled with laughter, smiles, and excitement. It’s often why so many guests return to the Walt Disney World Resort year after year. But a Disney trip can also be filled with tears. But not sad ones – happy ones, and probably by you as a parent and not your kids! Walt Disney World is the most magical place on earth, after all.
We often find ourselves needing a tissue in Walt Disney World. Here are the eight things that will make you cry in Walt Disney World!
Happily Ever After
The beloved nighttime spectacular in Magic Kingdom Park is simply beautiful. Beautiful Disney songs, stunning projections on Cinderella Castle, and incredible fireworks are perfect. While you can expect the ending to make you cry, Happily Ever After has several moments earlier in the show that will bring a tear to your eye. You’ll Be In My Heart’ from Tarzan (1999), ‘Go The Distance’ from Hercules (1997), and Tinker Bell flying are parts of the Disney fireworks spectacular that we find emotional. The inspiring words that open the show also hit us in the feels. Seeing Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom is always a highlight of a Disney trip.
Leaving Walt Disney World
Leaving the Walt Disney World Resort is undoubtedly the worst part of any Disney vacation. There are two moments in particular that we find particularly devastating. Leaving your Disney Resort hotel for the last time always makes us emotional. However, the most devastating is passing through the Walt Disney World gates. Then, you realize you’re no longer on Disney property and are about to return to reality. Make sure you have a tissue in your pocket to help with leaving on the final day of your vacation. How wonderful it is to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard, right?
The First View of Cinderella Castle
When you’re entering Magic Kingdom Park for the first time during your Disney vacation, you can’t wait to get the first glimpse of Cinderella Castle. Cinderella Castle is the centerpiece of the Disney Park and possibly the most iconic view of the Walt Disney World Resort. The feeling of walking under the Main Street Train Station, onto Main Street, U.S.A., and rounding the corner past the Emporium or Main Street Confectionery is genuinely magical. Then you see her – Cinderella Castle. If you’re feeling a little tingly now, you’ll be glad to have a tissue with you when you see her in person.
Arriving Back at EPCOT on Soarin’ Around the World
Soarin’ to tower; we are ready for take-off!’ When you think of EPCOT, Soarin’ Around the World is probably one of the Disney attractions that comes to mind. The beloved ride allows you to glide over vast landscapes and towering landmarks. While listening to a beautiful soundtrack, you’ll feel the wind brush past your legs, and experience smells that perfectly pair with the different landscapes. We love to admire the different views of Soarin’ Around the World, but we always love coming back to EPCOT at the end of the ride. Watching Tinker Bell set off the fireworks to reveal a giant hidden Mickey with Spaceship Earth gets us. The magic brings a tear to our eyes.
Beast’s Transformation in Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
There are plenty of shows to enjoy in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage is one of them. You’ll find it near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on Sunset Boulevard. The production tells the classic story many Disney guests love and features all of the beloved songs from the movie. We love to see Belle and Beast dance to Beauty and the Beast as the ballroom scene is recreated live on stage. While this may bring a tear to your eye, be prepared for the ending. Watch in awe as the Beast transforms into Prince Adam right before your eyes. The combination of music, love, and magic is enough for you to cry happy tears.
Avatar Flight of Passage
Avatar Flight of Passage is the top attraction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The Disney attraction consistently has a long line. Most of the time, you can expect to see a wait time of at least 45 minutes for the ride, but you can easily have a wait time beyond 90 minutes. However, once you have experienced Avatar Flight of Passage, you can appreciate why it is such a popular ride. Take a flight over the world of Pandora on the back of your very own banshee. Prepare to be amazed as you explore a variety of landscapes and come face to face with exciting creatures. It’s hard not to feel a wave of emotion as you end your journey.
Fantasmic!
A day in Disney’s Hollywood Studios that ends with Fantasmic! is finished right. Take a seat in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater and enter the imagination of Mickey Mouse. The production features many favorite Disney characters, from animal friends to princesses, heroes, and villains. Watch as Mickey stops the villains from taking over his dreams, demonstrating the power we all have to make our dreams come true. The show’s ending sees Steamboat Willie and his boat filled with Disney characters to celebrate a happy ending before Sorcerer Mickey conducts the show’s end. We don’t have a dry eye when watching the incredible performance.
Making Memories with Your Loved Ones
Every Disney vacation involves making memories with loved ones. For many guests, making memories is the reason why they return to the Walt Disney World Resort time and time again. Seeing your little ones meet a Disney character for the first time, watching the fireworks in amazement with your family, sharing a new or beloved experience with your favorite people, or riding your favorite Disney attraction with your child for the first time are just some of the things that might bring happy tears to your eyes in Lake Buena Vista. There are always new memories to be made. Keep a tissue with you in case one is particularly emotional. It often happens when you least expect it!
What makes you cry happy tears when you’re in the Walt Disney World Resort? Do you include these emotional experiences in your Disney trip planning?
