The Missy Mahjong Disney Adventure

This is an honest, unpaid review of a trip to the most magical place on earth by your mahjong friend.

Last week we took our teen and tween to “play” in Orlando, Florida. I’m not a Disney blogger. I’m not posting ride videos on You Tube. I can’t wait to hear your Disney stories at the game table soon!

This trip was a reward for both kids making Dean’s List both semesters this year. My kids have been through a lot of educational systems (this is my son’s 6th school and he is in 7th grade), so adjusting to another school and making Dean’s List both semesters was amazing. We missed those core Disney years due to Covid. I thought this would be a fun trip and let them plan. It would be a smarty party, right?

The plan was for everyone to spend three intense days together as a family. We PLAYED together. I barely even have any photos to show. We had no time to pose for photos; we were CONNECTING with one another.

The flower show at Epcot.

My top 5 take aways from my Disney trip with my teen and tween:

1.         There are more “older kids” at Disney than I thought.

When we arrived in the Magic Kingdom, I quickly realized most of the Disney enthusiasts were adults and older kids. My kids were out days before Memorial Day, so I expected less crowds. Kids are still in school and we would have rides to ourselves, right?

I thought Disney is really for young kids. Ha. I was SO wrong.

My brilliant idea to take older kids was not novel at all. We ran into two high schoolers we knew from school in Nashville, college students from Indianapolis and lots of adults traveling together in groups. Apparently, adults like to “play” in Disney too.

How did so many adults at the Disney parks affect our experience?

 Lines were light or non-existent for the classic and kid- centric rides. The roller coaster rides were long. Everywhere. The park was packed even with extended hours. Staying up until midnight is no big deal for this crowd. That said, I didn’t get my ankle knocked by a stroller and I rarely heard any kids crying.

2.         We hired a VIP Disney guide

I know what you are thinking… getting a guide is spoiling my kids and they won’t learn to be patient in life. Although I agree, this is the only way I could get my husband to come along to this trip. Yes, we skipped all the lines, had private valet at each park and were treated to snacks and exclusive pins and other perks. We did 21 rides at Disney in a single day with access from the guide. I felt terrible as I snuck into the Guardians of the Galaxy ride- twice- while guests waited hours for just one ride.

How did I justify the price of the Disney guide?

My husband tried to make me feel better by explaining that it would have taken us 5 days at the park to do those rides we did in a day- which would include more overnights, more food, more entry tickets, and lost workdays. I do feel like maybe the guide was worth it. Two rooms at the Four Seasons Orlando aren’t cheap.

3.         We stayed three nights

Three nights was my husband’s max. We came in Tuesday night and had the first few hours to explore and do the classic rides without any wait. Think small world and fireworks. Wednesday was the Disney guide and we crashed that night. Thursday, we slept in, had a pool day and went back for Epcot and more rides and a loop through the world. Thursday night we were back at the hotel for dinner. Friday we were up early to check out before the VIP experience at universal.

Was three nights enough for Disney?

Definitely. Three nights but jam-packed days. I could have done it all in two nights and cut the last day of the trip. I appreciated the luxury details at the Four Seasons enough to justify the cost.

4.         The Disney “magic” was different now for my tween and teen

We hadn’t been since 2019, when the kids were 4 and 6. I still wanted the kids to love the story rides at Disney. They sat through a few with me, but they only wanted to do rollercoasters for three days. I loved flying above London on Peter Pan’s boat and riding in a clamshell Under the Sea. The kids wanted to ride Space Mountain and Guardians of the Galaxy on repeat.

I knew they didn’t want the character breakfasts or souvenirs, so I thought this trip would be cheaper. Nope. They wanted turkey legs and the pins and extra passes for the lightning lane.

Was there still magic?

Absolutely. Watching your kids’ eyes light up is magical every time. Last trip they found magic meeting their favorite characters. This time, it was getting a thrill from an innovative ride.

5.         There was no crying, but a lot of arguing

I think I’d rather change diapers and soothe a crying baby than break up a fight between the two kids. We let our kids plan the trip and pick what they wanted to do. They fought about everything, from the next meal to the seating arrangement on the next ride. It was exhausting.

What would I do differently to keep the peace?

We needed more structure and breaks from each other. Again, two nights may have been the ideal amount of time.

Bonus- one more extra thought...

 

We spent our last day in Universal

 

I didn’t know much about it, but the kids wanted to try the big coasters there. We hired a guide and just told him to show us the best stuff at the park.

Universal was not my cup of tea. It is a series of near-death experiences. I was almost killed by scary villains, robots, King Kong and almost plunged into a retention pond on a corkscrew rollercoaster fleeing a velociraptor. I felt out of place without a tattoo and naturally colored hair. The crowd is very… eclectic.

Next time I’m staying at Disney. You are reading this article for my perspective on this Orlando trip with my teens and tweens. You want my authentic, unpaid review in my voice. You know me as someone that values connection, happy experiences, a little luxury and pretty things. Universal is just not on brand for me. I felt like Cinderella trying to wear the ugly stepsister’s shoe. It just wasn’t a fit!

What do my teen and tween think of Universal Studios?

Universal Studios was the highlight of the trip. They wanted to ride Hulk and Velociraptor rollercoasters over and over and over and over.

And that is a wrap on my Disney vacation with the family. I can’t wait to hear your Disney stories, tips and more at the mahjong table!

Disney might be a fun trip to take with your mahjong group... just with adults!

This was the mahjong set for sale at Epcot. I'm pretty sure this is like $20 elsewhere.