I’ve been to Disney World more times than I can count — and yet, somehow, every trip feels different.
This time, the biggest shift wasn’t a new ride or park strategy. It was how we chose to experience Disney.
Instead of staying on property, we rented a luxury villa at Reunion Resort with Dan’s family — all 15 of us. And from the moment we arrived, it was clear this trip was going to look different… in the best way.
The Villa Changed Everything
The house itself felt like part of the vacation. https://www.thetopvillas.com/en_us/destinations/florida/orlando/reunion-resort/reunion-resort-6500?checkin=2026-08-23&checkout=2026-08-30
Every bedroom was beautifully themed (Frozen and Tron were absolutely incredible!) and had its own bathroom (a huge win with a large group). There was a movie theater, two arcades, a stunning kitchen, a private pool and hot tub, and outdoor space that actually invited us to slow down.
We were about 15–20 minutes from Disney World, had access to a small on-site water park with a lazy river, and even rented a golf cart to get around the resort. Some of us rented cars, some leaned into Uber and Lyft (we’re pros at this point), and for arrival we used a car service from Sanford Airport so we could all ride together.
That balance — Disney days mixed with true down days — made a huge difference.
Introducing Disney for the First Time
One of my favorite moments of the trip came early.
On our second night, I “introduced” our nieces and nephew to Disney with dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. Between the Christmas decorations, the elegance of the resort, and the character lineup — Cinderella, Aladdin, Mirabel, and Tiana — it was pure magic.
The food was surprisingly good for a buffet (much of the group raved abotu the stawberry soup), the kids were wide-eyed, and afterward we hopped on the monorail just to see Disney and watch the fireworks from afar. Seeing Disney through the eyes of little kids — especially little girls — never gets old.
That night reminded me that sometimes, the magic has nothing to do with rides.
Splitting Up (and That’s Okay)
The next day, the boys headed to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. VelociCoaster came first (slightly traumatizing for some, but they powered through), and the Harry Potter worlds were a unanimous hit.
Meanwhile, the girls and I took on Magic Kingdom (“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!”)
This was my first time ever driving myself to Magic Kingdom instead of using Disney transportation or rideshare — and honestly? It was much easier than I expected. Parking and hopping on the monorail was seamless.
Magic Kingdom itself, though? Packed.
Because we weren’t staying on site, Lightning Lanes were extremely limited. I managed to grab Space Mountain for Em and me and one other selection — and that was it.
But it worked.
The little girls were obsessed with parades and shows, which made the lack of rides a non-issue. Em and I waited nearly two hours for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (she was… underwhelmed 😅), but our favorite ride of the day ended up being Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The new theme was absolutely worth the wait.
Once the sun went down, everything shifted. After 8:00 pm, crowds thinned, temperatures cooled, and we rode more with less stress. The girls weren’t fans of fireworks — which actually worked in our favor — until we exited it’s a small world right as the grand finale exploded overhead. Slightly terrifying, but memorable.
And somehow, we made it until 10:30 pm with two girls under five. We drove back exhausted, happy, and very ready for a glass of wine.
EPCOT With Everyone
The following day, all 15 of us tackled EPCOT. A lot of people choose to skip EPCOT which I can never understand – it’s my favorite!
Two of my boys (10 and 14) and I went in early to wait nearly two hours for Guardians of the Galaxy — with zero Lightning Lanes available. Worth it. Every time.
Despite long lines for major rides, EPCOT didn’t feel overwhelmingly busy. Maybe it was the New Year’s Eve crowds arriving the next day. Maybe it was the cold — Florida cold, but still cold enough to surprise us.
We strolled the World Showcase, the little girls enjoyed their favorite part of the trip (Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Princess Lunch!) enjoyed rides when we could, and closed out the night with fireworks — though not everyone enjoyed them from the same vantage point (bathroom stalls included 😅).
It was a simple, together kind of day — and those often end up being the best.
New Year’s, Traditions, and the 4-Park Challenge
We spent New Year’s Eve at the villa — intentionally skipping the parks — and welcomed Evan when basketball finally allowed him to join us (of course sports played a part in our trip).
On New Year’s Day, the boys and I revived a tradition: the 4-park challenge (this time with Ryan!)
With limited Lightning Lanes, we adjusted expectations, prioritized what mattered most, and accepted that lines were part of the deal. We chose the new Test Track over Guardians this time (mixed reviews!), rode buses, Skyliner, and monorail, and treated ourselves to an expensive but much-needed break at Be Our Guest — my favorite moment of the day.
We closed out Magic Kingdom at 11:00 pm after Tron and PeopleMover, soaking in the chaos one last time.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, Evan said something that stuck with me:
“I don’t care how many rides we go on. I just like being here.”
Final Thoughts
I loved this trip.
I loved the villa — especially for a trip that included down days and a large group. If you want nonstop park days and easy access, staying on site makes more sense. But if you value space, togetherness, and flexibility, a villa can be an incredible option.
Christmas week at Disney is not for the weak, unprepared, or inexperienced. Lightning Lanes are hard to get, crowds are intense, and flexibility is essential — especially if you’re not staying on property.
But if you’re okay with not doing everything… if you’re willing to trade rides for moments… Christmas at Disney is incredibly magical.
Every trip doesn’t need to look the same. And sometimes, the best magic comes from doing things just a little differently.
Travel Advisor Take: Would I Recommend This Trip?
Yes — with the right expectations.
✔️ Who This Trip Is Great For
Large families or extended families traveling together
Travelers who want downtime + Disney, not nonstop parks
Guests comfortable with driving or rideshare
Disney fans who value experience over ride counts
⚠️ Who This Trip Is NOT Ideal For
First-time Disney visitors during Christmas week
Guests who want to ride everything
Travelers who rely heavily on Lightning Lanes
Those who prefer Disney transportation convenience
🎄 Christmas Week Reality Check
Crowds are intense
Lightning Lanes are very limited if you’re off-site
Flexibility and realistic expectations are key
The atmosphere, decorations, and seasonal magic are worth it if you lean into the experience
🏡 Villa vs. On-Site Stay
Villa pros: space, privacy, down days, group bonding
On-site pros: early booking access, transportation ease, convenience
There is no “right” way to do Disney — only the way that fits your family, your season of life, and your priorities.
And that’s where thoughtful planning makes all the difference.
