Picture yourself on a sunny morning as you wait in line for the magic carpet ride to the happiest place on earth, The Magic Kingdom. After buying your ticket and coming through the turnstile, you may either take the “train” or the Ferry from real life across the water to the Magic Kingdom. As you approach, you can see Cinderella’s Castle rising in the background. Whether you are a little girl of five or a grandmother of fifty, it is a sight you will never forget when you see it for the first time.

Main Street U.S.A. is a hub of activity. There is the horse drawn trolley with the bell that clangs to get your attention. The colorful outfits of the Disney Cast will take you back to the streets of New York in the days before life became such a hustle and bustle. The scents of homemade candy waft from the candy store; the sounds of a barber shop quartet will make you hum along. There is always a vendor along the sidewalk with hot popcorn popping out of the silver popping pot and filling up the striped vending machine on wheels. The vendor will undoubtedly be wearing a red and white striped shirt with a black band on the sleeve, a long white apron tied at the waist and a straw bowler hat. You will feel as if you are in an old musical movie.

Even before you take your first imagination filled ride, you will be in a wonderland of happiness. The sights, sounds and scents will beckon you deeper into the world of imagination.

Cross into Frontier land and be whisked back into the days of wagon trains, paddle wheel boats, the gold rush, saloons and shootouts. Don’t’ forget to pick up your coon skin hat or your pretty parasol. Take a paddle wheel boat ride down the river past the outlaw’s camp. Be whisked across the sky by the gondola ride to Tomorrow land. Take a space ship to Mars and feel the G force and all of the tenseness of a trip to outer space. You can take a spinning ride in one of the Mad Hatter’s tea cups or fly through the sky with Peter Pan on an adventure to never, never land. Don’t pass up a chance to see the animals on the farm with Mickey and Minnie and be certain to hold on tight to your mommy’s hand when you start through the Haunted Mansion. Dancing ghosts and singing tombstones have nothing on the water spitting hippos on the river cruise or the pirates attacking the Pirates of the Caribbean.

It is difficult to know where to start your day in this magical land but I recommend that you begin at the greatest point from the entrance and work your way forward. The Haunted Mansion is one of the most popular rides so try to do it first. Be sure to use the reservation system that is available for certain rides. If your group includes handicapped, take advantage of the special lines available for their use. For young children, utilize the strollers because in the summers the lines are long and the sun is hot. Water bottles should be kept full and handy. Wear a hat and sunglasses. Pace yourself. Try to schedule your meals so that you are not kept in line during the longest wait times. Where possible, make reservations. Make note of the time schedule for shows and parades for this is one of the best things about the Disney experience. Check character appearances and have your camera ready.

Don’t forget that you can (an probably will) come back again, and again, and again. Each time it will be a new experience and each experience will be greater.

If you stay on the Disney property, you will be allowed to enter the park early and leave later than those who stay elsewhere. Check for specials; multi day tickets, multi park passes and more.