Fantasyland Smells Like Fried Food and Sunscreen, and It's Glorious

I go to Disney World for my job a LOT. Like, a lot, a lot.

Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle

In fact, I’m usually in the parks multiple times a week. Unfortunately, after a while, some things lose a little bit of their charm. Visiting The Emporium is less exciting when I’m fighting for my life while trying to take pictures of a new pair of Minnie ears, and Main Street, U.S.A. loses a tiny bit of its appeal when it’s slammed with fans before a parade. But no matter how many times I visit, some things never get old.

Sometimes my best moments in the parks are those I experience through the people around me. The excited squeals of a child when Olaf walks onto the stage during Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. The shock and awe of the crowd when Mickey Mouse appears magically at the end of Fantasmic. The tears of joy when someone gets to hug their favorite character for the first time.

Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire

The collective gasp and subsequent cheers from the crowd when Tinker Bell takes flight in Happily Ever After? Well, that one makes me shed tears every single time.

Happily Ever After fireworks at Magic Kingdom

Just BEING in Disney World can be magical. Even if I’m there to check quick service menus and scour gift shops instead of running around to rides with my family, I can still feel the excitement in the air. I see the hundreds of “First Visit” and “Happy Birthday” buttons pinned to shirts, the thousands of strollers filled with kids bursting with excitement, and the parents eager to make this vacation the best one yet.

EPCOT

Fantasyland smells like sunscreen and fried food, and it’s glorious. Why? Because that’s the scent of a place where memories are made.

Magic Kingdom

It’s all those little moments that make me realize how important this job is. Our countless days spent in the parks in the heat, battling the crowds, waking up for early mornings, and staying until long after the sun goes down — it’s all so that we can feed our readers the best tips and advice possible for their vacations. So that you (yes, YOU!) can take your family to the parks and enjoy those same magical experiences I mentioned before.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

And getting to hear from our readers about their vacations? Well, that just might be the best part of working here. Knowing that we’ve helped you plan yet another successful trip fuels our team. So even on those days when the temperature is in the triple digits and the crowds are too thick to see the concrete below my feet, I think of all of you and I’m grateful that you make this job possible.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

So here’s to hoping that your next trip is absolutely magical. That you’ll soon get the chance to laugh with your family on Mad Tea Party, smile for the PhotoPass photographers, dance along with the parade, and smell the sunscreen and fried food.

And hopefully, the things we’ve learned from visiting the parks every day will make your trip just a little bit easier and a little more fun.

7 Embarrassing Things We Still Always Do in Disney World — Click Here!

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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

What’s your favorite Disney World memory? Share with us in the comments!