10 Things that Make Disney So Magical

By Molly Elias

There’s no arguing that Disney is magical. But what makes it this way? Why are we drawn in again and again? Here are my ten things that make Disney so magical and I truly love them all:

10. Fireworks: No one does fireworks like Disney. I don’t understand how fireworks really work, so I’m amazed each and every time I see a display. And if there’s a show going on, I have to stop to pay attention. Disney fireworks are mesmerizing. It’s magical in itself, but is made that much more amazing by the locations, music and show-quality of the displays.

9. Parades: Parades are usually just a holiday or celebratory win kind of thing. But at Disney, parades are a daily necessity. These give your day in the parks an awesome break. Disney parades take over everything. The massive floats take up the whole street and the music is all you can hear. Their magic comes from the fact that parades completely suck you in to that world at that moment in time.

8. Food: In what other real life scenario can you justify stuffing your face as a part of the experience? Disney makes sure to put out food that is unique and perfect for the occasion. Having great food in a great environment is magical to me. Even “normal” food seems to taste better in Disney. I mean, you can get popcorn anywhere, but the popcorn that I get to walk down Main Street is the best kind in the world… Magic can be made in family conversations over meals or funny jokes during a snack break. Disney gets that, so they make sure the food is just as magical as everything else.

7. Live Shows: Without Disney movies, our childhoods would have been much sadder and included much less singing. At Disney, they take that magic and bring it to life. Where else can you watch the Beast transform or see Mickey’s dreams come true? Live shows allow you to be transported to somewhere entirely different than where you are. That’s an incredibly powerful piece of magic that Disney has done beautifully. Disney brings this magic to Broadway, too, but that’s for another post…

6. Music: Music is something that adds magic without anyone even noticing. It’s another one of those little details. Disney music has become a part of my subconscious and truly enhances my vacation (and keeps me sane when I’m not on vacation!). Music is something that helps move the story along, whether that be the plot in a ride or simply your walk around the world. It’s this melodious magic that would make Disney feel much different if it weren’t there.

5. Characters: How often do you get to hang out with your favorite movie stars? Well, when you’re in Disney, this is a daily experience. If you’ve ever witnessed someone meeting Mickey for the first time, you understand why the characters are so magical. Age doesn’t matter when characters are involved. There’s so much magic in just the interactions with the characters. Watching a toddler play with Goofy is magic. Talking to Belle about books is magic. All of these little moments are what Disney magic is all about.

4. Attention to Detail: For me, the true magic comes from the little things. It’s all the small details that people hardly notice that make your Disney experience even greater. I love the things like the sweet smells that get pumped through Main Street. Or have you ever looked up in the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney? There’s so much magic to explore and discover in the little details around Disney.

3. Theatrics: Disney theatrics has magic in its DNA. One of the biggest goals of Disney theatrics is to be as magical as possible. Theatrics are different than the shows. These include the constant little bits of magic throughout the parks that quietly enhance your experience dramatically. When I think of these bits of magic, I think of the Citizens of Hollywood who just wander about or the fun sound effects throughout the parks like the Indiana Jones rope. All of these little things create something that can only be described as magical.

2. Castmembers: Without Castmembers, Disney World would not work. Literally and figuratively. These are the magic makers. Castmembers are the ones that go out of their way to make sure that guests have the best vacation ever. There’s so much behind-the-scenes stuff that we will never know about, but are normal for these employees. Everything is done in the name of family, joy, and, of course, magic.

1. Stories: Without Disney stories, the parks, the movies, the shows, the ships-heck, our lives, would not be magical at all. You can’t NOT find a story in Disney. And I’m not just talking about the shows or the rides. The second you walk into a park or even a resort, you enter a story. And more importantly, you become a part of the story. This is what makes Disney different. When you are in the parks, you are an important character in the story of Disney. Disney understands that their experiences allow guests to feel in a way that they wouldn’t otherwise. If that’s not magic, I don’t know what is.