A trip to a Disney Park was one of the first things we added to our Kid Bucket List when we first created it. It is one of those places that we dream of taking our kids when they are little so they can experience the magic of the parks.
With Disney bringing Star Wars to its parks, we planned to head to New York and Florida in 2020 to experience the parks with our kids for a total Disney adventure. Little did we know that year was not going to pan out exactly as we visioned! We have since postponed our trip. In the meantime, we are enjoying Disney from home and hope you love he virtual Disney experiences we have pulled together.
The Ultimate Virtual Disney Experiences for Kids
Table of Contents
Disney Rides and Park Tours
If you’re headed to Disneyland you will really want to see what the park looks like and get a good sense of the park layout and what’s a visit to Disneyland without hopping on a ride or two? Whilst a virtual visit will need to suffice right now, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite experiences to enjoy from your sofa.
Virtual Disney Ride Experiences
Indiana Jones Adventure
I loved the Indiana Jones movies as a kid and I almost found myself becoming an archeologist thanks to Dr Jones (History teacher instead!). The Indiana Jones ride is a thrill ride through the cursed temple. Guests hop inside a 12-person vehicle and head off on an adventure, realistically simulating a quick driving over rough terrain.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Listed in the Guinness World Records as the most expensive roller coaster in the world, Expedition Everest took six years to design and construct. Set in the snowy Himalayan peeks, guests board a train and head up a peak, through darkness (sometimes backwards) and through the mountain whilst trying to avoid the growling yet! This one can be a little scary for kids!
Matterhorn Bobsleds
The Matterhorn Bobsled is the original inspiration for Expedition Everest. However this version is based in the Swiss Alps. This was one of Disney’s favourite rides and opened back in 1959. It is a iconic attraction of the park and a one-of-a-kind—no other Disney park can claim a Matterhorn mountain
It’s a Small World
When I was a little girl I received a book and record set depicting the “It’s a Small World” ride. I adored the song and would sing it to myself all the time. When we finally made it to Disneyland with the kids it was at the top of my list.
For those expecting a high tech ride, it can be a little disappointing. This is a ride that inspires nostalgia more than anything, taking guests on a boat ride through the world where almost 300 Audio-Animatronics dolls representing children from every corner of the globe as they sing the classic anthem to world peace—in their native languages.
Haunted Mansion
The very name gives you some idea of what awaits beyond the gates of this ride. The Haunted Mansion is hosted by a ghoulish spirit who will take you around this mansion. Spot Madame Leota’s chilling séance room, a musical crypt, and more, as you try to find your way out. Beware – it is a slow and dark experience, although the spirits are mostly cheeky rather than scary.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
As a huge fan of Star Wars (can you believe I have just bought the LEGO Yoda for myself rather than the kids!) Walt Disney World Resort was added back on to my bucket list when the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride was opened. We were so sad to have to cancel our 2020 trip to experience it first hand but this virtual experience dampens the blow I guess.
I don’t even know where to start explaining this ride. Everything I have seen about it just blows my mind. I can not wait to see it in person!
Jungle Cruise
As one of the original DIsneyland rides, dating back to 1955, this is one of those rides you just have to take with a hilarious guide narrating your cruise along some of the world’s most famous rivers including the Nile River, the Mekong River, the Amazon and the African Congo.
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Offering an extraordinary 18-minute expedition, guests can explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, home to 34 species living in 110 acres of picturesque open plains, shady forest landscapes and rocky wetlands. It reminds me a little of the Werribee Open Plains Zoo experience.
Soarin’ Around The World
Last year I was a guest of Disney and had the chance to experience Soaring: Fantastic Flight before it was opened to the public. I rode it twice in a row and think of it as one of my favourite rides. Whilst it is not adrenaline evoking, it did give me goosebumps as I soared above some destinations that are still on my bucket list. It is a sensory adventure where you not only see, here and feel the world you are visiting, but smell it as well!
incredicoaster
Inspired by the The Incredibles, the incredicoaster is a rollercoaster that boasts enclosed tunnels, special effects, scenes and a musical score by Incredibles 2 composer Michael Giacchino for even more super-fied fun!
Frozen Ever After
Sunshine has been wanting to visit Arendelle ever since she watched Frozen when it was first released. She even used the movie as inspiration on her very own visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disneyland. So it makes sense that Frozen Ever After is a on her Bucket List.
The Frozen Ever After ride is a slow-moving boat ride although you may get wet!
Avatar Flight of Passage
This ride reminds me a little of Soaring with guests mounting a winged mountain banshee before heading off on a flight above Pandora’s otherworldly landscape.
Primeval Whirl
This dinosaur-themed coaster ride is a great one for kids. Not too big to be terrifying, but fast and thrilling enough to get the adrenaline pumping. The Primeval Whirl ride is a little kooky!
Mission: Space
This is the perfect ride for anyone who has very wished to head to space. There are two options with guests having the opportunity to choose between a thrilling simulated NASA-style mission to Mars or an orbit of the Earth on a more gentle ride through space.
Splash Mountain
With the ride featuring 950,000 gallons of water, 3 dips and a 5-story drop, there is no doubt that you are going to get wet on this ride when you head to Disney. You may like to spray some water on the kids if experiencing this one from home.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
This is another Star Wars run that makes me giddy with excitement as through this thrilling interactive smuggling mission guests can actually take the helm of the Millennium Falcon, a dream come true for dire hard fans of the force. In fact you can choose to be a you’re a pilot, engineer or gunner, there’s a role for everyone.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Elements of this ride have been in existence at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad since 1956. This ride is a fast roller coaster ride which has bumpy elements and has sections that are dark. It will take you back in time to the gold rush, but at the Big Thunder Mountain, the trains take off by themselves.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Heigh-Ho, Heigh-ho It’s off to work we go! The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a fun ride that suits younger children. Before embarking on your mine train adventure, try your hand at jewel sorting, then wash them with water spigots that play tunes you’ll recognize.
Experience Disney Food
We had no idea that food was such a big thing at Disneyland until we experienced it for ourselves. Simple treats have that Disney touch and have been curated carefully to ensure they have that magic taste whilst being visually pleasing too. Why miss out when enjoying the ultimate virtual Disneyland experience with the kids? Disney has released the recipes for a number of treats so you can recreate them at home.
Disney Dole Whip
Nom nom nom. The Disney Dole Whip is the perfect holiday treat when you need a little sweetness in your day whilst also fulfilling your daily fruit intake. This simple recipe will have you including pineapple juice and coconut water of your next essential grocery trip. Find the full recipe here.
Disney Churros
On our very first trip to Disneyland we discovered the sweet fulfilling taste of a Disney Park churro and found ourselves sourcing them again and again throughout each day we visited.
You may have missed the announcement a few years ago, but Disney is quite happy for you to recreate them at home with their very own recipe. It doesn’t take that much to make either with the recipe calling for water, butter, salt, cinnamon, flour, eggs, oil and sugar. You’ve probably got that all in your pantry! You can find the recipe here.
Disney Popcorn
Disney popcorn is pretty amazing, but it levels up when you’re talking about the Japanese versions found at Tokyo Disney and DisneySea. Magical Recipes provides us with a recipe, convinced that Flavacol Seasoning is the magical ingredient (I’m still trying to find it here in Australia).
Looking for more Disney food inspiration? Head to the Magical Recipes page which has been created by a fan totally obsessed with Disney park food. Or watch our friends at Magical Journeys who headed to the parks back in February to catch the latest foods.
Complete a Disney Course
Disney has recently partnered with Khan Academy and Pixar to provide fans of Disney with a Free online course called Imagineering in a Box, a free online course that gives you a behind-the-scenes peek into theme park design.
Imagineering in a Box is designed to pull back the curtain to show you how artists, designers and engineers work together to create theme parks. Go behind the scenes with Disney Imagineers and complete project-based exercises to design a theme park of your very own.
Head to Imagineering in a Box to sign up and start learning!
7 Day FREE Disney Plus Trial
For those who grew up watching Sunday Disney movies, you’ll love DIsney Plus. This Disney streaming platform brings you Disney classics, Pixar adventures, Marvel epics, Star Wars sagas, National Geographic explorations, and more, all for a monthly subscription fee. The first 7 days are free, providing you with an opportunity to check out whether it is value for money for your family.
Head to the Disney+ Website for details.
Character Dining Experiences
When heading to a Disney park a character dining experience may find its way onto your Disney Bucket List. At these dining experiences you are provides a delicious meal whilst a number of your favourite Disney characters dropping in to meet you.
Disney Music
If you love the music of Disney you are going to go nuts for the the Disney youtube music channel. They have a wide range of albums and singles that you can listen to from home.
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea stage shows
We’ve absolutely loved our visit to the Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea and found the stage shows just the right mix of Japanese kawaii and Disney kitch.
Walt Disney Animation Studios Tutorials
There’s no doubt that the Disney Animation Studios are the best in the world and have created some of the most iconic characters of our childhood over the years. Search your favourite social s via #drawwithdisneyanimation to find some of the best tutorials to learn how to draw. In the meantime enjoy:
How to draw Mickey Mouse from 1920s
How to draw contemporary Mickey Mouse
Disney Printables
If you have a printer at home and would love to create some colouring and projects the Disney Printables page will be one to bookmark.
Disney Magic Moments
Disney has recently created and released the Disney Magic Moments webpage with numerous resources for you to explore and enjoy at home.
ZOOM Virtual Backgrounds
With ZOOM becoming the latest platform for groups video chats, you may like to level up your background with one of the many Disney ZOOM virtual backgrounds now available.
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