‘We took our teens to Walt Disney World Resort... and this is what they loved the most!’

With three older children, Nick and Rachel Gibbs-McNeil could feel the prospect of traditional family holidays slipping away. So they decided it was time to do something special. 

“It started with a family dinner, when we realised we had one child finishing exams, another changing schools, and everyone was entering a new stage of life,” explains Nick. 

“So we asked: if we did one big last holiday anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be. Everyone made suggestions and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida came out on top.”

Harrison, 18, Connor, 16, and 12-year-old Bex remembered previous Walt Disney World Resort holidays and were eager to try all the new rides and experiences. And Rachel and Nick were excited to spend real quality time together and as a family. 

“With other types of holidays and with children of different ages, it can be hard to find moments where you’re all engaged with the same things at the same time,” says Nick. 

“But on this trip, we did everything together. With older children it almost felt like travelling with a group of friends, while the seven-year age gap between my oldest and youngest child felt the smallest it has ever been.”

Rachel and the children loved the idea of trying out all the thrill rides, but Nick likes to take things slower.

“I’m not a thrill-seeker myself and when they were younger, I had the excuse that I could stay and wait with the pram,” he says. “This time there were a lot more jokes that Dad is scared of roller coasters.”

But Nick still found plenty to do, whether it was enjoying the calmer experiences such as impromptu character encounters, soaking up the atmosphere or simply watching others discover the magic of Disney.

“I got a picture of me with Mickey Mouse, and while Bex was playing it cool most of the time, she got so excited when she saw Daisy Duck,” says Nick. 

“There is a child inside all of us and when you’re immersed in the ‘Disney bubble’ it brings out your inner child again. We’ve all grown up with these characters and it doesn’t matter how old you get, every so often that child inside just gets excited when you spot a character.”

When talking about top moments, among the children there were some stand-out favourites. Harrison loved Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and all three loved Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT and TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise® at Magic Kingdom Park.

“TRON Lightcycle / Run was so good,” says Bex. “The Lightcycles were really cool.”

““I loved all the brilliant rides with lots of advanced technology that make them super-immersive,” adds Connor.

One experience that was incredibly special for the whole family was Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge® at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

“Ever since I went to see the first film in January 1978, I’ve been obsessed with Star Wars,” explains Nick. “And my kids have been brought up watching the films, so I wanted us to be all together for that first moment entering Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge®.

“You walk through a dark tunnel and as you come out there is this alien language on the walls, then suddenly you’re in another universe and it’s extraordinary.”

“It is literally perfect,” says Connor. “We went on the rides and I couldn’t even begin to describe the technology they used or describe how incredible they were.”

“The Millennium Falcon was at the centre of it all, which was amazing,” adds Bex. “We tried the blue milk too, which was so weird but really good, and the thermal detonator Coca-Cola.”

When the children talk about their favourite park, they find it hard to choose just one.

“We were constantly debating this while we were away,” says Connor. “Magic Kingdom Park has to be up there, but with Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and all the wildlife, that was one of my favourites.

“The roller coasters at EPCOT are amazing. And actually, then at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ve got all the different films and the Star Wars™ experience, so it’s hard to choose just one.”

But it wasn’t all high-speed rides. The whole family enjoyed being immersed in the endless magic of the Walt Disney World Resort experience. 

“The Happily Ever After fireworks were fantastic and there were amazing projections as part of the Wonderful World of Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios,” says Bex.

“And the Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular was incredible – one of the best things there,” says Connor. “They show you things you wouldn’t expect and tell you behind-the-scenes secrets.”

And Nick even got to enjoy some of his favourite rides from when the children were little.

“My favourite ride at Walt Disney World Resort is ‘it’s a small world’ – the kids used to love it as much as I did. This time, Harrison said he’d take me on it and I got to enjoy the magic all over again,” he said.

“When we’re on holiday Rachel is always the one that wants to do things,” says Nick. “Often she’s met with resistance, but on this trip everyone was committed to getting up and going out there to make the most of all the magic together. We loved it.”

There's magic in the air

If you’re dreaming of your next big adventure, this is it. Start counting down the sleeps until you discover the power of magic and make memories to last a lifetime at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

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