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A Christmas Parade on Sesame Street. (© John Gullion/Hey Orlando).

Hey Orlando is for the kids

Ranking kids lands in Orlando “To all that come to this happy place, welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts…

magic kingdom castle in orlando florida with blue sky

How we tackled Magic Kingdom without Lightning Lanes

Visiting Magic Kingdom with a toddler can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re skipping Lightning Lanes. But here’s the good news: you can still have an amazing, low-stress trip with a little strategy and a realistic plan. Toddlers naturally gravitate toward many of Magic Kingdom’s slower-paced, lower-wait attractions, and with smart…

The Traditional Skillet at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. (© John Gullion/Hey Orlando).

Whispering Canyon Cafe: an honest review

Skillets, shenanigans, and more: Is Disney’s answer to Dick’s Last Resort worth it? I like a certain level of sass in a waiter or waitress. A little playful teasing and some good-natured banter can add to the dining experience. Especially, in places like Disney where making memorable experiences is part…

Epic Universe: Is it worth it?  

Orlando’s newest theme park has opened with much fanfare. Is it time to take your family? The long-awaited, massively hyped first addition in decades to the Orlando major theme park community officially opened in May of 2025. With nearly two decades of accumulated experience behind it, Epic Universe represents the…

Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom. (© John Gullion/Hey Orlando).

It’s still Disney’s World … for now

2024 theme park attendance numbers are available and the Magic Kingdom still rules When It comes to theme park news, getting honest interpretation can be difficult. The competition between Disney World and Universal Orlando has split guests into camps who, somewhat strangely, root against the rival park like they would…

While the Crystal Palace is a great character dining spot. You're better off saving character dining for not theme park days. (© John Gullion / Hey Orlando).

Things not to do at Disney World

Five tips for things to avoid at Disney World When we make our family trips to Orlando, I try to treat it like an improvisation exercise… everything is “yes, and.” We spend so much of our time in the real world having to say no to a wide variety of…