ABOUT
Twenty-five years of Disney, at every life stage
Hi, I'm Holly — the Disney-obsessed gal behind Magic Made Holidays.
Walt Disney World has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
I first visited when I was four, and more than 25 years later I'm still finding new reasons to go back. I've done Disney as a child, on big family holidays, as a couple and now as a parent — and every version has been completely different.
I've stayed at Disney Resorts across the Value and Moderate categories, from standard rooms to family suites, with Deluxe very firmly next on my Disney bucket list — and maybe DVC one day too. I've done tighter-budget trips and trips where we've chosen to spend more, big family holidays and smaller ones, full-on park days and slower days where the pool and a Target run are basically the itinerary.
And after more than 25 years of visiting, I still haven't done everything.
Honestly? I hope I never do.
There's always another restaurant to try, another resort to stay at, another experience to discover and another excuse to go back.
And after all those trips, I still don't think there's one "right" way to do Walt Disney World.
There's just the right way for you.
For me, Disney has never just been about the rides
Of course I love the parks. But some of my favourite Disney memories have happened nowhere near a ride queue.
It's character meals and resort mornings. Disney Springs after dark. Pool afternoons when everyone's feet desperately need a break. Special events, ridiculous snacks, wandering around a resort you've never stayed at and those tiny bits of unexpected pixie dust that somehow become the stories you tell for years.
That's why I plan the whole holiday — not just the park days.
I want you to know about the things you don't know to search for yet, while still leaving enough space for your holiday to actually feel like a holiday.
THE IMPORTANT STUFF
My Disney hot takes, favourites & traditions
You can learn a lot about someone from their Disney opinions. So, in the interest of getting properly acquainted, here's mine.
Favourite park
Magic Kingdom. That's the answer I'll always give you. Although if you could read my mind, EPCOT might be putting up a very strong fight.
Favourite Disney Resort
Disney's Art of Animation Resort. Standard rooms, family suites — I love it all. Proof that you absolutely don't need to stay Deluxe to have a brilliant Disney resort experience.
Deluxe is very firmly next on the bucket list... and maybe DVC one day too.
Criminally underrated snack
The Pineapple Crisp Sundae at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Why does nobody talk about this? Perfect on a hot Florida day. The cheeseburger spring rolls are a very close second.
The tip I'll tell everyone
Remember that you're actually on holiday. It's so easy to switch into Disney power mode and go rope drop to park close every day. Shop. Swim. Nap. Explore your resort. Have a slower morning. And don't forget the water parks — they deserve a place in the plan too.
My controversial Disney opinion
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage is a little dated. There. I said it. It's a one-and-done for me. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond! is great, BUT I'd still bring back Tarzan Rocks! tomorrow if Disney gave me the choice. What a show that was.
Something people don't expect about me
I'm not a big thrill-ride person. And I still adore Walt Disney World. Does Disney have plenty for thrill-seekers? Absolutely. Do you need to love huge drops and rollercoasters to have an incredible Disney holiday? Not even slightly.
My Disney tradition
Arrival day has a very specific order. First: shower. Always. I need to wash off that groggy, just-got-off-a-nine-hour-flight feeling before I can properly consider myself in Florida.
Then we unpack, explore the resort and — very importantly — grab our resort mugs. Depending on how we're feeling, there might be a Target or Walmart trip too.
No rushing straight into a park for us. Magic Kingdom is saved for our first full day, and traditionally our first stop is Mickey's PhilharMagic.
But that tradition might be about to change. My little girl's first Walt Disney World trip is coming up, her nursery is It's a Small World themed, and suddenly taking her on that little boat ride first feels pretty hard to beat.
IF I COULD PLAN MY PERFECT DISNEY DAY...
Character breakfast
Start somewhere like Topolino's Terrace.
Magic Kingdom
Spend most of the day in my favourite park. Catch the castle show and parade, wander Main Street and make time for some proper people-watching.
Important snack business
Grab a cheeseburger spring roll on the way out.
Disney Springs
A couple of hours having a mooch around the shops.
Resort reset
Back to the resort to freshen up and have a little breather.
Dinner
Something easy at the resort or back in the parks.
Fantasmic!
My all-time favourite Disney show. It makes me cry every single time, and no, after all these years I have not developed any emotional resilience whatsoever.
Disney obsessed, yes. But this is also my job
Loving Walt Disney World is one thing. Entrusting someone with a holiday costing thousands of pounds is another.
Magic Made Holidays combines the personal experience I've built over more than 25 years of Walt Disney World trips with professional travel booking, planning and support — so you get the enthusiasm of the Disney friend who knows far too much, backed by the reassurance of booking through a travel professional.
A few things I won't do
Push you over budget
Deluxe isn't automatically better because it costs more. I'll help you decide what's worth spending on for you — and where I'd happily save the money.
Give you a copy-and-paste holiday
First trip or fiftieth, every Disney holiday is different. Your recommendations should be too.
Sell you something just to make a booking
If I genuinely don't think something is worth your money — or I don't think Disney is the right holiday for you right now — I'll tell you.
Come and tell me about your trip
Whether Disney has been part of your life for years too, or this is the trip you've been dreaming about forever, I'd love to hear what you're planning. Even if right now all you've got is "maybe Florida next summer".
LET'S CHAT DISNEY