What to Watch Before Your Disney World Trip
- Chelsea Lucas
- Dec 30, 2022
- 5 min read
So, the Walt Disney World Resort hotel is booked, the advanced dining reservations are made, the Fast Passes are selected, and the final countdown is on for your next Disney World trip! I'm so excited for you!! There are so many ways to get the family excited for the upcoming adventure as well, from countdown clocks to arts and crafts. One way many families get in the WDW spirit is to watch various Disney movies to get them excited for the upcoming magical vacation! Here are some of my recommendations for movies (and TV shows) to watch before your Walt Disney World trip to help everyone in the family get in the magical mood!
1. Saving Mr. Banks
This film is among my top favorite Disney films of all time, and for good reason. This movie literally features Walt Disney himself!! The plot surrounds the true making-of story behind the beloved Mary Poppins movie, featuring familiar songs, a charming story of passion and creativity, and Tom Hanks bringing to life one of the most recognizable icons of all time. There is a scene in this movie where Walt Disney brings Mary Poppins book writer P.L. Travers (played by the incomparable Emma Thompson) to Disneyland for the day, and there is something so magical seeing Walt in his "happy place". Watching him walk "right down the middle of Main Street USA", pointing out the names on the windows and leaves on the trees, audiences can't help but feel the chills and feel excited for their next trip to a Disney Park. I highly recommend this movie for so many reasons, but that moment will make you nostalgic and ready to book your next WDW or Disneyland trip immediately!
2. The Haunted Mansion
Don't click away just yet, hear me out! I know this film isn't known in the Disney Community for being a timeless classic, I get that (although I personally enjoy the movie, if we're being honest). But you can't deny the fact that the film has enough Haunted Mansion Easter Eggs sprinkled in to make watching enjoyable for the family, especially if you have an upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. The story follows Jim Evers (played by Eddie Murphy) and his family finding themselves spending the night in the Haunted Mansion and the family must help it's haunted inhabitants from a looming curse that walks amongst the Mansion's walls. Even though this film does not capture the timeless charm of the Haunted Mansion attraction by any means, it is still a great way to get the whole family together for a movie night, and it will give you just enough nods to the original attraction (keep an eye out for the Hitchhiking Ghosts) to make the movie an enjoyable watch for the grown up Disney fans, even through the *sometimes* cringey comedy.
3. Pirates of the Caribbean
Yes, this is going to be on every list of films you should watch before your Disney trip, but it deserves its place on every list. These films, especially the original Curse of the Black Pearl released in 2003, became an overnight sensation among Disney and non-Disney Park fans alike, bringing us all along on a swashbuckling adventure with Jack Sparrow and his crew. The franchise of Pirates of the Caribbean has since grown into an empire, spanning several movies and international success. But believe it or not, some people forget it was originally inspired from the Disney Parks attraction of the same title. Pirates of the Caribbean was and still is a classic attraction and is among many guests must-visit rides in the parks, with unforgettable music and characters and an immersive story that stands the test of time. How better to get into the Disney Parks spirit than the most successful attraction-film of all time!
4. Or any other attraction-based Disney film, really!
Of course everyone knows and loves Pirates of the Caribbean, and we all know of The Haunted Mansion film (I still like it), but a lot of people don't know that there actually are several other films made by Disney based upon Disney Park Attractions. Some of them are better than others, but they all will still give you that sense of nostalgia and excitement for your upcoming trip. Films like The Country Bears and Tower of Terror are stories developed directly from the attractions, whereas Tomorrowland follows more of a broad concept of Tommorowland's hopeful themes of "the power of knowledge" and "never giving up on your dreams". All of these movies have enough tidbits and Easter Eggs to remind you of the beloved attractions (or lands), but are all decent stories that will give your family a chance to come together for movie night!
5. Sitcom TV Show episodes where they visit Walt Disney World
There are a surprising amount of TV Sitcoms where they visit Walt Disney World. Shows like The Middle, Boy Meets World, Black-ish, and Full House--just to name a few! They're easy to hunt down on Youtube or with a Hulu subscription, and hopefully the upcoming Disney+ Streaming Service. What I love about the sitcom episodes is they usually follow the same exact formula: the cast will head to the Disney Parks, something will go not according-to-plan, all hope seems lost, but the magic of Disney brings everyone together and everyone has an absolutely magical experience. I say it half-jokingly as 1, that really is the formula, but 2 I wouldn't have it any other way--it's the exact reason I love going to the Disney Parks! It's always a going to be a magical experience, even when things don't go according to plan. The episodes will also usually showcase some of the newer additions in the Parks, which is always fun to see what is awaiting you on your upcoming trip! When in the most Magical Place on Earth, throw in some classic tv show characters, and you can't go wrong!
6. Decorating Disney Specials on ABC
Again, not exactly a full-length featured film, but I absolutely love the Decorating Disney series on ABC! So far, Disney has produced "Decorating Disney: Halloween Magic" and "Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic", and both have been incredible feature specials! These 45-minute TV specials are (obviously) themed around their respective holidays, and go behind-the-scenes of both Disneyland and Walt Disney World to show us how the Parks come together to bring in the spirit of the season! Both specials feature incredible behind the scenes looks at attraction layovers, resort and Disney Cruise Line decorations, and of course the unbelievable task of decorating Main Street in one night! These are charming episodes that will transport audiences directly into the parks, giving us an inside look at the magic behind the holidays! Especially if your trip will be over the holiday season, these features will give you immense appreciation for all of the hard work that goes into the magic!
7. Beauty and the Beast
Of course you would (and should) watch any classic Disney movie before your trip, but if you only had time to watch one movie before your adventure, Beauty and the Beast would be it! Not only is it one of the greatest cinematic masterpieces of all time, but there is a whole land in Walt Disney World dedicated to Beauty and the Beast! In New Fantasyland, guests are invited to visit Belle's provincial town village, complete with Gaston's Tavern! Be sure to also visit the widely-loved Be Our Guest Restaurant, where you can dine in the Beast's Castle and take in the breathtaking Ballroom! You may even catch a glimpse of the Beast himself during your meal. Tip: try to visit Be Our Guest for breakfast or lunch. It's much easier to get a reservation and the food is just as delicious as dinner!
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