- I've had a Disney World annual pass for 7 years, and now I only do entertainment, no rides.
- I love interacting with characters during meet and greets and watching the fun shows and parades.
- I no longer have to spend my day waiting in long lines to experience the magic of Disney World.
I've had an annual pass for seven years, but my trips to Disney World are no longer about the rides.
Don't get me wrong — I've ridden Space Mountain hundreds of times. But now, I ditch the rides and only go to the parks to watch parades, meet characters, and see the shows.
And my pass is still totally worth the $1,200 I pay for it each year.
For me, a unique interaction with characters is better than a ride
My favorite entertainment offerings at Disney World are the character meet and greets.
I absolutely love hugging Mickey Mouse, dancing with Chip 'n' Dale, practicing my princess twirls with Cinderella, and going on adventures with Peter Pan.
The character interactions at parades are especially top-notch — I always recommend waving at Clarabelle during the Goofy Cavalcade.
The best part is that every interaction is different. A ride is pretty much the same each time you go on it, but a character interaction hardly ever is.
And the shows at Disney feature talented performers and high-quality production value
If you don't take a trip to Animal Kingdom to watch "Festival of the Lion King" or stop in front of the castle at Magic Kingdom to watch "Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire," then why even go to Disney World?
I'm joking, but these 15- to 25-minute productions are next-level when it comes to theme-park entertainment.
They showcase talented performers and bring beloved Disney characters to life. The shows immerse you right into the heart of these stories.
Just watch "Festival of Fantasy" — you'll leave the parade with memories that you'll cherish forever.
At Hollywood Studios, "For The First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration" is absolutely hysterical.
The show combines Disney jokes with some modern pop-culture references. And it's always a little different because the storytellers, Eric and Aria, get to improvise and banter with the crowd.
At Magic Kingdom, the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor attraction offers a unique, interactive experience, with jokes sent in by audience members and crowd participation.
I'll never forget when I was picked to have my mind read or when my dad was chosen from the crowd as "That Guy" for a recurring bit throughout the show.
I no longer waste a ton of time waiting in lines, either
I've found that the entertainment offerings at Disney World tend to have shorter lines than the rides, which is another reason I love them.
Instead of waiting 90 minutes for a two-minute ride, I'd rather wait 15 minutes for a personalized interaction with Rapunzel or a 25-minute show.
One of the benefits of being an annual passholder or visiting the parks often is that I'm not really worried about missing out on super popular rides like Rise of the Resistance. Instead, I can just sit back and relax as I wait for the next show or parade.