Our Disney October 2025 Family Adventure: A Magical Fall Getaway
After months of planning, budgeting, and excited countdowns, our family finally made it to Walt Disney World for October 2025 — and it was every bit as magical as we hoped.
This year’s trip was a special one for us because we traveled as a multi-generational crew: parents in our late 20s and 30s, our adventurous 11-year-old, our curious almost-2-year-old, and Mimi and Gaga (my wife’s parents) joining in on the fun. Having Mimi and Gaga along added the perfect blend of extra helping hands, shared moments, and those priceless grandparent memories that make a family trip even more special.
Getting There: Flights & First Steps
We started our journey bright and early, flying direct from Louisville, KY to Orlando. Traveling with two kids and two grandparents sounds like a challenge, but with some strategic snack packing, tablet downloads, and coffee in hand, everything went surprisingly smoothly.
We pre-booked transportation from the airport to our resort, which was absolutely worth it. No rental car lines, no stress — just an easy ride straight into Disney territory. By the time we pulled up to the resort, everyone was ready for the fun to begin.
Our Resort Stay: Disney’s All-Star Music Resort 🎶
For this trip, we chose Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, one of Disney’s most affordable on-property options. It offered exactly what we needed — great theming, family-friendly pools, and convenient transportation to every park.
We also requested adjoining rooms so that Mimi and Gaga could be right next door. It worked out perfectly: we had our own space for naps and early mornings, while still being close enough for the grandparents to help with the toddler or hang out in the evenings.
The resort’s atmosphere was cheerful and upbeat, filled with fun musical décor and lively energy without being overwhelming. Having access to the Disney bus system meant we could come and go from the parks easily — especially handy when the toddler needed an afternoon nap (or the adults needed a break).
We’ll be posting a full All-Star Music Resort review soon, including photos, room layout tips, and what we thought of the food court and amenities.
What We Paid For: Dining Plan + Lightning Lane
We wanted to make this trip as smooth as possible, so we added a couple of Disney’s popular upgrades to test their real-world value:
🍽️ The Disney Dining Plan
We purchased the Disney Dining Plan to simplify meals and budgeting. With six people in our group, having meals pre-paid made it easy to grab food when hunger hit without constantly doing mental math. We’re tracking everything — from snack credits to sit-down meals — and will be sharing whether it truly saved us money or not.
⚡ Lightning Lane Access
We also opted for Lightning Lane (the updated FastPass) so we could skip long standby lines on popular rides. With our 11-year-old chasing thrills and our toddler’s attention span measured in minutes, this add-on has already been a major win. We’ll be reviewing how much time it saved, which rides benefited most, and if it’s worth the upgrade for families.
Food, Snacks & Drinks
If you’ve read The Blog Port before, you know we love good food — and Disney’s fall season delivered. From pumpkin-spice treats to themed cocktails and endless snack carts, October might be one of the best times to visit if you’re a foodie.
We’ve already checked out a few quick-service favorites, enjoyed a character meal, and tried plenty of new snacks. The 11-year-old declared the Mickey pretzel “a must,” while the toddler was all about the Dole Whip.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming “Best Disney Snacks & Drinks of Fall 2025” post — it’s going to be a fun (and delicious) one.
Rides, Wait Times & Family Strategy
Balancing rides for both an 11-year-old and a toddler can be tricky, but having Mimi and Gaga with us made it so much easier. One pair could ride the bigger attractions with our oldest while the others strolled with the toddler or enjoyed a snack break.
Using Lightning Lane meant less waiting in line, fewer meltdowns, and more time enjoying the parks. October crowds were busy but manageable — and we’ll share our full ride strategy guide soon, including how to maximize fun across age ranges.
Shopping & Souvenirs
Of course, no Disney trip is complete without a little shopping! Between gifts, Halloween-themed merch, and a few plush toys for the toddler (thanks to Mimi and Gaga’s generosity), our suitcases came home a bit heavier.
We’ll be posting a Smart Disney Shopping Guide soon with our favorite finds and tips for sticking to a budget — even when everything in the gift shops sparkles with temptation.
Early Takeaways
After a full week of park-hopping, dining, and soaking in the magic, here’s what stood out:
✨ Mimi and Gaga were the MVPs. Having them along added balance, backup, and lots of laughter.
✨ The adjoining rooms made a huge difference. Close enough for convenience, separate enough for quiet time.
✨ The dining plan and Lightning Lane both added comfort, but we’ll be crunching the numbers to see if the cost truly paid off.
✨ All-Star Music Resort exceeded expectations — clean, fun, and budget-friendly without feeling “cheap.”
✨ Flying direct and staying on-site made traveling with kids simple and stress-free.
Disney is always a splurge, but the convenience and memories have made it feel worth every penny so far.
Coming Soon on The Blog Port
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be posting deep dives on all the best (and not-so-best) parts of the trip:
- 🎢 Lightning Lane Review: Was It Worth It?
- 🍽️ Dining Plan Value Breakdown — Cost vs. Convenience
- 🥨 Top Snacks & Drinks at Disney in October
- 🏨 Resort Review: Disney’s All-Star Music for Families
- 🛍️ Smart Souvenir Shopping & Budget Tips
- 👶 Ride Strategy for Families with Toddlers and Older Kids
This trip has been a mix of magic, laughter, and plenty of learning — exactly what a Disney vacation should be. We can’t wait to share all the details in our upcoming posts.
If you’re planning your own Disney World family trip, follow along for honest reviews, practical tips, and a little inspiration for making your own magical memories.
— The Blog Port Family
Category: Travel | Family Adventures | Disney
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