The Parks
Have You Seen Our Ultimate Walt Disney World Checklist? – Here Are 25 Things You Can’t Miss…
Walt Disney World could take days – or years – to experience completely. But here’s a list of top 25 picks that you can’t do without…
25. Ride the Monorail – It’s the most iconic way to travel on Disney World property. Boats and buses are great, but there’s nothing quite like the monorail, so you’ve gotta do it at least once.
24. Get a Mickey Bar – No Disney trip is complete without ice cream in the shape of the Mouse.
23. Ride Dumbo – It’s classic Disney! And now that there are two rides and an awesome playground in the queue, Dumbo should remain on everyone’s must-do list.
22. Get a Pressed Penny – Even if you don’t plan on being an avid collector, a pressed penny is THE cheapest souvenir you’ll find on property. And it travels so well…
21. Kilimanjaro Safari – You can’t do Animal Kingdom without taking a safari. It’s like having backstage passes at the zoo!
20. Eat in World Showcase – For the most unique food around, you must dine in one (or more!) of the pavilions of Epcot’s World Showcase. My favorite are the empanadas in Mexico.
19. Take the Four Entry Pictures – With the castle, with the ball, with the tree, and on the boulevard. You just gotta.
18. Character Meal – Even if you don’t plan on doing a ton of character meetings on your trip, I would recommend a character meal. You can greet a handful of popular characters in a relaxed setting while eating fabulous food. Win, win, win.
17. Ride the Mountains – Space, Splash, and Big Thunder. They are all Disney staples, and totally Fast Pass worthy.
16. See a Parade – I recommend the Festival of Fantasy, but you really can’t go wrong with any Disney parade!
15. Toy Story Mania – It’s the best family ride in Hollywood Studios! But beware – the wait times usually reflect this. Be sure to Fast Pass this one as soon as you can!
14. Spaceship Earth – Otherwise known as “the big ball” in Epcot. There’s hardly ever a wait, and for goodness sakes who wouldn’t want to get inside that ginormous thing? It’s awesome!
13. it’s a small world – I know it gets a bad rap with that repetitive song, but it’s just so classic. Everyone should do it at least once.
12. Star Wars Launch Bay – New to Hollywood Studios, this collection of memorabilia, games, and character greetings is a must for Star Wars fans young and old.
11. Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream – This exhibit is guaranteed to put you in a nostalgic Disney mood. It’s not flashy or fast, but it’s a wonderful tribute that’s totally worth your time.
10. See IllumiNations – There is nothing like this laser and fireworks display! Find a spot in your favorite pavilion and settle in for a visual feast.
9. Jedi Training – Kids ages 4-12 can learn the ways of the Jedi on stage! Fighting the Dark Side is a dream come true for padawans. Get to Hollywood Studios EARLY! Even with the new expanded format, spaces fill up quickly.
8. Agent P’s Adventure – In my opinion, this is one of the best things imagineers have ever done for families at World Showcase. The tech-y scavenger hunt is so well done that I even recommend it to our friends without kids!
7. Get a Pin – Even if you’re not planning to become a collector, the unique camaraderie of the Disney pin world makes it fun to pick out at least one favorite pin for a souvenir. And don’t forget you can always pick up a free celebratory button at Guest Relations!
6. See Wishes – In my opinion, you’d be hard pressed to find a better fireworks display than Wishes at Magic Kingdom. It’s the kind of amazing that brings tears to your eyes.
5. Festival of the Lion King – All the Disney shows are top-notch, but the acrobatics and showmanship of this one in Animal Kingdom take the cake, I think.
4. Get a Dole Whip – This creamy pineapple dessert is the perfect cool-down on hot Florida days. It’s an Adventureland original that can’t be missed!
3. Get Mickey Ears – There are numerous varieties available, and they make such a wonderful souvenir. Even if you’re too practical to purchase ears, at least take a picture in them.
2. Kali River Rapids – I know many would argue this one, but it’s my absolute favorite, so by golly, I’m including it! But know that you will get wet; we usually pack extra clothes, just in case.
1. Meet Mickey Mouse – Because according to Walt, we must never forget that “it was all started by a mouse.”
BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like Mickey Travels. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!
Photo courtesy of Disney Photo Snapper