Mickey pretzels, Happily Ever After, see Mickey Mouse……Making a list of “must dos” at Walt Disney World is one of my favorite parts of the planning process.  We certainly have our favorites every trip….dining, attractions, shows….but sometimes we like to change things up, and today I am going to share some “out of the box” Disney World must dos you may want to consider for your next trip! Or, if this is your first visit, you’ll want to choose a few to add to your list! What does your family consider a “must do”? 

Walt Disney World Must Do #1:  Ride the monorail.  No matter what, we find ourselves on the monorail, looping the Magic Kingdom resorts or heading to EPCOT. This is a classic form of Walt Disney World transportation!  It certainly makes for a nice break from the parks, which is always nice. If you want a shorter ride, take it around the Magic Kingdom Resorts.  A longer loop?  Ride it to and from EPCOT.  You can explore the Disney resorts, and get some great views of EPCOT while riding the monorail!

Walt Disney World Must Do #2:  Resort hop.  This becomes super easy when you combine it with riding the monorail! Why resort hop?  Each resort has some spectacular theming, dining options, and even lounges or bars if you want to drink hop around the resorts. This idea is especially popular with the Magic Kingdom area resorts. Start at 1900 Park Fare for breakfast with Mary Poppins.   After, take the boat over to Wilderness Lodge to explore the amazing lobby and look for Hidden Mickey’s.  Next, take the boat to the Contemporary for lunch at the Wave…and end your resort tour with a drink at Trader Sam’s at the Polynesian! How fun!  The moderate resorts are easy to explore as well, especially since you can walk between the Port Orleans Resorts.  And don’t forget the Values! These have incredible theming, and make for GREAT photos.  Plus, soon you’ll be able to hop on the Disney Skyliner from some of these resorts.

Walt Disney World Must Do #3: Walk down Main Street USA.  This may seem obvious….how else are you going to get anywhere at Magic Kingdom?  Maybe “wander” is a more appropriate.  Instead of rushing to Tomorrowland to hop on Space Mountain, make a visit to Tinkerbell, Mickey, and Minnie in Town Square Theater.  Then visit a few other characters who may be hanging out on Main Street that morning! Stop and see the street performers, and maybe even hop a ride on the Main Street Vehicles! There is so many magical experiences on Main Street USA, in the shops and along the way to Cinderella’s Castle. Soak it in, take some photos….it is totally worth it!

Walt Disney World Must Do #4: See the Fab Five. Who are the “Fab Five”?  Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald! These are your classic Disney characters.  And the really cool thing, is that you can see them in all the parks!  Sometimes, you can even meet several of them at once! If you want to see them all together, then you need to book a meal at Chef Mickey’s, as they are all make an appearance at that Disney Dining location. You can also find them in fun costumes in the various parks.  Minnie, Goofy, and Donald are in their circus costumes in Magic Kingdom.  Over at Animal Kingdom you can find Mickey, Minnie, and Donald in their safari costumes.  In EPCOT, they are in their classic costumes at the EPCOT Character Spot.  Those are some of the best locations to see multiple characters at once!

Walt Disney World Must Do #5:  See Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom. If you follow my Facebook, Instagram, or read A Princess and Her Pirates regularly, you know my love for Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom park! As much as I loved Wishes, Happily Ever After has become my new favorite, and a “must do”.   I believe this is the best way to end a day at Magic Kingdom. One tip ~ see it early in your trip! That way, you make sure you see it, and if the timing or weather doesn’t work out later in your trip, you don’t miss out. Tinkerbell flies overhead, there are beautiful castle projections, and of course those spectacular Disney fireworks! This event is NOT to be missed, and is even more amazing when you view it from the Plaza Garden when you book a dessert party. It will make you cry, and give you all the Disney chills! It is truly the kind of magic and pixie dust that only Disney can give guests!

Walt Disney World Must Do #6: Visit Club Cool at EPCOT. This could be a bit of a challenge, as it is going to be closed while EPCOT does some refurbishments to get ready for the 50th Anniversary of the Disney Parks in 2021. BUT, if it is open when you are in the park, make a stop here! You want to try all the fun Coca Cola options from around the world.  Plus, it is super fun to watch other guests try flavors and see their reactions! This is one of those “hidden gems”, and something every Walt Disney World traveler should experience.

Walt Disney World Must Do #7:  Take a photo in front of the park icons. Walt Disney World has really stepped up their game with some great additions to photography in the parks. Now the MemoryMaker photographers have frames you can hold up, you can ask for Magic Shots, and they will even pose you in creative ways.  So fun! One of my favorite memories is looking back at our family photos in front of each park icon and seeing how our kids have grown up at Walt Disney World over the years!  These are your “must have” photos, whether you purchase MemoryMaker or not.

Walt Disney World Must Do #8:  Visit Disney Springs on arrival or departure.  Disney Springs is a great way to ease into the Disney Bubble. We like to start our trip there, walking around what used to be known as “Downtown Disney”, visiting the Disney shops, and getting a snack or drink along the way. Earl of Sandwich, Wolfgang Puck Express, and Ghiradelli are some of our favorites.  Stopping at the World of Disney to pick up some new trading pins and lanyards was an arrival night tradition of ours for years! When we don’t have park tickets for our departure day, we have a fun character breakfast, and then head to Disney Springs to pick up any last minute souvenirs.  

Have you enjoyed any of these experiences on your Walt Disney World vacation?  If so, what did you love? Are there some I am missing ~ I am sure there are!  Drop them in the comments!  

Carrie

Carrie is the author and founder of A Princess and Her Pirates. She likes to share her Disney travel tips, crafts, recipes, and ways that she finds JOY everyday in her life! She believes that everyday brings new joy, and that everyone needs to have a little happiness in their life! She is the wife to a sweet pastor, and mom to three kiddos-twin boys and a princess girl. Carrie is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, where she enjoys making MAGICAL vacation memories for everyone! Contact her today at carrie@destinationsinflorida.com to start YOUR vacation planning!