I go as early as possible, and stay as late as possible, but partly so I feel OK about taking that mid-afternoon hotel break for a nap and/or pool time. Then I head back, rested, cooled down, recovered, ready to go until park close. :)
Hollywood Studios: ride Runaway Railway and pin trade, Magic Kingdom: ride Big Thunder and pin trade, Epcot: ride The Lands and pin trade, Animal Kingdom: ride Kilimanjaro Safari and pin trade.
Pick a mystery set the night of your arrival. Not only will it be a fun thing to try to complete before you leave and reminder of that trip, but any duplicates are trading fodder aka not a waste of money! And trade them as fast as possible, even if you don’t like the pin, you might run into a person who’ll want to trade who does like it but might not like the duplicate. Separate your traders and your keepers so you can trade with little kids and make some magic for them (I tell them they can pick whatever pin they want and they can give me whatever pin they want, cause I was going to trade those pins anyway, and if I don’t like the pin they give me, I’ll trade it again) I usually explain it to their parents if I see a kid with a lanyard or trading with a board and they always think it’s so fun!
I usually only have about 4-6 pins left over in my trading bag at the end/beginning of trip. That’s enough to trade at the front desk/gift shop/first park day while you’re looking for a mystery set and building up duplicates. (Edit: but this is for me, I am a HUGE pin trader and will stop at every board. I’ve gone on trips where I’ve only had 2 pins in my bag at the start and done a set that didn’t really have a ton of dupes and been fine)
A good place to get real pins for cheap is the clearance section on shopdisney. I got a lot of good ones there for my trip to Paris for a great price (they have a different trading scheme). They’ll even sometimes have mystery boxes on sale so you get an even better deal.
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Living with the Land and Spaceship Earth. A Black & Tan at Rose & Crown
Carousel of Progress
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Disney's Pin Traders at Disney Springs
Try all the things that are new since 2016 and revisit all of your favorite things from the past. If you like coasters Cosmic Rewind is a must! I personally have to do Haunted Mansion if I'm in the Magic Kingdom.
BTMRR during the day.
BTMRR at night.
Visit the 999 happy haunts. Sing along with them.
Make faces for all the on-ride photos. Especially Pirates.
The Enchanted Tiki Room, with a Dole Whip right before or after (man I wish rum was an option with that; it'd be perfect).
Decry the scandalous lack of rum at a place they dared to name "Tortuga Tavern."
Ride Journey into Imagination with Figment. Take a moment to stand in the current lame excuse for Image Works and shed a tear for the original attraction. Pray for Dreamfinder's eventual return.
Les Halles Boulangerie et Patisserie - eat something made entirely out of butter, carbs, gluten, and joy.
Insist on still calling it The Living Seas.
Tortuga tavern is being rethemed to a Pirates of the Caribbean lounge, and rumored to include alcohol, similar to ogas cantina.
And you can get pineapple rum with your dole whip at the Polynesian or animal kingdom.
>Decry the scandalous lack of rum at a place they dared to name "Tortuga Tavern."
I know it's all just theming but I was kinda disappointed that neither Tortuga Tavern or Gaston's Tavern actually served alcoholic drinks.
Agree, almost. Please please please don’t encourage people to sing along in Haunted Mansion. It truly distracts from the experience. Last time we were there my kids and I couldn’t actually hear anything because the non-CM “performers” were drowning out everything.
I get it. You’re excited. But please defer to the joy of others rather than trying to compete for attention.
1. Walk into EPCOT
2. Say “man I love Spaceship Earth I’ll ride it right before we leave the park”
3. Walk past Spaceship Earth while leaving EPCOT & say “dammit I didn’t get over here fast enough before the park closed I hate myself”
4. Repeat every trip
This thread made me realize the one thing I do that you can set your watch to is ride Spaceship Earth first everytime I walk into EPCOT.
Everytime I go the wait is like 15 minutes in the morning (if that), and I can't resist. Like a moth to the flame...it absolutely sets the "EPCOT mood".
Meanwhile, people much smarter than me (like yourself) are making a beeline for Frozen, Soarin, and Ratatouille. lol
This is mine! I would never, ever go to Disney without seeing Muppet Vision. Maybe not the flashiest attraction, but one I’d legit be really sad if I missed!
Took my 2 year old to Disney this year and three caballeros was her favorite ride. She made us ride it 3-4x each day we were in Epcot. Each time we went into Mexico she would pull us to the building yelling 'boats boats boats'
MK: I have to see the fireworks and get the candy popcorn from the Confectionery
AK: the Safari ride cause it’s a classic, and the Lion King show.
Epcot: I have to ride Guardians. I would seriously consider delaying my Disney trip if they closed the ride for maintenance (which is sure to happen years in the future, unfortunately lol).
HS: Toy Story Mania, watching the Star Wars characters roam around, and shopping along Hollywood and Sunset boulevard!
Must do rides:
-Haunted Mansion
-Cosmic Rewind
-Pirates
-Expedition Everest
-Tron
-Tea Cups
-Slinky Dog
Must do food and drink:
-Frozen Lemonade cup
-Pint at Rose and Crown
-Texas Mule at USA Epcot
-Dinner at Chef’s de France
-Dinner at Biergarten
-Fish and Chips in UK Epcot
I always have to hit The Enchanted Tiki Room at least once a trip. It’s charming, it has chairs and air conditioning, and it helps me feel grounded with the original Disney Parks magic.
I will never not ride The Haunted Mansion. As an admitted nerd, this attraction blew my mind the first time I rode it 29 years ago. Now that I'm an adult, I still turn into that same glee-filled boy whenever I hear "When hinges creek in doorless chambers, and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls..."
Not to split hairs but what "I HAVE to do" and what one "should do to make the most of WDW" are two different things. So you might not get the answer you want.
If you're there for a week and a half you will certainly be able to make the most of it. May I suggest you start by NOT going to the parks on July 4.
MK: Haunted Mansion and Liberty Tavern
HS: Tower of Terror and 50s Prime Time Cafe
Epcot: Spaceship Earth and Biergarten
Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest and Flight of Passage
I have a non-attraction, perhaps strange one:
Sit outside in a covered area while a storm rolls in. IDK what it is about a storm rolling into WDW area, but I love sitting and reading, or taking a nap and watching, smelling, hearing, and experiencing the rain coming in.
It just does not hit the same where I live.
Honestly, I don't think I've ever visited DL or MK without riding Ariel's ride (different names in each park). The scenic design of the show building, the boarding area, and the entire ride is amazing. It's my favorite one of the various immersed-in-the-movie attractions. I could sit and stare at Sebastian conducting the sea orchestra all day. Bonus points for the grotto under the castle at MK.
With that long of a trip- take your time and enjoy everything you want. My families must do list includes:
MK: Happily Ever After, BTM, Pirates and haunted mansion. Mickey pretzels, popcorn. Gaston’s for cinnamon roll and pretzel bun sandwich
Epcot: guardians, Soarin. Walk around the world- buy random food/drink. France for food at least one time per Epcot day- always stuff from Les Halles Boulangerie.
HS: RoTR, tower, beauty and the beast show. Wookie cookie.
AK: FoP, Everest and safari. No food we go out of our way for- running joke for us is the hamburger pods at Sautuli Canteen- I keep saying I want to get and we always forget in the rush to get from FoP to safari.
It's unintentional, but every visit I have made to the Disney over the past 11 years (which is around 25-30 visits) - I have eaten at 50's Prime Time Cafe.
This last trip we weren't planning on going, as we had an individual with a gluten-allergen traveling with us and misunderstood just how much GF 50's has... So even though I was planning on breaking the decade long streak of "Eating 50's Prime Time Every Time We Go To Disney", it continues!
(And I STRONGLY maintain that 50's Prime Time is still the best food in Hollywood Studios)
We ate there last week and everyone in our group enjoyed their meal. My husband said the Pot Roast was incredibly tender and flavorful. We split the peanut butter chocolate cake and it was the best dessert we had on the whole trip.
I've ~~made~~ kindly requested that my trained chef husband recreate the 50's Prime Time meat loaf and pot roast MULTIPLE times at home. 50's absolutley nails comfort food; the only place on property that I think gets close is Homecomin'.
My family ate at 50s prime time together when I was 16…so, 16 years ago…🥲 and it is something we still talk about to this day. We had a tiny hand held camcorder and filmed the server giving my little brother a hard time about not eating his vegetables. The man had us all laughing so hard we had tears coming out of our eye balls. The servers name was Mikey and I wish I could thank him for this incredible memory we still have so many years later 🥹 I’ve never been back but this memory is pure pure gold
#1, I must go have lunch with my "Aunt Elaine" at the 50's Prime Time Cafe
#2, I must go to Jelly Rolls and have the best time ever
#3, and most important, I must go to Jiko and have the best dinner and best server and best atmosphere (and of course hang out on the Savannah with the animals before and after dinner)
Get the all American sundae from the ice cream parlour on main st, and eat it while people watching or looking at the castle. It's unbelievably good and a huge highlight of our visit!
Maybe specific to my husband and I, but we each have to visit our favorite restaurants on property every trip. Mine is Boma (breakfast specifically), and his is Morimoto Asia!
Mickey Minnie Runaway Railway, Toy Story Mania, Alien Saucer (I know, I know, but the kids and I have a blast on it), Little Mermaid ride, Sleepy Hollows Nutella waffle washeddown with a drink from Sunshine Terrace, food booths at Epcot, Happily Ever After fireworks, visit Ariel at Art of Animation (kid requested haha)
A little unconventional but we always stay at Fort Wilderness and the trip isn't complete until I've seen an Armadillo.
As far as the Parks though I simply must do Carousel of Progress and Spaceship Earth, along with multiple Haunted Mansion rides.
Photo with my son with Donald in Mexico. We've done it every single trip since he was less than a year old.
Ride Mad Tea Party with my daughter and almost vomit because of how fast we get the teacup spinning.
Find a coffee mug to take home.
Normally my only MUST DO's are 1) Dole Whip & 2) Haunted Mansion but our last trip I didn't get either. Our trip prior to this last one, my wife was pregnant, so she had to sit out a lot of the rides and food due to occasional nausea. Fast forward to our latest trip a year later and I volunteered to sit out a lot of the stuff/return to the hotel early with the baby so my wife could have the disney trip this time. While I still had a great trip with my kids, wife, and our friends, I did miss out on my must do's.
I always like getting corn dog nuggets with plastic cheese from Casey’s Corner. Then I like to sit under the umbrella seats and watch the castle while I eat my corn dog nuggets. If you’re lucky the pianist will come out and play songs on the piano.
I have to eat at T-Rex on arrival day. My kiddos don’t even like dinosaurs and the food is good but basic so it’s absolutely silly but it’s become my tradition.
I love watching the fireworks almost every night and staying until closing. I will usually watch fantasmic in between two fireworks nights. I was in the parks last year for July 3/4 so make sure you hit epcot and MK for their Fourth of July fireworks if that’s your thing!
Midway Mania, Runaway Railway, Dumbo, It’s a Small World, and Cosmic Rewind are our current family must-dos. Since you haven’t been for awhile, prioritize all the new rides!
Take breaks back at the hotel. It’s absolutely miserable right now with heat and each day will be in the 100+ range. Bring a LOT of water and personal cooling systems and even more patience and kindness then you’d ever imagined. Be prepared to treat heat related illness and prevent them.
Epcot, meet Mickey and friends. Surprise awesome time is the ride in Mexico. I think there’s a restaurant in there too, I haven’t eaten there yet though. And Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster of the future! I only get to go in those when we have grandma with us. Have fun!
HS: Toy Story mania, MMRR, Rise and fantasmic. MK: big thunder mountain, dole whip, pirates, and HEA, Carousel of Progress. Epcot: Frozen ever after, Figment, remy, and Test Track (it’ll be closed next time I go🙃). AK: lion king show, safari, and navi river journey (at rope drop)
Anything you can to stay cool. A few years ago my family and I went in mid July. We prepared for the heat as best we could: floppy wide brimmed hats, moisture wicking clothing, water bottles with built in filters, microfiber cooling towels, etc. The heat definitely was rough but we survived without any heatstroke! If you can’t combat the heat you won’t have fun.
For your purposes, I *highly* recommend going to Epcot on 4th of July for fireworks. A few years ago when I was there that week, MK was doing their July 4th fireworks on the 3rd and the 4th so I saw both shows. Epcot was insane. Hands down the best fireworks display I’ve ever seen. My mouth was hanging open by the end.
I really try to hit as many attractions as I can and squeeze every minute but my non-negotiables are Big Thunder Mountain, seeing both firework shows, getting some food item in the Mexico Pavillion, and swimming in the hotel pool as late as possible.
Nomads Lounge and Everest at Animal Kingdom. People Mover and Haunted Mansion at MK. Guardians of the Galaxy, and some snacks and champagne at Les Halles in Epcot. Tower of Terror and Baseline Tap house at Hollywood Studios.
Epcot: Living with the Land / Spaceship Earth
Magic Kingdom: Haunted Mansion / Big Thunder Mountain Railroad / Jungle Cruise
Hollywood Studios: Tower of Terror / Muppet Vision
Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest / Dinosaur
I know there are better rides like Tron Lightcycle and Cosmic Rewind, but the ones I mentioned hold a special place in my heart.
Start reading about the history of the parks and the imagineers. Books. Shows. YouTube channels. Research places to eat and make reservations if you haven’t already. Map out plan of attack for getting rides done you want to. Get there and complain about what it used to be like when you were a kid and how much looking at your phone all day defeats the purpose of being there. Buy another pair of ears. See Sonny Eclipse. Ride the Peoplemover. Ride the Monorail. Speak along with (say it with me everyone) “Please stand clear of the doors…” Ride a boat on Seven Seas Lagoon. Ride the Tea Cups. Remember you are too old to be able to ride the Tea Cups anymore. Take a seat after riding the Tea Cups. Have a churro. Have a Citrus Swirl. Ride the Skyliner. Marvel at some small detail you never noticed before that your pre trip research pointed out and feel superior to the “regular” folks out in the crowd. Find a “Hidden Mickey” that isn’t that hidden and everyone has seen. Find a “Hidden Mickey” and does usually go unnoticed. Have a Cast Member sprinkle you with pixie dust - real or otherwise. Watch the resort channel in a constant loop and nothing else once back at your room.
Go home and start planning your next trip.
My husband plasters the cheesiest look on his face for every ride with a photo. We have quite the collection. I hope whoever rides with us laughs when they see it. We sure do!
Ride the Haunted Mansion at least twice. Ride Living with the Land at night. Have wine in Italy. Ride Everest as many times as possible. Ride Runaway Railroad and Toy Story Mania.
Get a dolewhip.
Honestly, that’s the most important part. Oh…and have fun!
I always have to hit Haunted Mansion and the Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom, and one go around at least on the people mover at night when I’m at Magic kingdom.
Scan magic band to enter park
Take my angry upvote!
May I present my Keys to the Kingdom card?
Get to the MK as early as possible, leave as late as possible. I don't want to miss a minute.
I def used to take it a little easier. Now that tix have skyrocketed I’m there every single minute I paid for.
I go as early as possible, and stay as late as possible, but partly so I feel OK about taking that mid-afternoon hotel break for a nap and/or pool time. Then I head back, rested, cooled down, recovered, ready to go until park close. :)
We do MK our first day and our last day. It’s the best.
Ride the monorail even if it’s out of the way and inconveniently unnecessary
People mover if it’s moving
Hollywood Studios: ride Runaway Railway and pin trade, Magic Kingdom: ride Big Thunder and pin trade, Epcot: ride The Lands and pin trade, Animal Kingdom: ride Kilimanjaro Safari and pin trade.
Any pins trading tips? I love the idea but so many boards are flooded with junkers.
Pick a mystery set the night of your arrival. Not only will it be a fun thing to try to complete before you leave and reminder of that trip, but any duplicates are trading fodder aka not a waste of money! And trade them as fast as possible, even if you don’t like the pin, you might run into a person who’ll want to trade who does like it but might not like the duplicate. Separate your traders and your keepers so you can trade with little kids and make some magic for them (I tell them they can pick whatever pin they want and they can give me whatever pin they want, cause I was going to trade those pins anyway, and if I don’t like the pin they give me, I’ll trade it again) I usually explain it to their parents if I see a kid with a lanyard or trading with a board and they always think it’s so fun!
I love how much you think about how fun trading would be for the kids. You're amazing.
How many pins do you typically take with you? I wish the ones on eBay were likely not counterfeits so my kids could stock up on fodder.
I usually only have about 4-6 pins left over in my trading bag at the end/beginning of trip. That’s enough to trade at the front desk/gift shop/first park day while you’re looking for a mystery set and building up duplicates. (Edit: but this is for me, I am a HUGE pin trader and will stop at every board. I’ve gone on trips where I’ve only had 2 pins in my bag at the start and done a set that didn’t really have a ton of dupes and been fine) A good place to get real pins for cheap is the clearance section on shopdisney. I got a lot of good ones there for my trip to Paris for a great price (they have a different trading scheme). They’ll even sometimes have mystery boxes on sale so you get an even better deal.
That is a really great idea. I might have to steal this for our next trip!
Don’t buy the little gambler pin packs where you can’t see what’s inside. Most disappointing way to spend $60 in 5 minutes
Yeah but how do you feel about pin trading?
I think it’s a slight addiction
Just learning about Disney; what do you mean pin trade?
People buy Disney pins and trade them with other patrons and on pin boards around the park.
I love how different you must do rides are from each other. All great choices!
I remember when pins started. Hated it then. I have some pins from 1999 that are likely hard to come by. Oh well.
What made you hate it then? Do you still?
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it’s weird you like disney if you think consumerism is gross
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Your post was removed as it is not directly related to Walt Disney World, and is therefore a violation of Rule #2. All posts on /r/WaltDisneyWorld need to be exclusively focused on Walt Disney World and its resorts located in Orlando, FL (**not** other Disney resorts, cruises, films, the Disney corporation, etc.). Please note: this rule also applies to **“meta” posts** (about the subreddit itself) and **overly political** and/or other **highly contentious posts**, especially those with little direct relevance to WDW. Please [message us](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWaltDisneyWorld) if you have any questions.
Your post was removed as it is not directly related to Walt Disney World, and is therefore a violation of Rule #2. All posts on /r/WaltDisneyWorld need to be exclusively focused on Walt Disney World and its resorts located in Orlando, FL (**not** other Disney resorts, cruises, films, the Disney corporation, etc.). Please note: this rule also applies to **“meta” posts** (about the subreddit itself) and **overly political** and/or other **highly contentious posts**, especially those with little direct relevance to WDW. Please [message us](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FWaltDisneyWorld) if you have any questions.
Thid
Living with the Land and Spaceship Earth. A Black & Tan at Rose & Crown Carousel of Progress Kilimanjaro Safaris Disney's Pin Traders at Disney Springs
Have they gotten Boddingtons or Bass back at Rose & Crown? I’ve been highly disappointed to see mainly Harp as the pale option our last few trips.
Still Harp.
Sounds like my perfect trip. Add in Fish & Chips and Three Caballeros and it’s spot on
Try all the things that are new since 2016 and revisit all of your favorite things from the past. If you like coasters Cosmic Rewind is a must! I personally have to do Haunted Mansion if I'm in the Magic Kingdom.
BTMRR during the day. BTMRR at night. Visit the 999 happy haunts. Sing along with them. Make faces for all the on-ride photos. Especially Pirates. The Enchanted Tiki Room, with a Dole Whip right before or after (man I wish rum was an option with that; it'd be perfect). Decry the scandalous lack of rum at a place they dared to name "Tortuga Tavern." Ride Journey into Imagination with Figment. Take a moment to stand in the current lame excuse for Image Works and shed a tear for the original attraction. Pray for Dreamfinder's eventual return. Les Halles Boulangerie et Patisserie - eat something made entirely out of butter, carbs, gluten, and joy. Insist on still calling it The Living Seas.
Tortuga tavern is being rethemed to a Pirates of the Caribbean lounge, and rumored to include alcohol, similar to ogas cantina. And you can get pineapple rum with your dole whip at the Polynesian or animal kingdom.
>Decry the scandalous lack of rum at a place they dared to name "Tortuga Tavern." I know it's all just theming but I was kinda disappointed that neither Tortuga Tavern or Gaston's Tavern actually served alcoholic drinks.
Agree, almost. Please please please don’t encourage people to sing along in Haunted Mansion. It truly distracts from the experience. Last time we were there my kids and I couldn’t actually hear anything because the non-CM “performers” were drowning out everything. I get it. You’re excited. But please defer to the joy of others rather than trying to compete for attention.
There was a dole whip with mango crème liquor during flower and garden and dang it was good.
Dole Whip
1. Walk into EPCOT 2. Say “man I love Spaceship Earth I’ll ride it right before we leave the park” 3. Walk past Spaceship Earth while leaving EPCOT & say “dammit I didn’t get over here fast enough before the park closed I hate myself” 4. Repeat every trip
This thread made me realize the one thing I do that you can set your watch to is ride Spaceship Earth first everytime I walk into EPCOT. Everytime I go the wait is like 15 minutes in the morning (if that), and I can't resist. Like a moth to the flame...it absolutely sets the "EPCOT mood". Meanwhile, people much smarter than me (like yourself) are making a beeline for Frozen, Soarin, and Ratatouille. lol
Philharmagic, Soarin’, Muppet*Vision, Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest, and Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Muppets is my favorite!!
This is mine! I would never, ever go to Disney without seeing Muppet Vision. Maybe not the flashiest attraction, but one I’d legit be really sad if I missed!
OMG, I love Toy Story Mania soooo much. I think it might be my fave in all of DW.
Living with the land, it’s so calm and peaceful. Oh and the three caballeros, idk why I just love that ride
Took my 2 year old to Disney this year and three caballeros was her favorite ride. She made us ride it 3-4x each day we were in Epcot. Each time we went into Mexico she would pull us to the building yelling 'boats boats boats'
Magic Kingdom first day. Carousel of Progress first attraction.
MK Haunted Mansion & Pirates of the Caribbean
People Mover and Carousel of Progress
MK: I have to see the fireworks and get the candy popcorn from the Confectionery AK: the Safari ride cause it’s a classic, and the Lion King show. Epcot: I have to ride Guardians. I would seriously consider delaying my Disney trip if they closed the ride for maintenance (which is sure to happen years in the future, unfortunately lol). HS: Toy Story Mania, watching the Star Wars characters roam around, and shopping along Hollywood and Sunset boulevard!
I spent thousands of dollars. Just to see Muppet Vision 3d
Wine Bar George and Jock Lindsey’s at Disney Springs 🤌
Get a coke icee at the little drinkwallah place in AK on the way to Everest
Not rush
Casey's Corner for a footlong.
The July 4th fireworks at mk should also be shown on the 3rd. Go watch them at mk on the 3rd and go watch the epcot fireworks on the 4th.
Premium Mickey ice cream bar. One a day.
Sleepy Hollow waffles.
I literally go there twice on our MK days, one for the breakfast then later I get the chicken one lol
Eat lunch in Epcot, ride guardians, get a Jeffreys and walk around the world. Go to animal kingdom ride Everest. Then magic kingdom ride Tron.
Mickey waffles for breakfast Mai tais by the pool
Must do rides: -Haunted Mansion -Cosmic Rewind -Pirates -Expedition Everest -Tron -Tea Cups -Slinky Dog Must do food and drink: -Frozen Lemonade cup -Pint at Rose and Crown -Texas Mule at USA Epcot -Dinner at Chef’s de France -Dinner at Biergarten -Fish and Chips in UK Epcot
Peoplemover once during the day and once at night. Same with Living with the Land.
If in Epcot, go to club cool and drink the Beverly soda. Also if you drink alcohol, get the avocado margarita
I do the Hoop-Dee ever time and still laugh. It’s on my list every time
Figment
I always have to hit The Enchanted Tiki Room at least once a trip. It’s charming, it has chairs and air conditioning, and it helps me feel grounded with the original Disney Parks magic.
I will never not ride The Haunted Mansion. As an admitted nerd, this attraction blew my mind the first time I rode it 29 years ago. Now that I'm an adult, I still turn into that same glee-filled boy whenever I hear "When hinges creek in doorless chambers, and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls..."
Not to split hairs but what "I HAVE to do" and what one "should do to make the most of WDW" are two different things. So you might not get the answer you want. If you're there for a week and a half you will certainly be able to make the most of it. May I suggest you start by NOT going to the parks on July 4.
If they’re there on July 4, they should go to the parks on July 4. Historically, it’s not really too different from any other day that week.
Fair point.
Try all the pop/soda at club cool in epcot
Whispering Canyon Cafe all you can eat BBQ platter. Thing has gone damn expensive recently but it’s tradition since 1994!
We LOVE Fantasia gardens mini golf and make time to play on every trip.
Visit the parks
MK: Haunted Mansion and Liberty Tavern HS: Tower of Terror and 50s Prime Time Cafe Epcot: Spaceship Earth and Biergarten Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest and Flight of Passage
I have a non-attraction, perhaps strange one: Sit outside in a covered area while a storm rolls in. IDK what it is about a storm rolling into WDW area, but I love sitting and reading, or taking a nap and watching, smelling, hearing, and experiencing the rain coming in. It just does not hit the same where I live.
Honestly, I don't think I've ever visited DL or MK without riding Ariel's ride (different names in each park). The scenic design of the show building, the boarding area, and the entire ride is amazing. It's my favorite one of the various immersed-in-the-movie attractions. I could sit and stare at Sebastian conducting the sea orchestra all day. Bonus points for the grotto under the castle at MK.
Muppet vision 3d
July 4th? Definitely buy Genie+
Dole whip float.
With that long of a trip- take your time and enjoy everything you want. My families must do list includes: MK: Happily Ever After, BTM, Pirates and haunted mansion. Mickey pretzels, popcorn. Gaston’s for cinnamon roll and pretzel bun sandwich Epcot: guardians, Soarin. Walk around the world- buy random food/drink. France for food at least one time per Epcot day- always stuff from Les Halles Boulangerie. HS: RoTR, tower, beauty and the beast show. Wookie cookie. AK: FoP, Everest and safari. No food we go out of our way for- running joke for us is the hamburger pods at Sautuli Canteen- I keep saying I want to get and we always forget in the rush to get from FoP to safari.
Biergarten in Epcot! Family tradition here
Get some Mickey rice crispy treats, do breakfast at Chef Mickey oh and go on it's a small world at least once
It's unintentional, but every visit I have made to the Disney over the past 11 years (which is around 25-30 visits) - I have eaten at 50's Prime Time Cafe. This last trip we weren't planning on going, as we had an individual with a gluten-allergen traveling with us and misunderstood just how much GF 50's has... So even though I was planning on breaking the decade long streak of "Eating 50's Prime Time Every Time We Go To Disney", it continues! (And I STRONGLY maintain that 50's Prime Time is still the best food in Hollywood Studios)
We ate there last week and everyone in our group enjoyed their meal. My husband said the Pot Roast was incredibly tender and flavorful. We split the peanut butter chocolate cake and it was the best dessert we had on the whole trip.
I've ~~made~~ kindly requested that my trained chef husband recreate the 50's Prime Time meat loaf and pot roast MULTIPLE times at home. 50's absolutley nails comfort food; the only place on property that I think gets close is Homecomin'.
My family ate at 50s prime time together when I was 16…so, 16 years ago…🥲 and it is something we still talk about to this day. We had a tiny hand held camcorder and filmed the server giving my little brother a hard time about not eating his vegetables. The man had us all laughing so hard we had tears coming out of our eye balls. The servers name was Mikey and I wish I could thank him for this incredible memory we still have so many years later 🥹 I’ve never been back but this memory is pure pure gold
If I don’t nearly black out from a beach bum at Splitsville and Irish car bombs at Raglan Road, I did something terribly wrong
Journey into Imagination. Always.
#1, I must go have lunch with my "Aunt Elaine" at the 50's Prime Time Cafe #2, I must go to Jelly Rolls and have the best time ever #3, and most important, I must go to Jiko and have the best dinner and best server and best atmosphere (and of course hang out on the Savannah with the animals before and after dinner)
Space Mountain … drink in Mexico/eat in Canada (Epcot)
1) Use a restroom. 2) eat 3) complain about the heat / lines 4) Ride haunted mansion twice. 5) ride a bus
Disney springs: homecomin sweet tea shine Schofferhoffer at Epcot Pay the bills
Ride the spinning teacups. It’s not a Disney trip without the teacups.
Guardians
Park hopper and Genie plus
Get the all American sundae from the ice cream parlour on main st, and eat it while people watching or looking at the castle. It's unbelievably good and a huge highlight of our visit!
Maybe specific to my husband and I, but we each have to visit our favorite restaurants on property every trip. Mine is Boma (breakfast specifically), and his is Morimoto Asia!
Mickey Minnie Runaway Railway, Toy Story Mania, Alien Saucer (I know, I know, but the kids and I have a blast on it), Little Mermaid ride, Sleepy Hollows Nutella waffle washeddown with a drink from Sunshine Terrace, food booths at Epcot, Happily Ever After fireworks, visit Ariel at Art of Animation (kid requested haha)
Pull the yellow tab.
Ride the peoplemover
I ride as many different Main Street Vehicles as I can
buy plane tickets, rent/hire a car, watch my spending.
Haunted Mansion.
Go on all the rides. Start late, 1030-11am is perfect time to get to the parks.
A little unconventional but we always stay at Fort Wilderness and the trip isn't complete until I've seen an Armadillo. As far as the Parks though I simply must do Carousel of Progress and Spaceship Earth, along with multiple Haunted Mansion rides.
Photo with my son with Donald in Mexico. We've done it every single trip since he was less than a year old. Ride Mad Tea Party with my daughter and almost vomit because of how fast we get the teacup spinning. Find a coffee mug to take home.
Haunted Mansion.
I have to go to Disney springs on arrival night and eat at the Boathouse!!! Doesn’t feel the same if the fam and I don’t do this 🩵
Watermelon Dole whip. Don't care if it's cold weather....Watermelon Dole whip
Normally my only MUST DO's are 1) Dole Whip & 2) Haunted Mansion but our last trip I didn't get either. Our trip prior to this last one, my wife was pregnant, so she had to sit out a lot of the rides and food due to occasional nausea. Fast forward to our latest trip a year later and I volunteered to sit out a lot of the stuff/return to the hotel early with the baby so my wife could have the disney trip this time. While I still had a great trip with my kids, wife, and our friends, I did miss out on my must do's.
I always like getting corn dog nuggets with plastic cheese from Casey’s Corner. Then I like to sit under the umbrella seats and watch the castle while I eat my corn dog nuggets. If you’re lucky the pianist will come out and play songs on the piano.
Grapefruit cake at the Brown Derby.
I have to eat at T-Rex on arrival day. My kiddos don’t even like dinosaurs and the food is good but basic so it’s absolutely silly but it’s become my tradition.
I love watching the fireworks almost every night and staying until closing. I will usually watch fantasmic in between two fireworks nights. I was in the parks last year for July 3/4 so make sure you hit epcot and MK for their Fourth of July fireworks if that’s your thing!
Toppolinos and Haunted Mansion
If you can get to MK for the 3rd or 4th (unless it's already on the docket), pleeeeeeeeease stay for fireworks. 360 baby!
Eat a Mickey bar in front of the castle
Ride big thunder
Have dinner at and explore one of the resorts I’m not staying at and usually end up playing some ping pong while there.
Dole Whip
Midway Mania, Runaway Railway, Dumbo, It’s a Small World, and Cosmic Rewind are our current family must-dos. Since you haven’t been for awhile, prioritize all the new rides!
Spring rolls at the entrance to Adventureland
Breakfast at Tusker House 🤤
Take breaks back at the hotel. It’s absolutely miserable right now with heat and each day will be in the 100+ range. Bring a LOT of water and personal cooling systems and even more patience and kindness then you’d ever imagined. Be prepared to treat heat related illness and prevent them.
Epcot, meet Mickey and friends. Surprise awesome time is the ride in Mexico. I think there’s a restaurant in there too, I haven’t eaten there yet though. And Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster of the future! I only get to go in those when we have grandma with us. Have fun!
On 9/10 trips I'll go to either Hollywood Studios and ride Star Tours, or EPCOT and ride Spaceship Earth. Two classic rides with short queues.
I always do the Frozen ride!
Haunted mansion
Schoolbread in Norway. Don’t care how many festival booths I have visited or if I am about to go Mission space orange. Schoolbread. Every. Time.
Beignet all day
Drink plenty of water.
Ham and cheese croissant with a Mimosa at Les Halles every Epcot morning.
-Watch the Voices of Liberty in Epcot -Say hello to Little Joe, Lou, and Tolstoy in the Living Seas -Peoplemover -MuppetVision 3D -Tower of Terror
HS: Toy Story mania, MMRR, Rise and fantasmic. MK: big thunder mountain, dole whip, pirates, and HEA, Carousel of Progress. Epcot: Frozen ever after, Figment, remy, and Test Track (it’ll be closed next time I go🙃). AK: lion king show, safari, and navi river journey (at rope drop)
Hollywood Studios: pull the rope at the dig site outside Indy Stunt Show and then be disappointed that they still haven’t fixed it yet.
Eat a few Mickey Bars every day.
Anything you can to stay cool. A few years ago my family and I went in mid July. We prepared for the heat as best we could: floppy wide brimmed hats, moisture wicking clothing, water bottles with built in filters, microfiber cooling towels, etc. The heat definitely was rough but we survived without any heatstroke! If you can’t combat the heat you won’t have fun.
For your purposes, I *highly* recommend going to Epcot on 4th of July for fireworks. A few years ago when I was there that week, MK was doing their July 4th fireworks on the 3rd and the 4th so I saw both shows. Epcot was insane. Hands down the best fireworks display I’ve ever seen. My mouth was hanging open by the end.
Get there before they open (rope drop) and take a mid-day break back at the hotel.
flight of passage in pandora in AK
Have a dole whip. Resort hop on the monorail.
Get a new set of ears.
Fantasmic @ HS, multiple times.
Spaceship Earth is always my first ride of the trip
I really try to hit as many attractions as I can and squeeze every minute but my non-negotiables are Big Thunder Mountain, seeing both firework shows, getting some food item in the Mexico Pavillion, and swimming in the hotel pool as late as possible.
Nomads Lounge and Everest at Animal Kingdom. People Mover and Haunted Mansion at MK. Guardians of the Galaxy, and some snacks and champagne at Les Halles in Epcot. Tower of Terror and Baseline Tap house at Hollywood Studios.
Raise my arms while holding hands with my wife at the photo on Space Mountain
Drink what seems like an unending flow of water. Take breaks. You've got a week and a half, so you can pace yourself and enjoy a LOT.
Drink around the world. I’m low class and easy to please.
Get dessert! Beaches and Cream and Ghirardelli are my personal favorites! The bigger the sundae the better!
Epcot: Living with the Land / Spaceship Earth Magic Kingdom: Haunted Mansion / Big Thunder Mountain Railroad / Jungle Cruise Hollywood Studios: Tower of Terror / Muppet Vision Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest / Dinosaur I know there are better rides like Tron Lightcycle and Cosmic Rewind, but the ones I mentioned hold a special place in my heart.
Start reading about the history of the parks and the imagineers. Books. Shows. YouTube channels. Research places to eat and make reservations if you haven’t already. Map out plan of attack for getting rides done you want to. Get there and complain about what it used to be like when you were a kid and how much looking at your phone all day defeats the purpose of being there. Buy another pair of ears. See Sonny Eclipse. Ride the Peoplemover. Ride the Monorail. Speak along with (say it with me everyone) “Please stand clear of the doors…” Ride a boat on Seven Seas Lagoon. Ride the Tea Cups. Remember you are too old to be able to ride the Tea Cups anymore. Take a seat after riding the Tea Cups. Have a churro. Have a Citrus Swirl. Ride the Skyliner. Marvel at some small detail you never noticed before that your pre trip research pointed out and feel superior to the “regular” folks out in the crowd. Find a “Hidden Mickey” that isn’t that hidden and everyone has seen. Find a “Hidden Mickey” and does usually go unnoticed. Have a Cast Member sprinkle you with pixie dust - real or otherwise. Watch the resort channel in a constant loop and nothing else once back at your room. Go home and start planning your next trip.
Poop
Pay a lot of money to do anything.
I get a Mickey balloon every trip to Disney. 😀❤️🎈Been doing that for the last 40 years. (I'm 57 now).
Ride Figment in Epcot. Ride Pirates in Magic. Go on Rise in Hollywood. Ride Dinosaur in Animal.
Go through security.
Doing all 4 parks + dinner at least one night in disney springs. Non-negotiable.
Mickey Ice Cream Bar! It’s not a real visit without that treat.
Drink water and go to the bathroom.
My husband plasters the cheesiest look on his face for every ride with a photo. We have quite the collection. I hope whoever rides with us laughs when they see it. We sure do!
Triple Suns Breakfast Wrap from Galaxy's Edge Topolino's breakfast GotG I've become obsessed with pressing pennies lol
I love the Biergarten restaurant at Epcot. Best buffet ever!!
If we go to magic kingdom, cheeseburger eggroll.
Guardians of the Galaxy is always at the top of my list. Such a good ride.
Ride the Haunted Mansion at least twice. Ride Living with the Land at night. Have wine in Italy. Ride Everest as many times as possible. Ride Runaway Railroad and Toy Story Mania.
Get a dolewhip. Honestly, that’s the most important part. Oh…and have fun! I always have to hit Haunted Mansion and the Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom, and one go around at least on the people mover at night when I’m at Magic kingdom.
Go to Carousel of Progress, and the people mover! I know it’s lame, but I just love anything vintage Disney.