12 Must-Try Experiences During Your Disney World Visit
So you’re planning a trip to Disney World! With so much to see, do and explore at Walt Disney World Resort Resort figuring out what to schedule into your trip can be a daunting task! That’s why we here at MickeyBlog thought we’d give you a helping hand but coming up with a list of 12 of our favorite Must-do Walt Disney World experiences! Be sure to add a few of these to your travel plans for a magical Disney getaway.
1. Take In a Limited Time Experience
Disney World typically offers limited-time experiences that can make your visit extra special. For example, this year is all about celebrating Mickey’s 90th Birthday with special theme park happenings. Don’t miss your chance to check out Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at the Magic Kingdom. Last week we also mentioned that Hollywood Studios will be filled with Pixar fun in celebration of the theme parks 30th Birthday. And over at Animal Kingdom, the park will be honoring the 25th Anniversary of the Lion King! These special celebrations are a great way to add some out-of-the-ordinary fun to your visit!
For more information on Mickey and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration check out this article
2. Don’t Miss The Nighttime Shows
Each of Disney’s theme parks offers a special nighttime extravaganza that is simply not-to-be missed and provides the perfect ending to your Disney days. Over at Magic Kingdom you’ll be dazzled with the Castle Projection/Fireworks Display dubbed “Happily Ever After.” The Animal Kingdom offers the tranquil, whimsical and dazzling Rivers of Light water pageant. Hollywood Studios wows with two evening shows the incredible Fantasmic! and the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular which is the ultimate nighttime event for Star Wars fans.
3. See IllumiNations While You Can
It’s the end of an era at Epcot as their nighttime fireworks display IllumiaNations will be winding up for good later this year. Though Disney will be replacing it with Epcot Forever, visitors to Disney World in 2019, can catch this longrunning show before it is retired for good. With an incredible soundtrack and dazzling pyrotechnics, we are sure IllumiNations will be one of the highlights of your Disney getaway.
4. Enjoy the Thrills
Who says that Disney World is just for kids? There are actually a ton of thrill rides that adults are sure to enjoy! Over at Hollywood Studios, you have the high-speed indoor Rock’n’ Roller Coaster and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Both of these attractions bring the thrills (and the screams) in a big way. And who can forget Expedition Everest at the Animal Kingdom – the largest of Disney’s Mountains! Over at Magic Kingdom, you have 3- addition mountain coasters which are big on thrills; Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain.
5. Toy Story Land
The newest land at Walt Disney World, Toy Story Land is designed to make you feel like you’ve been shrunk down to the size of a toy in Andy’s backyard and is filled with three must-try attractions; Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers and Toy Story Mania! It’s also brimming with characters, delicious eats and fantastic photo ops. No visit to Disney World would be complete without a stop at the incredible land showing Disney Imagineering at it’s best!
6. Pandora – The World of Avatar
Speaking of feats of Imagineering, this bioluminescent land in the Animal Kingdom needs to be seen to be believed. Complete with floating mountains and glowing plants, you’ll forget that you’re in a theme park in the middle of Florida the minute you walk into Pandora. The land also houses two of Disney World’s hottest attractions, Flight of Passage which has you soaring through the skies on the back of a Banshee and Na’vi River Journey which takes you on a journey through a stunning rain forest. You’ll also find amazing eats and lots of hands one activities making Pandora the perfect place to spend an hour (or two!)
7. Star Wars Fun
Galaxy’s Edge may not be opening up at Hollywood Studios until later this year but that doesn’t mean that Star Wars fans can’t get your fix. Visitors can blast off on a Starspeeder 1000 on Star Tours- The Adventures Continues making you feel like you right in the middle of your own epic Star Wars adventure. You can head over Tatooine Traders for some must-have Star Wars merchandise and you’ll definitely want to immerse yourself in the lore of the franchise at Star Wars Launch Bay where you can even meet some of your favorite characters including Kylo Ren, BB-8, Darth Vader and more! Also be on the lookout for the March of The First Order lead by Captain Phasma taking place in front of the Chinese Theater throughout the day!
8. Head to the Water Parks
You’ll find not one but two incredible Water Parks at Disney World. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is a tropical paradise that is packed with rushing rapids, relaxing beaches, a lazy river and Miss Adventure Falls, a family white water journey. Over at Blizzard Beach which is themed after a Ski Resort, that’s been thawed out by the Florida sun you can enjoy big thrills on the Summit Plummet on a 55 mph 120ft plunge!
9. Spend Some Time at Disney Springs
When staying at Disney World, the fun isn’t limited to the theme parks and water parks. Be sure to spend at least an evening at Disney’s downtown shopping district. Here you’ll find everything from incredible VR experiences to culinary adventures from some of the world’s most renowned chefs. Also be sure to set aside some money in your budget and head to the recently re-imagined World of Disney which is heaving with every Disney treasure imaginable. You’ll also find a wide range of esteemed retail outlets covering everything from Kate Spade and Zara to Sephora, Mac and Kiehl’s.
10 Add a Bit of Character
No matter what your age, Disney is brimming with character meet and greet experiences that are bound to put a smile on your face. Whether you’re lining up to meet Tinker Bell or cozying up to Buzz Lightyear, nabbing photos during these special experiences will bring memories that will last a lifetime. Our favorite meet and greet spot is Storybook Circus in the Magic Kingdom where you can meet Minnie, Daisy, Donald and Goofy dressed up for the circus. Disney is also filled some amazing character dining experiences including Cinderella’s Royal Table and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall where you can mingle with many of Disney’s Princesses.
11. Be Our Guest
Speaking of dining, the hottest Disney World dining reservation to get is Be Our Guest restaurant located in the Magic Kingdom and it’s not hard to understand why. From the moment you approach this stunning replica of Beast’s Castle you know that you’re in for a special treat. Once inside it is a feast for the senses from stained glass windows, stunning mosaics a gothic West Wing and so much more. You’ll even see the Enchanted Rose from the movie as it slowly loses one petal at a time. There’s also an impressive menu. During breakfast and lunch, you can feast on Quick Service options with a French flair and Dinner offers a more formal three course meal packed with French Classics.
12. Staying Onsite
Though you may be able to find more affordable rates if staying further afield, nothing really fully immerses you in the magic like a Walt Disney Resort stay. Many first time visitors don’t realize that Disney has a wide range of accommodation options from the budget-minded Value properties to the exquisitely themed Deluxe Resorts. And no matter where you stay you get to enjoy fantastic amenities from incredible pool areas, complimentary transportation to and from the parks, free airport pickups, Early Park entry exclusive to onsite guests and early FastPass booking!
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Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to assist you with everything from finding your perfect package to helping you plan lots of special touches to make your visit truly magical. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025 via email at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook
