We have our top 10 ideas for the ultimate Walt Disney World bucket list. Most everyone knows plenty about Walt Disney World and its four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. With that amount of real estate, there are endless amounts of special experiences to be enjoyed by you and your family while on your Walt Disney World vacation. There are likely certain things that you do on every visit, such as particular ride that you love, snacks you love to eat, or restaurants that always seem to make it onto your itinerary. The Mousekemoms always recommend those experiences to their friends and family, but there are also special experiences that they recommend doing just once if you can – The Official Mousekemoms Walt Disney World Bucket List.
10. Ride a Classic Walt Disney World Attraction
There is something special about riding attractions that were created by the first generation of Disney Imagineers and Walt Disney himself like The Carousel of Progress, it’s a small world, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, The Jungle Cruise, and Peter Pan’s Flight. These may not top the list of groundbreaking attractions by today’s standards, but the nostalgia of the rides that you or your parents may have ridden as a child add to the magic of Walt Disney World vacations. You don’t have to hit them all, but spending time riding at least one before you move on to the latest and greatest attractions is a top contender for the Mousekemoms’ list.
9. Meet Mickey Mouse in Town Square Theater
If you’re spending time in Magic Kingdom, you’ve got to take the time at least once to meet the Mouse that started it all. Mickey greets park guests daily in Town Square Theater, close to the entrance of Magic Kingdom. He’s usually decked out in some festive attire, and he’ll likely soon have a wardrobe update as the World’s Most Magical Celebration ends.
8. Rope Drop or Close Down a Park…or Both!
Rope dropping a park simply means arriving prior to the actual opening time, where Cast Members literally cordon off areas of the parks until they drop the ropes at park opening time. If you can get your family up and out the door in time, it’s absolutely the best way to hit some headliner attractions in the park with low wait times. It’s not meant for everyone, but if you can do it at least once, we think you’ll be convinced that it’s an effective strategy to start your day. Ready to take it up a notch from there? Stay until the park closes! This takes some stamina, but if you can snag a dining reservation for a restaurant in the park near closing time, you’re likely to walk out into an empty park – a dreamy experience.
7. Take a Private Fireworks Cruise
For an incredible viewing experience of the nighttime spectaculars at either Magic Kingdom or Epcot, consider a Fireworks Cruise aboard a pontoon boat with your loved ones. This experience comes with snacks and refreshments, and the ability to bring food and drinks of your choice as well. The experience is $399 for a party of up to 10 people.
6. Dine at Space 220
For a unique and delicious dining experience that you won’t find anywhere else, try Space 220 at Epcot. There are two experiences available here: the fixed price menu seating, and the lounge seating with an a la carte menu. They both have the same stellar ‘launch’ to the dining room and windows looking out into ‘space’. When much of the special dining experiences at Walt Disney World are focused on princesses and Disney Animation characters, it’s cool to have an experience that all members of the family will look forward to and enjoy.
5. Enjoy Character Dining
Continuing the dining experience theme, there’s nothing that quite embodies the memorable Walt Disney World family vacation like dining with your favorite characters. From princesses to the Fab Five (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy, and Donald), to classic favorites like Winnie the Pooh, to the villains you love to hate like the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, there are numerous character dining experiences at the parks and resorts. Some of the Mousekemoms’ favorites include Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort.
4. Stay Club Level in a Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort
Club Level accommodations at Walt Disney World are the ultimate in luxury on your vacation. But dare we say it may end up saving you money? Club Level rooms enjoy exclusive key-card access to the hospitality lounges in the resort, offering hot food and beer/wine all day. Our Mousekemoms have made many a meal out of the Club Level offerings, and with the beloved Disney Dining Plan still a distant memory, this is a great option when you want to have an all-inclusive experience.
3. Take a Specialty Tour at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Wild Africa Trek, Caring for Giants, and Up Close with Rhinos are a few of the immersive tours that you can take part in at Animal Kingdom. Imagine crossing a precarious bridge over a pit of crocodiles or taking an off the beaten path journey to get to your private lunch overlooking the Harambe Savanna. These experiences are what you can expect when you reserve one of these unique tours.
2. Take an Adults-Only Trip with your Spouse or with your Girlfriends
Walt Disney World isn’t just for families with children. There are so many fun experiences to be shared with your spouse or other adults, and taking some time away to enjoy the amazing Walt Disney World resort with a focus other than on your kids completely changes the perspective and is just plain fun.
1. Attend a Holiday Party at Magic Kingdom
The number one Mousekemom Walt Disney World Bucket List item is to attend either Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The admission prices to these parties can be a bit prohibitive, but with the unique experiences tied to these events such as Trick or Treating down Main Street USA or seeing rare characters out and about and special parades and nighttime spectaculars waiting for you, the Mousekemoms have dubbed these the top experiences.
So, what’s on your Walt Disney World Bucket List? The best way to tackle these items is to discuss your dreams with your Kingdom and Cruise Travel Agent. Talk through what you can realistically accomplish on your vacation when you consider the time and investment into each experience. Ideally, you’ll be able to accomplish one or two items on your vacation. It’s most likely not feasible to complete them all, but that’s why the Mousekemoms keep returning to Walt Disney World again and again. Each vacation can be completely unique, and honestly, the more you go, the more fun it is each time.