What are the “Don’t miss” activities at Disney World?

There are so many things to do and see at Disney World.  It is really difficult to come up with a list, because there are so many things to “not miss.”  Since everyone has their own separate list of “don’t miss,” I decided to ask my family what activities they like best.  Below are our individual list from Tory , Michell, Tanner (8 years old), Morgan (6 years old), and Mason (2 years old).

Top 3 Magic Kingdom Attractions:

Tory

1. 7 Dwarfs Mine Train
2. Wishes
3. Space Mountain

Michell

1. 7 Dwarfs Mine Train
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
3. Story time with Belle

Tanner

1. Main Street Electrical Parade
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
3. Goofy’s Barnstormer

Morgan

1. Splash Mountain
2. Buzz Lightyear Space ranger Spin
3. Jungle Cruise

Mason

1. Tomorrowland Speedway
2. Goofy’s Barnstormer
3. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin

Top 3 Hollywood Studios Attractions:

Tory

1. Toy Story Mania
2. Rock ‘n ‘ Rollercoaster
3. Fantasmic

Michell

1. Toy Story Mania
2. Rock ‘n ‘ Rollercoaster
3. Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Tanner

1. Rock ‘n ‘ Rollercoaster
2. Star Tours
3. Lights Motor Action

Morgan

1. Tower Of Terror
2. Jedi Training
3. Fantasmic

Mason

1. Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
2. Toy Story Mania
3. Woody and Buzz Character Meet

Top 3 Epcot Attractions:

Tory

1. Soarin
2. Test Track
3. Mission Space

Michell

1. Soarin
2. Test Track
3. Coke Spot

Tanner

1. Soarin
2. Test Track
3. Mission Space

Morgan

1. Soarin
2. Test Track
3. Mission Space

Mason

1. Finding Nemo
2. Character Spot
3. _________

 

Top 3 Animal Kingdom Attractions:

Tory

1. Kilimanjaro Safari
2. Expedition Everest
3. Festival of the Lion King

Michell

1. Kilimanjaro Safari
2. Festival of the Lion King
3. Expedition Everest

Tanner

1. Dinosaur
2. Primeval Whirl
3. Finding Nemo Musical

Morgan

1. Expedition Everest
2. Kali River Rapid
3. Festival of the Lion King

Mason

1. Rafiki’s Planet Watch
2. Finding Nemo Musical
3. Triceratop Spin

 

Favorite Character Breakfast

Tory   – Ohana

Michell   – Tuskar

Tanner   – Chef Mickey

Morgan   – Ohana

Mason   – All Character Breakfasts

Favorite Show

Tory   – Festival of the Lion King

Michell   – Festival of the Lion King

Tanner   – Main Street Electrical Parade

Morgan   – Fantasmic

Mason   – Story time with Belle

Favorite Character Meet

Tory   – Characterpalooza

Michell   – Baymax

Tanner   – Dark Vader

Morgan   – Anna & Elsa

Mason   – Buzz Lightyear

As you can see by the list created by my family, there are many things to do at Disney and each person has their own favorite. You may have also noticed evidence in our Epcot list that helps explain why that park is not our favorite.  One also cannot miss for our family is ice cream at Ghirardelli in Disney Springs.   We have also been looking forward to the “Kitchen Sink” at Beaches and Cream, but we have never been able to get a reservation there.

Please feel free to add your comments below to let us all know which are your “cannot miss” activities, shows, and others when you are at Disney World.

Fastpass+ at Animal Kingdom

When using FastPass+ in the parks, it is always recommended to not book any fastpasses in the first 2 hours of the day.  The lines in the park are a lot lighter at this time and the Fastpass+ is usually not needed.  It is best to use FastPass+ later in the day when the crowds arrive and lines began to grow long.  FastPass+ in Animal Kingdom does not have a tiered system.  The following is a list of the rides that you should get FastPass+ for in Epcot in order of longest wait times:

Kilimanjaro Safari

Expedition Everest

Dinosaur

Kali River Rapids

Primeval Whirl

Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventure Outpost

Kilimanjaro Safari is the main attraction at Animal Kingdom, but you may not need to use your fastpass there if you would like to use it elsewhere.  If you plan on being at the park when it opens, and ride the Safari within the first 30 minutes, you can save your fastpasses.

Expedition Everest is a popular ride and is definitely worthy of a fastpass.  Remember to get your fastpass after the first two hours, as you may be able to ride in the first two hours with minimal wait and you can ride a second time with your fastpass.

Dinosaur is a hit and miss in terms of line length, I have seen it long at times, and non-existent at others.  If you really want to use your fastpass elsewhere, you may consider taking your chances on this one.

Kali River rapids can also be a hit and miss, but it is predictable based on the weather.  Since you usually get absolutely soaked on this ride, you typically want to ride when it is hot (and so does everyone else).  You are not likely to see a long line in the early morning or when the temperature is below 70, but you probably are not very interested in riding it at those times either.  If you are in Animal Kingdom during a hot time a year, be sure to get a fastpass for the middle of the day.

Primeval Whirl is not exactly my favorite ride, but my son loves it, and it typically gets a fairly long line.  If you plan on riding it, you may want to use a fastpass if you have not used your 3 selections already.

As mentioned on another post, I typically do not recommend using fastpass on character meets.  Since the Safari is the only ride in Animal Kingdom without height limits, any family with small children may want to consider a fastpass with characters here.

Animal Kingdom also has wonderful shows that are listed as fastpass selections.  The shows are fantastic however a fastpass is virtually useless.  Only on the absolute busiest days will you be shut out of a show if you don’t have a fastpass.  Typically guest can get into all shows if you arrive before it starts and only on a few occasions, you may need to show up 20 minutes early.  Unless you are determined to be one of the first into the venue to watch a show, there is no need to use a fastpass on the shows.