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 Hollywood Studios

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 Hollywood Studios has a tiered system.  You are only allowed to pick one attraction from the first tier, and two from the 2^nd tier.  The following is a list of the rides that you should get FastPass+ for in the Hollywood Studios in order of longest wait times:

Tier One:

Toy Story Mania

Rock’n’ Roller Coaster

Tier Two:

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Star Tours

Toy Story Mania is the ride that everyone runs to as soon as the park opens.  Fastpass for this ride must be booked at least 30 days out from your trip as it is very popular.  The general rule of now booking a fastpass in the first two hours can be broken if that is the only time that is available.

Rock’n’Roller Coaster is definitely a ride worthy of a fastpass, but given the tier structure at Hollywood Studios, it is hard to choose Rock’n’Roller coaster over Toy Story Mania.  While Toy Story Mania usually has a line immediately when the park opens, you can generally ride Rock’n’Roller Coaster in the first few hours of the day with a relatively small wait time.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Star Tours are the only two rides in tier two that are worthy of a fastpass.  As a matter of fact, they are the only two rides in the second tier.  All other attractions in tier two are shows.  It is highly advisable to avoid shows for fastpass reservations, as you will generally be sitting or standing right next to someone that did not use a fastpass.  The only time this may not be true is during extremely busy times a year when it might not be possible for all park guests to enter a show.  It is only these few times a year that shows fill up all seats in the theatre.

After using all 3 fastpasses for the day, it is advisable to first check to see if there is a fastpass available for rock’n’roller.  They are usually not available, but it is always worth a try.  Next I would try to secure a fastpass for Fantasmic.  During busier times of year, there are normally two showings for Fantasmic in the evening.  The second showing is usually not full and it is advisable to attend that showing if possible.  If you would like to see the first showing of Fantasmic, it is helpful to have a fastpass to make sure you can get into the theatre and get a seat.  Without a fastpass, the first showing will frequently fill up and the seats remaining for non-fastpass guests are extremely limited and sometimes it is standing room only.