Favorite Disney thing to do...

[SLDL]

Hello! This is my first post so I apologize if this has been asked before, but I didn't see it elsewhere. What is the one thing you MUST check off your to do list to make your Disney trip complete?? Especially if this is something most inexperienced travellers don't know about...
A few of mine are:

1) MK's flag lowering ceremony at the end of the day...I happened upon this a few years ago & will try to see this again! It is very patriotic & emotional...I recommend it.
2) Lunch at Casey's Corner
3) Haircuts for the kids at Harmony Barber Shop (MK best kept secret)
Seems all my favorite moments occur at MK, but I love all the parks!

Thanks for your replies...I can't wait to see what I shouldn't miss on my next trip in the fall.

 

[milestogo]

I'm assuming you are going to WDW, not DL? ?

Choose your favorite restaurants and make advance reservations. We love the SciFi Drive in at MGM. Also, the Japanese teppanyaki (sp?) at Epcot and so many other fun ones.

Find the character breakfast you may enjoy and make a reservation - it's expensive, but loads of fun for any age. At DL we have Goofy's kitchen, Chef Mickey's is probably just as fun. I heard the Hoop de doo Musical Revue is fun.

Get ponchos for the rain before getting to Disney. Unless you want Mickey on your ponchos. They are more expensive, but cute!

If you have a car, go to the grocery store and buy drinks and sandwich, snack stuff before getting to WDW. Take a soft-sided cooler bag to pack food. Take a small freezer pack and stick in your fridge or ice bucket each night.

Take all sizes of baggies, you can use them for all kinds of things. Bring quarters for laundry to dry clothes from rain if necessary. (it rained on us everyday every time we've gone!)

Find the lockers at each park entrance. You can store your drinks and dry clothes, esp. shoes (bring flip flops and surf shoes - they're small and flexible)

Bring a highlighter and blank paper if you have people going in different directions. Make your plans the night before and post it on the door each night. bring some blue painters tape. We go through all the stuff we pick up and find fun things to do and then post them on the door so we don't forget. There is so much to do!

Don't miss the shows and parades. They are so worth it! And esp. the fireworks inside the park. The music and effects are a blast.

Don't get fooled about going 5 hours early for seats to the Fantasmic show at MGM. People are still coming in and sitting on the sides prior to the show.

When it was my husband and I alone, we would bring small paperbacks and books on tape to do while standing in hour long lines.

I put a hand held tape player in my daughters stroller with books on tape and music to keep her entertained while waiting.
Have fun and good luck!

 

[Hobbes]

Eat a Mickey crispy bar, and a Mickey ice cream-not at the same time (Although God did give me 2 hands for a purpose....)

Gat a hug from Tigger

Ride IASW-yes, I know its lame, but its not a Disney holiday until you've done it.

Narrowly avoid stepping on one of the cute little lizards.

 

[julsmom]

I really love the gingerbread mickey head cookies from the candy store at Downtown Disney. Those are my "special moments". I am not even really sure why!
DD(5)

 

[gianna2006]

Getting a funnel cake in the American Adventure in Epcot, watching the toy train go round in Germany in Epcot, riding Pirates of the Caribbean (closed when we go...I'm so bummed about that ), watching my kids play in Legoland in Downtown Disney, taking the ferry...not the monorail...to the Magic Kingdom and watching the castle come closer and closer into view.....

 

[Secondgradememories]

I need to go to MK on our first day. Seeing the castle first makes it real - and actually seeing Wishes one last time at the very end makes it bitter sweet too. I cry every time!

 

[mrstomrice]

I have to get a dole whip in adventureland. it is only 1 of 2 places in the world(?) that you can get one. It is also a running joke in my family, and everytime a family member is in disney, they call just to let me know they are eating a dole whip. I agree with the barber shop. This was our son's first, and certainly not last time there!

 

[milestogo]

I have to get a dole whip in adventureland. it is only 1 of 2 places in the world(?) that you can get one. It is also a running joke in my family, and everytime a family member is in disney, they call just to let me know they are eating a dole whip. I agree with the barber shop. This was our son's first, and certainly not last time there!

WHAT ON EARTH IS A DOLE WHIP? Are they at DL too?

 

[Disney Ontario]

I have never got one but I really want it. I guess going down main street you can get your picture taken and TINK will be in your hand. Does anyone know if WDW is the only place for that?

 

[milestogo]

I have never got one but I really want it. I guess going down main street you can get your picture taken and TINK will be in your hand. Does anyone know if WDW is the only place for that?

We have several of those from DL CA. They are very cute. We take one in front of the castle every year on DD b'day.

 

[tictoc]

Our musts include the Harmony Barbershop; Chef Mickey's; and staying in the MK at least once until we are almost the only ones left.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

DW and I make a check mark several times on this one. We love going to Beach N' Cream to have a "No Way Jose' "

 

[puggymom]

DW and I make a check mark several times on this one. We love going to Beach N' Cream to have a "No Way Jose' "

I love to take a break from the crowds at Epcot and have lunch or dinner at Beaches and Cream. Their burgers and friesseem to be so much better than the CS in the parks. Just don't order the cheesesteak here, yuk.

 

[drakester]

Must do's in our family: Boma's for dinner AK lodge, Primeevil whirl, Parades and fireworks. I trip to the Boardwalk is Disney's best kept secret!

 

[mrstomrice]

WHAT ON EARTH IS A DOLE WHIP? Are they at DL too?

A dole whip is a pineapple flavored ice cream type dessert, soft serve style. It is hard to explain exactly what it is, so I hope that helped. The only other place where they are sold I am told is Hawaii. Give it a try on your next visit! The location is outside of the Swiss Family Treehouse. Yummy!

 

[GoofyGolferGirl]

My family loves Chef Mickey's it is a lot of fun and the kids get to see alot of characters. Also on our must do list is Fantasmic, we always get the dinner and show package we can go in the back gate and pick our seats before the crowd arrives! My DD loved the Hoop De Do Review last year and put it on top of her list this year! Hope this helps!!

 

[dopeynme]

My favorite is SpectroMagic. On my first trip, 2 years ago, it was during this parade that I first felt the magic. The characters waved at ME and while I am well into middle age, I felt like I was 5 years old!

I also love Fantasmic and of course, Wishes. Lots of fun restaurants and rides and other attractions....but for me, SpectroMagis is the MAGIC!!!!!

 

[Gradar1]

Eating a turkey leg, pulling on the Sword in the Stone, watching the parades, watching the fountain at Epcot (especially at night), riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at dusk so we can see the castle in colors as we ride....there are so many!

 

[weeluvdisney]

If you don't mind me asking, where is the Harmony Barbershop at in MK. How much is a hair cut?? Do you need an appt?? What is it like....theming?? Tell me about it please. (DS3 needs a haircut and I was going to do it this weekend before our trip)

 

[T. Lynn]

I think it was about $15 and it's for the hair cut, mickey mouse ears hat (with my first hair cut written on it), a certificate, and the hair they cut off.

When you enter MK and go under the train tunnel, it's tucked in the corner on the left.

I specifically waited on cutting my DD's hair when she was 3 as well for this reason. We forgot to do it on the first day we went to MK. She reminded me one morning when we were going to go to Epcot. So, we went to MK (no appointment) got her hair done, let her ride a couple of things and headed over to Epcot to meet the rest of the family. So many people complimented on her hair and her princess hair style (what they called it) with pixie dust. They thought I did it and when I explained that it was done at the Barber Shop, they then told me that they thought it wasn't a real shop but just there for the theme/look.