No WDW trip is complete until...

[TexDisneyMom]

For me it is walking down Main Street and just knowing I am there....

 

[northie]

Must have a Dole Whip. Must buy a Christmas Ornament from Germany in the WS or the Christmas store in Liberty Square at MK. Must get one new Mickey plush. Must see Wishes...

Seriously, really try to see the fireworks and parades: Wishes is a wonderful bring-tears-to-your-eyes fireworks show (see Tinkerbelle fly!) and the evening SpectroMagic parade at MK in the evening is my favorite parade od all (after the first couple floats of white-faced dolls go by, not sure what they are but I could do without them, but the character floats are beautiful!). See the Share a Dream parade in the afternoon. Our first trip we skipped them thinking we've SEEN fireworks, big deal. Of course we did the ultimate no-no on the first trip: got on a plane and went. No planning. Had no clue. The next trip we got a clue, did some pre-planning, and saw these things and realized how much we missed, and now they are a must see!

Besides Wishes, SpectroMagic and the afternoon parade at MK, we also must see:

MGM: Fantasmic! a fireworks/live action show, partially projected on water...beautiful! Held at or close to closing time, some nights there are two shows. Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast shows are wonderful.

AK: I love the afternoon Jammin' Jungle Parade! The costumes and floats are fabulous. Festival of the Lion King and Tough to Be a Bug and Nemo the Musical are other favorite non-ride attractions at the AK we must do every trip.

Epcot: Illuminations, a fireworks show in the World Showcase Lagoon at closing time. Breathtaking!

Hope you have a wonderful time on your first trip!

Sara

 

[missminniemouse]

For DD it's riding Spaceship Earth first and last on the trip. This has truly become a tradition in our family. When DD (now age 11) was only 2 years old, she fell in love with Spaceship Earth and insists that it be first on every trip. This works well because our arrival time is generally early to mid- afternoon and during the time of year we go, EPCOT is generally the park open latest, so we always go there first anyway to maximize our park time. No trip is complete without a trip to Tom Sawyer Island either. (Actually, more like 2 or 3 trips.)

For DS (7), it would be swimming somewhere. He especially loves the water parks and we try to include a trip there if the weather permits. After this last trip, I think miniature golf is also becoming a "must" for both DS and DD. In the parks, he loves Space Mountain, so that is a trip maker for him.

For me, I have to make multiple trips on Buzz Lightyear, to prove my superiority by outscoring my family each time. This is usually followed by a trip on the TTC, which everyone in the family also enjoys.

DH loves to resort hop, so a trip wouldn't be complete unless we spent some time exploring at least one less familiar resort during the trip. A viewing or 2 of Impressions de France is also a "must" for DH and myself.

Most of all, we all enjoy all the restaurants we booked ADR's at 180 days before our trip. Anticipation will get you every time!

 

[Evad]

No trip is complete without shopping for souveniors at DTD. Also we must have ride on the monorail at least once on our trips.

 

[RobbinsDad]

My Disney trip will not be complete until I get a Dream Fastpass.

 

[kdibattista]

No trip is complete for us until:

1) we have an ice cream sundae at Ghiradelli's and watch the fireworks
2) we have our final breakfast at Chef Mickey's followed by minature golf at Fantasia Gardens (I think that's what it's called)
3) DH gets his Margarita from Mexico
4) taking a fireworks cruise

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Three things for our family:

Sitting under the ancient tree with lanterns in Liberty Square watching Spectromagic.

Riding Spaceship Earth.

Riding Living with the Land.

Fun thread!

Have yet to try the free campfire and movie in Fort Wilderness but it sounds like fun!

 

[mamaprincess]

We always chant Old Key West, Old Key West, as we pass by it the first time we see it because we know Saratoga Springs is coming Up. Then we chant Saratoga Springs! Saratoga Springs! I'll miss that chant when we stay at Animal Kingdom Villas.

We have to do Boma every trip.

We have to do character dining.

We have to go to Down Town Disney every trip for great CS and shopping at WOD.

We could never miss a park. They are all so special to us in their own unique ways!

 

[jimmalru80]

I've had a lime margarita while watching Illuminations.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

For me, I need to spend at least 1/2 hour just sitting on a bench watching the fountain dance in Epcot.

For DH, we have to see Fantasmic.

The little ones need to see Spectro.

DS12 always wants a MIckey ice cream bar to watch Wishes.

DD14 has to ride TOT.

And the whole family....Small World. At least once. DD4 would prefer to be on it every minute of every day.

 

[tofubeast]

-A ride on HM, PoC and Space Mtn...
-Getting around on the monorail
-Ice cream sandwiches at that sandwich place in Downtown Disney
-Fireworks
-Seeing Mickey

and last but not least...
wearing my Mickey Ears!

 

[TeddyToo]

Thank you so much for coming up with this thread my and I are going for the first time to WDW in August. It was great to see all the things others cherish to come up with some to plan for and others not to miss out on. We plan to get a Dole Whip within the 1st 24 hours. Never had one but the thought is tantilizing.

 

[MotherofLandon]

Oh I can't wait!!! Reading through these were bringing tears to my eyes I am so excited!!! Thank you so much for all the great ideas!!!

 

[snowman]

DN reminded me that his trip really isn't complete until he finishes the "Great Water Fountains of WDW" tour....he has to drink out of every water fountain he finds.

 

[marlower]

No trip is complete for me until:

I ride TTA, don't know why, but I love this ride!!

Eating at the Biergarten in Epcot!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

These things are very special things to us each time we visit Disney:

1. Finding the first palm tree when plane is landing
2. Going thru the Walt Disney World property gates and brimming over with excitement
3. Walking onto Main St for the first time per trip
4. That first dog at Casey's while looking at the castle (or watching the cartoons on the bleachers)
5. That first ice cream on Main Street while staring at the castle and taking in the sights and sounds like the folks singing, "Maiiiiiiiiin Streeeeet."
6. The annual photo on the bridge to Adventureland
7. Riding Splash Mountain and then looking for your picture
8. That first funnel cake (best eaten in the dark so no one can see the powdered sugar all over your face)
9. Riding TTA and hearing "paging Mr Morrow, Mr Tom Morrow." We crack up every time and I usually film DGS when he first hears it
10. Riding POTC because it was my dad's fave ride and was the first I rode in 1983
11. Hearing the monorail voice - "por favor...."
12. Riding Spaceship Earth - first ride I rode in Epcot in 1983
13. The castle photos, but also photos by other things like the umbrella at MGM
14. That first step into your resort room... mmmmm ... ahhhh hopefully it's a good smell
15. Seeing that first character (but passing him/her by to get to Splash M)
16. DGS buying that first new pin
17. McDonalds fries while sitting on that remote shady cool bench at AKL
18. Riding our new favorites EE and Soarin'
19. Hearing the screams from TOT
20. That one pastry in France (so rich, you can barely finish)
21. The Hachez chocolate in Germany

Wow, so many special things... there are many more. You will have your own list. Have a magical time!
tink

 

[luvmy2sams]

Me: Catching that first glimpse of Cinderella Castle and watching my kids' faces beam in anticipation...feeling the spray as I'm captivated by the dancing fountains in EPCOT...purchasing a Christmas ornament from the shop in DTD...dining with Eeyore...viewing Wishes (as many times as possible) from the hub

DD8: dinner at Chef Mickey's on arrival night...riding The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

DS3: riding Peter Pan

DH is at work but I'll hazard a guess that his biggest must-do is beer....from anywhere.

 

[scootch]

1) watching Spectromagic(at LEAST once)
2) getting pics with Mickey and the gang
3) crying at least once just because you are so happy to be there

 

[ZoZo]

Hey, congratulations on your first trip!!!! You will probably be tempted to rush through and see EVERYTHING. Well, DON'T!! Slow down and just enjoy the magic of being there. If you are like most of us... you will be thinking about the next trip before you go home!! So save something for next time!!

For my family I think that MAGIC moment happens when we first walk on Main Street and and see the Castle!! That MOMENT is always sooo tingly!!

I totally agree. It's so tempting to be a "theme park commando" and rush from things to thing. Even after about six or seven trips to WDW, I'm tempted to do that, but make myself slow down and enjoy things.

For me, it's that first walk down Main Street at MK (and even standing in line at the turnstiles waiting to get into my first park of the trip - the anticipation is killer!).

 

[HUFF590]

For me SCI FI. MY wife Splash Mtn.