Should I do these things at MK?

[megs1313]

there are some things that despite our many trips, I just have never bothered to do at MK. We're bringing first timers on this next trip and I'm wondering if I should do these for their sake. let me know what you think!

1. walt disney world railroad
2. liberty square riverboat
3. tom sawyer's island
4. swiss family treehouse
5. carousel of progress
6. hall of presidents (this might be closed when we go)
7. under the sea (journey of the little mermaid)

 

[Aflyingbuttress]

I'm similar to you and that I have most of those crossed off my list. For the most part they just don't appeal to me. With the exception of the Walt Disney railroad which is both fun and a great source of transportation around the park. If you plan it into your day you can use it to get from one side of the park to another. I was really disappointed with under the sea when we did it. I thought it would be a much better ride but I felt like it left out huge chunks of the little mermaid story and it was just underwhelming. I certainly wouldn't ever get a fast pass for it but my daughter really liked it and if you have little kids it's fun.

 

[melanielll]

1. Railroad - I don't like it because of the constant intercom talking, but it is fast, so - do it.
2. No way
3. Also No way. Possibly no no way.
4. Also no way. A line with lots of stairs but without an attraction
5. Only if my 77 year old mother is with us. She loves it. She is the only person I have met personally who likes it. Otherwise - no.
6. Skip also - it was almost impressive when I saw it in the 70s. Almost.
7. The ride in MK - yes do it. The show at HS - yes, see it.

 

[KenHutch]

3,4 and 6 are the only ones I question. 3 and 4 because there is really nothing there and 6 out of politics. I go to Hall Of Presidents every trip but I am a Marine veteran and respect all the men who served regardless of party. During the last 12 years I have seen rudeness by members of both parties there. But hey the Muppets are outside so you at least have to visit the site.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

there are some things that despite our many trips, I just have never bothered to do at MK. We're bringing first timers on this next trip and I'm wondering if I should do these for their sake. let me know what you think!

1. walt disney world railroad- Yes, while it's not the most thrilling ride, it is narrated and there's some "backstage" stuff that you can see near Tom Sawyer that I think is cool.
2. liberty square riverboat- Yes, again, not entirely exhilarating but still fun to experience for the views.
3. tom sawyer's island- I actually like this attraction. I think it's fun.
4. swiss family treehouse- I have done it and would not do it again, it's basically doing the stairmaster at the gym
5. carousel of progress - YES YES YES!! WE LOVE IT. Our whole family, so so cool. The song is catchy so be prepared to sing it all day long
6. hall of presidents (this might be closed when we go)- I haven't done it since three presidents ago, I think, the AA's are very very good and have come a long way. I plan to do this when it reopens. It's a nice downtime, out of the heat attraction
7. under the sea (journey of the little mermaid.--Yes, I enjoy it for the ride aspect and the fact that the wait is never very long.

 

[Klayfish]

there are some things that despite our many trips, I just have never bothered to do at MK. We're bringing first timers on this next trip and I'm wondering if I should do these for their sake. let me know what you think!

1. walt disney world railroad
2. liberty square riverboat
3. tom sawyer's island
4. swiss family treehouse
5. carousel of progress
6. hall of presidents (this might be closed when we go)
7. under the sea (journey of the little mermaid)

1. Yes
2. Yes, it's a nice relaxing change of pace
3. No
4. Heck no
5. Yes. It's outdated but quaint, I really like it
6. No, that's the one thing I've never done in all my trips to WDW (I hate politics, so there's that)
7. Yes, absolutely

 

[Colleen27]

1 - If you can work it in as a way to get around, sure.
2 - No.
3 - Only if you have youngish kids who will be entertained by running around.
4 - Ah, the line ride. No. Just no.
5 - Only if you have serious Disney nerds in your group.
6 - Probably won't be open anyway. Not sure it is ever coming back.
7 - Yes, as long as the wait time is short. Dark rides are classic Disney Parks, and this one is cute.

 

[Tigerlulu]

It's all worth doing once.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

there are some things that despite our many trips, I just have never bothered to do at MK. We're bringing first timers on this next trip and I'm wondering if I should do these for their sake. let me know what you think!

1. walt disney world railroad
2. liberty square riverboat
3. tom sawyer's island
4. swiss family treehouse
5. carousel of progress
6. hall of presidents (this might be closed when we go)
7. under the sea (journey of the little mermaid)

1. Yes, plus it's a great way to relax the feet and get a nice breeze going.
2. No, I like almost all attractions and this feels like you've done nothing.
3. Yes if you have small children who want to go to a playground or like Wild West. I liked this when I was a kid at Disneyland and enjoyed it during my first visit when I was 12 to Disney World, but don't feel much like going back. I might take my 3 year old if she needs to "run around" or expresses interest.
4. If they are interested in the history of Disney, sure. It's not the worst thing in the world, and if you have some time to kill before a FP for Jungle Cruise, go for it.
5. Yes! It's another "Disney History" attraction (1964 World's Fair) and it's basically a loving memory of Walt. Plus the song is really catchy. Also a great foot rest as the show is about 20 minutes, dark, and air conditioned.
6. If you're into US history or animatronics this is a worthwhile endeavor. Probably won't be open during your visit though if it's coming up shortly.
7. Absolutely, very cute, great music, loads like HM and is a lot of fun.

 

[Flamingeaux]

there are some things that despite our many trips, I just have never bothered to do at MK. We're bringing first timers on this next trip and I'm wondering if I should do these for their sake. let me know what you think!

1. walt disney world railroad - Nope
2. liberty square riverboat - Nope
3. tom sawyer's island- Nope
4. swiss family treehouse - Nope
5. carousel of progress - Absolutely
6. hall of presidents (this might be closed when we go) - Yes
7. under the sea (journey of the little mermaid) - Yes

 

[JerseyJanice]

Numbers 1, 5 and 7 are must-do’s for me.

The others are totally skippable especially 4 unless you desperately need a work-out which is unlikely since you’ll be walking for miles.

 

[tobikaye]

I think you should do everything once. I have done all of these at some time in my visit. I have not been to Tom Sawyer Island in about 30 years, maybe I should try to make a quick visit during my January trip.

I would just pick a few items to give a try. There are a few attractions I still have not worked into any visit. I should really check the attractions guide map and make a list to start trying to knock those off.

Quick notes:
Under the Sea - You can usually get a FP for this later in the day and half the time you do not need it.

Railroad - Takes about 20 minutes round trip, but unless I have my sister, I usually only do the whole loop if I need a break and it is close. I do usually do at least a portion some time during a trip, usually Frontierland to Fantasyland

Swiss Family Treehouse - Do not do this if you have any slight aches or when you are getting tired. My ankle was a little achy and about half way through, it was killing me and made the rest of the day harder.

Carousel of Progress - This is a guilty pleasure from my childhood, but I usually work it in if I feel like I need a slight break and I do not want to do TTA.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

1. we always ride it at least once
5. we would never go without seeing COP every time we are in MK during a trip...typically right after riding the peoplemover.

 

[bjcaed]

So looks like I am the only one that loves Hall of Presidents. I Love that my kids get to put a face to some names from history and I feel so patriotic when I leave. So sad it will not be open with we got in November.

 

[TwinkleKS]

1. walt disney world railroad - yes at least once
2. liberty square riverboat - this is one that we have done once and that's about it. So if you have time, everything should be done once, but not worth a repeat
3. tom sawyer's island - same as above
4. swiss family treehouse - kids still love it, I don't like to climb the stairs anymore, so they usually just go with DH and I wait
5. carousel of progress - we went for the first time in forever this last trip and for some reason my 7 year old LOVED it.
6. hall of presidents (this might be closed when we go) - we always go if it is open
7. under the sea (journey of the little mermaid)- we always go, but we have kids ..

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

For first timers, I would include Little Mermaid since it's short, and Carousel if it's hot and you need a nice long AC break, plus it's a classic. But not if you have wriggly little kids with short attention spans, my then 4-year old didn't mind it but he did start to get restless by the end.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

there are some things that despite our many trips, I just have never bothered to do at MK. We're bringing first timers on this next trip and I'm wondering if I should do these for their sake. let me know what you think!

1. walt disney world railroad
2. liberty square riverboat
3. tom sawyer's island
4. swiss family treehouse
5. carousel of progress
6. hall of presidents (this might be closed when we go)
7. under the sea (journey of the little mermaid)

1. Railroad-yes, it's a nice little breezy ride more of an attraction than a way to get from point A to point B
2. Riverboat-Yes. we did it for the first time on our last trip and were surprised at how much we enjoyed it.
3. Tom Sawyer's Island- Never did it, just not interesting to us. Maybe if we had kids.
4. The Treehouse-Ohhhhh no. Did it once, it was standing in a long line, backups when people stopped to take photos, and it felt like it was going on forever. Plus, if you've never seen the film this attraction is based on it doesn't make much sense.
5. Carousel of Progress -the last scene is very dated, but we...for some strange reason...love it. I'd say yes, but I could just be weird.
6. Hall of Presidents-Yes. When all of the Presidents are introduced you get a real sense of history. I could take or leave the movie beforehand, but it's also a nice place to rest your sore feet.
7. Under the Sea-I say yes. It's cute.

 

[ejdmomma]

1. walt disney world railroad - yes (I like the ride around the park and try to work it in to our plans as a mode of transportation)
2. liberty square riverboat - no
3. tom sawyer's island - no (unless you have small children and want to give them somewhere to run around for an hour)
4. swiss family treehouse - no (too many stairs, very little to see/do)
5. carousel of progress - YES (great escape from the heat and nice place for a nap)
6. hall of presidents - YES (great escape from the heat and nice place for a nap)
7. under the sea (journey of the little mermaid) - yes (almost always a short line & I love the Little Mermaid)

 

[CarolynFH]

To be fair to your friends, why not get them a guidebook and ask them to tell you what interests them? When we’re bringing newbies I ask each person to tell me what their 3 “must dos” are in each park as well as what they’d like to do if there’s time. There’s usually enough overlap that I can work out a touring plan that makes everyone happy.

And sometimes I’m surprised - in March we brought our DS & his family, including a DGS who was 8 years old & a big Star Wars fan. I thought we’d be getting to DHS early and chugging to Jedi Training signups, but he wasn’t interested in that at all!

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

I'm all about doing everything in WDW at least once. That being said, the only thing on your list that is a must-do for us every trip is Carousel of Progress. I absolutely love it, as does my 13 year old son. We didn't see it until our second trip and it's been a favorite since-- can't believe we skipped it our first trip!