What are your must-see's / must-do's?

[kelleigh1]

The next step in our planning is to decide what things we really want to see and do while at WDW.

So what are the must-see attractions, must-do rides, must-eat-at eateries (snacks, meals, beverages - anything) ?

My husband hasn't been to WDW in about 20 years. For me it's only been about 3 years, but I'm sure I've missed so many things when I was there. I've only seen one nighttime show - Fantasmic. And two parades - Magic Kingdom and MGM.

 

[beccasmom]

Our list of must-do's - in no particular order and far from inclusive!

• 
  It's a Small Word
  Country Bear Jamboree
  Dole Whips!!!!!!!!
  The stores on Main Street
  Haunted Mansion
  Pirates of the Caribbean
  Illuminations
  American Adventure
  Shopping at DTD
  Shopping at different "countries" shops @Epcot
  Trying different foods at Epcot - Moroccan, Norwegian, etc.
  Eating at Earl of Sandwich at DTD - one of our absolute favorites
  Eating at Olivia's at OKW - we know we're "home" then!!!!!
  Muppets in 3-D @MGM - love the pre-show, too!!!
  For me, shopping at Basin at DTD - love the bath bombs!
  Just staring at Cinderella's Castle and pinching myself that I've been so lucky to see it so many times and never tire of it!
  The Florida sunshine - always with SPF 30, of course!!!
  Checking out the other hotels - and seeing how much the "older" ones have changed
  Riding the monorail - for the thousandth time!
  Wishes
  Spectromagic
  Swimming/loafing at the waterparks
  Fish-n-chips @ Rose & Crown
  TestTrack
  Kilamanjaro Safari
  Checking out the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge and stopping for pizza @ The Mara
  Voyage of the Little Mermaid (even though they've shortened the show from the original)
  Watching the little ones interact with the characters
  Being at WDW is the ultimate - enjoyable at any age, always delightful
  
  
  

 

[BoatDrinks]

I think the last time I visited the WDW was 1996, so there is a lot that is new to me. My wife and daughter (3) have never been (sad I know ) Some of the things we are looking forward to are:
1. Soarin
2. Rock N Rollercoaster (switching off on this one for sure)
3. Dinner at 'Ohana
4. Of course DD is really looking forward to breakfast with the Princesses (PSB in Epcot)
5. DW is excited about Space Mountain (wish we could ride together - oh well perhaps in a few more years)
6. I'm looking forward to seeing Wishes (if we can stay up for it)
7. We are planning lots of shows (Voyage of Little Mermaid, Festival of Lion King, etc.), so that should be fun for all of us
8. Mission Space (OK this one is just for me )
9. Snacking around the World Showcase (not sure how we are going to keep DD entertained for this, but we'll figure something out)
10. All the food on the dining plan mickeybar yummy)

Our plans revolve around DD for the most part, and as a result there are lots of things we will be skipping this time.

One thing I am not at all looking forward to is the late August heat and humidity Afternoon breaks will be required for us.

 

[kelleigh1]

* The first time I was at Disney was with my sisters and their families. My nephew has diabetes, so he was on a schedule of when he had to eat. Lunch was at noon...and guess what country we were in at noon? The America's! All those great countries and we ate in America. My husband remembers eating in Morrocco when they went. I swore we would try a different country this time around. I'm not eating in America!

* Muppets 3D - LOVE it!! I remember as a kid watching the Muppets and my younger sister and I saw the 3D show together. We loved it!!

* Riding the Monorail: My younger sister commented after the first time that she'd be happy riding that all day. My older sister pointed out that she didn't pay that much to just ride the transportation system.

* Test Track: I am looking forward to this because I didn't ride it last time. We went in June. It was HOT and our fastpass was for 1:00pm. We had just eaten and me on a full stomach in the heat...not a great combo, so I knew that riding Test Track would not have been a smart move at that point. So my nephew and I hung out in the shade while everyone else road.

Thanks for your list. I am going to be making notes and doing research. I know some of the things that I really want to do, but I need to get hubby involved in this too. Although, he's just so excited about going, I don't think he has a preference - other than character dining at Crystal Palace. We've got to see Pooh!

 

[AngelEyes]

Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain
Pirates
ALL of the 3-D movies
Safari
Test Track
Mission Space
Eat at 50's Prime Time
Illuminations
Wishes
Fantasmic
Tower of Terror
Rock 'n Roller Coaster
Space Mountain
Chef Mickey's
Spaceship Earth

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

1) FANTASMIC! (If I couldn't do anything else at WDW it would be this)
2) Get a turkey leg
3) Ride It's a Small World, but complain the whole time
4) Ride Pirate's of the Carribean and a)scream on the little hill, b) say "See the Hairy Leg" when it gets to that part
5) Go to the Adventurer's Club, Kongaloosh
6) Ride everything else we can and most importantly Have Fun!!

 

[wendy1974]

Of course, you have to ride all of the classics*The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. Also do not miss Splash Mountain and Mickey's Philarmagic in MK. Stay until park closes and get a good spot to view Wishes (MK fireworks). Do not forget to stop by the Carrousel of Progress in Tommorrowland

 

[Mickeefan]

Just a couple things that haven't been mentioned:

The Festival of the Lion King show - MUST SEE!
The Tiki Room (Cheesy, I know)
Citrus Swirls (just outside the exit for the Tiki Room)
Shopping @ Downtown Disney
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at night - too cool

I could go on . . . .

 

[kelleigh1]

Shopping at DTD...I'm pretty good at this.

A friend of mine lived in Orlando for a couple of years and when I'd got to visit her, we'd always stop by DTD for some shopping - even if we didn't go to any of the parks. My last trip, I did a good job of wearing my ice cream cone from Ghiradelli's.

 

[MtMinnie2]

I agree with all that has been posted so far!! WDW has so much that you cant possibly see it all in one time. I have not found anything that I dont like.
Here are some things I would add to the already growing list. If you are going to do Disney stay at a disney resort if possible. I would also recommend the HoopDe Do Review and the Cirque Du Soleil both are wonderful shows that our family enjoyed. Have fun planning!