This is hard. We like to try different things each trip, and in general, try to fit almost every attraction in at least once each trip. But here are some things we always do:
1. Always arrive early enough to see the opening park ceremony. Rope drop is a must for us.
2. If fall, we always get a pumpkin funnel cake.
3. We have to explore the different hotels; we pick one or two each trip. There are just so many interesting things to see at each one. We really enjoyed spending a few hours one day walking around AoA hotel taking pics with all the statues. One trip we spent the evening at the Wilderness Lodge, saw the geyser and EWP. One morning we explore the AKL and had breakfast there and saw all the animals.
4. We always make time to visit DTD and usually eat at Trex which is a must do for us. There is just something special about eating in the ice cave with the color changing walls and the shooting stars.
5. Look for Hidden Mickeys.
6. Book at least 1 character, show, or themed meal. We try to make sure sit-down meals are unique.
7. Collect Disney stuff in advance to get us excited and for surprises once there. Disney t-shirts, bags, purses, coolers, cups, homemade autograph books, etc. We do something different each trip, but it helps to make each one a little more special.
8. Also, in preparation and while there watch Disney movies, play Disney games, listen to Disney music, especially anything that goes along with the rides. It just makes the trip more fun, and everyone seems to appreciate the attractions more when they know the background behind them.
Here are the must do for each park for us:
MK: Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Small World, Haunted Mansion, Teacups, Big Thunder Mt, Mickey Philharmagic - those are the ones we try to do over and over again. Wishes - have to see the fireworks. Liberty Tree Tavern - our favorite restaurant. This is a must do dinner restaurant for us.
AK: Dinosaur, Everest, Safari - those are repeat rides, Festival of the Lion King - never miss. Tusker House is a must do lunch for us. We like that it is so different from all the other food options at Disney. Sometimes we do Boma instead as the food is similar, but we always try to fit in one African themed restaurant.
Epcot: Soarin, Living with the Land, - those are repeat rides, Chinese Acrobats - always try to catch show, always take time to explore the countries, we usually have some kind of scavenger hunt or game set up for touring them.
HS: Toy Story and Star Tours - could ride both of these all day if the waits weren't so ridiculously long. Love how Star Tours changes every time you ride.
While writing this, I just realized a few of our "must dos" have been gone for a while now. We always used to do the character drawing class at HS, and we always had to see the AK parade which was our favorite parade.
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