Things to do at Walt Disney World!

The magic is calling...

There's so many things to do and see and not enough time, we know! 

Disney World is the most magical place on Earth because unlike many other Disney parks + resorts, it's not just about the 4 parks! 

From dining and shopping to entertainment, shows and attractions, there's so much to do at Walt Disney World and there's something for everyone to enjoy! Whether you're into thrill rides, shows or fancy trying different cuisines, there's so much to explore. 

Also if you're in need of a cool down, you can stay cool at Disney's very own water parks, Typhoon Lagoon + Blizzard Beach. Made up of sandy beaches, waterslides and raft rides.

AND that's not all... 

If you're partial to a bit of shopping, there's also Disney Springs which is made of shops, dining, entertainment and more.

There are so many great attractions and entertainment options to choose from and this list will highlight all of the must dos!

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is the most classic Disney park with Cinderella’s Castle and an endless amount of characters from Stitch and Jack Sparrow to Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

The best attractions for adults at Magic Kingdom have got to be the three mountains: Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain.

Space Mountain 

If you’re into high-speed roller coasters in the dark then you HAVE to ride Space Mountain at least once on your trip. Full of twists and turns, this ride takes you on a journey through the galaxy. If you’re not into coffee, then riding Space Mountain first thing in the morning is the best way to wake you up! Space Mountain is definitely a Disney World must do.

Splash Mountain 

If the Florida heat gets too much for you, then Splash Mountain is a must, especially on a hot day. 

If you still haven’t had a chance to have your photos in front of the castle, don’t worry you don’t usually get THAT soaked, however it is possible if you’re sitting in the wrong seat at the wrong time so just be prepared. (Don’t say we didn’t warn you!)

Aside from the drop down a five-story waterfall, Splash Mountain is made up of cute animatronic characters and catchy songs!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 

Get ready to ride the wildest ride in the wilderness! Disney fans all over love this attraction and we can say why! Just make sure you take off any hats or Minnie ears before riding…

The most popular rides in Magic Kingdom are rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Jungle Cruise and Peter Pan’s Flight, so if those rides are on your bucket list then get to these attractions early OR wait until the very end of the day when the crowds slowly filter out. If you so happen to be in Magic Kingdom on a VERY busy day then Genie + could be of use to you. 

If you’re looking for a nice relaxing attraction and just need to give your feet a rest for 10 minutes, head over to the People Mover in Tomorrowland. The People Mover takes you behind the scenes of Tomorrowland’s attractions and is the perfect people watching attraction. You also get an amazing view of the castle which is an absolute treat!

Yes, Magic Kingdom is the park with the most rides, however the queues can get VERY long so just be mindful that you could be spending a lot of time standing in queues.

Rides aside, one of our favourite things to do at Magic Kingdom is wander. From strolling in and out of the Emporium and the Confectionery to trying all the Mickey themed snacks, walking around Magic Kingdom is one of the best things to do to really soak up all the Disney atmosphere. For a great chilling spot, head to the hub grass just outside Casey’s Corner! You can enjoy a Walt’s Chilli-Cheese Hot Dog (or a snack of your choice) whilst soaking up the sun looking at the iconic castle. Goals.

If you’re on the lookout for some of your favourite Disney characters, be sure to keep an eye out for the cavalcades and the Festival of Fantasy Parade that takes place on Main Street every day at 12pm and 3pm.

If a wave from Mickey Mouse on the parade just isn’t enough, you can meet the main mouse himself at the Town Square Theater just off Main Street USA! Meeting Mickey Mouse is a must for any WDW trip and for us, it is always a highlight getting to meet the mouse who started it all.

If rides aren’t on your agenda and you’d prefer to embrace yourself in all the Disney magic, then Main Street USA is the place to be. From The Dapper Dans to Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire taking place on the castle stage every day, your Disney fix will be fulfilled and you just might see some of your favourite Disney characters!

To end the perfect day at Magic Kingdom, prepared to be amazed by Disney’s Enchantment. Disney Fireworks are the BEST fireworks and for the whole 15 minutes, we promise you that you will be in absolute awe. We also recommend watching the show more than once (once is just not enough!). 

Animal Kingdom

There are fewer rides in Animal Kingdom BUT that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do! Animal Kingdom is one of those parks that are just so fun to explore and if you love animals, then Animal Kingdom will most likely be your favourite Disney park.

Avatar Flight of Passage 

We’d go as far as saying that Flight of Passage is Disney’s best ride yet. The proof is in the pudding when wait times are always over 60 minutes. If you were to queue a long time for any ride it has to be this one. Flight of Passage is well worth the wait! Trust us, once you come off this attraction, those 2 hours you queued suddenly are a distant memory. 

It’s magical, incredibly immersive and just phenomenal. 

Flight of Passage is a must.

Kilimanjaro Safari 

Forget going to Africa to embark on a safari, the Kilimanjaro Safari is the next best thing! On the Kilimanjaro Safari you board a jeep to head out into Disney’s safari park to see real live animals. From elephants and zebras to rhinos and giraffes, you can see all of your favourite animals roaming free in Disney’s version of the African savanna. What’s so great about the safari is you never know which animals will choose to make an appearance on the day. 

We loved getting so close to the animals and seeing them so chilled and living their best lives! The safari guides are also amazing and provide you with further facts and information about the animals you can see.

Side note: Because the Kilimanjaro Safaris are intended to be as realistic as possible to an actual safari, the roads are rough! So be prepared to hit bumps along the way.

Expedition Everest 

Another one for the thrill seekers. This ride is so much fun! Expedition Everest is a fast roller coaster that speeds through the Himalayan mountains trying to avoid the mythic Abominable Snowman. From twists and turns to even riding backwards, if Expedition Everest wasn’t on your ‘to-do’ list then this is your sign to add it now.

Dinosaur

If you’re travelling with kids who love dinosaurs or are a fan of dinosaurs yourself, this attraction is a must. However, Dinosaur is surprisingly scary and is a lot better than we expected (think our PhotoPass photos showed this!).  

One of the many things we love about Animal Kingdom is that there is always something going on. Between Asia, Africa and Discovery Island, there’s plenty of street entertainment going on all day and you can fully immerse yourself into the Asian and African cultures!

When it comes to entertainment, 'Festival of the Lion King' is a must. It's one of our favourite things to do in Animal Kingdom and everything about this show is incredible and the performers are out of this world. If you love The Lion King, then like us, you will find yourself singing along to all of the classics.

Just like Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom is another park that we just love wandering around as there is so much to look at! From the World of Avatar to the informative Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek, you really can lose track of time in Animal Kingdom. 

Epcot

The park is divided into two sections - Future World and the World Showcase.

World Showcase is made up of 11 pavilions representing 11 different countries with shows, shops, and restaurants themed to the country. 

You don’t have to worry about queues here as you can go at your own pace and make your way around all the different countries where you can eat and drink your way around all the different countries. 

Eating and drinking around the world is part of the fun of spending the day at Epcot and is a must do Disney experience for sure. There’s so much to choose from!

From the UK to Italy, Morocco to Japan, the World Showcase is beautiful and as soon as you step into each pavilion, you really do feel like you are stepping into that country. 

People often think (us included) that there’s not much to do at Epcot, yet we always end up running out of time and still have an unfinished list of things we want to do! 

From the immersive rides to the endless amount of food and drink options, Epcot is incredible and often gets overlooked BUT from the exploration of the Future World to the World Showcase, Epcot is so much fun & don't worry, you can still get your Disney fix!

Character spotting 

Around the World Showcase you can find some of your favourite Disney characters in the quietest of places. Be sure to keep an eye out for Alice, Anna, Belle, Elsa, Mary Poppins, Mulan, Princess Jasmine and more!

One of our favourite characters to meet in Epcot has got to be Winnie the Pooh. You can catch Winnie the Pooh catching butterflies and just being Pooh bear over at the Gardens near Journey Into Imagination with Figment!

Soarin’ Around the World

Soar above the world and see famous sights like the Great Wall of China, Sydney Harbour and the Eiffel Tower. You really feel like you’re flying on this ride and the hype is real for this one. A beautiful experience that you do not want to miss out on. 

Frozen Ever After

If you’re a huge Frozen fan, then you will adore this ride. With excellent animatronics of Elsa, Anna, Olaf and co, hop on board a Norwegian vessel through the winter world of Arendelle. Get ready to sing Let It Go at the top of your lungs too! 

Test Track

Ever wanted to take a lap on a REAL test track? Well, on this attraction you can do exactly that AND even better, you get to design your own car! 

Create your own virtual concept car, take the ultimate test drive and take it on an exhilarating spin on the test track. 

This ride is AWESOME and different to anything we’ve ever been on. 

If you’re planning a day at Epcot, please make sure you include Test Track in your plans.

Mission: SPACE

If you’ve ever wanted to be an astronaut, this space shuttle simulator is you. 

Mission: SPACE takes you on an intense journey into space where you experience the real feel of a space launch as you rocket to Mars. This attraction is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced and the g-forces are incredibly realistic!

If you suffer with motion sickness, then head for the Green Mission as this is a less intense ride without spinning.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

With the addition of this attraction to the France Pavilion, it is definitely now one of the best things to do at Epcot. 

You can really immerse yourself into this attraction and the different perspectives this ride offers is phenomenal. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure takes you on a 4D experience through Gusteau’s kitchen where you can discover all the sights and smells you’d expect in a typical Parisian restaurant. If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to be shrunk down to the size of the rat, then Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure reveals all.

Wait times for this attraction can get really long so make sure you make this ride a priority and try to head to the France Pavilion in the World Showcase as soon as the park opens.

Hollywood Studios

Head out to a Galaxy Far, Far Away, compete in Toy Story Mania or Let It Go at the Frozen Sing-along show! 

Hollywood Studios features two of the best thrill rides in all of Walt Disney World: The Twilight Zone of Terror and Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. 

If you’re a thrill seeker like us then you must, must, MUST ride these two rides in particular. 

With the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Hollywood Studios is now bigger and better than ever!

Star Wars fan or not, wandering through Galaxy’s Edge is a must. You can step into the Black Spire Outpost on Batuu, be the pilot of the Millennium Falcon and even try the blue or green milk! 

The attention to detail in this area is unbelievable and you really feel like you are a part of the movies. 

In Galaxy’s Edge there are two rides that are a must do, although you may have to queue a long time for them as they are VERY popular (which is understandable).

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

The resistance is recruiting for a secret mission and they need YOUR help.

We guarantee that Rise of the Resistance will be the most immersive and interactive ride you will have ever experienced and we can certainly vouch for that. Rise of the Resistance is unlike any ride we've ever experienced before! This attraction takes you to the distant planet of Batuu where you join the Resistance in an epic battle against the First Order. 

Even the pre-show is incredible and you’ll really feel a part of the attraction. 

And that’s not all, you’ve also got Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run!

On this interactive experience, you'll fly the Millennium Falcon on a smuggling mission. You will be assigned the role as pilot, engineer or gunner and you truly feel like you are on board the Millennium Falcon. 

Just when you think that’s it in Galaxy’s Edge, you can even go ahead and build your own droid or lightsaber!

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway 

This trackless ride takes you into the wonderful world of cartoons with Goofy driving your train. With being a relatively new ride, the graphics for this ride are unbelievable and is sooo fun! There are a few unexpected twists and turns too which makes it even more exciting. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is suitable for all ages.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 

A trip to Hollywood Studios wouldn’t be complete without riding this attraction. 

Little disclaimer - this ride is definitely not for the faint hearted and you may want to head over to this attraction early so your anxiety doesn’t build up more having to wait in a 2 hour queue.

Get ready to face your fears and ride in an elevator like no other. As you plummet down, again, again AND again, try to keep your eyes open (trust us, it’s worth the gut wrenching feeling for the view). 

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster 

Calling all thrill seekers, this one's for you! 

If you’re not into upside down roller coasters, I’d probably skip this one.

As you are twisting, turning and holding on for dear life from the drops, you can enjoy singing along to some of our favourite Aerosmith tunes whilst rocking, rolling and screaming your heart out.

Toy Story Mania!

Enter Andy’s room and compete against each other to get the highest score!  Toy Story Mania is so much fun and will definitely bring out your competitive side. The aim of the game is to rack up as many points as possible whilst taking part in multiple carnival games. Sounds pretty bog standard - but trust us you do not want to miss out on this one as the whole ride is in 4D! 

Slinky Dog Dash 

Slinky Dog Dash is one of the most popular attractions in Hollywood Studios. Don’t be fooled by its super fun exterior… the rollercoaster will take you on a wild adventure through Andy’s creations made out of Tinkertoys.

You’re probably thinking “How do I manage my time to fit all of these rides in? 

WELL, there’s more! Rides aside, there are also some great shows to watch including Beauty and the Beast: LIVE on Stage and Indiana Jones: Epic Stunt Spectacular. They are also great if you are in need of a break with shaded seating. The perfect getaway to escape the Florida sunshine for 15+ minutes. 

Note that if you can stay at Hollywood Studios for the evening (or park hop) in the afternoon, you may see a drop in wait times and shorter queues.

Snacks

Now we all know that the snacks are a HUGE part of any Disney trip and we are guilty of planning what snacks we want prior to being at WDW.

Tip: Make a 'must-try' list of all the food items you are dying to try and make sure you know where to find them! Research the locations so you don't miss out. 

The Cheshire Cat Tail can be found at The Cheshire Cat Café in Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom. You're welcome!

Photo spots

Walt Disney World has SO many spots for photos and every corner you turn, no doubt there will be the perfect backdrop for a selfie. Make sure you take photos in front of all the park icons: Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom, Spaceship Earth ball at Epcot and the Chinese Theater (or Tower of Terror) at Hollywood Studios. 

AND finally, if you somehow manage to have some free time, we highly recommend having a resort day! With the Walt Disney World Resort being so big, there are so many resorts on property that are worth a visit and believe it or not, there is so much more to enjoy outside of the parks. From the giant statues at Disney's Pop Century Resort and Art of Animation, to the pianist in Grand Floridian's reception, we LOVE finding new photo spots and exploring all the different resort hotels and seeing what they have to offer. (You can also find some hidden gems in the resort shops too!) 

And just like that, our list of favourite things to do at Walt Disney World must come to an end. 

If you are to take anything away from this blog post, take away this:

Make sure you do some advance planning before you go as this will help you massively when it comes to starting your days out in the parks! 

BUT most importantly, have fun and don’t stress out too much at the wait times.

Disney is all about embracing the magic and everything that comes with it and 2 hour queues or not, remember that Walt Disney World is the most magical place on earth!

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What are your favourite rides at Walt Disney World? Have we missed your favourite off the list? Or is there any that you recommend skipping?