It’s honestly REALLY hard to go wrong with a Disney World trip. Whether it’s your first trip or your 50th, this IS the Most Magical Place on Earth, after all!
Main Street, U.S.A.
That being said, there really are certain iconic, bucket list-worthy attractions and restaurants and snacks that FULLY exemplify that CLASSIC Disney experience, and you’d be missing out if you skipped ‘em!
From quintessential snacks to unavoidable weather snafus, the classic Disney World experience comes down to a few key things, good OR bad!
Cheshire Cat Tail
We’re talking about the things that if you miss them, you’re quite frankly not getting the MOST authentic Disney World trip! Did you really go to Disney if you didn’t do THESE things?!
Endure the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Line
Consistently one of the longest lines in Disney World, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is as notorious as it is cute. But the mark of a Disney World vacation is the effect that the ride leaves on you…
Wooohooo
…we’re talking about a sunburn from the extended time waiting in line, and the fact that you now have the “Heigh Ho” song stuck in your head for rest of your vacation.
Click Here to See the Disney World Wait Times During the Busiest Week of the Year
Taste-Test ALL the Mickey-Shaped Snacks
From pretzels and waffles to more underrated snacks like beignets, Mickey-shaped treats come in a VARIETY of flavors in Disney World! Naturally, then, you’d want to sample as much as possible!
Mickey Beignets
The classic Disney snack conundrum, though, is how impossible it will be to pick your favorite. From the cinnamon rolls to the various waffle flavors and toppings, there are simply too many tasty options to pick!
Click Here for the Secret Disney World Snack Hack We’ve NEVER Told ANYONE!
Wait Four Hours For…Cookies
Nowadays, one of the longest lines in all of Disney World isn’t even for a ride, nor is it even in one of the parks. No, the longest line is for cookies at Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs!
Eternal Flame Cookie
Obvi, most people say the cookies are AMAZING, as is everything else the geniuses at Gideon’s bake up, so the CRAZY long line is totally worth it to some (don’t worry, you can join a virtual wait list), and you’d be missing out on some of the best sweets in Disney if you don’t!
Do You Know the Secret to Get Gideon’s Cookies WITHOUT the Wait?
Indulge in Some Sass With a Storm Trooper
Many character interactions in Disney World are sweet and charming and lovely, from Goofy to Belle to Mickey and Minnie themselves! But in Galaxy’s Edge, one particular set of characters is decidedly less sweet, and a little more, shall we saw, snarky?
Eek!
We speak, of course, of the Storm Troopers, who routinely make appearances in the park and get sassy with passersby. It’s a bit of silly fun, and always worth a good giggle. Despite how awkward you might feel having a Storm Trooper point at you and call you out in a crowd, it’s a fun schtick.
We’re Answering EVERY SINGLE Question About Disney’s Galactic Starcruiser — Click Here!
Try Your Best For an Impossible Restaurant Reservation
Many Disney World snacks are easy to get (your Mickey pretzels, spring rolls, cupcakes, etc.), but certain dining experiences are a tad trickier — or a LOT trickier!
Royalty Only, Please
It’s a rite of passage, then, to try your hardest to get into one of Disney’s MOST difficult restaurants, like Cinderella’s Royal Table or Be Our Guest or Space 220, only to fail laughably. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us.
9 Disney World Restaurants That Are NOT Worth Your Time, According To Our Readers!
Rope Drop Magic Kingdom OR Stay Until the Fireworks
As the original and most iconic Disney World park, and the one currently at the heart of the 50th Anniversary Celebration, traditions run strong at Magic Kingdom. And some of said must-do traditions are rope dropping the park first thing in the morning or staying until the closing fireworks show!
The best view is actually a bit further down Main Street, U.S.A.
Of course, if you’re REALLY feeling ambitious, you can try to do both — and then promptly book a foot massage, out of sheer necessity and desperation, for the next day.
Click Here to See 30 Hidden Secrets in Magic Kingdom
Experience Technical Difficulties on The Haunted Mansion
Issues on rides are a COMMON occurrence in Disney World, causing temporary closures or pauses with guests on board. And few rides exemplify this hilarious habit quite like The Haunted Mansion.
The Haunted Mansion
As anyone who’s ridden this Magic Kingdom mainstay once or twice can attest, playful spooks LOVE to interrupt the ride, to the point where it’s practically impossible to do it nowadays without experiencing a few seconds of downtime at least once per ride!
RELEASE DATE Announced for Disney’s NEW Haunted Mansion Movie
Get Caught in a Downpour
Despite the fact that Florida is nicknamed the Sunshine State, it’s safe to expect that you WILL get wet in Disney World — and not just from Splash Mountain!
Rainy day in Magic Kingdom
Getting caught in a random afternoon downpour is practically an unavoidable pastime around these parts. And don’t worry, considering Florida’s wonky weather, you’ll probably dry off immediately under the scorching sun.
8 Things You’ll Regret Not Having With You When It Rains In Disney World — Click Here
Do Character Dining
One of the most special ways to dine in Disney World is with characters! And we’re not just talking about snacking on an ice cream bar in the presence of Donald Duck. No, we’re talking about Character Dining.
Dining at Chef Mickey’s
The most memorable way to experience this is at a classic Disney World restaurant like Chef Mickey’s, where Mickey and friends make the rounds during brunch, dressed in their best chef attire! The meal will last a few minutes, but the memories will last a lifetime.
Ranking all the Disney World Mickey Mouse Character Meals from Best to Don’t Bother
Debate The Great Movie Ride vs. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
As the centerpiece attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had BIG shoes to fill when it replaced The Great Movie Ride — and not everyone was thrilled about it.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
So the next time you ride the new iteration, you’ll probably find yourself having an internal debate about whether you’re yearning for the nostalgia of yesteryear, or you’re too obsessed and impressed with this new ride! Join the club.
Beware of These 5 Disney World Changes — Click Here
Weep Tears of Joy on Flight of Passage
Even for people who have never seen Avatar, the marquis attraction in Animal Kingdom’s Pandora section is an awe-inspiring, emotional powerhouse of an attraction that you can’t help but LOVE.
Flight of Passage Queue
To fully immerse yourself in the modern day Disney World experience, you too need to board a digital banshee and weep tears of joy from the technological innovations of this WILD experience.
Explaining Disney World NOW to Someone Who Hasn’t Been in Decades
Weep Tears of Joy From Fried Chicken
Disney Springs is home to some of the BEST restaurants in Disney World, with certain dishes that are simply life-changing. Chief among these dishes is the fried chicken at Homecomin’ by Chef Art Smith.
Thigh High Chicken Biscuits
No matter how many Mickey-shaped snacks you consume, you haven’t gotten the full essence of Disney’s AMAZING food until you’ve chowed down on the golden-brown perfection of Homecomin’s finger-licking fried chicken!
If You Like Homecomin’, You Might Also Like Grand Floridian Cafe in Disney World
Get Dole Whipped
Did we save the BEST for last? Maybe! In terms of the most ICONIC Disney World snacks, you’d be hard-pressed to find something more essential than Dole Whip, that delicious, creamy pineapple treat best served at Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle.
Legendary
We’d be willing to go out on a limb and say that, should you not find time to sample this chilly treat, you haven’t really done Disney properly at all. And we’re afraid we must INSIST that you return to the park immediately to rectify this mistake!
Dole Whip from Aloha Isle
Between requisite snacks, and equally requisite — and/or unavoidable — experiences, this is the making for the TRUE Disney World experience!
15 NON-NEGOTIABLE Disney World Snacks
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I would like to add “getting your photo with a favorite character”. I still remember meeting Donald Duck for the first time. It was the highlight of my trip to WDW.
Love the 13 Disney World rites of passage article! Have done almost all of them (have got to try one of those Cheshire Cat tails!).
So here’s my vote in the great debate: Great Movie Ride hands down! Wish they just updated it rather than replaced it. Was wonderful having a few cast members perform in it and great to see a tribute to early movies. It is sorely missed!!