Find Your Must-Dos
- Carolyn
- Aug 12, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 24
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Here’s your friendly reminder: you can’t do it all—and that’s okay! The key to a magical vacation is figuring out your family’s personal must-dos at Walt Disney World so your trip reflects your priorities, not someone else’s checklist. We’ll guide your family to the real must‑dos that match your wishes, make the most of your time, and ensure magical memories—without the stress.
✨ Find Your Disney Must-Dos: How to Plan the Perfect Day at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is massive—we’re talking four theme parks, two water parks, more than 25 resorts, a shopping and dining district at Disney Springs, golf courses, and so much more. It all adds up to 43 square miles of pixie-dusted possibilities.
Even if you focus only on the four main theme parks - Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdomy - you’re still choosing from over 80 rides and shows. Add in dining, snacks, character meet-and-greets, and magical extras, and it’s clear: there’s no way to do everything in one trip (or even five!).
But that’s exactly why finding your Disney Must Dos is so important. This guide will help you identify your family’s top priorities so your Walt Disney World vacation can match your style, schedule, and dreams
💫 The Legacy of "Must Do Disney"
If you stayed at a Walt Disney World resort between 2005 and 2021, chances are you woke up to the bright, bubbly voice of Stacey, the iconic host of Must Do Disney on resort TV. The girls adored her countdown of can’t-miss rides and magical park moments, and the three of us still find ourselves quoting her favorite lines as we map out our own Disney must-dos.
While Must Do Disney is no longer airing, the spirit of planning your perfect Disney day lives on—in our family’s traditions, and now, hopefully, in yours too.
🎯 What Are Must Dos, Anyway?
Your “Must Dos” are the top Disney experiences that matter most to you and your travel party. These could be rides, shows, snacks, parades—or anything that would make your trip feel incomplete if you missed it. Everything beyond those priorities? That’s just extra pixie dust.
In our family of five, we each choose three Must Dos each for a typical four-day Walt Disney World trip. That gives us 15 personalized priorities to plan around, spread across all four parks. It keeps the itinerary manageable and makes sure everyone feels included in the magic.
🧚 Pixie Dust Tip: Keep your list realistic. Prioritizing a few favorites makes the rest of your day feel less rushed and more fun!
🧭 Need Help Picking Your Must Dos?
Not sure where to start with your Disney Must Dos? We’ve got you covered. We break down every major ride and show in our detailed attraction guides for each Walt Disney World park:
Epcot Attractions Guide
Each guide includes our honest take on what to expect, who it’s best for (little ones, thrill seekers, classic fans, and more), plus practical tips on when and how to ride. These guides make it easy to choose your must-dos with confidence—and sprinkle in a little extra pixie dust while you're at it.
🌟 Must Do Lists by Category
Everyone’s Disney day looks a little different—and that’s part of the magic. Below, you’ll find sample Must Do lists tailored to different interests and travel styles, from thrill seekers to families with littles. Use them as a starting point, then mix and match based on what matters most to your group.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, planning your priorities ahead of time helps you make the most of your Walt Disney World vacation.
🎢 Must Dos for Thrill Seekers
If you're all about speed, drops, and adrenaline, this list is for you! These are the rides that leave your stomach in the sky and your face stuck in a scream-smile.
Magic Kingdom - Space Mountain Thunder Mountain Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train
Epcot - Guardians of the Galaxy Test Track Mission: SPACE (orange)
Hollywood Studios - Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Tower of Terror Slinky Dog Dash Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Animal Kingdom - Expedition Everest Avatar Flight of Passage DINOSAUR
👨👩👧👦 Must Dos for Families with Young Kids
🎭 Must Dos for Disney Show Lovers
Not every magical moment at Disney involves a ride. If you're someone who prefers dazzling stage productions, emotional musical numbers, and incredible visual effects, these shows are must sees.
Perfect for taking a break, escaping the heat, or just soaking in the storytelling Disney is famous for—these performances will leave you clapping, humming, and maybe even tearing up a little.
Magic Kingdom - Mickey’s Philharmagic Enchanted Tales with Belle
Country Bear Musical Jamboree
Happily Ever After Fireworks
Epcot - Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along The American Adventure
Voices of Liberty
Canada Far and Wide (Circle-Vision Film)
Luminous: The Symphony of Us (Nighttime Spectacular) Festival Concerts -
Check out our EPCOT International Festival Guide for concert lineups, food booth previews, and all the magical extras each festival brings.
World Showcase Performers
As you explore EPCOT’s World Showcase, keep your eyes (and ears!) open—each pavilion offers its own unique live performances. From the incredible harmonies of Voices of Liberty in the American Adventure Pavilion to the vibrant energy of Mariachi Cobre in Mexico and the rhythmic drumming of Matsuriza in Japan, there’s always something magical happening just around the corner.
Hollywood Studios - For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Indiana Jones Stunt Show Spectacular Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage
Fantasmic! Night time spectacular
Animal Kingdom - Festival of the Lion King Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
Feathered Friends in Flight
🌟 Must Dos for the Ultimate Disney Experience
Looking for those rides that make you stop and say, “Wow… Disney really did that”? These are the attractions that blend storytelling, technology, and pure magic into something unforgettable.
Some are shiny and new with cutting-edge effects. Others are beloved classics that still deliver goosebumps decades later. Either way, they’re not just rides—they’re experiences.
Magic Kingdom - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Haunted Mansion Pirates of the Caribbean
TRON Lightcycle/Run Epcot - Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Soarin’ Around the World Hollywood Studios - Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Tower of Terror Toy Story Mania! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Animal Kingdom - Avatar Flight of Passage Kilimanjaro Safaris
🏰 Must Dos for Classic Disney Fans
For fans who grew up on Disney magic, these nostalgic picks are musts! Think iconic characters, timeless stories, and vintage Disney vibes.
Magic Kingdom - Peter Pan’s Flight “it’s a small world” Jungle Cruise Pirates of the Caribbean Carousel of Progress Haunted Mansion Mad Tea Party Epcot - Spaceship Earth Journey into Imagination with Figment The American Adventure Living with the Land Hollywood Studios - Star Tours: The Adventures Continue Indiana Jones Stunt Show Spectacular Tower of Terror Animal Kingdom - Kilimanjaro Safaris Festival of the Lion King It’s Tough to Be a Bug (We actually are not at all of fan of this experience - but it is a classic that has been in place since Animal Kingdom opened.)
🧚 Must Dos for The Practically Perfect Pixie Dust Crew - Bren, Lyn, and Kim
Here’s a peek at our personal Must Do list—the attractions and experiences we find ourselves coming back to again and again. Yes, it’s a little longer than the 15 we usually recommend, but we don’t try to do them all on every trip. Instead, we rotate priorities depending on the season, who’s traveling, and what kind of trip we’re planning.
Think of this as our dream list—a blend of thrill rides, nostalgic favorites, and relaxing shows that never lose their magic.
Magic Kingdom -
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean
Thunder Mountain
Space Mountain
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Many Adventures of Winnie Pooh
TRON Lightcycle/Run
Epcot - Test Track Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Soarin’
Living with the Land Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Hollywood Studios - Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Tower of Terror Star Tours: The Adventures Continue Millennium Falcon: Smuggler Run Midway Mania Slinky Dog Dash
Animal Kingdom - Expedition Everest Avatar Flight of Passage Kilimanjaro Safaris DINOSAUR
🧚 Planning Beyond the Parks?
✨ .Your Must Dos don’t have to stop at the rides! Consider adding one or two Enchanting Extras to your list—like a fireworks dessert party, VIP tour, or even a relaxing afternoon at the Grand Floridian Spa. These magical add-ons can elevate your trip to the next level - but they’re not essential to having a great time.
Want to save time, money, and sanity while you're at it?
Or explore how grocery delivery can keep your snack game strong!
💫 Whether you're a thrill seeker, a show lover, or just here for the snacks—we hope this guide helps you build your own list of magical Must Dos. Remember, you don’t have to do everything to have the perfect Walt Disney World vacation… just the things that matter most to you.
💫 Prioritize the moments, not the miles—and let the extra pixie dust take care of the rest.
Now grab your ears, make your list, and get ready for a practically perfect adventure!
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim
P.S. Planning your own magical getaway?
Commentaires