Disney World Bucket List Challenge

The Ultimate Walt Disney World Bucket List is all about finding things to do at Walt Disney World. Things both big and small that can help make your Disney Vacation Extra Special. We’ve shared our quick and dirty Disney Check Lists for each park at Walt Disney World before. And while our main lists combine the absolute must-do’s of every Walt Disney World park, this list highlights the little things. You know what we’re talking about. The little things on your list may not warrant reservations and are way more fun than all those must dos at Disney.

This list is for people who don’t mind that spending an hour looking for Hidden Mickeys is cutting into expensive vacation time. But still totally worth it. It’s super easy to just go through the motions of a checklist on a Disney vacation. Ride all the things, eat all the best places, meet the important characters. But the magic is in the details.

This Disney Bucket List may take a lifetime to complete! Mainly because we intend to keep adding to it. It includes tasks of whimsy and of meaning. But mostly just a lot of special things that could make your Disney Vacation a lot more special. Plus, a bunch of things that may just be kinda fun.

Things to do at Walt Disney World

There are so many things to do at Disney World, that it’s sometimes, most times, hard to fit it all in! In fact whether you’re looking for things at Disney World for families, or things at Disney World for Adults, you just won’t be able to get it all in. Seriously, after almost 15 years of multi annual visits, we’re still trying. Here’s a general list of some bucket list items to add to your Must Do list, no matter which parks you visit. 

• Get an autograph from every Princess
• Ride the Monorail
• Be at the Park gates at Rope Drop
• Grab a free souvenir each time you visit
• Wear a pair of Mickey Ears to Disney Springs
• Find all the Golden Statues at Disney World
• Find some Hidden Mickeys
• Attend a Dessert Party
• Attend Dapper Day
• Disneybound as your favorite character
• Celebrate your Birthday at WDW
• Play Fantasia Gardens Mini-Golf
• Watch the Electric Water Pageant
• Do a runDisney marathon
• Do all the Disney Free Stuff without a Park Ticket
• Eat a Mickey Ice Cream Bar
• Send your family a “Greetings from WDW” Coconut
• Rent Surrey bikes at your resort or on the Disney Boardwalk

Things to Do in Magic Kingdom

Disney’s smallest and busiest park is Magic Kingdom. Filled with more than 25 rides, it’s by far the one that is most difficult to get through in one  day. As such, we always recommend two. In addition to the list here, our 10 things to do at Magic Kingdom, will help you feel like you didn’t miss out on anything. 

• Meet Mickey and Minnie
• Eat a Dole Whip from Aloha Isle, Adventureland
• Ride the Train at Magic Kingdom
• Watch the Main Street Trolley Show in Autumn
• Eat the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake at Liberty Tree Tavern
• Meet Pooh and Friends
• Watch A Kiss Goodnight
• Visit Haunted Mansion during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
• Meet Jack and Sally at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
• Find Hidden Pascals in the Tangled area at Magic Kingdom
• Have Ice Cream with Tiana and Prince Naveen on the Riverboat
• Stay late to see the Happily Ever After Fireworks Show

• Explore Tom Sawyer Island in Magic Kingdom
• Ride the Fire Engine from Town Square to Cinderellas Castle
• Ride Jingle Cruise during the holidays
• Attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
• Visit the Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
• See the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Magic Kingdom
• Ride the Carousel at Magic Kingdom
• Eat the cinnamon roll at Gaston’s Tavern
• Meet Uncle Scrooge at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
• Watch the Dapper Dans
• Spin in the fastest teacup at the Mad Hatter Tea Cups
• Play Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
• Take a picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle

Things to do in Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom Park is Disney World’s largest park, and often has the shortest hours, because animals need sleep, and peace and quiet. Rarely open late, you’ll want to check out the Top 10 Things to do at Animal Kingdom before you visit, to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Here are our Animal Kingdom Disney World Bucket List items that are Must Do! 

• Ride Kilimanjaro Safari at Night
• Ride Expedition Everest in the Rain
• Go behind the scenes with Wild Africa Trek
• Visit Pandora at Night
• Play the Wilderness Explorers Game in Animal Kingdom
• See the Tigers on the Maharaja Jungle Trek
• Watch the Tree Awakenings Digital Show
• Ride on Flight of the Banshee
• Eat at Satu’li Canteen
• Eat at the Yak and Yeti
• Watch Festival of the Lion King
• Have appetizers and drinks at the Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom

Things to do in Hollywood Studios

Filled with film franchises and classic rides like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Hollywood Studios is all about vintage cool. So the things on this list, may seem like basics, but we promise you’ll love taking the time to enjoy them. Our top 10 things to do at Hollywood Studios has even more things to add to your Disney World Bucket List, so be sure to take a look. 

• Visit Hollywood Studios at Christmastime
• Ride Tower of Terror, or stand in the queue and take the chicken exit
• Buy a Souvenir Popcorn Bucket and get refills
• Eat a homemade pop tart at Woody’s Lunch Box
• Ride Slinky Dog Dash at night
• Eat at the Hollywood Derby Lounge
• Have the PB & J Milkshake at 1950’s Prime Time Cafe
• Watch a Drive-In Movie at The Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant
• See Muppets 3D
• Have Tiramisu and Coffee at Mama Rose’s Italian Ristorante
• Ride Rise of the Resistance

Things to do at Epcot

After a multi-year renovation, EPCOT Park is looking a bit different these days. But, the important things to do in the park are all still there. Check out the Top 10 Things to do at EPCOT and aim to add the fun things on this list, over several vacations.

• Attend the International Festival of Holidays
• Play Spike’s Pollen Nation Scavenger Hunt
• Attend the International Festival of the Arts
• Watch the American Adventure at Epcot
• Attend the Food and Wine Festival
• Grab a Cronut from at the Test Track Joffrey’s Cart
• Attend the Flower and Garden Festival
• Get a Macron Ice Cream Sandwich at L’Artisan des Glaces, France
• Ride Soarin’
• Make some waves at Moana’s Journey of Water
• Eat an authentic French Crepe at La Creperie de Paris
• Play Ducktales Showcase Adventure
• Order the full Tea Service at Takumi Tei in Japan
• Eat Breakfast before the World Showcase opens at Les Halles de Boulangerie Patisserie, in France
• Try the Tipsy Duck at Joy of Tea in China

Things to do at Disney Resorts

By far our favorite part of any Disney vacation is where we stay and where we resort hop. There are over 25 resorts at Disney World and each with it’s own theme. Here are just some of the things on our Disney World Bucket List Challenge. 

• Stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort
• Stay at a Disney Value Resort
• Have Lunch at Geyser Point Bar and Grill at Wilderness Lodge
• Dine at The Polynesian Resort’s ‘Ohana for Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch
• Stay at a Disney Moderate Resort
• Stay at the Swan or Dolphin on the Disney Boardwalk
• Watch a nighttime lawn movie at a Disney resort
• Have S’mores at the resort
• Do a resort program or activity
• Relax on the beach at The Polynesian Resort
• Visit every Disney Resort
• Walk the Trail from Wilderness Lodge to the campgrounds
• See the geyser at Wilderness Lodge
• Ride the Disney Skyliner from Epcot to Pop Century and Art of Animation
• Attend the Hoop de Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness Campgrounds
• Have Pizza and Wine at California Grill and stay for Fireworks
• Order Room Service
• Eat Beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter
• Grab a S’mores coffee and cupcake at Wilderness Lodge Roaring Fork Cafe
• Have tea in the Garden View Tea Room, Grand Floridian, preferably on a rainy afternoon

Things to Do at Disney Springs

Wondering about all the things you can do at Disney Springs? With over 150 shops at Disney Springs, there is plenty to browse. Did we mention the over 60 restaurants too? Add in activities, live music, and even attractions, and you can settle in for several days here without even needing a park ticket. 

• Visit Disney Springs  for some shopping
• Have a Homemade S’more from The Ganachery
• Take the ferry from the Port Orleans Resorts to Disney Springs
• Order a cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcake ATM machine
• Go Bowling at Splitsville
• Have Lunch at The Edison
• Splurge on dinner at Morimoto Asia
• Create your own pie at Blaze Pizza
• Grab a gelato at Vivoli al Gelato
• Get a cookie from Gideon’s Bakehouse
• Order the Key Lime Pie from Summer House on the Lake
• Eat the Thanksgiving Sandwich at Earl of Sandwich

That’s our list so far. What have you done or heard about that deserves a place on this Disney Checklist? A Disney Vacation is always a good time but take a minute to do more than just rides and castle pictures. and be sure to browse our Disney World Checklists for each park so that you can check off your favorite things before you visit.  Enjoy!