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10 Must-Do Experiences at Walt Disney World

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Credit: Disney

Not that there are experiences you wouldn’t want to have at the Most Magical Place on Earth, but there are just some experiences and attractions that make a trip to the parks the most magical and fun it can be. Walt Disney World is not just another amusement park—not by a long shot. Guests can see, do, taste, experience and enjoy things here that no other vacation destination comes close to offering. Wondering what we consider experiences at the parks worthy of being listed under the heading of “must-do?” Here are 10 of them.

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10. Jump into a cart at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction.

Have you ever wondered how splendid the Seven Dwarfs’ mine really is? Have you ever wanted to see the Evil Queen-turned-Old Hag who poisoned Snow White? And wouldn’t it be great to see the cottage where the Seven Dwarfs live? Disney Imagineers apparently thought so too and created the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction at Magic Kingdom. You and yours can board a swaying mine cart that speeds across the mountainside before slowing down to enter the Seven Dwarfs’ mine. See Doc, Sleepy, Bashful, Happy, Grumpy, Sneezy and Dopey dig, dig, digging where a million diamonds shine. State-of-the-art variable speed ride technology means your mine cart not only sways from side to side, but it also speeds up outside the mine and slows down inside the mine so you can take in all the beauty of the gems. This attraction opened in May of 2014 and still has one of the longest waits at Magic Kingdom.

9. Become a Na’vi Warrior at Avatar: Flight of Passage.

In May of 2017, the World of Avatar made its dazzling debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and it has been wowing Guests of all ages ever since! Stop in for a bite at Satu’li Canteen and then experience one of the most state-of-the-art attractions in the world! Avatar: Flight of Passage inside the World of Pandora. Climb on the back of a mountain banshee and test your skill. Do you have what it takes to become a Na’vi warrior?

8. Experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

You don’t have to be a Star Wars junkie to appreciate the wonder that is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Arrive on the planet Batuu and take in all the hustle and bustle of the marketplace. You can even pilot the Millennium Falcon (if you’re lucky enough to get in an early boarding group).

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7. Enjoy the midway at Toy Story Mania!

One of the most popular and interactive attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort is Toy Story Mania in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Kids and kids at heart enjoy the carnival-style games they play along the track. Become an honorary toy and shrink down to toy size as you test your skill at several fun virtual games!

6. Take a stroll through the Confectionery at Main Street U.S.A.

Along Main Street U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom, Guests can find shops, an art store, an ice cream parlor and more. But the Confectionery takes the cake, if you’ll pardon the pun. Just walking through the Confectionery is a treat. Watch as exceptionally talented Cast Members make candy apples, try a variety of flavors of fudge and purchase candied popcorn, sodas, housewares and more.

5. Watch history come to life at The Hall of Presidents attraction.

If you’re looking for thrills, this attraction will disappoint. But if you’re looking for a unique experience that pairs history with spectacular life-like audio animatronics, this attraction will impress you. Inside the Hall of Presidents, Guests enjoy a presentation of the history of the office of President of the United States. It’s toward the final part of the show that an audio-animatronic likeness of every President of our country—past and present—is introduced to the audience (and the resemblance is uncanny on some of the animatronics!) Before entering the theater where the presentation takes place, Guests can see authentic artifacts on display. Don’t worry—this is no boring history lesson; rather, it’s history come to life!

4. Scare yourself silly at the Haunted Mansion attraction.

Magic Kingdom, Haunted Mansion. Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom. The two just go together. This attraction has wowed (and spooked) Guests at Magic Kingdom for generations, and though it’s a classic attraction, it’s no less spectacular. Guests board a “doom” buggy and embark on a tour of the old haunted mansion, passing through 15 separate rooms, each one more spooky than the last. Pitch black darkness, special effects, eerie music and a spooky-sounding narrator gel together to make this attraction as spooky as it is fun!

3. Race along the track with Slinky and the gang.

Slinky Dog Dash at Toy Story Land at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios is a thrilling ride aboard Slinky’s coils. Hold on tight for fast curves, steep dips and all the fun you’d expect from one of Andy’s favorite toys. Even if coasters aren’t your bag, you’ll love all the huge Toy Story props along the way!

2. Enjoy dinner (or lunch) at the 50s Prime Time Café.

Themed dining is a staple at Walt Disney World, and Hollywood Studios’ 50s Prime Time Café is one of the most themed. Step back in time—to a simpler time, a simpler way of life—one in which manners at the table were mandatory and you had to “finish everything on your plate.” This unique table-service restaurant boasts a menu of comfort food—pot roast, mashed potatoes, fried chicken and peanut butter and jelly shakes. Wait, PB&J shakes? Yep—you’ll just have to try one to see what we’re talking about!

1. Pose in front of all the “walls.”

At Walt Disney World, there are several different-colored walls that make the perfect background for that Instagram-worthy photo. Stop at each one and take a selfie or have a family member snap your picture! All the walls are unique, but one of the most popular is the Purple Wall at Magic Kingdom on the way to Tomorrowland. Stop by and check it out!

About Rebekah Tyndall Burkett

Rebekah grew up in Forney, Texas and lives just outside of Dallas. She’s been a Disney superfan since childhood, experiencing the magic at Walt Disney World for the first time at the age of 11. Journeys to Neverland are at least a yearly occurrence for her, her husband and her four children (the Fab Four). When they go to the parks, they stay in Florida for three weeks at a time. Rebekah loves exploring the history of the parks, the genius behind the Magic in the person of Walt Disney, and she is intrigued by all things Disney World and Disney Imagineering. When in the parks, Rebekah and her husband Scott make the most of their time by enjoying every minute with their Fab Four, by delving deeper into Walt’s vision for the parks and into the history behind the Walt Disney World Resort, and by photographing the many different types of architecture at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and on the World Showcase at EPCOT. When she’s not in the parks, Rebekah is excitedly setting travel dates and planning her family’s next adventure to their happy place deep within the Sunshine State. On breaks from planning her next trip, Rebekah is a writer, journalist and children’s author, penning children’s books about kids with special needs that she affectionately calls “believement-achievement” stories. Her hobbies include creative writing, paper crafting and interviewing Imagineers. She is also an advocate for Autism Awareness and for children with developmental disabilities of all kinds.