The Ultimate Disney Bucket List

“You’re going to Disney…again?” Ah, the question all Disney fans hear from their friends. One of the many reasons I love to revisit Disney or any Disney park is because you cannot replicate a trip. There is far too much to do on one vacation and they are constantly updating and changing everything. As you go on your second or hundredth trip, undoubtedly you have come across something and thought to yourself “oh I would love to do that!” And thus begins your Disney Bucket List. Mine is constantly being updated or adjusted depending on what Disney comes out with, but that is part of the fun!

I will check off and report back my experiences as I cross different ones off the list.

Easier to Accomplish

DRINK AROUND THE WORLD IN EPCOT – CHECK

Drinking around the world at Epcot is an incredibly popular Disney bucket list item for most people. I have always liked the idea of experiencing all 11 countries in the World Showcase while enjoying a local beverage. It is a fun way to see it all! Plus it is a great challenge to say you survived.

FINISH A RUNDISNEY EVENT

Ever since I learned about these events I have wanted to participate in one. I don’t think I will ever run a full marathon, but if you tempt me with the unique experience of running from park to park, I could get in shape for that. I don’t even care which one I run, I just want to push myself to be able to complete one! This might not be on every Disney bucket list, but I very much love the idea of running with a tiara around a castle. I mean who wouldn’t right?

DO THE MONORAIL BAR CRAWL

Much like drinking around the world, the monorail bar crawl is a great way to explore more of Walt Disney World. You get to see the monorail resorts and try out their food and drinks. What could be better than that? I am excited to do this because I haven’t truly visited the monorail resorts in ages. I also get to visit a lot of bars and restaurants I have never visited at all!

Full disclosure, I’ve attempted this twice and failed both times. I spend a lot of time at Trader Sam’s because I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend time there?! I never have gotten to all of them in one sitting. Fingers crossed eventually, but in the meantime it is fun to fail at!

VISIT DURING ALL OF THE FESTIVALS & PARTIES – CHECK!

Walt Disney World celebrates different events throughout the year. There is the International Festival of Arts that was recently started, which runs around January-February. They have the Flower and Garden Festival, which is March-May. Also in Epcot, the beloved Food and Wine Festival that is held in the fall. Of course, you have Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party too! I love being able to see how much the parks transform for different celebrations.

One of the reasons I became an annual passholder was to accomplish this. In 2019, I hit all four festivals and both the Halloween party & Christmas party!

ALL FOUR THEME PARKS IN ONE DAY

This one is more of a personal goal than anything that is “necessary.” Much like the drink around the world, it is more to say I accomplished it than something that is going to enhance your vacation. Being able to visit all four parks in one day is very doable depending on what time of year you go, and how much time you want to spend in each park.

For me, I’d like to ride at least one ride in each and get a snack or drink that is specific to that park itself. Rushing through each park just to say you were there is a waste in my opinion. Have to make it worth it!

VISIT THE WALT DISNEY MUSEUM

The reason I have this on my “easier” list is that while it involves traveling to San Francisco, there isn’t much else that goes into it. I very much enjoy San Francisco, especially its proximity to Napa Valley, so adding this to a trip wouldn’t be earth-shatteringly hard. Learning about what drove the man who created such a legacy is something that sounds incredibly fascinating to me.

DO A DESSERT PARTY – CHECK

There are quite a few dessert parties to pick from at Walt Disney World. Experiencing the magical fireworks at the end of the night is one of my favorite parts of a Disney vacation. The idea of being able to enjoy some sweet treats AND have my seat reserved for me is an idea I love. There are quite a few to pick from, but the Happily Ever After Dessert Party is the one that intrigues me the most. After I do that, we will see if I want to try others!

SEE ROPE DROP & THE KISS GOODNIGHT

Rope drop and the Kiss Goodnight are two terms that Disney fanatics are very familiar with. Getting to the park early enough that you are there to see them literally drop the rope to open the park seems like not a big deal, but the feeling it brings you is pretty amazing. You get to see the welcome show too! The Kiss Goodnight is something that brings that same magical feeling. You will see Cinderella Castle twinkle with the music. It is a nice way to end your Magic Kingdom day.

BE AN ANNUAL PASSHOLDER – CHECK

I would guess this is a Disney Bucket List must for many Disney fans. This might make zero sense to some considering I live in Philadelphia. However, the idea of being able to appear at Walt Disney World whenever I want (without dropping $100+) is amazing. The perks that go along with it are also helpful. I am constantly watching hotel and flight deals so the idea that I can quickly jump on a plane if the price drops and head to the happiest place on earth is very exciting.

I became a passholder on a trip with my mother (predetermined that I would simply upgrade my ticket when I got there) and haven’t looked back. Well, COVID hasn’t helped, but more or less I’m glad I did! Between the discounts and perks, I like the feeling that I am never too far from magic and I don’t have to worry about the ticket cost every time.

SORCERER’S OF THE KINGDOM – CHECK!

I love scavenger hunts and Disney is full of them. Sorcerer’s of the Kingdom is an interactive game in the Magic Kingdom where to try to stop Hades from taking over the park. I don’t necessarily care about collecting all the cards or trading (I say this now, but who knows if I will become addicted). I just like the idea of seeing all of the extra hidden magic!

This was such a fun one and super simple! Just head over to the firehouse in Magic Kingdom and they’ll help you with everything. If you have questions about how to play, where to start, etc. they are super sweet and helpful. It’s a fun activity to break up a day there!

GET THE HIGH SCORE ON BUZZ LIGHTYEAR

The first time I went to Disney World was during 9/11. It was also hurricane season so 9/12/2001 the parks were the emptiest I imagine I will ever see them in my life. We did not have to get off of any ride until we were done. We stayed on Buzz Lightyear about five times in a row before deciding to go on something else. This was incredibly hard to do at the time since it was still one of the newest rides. My father successfully hit 999,999 during this time (he didn’t cheat, it still wipes your score when the ride restarts). He simply just got really good at knowing where the high targets are. He brags about it to this day so now I just want to hit it too and reclaim bragging rights. Plus it would be awesome.

BE THE FAMILY TO DECORATE THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom is a favorite of mine because I love Christmas. I am one of those people who will listen to Christmas music any time of year. Every day, the Christmas tree in the shop is decorated by a family for the day. You just have to be the first to get to the shop and ask! It is something small but is a magical touch by Disney.

Extra Magic

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM TOUR

If you are only ever going to do one tour in Walt Disney World, make it Keys to the Kingdom. You learn the secrets of classic attractions, see the famous underground tunnels, and more! It is 5 hours long, but I have never heard of anyone who has done the tour and wouldn’t recommend it. While I have quite a few tours on my Disney bucket list, and they are always changing, this one is always high on my to-do list.

BEHIND THE SEEDS TOUR

This might not be a tour for everyone, but since learning about “behind the scenes magic” is something that fascinates me, I will take any opportunity that is provided. Behind the Seeds is in Epcot’s Land Pavilion and is roughly an hour long. You visit 4 greenhouses and the fish farm to explore the future of agriculture. It is a more in-depth version of Living with the Land.

DISNEY VIP TOUR

Disney VIP tours have been around for a while, but recently it seems like they are focusing more marketing on this service. You can have up to 10 people explore a one of a kind experience. You get picked up at your hotel, VIP viewing areas of parades, shows, and nighttime spectaculars, enjoy multiple theme parks, all accompanied by a knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide! There are so many options to pick from, I would just be excited to try one!

WILD AFRICA TREK

This is a 3-hour exploration in Animal Kingdom. You get to see the animals in a new and special way with a guide who knows all about them and the park’s dedication to animal conservation. You get to go through the grasslands, cross and rope bridge, and ride through the savanna. Plus you get a delicious lunch!

EPCOT SEAS ADVENTURE – DIVEQUEST

This one will take much longer to accomplish because unlike the Aqua Tour, you actually need to be SCUBA-certified. You get to dive into the giant aquarium in Epcot and swim with over 6,000 sea creatures. If I don’t end up getting SCUBA-certified, I will definitely check out the Aqua Tour.

DINE WITH AN IMAGINEER

You can Dine with an Imagineer at either The Hollywood Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios or Citricos at the Grand Floridian. Both restaurants are highly rated and provide great value for your money in terms of food. The actual experience, however, is priceless. You don’t know what area of the park the Imagineer will specialize in and that is what makes the experience more unique. You can do it multiple times and still have a different experience each time!

REQUIRES SOME PLANNING (AND MONEY)

VISIT ALL 6 THEME PARKS

Currently, there is Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disney. This is one of the other very common goals for any Disney bucket list. I have been to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland and the two theme parks are different, yet evoke the same magical feeling. I would love to experience what other countries unique cultures with the same Disney magic.

CRUISE ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE – CHECK!

I think this is another popular Disney Bucket List item. Fun fact – I have never been on a cruise. The idea used to seem exciting to me when I was younger, but now I prefer to have control over what I do on a trip. It is still something I want to try, but for the same price, I can take a trip to an all-inclusive which sounds more enjoyable to me. However, I have heard nothing but good things about the Disney Cruise Line. It is far more expensive than most but apparently is well worth the money.

Crossed this one off in 2019! I was actually supposed to go on a Disney Cruise in May over Memorial Day, but the airline had other ideas. So, I pushed it until November and made my first cruise a Very Merry Holiday Cruise!

EAT AT THE CHEF’S TABLE AT VICTORIA & ALBERT’S

I am not a “foodie.” I enjoy food and can tell the difference between a good and bad steak, but by no means do I need to eat at an incredibly high-end place to enjoy my meal. This experience is something one-of-a-kind. Since Victoria and Albert’s is already expensive, this is one of those, go big or go home situations. I would rather do the chef’s table and experience that if I am already planning on eating there.

VISIT WALT DISNEY WORLD AND DISNEYLAND IN THE SAME DAY

It never occurred to me that this was a goal of mine until I saw someone actually accomplish it on social media while I followed their journey. It seems so silly, but much like the monorail bar crawl, it is just something I want to do. There is no benefit outside of bragging rights. Clearly, you have to pray to the airline gods that they will be on your side, but because of the time difference, this is actually not a terribly hard goal. Just requires money, planning, and lots of caffeine. I think anyone who is obsessed with travel and the parks has this one pretty high on their Disney Bucket List.

ATTEND D23 EXPO

Being a D23 Member is surprisingly affordable and is perfect for any Disney fan. The D23 Expo is held twice a year and is three days full of magical experiences. Depending on which expo you decide to go to, you might get a sneak peek of some of the amazing things coming to the parks! Not to mention you get t meet other Disney nerds like yourself.

STAY IN A TREEHOUSE

I already said I would like to stay at every Disney Resort, but I don’t need to stay in every type of accommodation at each resort. However, at Saratoga Springs you have the option to stay in a treehouse! Each villa holds up to 9 people and has three full bedrooms. Since it is a DVC property, I’d definitely look into David’s Vacation Club Rentals to get the best deal.

STAY AT AULANI

I like checking off lists and setting goals for myself if you haven’t noticed. So naturally, I plan to visit all 50 states and what better way to cross off Hawaii by checking out Aulani? Disney magic combined with a tropical island getaway? Sign me up!

EAT AT EVERY WALT DISNEY WORLD RESTAURANT

This is almost impossible to do since they are constantly closing and adding new places. However, that is not going to stop me from trying. My theory is that once I complete all the currently open ones, hitting up anything that opens after won’t be to hard to eat at, right? It’s a theory.

STAY AT EVERY WALT DISNEY WORLD HOTEL

It always amazes me how your Disney Resort can influence your vacation. Inevitably if you stay at a monorail loop hotel, you will be at Magic Kingdom more often than Animal Kingdom simply because of the proximity. But more than just the parks, the activities within the resort and theming can really set the tone for your trip. I love exploring each of the resorts and what they have to offer. Any of the Disney Vacation Club hotels I’ll be sure to use David’s Vacation Club Rentals to reserve my stay. Staying at a deluxe resort for a fraction of the cost? Sign me up!

COAST TO COAST MEDAL

The Coast to Coast Medal is a lot harder to accomplish now because runDisney isn’t currently offering any races at Disneyland due to construction. They haven’t announced when, or if, they will return. I find it hard to believe they would be over for good, but hopefully, they come back while I can still reach this goal. To get the Coast to Coast Medal you need to finish at least a half marathon in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland in the same year.

BE A DISNEY VACATION CLUB MEMBER

Much like the rest of this list, I reserve the right to change my mind. Currently, I would love to be a DVC member. I have done extensive research for someone who isn’t joining anytime soon. The idea of essentially promising myself I will make time to revisit Disney each year makes me very happy. There are a lot of perks that come with it as well, but the question really comes down to your family and the value of it.

Seriously Unlikely

STAY IN CINDERELLA CASTLE SUITE OR DREAM SUITE

We have now entered the “when you wish upon a star” type items. Everyone dreams of staying with either of these two suites, even if only for a night. You cannot book them, you have to be chosen. It is super unlikely and is mostly luck if there are any sweepstakes going on that you can wine. Still, that doesn’t stop Disney lovers from dreaming of this special privilege which makes it essential for any Disney bucket list.

EAT AT CLUB 33

This is definitely an attainable goal, but much like the other ones in this category, it is mostly luck. You have to know someone who is a member or be a member yourself. There is now a location in Walt Disney World too. While I don’t ever foresee being able to join myself, I can still hope that through connections (faith, trust, and pixie dust) I can visit the elusive Club 33.

BE PART OF THE MAGIC

I mean let’s be honest, this has been part of my life’s goal since I was a kid, well before I had made a Disney bucket list. As we grow up our goals, dreams, and desires change. One thing that hasn’t changed since I was a child was my dream of working for the magical company.

Like most jobs, it is a mix of timing and hard work to accomplish this goal. There needs to be the appropriate job available when you are looking for this to even be slightly possible. Whether I work for the company during my professional career or retire and simply pick up a job in a park, it has always been my goal to one day be part of that family.