To say you've "Done Disney" what must be included?

[azcavalier]

Saw an article to this effect on a Disney site somewhere, and thought it would be fun to hear from y'all. So, I'm going to start a list! These would be things that you really must do at some point during a WDW vacation, but it could be done over multiple visits. I wouldn't expect them to all happen in one stay!

I'd like you to cut and paste just the list, but add your response to the list. Feel free to explain your rationale, but don't cut and paste the rationale part as it moves along.

So, here's the first few things that must be considered part of the Disney Experience!

1. Use Disney Transportation
2. Fireworks!


Let's see what you come up with!

[Arielfan98]

1. Go to the parks (only going to DS doesn't count in my opinion).
2. Staying at a Disney hotel (I'm sorry but staying off property doesn't feel Disney enough to me).
3. Eating Disney food at least once for every meal (Breakfast, lunch, dinner).
4. Transportation maybe. I definitely think people must do the monorail or boat, but using the buses are a hassle and a car is more efficient.
5. Going on at least the more classic rides.

[Mad About Mickey]

Dole Whip!!!

[John]

Dole Whip!!!

I'd get more specific on transportation. It's not a trip to Disney without riding the Monorail.

[joonyer]

Here's a few more more that we always do, in addition to all the others listed: (Fireworks is always on our list)

1. Get a picture with Mickey, or at least one of the classic characters.

2. Buy a Disney souvenir on-site.

3. Ride at least one E-ticket in every park, or at least the parks you visit on that trip.

4. Watch a parade.

5. See at least one musical show.

[tinkx2]

1. going to each park at least once.
2. Eating at O'Hana
3. getting a picture with the Castle behind (over on the bridge)
4. Seeing the Lion King show
5. getting a Disney Christmas ornament

[baldburke]

I'd get more specific on transportation. It's not a trip to Disney without riding the Monorail.

And the train around MK:train:

[Fangorn]

So here’s my list to say you have "done Disney". As always, your mileage may vary.

Required Minimum:
• A ride on the Monorail
• Watch one parade from Main Street
• Fireworks at Magic Kingdom
• Peter Pan
• Haunted Mansion
• Soarin’
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Festival of the Lion King
• Any park at twilight
• Relaxing in the Poly lobby
• Dole Whip
• Fantasmic
• Illuminations (yes, Mel, I know, I know…)
• Any random street performance (sadly, there aren’t many of these any more)

Enhanced experiences:
• California Grill late dinner and then MK fireworks from the observation deck
• A boat ride on Seven Seas Lagoon/Bay Lake
• Listening to Voices of America at the American Adventure
• If it’s during the Christmas season, Candlelight Processional
• The “E-Ticket” rides
• Typhoon Lagoon
• Mickey Bars
• A evening wandering through World Showcase
• New food/dining experiences
• Watch the Fountain of Nations at Epcot (particularly after dark)
• An adult beverage at Jock Lindsey’s, Trader Sam’s or any other appropriate watering hole
• Early dinner at Olivia’s and a boat ride to Disney Springs

Steve

[azcavalier]

Thanks to those who have already participated! I took the liberty of taking all of your responses, removing duplicates, and creating a comprehensive list. My original intention was just to have you guys add one or two things to the list. I'm sure that we could all come up with 100 things on our own, but that gets too hard to read!

So, check out the list, and add a couple of things that aren't already on there that you think is just a "must do" to qualify to being able to say, "Yeah, i've done Disney!"

1. Use Disney Transportation
2. Fireworks!
3. Go to the parks
4. Staying at a Disney hotel
5. Going on at least the more classic rides.
6. Dole Whip!!!
7. Get a picture with Mickey, or at least one of the classic characters.
8. Buy a Disney souvenir on-site.
9. Ride at least one E-ticket in every park, or at least the parks you visit on that trip.
10. Watch a parade.
11. See at least one musical show.
12. Eating at O'Hana
13. getting a picture with the Castle behind (over on the bridge)
14. Seeing the Lion King show
15. getting a Disney Christmas ornament
16. Monorail
17. Watch one parade from Main Street
18. Fireworks at Magic Kingdom
19. Any park at twilight
20. Relaxing in the Poly lobby
21. Fantasmic
22. Illuminations
23. Any random street performance
24. A boat ride on Seven Seas Lagoon/Bay Lake
25. Listening to Voices of America at the American Adventure
26. If it’s during the Christmas season, Candlelight Processional
27. Typhoon Lagoon
28. Mickey Bars
29. A evening wandering through World Showcase
30. Watch the Fountain of Nations at Epcot (particularly after dark)
31. An adult beverage at Jock Lindsey’s, Trader Sam’s or any other appropriate watering hole
32. Early dinner at Olivia’s and a boat ride to Disney Springs

[roma1625]

1. Waiting in a "switchback" line - this is one thing I associate most with when I think of Disney.
2. Eating a turkey leg.

[missymouseworld]

Hearing "Welcome Home" :mickey:

[garthbarth1]

Getting an actual park map! I know its old school,but there is something about the actual MAP!

[Sylvia]

Hearing "Welcome Home" :mickey:
Back in the days of lifetime resort-specific mugs, we used to take our mugs back, even though we always bought new mugs on every trip. Since Mom loved CBR, we stayed there 12 times. I have enough mugs to host a huge banquet. :) :)

Back to the story - my job was to pick up our food and her job was to find a table. I always had my mug with me, and every time when the CM noticed my mug, he/she always said "Welcome Home". My non-RFID-enabled mug won't be going back this trip, but the first time I visit OPR, I'll know I'll hear "Welcome Home" in my mind.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

1. Going to all four parks and Disney Springs
2. Using the bus and monorail
3. Staying on site-a must for us
4. Eating at least one TS meal and one CS in Disney
5. Must ride the classics, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear, Spaceship Earth, Safari and Great Movie Ride.
6. Must also ride Soarin and Toy Story Mania
7. Must see Festival of the Lion King, Mickey's Philharmonic and must, must stroll through World Showcase.
8. Nighttime parades and fireworks
9. must see characters in the park
10. Must have the park snacks, dole whip, candy, ice cream....

[Terra]

To truly have "Done Disney" to me would be over multiple visits:

1.) Stay at all Disney hotels at least once
2.) Eat at all character meals
3.) Be able to let my sons pick whatever souvenirs they want, not worry about money so much.
4.) A few days for each park to do, explore, and catch all shows.

My dream anyway! :) Living local we used to go a lot until my son's illness.
But we still can afford anything above a value resort and that is few and far between. [Not so much of a value anymore].

Love this thread!

[DisneyDonald]

My wife and I do this on our last day.
Start at AK and get our pic taken in front of the tree.
Take the bus from there to HS and get our pic taken there.
Ride the boat from HS to Epcot and get our pic taken in front of SE.
Take the Monorail to the TTC and get on the ferry. Take it to MK.
Get on the train and ride it around MK.
Finally get our pic taken in front of the castle.
We call it Around the World.

[MIKESMOM]

1. Use Disney Transportation
2. Fireworks!
3. Go to the parks
4. Staying at a Disney hotel
5. Going on at least the more classic rides.
6. Dole Whip!!!
7. Get a picture with Mickey, or at least one of the classic characters.
8. Buy a Disney souvenir on-site.
9. Ride at least one E-ticket in every park, or at least the parks you visit on that trip.
10. Watch a parade.
11. See at least one musical show.
12. Eating at O'Hana
13. getting a picture with the Castle behind (over on the bridge)
14. Seeing the Lion King show
15. getting a Disney Christmas ornament
16. Monorail
17. Watch one parade from Main Street
18. Fireworks at Magic Kingdom
19. Any park at twilight
20. Relaxing in the Poly lobby
21. Fantasmic
22. Illuminations
23. Any random street performance
24. A boat ride on Seven Seas Lagoon/Bay Lake
25. Listening to Voices of America at the American Adventure
26. If it’s during the Christmas season, Candlelight Processional
27. Typhoon Lagoon
28. Mickey Bars
29. A evening wandering through World Showcase
30. Watch the Fountain of Nations at Epcot (particularly after dark)
31. An adult beverage at Jock Lindsey’s, Trader Sam’s or any other appropriate watering hole
32. Early dinner at Olivia’s and a boat ride to Disney Springs
33 Character meal
34. MNSSHP/MVMCP

[joonyer]

I'll add one more that we always do. Eat a Sundae at Ghiradelli's on our last day.

[cer]

I'll add one more that we always do. Eat a Sundae at Ghiradelli's on our last day.

Joonyer, do you have a favorite? We had the sundae with the brownie in it - I think it is called Treasure Island or something. It was so good!

[texas211]

Staying in at least a moderate hotel. They feel more Disney like.
Spending 6 months on Intercot planning on your trip.

[joonyer]

Joonyer, do you have a favorite? We had the sundae with the brownie in it - I think it is called Treasure Island or something. It was so good!

Last time I got the Sea Salt Caramel Sundae. But they are all good. I change up my order every time just to explore. To paraphase Will Rogers, I have never met an ice cream that I didn't like!

[cer]

To paraphase Will Rogers, I have never met an ice cream that I didn't like!

True, true.

[Arielfan98]

Staying in at least a moderate hotel. They feel more Disney like.
Spending 6 months on Intercot planning on your trip.

Respectfully disagree. Practically grew up in the values. There's a picture of me sitting in the car from Toy Story at Pop and ASMusic has always been our home resort. There's plenty of Disney there if you look close enough.

[TikiLounger]

Here's our list...

1. Stay at a Disney resort hotel. (Polynesian, Beach Club, and Wilderness Lodge are our favorites...so far)
2. Ride the Monorail
3. Do at least one day of "Commando" park hopping. (Thank you to another poster on another thread for this perfect descriptor!)
4. Get Dole Whip
5. Rush to the MK as soon as we're checked in.
6. Walk the trail from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness (even if we're not staying there)
7. Haunted Mansion
8. PotC
9. Hot Dog at Casey's
10. Soarin'
11. Mission Space
12. Expedition Everest
13. If adult kids are traveling with DH and I, a pic in with the statue of Walt and Mickey in the MK is a must. We have one for every visit and we must keep up the tradition.
14. These days, for DH and I, a trip must take place during the Food and Wine Festival.:wine:
15. Club level whenever possible. Preferably at the Beach Club during the Food and Wine Festival.
16. Expedition Everest
17. Tower of Terror
18. Rockin' Roller Coaster
19. Walk The Boardwalk at night.
20. Walk around the Polynesian resort and shop at Boutiki.
21. Margarita in the Mexico Pavillion:marg:
22. Maelstrom (it's sadly missed!)
23. I MUST pull the rope at the archaeological dig outside the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. This is especially fun when someone unsuspecting is standing nearby. :D
24. Star Tours
25. Buy a Christmas ornament
26. Shop in Memento Mori
27. Splash Mountain
28. Thunder Mountain
29. A shootin' contest at the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade:cap:
30. Ride the raft over to Tom Sawyer's Island
31. Eat at Pecos Bill's
32. Eat at Yak and Yeti (sit down, not quick service)
33. But at least one souvenir
34. Use the Magical Express service
35. Churro in Frontierland
36. Watch a parade or the water pageant if staying in the MK area

[Isabella]

Eating lunch at Columbia Harbor House in the "bridge over the walkway" upstairs and watching people go from Fantasy land to Liberty Square!

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Oh I forgot I have to add to my Disney collections and buy a Christmas ornament, mug, and apron.

[baldburke]

Respectfully disagree. Practically grew up in the values. There's a picture of me sitting in the car from Toy Story at Pop and ASMusic has always been our home resort. There's plenty of Disney there if you look close enough.

I'm wondering if texas211 meant that the themeing at mods and values was more Disney-esque since the deluxes seem to be more classic. I didn't see it as a knock.

[Goes4FastPass]

1. Dumbo
2. Spaceship Earth
3. Twilighe Zone Tower of Terror
4. Kilanmanjaro Safari

[Goes4FastPass]

PS:
Smooch with Stacey, the must do girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyUEXM-ptzQ

[Cinderelley]

Breakfast at Crystal Palace.

[MNNHFLTX]

Food/Beverages--Dole Whip, ice cream from the parlour on Main Street, a Snakebite at the Rose and Crown, frozen beer from the Japan pavilion.

Attractions--Space Mountain, Big Thunder, TTA, Jungle Cruise, Soarin', Everest

Other--shopping in the World Showcase, Wishes, strolling through the rose garden at Epcot, taking the monorail

[Arielfan98]

I'm wondering if texas211 meant that the themeing at mods and values was more Disney-esque since the deluxes seem to be more classic. I didn't see it as a knock.

To which I disagree. I know they weren't trying to take a knock, but in my opinion there is plenty of Disney magic at the values. No hard feelings ;)

[texas211]

No knock. I just prefer, the themes at the moderates. They rely on more atmospheric aspects, vs the values use of giant everything. Though I think some of the Values are really cool (though none of the All Star anythings).

Must, get a frozen lemon/vodka drink from France... Must. B/w that and going to the art store, I could go any time after that.

[Cinderelley]

Food/Beverages--Dole Whip, ice cream from the parlour on Main Street, a Snakebite at the Rose and Crown, frozen beer from the Japan pavilion.


Schoolbread too!! :tasty:

[i'm grumpy]

Haunted Mansion and POTC.

[busterthebronco]

Golf Cart at Fort Wilderness!

[pjbs35a]

And when you have done all of the above; PeopleWatching!

[luvdiznee]

On top of other things; Extra Magic Hours were great. Nothing like being at Magic Kingdom at 3 a.m....

[texas211]

Schoolbread too!! :tasty:

Schoolbread? You mean the Norway thing? Looks good.