As all Walt Disney World fans know, there is absolutely no way to “see it all” in one trip- or even 10 trips- to the World. However, all of us frequent visitors inevitably get the question, “Aren’t you bored? Haven’t you already DONE everything?” The answer, of course, is always NO. Sure, we may have experienced all of the major attractions, but there are so many details in Walt Disney World to explore! As a repeat Walt Disney World traveler, I like to keep an ever-changing Disney Bucket List to force me to expand my Walt Disney World repertoire and really uncover all of the miraculous experiences that Walt Disney World has to offer. Creating the list also helps me to keep the magic alive between trips and gives me a perfect way to pass the always-too-long wait until my next trip “home”! Here are some tips for creating the perfect Walt Disney World Bucket List:
Think BIG.. and small
When putting together your Disney Bucket List, try to think of large ticket items, like staying at every hotel on property, eating at every restaurant in the World Showcase, or experiencing all the “mountains” on the same day, while also adding smaller details to the list. This may be trying a popular snack that you haven’t had a chance to try or wearing a silly set of ears for a family photo on Main Street. Sure, go ahead and add a RunDisney event to you list, but try to balance it with an activity with a lesser price tag and time commitment, like meeting a character that you have been dying to see.
Variety is the Spice of…
your Disney bucket list. Make sure to mix it up! Have a variety of differently priced items on the list; of course add that pricey parasail or fireworks cruise experience to the list but also add free experiences, like a boat ride down the Sassagoula River for a night stroll at Downtown Disney or a visit to Tri-Circle D Ranch at Fort Wilderness Resort. Special events and tours are great additions to any Disney Bucket List, but ideas like sitting in a rocking chair on Aunt Polly’s porch to watch the Liberty Belle float by or watching a parade from a new location are just as important. Push yourself a bit by adding extreme touring challenges to the list and then add lower-paced activities, like enjoying a whole day in a park without doing any rides.
Think Outside the Box
It is easy to brainstorm the biggies, like trying out Seven Dwarves Mine Train for the first time or catching a new popular parade. To round out your list, spend some time dreaming up some unique ideas. On a recent trip, I make it my mission to try out as many “best of” snacks and treats as seen on the Disney Food Blog
(www. Disneyfoodblog.com). Experiencing a show like Hoop De Doo Revue would be a nice addition, but also add in a walk on the wooded path from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness or a nighttime tour of the Christmas lights strung around guests’ campsites. The smaller, more unique ideas on your list can be the most rewarding! I realized about 2 years ago that I had never see the Goodnight Kiss in the Magic Kingdom and quickly added to the list. Sitting on a bench near the Partners statue as all the other guests hurried to the bus has become one of my most cherished Walt Disney World memories.
List within a List
Sometimes, the enthusiastic Disney fan’s Disney Bucket List can get a little unwieldy. Try breaking your list into subgroups! How about a bucket sub-list of restaurants, specific foods to try, resort activities, tours/special events, seasonal experiences, or “free” extras? I like to have a list of coveted or elusive photographs that I want to capture.
Never Finished
The best aspect of a Disney Bucket List is that it can be an ever-changing document, since there are always new attractions and shows added to the Walt Disney World theme parks. Even though I cross a few items off of my bucket list each visit, I definitely add even more to the list! These additions may be new attractions/restaurants or just a new simple experience that I had never heard of before. Although I have visited Walt Disney World countless times, I am continually finding new experiences to make me love Walt Disney World even more. My Disney Bucket List is one way that this Disney addict stays connected between visits and in developing my list, I continue to push myself to squeeze every single drop of magic out of my coveted Walt Disney World experiences!
