With spring break around the corner, trips are in the works. If you’re planning on going to Walt Disney World in Florida, here are some recommendations to make your trip as enjoyable as possible! For each category, I have recommendations for all four parks so you can pick and choose your favorites. A quick disclaimer: these are purely suggestions! Feel free to do whatever you please at the parks, and don’t worry about planning every minute; some of the best experiences I’ve had at the parks were spontaneous!
MUST DO
(my favorites!)
Animal Kingdom
While my favorite park switches quite often, over the last few trips Animal Kingdom has taken the number one spot. Every time I visit, I like to start my day with a Coconut Coldbrew from Kusafiri in Africa. It’s my favorite coffee across all four parks and perfect to sip while taking in the sights and sounds of Animal Kingdom. My must do attraction for this park is Expedition Everest; the line moves super quick and the ride never gets boring.
EPCOT
EPCOT is extremely versatile and can suit so many different groups. My favorite ride is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and I try to go on at least once a park day. The line sometimes is daunting when it’s long, but the air conditioning and ambiance is the perfect respite from the Florida sun, and the ride is one of the most thrilling in the parks! If you’re unsure of where to head for lunch or a snack, head to the France pavilion, where you’ll find Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie. They have sandwiches, pastries, and freshly baked baguettes, all perfect for when you are looking for something other than typical park food.
Hollywood Studios
The ambiance of Hollywood Studios makes it perfect for any time, from foggy early mornings to late nights. My must-do ride is Tower of Terror, which combines the old-Hollywood aesthetic with an ominous undertone at the end of Sunset Boulevard. On the other side of the park is where you can find Blue Milk, which is a must order. It’s perfect to sip while walking around Galaxy’s Edge, and amplifies the land’s immersive experience.
Magic Kingdom
The most popular of the four, Magic Kingdom has endless entertainment opportunities for all ages. Tron Lightcycle/Run is my must-do ride, and it’s located in Tomorrowland, my personal favorite land in the park. As for snacks, the Main Street Confectionary has a customizable candied popcorn that is my favorite across all four parks. The popcorn can be suited to any taste, and is perfect for a fireworks snack or while watching a movie back at the resort.
MY RECOMMENDATIONS
(great for trying something new/switching up routine)
Animal Kingdom
This park is my absolute favorite in the morning. If you’re going to rope drop one park, it should be Animal Kingdom. Mornings are the best here, especially for the Kilimanjaro Safari. The animals are more active in the morning before the Florida sun becomes too intense, so I recommend going on this ride first!
EPCOT
The World Showcase is popular for a reason, and challenges such as “drinking around the world” stem from its popularity. If you’d rather not partake in alcohol, I recommend trying candy around the world! I’ve done this on past trips and have found some of my favorite candies through it, such as maple candy from Canada, amaranth chocolate from Mexico, and Amaretto chocolate from Italy!
Hollywood Studios
There are a bunch of popular places to eat in Hollywood Studios, but I almost never hear anything about ABC Commissary. This has become one of my favorite places to get lunch in the park. It has a lot of indoor and outdoor seating options, and the Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese is delicious. The menu isn’t the largest in the park, but there are options for many different palates, and it is the perfect place for a midday break.
Magic Kingdom
Like Animal Kingdom, I recommend getting to Magic Kingdom as the park is opening for the day, but for a different reason. The Main Street Omnibus takes a one way trip from outside of the Town Square Theater to the castle each morning, and offers a view of Main Street and the castle only for those on board. There is a sign on a lamppost outside the Theater and the Omnibus stops there once each morning, making this ride one of the most exclusive Disney attractions.
SKIP
(in my opinion; some of these are hot takes)
Animal Kingdom
As someone with motion sickness, Flight of Passage in Pandora is a major skip for me. I made the mistake of going on once and had to face the back wall in an effort to keep my bearings. If you have any issues with motion sickness this ride, and other simulations, should be a skip! I recommend Na’vi River Journey for a calmer experience.
EPCOT
Sticking with the motion sickness theme, I also skip Remy’s Ratatoille Adventure in the France Pavilion. On this ride I end up with my eyes closed, looking down for over half of the time, just to not feel sick. The long line doesn’t feel worth it for me since I’m only able to enjoy part of the ride. Instead, I prefer to leisurely shop around the pavilion and try new pastries!
Hollywood Studios
The ever-popular Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge is a skip for me; my experience felt rushed and I didn’t love my drink. I was with my family, and the four of us felt a bit like sardines in one of the booths. I think Oga’s is a great concept, but it seems more suited for college to post-grad travelers, and not families. I hope to try it again on an upcoming trip, and hopefully change my opinion.
Magic Kingdom
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a skip for me in Magic Kingdom. The couple times I have ridden it I enjoyed the theming, animatronics, and music, but every time I ended up covered in water. No matter where I sat on the ride, I have been splashed or had water pour over my seat. The ride is fun, but I would rather not spend the rest of the day in wet clothes and shoes.
While I implore you to take my recommendations, take all of these with a grain of salt. I have come to these conclusions over many trips and by trying new things each time, and I encourage the same for all visitors. The best trip is one that you enjoy, and it can’t be tracked with a checklist of things other people told you to do. If all else fails, try to have three things you really want to do per day, and then the rest of the day is stress-free and allows for all the experiences you’ll talk about for years to come.