10 Things You’ll Wish You Had Done Once You Leave Walt Disney World

Once you have left Walt Disney World, you will probably begin a journal or photo album detailing all the exciting adventures you experienced with your family. As you are reminiscing about your magical days at all four theme parks, you may begin to regret a few things you meant to do but never did, and now you wish you had. Here are some things you might wish you had done.

1. The Main Street Electrical Parade — When you visit Walt Disney World, every theme park has some sort of parade during the day or at night. The Main Street Electrical Parade in the Magic Kingdom takes place every night, and is a glorious spectacle of millions of twinkling lights on elaborate floats celebrating many of the classic Disney movies. The lights are brilliant and the music is uplifting, bringing smiles, laughter, applause, and joy to everyone along the parade route. Because it is a parade and not a real attraction or ride, some guests choose to pass it by for a more thrilling ride or popular attraction. Later, these same travelers may regret not being there to see this amazing parade in person.

2. Character Meal With Disney Characters — The dining option for a meal with Disney characters is an entertaining activity for the entire family, not just for the younger guests. The Disney characters interact with children and adults alike. Lady Tremaine and her two daughters, Anastasia and Drizella put on a show that is very humorous and they never fail to involve diners in their antics. Some other Disney participants are Mickey and Minnie, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, all the Princesses, etc. The characters visit every table and the photo opportunities are fantastic; memories you’ll keep and share with friends and family. This meal is not just a meal; it’s a magical memory meal. Once you arrive home and see videos of other families enjoying their character meals, you will probably regret not choosing one of these special meals for your family.

3. A Visit to Tom Sawyer’s Island — Walt Disney World is an amusement park like no other in the world. It is four parks in one, with state of the art attractions and classic Disney themed rides that rival all other theme parks, mostly due to its creator and inspirational genius, Walter Elias Disney. There is one attraction in the Magic Kingdom that is sometimes overlooked, Tom Sawyer’s Island, located in Frontierland. Take a ride on a motorized log raft across the Rivers of America and travel back in time to the days of a whimsical young lad, Tom Sawyer, whose adventures are described in a book by the famous author, Mark Twain. Once you arrive at this special island, the present becomes the past, and the whole family can begin an outdoor adventure of following trails to hidden caves, walking across a suspension bridge or an old fashioned wobbly barrel bridge, exploring an old fort, and and many other outdoor activities. This unique island provides a place where children and adults can enjoy some time together without the hustle and bustle of the crowds. Don’t miss out on a visit to an island inspired by a young lad by the name of Tom Sawyer and have fun being a kid again. You’ll regret it if you don’t give it a try.

4. Devouring a Smoked Turkey Leg — There are several places in Walt Disney World to get one of these giant, delicious, succulent smoked turkey legs. They are smokey, salty, juicy, and meaty; not just a snack, more like a meal. One Turkey Leg Cart is located in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom. As you walk by, the aroma of these smoky turkey legs draws you in like bees to honey. If you walk on by and never go back to chow down on one of these scrumptious treats, you will definitely regret it.

5. Disney Popcorn — Another Disney treat you don’t want to pass up is one of the most popular snacks at Walt Disney World, popcorn. What makes Disney popcorn so delicious is the fact that the kernels are popped in a combination of coconut, corn, and canola oil, and are seasoned with kosher salt. Disney popcorn is vegan and gluten-free. Not only is Disney popcorn always hot and fresh, it is also available in collectible buckets, which also serve as great souvenirs. Three of the most recent buckets are Dumbo, Cinderella’s coach, and a Snow White mine car. Don’t leave the World of Disney without at least sharing a big bucket of this tasty Disney treat, and if you get a collectible bucket, you also have a souvenir to bring home. After you get home and you’re looking at all your Disney photos, and in the background, you catch a glimpse of someone carrying one of those collectible buckets, you’ll wonder why you didn’t bring one home.

6. Epcot/World Showcase — The World Showcase is centered around a reflective lagoon, and it is around this lagoon that eleven countries are represented. Each country has their own individually designed pavilion highlighting all the unique history, culture, and heritage of their citizens and homeland, and the the Cast Members come from the country you are visiting. Although there are no thrill rides at World Showcase, there are informative movies, shows, and boat rides. Take a relaxing, informative walk around the lagoon while enjoying the international sights, sounds, dining and shopping offered by each country. If you bypass World Showcase because there are no thrill rides, you will be missing out on an excellent opportunity to learn about other countries as a part of your magical Disney Vacation, and you’ll be sorry if you don’t take a couple of hours to “see the World”.

7. Pin Trading — Disney Pin Trading at Walt Disney World began in 1999 as part of the “Millennium Celebration”. Since then, many thousands of unique pins have been created, including limited edition pins, special pins, attraction pins, holiday pins, and they come in all shapes, sizes, and designs; some with moving elements, lights, etc. It’s a craze that began and is still going strong. I know I was one of those Disney fans who didn’t get involved with pin trading, until my children began collecting and trading pins. Once you purchase these pins, you can approach any cast member (they have pins to trade), and they will trade any pin they have with one you want. I loved watching the interaction between my children and the cast members, who were always friendly and amusing. I finally joined in on the fun and am so glad I did. Now I have my own collection. So, don’t wait to become a Disney pin trader. The sooner you start, the more fun you’ll have, and you won’t regret not participating in this delightful hobby.

Bonus Tip!

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8. A Ride on the Prince Charming Regal Carousel — Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom — Right behind Cinderella’s Castle in the middle of the Fantasyland courtyard sits the majestic Prince Charming Regal Carousel. This is no ordinary carousel. It sits under a colorful medieval tent, and you can choose from 90 wood-carved ornately decorated horses to climb onto, or you sit in a beautifully carved chariot. An old-fashioned organ plays themed musical melodies, while you gently glide up and down on your magnificent horse. For those of you who think this ride would be boring, you are not giving it a chance. This is a charming, delightful ride on which every member of your family can enjoy. Don’t pass it up, you’ll look back and feel like you missed a magical ride on one of the most famous carousels in the world.

9. A Visit to the Enchanted Tiki Room — Adventureland – Magic Kingdom — The Enchanted Tiki Room is an indoor theater featuring a magnificent assortment of Polynesian birds, flowers, and Tiki statues, which all come to life and put on a wonderful musical performance, with flowers humming, birds serenading, and Tikis drumming. Four Audio-Animatronic mccaws, “Jose”, “Michael”, “Pierre”, and “Fritz” are hosts of the show and their comical interaction with the audience is priceless. The show itself is so lively and the music is uplifting and so appealing. You can quickly get into the spirit of the Tahitian Islands. Not only is this a unique attraction, but it is an excellent opportunity to take a load off your feet, cool off, and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. The Enchanted Tiki Room is often overlooked by guests on their way to “Pirates of the Caribbean”, “Splash Mountain”, or “Big Thunder Railroad”, but it is worth your time. Don’t regret not experiencing this charming performance.

10. Walt Disney, One Man’s Dream — Hollywood Studios — This multimedia gallery exhibit is filled with rare, never-before-seen props, models, sketches, animation, arts, the original Audio-Animatronics Abraham Lincoln from the 1964 New York World’s Fair and so much more, including Walt’s second grade school desk.

At the end of your self-guided tour, you enter a theater to watch a 15-minute film hosted by Julie Andrews. It is the story of the life and times of one of the most famous, creative visionaries of all time, Walt Disney. You will learn how this hard working dreamer never gave up through the hardest of times, and today we can all enjoy the fruits of his labor, the Disney dream come true. This is another one of those overlooked attractions that you do not want to bypass. You may regret not discovering the genius behind the Disney Empire.

Well, there you have it. These are just some of the things you might regret not experiencing. If you do have any regrets, plan another trip and make sure you put the shows or attractions you missed on your list of “must-do’s”

BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like Mickey Travels. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!