Walt Disney World Bucket List Experiences You Have to Try
Whether you’ve been one time or dozens, Walt Disney World just never gets old for a Disney fan. There is so much to do there that it’s all over so quickly. A big part of returning is reliving and recreating old memories, or sharing experiences we love with somebody new. But beyond that, there are all those little extras you may ignore time and time again. In-room celebrations, dinner packages, tours. You may have done one or two for a special occasion, but then there are those bucket list must do’s that you always plan on one day getting around to.
This is my top ten Disney World Bucket List extras placed in order of expense.
Walt Disney World Bucket List Experiences You Have to Try
Take the Marceline to Magic Kingdom tour
So, you love Disney, but if you are a fan of the legendary Walt Disney, you should set aside the time on one of your Magic Kingdom visits to partake in the Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour. Tours are hard to commit to paying the extra cost on, sometimes, because you just want to use all of that park time without constraints. Honestly, some tours really aren’t worth the extra time and money, but if you are looking for a little more insight into the magic this is a good start for your Disney World bucket list at $49 per person.
Dine with an Imagineer
For the Imagineer at heart, this is a real treat. You can make dining reservations for Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney Hollywood Studios, or Citrico in the Grand Floridian and meet face to face with an Imagineer. They will share tricks of the trade and answer your questions. It’s one of the greatest opportunities for a fan of Disney parks to experience. Not to mention the food is superb. Dine with an Imagineer is $89.46 per person, but rates have been increasing somewhat steadily, so it’s a good idea to call and verify.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Possibly the best way to celebrate the magic of Christmas is through the magic of Disney. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party needs to be on your Walt Disney World bucket list. Magic Kingdom has a seasonal celebration that takes place on select nights in November and December after the park closes to day guests. The night features exclusive entertainment, limited attendance and access to the rides and holiday-inspired food. This may be a bucket list or a tradition starter depending on how you Disney. Tickets this year start at $105 per guest, but there are discounts for DVC Members and Florida-residents.
World Showcase DestiNations Discovered Tour
In Epcot, there is another tour that is worth checking out if you love traveling the world. World Showcase DestiNations Discovered Tour is a long experience and you might overlook the opportunity based on the extra $109 per person on top of the Park ticket. However, you get a truly in-depth guided tour of each of the World Showcase pavilions and 4,000 years of history. It also includes lunch at Rose and Crown (YUM!) – the fish and chips are my favorite.
Magic Kingdom After Hours (Additional Parks Have Been Added!)
Another amazing Disney opportunity you have to do someday is one of the Magic Kingdom After Hours parties that happen occasionally on select nights. This is unique from the Christmas and Halloween parties in that it is just simply Disney without the extensive overlays and retiming. You get to experience the park with much fewer crowds and feel like you have your own private party. It’s a little more costly, $125 per person but it offers a whole new perspective on Magic Kingdom.
Highway in the Sky Dine Around
If you have been going to Walt Disney World for a while, you may already be familiar with the monorail loop and resort hopping around the Seven Seas Lagoon. Whereas most people hop from bar to bar, there is now a dining experience you can buy tickets for! The Highway in the Sky Dine Around takes you around from the Contemporary to the Polynesian Village and then to Grand Floridian. This belongs on your Disney World bucket list. The evening ends with a private viewing of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. This is a five-course meal experience for $170 per person that will make for a magical evening someday.
Chef’s Table Dinner at Victoria and Albert’s
Victoria and Albert’s, you may already know, is a 5 diamond restaurant in the Grand Floridian. Victoria and Albert’s is the finest dining available in Disney World, which is already pretty well regarded for food (especially if you have food allergies!). But why settle for just the priciest and fanciest meal on Disney property when you can dine at the chef’s table in Victoria and Albert’s. For $250 per person you can have this unique experience and for only $150 more per person, you can indulge in the wine pairing as well.
Fireworks Yacht Cruise on Seven Seas Lagoon
$399 per hour will get you a yacht rental on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Definitely expensive but one that would be amazing to experience. You don’t hear people rave about the yacht cruise as often as they do about Dole Whips and Churros. This is 100% a Disney World bucket list one time only indulgence. To be able to go out on your own yacht to watch the fireworks with snacks and decor provided is a pretty amazing thing to do somewhere down the line.
New Years Eve Countdown to Midnight with Ink and Paint VIP experience
Another enchanting evening at Disney World is New Year’s Eve. There are a lot of ways and places to celebrate, but what I have chosen for my Disney World bucket list is The Countdown to Midnight party at the Contemporary resort with the Ink and Paint VIP experience. The whole thing costs $450 per guest, but what a way to end the year. The Ink and Paint Club reception includes food, live piano music and photo opportunities in celebration of Hollywood’s early days in animation. The rest of the party brings you up to date as a DJ plays music from the 60’s to the present and Disney World signature restaurants provide even more food and libations.
Stay in a Fancy Bungalow Polynesian Village or Copper Creek Villas and Cabins
Finally, maybe the ultimate Disney World bucket list experience is a stay at one of the luxurious cabins or bungalows on the watering the Magic Kingdom resort area. Whether your paradise is in the natural surroundings of Wilderness Lodge, or the tropics of Polynesian Village, a stay in one of these premium cottages would be a dream, especially with a nightly rate of over $2,600.
Creating Your Walt Disney World Bucket List
If you are headed to Walt Disney World soon, make sure to check out this tutorial on how to create your own Disney Countdown Calendar. The kids and grown-ups alike will love counting down the days.
Before you go, make sure to write down any rides you don’t want to miss and foods that you have to eat while you’re there! Sometimes vacations can get a little overwhelming and you forget all about the things that you had to do once you get there.
Have a magical vacation and let me know if you have any questions in the comments!
