Michele’s WDW Must Do List Part 3

January 29, 2014

mustdo3

In the past couple of weeks, I have been gradually sharing my WDW “Must-Do” list with our readers. Instead of rattling off my entire list all at once, I chose to spread out my choices in a series. There is so much to see and do while visiting Walt Disney World, it’s hard to narrow down what I feel are the top choices, but I’m trying! So, without further delay, here is Part 3 of my Must-Do list for WDW, in no particular order of course! Enjoy!

Toy Story Mania, Hollywood Studios ~
Truth be told, out of the 4 theme parks that WDW has to offer, for some reason, Hollywood Studios is my least favorite. It’s not that I dislike it, I just think this park takes less time and there is more to do at the other parks. That being said, I still have to hit a handful of attractions while there, and Toy Story Mania is one of them. The ride itself is like being in a big video game! It’s a lot of fun, going through the different sections, racking up points, and competing with the people who are in your cart. It’s fast paced fun! Just be sure to have Toy Story Mania scheduled for a FastPass choice, the line is always VERY long!

Take a picture with Nemo and Friends, Epcot ~
At Epcot, right outside The Seas with Nemo, there is a little display of Nemo and his friends, where you can take photos. I have put this location on my list for photo opportunities, just like the Castle, Tree of Life, etc. I have pics of my kids from the time there were little, on up to present day. It’s fun to look back and compare. Oh, and there’s always an ice cream stand in the same area, so you can sit and have a Mickey Bar while you’re there!

The Genie Transportation Services

Cosmic Ray’s, Magic Kingdom ~
Throughout the theme parks, there is a large selection of walk up dining restaurants to choose from. For some reason, like with other things, I’m a creature of habit when it comes to where I go to have lunch at certain parks. Cosmic Rays at the MK is almost always my lunch spot of choice. It’s located in Tomorrowland, it’s pretty roomy, and there’s air conditioning! I like Cosmic Rays because there are many different choices as to what to have, from burgers to sandwiches. They also have a fixin’s bar with different sauces and such to add to your food. One of my favorites at the MK!

Expedition Everest, Animal Kingdom ~
Whenever we visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom, one of the main things on my must-do list for the day is to ride Expedition Everest! It’s a great roller coaster, in which guests go on a search for the elusive Yeti! Granted, the Yeti isn’t always working at the end, but that’s not the point! When riding Everest, you take a train up and through a huge mountain, and even get to go backwards, which is always fun! Even my younger son, who isn’t a huge coaster fan, loves this ride! My older son always wants to go back for a second ride, we just love it. Don’t forget to check out the store at the end of the ride for some fun Yeti themed gear!

Basin, Downtown Disney ~
Everyone who knows me knows that shopping is one of my favorite activities, no matter where I am. Disney is a great place to shop, as you know, so I’m usually in shopping heaven! BASIN is one of my top choices in Disney shopping, and it’s at the Downtown Disney Marketplace. Basin offers a wide variety of bath and body products such as bath bombs, body creme, shampoo bars, cut themed bar soap, bath salts, and massage bars. Also, be sure to check out the basket at the counter, where you can get little bags of cut soap pieces to try, it’s an inexpensive way to sample the soap! You’ll be able to smell Basin before you even get to the store! The products are amazing, so be sure to stock up so you can take this little piece of heaven home with you!

Well, that’s it for this week’s WDW Must-Do list! Be sure to check back next week for another round of my WDW favorites! As always, thanks for reading!

author avatar
Michele Atwood Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Main Street Mouse
Michele Atwood is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Main Street Mouse, one of Florida's leading Disney and theme park news sources since 2010. A credentialed Disney Partner and media professional, Michele serves as a theme park contributor and insider for Fox 35 Orlando and WDBO radio covering Disney and Central Florida attractions. Michele has also contributed to the Orlando Sentinel, WESH 2, and Spectrum News 13. Michele is the published author of four books — "Moving to Main Street U.S.A.," "How Many Sleeps Till Disney?," "How Many Sleeps Till Disneyland?" and "Daydream Believing: Confessions of a Grown Up Princess" and is co-owner of the House of Mouse Expo and Lost Princess Apparel. With over a decade of hands-on coverage of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Central Florida theme parks, Michele brings firsthand expertise and media access to every story she covers.



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2 thoughts on “Michele’s WDW Must Do List Part 3”
  1. At Epcot, I would add “Turtle Talk with Crush”. The way they do that is incredible, and they are very good at making it appealing to both kids and adults. When we were last there, my daughter was one of the kids that was picked to talk to him, and it was absolutely hysterical, and she was thrilled. We ended up going back two more times to watch other kids interact with him, and it was great each time! And each time is different, so I never feel like I am seeing the same thing!

  2. I am really enjoying your “Must Do” lists, and I agree with just about everything you have on there & have added a couple to our own list after reading through! I would just like to add my 5-cents and give an extra “thumbs-up” to Cosmic Rays from those of those that travel with large families! Because when you have 5 children ranging in ages from 5 to 21, coming to an agreement on what to eat, and where, can be a job in itself. Yet, every trip, it is always (happily) 100% unanimous among the kids that we eat at least once at Cosmic Rays. Choices for literally every type of eater, the piano player & castle views entertain the young one, there’s people & character watching for the tweens, air conditioning for the sulky teenagers LOL and the grateful parents! Love your site!

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