By Analysis paralysis will sometimes overwhelm you at Walt Disney World.
Disney offers such an amazing complement of attractions and experiences that you may not be sure which ones you should do.
We’ve included single-day itineraries for every single park elsewhere in this guide, but let’s add some specifics.
Here’s our list of must-do attractions and experiences at every Disney World theme park.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The first thing to know about Animal Kingdom is that a few moments at the Tree of Life will highlight every visit.
You’ll feel at one with nature as you admire the surprisingly artificial structure.
That’s right. We don’t want to crush any illusions, but the Tree of Life isn’t real.
You won’t care, though, because the entirety of Animal Kingdom is brimming with life.
So many experiences here center on animal encounters, some more up close and personal than others.
While we’ll mention several attractions, we emphasize that Animal Kingdom visits strike us as more experiential than all other theme/amusement parks.
Nobody but you and your family will remember the time that tiger showed you its belly.
For parents, the first must-do requires the acquisition of a Wilderness Explorers handbook.
Your kids are going on a scout-like quest to earn badges throughout the park.
It’s one of the most delightful things families can do together at Disney World.
You can also catch a movie while you’re at the Tree of Life area.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether! obviously tells a Zootopia-based story. It’s a 3D mini-film that has replaced It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
Zootopia is brand new but also thematic since it celebrates various species of animals who all live together in a city.
Conceptually, that place isn’t much different from… Animal Kingdom.
Of course, the main non-animal reason people visit this park is that they want to travel to outer space.
Specifically, they want to visit the faraway world of Pandora – World of Avatar.
An alien planet comes to life here, with Disney recreating numerous details from the first Avatar movie.
You’ll want to explore this themed land exhaustively, as Imagineers have hidden countless Easter eggs here.
The top two priorities in Pandora will definitely impress even the most jaded theme park fans.
Avatar Flight of Passage chooses a daring premise where guests ride a Banshee through the skies of Pandora, a highly unsafe activity.
Thankfully, everything works out in the end.
We consider Na’vi River Journey to be among Disney’s best modern boat rides.
Imagineers have meticulously created real-life versions of the dangerous forests and rivers of Pandora.
Not everyone loves this ride, which annoys us, but even its harshest critics would acknowledge that it is visually stunning.
We won’t include shopping for the most part, but if you ever notice a Pandora utility suit roaming around the area, you should stop and watch the show.
Disney sporadically hosts this encounter, and the AMP Suit will impress you.
At Harambe Wildlife Preserve, the Africa-themed land, you’ll find several attractions, some of which are must-dos. Others don’t necessarily appeal to everyone.
Kilimanjaro Safaris anchors Animal Kingdom as a whole. A cast member takes guests on a safari through several massive habitats via a massive jeep.
We always tell friends that if they skip Kilimanjaro Safaris, they might as well not go to Animal Kingdom. It’s an essential part of the park visit.
We also love the Wild Africa Trek, an exhibit and walkthrough attraction with several animals.
You’ll be near it when you exit Kilimanjaro Safaris, so you might as well go.
Next up, you can visit another similar exhibit/walkthrough at the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.
Depending on how long you intend to stay at Animal Kingdom, the Lion King show may qualify as a must-do.
It will tie up an hour of your park visit, but it’s a fun, interactive presentation celebrating the story of The Lion King.
You can also take the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
Not everyone considers this experience a must-do; however you can watch Disney veterinarians working with animals and learn about the park’s many conservation efforts.
Best of all, you’ll find a petting zoo here named Affection Section.
So, those of you who want to touch fuzzy sheep, goats, pigs, and alpacas, this place provides one of the best experiences at the park.
Asia hosts a couple of similar interactive experiences, most notably the Maharaja Jungle Trek, which showcases more than 100 species in a matter of minutes.
We’re more ambivalent about Feathered Friends in Flight, a stage show that’s not for the birds, it’s by the birds.
We deem Asia’s attractions as must-dos, time allowing.
Kali River Rapids will get you wet.
This rafting ride tells a somewhat hidden story about the dangers of illegal logging.
You don’t need to know anything about that, just that it’s an experience that will drench you and thereby provide a welcome relief on hot park days.
Expedition Everest transports guests to the Forbidden Mountain, which harbors a deep secret. A mythical creature isn’t that mythical.
You’ll encounter a gigantic Yeti during this roller coaster experience that’s arguably Disney’s most aggressive.
Presuming that you don’t mind intense roller coasters, Expedition Everest is a top five must-do at Animal Kingdom.
One other experience is located in this general vicinity. Disney redesigned a previous show and created Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
This is among the most Broadway-like shows at Disney World, which makes it well worth your time.
We’ll note that DinoLand USA will have closed by the time you read this book, so you can no longer ride DINOSAUR. Nor can your kids play at The Boneyard.
Thankfully, the upcoming Tropical Americas retheme will include improved versions of both experiences.
To a larger point, Animal Kingdom is currently stuck in a bit of a transitional phase, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You may find that you can experience more attractions and interactions in a less crowded park.
In terms of non-attraction must-dos, we highly recommend a Dole Whip at Tamu Tamu Refreshments, lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue, and any food they put on a plate at Yak & Yeti Restaurant or its counter service sibling, Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe.
Finally, THE best restaurant with regards to cuisine and bang for the buck is undoubtedly Satu’li Canteen.
Disney previously hosted aquatic Cavalcades at Animal Kingdom, as well as a nighttime show.
Neither of those is currently operational.
On the bright side, you can leave Animal Kingdom and park hop somewhere else for several hours.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
This park embraces the philosophy of quality over quantity.
Virtually every attraction here would be described as E-ticket by theme park analysts.
The fun begins right when you enter the park, as you’ll walk down Hollywood Boulevard to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
This trackless dark ride crashes you into scenes from Disney cartoons, so every set is colorful, and you even get to save Mickey Mouse’s life in the end.
Right beside this building, known as the Chinese Theatre, you’ll find a themed land currently known as Animation Courtyard.
This location will transition to The Walt Disney Studios.
As part of this change, the magic of Disney animation will return after a 10-year sabbatical.
However, the new location will work more as a celebration of Disney characters, with a playground for kids as well.
In the same general vicinity, you’ll find The Little Mermaid – a Musical Adventure, the recently revamped live show that has anchored the park for more than 30 years now.
We also know that a Disney Jr. show will soon replace the now closed one, which makes this themed land an excellent place for parents to hang out with or dump off their children.
Animation Courtyard also technically includes Walt Disney Presents, even though it’s really in a different part of the park on the way to Toy Story Land.
We definitely consider this walkthrough exhibit worthy of your time, as it chronicles the life of Walt Disney and the theme parks that embody his legacy.
When you enter the park, you’ll see a street called Sunset Boulevard on your right. This area hosts four attractions and a show, although one attraction may not be open yet depending on when you visit.
The must-do ride here is The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a drop tower elevator ride that’s oh-so-much-more than that.
No visit to Hollywood Studios can be complete without a ride on the Tower of Terror.
We don’t consider Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage a must-do, but you’ll find it in this area as well.
Conversely, you owe it to yourself and your traveling party to watch Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After, the park’s most malevolent show to date.
At some point in 2026, a new coaster will debut on Sunset Boulevard, although it’s really just a retheme of a previous one.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets will take you on tour with Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.
Spoiler: it’s going to be a bit chaotic.
Finally, Fantasmic is an experience that’s not-to-be-missed during a Hollywood Studios visit.
You don’t need to attend the show every night, but you should do it at least once every other vacation.
EPCOT
Defining a must-do at EPCOT isn’t quite the same as the other parks we’ve discussed thus far.
For instance, it should go without saying that you’ll want to attend any festival experiences available during your visit.
Specifically, you should find out what they’re hosting at American Gardens Theatre, whether it’s a rock concert, a Broadway performance, or the Candlelight Processional.
Each one could easily become a highlight of your vacation.
Similarly, you’ll want to check out the food booths for lip-smacking cuisine and delectable drinks.
Don’t forget about the exclusive merchandise, either.
Then, we have things like pictures at Dreamer’s Point or the presentations at and around CommuniCore Hall & Plaza.
We’ve also detailed all the experiences at the various World Showcase pavilions in a different section. You may consider some of those must-dos while we highlight others.
Let’s start at the front of the park and then work our way back to the must-dos at World Showcase.
You’ll spot the most essential EPCOT experience long before you enter the park.
Spaceship Earth, the giant golf ball in the sky, beckons you.
We don’t recommend doing this ride as soon as you enter the park, but you’ve missed the point of EPCOT if you leave without riding it.
The two attractions you’re most likely to do at the start of your visit no matter what advice we give you are Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Test Track.
These two are the park’s top thrill rides and also the ones with the longest lines. They’re worth it, though.
You should enjoy your time spent standing in line at Cosmic Rewind, as the Wonders of Xandar pavilion qualifies as a must-do on its own.
We don’t consider Mission: SPACE a necessity, although you may disagree, especially if you’re a big fan of space exploration.
On the other hand, you should spend some time at The Seas with Nemo and Friends, which isn’t just a ride, but also a pavilion in its own right.
Disney hosts several experiences here based on the giant saltwater tank that you can examine from many places throughout the building
We also consider Turtle Talk with Crush to be a must-do, as it’s such a charming, inventive experience.
It features some of the best improv at Disney World.
Next, while the attraction isn’t necessarily in this area, we’ll mention another experience with an aquatic theme.
It’s Journey of Water | Inspired by Moana, arguably Disney’s most fascinating and imaginative creations.
The Land pavilion hosts two other must-dos, one of which everyone would recommend.
Soarin’ Around the World flies you across international landmarks before depositing you back at EPCOT’s front gate. That’s really how the ride ends!
We also rave about Living with the Land, a boat ride that ends in a working greenhouse.
You’ll eat some of the food produced here, so you might as well admire the artistry of its creation.
We don’t consider Awesome Planet a must-do, but it is quite charming.
Conversely, the Imagination! pavilion hosts a seminal EPCOT attraction: Journey Into Imagination with Figment.
David praises this one through gritted teeth, as he prefers the original version starring the Dreamfinder.
Still, the Figment attraction has evolved into a true EPCOT institution. Like Spaceship Earth, it’s a must. Just lower your expectations about the quality of the story.
That’s the list of must-dos at the front of the park.
The World Showcase discussion proves more convoluted.
We’ll start with the basics – the rides.
You’ll want to do all three of Frozen Ever After, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
We’d recommend shopping inside the pyramid at the Mexico pavilion, and you should check out Gods of the Vikings at the Norway pavilion.
While you’re in the Norway area, you should take advantage of the regal gathering. Frozen’s Anna & Elsa hold court at Royal Sommerhus.
Speaking of which, we’ll detail characters in a different section, but you should know about a few open secrets at the World Showcase.
For example, you can meet Mulan at the China pavilion, Mary Poppins at the United Kingdom pavilion, and Belle at the France pavilion.
We’re a bit ambivalent about the Circle-Vision 360° presentations, but if you’ve never been, you should prioritize them.
You’ll find Reflections of China and Canada: Far and Wide (occasionally) at the World Showcase.
They are a bit overwhelming and can potentially cause motion sickness, but they’re also absolutely stunning.
At the Germany pavilion, you should check out The Romantic Road Miniature Train Village.
You may enjoy some shows, too.
Sergio, a juggler at the Italy pavilion has developed a solid following, while the Dragon Legend Acrobats will blow you away. And no visit to the World Showcase could be complete without the Matsuriza Drummers at the Japan pavilion.
In terms of good music, we recommend the United Kingdom’s The British Revolution and Mariachi Cobre at the Mexico pavilion.
Finally, while all the shopping at the World Showcase will dazzle you, we swear by The Toy Soldier at the United Kingdom pavilion and Mitsukoshi Department Store at the Japan pavilion.
Magic Kingdom
We’re going to cause you stress by saying this, but almost everything at Magic Kingdom qualifies as a must-do.
We’ve spent four straight days at this park before and never run out of activities.
Sure, there was some overlap along the way, but a lot remained new on the final day.
Disney has seeded the themed lands with so many experiences that your primary regret will be having to go home before you’ve done them all.
We’ll start at Main Street, U.S.A. and go counter-clockwise, as the first must-do at the park is a character greeting.
Mickey Mouse holds court at Town Square Theater. You should also be on the lookout for the Dapper Dans, the a capella singing group that brightens the mood several times a day.
You may also consider a lap on the Walt Disney World Railroad a must-do. We’re big on walking, so we don’t ride it much.
Technically, there’s another attraction here, Main Street Vehicles. It’s more of a novelty than a must-do.
Still, we’d suggest that you prioritize two other Main Street, U.S.A. experiences. Grab a seat for the Festival of Fantasy Parade and the Happily Ever After fireworks presentation.
We don’t view this as the best spot to watch the nighttime parade, though. We’ll explain that in a bit.
At Adventureland, we perceive three attractions as must-dos and two as “maybe, if you’re in the mood.”
The must-dos are the iconic Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean, which live right down the street from each other.
In this same area, you’ll find Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, which may be Disney World’s most dated attraction.
Still, it’s a classic steeped in theme park history and tradition.
While we don’t consider them must-dos, you’ll find two other attractions here. Swiss Family Tree House is an interactive playground of sorts that will have you walking across rope bridges.
Parents with younger kids may consider this a must-do, while everyone else will feel a bit silly walking through.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is an aerial carousel, which means your ride cart lifts you into the air and then spins you around gently.
You’ll find its twin, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, at Fantasyland.
They’re fine when you want to ride something, but they’re nothing special.
When you head over to Frontierland, you’ll find three attractions we definitely consider to be must-dos.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will get a dramatic update for 2026, but it will remain the “wildest ride in the wilderness.”
Right beside it, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure maintains the Frontierland tradition of splashing guests in mountain water.
Plus, now you get to see Audio-Animatronics of one of the best Disney Princesses of the 21st century. The music is spectacular, too.
Speaking of which, Disney World recently revamped Country Bear Musical Jamboree, swapping the silly soundtrack of obscure Western songs with countrified versions of classic Disney tunes.
This show will make you smile as well as providing a cool respite on hot days.
At Liberty Square, we’d describe one experience as a must-do, and one that’s good when you want to get off your feet for a while.
Kim’s favorite attraction at Disney World – and the entire world – is Haunted Mansion, which masterfully takes macabre concepts and turns them into a wildly entertaining ride experience.
Your joy will start in The Stretching Room and will continue until Hitchhiking Ghosts follow you out the building.
Across the street, you’ll find the Hall of Presidents, a stage show co-starring Audio-Animatronics of all 45 US presidents.
Our Fantasyland recommendations are where we’ll lose some of you.
Not everything at the park can be a must-do, which is problematic in a place with this many fantastic attractions and experiences.
For example, we don’t consider Enchanted Tales with Belle a must during a single-day park visit.
However, for parents with small children, your interactions here might prove to be the most memorable of your entire Disney vacation.
Similarly, we’re picking between Ariel’s Grotto and Princess Fairytale Hall. While David swears by The Little Mermaid, you can meet four times as many Disney Princesses at the aptly named Princess Fairytale Hall.
So, it’s the must-do, while Ariel’s Grotto is more for people like David.
In terms of attractions, we’ll start at the front and work our way back.
You’re riding “it’s a small world.” Otherwise, you might as well not be at Disney.
Peter Pan’s Flight counts as a classic, but if you’re pressed for time, it’s not an absolute must-do these days.
Conversely, you can probably find the time for Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, which will take less time than Ariel’s Grotto on most days, but is a high-quality dark ride.
That brings us to a larger point about Magic Kingdom. You’re often making triage decisions about what to do in a limited amount of time.
Meanwhile, as much as it pains Kim to say this, the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh isn’t a must-do for Disney adults. For families with small children, we consider it a necessity, though.
We also feel strongly about Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which we’d put in the top five overall attractions at Magic Kingdom.
We feel similarly about Mickey’s PhilharMagic, but we’ll level with you that casual fans probably wouldn’t describe it as a must-do. For diehard fans of Disney cinema, it’s a hidden treasure, though.
Finally, we have the park’s classic attractions, Mad Tea Party and Prince Charming Carrousel. Blasphemous though it may be, we don’t consider either one to be a must-do at this point.
Fantasyland also hosts a newer area called Storybook Circus, which is home to three experiences. The Barnstormer is a junior coaster that’s primarily intended for anyone with single digits in their age.
So, you can decide on your own whether that’s a must-do for your family.
As we mentioned earlier, Dumbo the Flying Elephant is similar to The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. At their core, they’re the same ride. We prefer the theming at Aladdin, but Dumbo’s in a better location in terms of reduced chaos.
Finally, you’ll want to visit Pete’s Silly Sideshow, which is a big top with character greetings featuring Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck.
At long last, we’ve reached the World of Tomorrow. Tomorrowland is more than a Brad Bird you’ve forgotten about.
You’ll find several attractions we consider must-dos, so we’ll lead with the ones we consider to be a pass.
You can do some equivalent of Tomorrowland Speedway at any theme park in the country, and your kid will probably have a better app on their phone. Still, your kid may want to drive you around for a lap.
We’re also not in love with Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, as we prefer EPCOT’s Turtle Talk with Crush. They’ve got the same general structure, with Laugh Floor being a bit more regimented.
As much as it hurts us, we’d also not describe Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress as a must-do for casual tourists. For Disney enthusiasts, it’s one of the most important attractions at Magic Kingdom, though.
Then, we have Astro Orbiter, which isn’t much different to us than Dumbo the Flying Elephant. It’s just shinier and you’re higher in the air.
So, what are the must-dos here?
Obviously, the first answer is Space Mountain. This roller coaster defines Magic Kingdom of yesteryear and it remains a fascinating exercise in sensory deprivation to this day. We swear to you that you’ll never reach more than 30 miles per hour your entire ride, but it feels like you’re shooting past stars at light speed.
Disney has modernized Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin for 2026. You’ll love the new scene, updated digital display, and better controls.
We’re also emphatic about the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, an attraction that carries guests through most of the ride buildings in Tomorrowland. It’s a breezy yet surprisingly informative ride.
Finally, Disney hosts Magic Kingdom’s new alpha attraction at Tomorrowland. It’s TRON Lightcycle / Run, an achingly gorgeous attraction styled after the TRON film franchise.
Critics point out that it’s a short ride, which means it may not be on everyone’s must-do list.
Still, if you want to do the hot new thing at the park, it’s TRON (and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure).