I spent 35 days at Disney World this year. Here are 6 things I always do at the parks.
Megan duBois
- I spent 35 days at Disney World in 2024, and there are some things I try to do every visit.
- I always take pictures with Mickey Mouse somewhere in the theme parks.
- I have to get my favorite treat, a Mickey-shaped ice-cream sandwich.
I love going to Disney World, and as an annual passholder, I can pretty much visit whenever I want.
This year, I spent 35 days exploring all four theme parks, staying at nearly every hotel, and eating my way through Disney Springs.
On nearly every trip, I have some absolute must-dos — they're not optional in my brain. Even after visiting Disney World hundreds of times over the past 30 years, these six things never get old.
Megan duBois
You can see Mickey Mouse at all four theme parks, and when I visit, I stop in and say hi.
I especially love seeing Mickey at Hollywood Studios because he's in his sorcerer outfit from "Fantasia."
You can also catch Mickey at Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom, Adventurers Outpost at Animal Kingdom, and CommuniCore Hall at Epcot.
Megan duBois
Epcot is known for its incredible annual festivals.
The first part of the year brings the International Festival of the Arts, which happens to be my favorite. You can also experience the International Flower and Garden Festival in spring, the International Food and Wine Festival in summer and fall, and the Festival of the Holidays in winter.
I love that the festivals all have food booths where I can try unique items. I also make a point to see the incredible entertainment at the America Gardens Theater, like the celebrity-narrated Candlelight Processional during the Festival of the Holidays.
Megan duBois
Disney Springs is filled to the brim with restaurants. Most of them are great, but I tend to find myself dining at celebrity-chef-owned spots more often than not.
A few of my favorites are Chicken Guy by Guy Fieri for a quick meal, Masaharu Morimoto's Morimoto Asia for a snack at the bar, and Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' for incredible fried chicken.
I've planned some visits around chefs' special events and have been lucky enough to accidentally run into other chefs at their restaurants.
In fact, my birthday treat this year was dining at eet by Maneet Chauhan. She and her team curated a special menu of dishes, and she did an open question-and-answer session for the group of diners.
Megan duBois
No matter what time of year I go to Disney World, I have a Mickey-shaped ice-cream sandwich.
The cookies-and-cream ice cream is a refreshing treat, and I've found that the sandwiches don't melt nearly as quickly as the equally popular Mickey premium ice-cream bars.
Megan duBois
There are hundreds of hotels around Orlando, but I like to stay at a Disney resort when I visit Disney World.
I love the theming of the hotels, how easy it is to get to the parks with complimentary transportation, and that I'm not bursting that Disney-bubble feel.
My favorite budget-friendly hotel is Disney's All-Star Movies, and my favorite splurge option is Disney's Riviera Resort.
The All-Star Resorts are a little farther from the theme parks, but the rooms are well-appointed, and I love the nostalgia. This is where I often stayed as a kid.
Riviera Resort is ultra-luxe, and the Disney Skyliner provides direct service to Epcot. I also love watching the fireworks from the rooftop lounge attached to Topolino's Terrace.
Megan duBois
A few new attractions at Disney World, like Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot, use virtual queues.
I always try to make reservations for these two attractions during the 7 a.m. drop on the day I want to visit the park. If I'm unsuccessful during the morning drop, I try again at 1 p.m. after I've checked into the park.
The virtual-queue option is free, so I'd much rather wake up early to use it than pay extra for a Lightning Lane line-expediting pass.
If I can't get a virtual queue spot, for some reason, I skip the attraction. I visit often enough that the extra cost isn't worth it to me — I'll be able to try again soon.
