Despite their many similarities, every Disney Park is different. For that reason, every Disney Park will have a different bucket list–or list of resolutions. So of course, we have to each of them down with their list. We will focus on the Disney Parks in the United States.

Tron Lightcycle Run

The construction for Tron Lightcycle Run has lasted so long that its first announcement feels like a dream. To the delight of Disney fans across the country, Tron Lightcycle Run is finally opening in 2022! The attraction will be similar, if not identical, to the original attraction at Shanghai Disneyland. Guests will straddle their ride vehicle like a bicycle (a first for a US Disney Park) and race through a futuristic world based on the Tron movies. You will not want to miss it!

Become A “Mountaineer”

The meaning behind the phrase “Become a Mountaineer” (in Disney terms) is when a guest rides all of the Disney “mountains” in one day. These mountains include Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain. Some people also include Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom Park.

Perfect View of Disney Enchantment Fireworks

Disney Enchantment is a brand-new fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. Getting the perfect view of the show requires a lot of dedication because you will need to get your seat in front of the castle hours ahead of time. For fans of the fireworks show with this on their Disney Parks New Year’s Resolution, it might be worth it.

Picture with Cinderella Castle

This goes without saying but if you go an entire year of trips to Disney World and not get a picture in front of the castle, were you even there? As the kids say these days, “pics or it didn’t happen.”

Character Dining

There are several dining locations where characters make appearances for pictures and autographs. The most famous character dining locations are probably Cinderella’s Royal Table, Be Our Guest and The Plaza Restaurant. Cinderella’s Royal Table is inside Cinderella Castle so it is a must-do for Disney fans. Fair warning: the food is reportedly not as good as it should be for the price you have to pay to experience it.

Kiss Goodnight Show

After Magic Kingdom Park closes for the day, the shops on Main Street stay open for an extra hour. Guests shopping or hanging out on Main Street are treated to a light show on Cinderella Castle accompanied by beautiful music. The show is not included on maps or the app. So, not many people know about it. It is a pleasant surprise.

Try the Grey Stuff

In the iconic song from Beauty in the Beast titled “Be Our Guest,” Lumiere tells Belle to “try the grey stuff, it’s delicious.” For years, viewers not only wondered what the grey stuff was but also what it tasted like. Now anyone can try “the grey stuff” at Be Our Guest and Gaston’s Tavern. Turns out, Lumiere (and the dishes) were right–the grey stuff is delicious.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a brand-new rollercoaster that has been under construction for a couple of years. It replaced Universe of Energy, to the dismay of Epcot fans. So, the hope is that the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be worth it!

Moana–Journey of Water

There has only been some concept art released about the new Moana–Journey of Water attraction at Epcot. It seems like it will be pretty cool though. Moana is able to connect and communicate with the ocean water in her film. So guests can assume there will be some cool technology that causes waves and whatever else they can do. Since it’ll be in Epcot, we hope there will be some educational elements as well.

Drink (or Eat) Around The World

The World Showcase section in Epcot has 11 pavilions that represent different parts of the world. There are Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, America, Italy, Germany, China, Norway, and Mexico. It is tradition that guests try one drink or food item (or both) from each pavilion.

VIP Lounge

Guests with a Disney Visa Credit Card from Chase Bank are allowed to visit a special VIP Lounge above the American Adventure pavilion building.

Beverly

Beverly is the most famous (infamous might be a more accurate description) at Club Cool at Epcot. Beverly is widely considered to be the most disgusting (for lack of a better word) of the options. There is a rare few that actually like it. Maybe you’ll be one of them. Club Cool was shut down for a year or two recently but it is back now! So, don’t miss your chance to try this iconic beverage.

Candlelight Processional

Every holiday season, Epcot puts on a show where a celebrity guest tells the story of Christmas and a choir sings Christmas songs. The show is magnificent itself, but the celebrity guests are just the icing on the cake. You can check the Disney World website to see which celebrity guest will be hosting when you visit or you can be surprised instead!

Bubblegum and Purple Wall Pictures

If Cinderella Castle is the bucket list picture at Magic Kingdom, the “bubble gum” and “purple” walls are the bucket list pictures at Epcot (okay, besides Spaceship Earth).

Return of Fantasmic!

Since the parks reopened after the long closure during the pandemic, Fantasmic! and many other shows have been closed. However, it was recently announced that Fantasmic! would be returning to both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park. It is an amazing show that you won’t want to miss.

Rise of the Resistance

Rise of the Resistance is the brand-new attraction at Galaxy’s Edge. The attraction is not only a ride but an entire experience. It is unlike anything at any theme park you may have experienced. Especially for Star Wars fans, you don’t want to miss it.

Tower of Terror At Night

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is always so much fun. When you ride at night though, it is better for two reasons. First of all, it feels more spooky. Second of all, at night your eyes are already adjusted to the darkness so you may notice things inside the dark attraction that you wouldn’t have noticed during the day.

Gertie the Dinosaur

Gertie the Dinosaur is the giant dinosaur in Bay Lake. You can buy ice cream there. Gertie is a tribute to “Gertie The Dinosaur” from 1914. It was the first animation to use certain techniques that changed the film industry forever. It was because of Gertie that Walt Disney was able to create Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and other animated classics that Disney fans still love today.

Lunch with Imagineer

Guests can dine with a real Disney Imagineer at the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant. All you need to do is call far enough in advance to book your reservation. Availability may be especially limited with the pandemic but not impossible.

One Man’s Dream

One Man’s Dream is a small museum dedicated to Walt Disney. It is free of charge. You can watch a short film all about Walt as well. Inside, you will find the original animatronic for Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland as well as Walt’s desk from Elementary School.

Characterpalooza

The Return of Fantasmic! means the return of Characterpalooza. Characterpalooza is a somewhat secret event where the characters from Fantasmic!–some of which are rare finds–come walk around the back of Sunset Boulevard and interact with guests. You won’t find any information about this on park maps or the app. You just have to be in the right place at the right time.

Kilimanjaro Safari During Best Times

Kilimanjaro Safari is one of the most unique Disney Park attractions in the world. It is designed to feel like a real safari, similar to the Jungle Cruise. The biggest difference with this one, though, is that the animals are real! The best times to ride it are right after opening and right before closing. Different animals are active at different times so you will catch the best of both worlds.

Conservation Station

Not many guests visiting Animal Kingdom Park know about Conservation Station. You have to take a small train to get to it. There is a petting zoo and an area where you can watch animal caretakers (including veterinarians) do their magic to keep the animals healthy and happy. You can board the train near the entrance to Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and the exit of Kilimanjaro Safari.

Kite Tails

If you haven’t heard about Kite Tails, consider yourself lucky. Then again, it is pretty awesome–but not in the way you might think. Along a new waterfront in Animal Kingdom, a new show called Kite Tails runs a few times a day. The concept art was beautiful but the execution did not live up to the hype. The way the kites frequently crash land into the water, the bushes, or the bleachers can be just as, if not more, entertaining than it was supposed to be.

Every Animal Trail

There are three animal trails at Animal Kingdom. There is one in Asia, one in Africa, and one on Discovery Island. Each showcases different animals native to the area they represent. Experiencing each of them is a must-do for any animal lover.

Find Every Animal From the Show

If you are a fan of Disney +, then you are probably familiar with the “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” show. The series takes viewers behind the scenes of the park and the operations necessary to keep animals healthy and happy. Viewers are introduced to several animals from the park and learn their names. If you are visiting for only a couple of days or less, this will be more difficult depending on the health of each animal. If you are an annual passholder though, you may just accomplish your goal!

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser

This one is going to cost you. The Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser is a brand-new experience. Many guests think it is a hotel, but Disney is trying to make it more like the experience of a Disney Cruise (at least that is how they justify the hefty price). We will say that it does sound like an amazing experience for any Star Wars fan.

Behind the Scenes Tour

Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom each have some cool tours that take you behind the scenes (or “Behind the Seeds” at Epcot). Wild Africa Trek will let you get up close and personal with some fan-favourite animals from Kilimanjaro Safari, including the elephants. The Keys to the Magic Kingdom tour will walk you through the park and teach you some of its richest history. Behind the Seeds at Epcot lets guests pull back the curtain of the garden and agriculture featured in Living with the Land.

Four Parks in One Day

This is a difficult one, but something that many guests have accomplished before. It is not just about visiting each park in one day but doing at least one attraction at each. Here’s a tip: It is best to start at the park that opens the earliest and then head to the park that closes the earliest. Do you think you can do it? Try it!

After Hours Event

There are some special ticketed events that can make your day a little more magical. The tickets are limited so the crowds at these events are far less and you get to ride more rides and do more things than you usually would. These after-hours events include Halloween parties, holiday celebrations, and even Dapper Day.

Become a “Mountaineer”

The meaning behind the phrase “Become a Mountaineer” (in Disney terms) is when a guest rides all of the Disney “mountains” in one day. These mountains include Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain.

Return of Fantasmic!

Since the parks reopened after the long closure of the pandemic, Fantasmic! and many other shows have been closed. However, it was recently announced that Fantasmic! would be returning to both Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Park. It is an amazing show that you won’t want to miss.

New Toontown

Mickey’s Toontown is getting revamped this year. The layout will be reworked and the new attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will be opening this year. Mickey’s Toontown is often forgotten, but these changes might bring it back into popularity.

Look at the Goat

If you don’t know this trick, you are missing out! As the train ascends up the second lift hill on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, there is a goat with dynamite in its mouth on the right side of the tracks. If you stare at him for as long as you can, something happens with the g-forces that make the thrill of the ride a zillion times better.

Blue Bayou

Just like Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest are the bucket list restaurants at Magic Kingdom, Blue Bayou is the bucket list restaurant at Disneyland. It is the restaurant that sits right on the bayou scene in the Pirates of the Caribbean restaurant.

Lilly Belle and/or Conductor’s Seat

If you board the right train at Main Street Train Station early in the morning, ask if you can ride the Lilly Belle. This is very rare since it is not always running and/or is sometimes reserved for those on a behind-the-scenes tour. Rumour has it that you may be allowed to do it if you catch it a little after rope drop. You can also ask to ride in the front with the conductor. There are two seats available so you can bring a friend, too!

Steer the Mark Twain

Next time you ride the Mark Twain Riverboat, ask a cast member if you can steer. Depending on availability and crowds, you might be allowed an exclusive opportunity that most other people will never experience.

Return of World of Color

Since the parks reopened after the long closure of the pandemic, World of Color and many other shows have been closed. However, it was recently announced that World of Color would be returning to Disney’s California Adventure. This show is not as popular as Fantasmic! but that means you might get a better viewing spot.

Incredicoaster At Night

On the nights that World of Color is not showing, Pixar Pier will still be open after the sun goes down. The Incredicoaster is an amazing experience no matter when you ride it, but riding it is next level.

All Rides in One Day

There are many YouTube videos that explain how to do this right. It requires a lot of dedication and expertise. It has been done before though and you can do it too!

Guardians At Night

As we mentioned with the Incredicoaster, Guardians of the Galaxy–Mission: Breakout! is next level at night. Since this is a dark attraction, riding at night when your eyes have already adjusted to the darkness will allow you to catch things you might not have seen before.

Toy Story Mania Cheat Codes

Like any video game, Toy Story Mania has a couple of secrets that, when used correctly, will get you the highest score in your party. Here is a video I made about it.

No Rides Day

There is so much to experience at the Disneyland Resort. Rushing to the rides can distract you from everything else there is to experience, like the characters, shows, music, and overall ambience.

Disney After Dark Event

There are some special ticketed events that can make your day a little more magical. The tickets are limited so the crowds at these events are far less and you get to ride more rides and do more things than you usually would. These after-hours events include Halloween parties, holiday celebrations, and even Dapper Day.

Open to Close

This one is super exhausting but it is well worth it. Die-hard Disney Park fans love to get to the park right at the rope drop and they don’t leave until the end-of-the-day announcement over the intercom. If you have never done it before, you will have to try it.

Behind The Scenes Tour

Taking a behind-the-scenes tour will let you go backstage and learn the history of Disneyland, Walt Disney, and some of your favourite attractions. Sometimes you will even get to skip a few lines, depending on the tour.

Everything In One Year

This one is for the annual passholders and frequent visitors. Even the most die-hard visitors likely have yet to experience everything the Disneyland Resort has to offer. To truly do it all, your list should include every attraction, show, and food location. It is quite a conquest, but not impossible.

All-In-One Day

Of course, there is the ultimate Disney accomplishment–Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort in the same day. Yes, with the time difference from coast to coast, it is possible. You have to start at the Walt Disney World Resort early in the morning and catch a nonstop flight before about noon depending on what time Disneyland closes that day. This is probably the easiest to do if you already live in California or Florida and you are either heading out for a vacation or you are just returning home.