Top 20 Disney World Must-Do's for Couples

Well congratulations! I am so happy for you and hope you have a magical vacation. Every year when my husband and I go to Disney we have such a great time, I thought I would offer a little advice for those of you who are going without children. Yes, many people visit Disney parks without children, and they actually have lots of fun! While there are many things to do at the parks that I won't cover here, like eating and shows, I decided that a list of "must-do's" would be most helpful for those of you who just don't know where to start. I know it would have helped us on our first trip. (I have also added an Amazon listing of the three most useful planning books available for Disney World, we have used them all and all three are great) So here goes:

1. The first thing you should plan to do when arriving at the Magic Kingdom, which is where every Disney trip should begin, is to be there for the opening ceremony in the morning. Every morning there is a fantastic ceremony that involves many of the characters, a train, and a lucky family chosen to help the Mayor open the Kingdom for that day. It's so fun and it really gets you excited for what is to come when the front gate opens! It begins about 15 minutes before the park opens, so plan on being there early the first day. Be sure to pick up a free map on your way through the entrance gate, they are all along the walls.
2. Whether you are an old Disney fan from childhood or you just got interested because you saw Pirates of the Caribbean recently, an always must-do is the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This ride is one of the first you will encounter when you enter the Magic Kingdom and head to the left at the end of Main Street USA. Head over into Adventureland and you can't miss it on the left, just past the Aladdin ride. Pirates is a relaxing but very fun ride that just gets you warmed up for your day.
3. Now we are making our way around the Magic Kingdom loop, this is what we always do and it just works for us. We have never entered from the right and worked our way around - the good rides are mostly to the left! Ok, so once Pirates is out of the way, the next must-do would have to be Splash Mountain . You can't miss it if you just stay on the loop. This is truly a classic, and the fact is it is one of the longer and most fun rides at the Magic Kingdom. It's just relaxing enough that it will catch you off guard when you finally get to the five story plunge. Be sure you are ready to get a little wet, or wear a windbreaker with a hood! You won't regret riding this one.
4. Ok back to the loop, but you will only have to walk a few steps and you'll arrive at Big Thunder Mountain . Another classic, but this is no slow relaxing ride. Big Thunder is our all time favorite Magic Kingdom ride, and it will be yours too once you've ridden it once. It is so thrilling and you'll be laughing out loud, if not screaming, the whole time. But it's definitely not terrifying, so if you aren't a big roller coaster fan, just give it a try. The kiddies ride this one and love it, so you can do it!
5. Leaving Big Thunder, whenever you decide to do that, you will see a big paddle wheeler in a "river", which is probably fun for some, but you can skip it if time is tight. Walking around to the other side of the big boat you'll come upon the Haunted Mansion . Another classic and a favorite for many. I like it because it's dark and cool, and not a thrill ride as much as a spooky ride. A fun experience for everyone I think.
6. One more must-do ride over here at Magic Kingdom, and that has to be Space Mountain . This is many people's absolute favorite ride at Disney, but it is a little scary your first time. Be ready for a dark and very fast moving (at least it feels fast in the dark) roller coaster, and you won't know what's coming because you can't see the tracks. It's indoors though, so you can be cool while waiting and riding.
7. Now, are you getting tired? You will be needing a break by now, and I have an idea better than sitting down for a big ice cream sundae. You are pretty much at the end of the loop, so just walk back to the main entrance gate and walk up the stairs just inside the gate to the train station. The Walt Disney World Railroad will take you on a lovely and very relaxing ride all the way around the Magic Kingdom. Most of the ride is through trees and there will be different things to look at back in those trees so keep your eyes open! When you get back to the main station you can get off and make your way to the transit center right outside the gate. This is when you decide which park to go to next.
8. So you've decided to make your next stop Epcot? Excellent choice, and always our second on our trips too. So go up the ramp to the transit center and board the monorail . This is our next must-do at Disney World. This monorail has been around since the World was built. Even if you just want to make the loop around that goes through the Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Contemporary resorts, it's worth one ride. But we always head to Epcot at this point. Just make your transfer at the transportation center and get on the monorail that will take you to Epcot for your next adventure.
9. Now that the monorail has brought you to the front gate at Epcot, you are ready for a whole new experience. This is a two-part park. Epcot is made up first of Futureworld, which includes rides, learning experiences, interactive fun and more. There are a few rides here that you absolutely cannot miss. The first of these must-do's is Soarin . I understand that the line is always long, and there is a reason for this. If it is still early in the day try to get a fastpass to ride it later. You must make an effort to ride this, especially if you like the thought of hang gliding without the danger! Just enter the park and head to the right, keep going and you can't miss it up on a little hill. It's worth your time.
10. After your gliding experience, or while you wait for your fastpass time, shoot straight across Futureworld and you'll see Mission Space right in front of you. This is the next must-do. And you have options here, in case you suffer from motion sickness like me. There is a green option or an orange. You read the sign and decide which is for you. Personally I will be miserable if I do the spinning thing, but go for it if you can. This is my husband's all time favorite ride at Epcot, so check it out.
11. When you leave Mission Space just look to your left and you will see Test Track . This is absolutely a must-do for us. Ever wondered what it would be like to test out a new car at a proving ground? How about a high speed loop around a racetrack above the ground? This is such a great experience you will want to do it over and over again. Be sure to take off your hats and sunglasses before the car heads outside for the lap!
12. Once you're done with these fabulous rides it might be time for a stroll and a great meal. Our next must-do is the other part of Epcot, the World Showcase . My favorite hangout at Disney is this area, a huge lake surrounded by a dozen countries with great food choices and fantastic shopping. The cast members in these countries are usually students from the home country who are here for a one year work experience, so they are very interesting and charming. There are great restaurants, shops, and little demonstrations to watch as you stroll. Try to see the Japanese drum show if you can, and there is always some sort of clown show going on in Italy and France. Germany has the world's only Werther's shop, and there is a fabulous bakery hidden in the back of France. Have fun here and take it slow.
13. This brings me to the next must-do, which also takes place at the World Showcase. This is a show called Illuminations: Reflections of Earth and it's put on every evening before the park closes. Check your schedule/map for the time that evening and enjoy. You may even want to try to eat dinner late and watch as you eat. Rose & Crown Pub has lots of outside tables on the lake. This is the best show at any of the parks in my opinion.
14. The next day you may decide it's time to check out Animal Kingdom. This is a good choice for many reasons, it's a gorgeous park and there is a lot to see and do there. The hours are different here, so be sure to check the schedule before heading out. Our ultimate favorite must-do at Animal Kingdom is the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. Located in the Africa area of the park, this is a wonderful and exciting ride through forest and savannah with all sorts of animals to see up close. Just enter the park and walk straight through the left side of the jungle, (look for the anteater to the left, he's usually sleeping) continue over the bridge and go straight. You'll run right into it. We once had a momma rhino and her baby walk right in front of our jeep, these animals are close! Take your camera and get some photos, it's a great time.
15. Upon leaving the safari you will see a trail called the Pangani Forest ExplorationTrail . Take a few minutes and explore, you won't be disappoiinted. This is probably the closest you will get to gorillas without bars or glass, and they are amazing. Keep walking and you will see the area from another angle, and maybe more gorillas. It's a fun walk anyway.
16. The next must-do at this park is over in Asia. You will walk back out of Africa and take a left at the split. There are signs to direct you, but it's still a little confusing. This park is huge. A little distance down on the left you will come across another "walk", this one is the Maharajah Jungle Trek , and it's a must-do. You will see tigers so close-up that you may even be a little scared. They will be doing their thing while you watch, and I'll admit I was nervous in front of that window as they passsed by. But it's an amazing experience all the same.
17. At this point you may have already spotted a large snowy mountain in the distance. That would be the must-do named Expedition Everest . Get ready to go on a thrilling ride through Yeti territory, and you will scream on this ride. It's high, fast, and dark. Enough said.
18. Now, once you catch your breath, take the rest of the lap around Animal Kingdom to DinoLand USA. Here you will find a must-do called Dinosaur . This is a very fast moving trip back in time to recover a dinosaur specimen before a meteor storm hits. It is rough, so brace yourself in the jeep, but it's very fun and definitely worth the jolting ride.
19. This is where we leave for our next park, Disney's Hollywood Studios. There is a lot to see and do there, but I will cover our two favorites. The first of these is really based on our being raised during the Star Wars years. We can't visit Hollywood Studios without riding Star Tours , a trip in a spacecraft to one of many destinations, which have recently been updated so I can't tell you how the new scenarios play out. But it is still the same concept, a flight simulator takes you soaring through space and you are lucky to survive since the pilots are not the most proficient. Ok, it's C-3PO, so buckle up!
20. Wow, last must-do on our whirlwind trip! Well that would have to be the terrifying and fabulous Twilight Zone Tower of Terror of course. This is a ride that changes each time you ride it, so while the basic premise is the same you never know exactly what to expect. You can expect to be dropped, shot up through the air at random, and scared out of your mind. But other than that, you will have to find out for yourself. At least give it a shot, you may like it. I didn't even get motion sick on this one, which was a pleasant surprise.

Well, I know we have covered a lot and I hope it's been helpful. Some may diagree with my choices of course, and I couldn't squeeze everyting into a top 20.  But I have been making regular yearly trips for about six or seven years, and these are things that I really like to do on every trip. Do check out the Disney Dining Plan for your meal planning, it might make sense for you. And if you enjoy golf or spas, there are many choices at Disney for you. I want you to have a great trip and while the planning books are helpful, sometimes they just have too much information to sort through. And let's be honest, most are written with kids in mind. So let me know how your trip goes. I'll be wishing you a magical time!