Things to do in Disney

Aulani · 90 minutes to full day · from $63

The Jurassic Park valley on the windward side. The Movie Sites tour works for all ages, and UTV and zipline tours are there for thrill seekers. It's a long drive from Ko Olina, so plan a full day.

Aulani · 2.5 hours · from $195

Leaves from Ko Olina, a few minutes from Aulani, so no long drive into Honolulu. Snorkel gear is included. An easy half-day on the water.

Aulani · Half day · from $55

The memorial program itself is free with a timed ticket. This tour handles the tickets and the driving and adds a short Honolulu stop. No bags bigger than a small wallet.

Aulani · Evening · from $175

Buffet, lei and drinks included, and you don't have to drive after dinner. Preferred seating costs more and gets you closer to the stage. Book it before you arrive.

Disney Cruise Line · About 2 hours

The adults-only brunch I tell every couple to book. Big ocean views and a long, slow meal while the kids are in the clubs. Reserve the moment your booking window opens.

Disney Cruise Line · Island day

Has its own adults-only Serenity Bay, a Junkanoo celebration, local art and a nature trail to the lighthouse. The South Eleuthera tours get you off the Disney beach and into real Bahamian culture.

Disney Cruise Line · Beach day

The adults-only beach is free and much quieter than the family side. The barbecue moved to the new Hangar 98 BBQ building. Cabanas cost extra and sell out early.

Disney Cruise Line · 1 hour · from $54

Kids 5 and up can feed and touch stingrays in shallow water. It's short, so you still have the rest of the beach day. $64 for ages 10 and up, $54 for ages 5 to 9.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · About 5 minutes plus pre-show · Lightning Lane Single Pass $11-$20

You ride a banshee over Pandora, and it's the ride that wins over people who think they don't care about Avatar. Height is 44 inches, and it's the one to buy a Single Pass for or ride at Early Entry.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A slow, glowing boat ride through Pandora's rainforest with an impressive Shaman animatronic at the end. It's short for the wait, so use a Multi Pass pick instead of standing in a long standby line.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · About 18 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

An open-truck safari through a huge savanna with giraffes, lions, elephants and rhinos. Ride in the morning when the animals are up, and remember the last trip leaves earlier than park close.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · About 3 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A coaster that runs backwards into the dark, with a giant yeti, and it's the best thrill ride in the park (44 inches). The single rider line moves fast, and the ride is expected to close later for a long repair, so ride it while you can.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A raft ride where some people get soaked and some stay dry, and you won't know which until the end. Height is 38 inches, and on cool November mornings I'd save it for the afternoon.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · About 30 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A Broadway-style show with acrobats, music and huge puppets, and it's the best show in any Disney World park. Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early, since seating isn't guaranteed.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · 25 minutes · Included with admission

A colorful musical with big puppets, great for young kids and a good sit-down in the air conditioning. Check showtimes in the app, since it runs only a few times a day.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · About 10 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A 4D show inside the Tree of Life that replaced It's Tough to Be a Bug, with Judy Hopps and the Zootopia crew. It's a good stop when you need a sit and some air conditioning.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · About 20 to 30 minutes, self-paced · Included with admission

A walking trail with gorillas, hippos underwater and a meerkat habitat. It's right next to the safari, so I tell people to do it right after while they're in the area.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · About 20 to 30 minutes, self-paced · Included with admission

A walking trail through temple ruins with tigers, bats and huge birds. Morning is best, because the tigers are usually more active before the heat.

Disney's Animal Kingdom · Allow about 1 hour with the train ride · Included with admission

A high-energy play session with Bluey and Bingo, with games, music and dancing. Get there by the Wildlife Express Train from Africa, and know there are no individual photos or autographs.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · About 18 minutes, start to finish · Lightning Lane Single Pass $20-$25

The best ride at Disney World, in my opinion: a multi-part experience where you get captured by the First Order and escape. Height is 40 inches, it's long, and it breaks down a lot, so buy the Single Pass or ride early.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

You fly the Falcon as pilot, gunner or engineer, and pilot is the role you want. Height is 38 inches, and single rider is a great shortcut if you don't care which seat you get.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · About 2 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible (top tier)

A family coaster with a fun second launch, and the best first real coaster for kids who are 38 inches. It's the most popular Multi Pass pick in the park, so book it as early as you can.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A trackless ride inside a cartoon, with gags happening on every wall. No height requirement, and it's my pick for families with toddlers.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · About 4 minutes plus pre-show · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

Random drops in a haunted hotel elevator, and the theming is some of Disney's best. Height is 40 inches, and the drops are randomized, so no two rides are the same.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · About 1.5 minutes plus pre-show · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

The same 0 to 57 mph launch and inversions in the dark, now with the Muppets and the Electric Mayhem on the soundtrack. Height is 48 inches, and the single rider line is the move if you don't mind splitting up.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · About 7 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A 3D shooting game ride where everyone gets competitive. Pull the string fast and aim for the high-value targets, and ride twice if the line is short.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · About 7 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A motion simulator with randomized planets, so it changes every time. Height is 40 inches, and the wait is usually reasonable in the afternoon.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · 30 minutes · Included with admission

Mickey battles the villains in a water, fire and fireworks show, and it's the best nighttime show at the Studios. Arrive 45 minutes early for good seats, and know the first rows can get wet.

Disney's Hollywood Studios · 30 minutes · Included with admission

Live stunts, explosions and a peek at how movie action scenes are made. It's a good way to sit in the shade midday between rides.

Disneyland · 7 hours minimum

A private guide for up to 10 people who handles the logistics and gets you on rides with minimal waits. Expect roughly $500 to $800 an hour plus park tickets. Worth it for big milestone groups.

Disneyland · Check dates · from $145

A good pick for history buffs and train fans. You ride the Lilly Belle, Walt's private railroad car, and hear how his love of trains shaped the park. Disney lists it as temporarily unavailable right now, so check before you plan around it.

Disneyland · 2 hours · from $170

The revamped tour covers both parks and ends with a visit to Walt's apartment above the Main Street fire station. That's the only way most people get inside. Includes a snack box and pin.

EPCOT · About 3 minutes plus pre-show · Lightning Lane Single Pass $14-$25

A spinning indoor coaster that rotates to face the action, with a different song each ride, and it's my favorite coaster at Disney World (42 inches). It now has a regular standby line, but waits get long, so ride at Early Entry or buy the Single Pass.

EPCOT · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible (top tier)

It reopened in 2025 with a new design-a-car theme, and the high-speed outdoor loop is still the payoff (40 inches). The single rider line is a huge time saver if your group doesn't mind splitting up.

EPCOT · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible (top tier)

A boat ride through Arendelle with a small backwards drop and great Elsa animatronics. It's one of the longest waits in the park, so use a Multi Pass pick or ride right at opening.

EPCOT · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible (top tier)

A 3D trackless ride where you shrink down to rat size in Gusteau's kitchen. No height requirement, and it's a strong pick for families with mixed ages.

EPCOT · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

The new limited-time version of Soarin' flies you over U.S. landmarks, and it's gentle enough for most people who don't love thrill rides (40 inches). Ask for the top row in the middle for the best view.

EPCOT · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

Orange is the intense spinning version (44 inches) and Green is the gentle one (40 inches). If anyone in your group gets motion sick, pick Green and don't let anyone talk you into Orange.

EPCOT · About 16 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

The slow ride through the giant ball telling the story of human communication. Ride it now, because Disney plans to close it for a big reimagining, expected in 2027.

EPCOT · About 14 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A relaxing boat ride through EPCOT's greenhouses, where they grow food served in the park. From November 27 to December 30, 2026 it runs as Glimmering Greenhouses with holiday lights, which is worth doing at night.

EPCOT · About 4 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A short clamshell ride that drops you into one of the biggest aquariums in the country. Skip the ride line if you just want the tanks, since you can walk in through the exit side.

EPCOT · About 15 minutes, self-paced · Included with admission

A walk-through water trail where the water reacts to you, and it's perfect for little kids. Go in the afternoon heat and expect to get a little wet.

EPCOT · About 20 minutes · Included with admission

EPCOT's nighttime show of fireworks, fountains and lights over World Showcase Lagoon. Grab a spot near Italy, Germany or the Mexico side about 30 minutes early, or book a fireworks dining package if you want a guaranteed view.

Magic Kingdom · About 3 minutes · Lightning Lane Single Pass $10-$18

A smooth family coaster with swinging cars and a fun trip through the dwarfs' mine, and it's the right first coaster for most kids (38 inches). The line gets long fast, so ride it during Early Entry or buy the Single Pass.

Magic Kingdom · About 1 minute · Lightning Lane Single Pass $19-$25

The fastest launch in the park, on motorcycle-style seats under a glowing canopy. Height is 48 inches, and the bike seats don't fit every body type, so try the test seat out front before you wait.

Magic Kingdom · About 2.5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A classic coaster in the dark that feels much faster than it is. You need to be 44 inches, and it's a good Multi Pass pick in the afternoon when standby creeps past an hour.

Magic Kingdom · About 4 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

It reopened in May 2026 after a long refurbishment with new track and effects, and the height requirement dropped to 38 inches. It's the best family thrill ride in the park, and I love it after dark.

Magic Kingdom · About 10 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible (temporarily closed until Dec. 18, 2026)

A log flume with great music and a 50-foot drop, and you will get wet (40 inches to ride). It's closed for refurbishment until December 18, 2026, so don't plan around it before then.

Magic Kingdom · About 9 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

Spooky, funny and packed with details you'll catch on a second ride. The line moves fast, so I usually ride standby and save my Lightning Lane picks for something else.

Magic Kingdom · About 9 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A boat ride with a couple of small drops and some of Disney's best scenes. It's a great midday break from the heat, and the wait rarely gets bad.

Magic Kingdom · About 3 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A short, sweet ride over London in a flying pirate ship. The line is long all day for a 3-minute ride, so do it first thing or use a Multi Pass pick.

Magic Kingdom · About 10 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

A boat tour full of bad puns, and the skipper makes or breaks it. Right now it's running as the Jingle Cruise holiday version, and the regular version comes back early next year.

Magic Kingdom · About 5 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

It reopened in 2026 with new blasters and targets, and it's a competitive one if your family keeps score. No height requirement, and kids love it.

Magic Kingdom · About 10 minutes · Included with admission; Lightning Lane Multi Pass eligible

Yes, the song gets stuck in your head, but it's a sit-down, air-conditioned classic that works for every age. Ride it when you need a break, because the line moves quickly.

Magic Kingdom · 18 minutes · Included with admission

Fireworks plus projections on the castle and down Main Street, and it's the best way to end a Magic Kingdom day. Stand on Main Street so you see the projections, not just the fireworks, and stake out a spot 45 minutes early.

Walt Disney World · Half or full day · from $64

A good reset day in the middle of a long trip. Disney usually rotates one water park closed for refurb, so check which one is open for your dates.

Walt Disney World · 1 hour · from $39

The cheapest good tour on property. You walk through the greenhouses and fish farm in The Land. Kids actually like it, and it's a break from the heat.

Walt Disney World · About 1 hour · from $89

An open-air vehicle on the lodge savanna after dark, with night-vision goggles. Pair it with dinner at Jiko or Boma. Ages 8 and up.

Walt Disney World · Evening · from $104

Desserts and drinks, then a reserved fireworks spot without camping on Main Street for an hour. Seats & Sweets ($129+) is the one to book if anyone needs to sit.

Walt Disney World · About 3 hours · from $239

A small-group walk through the savanna in a harness, close to the hippos and crocodiles, plus snacks and photos. Ages 8+, 48 inches and up, 45 to 300 pounds.

Walt Disney World · About 5 hours · from $179

A walking tour of how Magic Kingdom works, including a stretch of the backstage areas. Lunch is included. Ages 16 and up with photo ID, and park admission is extra.