Bucket List · Travel

15 Magical Disney Things To Do Before You Die

Disney is just so magical, and I don’t know what my life would be without it. From playing pirates as a kid, never wanting to grow up, to trying over Mufasa-  it’s no surprise that I have a big bucket list of Disney adventures I want to go on. These Disney things to do before you die will take me around the world.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have done some Disney bucket list items already, but I still have much to look forward to.

Disney Things To Do Before You Die

1. Meet Peter Pan ✓

Couple in between Wendy and Peter Pan in Disneyland Paris

I’ve wanted to meet Peter Pan for the longest time. I’ve always adored the movie.

It was only when I got to Paris that I realised I should have brought my book for Peter and Wendy to sign. I held on to my childhood as long as I could and still lament growing up so he’s a character I relate to. Quite frankly, I dreaded growing up!

I also wanted to meet him in Disneyland because the Peter Pandom days on Tumblr were fun when I was a teenager.

There are lots of other characters I’d like to meet in the resorts, but as far as my list of Disney things to do before you die goes, Peter Pan was on the top.

2. Go To Disneyland Paris ✓


I don’t have a “local Disneyland” like the people in LA I follow on Instagram do, the closest I have is Paris. I first visited Disneyland Paris for it’s 15th anniversary when I was a kid, and made it back for the 25th!

I haven’t been to the other Disney resorts to compare to but from what I’ve seen, Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Paris is prettiest of all the Disney parks, in my opinion. You can even check out a dungeon with the Maleficent‘s dragon form.

Paris is also one of my favourite cities in the world, and I can’t wait to go back sometime.

3. Go To Pixar Pier

pixar pier incredacoaster and mickey mouse ferris wheel

There’s a million and one reasons as to why I want to visit California. Pixar Pier is one if them.

I love the carnival vibe. It was originally Paradise Pier but rebranded as Pixar Pier & Paradise Gardens Park in 2018 as part of Disney California Adventure.

4. Stay In Aulani

sea
Photo by Troy Squillaci on Pexels.com

Hawaii is also a place I’ve always wanted to visit, and it wasn’t that long ago that I found out about Aulani, which is a Disney spa and resort. It only opened in 2011 so it’s among one of the newer projects. It’s different to the other resorts as it’s not a theme park, but sometimes you just want a chill relaxing holiday, and Aulani sounds like just the place for that.

5. See The Lion King On Broadway ✓

Playbill of The Lion King on Broadway, New York, Minskoff Theatre

The Lion King has been my favourite movie since birth, so the first time I heard about the Broadway show, which was at least 10 years ago, I knew I had to see it one day.

I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to tick this off my list of Disney things to do before you die. It was just as amazing as I dreamed it would be.

6. Go To Disneyland During Christmas

I mentioned after coming home from Paris that I’d love to go to Disneyland for Christmas. I’d actually be happy seeing any Disney park during the festive season.

Disneyland is magical all year round but there’s just something more magical about spending Christmas in the happiest place on Earth. At night Disneyland Paris feels a bit Christmas-y because of the lights, but image how much more magical it would feel during the festive season?

In the meantime, check out these Disney Christmas movies.

7. Go To Disneyland During Halloween

mickey mouse wreath as part of disney halloween celebrations on list of disney things to do before you die

I also said I absolutely have to go to Disneyland for Halloween. A dream Halloween holiday would be going to Paris on October and going to Disneyland, and the Catacombs. The last time I was in Paris, I tried to go to but the queue was too long for us to want risk missing our flight home.

For now, check out these Disney Halloween movies.

8. Try Dole Whip

pineapple dole whip - disney things to do before you die

I follow a lot of Disney blogs, including Disney food blogs on Instagram. So, naturally, there are some foods I can’t wait to try. As far as Disney park food goes, I’d argue Dole Whip is the most iconic.

Dole Whip is not available in Paris, so I’ve never tried it. You can find it in much of Disneyworld, Florida. As for California, you can find it at the Tangaroa Terrance Tropical Bar & Grill at the Disneyland Hotel, according to Park Savers.

9. Eat In Captain Jack’s

pirates of the caribbean ride - on list of disney things to do before you die

Pirates Of The Caribbean is possibly my favourite franchise of all-time. Pirates Of The Caribbean is also my favourite Disney ride. So, when I found out about Captain Jack’s restaurant, I knew it had to add it to my Disney bucket list.

Captain Jack’s is in Adventureland in Disneyland, Paris. The coolest thing is, you can even watch the ride pass through from your seat in the restaurant.

The restaurant is dimly lit, and surrounded by palm trees, which really captures the feel of the films. The menu has a lot of tropical offerings and seafood – but there are also vegan friendly choices. It’s one of the most popular restaurants, so it’s best to book a table in advance.

10. Own The Adventure Book From Up

five assorted balloons
Photo by Padli Pradana on Pexels.com

I’ve mentioned before how I keep my own Adventure Book. It’s a notebook with a pirate ship on it I picked up in Lanzarote when I was a teenager. I love it, and I have every intention of finishing it. That said, 50 pages in, and it’s gotten pretty bulky.

Eventually, I will need a new notebook. The thought makes me sad since I’m emotionally attached to mine. The good news is, it’s an opportunity to get the real deal from Up, which is what inspired me to start my journal in the first place.

The most important thing would be to actually get through this list of Disney things to do before you die, so the book has adventures in it.

11. Visit The Up House

low angle photography of hot air balloon
Photo by Craig Shine on Pexels.com

Did you know there is a house like the one in Up? A woman living in Seattle, Edith Macefield, garnered attention after she refused to sell her home for $1 million dollars. So, a mall was built around her home.

Although this sounds a lot like Carl’s story, Disney is believed to have begun writing Up before this happened. However, many Disney fans like to visit the house to leave balloons.

There is also a home in Utah, decorated just like Carl and Ellie’s house. Although fans are welcome to take pictures, be quick and be respectful as a family lives there.

12. Own The Necklace From Pirates Of The Caribbean ✓

necklace from pirates of the caribbean and book "the history of piracy" by phillip goose

I think I’ve made it clear enough how much I love Pirates Of The Caribbean. The first movie is all about Barbossa’s crew hunting down the last piece of Aztec gold to break their curse.

I wear mine almost every day. Last time I was in Paris, I also picked up a keyring shaped like the key to Davy Jones’ chest. It really is a pirates life for me.

13. Do An Official Disney Collaboration

white and blue concrete castle under blue sky
Photo by Mark Arron Smith on Pexels.com

While being a real Disney Princess would be too far fetched, I would love the chance to work for Disney in some shape or form. I’ve read a lot of Disney books, so the dream would be to right one. It’s far fetched, but isn’t Disney all about dreams?

14. See The Inspiration For Pride Rock

a lion lying on gray rock
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

Sadly, there is no real-life Pride Rock, but there’s still something on this Disney bucket list you can do.

When creating the Lion King, the animators visited the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. There are sights in Hell’s Gate National Park that will make you feel like you’re in the film.

Check out my thoughts on the live action version.

15. See The Fireworks ✓

fireworks at dinseyland castle on list of disney things to do before you die

Lastly, what’s more magical that watching the Disney fireworks by the castle?

Mickey Mouse figure holding a phone - disney things to do before you die

What do you think of these Disney things to do before you die? Do you have a Disney bucket list?

0 thoughts on “15 Magical Disney Things To Do Before You Die

  1. Disneyland is such a magical place. I was just at Disneyland and DCA yesterday – I love the changes that are happening to the park. Pixar Pier is GREAT! I really like Disneyland during Christmas. You REALLY feel the festivities during that time.

    Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me

  2. LOVE LOVE LOVE this list! I definitely plan to be ticking off some of these and will be adding some I never thought of. Thanks for sharing! (:

    Ashlee | ashleemoyo.com

  3. Great read, it’s so magical at Christmas too. I’ve only been to Florida so need to visit the other parks, Paris probably the most likely in the near future as it’s the closest for me too.

    I’ve also been meaning to see the Lion King forever but not got around to it yet.

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