Spending a year at Walt Disney World on the Disney College Program (DCP) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—and trust me, it will be one of the best years of your life. Between creating magical moments, making lifelong friends, and living and working at the Most Magical Place on Earth, there are endless things to see, do, and experience.
Even after being in the parks almost every day for a full year, I was still discovering new things! So whether you’re just starting your program or you’re looking to make the most of your last few weeks, here are 100 things to add to your Disney College Program bucket list. From iconic park moments to Cast Member perks, these are the experiences that make the DCP unforgettable.
1. Take A PICTURE IN FRONT OF Cinderella’S Castle
Let’s be real, it’s a rite of passage. (and I promise you won’t be taking just one, I don’t think I can count how many castle pics I have lol!)
2. Ride the People Mover 100 times
My favourite ride – seems only natural to want to ride it 100 times?
3. Watch the fireworks (AND CRY EVERY TIME)
It never gets old.
4. Visit All four parks
Explore what will be your home for the next year :)
5. COMPLETE TRADITIONS AND PUT YOUR Disney name tag ON FOR THE FIRST TIME
That moment when you put on your name tag for the first time is MAGIC.
6. Make A magicAL MOMENT
Something special about being a Cast Member is you’re not working, you are making MAGIC.
7. EARN YOUR EARS
After completing your training, soak in that moment where you take your red ‘earning your ears’ tag off. You’re officially a Cast Member!
8. Check out Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival
The perfect way to eat (and drink if you’re old enough!) your way around the world, literally.
9. Go SHOPPING AT Disney Springs
Great food, shopping, and entertainment. Plus, the best place to hang out with friends after a shift.
10. SPEND A DAY RESORT HOPPING
Hop on the Monorail and bounce from resort to resort – my favourites: Grand Floridian and the Polynesian.
11. ride Space Mountain WITH THE LIGHTS ON
Conquer this classic… with the lights on! If you’re lucky enough you can sign up for a backstage tour of this attraction and experience the ride with the lights on (just pre-warning you – it’s a little scary haha!)
12. Try EVERY MICKEY SHAPED SNACK
Everything tastes better when it’s Mickey shaped. That’s just a fact.
13. SEE THE RAINY DAY Cavalcade
Rainy days at the parks are my favourite! And this parade is just so cute.
14. Attend a Cast Member exclusive event
If you get the chance, attend one of the many fun events just for Cast Members. You’ll make memories for life!
15. Take a selfie in front of the Partners statue
A photo with the bosses? It’s a Disney College Program must-do!
16. RIDE BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN DURING THE FIREWORKS
If you time it just right, this is one of the coolest experiences – seeing the fireworks while riding a rollercoaster!
17. Get your Disney Bounding game on
Dressing up in an outfit inspired by your favourite Disney character? It’s a thing, and it’s fun.
18. ride Tower of Terror AT night
Bonus points if it’s during the fireworks—creepy and epic.
19. Make friends from around the world
The best part of the Disney College Program is the people you meet – from all around the world! Friendships that will last a lifetime.
20. Catch the Dapper Dans on Main Street
A classic Disney experience you just have to enjoy.
21. Take a ride on the Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom
You get to see real animals on this incredible ride—so cool! And it’s different every time you ride it. Try riding it early in the morning – the animals can be quite active during this time!
22. Go TO THE PARKS SOLO
I love a solo park day! Chill on the hub grass for hours? Ride the People Mover 10 times in a row? You can do anything.
23. Do some painting at EPCOT’S FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
One of my favourite EPCOT festivals!
24. Take a day trip to the beach
Whether you head to Cocoa Beach or somewhere else, take advantage of Florida’s sunny coastlines.
25. Make your own ears
Get creative and create a custom pair of ears to wear around the parks.
26. CONQUER THE KITCHEN SINK AT BEACHES AND CREAM
Get your pals together and order the Kitchen Sink. It is HUGE but the most epic ice-cream experience ever.
27. Stay at disney resort
So many resorts to choose from! Try staying at at least one.
28. Experience the Flower & Garden Festival at EPCOT
EPCOT is even more beautiful during this annual festival, with beautiful flowers everywhere.
29. Watch a fireworks show from the beach at the Polynesian Resort
You get an amazing view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from here, minus the crowds.
30. GET EVACUATED FROM A RIDE
You don’t really have control over this one (and I’m still yet to experience this) but it’s on the list!
31. DO FOUR PARKS IN ONE DAY
A challenge! Can you do all four parks in one day??
32. Experience a Cast Member exclusive backstage tour
Get an insider’s look at Disney operations and secrets.
33. Take a ride on the Walt Disney World Railroad
Relax, take in the views, and ride the train that circles Magic Kingdom.
34. Celebrate THE holidayS at Disney World
The parks are extra magical during Christmas, and you’re living there!
35. Go to a character breakfast
Eat alllll the Mickey Waffles while saying hi to a few pals!
36. TRY a turkey leg
Not my favourite Disney snack but you’ve got to try it at least once lol!
37. Go to a water park
Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon? You’ve got options, and both are fun!
38. Meet Gaston
He’s one of the memorable character interactions you’ll ever have.
39. Celebrate YOUR birthday at Disney World
The most magical birthday ever! Be sure to ask for a birthday badge!
40. Try a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle in Adventureland
A favourite.
41. Take a PICTURE with Mickey
Gotta get a photo with the boss. He’s the cutest boss ever.
42. GET a universal annual pass
Mix it up and spend some time drinking Butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or saying hi to dinosaurs at Jurassic Park!
43. GO TO MICKEY’S NOT SO SCARY HALLOWEEN PARTY
Get dressed up in your Halloween best and get ready for some major trick or treating and rare character fun!
44. GO TO MICKEY’S very merry christmas party
The most magical time of year – it even snows on Main Street!
45. BUY A MICKEY BALLOON
My friends bought me a balloon for my birthday and it was honestly the best day ever :)
46. RIDE on A MAIN STREET VEHICLE
Spend the morning enjoying Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom. Riding around in a Main Street vehicle is just so wholesome.
47. Take a photo WITH A DISNEY wall
So many instagrammable walls – the purple wall is the OG. But the Bubblegum wall is my favourite!
48. HOOP DEE DOO Review
This is such a fun night. The strawberry shortcake is to die for!
49. Mail a postcard from magic kingdom
Did you know that the post boxes on Main Street USA are real?? Write a postcard and send it to your family (just be sure that it is stamped before you send it!)
50. Do the wild africa trek at animal kingdom
Splurge and go on an adventure, trekking through Animal Kingdom!
51. Participate in a Voluntear event
Give back and sign up for one of the many Volunt-ear programs.
52. GET Pixie Dusted
Visit either the Barber Shop on Main Street or Sir Mickey’s in Fantasyland and ask for some pixie dust. Don’t forget to make a wish!
53. Witness an empty main street
If you’re lucky enough to work on Main Street, this is one of the prettiest sights!
54. Eat Spaghetti at Tony’s townsquare restaurant
Live your Lady and the Tramp moment!
55. Spend the day pin trading
Remember that time you said you weren’t going to become obsessed with trading pins? Yeah… me too.
56. Be at the parks early enough for rope drop
There’s something special about being in the parks for rope drop. Get a starbucks and watching the welcome show is a super cute vibe.
57. See the fireworks on nye
The busiest day in the parks, but nothing beats a NYE at Disney!
58. GO on a hidden mickey hunt
Hidden Mickey’s are EVERYWHERE. It’s kinda fun just spending a day going on a hunt to see how many you can spot!
59. Run in a rundisney event
The most fun way to run!
60. Pick up a shift in all four parks
Broaden your horizons and say you’ve worked in every park!
61. Ride the hot air balloon at disney springs
See Disney from above on the hot air balloon at Disney Springs! It’s cool to experience this both at day and night (or super romantic during sunset!)
62. Become a wilderness explorer
Spend the day learning all about wildlife and the animals at Animal Kingdom.
63. Go to a high tea at the Grand Floridian
Feeling fancy? Pinkies up!
64. Go to Disneyland
If you have a few days to spare – fly over to California and experience Disneyland!
65. Wear matching shirts
Do as the Guests do and get your DCP fam all together and have a day wearing matching shirts and taking silly family photos.
66. Spot a celebrity
You never know who you might see! Neil Patrick Harris and Raven-Symoné… I may have seen them on my program!
67. Fill your passport at world showcase
Buy a Passport Kit and spend the day exploring each country!
68. Visit a pumpkin patch
As an Aussie, experiencing some American fall festivities was the best fun!
69. Fill an autograph book with character signatures
Say hi to all your favourite characters and ask them to sign your autography book – the perfect souvenir to remember your DCP.
70. Hang out on the hub grass
One of my favourite things to do is just to soak in the atmosphere of Magic Kingdom and sit on the hub grass with a mickey shaped snack and a sketchbook and just people watch. (also a great spot to enjoy the parade from a distance)
71. Try the grey stuff at be our guest
Can confirm, it is delicious!
72. Watch the candlelight processional at epcot
A Christmas at Disney tradition!
73. Try Lefou’s Brew at gaston’s tavern
And the cinnamon rolls here… OMG.
74. Complete sorcerEr’s of the magic kingdom
A fun little game to play at Magic Kingdom! There’s also a pirate version in Adventureland!
75. Pull the sword out of the stone
Still waiting for this day…
76. Write a wish in the blue fairy’s wishing book
At Pinocchio’s Village Haus you can write your wish in the Blue Fairy’s Wishing Book – so cute!
77. Try Beverly at club cool
It’s gross but it’s basically DCP initiation.
78. Stumble across a character palooza
I was lucky enough to experience one of these at EPCOT!
79. Stay at a park from park open to park close
Simply because you can :)
80. Meet every character
A huge mission – I got pretty close!
81. Dine at O’hana at the Polynesian
My favourite dining experience! The pineapple coconut bread omg.
82. Go on the summit plummet at blizzard beach
Utterly terrifying. Be ready for a major wedgie.
83. Get a pair of ears embroidered
I had my traditions ears embroidered with my name – a sweet little nostalgic souvenir.
84. Get 999,999 Points on the buzz lightyear ride
Oh to become a Galactic Hero – I never mastered my technique enough to achieve this but maybe one day.
85. Eat at cinderella’s royal table
Something I didn’t get to tick off my list but maybe one day :)
86. Own 10 pairs of ears
Uhhh… I may own more than 10 pairs haha.
87. Buy cast member exclusive merch
Did someone say CM exclusive?
88. Ride every type of disney transportation
Another one… just because you can.
89. Write someone a four keys card (now Known as five keys)
Recognise one of your colleagues for their hard work :)
90. Try the Gelato in italy at epcot
It’s not mickey shaped but it is so good.
91. Watch the parade in front of the castle
One of the best spots to watch the parade from – get there early to get a good spot.
92. eat something at every quick service restaurant
And then rate them in order of your favourites!
93. See the gingerbread house at the grand floridian
It smells like Christmas!
94. Explore the boardwalk
A great spot to enjoy for a night out.
95. Take a picture at the cast member door
A mandatory CM moment.
96. Stay at Magic Kingdom until the kiss goodnight
A sweet little goodbye moment that is worth experiencing at least once!
97. Keep a memory box of all your DCP MEMORIES
Keep all the little things from your DCP (even silly things like receipts!) You’ll treasure them so much once your program is over.
98. Attend the end of Dcp event
My year was the Starlit Splash at Typhoon Lagoon!
99. Buy a Disney themed Book and have all your friends and colleagues write something in it
Something to make you cry when you think about how much you miss the DCP.
100. Graduate from the DCP
The end of your Disney College Program :( This celebration is such a magical way to reflect on your time at Disney.
Whether you’re at the beginning, middle, or end of your Disney College Program, this list is your ultimate guide to making the most of every magical moment. The program goes by faster than you think—so get out there, take photos, try the snacks, ride your favorite attractions, and don’t forget to make a little magic of your own.
Disclaimer: all opinions posted are completely my own and not affiliated with Disney in any way.
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Jess at Sea 
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