Experiences to Skip on a First Visit to WDW

For many Guests, a first visit to Walt Disney World can feel overwhelming due to the incredible number of experiences waiting to be enjoyed. There are countless attractions, entertainment options, dining and shopping locations, special events, recreation activities, and more. A great way to avoid being overwhelmed is by prioritizing which attractions and experiences are must-do and which are not. While each of the following attractions are enjoyable and charming in their own way, they can easily be skipped on any first visit to Walt Disney World in favor of experiencing other more popular and unforgettable options instead.

Swiss Family Treehouse

Found in the Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, the Swiss Family Treehouse is a walkthrough attraction that allows Guests to explore the famous shipwrecked family’s home. Guests can climb several stories above the Disney Park and enjoy beautiful views and examples of how the family was resourceful to create their home. While some scenes are charming and the views are wonderful, this attraction is easy to skip on a first visit.

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Also found in Adventureland is Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, an entertaining show presented by a cast of animatronic birds, flowers, tikis, and more. While the songs are catchy and the theater offers Guests an air-conditioned break, the show is lengthy and first-time visitors are better off visiting other more popular attractions nearby.

Country Bear Musical Jamboree

The Country Bear Musical Jamboree is an entertaining performance of favorite Disney hits with a country twist put on by a cast of animatronic bears. Like the previous attraction, this is an entertaining experience, however not a priority on a first-time visit. Guests would be better off prioritizing other nearby attractions like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

The Hall of Presidents

Continuing the theme of long experiences is The Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square. The show tells the history of the Presidential office through a mixed media presentation ending in all the Presidents in animatronic form standing together on stage. Unless first-time Guests are history buffs, this attraction is best saved for another visit.

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Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

The final lengthy attraction in the Magic Kingdom that should be skipped on a first visit is Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. Found in Tomorrowland, this attraction whisks Guests through time in a rotating theater as they follow the progress of technology and innovation over a century. While there is a catchy song and a chance to relax, Guests should instead enjoy other nearby attractions like Space Mountain or TRON Lightcycle / Run.

Awesome Planet

Moving over to EPCOT, The Land Pavilion is home to several attractions including one that should be skipped on a first visit. Awesome Planet is an immersive film that showcases the beauty of Earth while stressing the importance of conservation. While the film has beautiful imagery and a powerful message, Guests should prioritize the nearby Soarin’ Around the World instead.

Turtle Talk with Crush

The Seas with Nemo and Friends in EPCOT is home to an attraction of the same name that should not be skipped on a first visit as well as a second attraction that should. Turtle Talk with Crush is an animated show where the favorite turtle interacts in real time with Guests. While there are always hysterical moments, Guests should instead use the time that would have been spent in the show exploring the other exhibits and habitats throughout the pavilion.

The American Adventure

EPCOT’s World Showcase is home to eleven wonderful pavilions that bring countries from around the world to life. With so much to see and experience in each country, The American Adventure is one that Guests can opt to skip on a first visit. This grand show shares the story of the American people in a powerful performance, but at nearly thirty minutes long it eats up a lot of time for a first visit.

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Impressions de France

The France Pavilion in EPCOT is home to another show that Guests should opt to skip on a first visit. Impressions de France is a scenic tour of the various regions of France set to music by classical French composers, but Guests are better off spending their time wandering the surrounding area, enjoying some delicious treats, and checking out Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

Reflections of China

Continuing the theme of skipping lengthy shows in EPCOT’s World Showcase on a first visit is Reflections of China. Like its counterparts, this film in the China Pavilion showcases the diversity of the country but takes up a significant portion of time that could otherwise be spent exploring the pavilion.

Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360

The final film that should be skipped in EPCOT during a first visit is in the Canada Pavilion. Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 uses immersive technology to surround Guests with the film showcasing the country’s various cities and natural wonders, however it takes up a lot of time that is better spent on a first visit.

Star Wars Launch Bay

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the ultimate destination for any Star Wars fan thanks to the immersive Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. While that area of the Disney Park should not be missed on a first visit, there is another experience that can be skipped. Star Wars Launch Bay is a large space that features character meet and greets, recreated sets, and exhibits of costumes, props, and more from the films. Unless first time Guests are massive Star Wars fans, plan on skipping this experience.

Walt Disney Presents

Walt Disney Presents is another immersive exhibit type attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios that is a good choice to skip on a first visit. This walkthrough experience brings Guests on a journey from Walt Disney’s early years to modern day with memorabilia, props, documents, models, costumes, and so much more. While there are some amazing things to check out in the exhibit, first Guests should prioritize their time elsewhere.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also home to the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, a live stage show where daring stunts and special effects from the films are broken down and explained in real time. While the open-air show is fascinating to watch and Guests will be stunned by the big thrills, it is a very lengthy experience. Guests are better off saving this show for another visit in the future.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

One area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom that first time Guests should skip is Rafiki’s Planet Watch. This remote area of the Disney Park is accessible only via the Wildlife Express Train, which adds additional time to the experience. While the location is home to the interactive Conservation Station and several other locations where Guests can learn more about the Disney Park’s animal inhabitants, the whole experience takes up far too much time that can be spent in other locations on a first visit.

Feathered Friends in Flight!

The final experience to skip on a first visit to Walt Disney World is a live show in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Feathered Friends in Flight! showcases several different species of birds and teaches Guests about their unique abilities and features in fun ways. While the show is interactive and always fun to experience, its thirty-five-minute run time makes it worth skipping on a first visit. Instead, Guests should prioritize other more popular experiences like Avatar Flight of Passage or Kilimanjaro Safaris.