Many of the Dads I know that are heading to Disney World for the first time have that very familiar first timer’s look of fear and worry. Well I’m here to tell ya, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Walt Disney World is the most family friendly tourist attraction on the planet. The saddest stories I hear are when the entire trip just flew by and was so stressful that they couldn’t wait to get home. What a tragedy. In order to prevent the Disney Dad Blues I have compiled a list of my Top Ten Must Do’s For the Disney Dad.

1. Ride test track. This ride is a blast for the whole family. I would make sure you do this before you do the draft beers from around the world showcase challenge and take it from me take off your hat.(I miss That Hat)
2. Draft beers from around the World Showcase challenge. I have successfully completed this one twice. Pace yourself if you’re a beginner. Start on the Canada side so you can get your significant other a glass of wine or a Grand Marnier slushy in France to get her more keen on your Draft Beer endeavor
3. Illuminations. This is a must for all Disney Dads. Fire, explosions, liquid propane torches, lasers, argh argh argh (Tim Allen groans). Best viewed in my opinion in front of The Japan Pavilion. (Beer tap and bathroom at the top of the little hill, SHHHHH! Don’t tell anyone).
4. Mission Space (Epcot) – Feel the sensation of blast off with the same technology that NASA uses to prepare their astronauts for flight. In the space vehicle, each person on the four person flight crew is assigned a task to make the mission successful. As your space craft “launches” into space, you feel the G forces push you back as your window to space shows your progress as you Race toward the heavens. (Another one to do before the Draft beer challenge)
5. Expedition Everest (Disney’s Animal Kingdom) Enjoy a scenic train trek to the top of Mount Everest, which is at least until the infamous Yeti changes the plan. As your train emerges from a cave, riders catch a glimpse of the Yeti’s shadow and notice the train track ahead is ripped into two. Unable to proceed, the train starts going backwards, downhill into a dark cave and speeds over and around Mount Everest to escape the Yeti.
6. Fantasmic! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) – Mickey Mouse’s dreams quickly turn in to a nightmare as the forces of good and evil battle for control of Mickey’s dreams in the spectacular show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Presented in the Hollywood Hills Theater, the memorizing show features all of your Disney friends, fireworks, music, floating stages, and patented water screen technology on which clips from classic Disney movies are shown. Beer and pretzels conveniently sold at the top of the amphitheater.
7. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Disney’s Hollywood Studio) – Find yourself in an episode of the classic TV show “The Twilight Zone.” From the moment you step in to the deserted Hollywood hotel, you know something’s not right. From the hotel’s boiler room, riders are whisked in to a service elevator for a journey to the top of the hotel… 13 stories up. Along the way, the elevator stops on different floors to reveal scenes straight out of the Twilight Zone. Then, without warning, the elevator plunges 13 stories straight down. Do this before the big lunch at the Brown Derby
8. Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) – Aerosmith invite riders to be VIP’s at their concert .The only problem is that the show beings in just a few minutes and the limo has to take off like a rocket from 0-57mph in 2.8 seconds. From there, it’s a super-fast journey through the freeways of LA to get to the show on time. Along with plenty of ups, downs, and loops, riders rock out to an awesome speaker system in each “limo” playing some of Aerosmith’s greatest hits. Go ahead and get you 80’s on with this ride.
9. Wishes. No not from Magic Kingdom. Take a ride over to Fort Wilderness Campground or the Wilderness Lodge and Order up a Cold one at the Outdoor bar while you await a great fireworks show followed by parade of light up boat floats with music. I’m not saying that Magic Kingdom is no good, but it is a dry park if you know what I mean. Also the beaches are less crowded and have hammocks so you can snuggle with your lady while the kids make sand castles in the dark.
10. GIVE IN TO YOUR KIDS. 1-9 are for you but you must be sure that you let each one of your children have their special moment. Grant them a Disney Wish. Let them pick something to do, or lead the way, map in hand, to the next stop. Be their best friend. Be their age. Look through their eyes. BE A KID AGAIN. You’ll never forget it.

Most important of all, have FUN being a DAD!!!

Jerry comes to us from Disney 4 Dads, one of the coolest spots for Disney Dads on the planet! Get together with other Disney Dads and discuss manly things like grilling out, camping, and much more.