The DCP bucket list (and how to make yours too!)

Mission Get in a Parade was a success!

Every CP's favorite pastime before actually starting their program is to make a bucket list (for those of you who somehow don't know what that is, it's essentially a list of things that someone wants to do or experience on his or her program).  These bucket lists can range from very short and simple to very long and full of different things to do and are completely unique to the person that wrote it.  However, some people may not be sure where to start in making one, especially if they've never been to Disney World before.  Never fear!  Today I'll help you figure out how to build the perfect list for you, from finding things to do to prioritizing them on your list.

Where do I start?

If you've never been to Disney World you're likely only found out about different Disney-related stuff through friends, other blogs, CPs, etc.  This is a good way to learn about some things, but there are some that you might want to put on our own bucket list that no one you know has done before - for example, you love fishing but never knew that Disney has fishing excursions because no one has ever said anything about that to you.  Take time to do research!  Read guidebooks (your local library will likely have at least one, and you can always purchase copies as well), check Disney's official site, do Google searches... you'll find all sorts of things you never knew you could do before!

Too many things on the list, not enough time!

If you feel that your list is too long, take a closer look at what you've included.  Are you sure you can do some of the things you put down?  Maybe some of them aren't really possible (for example, you probably aren't going to convince Disney to let you and a bunch of your CM friends perform a flash mob routine in the middle of Magic Kingdom) or will be too expensive for you to complete.  There are plenty of fun things to do that are within your grasp - don't get upset if you have to give up on some of them!

Tips for building your list

1. Check to make sure that there aren't any laws or rules that will prevent you from doing something.  For example, having a beach party with alcohol may sound like fun but Florida likely has a law about consuming it in public (not to mention that most beaches have a ban on glass bottles and the like anyway).
2. Don't let others make you feel that you "have" to add something to a list.  Dole Whip and giant turkey legs are pretty iconic Disney snacks but if you're not interested in trying them, don't be forced into changing your mind because you feel your list will be "incomplete" otherwise.
3. This list is about you!  Your apartment may also want to put together a list of things to do together but your bucket list is about what you personally want to do.  Who cares if your roommates don't want to do some of the things on your list?  You can find other people who will!
4. Make sure that whatever you want to do is still being offered.  On my last program I had Leave a Legacy on my bucket list... but little did I know that it hasn't been offered since 2007 (only one year after my first visit to WDW!).  You don't want disappointments like that!
5. Only put things down that you're willing to commit to doing.  Yes, we only do bucket lists for fun and it's not a necessary part of our program - but why have a long list of things you don't really want to do?

My bucket list

I am not one for making bucket lists.  I tried on my last program then realized that I had done pretty much everything that I wanted to do already (or, as in the case with Leave a Legacy, the things I wanted to do were no longer possible).  However, for this program I have a better knowledge of what Disney and the central Florida area have to offer so I feel I can make a good one this time.  I'll also add this as a separate page on my blog that you can access from the menu above, so I can tick things off as I do them!

1. Meet a rare Disney character at least once and take a photo with him or her.  Autograph is optional as some characters can't sign their names.
2. Eat in every pavilion in Epcot, not including The American Adventure.
3. Buy something from every pavilion in Epcot, not including The American Adventure.
4. Try to "Drink Around the World".
5. Go to the beach.  This beach must be somewhere other than Cocoa Beach (I love Cocoa Beach but I want to see what other beaches and beach towns look like!)
6. Volunteer for Give Kids the World.
7. Visit the Asian Market at least once.
8. Visit every resort that the CP bus goes to, and either eat something or buy something unique to each resort.
9. Visit Blizzard Beach.  (I went to a CP pool party last spring at Typhoon Lagoon so I have technically been there!)
10. Go back to DisneyQuest.
11. See a show at the House of Blues.  This does not include cast member nights on Sunday.
12. Go to Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk Resort.
13. Go bowling at Splitsville again.  Food must be bought while there.
14. Walk out on the balconies on the upper floors of the Contemporary Resort.  This can be at any time of day or night.
15. Ride the Magic Kingdom monorail and the Epcot monorail around for entire circuit without getting off.
16. Ride the new Mine Train coaster at Magic Kingdom when it opens (assuming that it will open between now and January)
17. Visit the new expansion to the Wizarding World at Universal when it opens.
18. Tackle the Kitchen Sink once again.
19. Ride a surrey bike with either my roommates or my friends.
20. Take a selfie with a character.  Any character will count as long as they fit in the frame with me.
21. Attend Dapper Day if possible.
22. Visit Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.  Costume required.
23. Meet an ICP or CRP from another country (preferably from another continent) while they're not at work.
24. Go on a backstage tour.  Since I've already been on Behind the Seeds before, that tour will not count towards this.
25. Become the Rebel Spy on Star Tours once again (I was chosen once, which was awesome!)
26. Walk to Publix for groceries at least once (assuming that I end up living in either Patterson or Chatham, otherwise this entry doesn't count).
27. Visit two of the non-Disney restaurants near housing - Sweet Tomatoes is at the top of my list!
28. Go to a mall at least three times.  Something substantial like a dress, jacket, pair of shorts, swimsuit, etc. must be bought each time.  The three visits don't have to all be at the same place.
29. Hit all four parks in one day.  In each park, at least three rides (no shows allowed) must be gone on.  Something must also be bought in each park - either some merchandise or food - that is unique to each one.
30. Take every transportation method offered to leave Magic Kingdom - the resort boats, the buses, the monorail and the ferry.  These don't all need to be done the same day.
31. Take a photo of me and anyone else I am with at the time while visiting every resort.  If the resort has a main building the photo must be taken in there.
32. See at least five live entertainment shows (meaning the street performers) at Epcot.
33. See the dancers and DJ in Asia (Animal Kingdom).
34. Use the Photopass-enabled photo booth in the Space Mountain arcade at least three times.  (Remember that you must pay for the photos in order to get them on your card.)
35. Eat at California Grill and every other restaurant on my list of places I want to visit from an earlier post.
36. See La Nouba again, or at least purchase something from the gift shop.
37. Eat every sandwich on Earl of Sandwich's menu, except for sandwiches containing ingredients I can't eat.
38. See the Voices of Liberty and record their entire performance.
39. Give advice to a family of strangers while waiting in line for something.  This may also go along with line babysitting (if you don't know what that is, read my "CP etiquette" post).
40. Send a present home for my mother, father and sister on their respective birthdays.  These do not have to be Disney-related nor do they have to be bought on Disney property.
41. See the Candlelight Processional.  Alternatively, get into the cast member choir and perform in the Candlelight Processional!
42. Get a video of a face character speaking to one of my friends back home.  This can be for a birthday, other life event, just to say hi, etc.
43. Manage to see or meet a celebrity while on the program.  This can be done while working or not working, but I must not be actively seeking them out because that's like stalking and its creepy.
44. Have at least two family dinners with my roommates.  They can either be at restaurants or at home, but all roommates must be present for this to count.
45. Visit a park or parks one day with a strict $20 budget.  This budget is for any expense like food, souvenirs, etc.  This does not include gas charges.
46. Buy a replacement PS3 for my dead unit.  This unit must be bought new.
47. Buy a birthday gift for each of my roommates who has a birthday during the program.
48. If someone I know well comes to visit while I'm on my program, I must see them at least once.  If possible, I must take an entire day off.
49. I must take a photo with the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom at night.  Since it closes early, the only times this is possible is during the winter months when the sun goes down early.
50. I must drink every soda at Club Cool whenever I visit Epcot.  No exceptions.  This includes Beverly.