Walt Disney World is a huge place and even the veterans have many things they haven’t yet experienced. Many think about the parks and just want to visit every attraction (and that’s fine), but they’re missing out. Here are a few activities that new guests might not know about or want to do until they consider planning a return trip. But if you’re going on your first trip and want to do some of these things, by all means, make it happen!
Resort Hopping
Unless it’s a big family trip and part of the family is staying somewhere else, new guests commonly stay at the resort they’re booked at. That’s a shame too, because typically each resort has a specialty item at their dining hall (or merchandise at their shop) that could appeal to some of these guests. Also, some restaurants have unique entertainment as well, like a piano singalong with “Yehaa” Bob Jackson at Port Orleans Riverside (that guy is energetic) in the River Roost Lounge.
During the holidays, each resort is decorated differently and it’s a very common thing to walk around the lobbies or even the RV sites at Ft. Wilderness (those decorations can get pretty wild). If you’re on a dining plan, your credits work anywhere on property (as long as your plan qualifies) and that includes different resorts’ dining halls. It’s no big thing if you’re staying at Pop Century to walk across the bridge one morning to the Landscape of Flavors at the Art of Animation for breakfast. You won’t regret it!
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, A Pirate’s Adventure, and Pin Trading
Whether you feel like you don’t have the time to do these “extra” activities or assume they’re just for the kids, the interactive card game, quest, and pin trading can be very fun for adults too. The starter packs for the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom are free as well as a map and the walking around is pretty much contained to Main Street U.S.A. (or Adventureland for A Pirate’s Adventure).
Pin trading is everywhere and perhaps the cost of the starter pack is a turn off ($24.99), but the cast member interaction is something you’re definitely going to miss if you skip it. Most have a vast knowledge of the parks and pins, so you never know what interesting tidbit of information you’re going to get with your trade. ”
A Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas” is a neat experience because you can make scenes come alive with your treasure map.
Advanced Dining Reservations
A lot of new guests just want to book a table at Be Our Guest Restaurant and be done with it. Then, when they get to the parks, they might see a place that looks enticing to eat, only to find out that it requires a reservation. Now, if you have the table service dining plan, that forces you to book online (or interact with humans over the phone) to get each credit accounted for… but most often, the quick service dining plan is what a group gets on their first trip. Since they only have suggestions to go on for table service, they’re typically not comfortable committing. That is totally understandable and quick service could be their best option as well (especially if little Timmy will only eat chicken fingers, hot dogs, and pizza) and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The quick service food at La Cantina de San Angel was a great experience for us as we watched Illuminations: Reflections of Earth at the pyramid in Mexico last year. There are many quick service options that can appeal to most palates.
Park Hopping, Water Parks, and Mini Golf
Some groups just have that personality that allows them to explore and expunge every drop of energy it takes to tackle every challenge and do it all over again on four hours of sleep. I am not one of these people and make no bones about it. With FP+ still prohibiting guests from selecting attractions from different parks on the same day, I always suggest foregoing the hopper option unless they are staying on property for a short amount of time and they’re only interested in walk-on types of rides or shows.
The water parks have interesting features like a water coaster and a shark pool at Typhoon Lagoon, or huge water slides and multiple kid-friendly areas at Blizzard Beach. Unless they’re staying close to one of these water parks and have room for it in their budget, new guests are usually happy with their resort pool(s). Mini Golf is a great activity to do on your arrival day if you plan on skipping a park (never underestimate the power of jet lag or driving fatigue). It’s either free or heavily discounted, just check in your packet upon check in. There are two locations, Fantasia Gardens located in the EPCOT resort area and Winter Summerland located adjacent to Blizzard Beach in the Animal Kingdom resort area.
Special Events and Character Spots
By happenstance, we chose our first Disney vacation during the International Flower & Garden Festival at EPCOT and fell in love with the extra features (like the extravagant topiaries around the park). Although, I was disappointed that the Wonders of Life Pavilion had turned into a home and garden seminar space, I was glad I got to meet some of the friendly hosts from the HGTV programs. Some groups make a decision to vacation during one of these events like Star Wars Weekends, Food & Wine Festival, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, holiday events, etc. The events do generate some extra foot traffic and even park “closings”, so don’t say we didn’t warn you.
The character spots usually have 10-15 minutes of wait time and you’d be surprised that some new guests don’t know that it’s free to walk in line and get a picture. They’ll see the autograph books and think that it’s a special thing or see the Photo Pass photographer and may assume they’re obligated to pay for a picture (or not notice that they’ll take a picture with your camera for free). If the line is short, get in!
Cast Member Interaction and Tours
Just walk up to a cast member and start talking. Do it. If you’ve got free time and they’re not busy directing traffic before a parade starts, they’ll be more than happy to tell you something funny, interesting, or historical. The specialists in Animal Kingdom know their stuff, Liberty Square cast members have a great passion for their area, and you can bet that the cast members in Ray’s Starlight Cafe know all of the words to WISHES by now. For an extra amount of money, you can get a personal guide for the whole day at Magic Kingdom and they can inform you about the history of the park on your journey.
The Behind the Seeds Tour at The Land in EPCOT takes your group on a walk-through of all the plants, insects, and you can even feed the fish featured on the Living with the Land ride. The Wild Africa Trek in Animal Kingdom is a perilous (not really) excursion through the back areas of the Kilimanjaro Safari area or you can take the train to enjoy a free petting zoo called the “Affection Section” at Rafiki’s Planet Watch and get interactive with some friendly animals.
Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk
My parents thought the Boardwalk was Downtown Disney and every time I mentioned the World of Disney store, Disney’s Days of Christmas, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, or Wolfgang Puck Express, etc., they never knew what I was talking about. It took a recital at the Downtown Disney Stage in 2013 to finally get them to experience all of what this area has to offer.
Now, with the new shops already on the way, there’s even more to explore! The Boardwalk also has a lot to offer: The ESPN Club, Disney’s Character Carnival, Flying Fish Cafe, Trattoria Al Forno, Seashore Sweets, and a boat to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios.
There are many more activities I haven’t listed that could interest you or your party, so dig in and do some research. Even if you’re a slightly removed first timer, consider planning at least one of the things listed during your next trip. You could even surprise yourself, like walking around the Magic Kingdom at night during Extra Magic Hours and falling in love all over again.
