25 things to do at Walt Disney World beyond the theme parks!

source: digitizedchaos

What do you do at Walt Disney World besides just going to the theme parks?

If I had £1 for every-time somebody asked me that question, I could probably fund a trip aboard The Disney Dream, including a week or two at Walt Disney World itself – every year! So, here are 25 answers, just in case you’re asked and/or looking for an answer!

1.      La Nouba is the spectacular acrobatic show housed in the really big white tent at Downtown Disney (Westside) – you can’t miss the building or this show!

2.      Shopping at Downtown Disney is a treat, and not just for Disney merchandise. Several branded stores, including Harley Davidson and Lego have set up shop here!

3.      Dining was of course making it onto my list! There are an unbelievable amount of bars, restaurants and counter services spread across Disney property, including Downtown Disney and the Disney resorts, there is something for every palette.

4.      Golfers will be impressed with the 4 award winning championship courses that host some of the most infamous tournaments in the sport annually.

5.      The Boardwalk, turn of the century Atlantic City inspired is the ‘village on the lake’, 90,000sq ft of dining, entertainment and shopping.

6.      Spas housed at several luxury Disney resorts offer pampering of a world class level. From massages to hydrotherapy, as well as professional skin, hair and nail care – you will feel like a grand Princess!

7.      Wide World of Sports offers true sports fans a truly amazing experience. From watching the likes of the Atlanta Brave training, to hosting major cheer competitions and more. There are sports camps, training academies, showcase days and of course, where are the Super Bowl winners off to after the game? Walt Disney World!

8.      Richard Petty driving experience offers NASCAR race enthusiasts the chance to take on 8, 18 or 30 lap programs as the passenger or driver in an official NASCAR race car around a full sized, fully operational track!

9.      Animal Kingdom Lodge has beautiful lush savannahs, home to Wilderbeast, Zebra, Thompsons Gazelle, Giraffes and more. Stop by of an evening for a special night watch across the savannah!

10.  Jambo House has a rich array of authentic African artefacts, as well as cultural representatives offering to share their history with you.

11.  DisneyQuest is a haven for the gaming enthusiast, several floors of gaming, from live action 3D to arcade favourites and more, it’s considered to be the ‘interactive’ theme park!

12.  Characters in Flight takes guests 400ft up in a tethered balloon to get the ultimate 360-degree view of Walt Disney World property!

13.  Blizzard Beach (water parks count as being beyond the theme parks!) features one of the world’s tallest free fall slides, coming it at an astounding 120ft!

14. Tri Circle D over at the Fort Wilderness Resort is a working ranch, home to all the horses from the parades and shows. Guests can enjoy guided horse back rides through the resort trails, carriage rides, and stable tours.

15. Wishes, it is possible to watch it without being in Magic Kingdom! The beautiful sandy beach at Grand Floridian is a perfect spot to kick off those trainers and curl up in a hammock. You’ll see the water pageant first across the Seven Seas Lagoon, then Wishes will start above Magic Kingdom!

16. Miniature Golf is a great way to spend the afternoon/early evening! There are 4 courses in WDW. WinterSummerland is over at Blizzard beach, and behind The Swan resort there is Fantasia Gardens and Fantasia Fairways.

17. Fishing enthusiasts can choose between a 2 and 4 hour fishing excursion aboard a pontoon boat. Rod, reel, bait and tackle as well as beverages are included. This catch and release large mouth Bass fishing excursion departs from almost any resort located on or near a large body of water.

18. Watercraft rentals are available at all resorts with a marina. They have a great selection to choose from depending on the thrill your seeking. From steady pedal boats to sea racers.

19. Exploring the Walt Disney World resorts, especially when you can hop on and off the monorail is a great way to get a sense of the Disney attention to detail, the unique theme of each resort and the immense effort that has gone into their creation. It also gives you a chance to explore the beaches, savannahs, art, history and more that each resort offers.

20. Parasailing and water skiing are available over at Disney’s Contemporary resort! Wake boarding and tubing are also available, perfect for those thrill seeking water babies in your party!

21. Photopass is available outside of the parks! You can pre-book a photo for your group at any of the Walt Disney Resorts, perfect for some crowd free shots of your holiday! I’ve seen some amazing family shoots on the Grand Floridian beaches and some really fun ones around All Stars. Most sessions are 30mins – 1 hour

And a few ‘little kiddie’ specific park free options…

 22. Pirate Adventures are two hour long excursions exclusively for the kids! Setting sail from The Grand Floridian, Port Orleans Riverside and The Yacht Club, young pirates are taken on a guided treasure hunt aboard a themed pirate ship.

23. Tea Party’s for the little ones are a great way for them to get some one – on – one time with Alice and The Mad Hatter. Snacks, games, cake decorating and more are on the menu.

24. Bibbiti Bobbiti Boutique also has a location at Downtown Disney, so your little Princess can still receive the royal treatment outside of the Magic Kingdom. I have also heard they will do a Princes’ make over too!

And my personal, number 1 thing to do away from the parks?

 25. Relax! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there is nothing better than chilling out around the resort pool, refillable mug in one hand filled with Sprite, and a Nestle ice cream cookie sandwich in the other. Soaking up the sun and atmosphere that is inescapable no matter where you go on Disney property. Not a care or worry in the world, you can’t ask for much more than that!

 

How do you answer the question?

 

Until next time,

Sarah