Walt Disney World is a sprawling resort, boasting four theme parks, two water parks, a shopping and entertainment district and dozens of on-site hotels. There’s a huge amount to see and do, and cramming everything in to a one or two week vacation can be incredibly challenging. Sometimes, though, you may want to take a break from simply riding theme park attractions and watching shows or parades. If that’s the case, you have plenty of options. There are lots of unusual and unique activities on offer at Walt Disney World – and we’ve listed twenty of the best below!
20. Learn to surf
The wave pool at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park is not just there for show – you can really surf on it. Lessons are offered on select days prior to the park opening, for guests aged eight and over. Two professional instructors are on hand, first teaching you the basics on-land. Then you’ll head into the water on a soft-sided surfboard, and by the time the lesson is over you could be riding six-foot waves. The price at the time of writing is $165 per person, including tax. Times vary by season and are subject to change, so call (407) WDW-PLAY to check and to make reservations.
19. Take a FREE tour of two amazing restaurants
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodgeis one of Disney’s most unique hotels – and it boasts two excellent, African-themed table service restaurants: Jiko, The Cooking Place and Boma – Flavors of Africa. It’s possible to learn more about the culinary delights on offer at these eateries by joining the Animal Kingdom Lodge Culinary Tour. The tour is led by two of the Lodge’s Cultural Representatives, who come over from Africa to work at Walt Disney World for a year. You’ll receive a short tour of the Boma restaurant area, and learn the story behind the decor. You’ll then be taken along the buffet line, learning about the African influences on the different dishes on offer. Next you’ll move over to Jiko, where you’ll take a tour of the main bar and dining area. Finally, you’ll get to taste some free samples! The tour takes place at 4pm daily, and it is not possible to make a reservation. Simply show up at the Boma podium in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The tour last 30 minutes – but it’s worth checking in advance by calling (407) 938-3000 to check the tour schedule.
18. Dine out while you watch a movie
Back in 2011, the AMC Theater at Downtown Disney launched a new range of “Dine-In” screens, which enable to guests to eat a meal while they watch a movie. Six theatres at the complex were converted into Dine-In Theaters, which offer restaurant-style dining options with seat-side service. Guests are able to reserve seating for movie screenings, and can then call servers at any time by pressing a notification button. The menu offered by the Dine-In Theaters includes typical fare such as burgers and pizzas, alongside desserts and candy. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are served alongside the food. You can check showtimes on the AMC website.
17. Fly overhead in a hot air balloon
The Characters in Flight balloon offers guests a birds-eye view of the Walt Disney World Resort, floating into the skies from its tethered position in Downtown Disney’s Village Lake. It was one of a spate of minor additions to Downtown Disney in 2009 following criticism that the closure of the Pleasure Island nightclubs had reduced the area’s appeal. If you want to experience a flight in the world’s largest tethered hot air balloon, it’ll cost you $18 per adult and $12 per child at the time of writing. Full details are available on the Walt Disney World website.
16. Drive a racecar
There are a range of different experiences on offer at the Walt Disney World Speedway, where you can hop behind the wheel of a racecar. The Richard Petty Driving Experience enables you to take the wheel of a NASCAR vehicle for between 8 and 50 laps (prices currently start at $449/person), while the Exotic Driving Experiencelets you choose from a range of exotic sports cars (prices start at $169).
15. Take a segway tour
Image: Disney
At Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, you can hop onto a two-wheel Segway X2 for a two-hour trip along a variety of surfaces, from paved paths to woodland trails. The tour includes stops at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the stables of the Tri-Circle-D Ranch and Bay Lake. The real fun, though, comes from riding one of these all-terrain vehicles. There are normally two tours per day – call (407) WDW-TOUR to make reservations.
14. Go on a VIP tour of an African savanna
The Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom sees small groups go on a gided hike into the “Harambe Reserve” area of Kilimanjaro Safarisat Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The three-hour safari will see you crossing a shaky rope bridge over crocodiles, riding through the savanna in a safari truck and enjoying the “Taste of Africa” from a special private safari camp. There are several tours every day. Prices vary seasonally from $189 to $249 per person, plus tax. Bookings can be made by calling (407) WDW-TOUR.
13. Watch Illuminations from a pontoon boat
If you’re visiting Epcot in a large group, you can hire a private pontoon boat, which will sail from the Yacht and Beach Club Marina or the Boardwalk Marina to the International Gateway bridge inside Epcot itself. The boats do not sit right next to each other, so you’ll feel like you’re having a private viewing of the spectacular Illuminations: Reflections of Earthshow. The boats accommodate a maximum of 10 guests, and prices start from around $350. Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance by calling (407) WDW-PLAY.
12. Take a trail ride on a horse
The Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort offers trail, pony, wagon and carriage rides. There are a number of different options. Guests aged 9 and up can go on a horseback trail ride through woodland teeming with wildlife for $46 for a 45-minute ride. Wagon rides are cheaper at $5 for children aged 3-9 and $8 for those aged 10+, while horse-drawn carriage rides cost $45 or $64 per carriage. Call (407) WDW-PLAY to make reservations.
11. Enjoy a campfire cookout
Head to Fort Wilderness any day of the week for a free nightly movie and sing-along. You do not need to be staying at Fort Wilderness to attend, just show up ready to enjoy a movie under the stars. Your night begins with a fun half hour of old fashioned live campfire music with hosts Chip and Dale. You can roast marshmallows over the campfire, enjoy the music and then relax for a full length feature. Movies vary from High School Musical-type teen films to Pixar animation and classic Disney movies. There is no admission fee, and you can drive, or take a bus or boat to get to the campfire. This is a fun family event that is a nice switch from the bustling activity of the theme parks.
10. Take a dive in The Seas
The enormous Caribbean Coral Reef saltwater aquarium in Epcot’s The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion hosts DiveQuest, a 40-minute diving experience. If you’re SCUBA-certified, then you take the plunge, seeing sea turtles, angelfish, dolphins, eagle rays, sharks and more up close. The entire experience lasts 3 hours – you’ll also get to tour the backstage infrastructure that maintains the 5.7 million gallon aquarium. Family members can tag along to view the dive through 56 giant windows. The cost for divers is $175 per adult, and bookings can be made by calling (407) WDW-TOUR.
9. Ride a Surrey bike along the Boardwalk
The old-fashioned Boardwalk at Disney’s Boardwalk Innis home to a range of fun activities, including midway games, jugglers and magic shows. One of the most popular is to rent a 2-person, 4-person or 6-person Surrey bike that you can pedal up and down the Boardwalk. Similar bikes are also available at the Wilderness Lodge, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Port Orleans Riverside, and Caribbean Beach Resort, priced at around $20-25 per half hour.
8. Get your hair cut on Main Street USA
On the left as you enter the Magic Kingdom is the Harmony Barber Shop. It’s not just for show – it really is a working hair stylists. Options range from colored gel and “pixie dust”, and you may even be entertained by the musical talents of the Dapper Dans, Disney’s own barbershop quartet. A child’s haircut cost $15, with a trim for adults costing $19. A special My First Haircut package for kids includes commemorative Mickey Ears and a certificate, and costs $19. Reservations are essential, and can be made by calling (407) WDW-PLAY.
7. Go parasailing on Bay Lake
There are a range of watersports available at Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre, which operates on Bay Lake from the Disney’s Contemporary Resort marina. One of the most exciting is parasailing, where you’ll coast through the air for 8-10 minutes, 450-feet off the back of a boat. Deluxe flights last for 10-200 minutes, some 600 feet behind. You can fly solo or with a friend on a tandem flight, and you’ll take off and land right from the boat – so no swimsuit is required. Prices range from $95-$170 for guests aged six and up, and you can make reservations by calling (407) WDW-PLAY.
6. Go underground at the Magic Kingdom
Image: John Corigliano, Flickr
One of the most unusual experiences at a Disney theme park is to head underground and explore the “utilidors” of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Many Disney fans will know that the Magic Kingdom’s rides and attractions aren’t actually situated at ground level. Instead, an immense network of utility corridors (“utilidors”) was constructed before the park opened, and then covered over with earth that was excavated from the Seven Seas Lagoon. The theme park itself sits on top of them. The utilidors serve a number of backstage functions, and were installed so that guests don’t have to see these being performed, thus breaking the “magic”. This includes waste removal using an Automated Vacuum Collection system, computer systems, deliveries, kitchens for the park’s restaurants and locker rooms for Cast Members. Until 2005, the costuming department – with over 1.2 million outfits – was also housed in this underground lair. The utilidors are generally off-limits to guests, and most visitors to the Magic Kingdom don’t even know that they are there. But it ispossible to explore them as part of an organised tour. The Keys to the Kingdom tour, which includes visits to several other backstage areas, features a trip down into the utilidors. Want to check out what’s underneath the Magic Kingdom? You’ll need to call (407) WDW-TOUR to make a reservation. Expect to pay nearly $80 per person, with discounts for Annual Passholders.
5. Learn about an amazing hotel
Many of the tours at Walt Disney World are very expensive. There are several free tours on offer, though, including the Wonders of the Lodge tour at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This free, one-hour tour teaches guests about the design and architecture of the resort, as well as the neighboring Wilderness Lodge Villas. There’s no need to be a guest to take the tour, just turn up in front of the Grand Canyon Fireplace in the Lodge’s lobby at 9am, Wednesday through Saturday. You’ll be rewarded with a detailed tour that covers the history of the lodge, a visit to the Carolwood Pacific Room to learn about Walt Disney’s facination with steam trains, a visit to the Territory Lounge to see a US flag from 1961 and a viewing of a Fire Rock Geyser eruption.
4. Enjoy a sweet treat with your fireworks
An hour before the Wishes fireworks display begins at the Magic Kingdom, a special Fireworks Dessert Party is held at the Tomorrowland Terrace. The self-service buffet offers a range of desserts and drinks, as well as an amazing view of the fireworks. You can book up to 180 days in advance via the Walt Disney World website. Prices vary depending on the season, but expect to pay around $30 for adults and half that for children aged 3-9.
3. Watch a movie outdoors
Pretty much every Disney resort offers outdoor movie screenings in the evenings, often next to a swimming pool using inflatable screens. Details and timings are on offer via the excelelnt Build a Better Mouse Trip.
2. Learn to draw a Disney character
Many visitors skip The Magic of Disney Animationat Disney’s Hollywood Studios, in favor of racing to the park’s rides and shows. They are missing an opportunity to learn a uniquely Disney skill…that of learning to draw a Disney character.
1. Go fishing
If you’re a fan of bass fishing, you can enjoy the activity all year round at Walt Disney World. Guided Bass Fishing Excursions can accommodate up to five guests in a 21-foot Tracker pontoon boat, while Bass Nitro Fishing features a tournament-stye Nitro Bass boat for one or two people. Two-hour or four-hour excurions are on offer from a range of Disney resorts, and you’ll pay upwards of $250. Call (407) WDW-BASS to make reservations.
What have we missed?
What are your favorite unusual activities to undertake at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comment section below!
