8 Extra Special Things to do in Disney World
Planning a trip to Disney World? Check out these 8 special things to do in Disney World to make your trip extra epic.
As big Walt Disney World fans, my family and I have lots of favorite “must-sees”. Because we’ve been many times, Disney feels like visiting an old friend.
But this old friend always has the best new stories to tell.
We’re always able to create great learning family adventures finding great things to do that are first time experiences for us because there is just SO much to do. I don’t have to worry about those “if only I had known” moments that can happen when you go somewhere for the first time. Yet, I know I’m expanding my children’s horizons by exposing them to new experiences on every trip.
One of my favorite things to do is to add something a little out of the ordinary to every trip. A splurge that is something unexpected in a place that feels familiar. An extraordinary extra in Walt Disney World. We’ve even found that some of our special experiences later become regular additions to every trip!
Here are our favorite special experiences at Disney World that are sure to make your first... or 51st... trip memorable:
SPECIAL DISNEY WORLD FISHING EXPERIENCES
It’s no small feat finding an activity that suits all the guys in my brood - my husband, my then 14 year-old son and my then 8 year-old son - but this fit the bill and then some. Everyone came back happy and with a story to tell, which meant I was one content Disney-planning Mama!
The fishermen and fisherwomen in your family will love fishing done Disney-style too. A knowledgeable captain escorts you and your party around one of the lakes in the Walt Disney Resort area. Guests can embark on their excursion from any of the 7 marinas located throughout the resort. Trips can be booked for 2 or 4 hours, with an extra hour sometimes available. You’ll be fishing for bass during this catch-and-release experience.
Free Easter egg crafts were a hit at Animal Kingdom Lodge during our stay.
STAY AT A DELUXE DISNEY WORLD HOTEL
It’s been said that many Walt Disney World Resort hotels are destinations in and of themselves. I put that to the test when I booked a two-night stay at a Disney resort when we were heading near Orlando for a separate vacation, even though we weren’t planning to visit any of the theme parks. I have to admit I was a little nervous taking four kids to Disney and telling them we weren’t actually riding any of the rides while we were there.
The verdict after our stay? There was PLENTY to see and do at our resort for all!
So, even if you’re headed somewhere else in Florida (like we were) and you don’t have time to visit the parks, splurge on one of the deluxe resorts or deluxe villas for a day or two. You can take advantage of all there is to do there (pools with slides, special character visits on holidays, planned activities, tours of the hotel, and more.)
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a great choice for a club level room because the pirate themed pool ensures kids will want to hang out at the hotel during your stay.
STAY IN A CLUB LEVEL ROOM
Ahhh... the allusive “club level room”! It might be a stretch to say that “it practically pays for itself” because of all the food items and drinks that the club level entitles you to. (Trust me - I already tried that one with my husband). However, club level access really does make it super convenient to fill bellies early in the morning, take care of those late night munchies and make you feel completely pampered.
During a recent mommy-daughters’ stay in a club level room at the Grand Floridian, my girls and I truly felt spoiled by the kind ladies offering us tea, coffee, juices, and a great breakfast before starting our day. I even found that after a big lunch at the park, the evening appetizers were actually plenty to fill us up for dinner. There’s also a mid-day snack, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available.
Special experiences at Disney World - Perfectly Princess Tea
EXPERIENCE THE PERFECTLY PRINCESS TEA
Disney’s Perfectly Princess Tea at the Grand Floridian is the ideal special experience at Disney for a little princess. Ok, who am I kidding? Disney’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party is the ideal special day for a little-princess-Mama too! You and your littles will feel like you have stepped back in time while you enjoy full tea service, live piano music, and special gifts.
At 12-years-old, my oldest daughter was on the upper end of the age spectrum on the day we were there, but the pianist, servers, and princesses treated her like a special guest so she felt right at home. My younger daughter was one of the youngest in the room at 4 years-old. If you can, aim to take your princess when she is between 5 or 6 and about 10 years old for this splurge, but know she (and you) will enjoy it regardless of age!
Private pontoon experiences leave from Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club or one of the other marinas on Walt Disney World property.
PRIVATE PONTOON EXPERIENCES
Fireworks shows are fantastic no matter how you view them. An extra special family vacation idea is to see Disney magic in the sky is aboard your own private Disney cruise.
The evening begins with a private tour of the lake with a knowledgeable captain before your fireworks viewing experience. (Our captain epitomized Disney costumer service - he was down-to-earth yet obviously wanted to make the evening perfect for us.) A few snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available on board. Then when the fireworks begin, you’ll have a front row seat on the water as music is piped directly into your boat. Yep... bring on the nostalgia tears.
Family friendly street entertainment was the highlight of our recent trip to the Boardwalk, especially when my son was picked to be a part of the show.
VISIT THE DISNEY WORLD BOARDWALK
To feel like you stepped back in time a bit (in all the good ways) hang out on Disney’s Boardwalk. The resorts on the boardwalk are themed after a turn-of-the-century beach. The quaint yet upscale feel makes the experience special. This generally low-crowd spot features carnival-style games, street performers, Surrey bike rentals, great restaurants, and a fantastic little ice cream shop.
SPECIAL “DATE NIGHT” DISNEY DINING
Date nights are surely something I don’t think any parents should skimp on. At Walt Disney World I feel like I can check that box AND spend time with my kids. You can too while on your Disney World vacation, by dining Disney style at an “adult” restaurant... with kids!
While we always fit in a few favorite restaurants, one of our favorite things to do is dine at a new-to-us restaurant each trip. There are so many restaurants at the resort that are special and adult enough to be “date-night” places yet kid-friendly enough that you can skip the hassle of scheduling babysitting.
I’ve found this to be so true that I would name it as one of the most significant reasons we keep coming back to Disney. The Biergarten, Sanaa, and San Angel are just a few of my “family date-night” places.
SPECIAL FIREWORKS aND PARADE VIEWING EXPERIENCES
Ok. I admit it. I love Disney’s end-of-the-evening entertainment and daytime parades .... probably more than my kids. After a long day at the parks, my kids often don’t like sitting amongst a crowd and waiting for a nighttime show. They certainly don’t like taking a break from rides in the middle of the day to wait for a parade. And Walt Disney World’s massive popularity means that massive crowds are often a part of the experience.
However, Disney’s dessert party viewings of the park’s evening shows and parade dining packages appease even those of us who are not the “more the merrier” or the waiting type. You’ll feel like a VIP with your own special viewing area. And skipping the line and not having to be there so far ahead of time keeps everyone happy... including this show-loving Mama!
