25 days to go - What's a favorite "Bonus" thing to do while in WDW

[DVC_Dreamer]

Being WDW veterans, I try to find something beyond the four parks to do on our trip. Struggling this year trying to decide what it might be. Can sometimes be difficult to persuade DW because she's the ultimate "Commando" tourist. I commented to her last time in MK as we made our way down Main Street at rope drop, "If they were having a marathon race today, you'd win! Could we slow down a bit, thanks."

Here's a small list of some of the things we've done and enjoyed over the years:

1. Backstage Tour at MK - I really enjoyed this. I like the history, stories about the park and Walt and how the magic happens.
2. Backstage Tour EPCOT - Another good choice and you get an evening pass for VIP viewing of Illuminations.
3. Cirque Du Soleil - Bought this as a Christmas present for DW. She really enjoyed it.
4. Universal and Sea World - Obvious choices but trying to decide whether to spend the extra money to see Harry Potter this year.
5. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween - We really enjoyed this and it was a hoot trick and treating in MK. We got tons of candy and stayed till park closing. Fun to see all the costumes from people in crowd.
6. Extra Magic Hours - We rode Splash twice in row, HM twice(never got off) and Space Mtn twice. It was a misty rainy night but it was fun. Tough to get up early next morning though.

We've not done much off property. Tough to convince Commando Mom or her sister to venture out.

Thinking about Segway tour but my youngest son will be 2 weeks short of 16 years old.

Any suggestions for other "Bonus" stuff?

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have done all the Segway tours and some of them twice. They were a lot of fun. Now I know there is a private one that goes to Celebration too. I have that info around here somewhere. I'll have to check and see if I can find it.

 

[Mahusky]

Illuminations cruise, Fishing, Rent a water craft, or a nice dinner at V & A's....

 

[Dizny Dad]

Steam Train Tour

 

[okw19]

Go check out Celebration or rent a boat! We've done both, and they were both great little breaks from the "go, go go!" attitudes we normally have.

 

[vakamalua]

If you have a car, take an airboat ride. Bogey Creek Airboats is very close to the airport and we did it on our way to the airport on our last day. You and your kids will love it. You skim really fast through the tall grasses across the water. We saw all kinds of large birds and the driver knows where to find alligators sunning themselves in the water.

It's so close but a world away from the fun but 'unreal' world of theme parks!

 

[bobbiwoz]

My favorite bonus thing is the Animation class at DHS! What a great free souvenir to take home to remember the particular visit! Since you date it, I put mine in a book and when I have the time to reminisce, I do.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

My son and his uncles are avid fishermen, so I booked them the Bass Fishing Excursion (for 5) and they all loved it (It's catch and release so you don't have to worry about fish).

For another family reunion I booked an Illumination Cruise w/ dessert on board, there were 10 of us and we cruised around and then parked under the Epcot bridge and the fireworks were fabulous.

We've rented boats at OKW and tootled around the canals.

I've also booked the men/boys the Richard Petty Driving thing, it's something you do once, they had fun!

DS(14) has always wanted to do the Segway tour of Epcot but we have to wait till he's 16!

Off site, we've done:

Zip Line Safari, 2 hours , from tree top to tree top, it's a blast!
Indoor Skydiving (for all ages), you do it in this tube, with high powered fans!

 

[ShuisFan584]

We love renting a pontoon boat! It's so relaxing to just take a boat for a ride around Seven Seas Lagoon/Bay Lake. It's a short activity, but so much fun.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We enjoy renting boats and surrey bikes.

Perhaps...you could take the misses on a detour while at Epcot. You can take a lovely detour through the International Gateway between the UK and France. You can take the friendship boats, which is pleasant or just stroll.

Strollling between Y&BC, Boardwalk, and S&D is very relaxing. The boat dock is on the Y&BC side. The surrey bikes are on the boardwalk side, and the Miniature Golf course is behind the Swan and Dolphin. There are also performers on the boardwalk as well as carnival games. There is also light shopping available at all of the resorts. The Boardwalk shops includes the Wyland Galleries, which has some really cool aquatic art. (Think Dolphin sculptures.)

When you are finished...you can just go back to Epcot or venture on the DHS by boat.

On another note: we also love going over to Port Orleans Riverside and watching yeehaw Bob perform at the River Roost Lounge. There is also a cool performer at POFQ. Bob is more fun. The other guy plays saxophone, and is better for couples than families.

Enjoy!

 

[MouseMomx2]

Dinner at Trail's End and the campfire/movie at Fort Wilderness. My 16 & 19 year old kids still love doing this. The movie schedule is posted on the Camping board around the first of each month so you can see what is playing during your visit.

 

[Plutofan]

We just got back from doing the Wild Africa Trek and it was excellent. Our kids had a great time.

 

[supersuperwendy]

After watching this video I decided to make this a "bonus" thing for us! I never thought to rent a pontoon and never even considered floating up the Sassagoula River! It looks like such a nice relaxing time I think grabbing some lunch from Earl of Sandwich and taking a cruise looks great!

All Ears...lazy day on the sassagoula river...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCDRIqOkEPY

 

[DonnaL]

We also love renting a pontoon boat for an hour or two and just cruising around
Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon for a lazy afternoon. It's just so relaxing to be on the water doing nothing for an hour or so.

 

[com_op_2000]

Get away from the parks for a few hours and go look around/explore at Gaylord Palms Resort. It can be a very nice afternoon and the buffet they have at dinner is different every night of the week. They have three acres under a glass roof including a mini-Key West, Everglades, and Castle San Marco.