Cool things to do Off the beaten Path

[tigertamm]

The coolest thing we did off the beaten path this trip was plan for dinner at Ragland Road at 8:00 pm. We asked to be located close to the music and by the time we were finished with our entrees and ready for dessert we were enjoying the music. Much Fun and Great Food!!! Any others?

 

[iloveokw]

My ideas aren't really off the beaten path - but do not need park admission:

Ride boat to DD from OKW
Ride boat to FW from MK - and explore
Ride the monorail around the MK resorts and to EPCOT and back
Visit the different resorts
Bob Jackson at Port Orleans Riverside

 

[oakmanner]

I have a few:

Hoop-De-Doo Review @ Ft. Wilderness
Segway Tour @ Ft. Wilderness or EPCOT
Pin trading at @ Down Town Disney Marketplace

Dennis-

 

[Disney_Villain]

Here are my 2 fav's:

1. Epcot segway tour (tour Epcot on a segway while World Showcase is closed)
2. Polynesian Resort's "Spirit of Aloha" dinner show (the dancers are great)

 

[tigertamm]

Here is another "cool" thing to do....find a frozen coffee drink!!!!!!We found these at Hollywood-the writer's stop behind Sci Fi and at a kiosk toward Mexico in the World Showcase in Epcot. Great pick me up mid day in the summertime.

 

[tjkraz]

A few fun things we've done over the years:

1. Carriage ride at WL/FW (sleigh ride in winter)
2. Rent SeaRaycers (Watermice) on Bay Lake / Seven Seas Lagoon
3. Movies at resort pools
4. Pirate cruise for the kids
5. Spring training baseball at WWoS
6. Schedule an in-park character meal before park opening time

 

[bom_noite]

I have so many fun things to do it is difficult to list all of them:

Knock on every piece of wood at WDW to see if it real or fabricated.

Ask the WDW Bus Drivers if the bus is stopping at Sea World.

Exit and Re-enter the MK 473 straight times in hopes of being a Million Dreams winner.

Get signatures at the Hall of Presidents.

With map in hand tell the folks working the Mexico Pavillion that you were at the Bolivian Pavillion six years ago and now cannot remember where it is.

Smuggle a cat in to the Tiki Bird song show.

Place a bucket over the Geyser hole at WL.

Argue with a DVC guide that you have heard a rumor that the next resort will be adjoining Universal.

Race the Monorail from WDW to Epcot.

Swim the Trumbo Canal

Establish a base camp on Everest.

Request the British Invasion (the Beatles group) at the UK Pavillion to do the Carousel of Progress song.

 

[luna99]

Knock on every piece of wood at WDW to see if it real or fabricated.

Ask the WDW Bus Drivers if the bus is stopping at Sea World.

Exit and Re-enter the MK 473 straight times in hopes of being a Million Dreams winner.

Get signatures at the Hall of Presidents.

With map in hand tell the folks working the Mexico Pavillion that you were at the Bolivian Pavillion six years ago and now cannot remember where it is.

Smuggle a cat in to the Tiki Bird song show.

Place a bucket over the Geyser hole at WL.

Argue with a DVC guide that you have heard a rumor that the next resort will be adjoining Universal.

Race the Monorail from WDW to Epcot.

Swim the Trumbo Canal

Establish a base camp on Everest.

Request the British Invasion (the Beatles group) at the UK Pavillion to do the Carousel of Progress song.

I love all these!! Ok, I want to go with YOU to wdw!

 

[juliebrooks35]

I have so many fun things to do it is difficult to list all of them:

Knock on every piece of wood at WDW to see if it real or fabricated.

Ask the WDW Bus Drivers if the bus is stopping at Sea World.

Exit and Re-enter the MK 473 straight times in hopes of being a Million Dreams winner.

Get signatures at the Hall of Presidents.

With map in hand tell the folks working the Mexico Pavillion that you were at the Bolivian Pavillion six years ago and now cannot remember where it is.

Smuggle a cat in to the Tiki Bird song show.

Place a bucket over the Geyser hole at WL.

Argue with a DVC guide that you have heard a rumor that the next resort will be adjoining Universal.

Race the Monorail from WDW to Epcot.

Swim the Trumbo Canal

Establish a base camp on Everest.

Request the British Invasion (the Beatles group) at the UK Pavillion to do the Carousel of Progress song.

Fantastic. Asking the WDW bus driver if he stops at Seaworld really appeals to my sense of humour

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have not done this, but the question was asked on the Theme Parks Board and this was one of the answers. I have forwarded the information to a few friends, and this is something we would like to see!

It concerns the Animal Kingdom:
Bobbi

If you have the luxury of staying until closing, try to be on the Pangani Forest trail about 15 to 30 minutes before closing.

The gorilla bachelor troop, on the left of the trail has to be brought in for the night in a very specific order, due to dominance issues.

For this reason, the animals need to position themselves in specific places in the habitat. To accomplish this, the handlers will be on the trail with you, rewarding the big guys with food for being in the right place - tossing them oranges or bananas for waiting their turn.

During this half hour, as they sort themselves out, it isn't uncommon to see them occasionally charge each other to establish the pecking order. They sometimes accompany this with amazingly loud chest beating - and no, this isn't some silly stereotype from Tarzan movies - it actually happens.

I'll also mention that during this same period of time, the tigers over in Asia can be at their most active. They're anxious to feed and the tunnel has been opened between the two habitats so you may see as many as 5 of these beautiful girls waiting in the same area to go in.

Here too, they might wind up charging and pouncing on each other and roaring loudly in a playful fight. Quite a sight to see.

 

[WaltEeyoreWorld]

We love to do Dive Quest at Epcot. You get a one tank dive in the Living Seas aquarium with all of the equipment, a behind the scenes tour of how they care for the aquarium, fish, sharks, dolphins, etc and are able to purchase a nice video of the dive after. There are facilities and showers to finish off the tour and then you are releases out the front door of the living seas into Epcot so you get some time to play, have dinner, see the fireworks, etc without a park ticket. Fun dive and free park time, you can't beat it.

 

[GGOOFY1]

Bobbi, I copied yours down, so I can try to remember to do this on our upcoming trip. I'll have to remember my video camera

 

[Deb & Bill]

We just got back from Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull at the AMC Pleasure Island. Very nice theater and DVC members get a discount at night. We did the afternoon matinee and got in for $8 a person. The seats at this theater are worth it. Very comfy.

We've also done minature golf every now and then.

We did the Backstage Tour at DHS last night after not having done it for years. The last time we did it, the Golden Girls House was still standing. It was fun.

I think we are headed to SSR tomorrow to use the Health Club for a while. Before we eat lunch at the Turf Club.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Bobbi, I copied yours down, so I can try to remember to do this on our upcoming trip. I'll have to remember my video camera

That would be wonderful to see I think. AK closes at 8 next Friday and I think we're going to try to be there.

Bobbi

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have not done this, but the question was asked on the Theme Parks Board and this was one of the answers. I have forwarded the information to a few friends, and this is something we would like to see!

It concerns the Animal Kingdom:
Bobbi

If you have the luxury of staying until closing, try to be on the Pangani Forest trail about 15 to 30 minutes before closing.

The gorilla bachelor troop, on the left of the trail has to be brought in for the night in a very specific order, due to dominance issues.

For this reason, the animals need to position themselves in specific places in the habitat. To accomplish this, the handlers will be on the trail with you, rewarding the big guys with food for being in the right place - tossing them oranges or bananas for waiting their turn.

During this half hour, as they sort themselves out, it isn't uncommon to see them occasionally charge each other to establish the pecking order. They sometimes accompany this with amazingly loud chest beating - and no, this isn't some silly stereotype from Tarzan movies - it actually happens.

I've been there at that time and can verify that it does happen. The night I was there, there was a CM who distracted the other gorillas by throwing them food while the other one was going in. So the fighting was minimized. The CM said it's sort of like juvenile boys-they can't get within a certain distance of each other without "having" to play push and shove.

 

[tigertamm]

Great ideas!!!!!! How about this one... we stayed at WL one time and every morning our family would get up and jog or walk over to Fort Wilderness... it was a beautiful walk and we would go visit the horses and walk around by the lake. Love to just take it Alll in!!!!Great memories.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Great ideas!!!!!! How about this one... we stayed at WL one time and every morning our family would get up and jog or walk over to Fort Wilderness... it was a beautiful walk and we would go visit the horses and walk around by the lake. Love to just take it Alll in!!!!Great memories.

That's great, and very often you see deer on the path between VWL and FW!
Bobbi

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

In addition to the regular off beat things we enjoy (Segway tours, specialty cruises, excursions, etc. which many have listed previously) we have found a few things "off the beaten path" so to speak which you wont find in any promotional materials... They are the following:

- After Illuminations completes and the parks empty out. Wait around for about 30 mins or so and keep an eye on the middle world showcase lagoon. I am not sure if it is a timed thing or when they feel the park is empty enough but eventually you will see a flash (of fire) and hear the loudest "BOOOOOOOM" you will ever hear at WDW. I am sure many of you have heard this and wondered it was as you can hear it throughout the entire property of wdw it is so loud. After countless trips and always hearing it but never knowing exactly what it was. We found out first hand just a few years back. We had a late dinner reservation in Epcot one night and strolled out into the park after dinner after the park was closed and as we were walking to the main gate around the lagoon and we were all startled by this exteremly loud BOOM. We didnt know what it was that caused this and asked a CM if this was suppose to happen or if something had gone wrong and we were told that they need to empty the gas lines nightly as a precautionary measure and the end result of doing so is the "boom" as they ignite it to force the gas out of the lines.

- After MK closes and the park empties out, stroll around the castle and you will see some glorious colors and patterns displayed on the castle. This makes for some excellent and unique picture opportunities as you will be the only ones in the pictures (no people in the background) and the castle looks amazing in certain colors and patterns being displayed.

- AAA Parking pass is THE best kept secret in all of WDW (for those who use their own vehicle and have AAA). The AAA parking pass (follow the green line to the left after passing the parking attendants) puts you up front outside the regular parking area next to the handicap parking right by the parks entrance. This saves a ton of time (especially if park hopping or trying to see two fireworks shows in the same evening) having access to this parking area. To get the pass you are suppose to buy wdw park passes from AAA but with a little coaxing you can usually get them without purchasing the park passes. The parking pass is good for one calendar year (Jan to Dec) and can be used on multiple trips.

- If you should ever find that you are the last ones out of park (or close to) and are relying on wdw transportation and are staying at wdw resort and fear the busses have stopped, rest assured, they havent. If you leave a park extremely late there should be a security guard at the landing area where the bus stops begin. He/She will ask you where you are staying and if it is a wdw resort (you may be asked to show a room key), they will call for a private bus for your party to bring you to your resort. These private buses sit at the far end of the parking lot waiting for such calls and pull up to your party in about a minute or so.

 

[bigsmooth]

This is my type of thread.

I don't go as frequently as others, but I like to explore.

Hoop De Doo is a favorite of ours.

Love the jogging comment made earlier. Last trip was for work, so I had a chance to jog the trail from POR to French Quarter and back up to POR to make the circle around the island. That was great. Also love jogging SSR, going from Congress Park up into the main trail around the large lagoon. Just something about this being done at WDW vs. at home makes it all the more relaxing.

I've not tried the miniature golf courses, but that is high on my list to try. Also, after my recent POR stay for a work trip and really enjoying the restaurant there, my goal is to try all of the resort sit down restaurants over time. Given our current rate of going every other year approach, that will take a while. But it will be fun.

We did go over Halloween one time. While we did do MNSSHP, we also did the trick or treating at SSR. Last trip over NY Eve we did the SSR party in Congress park. Those types of activities are a lot of fun and I know all of the DVC resorts plan these types of things.

But mainly I'm looking forward to more entries to this thread, seeing what some of the more frequent visitors have to say.

 

[tigertamm]

This is fun...I love to call the bakery at the resort in which I am staying and have a small cake delivered to my room...great for a birthday or first visit, but also good for "just because" The cakes run about $20, I have it delivered while we are at the parks and when we get home we have a wonderful cake with little plates and utensils. The cake ends up being our breakfast all week! Who cares... Cake For Breakfast... We are at Disney World!!!! The kids love it...even my big kids. I have ordered one at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge-White Cakes and they were both Wonderful!!!!!!!!!