Different or unusual things to do at Disney?

[SIMJUN]

Have you found any new or different things to do at WDW, unusual things? Do you have any "secrets" to share?

 

[carrie1626]

Personally, I enjoy going to 1 or 2 deluxe resorts during my stay to look around, visit the gift shops and eat lunch or dinner. My top 3 would be Beach Club, Animal Kingdom and Polynesian.
Take time to talk it up with the CM's in the World Showcase-Epcot. Most of them are always happy to have you ask about their homeland.
Take the train completely around MK. Who cares if you're getting off right here you started!!
You can never take enough pictures!! Sometimes its just the still life that you want to capture but looking back on those WDW ducks in the water, or beautiful flowers, the MM and DD topiaries, even your food (LOL!) can make you smile after you're home.
I always try to pass on the MAGIC in the parks. When I know it's time to say goodbye I try to purposefully get FP's that I can give to a family entering the park. It always brings a smile!!

 

[FLDisneyFan]

Last time at EPCOT, I went out the exit by World Showcase and walked around Beach Club & Board Walk resorts. It was cool.

 

[Missytara]

Hang out at the lounge at WL; they have great snacks and the bartenders are fabulous. One year, I ran into a whole group of people my age there for a reunion. They were in a sorority together at the University of Chicago and met at DW every five years. They invited me to have dinner with them.

Also sitting at the bar at Prime Time 50's Cafe and ordering hot dog and french fries. I swear when the bartender brought out the hot dog with the grill marks and the crinkle fries, I almost burst into tears; what a fond memory growing up! Along with the cheesy christmas decorations that reminded me of my grandparents house.

Going out to lunch at SSR at the Turf Club and sitting outside on the patio. Definately one of those undiscovered treasures for me until this past year. What a fantastic place, so quiet and peaceful - and I took the water taxi over from POR, so it was great.

And just sitting at the bar at RFC. I have met some great people while they are waiting for a table.

 

[valree]

Have you considered going on one of the tours such as the Segway tours or one of the behind the scenes tours? I've heard nothing but good things about them. I'm determined to go on one in October!

Here are some descriptions http://allears.net/btp/tours.htm

 

[LindaR]

I don't know how "different or unusual" this would be classified, but we always have to play mini-golf at night!

 

[+Rosetta+]

Try taking the last ride of the TTA in Tomorrowland of the night. It's really neat and creepy if you're on there alone.

 

[Mikeyto_96]

I like to visit a few other resorts during my stay. I always make time for Poly though, it is my fav.

 

[Sha]

Parasailing, sea raycer, golf lesson... horse back riding....

 

[AKL_Megs]

I always try to pass on the MAGIC in the parks. When I know it's time to say goodbye I try to purposefully get FP's that I can give to a family entering the park. It always brings a smile!!

I LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing it with us! I am SO doing this next trip!

 

[nurse.darcy]

Last August I did a transportation day with my friend. We took a bus to MK, took the first boat that arrived. . .it was to Wilderness Lodge, hopped on that. Took a bus from WL to DTD, took a bus back to our resort to meet up with another friend. Later that evening we took the monorail from Epcot to the TTC and then to MK. It was a very fun day.

 

[crimowls]

Ha! Darcy, that was great. I suppose if you were riding all those for fun with no time concerns and adventure in mind it would be fun...

I second that mini-golf thing. It's great to take a couple hours out of a busy Disney schedule to play a round or two.

We have some of the Passporters books that give clues to "hidden mickeys" and "Disney Scavenger Hunting." That can be fun.

 

[Bethany2008]

When we were leaving MK we had an evening free and decided to take the monorail wherever it took us. We got off and unofficially toured the resorts that were on the way. That trip we were staying at ASMu so it was SO much fun to see the Deluxe Resorts! We walked around their pools and gift shops, ect.

It was a blast, and we decided on which Deluxe resort we want to stay at... someday when money permits, of course!

 

[SIMJUN]

Thanks for the great tips. Sorry I am so late back to this thread.

 

[carrie80]

I love doing things out of the parks. The last trip my boyfriend and I were in the parks only 2 of our 5 days. The rest of the time we were resort hopping and exploring Downtown Disney. I love the boat that goes past the Treehouse Villas. I think the boat goes from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney.

We also had a great time looking around the Fort Wilderness Campground. We rented bikes there and rode around. There are some fabulous decorations people put out to decorate their campsites, especially around Christmas. It is also just interesting to look at those impressive campers.

We went to a ton of resorts to look around. Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Pop Century. They are all fun to walk around and look at the pools, get an appetizer or eat a meal. I like watching the fireworks from the resorts.

Celebration is a cool place to visit. We were there close to Christmas and they do the bubble snow in the town square. They have a neat fountain you can play in during the summer.

 

[ickletarakins]

Have you found any new or different things to do at WDW, unusual things? Do you have any "secrets" to share?

Oh gosh, after working/living there for so long I'm not even sure I can remember all of the "secrets" I discovered! Some of them aren't really even secrets anymore, probably...

-The big one has got to be Drinking around the World. One of those "not really a secret" ones but if you like to try different drinks and can handle eleven countries, it's always a blast.
-MK fireworks from the beach at the Poly. So much less crowded and if you've already seen them AT MK, it's not like you're missing anything.
-Kona at the Poly actually has amazing food. If you want O'Hana but can't get in, this is a great second option; if you just haven't been I suggest checking it out!
-In DAK, across from Pizzafari there is a little grotto-type area.You step down into it--it's kind of like a cave--and the window ledges looking into the pond are big enough to sit on. It's almost always cool in there and quiet, except maybe during the busiest seasons...I've always loved just stopping in for a few minutes of relaxation time.
-Single rider lines are your friend! (so long as you don't mind getting split up if you actually are in a group)
-The Spa at Saratoga Springs is great. The two best massages I've ever had were there
-Fishing in the little fishing hole at POR is also really fun...and if you get a drink from the pool bar you can bring that with you too! (I love the pool bar there and have heard that it's actually rated the best pool bar in all the WDW resorts)
-The little cinnamon sugar donuts at Typhoon Lagoon. 'Nuff said. For a while they had them at DTD too, but they got rid of that cart and now you can ONLY get them at Typhoon. So sad.
-Again, probably not a huge secret but the fish and chips at the quick service window in the UK at EPCOT are awesome.
-If you like the Beatles and British Invasion is playing, don't miss them.
-I'm not big on the FOOD at the Rose & Crown, but their sticky toffee pudding dessert? AMAZING.
-Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse has the best views of the MK and is great at dusk/nighttime...usually there aren't as many kids traipsing around up there during those times and the castle is all lit up.

That's all I can think of for now but I have a feeling that later some other memories will pop up...I may be back