Favorite non-ride experiences?

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

One of the threads in the DLR section talked about a lot of low key experiences that sound great. Things like “have a coke and listen the the piano player” or “watch the flag retreat.” We have been to WDW tons of times but haven’t ever really slowed down long enough to “stop and smell the roses,” except in the lands at Epcot, of course. What are your favorite “I’m rided out but still love being in Disney?” Things to do, in or out of the parks?

 

[Disneymom1102]

Movies and campfire s’mores at the Disney resorts (open to those not staying at resort). Having dinner and wandering around Animal Kingdom Lodge. Disney Springs. Boardwalk.

 

[john7994]

1) Early park entry at MK, with a cup of coffee, walking up main street and relaxing in the grassy hub in front of the castle and people watching. 2) Early morning (to beat the heat), animal trails at Animal Kingdom or sitting around the canals. 3) Sitting with a bottle of "something" with that special someone out of the way on the shores of the 7 seas lagoon areas. 4) Early morning walk along the canals in the Beach Club / Boardwalk / Swolfin to Hollywood Studios areas.

 

[butterscotchcollins]

Having been pregnant our last 4 trips I had PLENTY of time to “stop and smell the roses” XD I particularly enjoyed:

-MK: Getting a hot fudge sundae at Storybook Treats while everyone rode SDMT, people watching in front of the Castle, also people watching at the drop on Splash, having lunch by myself at Steakhouse 71 at the Contemporary
-DHS: Watching the Vacation Fun short (so cute!), being weirdly addicted to Pizza Rizzo, people watching in Toy Story Land, shopping
-AK: Mocktail at Nomad Lounge, and ACTUALLY doing the animal trials
-Epcot: Wandering the aquarium, shopping/enjoying all the Festival booths during Arts, really taking my time exploring the nooks and crannies of World Showcase
Around property: Chilling at the resort pool, MINI GOLF!, riding the Skyliner just for fun

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Movies and campfire s’mores at the Disney resorts (open to those not staying at resort). Having dinner and wandering around Animal Kingdom Lodge. Disney Springs. Boardwalk.

After all these years we have still never done that!

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Having been pregnant our last 4 trips I had PLENTY of time to “stop and smell the roses” XD I particularly enjoyed:

I’m really bad at being pregnant (as in requiring strict bed rest) so I can’t even imagine this.

 

[butterscotchcollins]

I’m really bad at being pregnant (as in requiring strict bed rest) so I can’t even imagine this.

I ran the F&W Half when I was at 4 mos XD After that waddling around the parks at a slow pace felt lovely.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I ran the F&W Half when I was at 4 mos XD After that waddling around the parks at a slow pace felt lovely.

I was allowed to eat sitting up and go to the bathroom. Otherwise I was horizontal. The only time I left my house the entire time I was pregnant was to see the doctor.

To this day seeing visibly pregnant women makes me nervous. I (Irrationally) think they should be lying down.

 

[legler2250]

This idea will certainly not appeal to those that enjoy sleeping in but waking up at 0500, pouring an oversized cup of coffee and taking it to the lobby to enjoy some alone time. This is the best time of the day to reflect, catch up on the news, and enjoy how peaceful everything is! This is best done at CCV, AKV, and even Boardwalk IMO. However there are plenty of spots to chill and just watch the world go by.

 

[Jonfw2]

What a great question. For me it’s midday. We always take a few hours off between rope drop at park one and dinner at park two to just relax.

Nothing better than sitting under an umbrella at the Poly or Beach Club pool, drinking a beer, and listening to the sounds around me.

I also love the walking paths around the EPCOT resorts. Early in the morning, it’s so quiet which is such a great counter to the noise and action you’re going to experience during the day.

 

[nycdisneygal]

My daughter absolutely loved the performers at the Boardwalk! That was the best part of the Disney portion of our recent trip (and so we will be skipping Disney our next Orlando trip).

 

[Barbydoll8]

Mid day monorail resort hop. Grab a cup of joe or your favorite beverage and hang out in the lobby of each monorail resort.
In the evening, watching the live entertainment in Disney Springs.
Canoe rental at Fort Wilderness.

 

[Uncle Coaster]

As someone who likes to go go go when on vacation, one of the things I love to stop and relax at in WDW is the jumping fountains at Epcot. Great people watching spot.

 

[hhisc16]

Checking out all of the deluxe resorts (especially with decorations up around Christmas)
Before we bought DVC, we would visit the resorts and see what was unique about each one.

 

[ChanaC]

A few of my favorite things:

1. Walking around World Showcase and exploring all the nooks and crannies, and walking through the stores/window shopping
2. Mororailing/boating around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake
3. Getting dressed up and doing a fancy afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian
4. Exploring Ft. Wilderness
5. Taking the boats from Disney Springs to the connecting resorts like Old Key West and Port Orleans
6. Animal trails at Animal Kingdom, but the aquariums at The Seas in Epcot.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

So many great ideas. Thank you all!

I love walking around the World Showcase and Crescent Lake, though sitting at Geyser Point last May and enjoying the tranquility of Bay Lake was pretty awesome as well.

 

[loves to dive]

A good question and I have a bunch since I go often and am not ride centric:

At MK: Getting an ice cream at the Plaza and sitting in hub and watching the stage show.
Sitting in a rocking chair on the porch across the street from the Christmas Shoppe with a cold drink and people watching.
Not a popular one but climbing the Swiss Family Tree House and actually stopping and looking in the rooms at all the details.
Doing early entry and grabbing a coffee and breakfast biscuit and sitting on the small stage in Frontier Land or a bench in Tomorrow Land and just watching the people.
Walking slowly down mainstreet and taking in all the windows and details.

At AK: Walking the two trails around the Tree of Life and seeing how many animals I can find.
Slowly making my way around the little off shoot trails and looking at the animals.
Going early in the morning and walking the trails and talking to the CMs there. (they love to answer questions)
Riding the train to pet some goats
Sitting outside at Nomad Lounge with a refreshing adult beverage and some sliders or Lobster Mac and Cheese and enjoying the day.
Stopping in Africa and Asia and watching the acts.

At HS: Sitting on one of the few benches left on the Streets of America (it's named something else now but darn it, that's what I call it) with a coffee early in the morning and just watching the people. Then looking at all the details in the windows.
Having a meal at HBD Lounge and people watching.
Going through One Man's Dream and if the movie about Walt is playing, watching it. I cry every time darn that Julie Andrews.
Watching the Frozen show, I dislike the movie, the song and the ride at Epcot but I can watch that show twice a day and still laugh.
Just walking around the streets at night (especially at Christmas) and seeing all the retro windows and the feel of the place.

At Epcot: Going through the Living Seas (not the ride) and taking my time and watching all the fish. I've been diving there twice and love that place.
Doing the Behind the Seeds Tour in the Land. It only costs about $20 and is so interesting.
In the countries:
UK - going through the garden maze and the tea garden in England. Walking through the garden in Canada. Watching the movie in Canada.
France - going through what is left of the garden (not much since they added Remy). Getting an ice cream and taking it to Morocco to sit at the Fountain and people watch.
Watching the mime.
Morocco - See above. Sitting in the tile room and listening to the water and admiring the beauty.
Going through the museum.
Getting an outside table at Spice Roads, having a sangria and a sampler platter.
Italy - getting a glass of wine and sitting at a table in a shaded spot and look at all the details.
When it was open going to the wine bar and getting a flight and some snacks.
Looking at the masks in the small shop.
Watching the magician
Germany - going to the wine store and getting a flight and a cheese tray. (they are on again off again about flights there).
Japan - going through the garden behind the QS restaurant.
Watching the drummers
China - Going through the gardens beside the meet and greet area and sitting on a bench and just relaxing.
Watching the acrobats when they were there.
Watching the movie
Mexico - Gotta go to LaCava and get a refreshing adult beverage and some guac and cueso.
Watching the glass blower working.

At the resorts:
Grabbing an ice cream or milkshake at the Fountain at the Dolphin and just sitting in the lobby and watching people.
The quiet pool at any of the resorts but really like the one at YC, it even has a hot tub.
Tea at the GF, I so wish that would come back.
Sitting in the lobby of the GF and listening to the piano player.
Walking around the BW area early in the morning.
Getting up early at any of the resorts, grabbing a cup of coffee from the room and just walking around the grounds and finding little hidey holes to sit at.
Three Bridges at CS, could well be the best place I've eaten on property.
Movie under the stars at any of the resorts
Leaving a park and grabbing the first bus I see and touring that resort. (great mid-day thing to do to get out of the crowds). Maybe grabbing a snack at their QS or a drink at their bar (even the values have a little outside bar).

 

[kgrove]

Walking around Epcot not eating an actual meal but instead snacking on all the different seasonal foods.

 

[Wayland10]

Going night swimming at the resorts! My family tends toward the “ghostly white” end of the color spectrum, so swimming in lovely cool water without worrying about sunscreen is amazing. Especially at Animal Kingdom Jambo House, where you can pause to watch roosting flamingos.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

This idea will certainly not appeal to those that enjoy sleeping in but waking up at 0500, pouring an oversized cup of coffee and taking it to the lobby to enjoy some alone time. This is the best time of the day to reflect, catch up on the news, and enjoy how peaceful everything is! This is best done at CCV, AKV, and even Boardwalk IMO. However there are plenty of spots to chill and just watch the world go by.

This!