Great and unusual things to do..

[graciepooh]

Hello, my family and I are ready for another Disney trip. It has been a number of years and I am rusty on some of the extra, don't miss events that I use to know by heart. What are some cool things that most people don't know about? An example, IMO, is the breathless illumination cruise. I love it and we have done it several times. Where should I view fireworks? What is great for 13 year olds? I love the unusual things, do you have any suggestions? Thanks!!!!

 

[The Great Oz]

I would suggest a behind the scenes tour of some sort. THE WDWINFO Website describes them all. Also get your picture taken at the Singin' in the Rain umbrella at DHS. Try making a drawing at the Art of Animation attraction. We like the fireworks directly in front of the Cinderella's Castle. It gives the best perspective. I'd also suggest going anywhere you haven't been yet. If it's a shop, a different pathway or attraction. Be adventuresome. Try making your way to some of the on site properties if you can. Don't rush, you miss a lot.

 

[linzjriley]

Something fun and different to do in the evening if you want a break from the parks. At fort wilderness campground the they have nightly campfire and sing a long with chip and dale(free except if you decide to buy a s'mores kit) it's fun with plenty of seating and at dusk they show Disney movies under the stars right there. But even better is to skip the movie and go for the dusk horse drawn wagon ride. It lasts about 40 min and stops at a quiet spot on the lake with a perfect view of wishes. The even pipe in the music to that spot during the fireworks. I can't remember the cost of the wagon ride but it was well worth it. There is a boat right in front of magic kingdom that takes you to and from the campgrounds.

 

[YayDisney]

I am going to FW next weekend and wanted to do the wagon rides. Do you know which one you took to time it to see Wishes?? It looks like there is a time frame (from 7-9:30) during which they run the wagon rides. THANKS

 

[jlm]

Watching wishes from Polly Beach.
Catching the movie on the beach at one of the resorts.
Hanging out at the boardwalk hotel's "boardwalk." Eating at the Brewhouse there is a must for us....fabulous nachos and burgers!!
Taking the walking path from DHS to Epcot.

 

[cefcdana]

Your 13 year old may or may not like trading vinylmation. Try eating The Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream. Try Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. Animation Academy at HS. Sum of all Thills at Epcot. Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon. Club Cool at Epcot. Fireworks on the Poly beach.

I have not tried any of them when I've gone before but they are all on my wishlist for September!

 

[Kelli Pooh]

We enjoy watching the street performers at DHS and at Epcot.

 

[Nakkira]

I like "Quests" so I am looking forward to checking out the Sorcerer's thing.
Also, even though I am an Adult I got the Epcot passport last time and did that!

 

[WIDisneyFan]

rent a pontoon boat at the contemporary or poly and take a nice cruise around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. We did this for the first time last summer and it is now a must do for us. Only change we will make this year is to pack a few snacks for our ride.

 

[wiigirl]

We enjoy watching the street performers at DHS and at Epcot.

 

[Barbydoll8]

Get a hair cut at the barber shop in MK on main st.

Go to Port Orleans Riverside at night and catch Piano Bob in action. Great for kids. Corny as all get out but fun, fun, fun.

Got to AKL at night and use the night vision goggles to view the animals. They do this at both Jambo and Kidani but the viewing is a bit better in Jambo due to the lighting there.

Do a hidden Mickey's tour.

Rent a canoe at Fort Wilderness for an hour or so. Not too expensive (I think it was around $20) and visit the animals in near Pioneer Hall.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Last time we were there, my kids had a blast playing mini golf at Summer/Winterland(?). This year, I've been told we have to go do the other one!

They love the Coca-Cola spot at Epcot, trying all the different flavors.

This year, the Kitchen Sink is on our to-do list!

They also like the Lego store at DTD. Spent an hour just hanging out in the back building cars and racing them down the ramps.

Oh, and finding DeVine at Animal Kingdom!! That was a highlight of our last trip. it's great to sit back and watch other people's reactions when they realize what's going on!

 

[SeniorWoodchuck]

+1 on Sum of All Thrills at Epcot. Last spring DW and I tried it in the morning and liked it so much we went back on our way out of the park in the afternoon. We waited only 20 minutes each time.

If you're not familiar with it, you design your own roller coaster by combining prefab elements on a computerized table, then get strapped into a simulator to "ride" your own creation. The simulator is on the end of a long robotic arm, so it gives a much better ride than the ones you sometimes see at fairs and shopping malls. You can choose whether or not to go upside down.

Almost as much fun as doing it ourselves was watching other guests' faces as they exited. (If you do it with a partner, you can see each other's face in a corner of your screen during the ride.)

 

[hooch11bear]

I agree with a previous poster. You should check out Yehaa Bob at Port Orleans Riverside. We have such a great time there. Maybe you could take some pennies to make pressed pennies. They have quarters as well.

 

[bopper]

Rent a boat.
You can rent pontoon boats and go from Port Orleans to DTD or you can rent Watermice boats and cruise the Seven Seas Lagoon (and check out the abandoned Discovery Island from the water)

Go horseback riding at Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Fort Wilderness.

 

[set1208]

Do you need a boating license to rent a pontoon boat? Are they difficult to navigate?

 

[graciepooh]

WOW! This thread is amazing. Thank you for all of the suggestions. I hope people keep them coming!!!

 

[Snickals]

Something fun and different to do in the evening if you want a break from the parks. At fort wilderness campground the they have nightly campfire and sing a long with chip and dale(free except if you decide to buy a s'mores kit) it's fun with plenty of seating and at dusk they show Disney movies under the stars right there. But even better is to skip the movie and go for the dusk horse drawn wagon ride. It lasts about 40 min and stops at a quiet spot on the lake with a perfect view of wishes. The even pipe in the music to that spot during the fireworks. I can't remember the cost of the wagon ride but it was well worth it. There is a boat right in front of magic kingdom that takes you to and from the campgrounds.

I saw the campfire on the planning dvd, want to do that next time we go!

How much does the wagon ride cost?

 

[Babsicles]

I saw the campfire on the planning dvd, want to do that next time we go!

How much does the wagon ride cost?

A relaxing and cozy 25 -minute carriage ride through Disneys Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

$45.00 for 25 minutes (includes tax)
Tickets are sold by the carriage drivers
Cash and Disney Resort guest room charge only. No credit cards are accepted
Small carriage holds 2 adults and 1 small child.
Large carriage holds 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 small children.
Reservations nightly (weather permitting)
Begins at 6:00 pm with the last ride departing at 9:30pm
Departs from Crocketts Tavern at Pioneer Hall.
Beverages are permitted
Advance reservations can be made up to 180 days ahead by calling 407-WDW-PLAY. A $45 fee for no-shows or cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will apply. Walk-ups may be available.

Found this here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/trailride.htm
Hope it helps!

One of our favorite stops is the Writer's Shop at Hollywood Studios. Also Wishes Fireworks Desert Party by Tomorrowland Terrace. It's a private viewing of the fireworks and a desert buffet. Found it by accident and now do it every trip! Also watching wishes from behind the castle. Completely different perspective, feel as though they're happening all around you, very cool!

 

[darthbrazen]

One of my personal favorites is Wishes Desserts. It isn't advertised that much, but information for it is published on the Disney website, and you can find a number of articles with a simple Google search. Basically, it is a dessert buffet and perfect place to watch the Magic Kingdom Fireworks. It is very relaxed, and well worth the extra price. Surprisingly, they don't run out of desserts, and they also have a photographer there so you can get a picture with Cinderella's castle lite up in the background of your family photo.