Smelling the Roses

[friendoffigment]

Going to WDW with the intention of not going commando to the attractions (rides). What are some of the things you do when you are taking it easy and smelling the roses.

 

[Dug720]

Really taking my time on the trails at Animal Kingdom

 

[loves to dive]

We have never really been ride centric and now since I'm older and go solo rides are not something I concentrate on. I do ride some but not really that many. Each park has so much detail in it I really take my time walking around and just looking at things. I love to go to all the shows, like PP said the trails at AK are a must, I love to wander around all the gardens at Epcot WS (Canada, GB, Japan, China) and the details in all the pavilions are amazing. I like to sit outside in the mornings (if I have a room with a balcony bonus) and drink a cup of coffee and watch the resorts wake up. I don't go to the parks until around 9 most mornings, grab some breakfast and again, just sit and watch the parks wake up. I always take an afternoon break and explore my resort or go resort hopping and explore other resorts. I don't buy LLs or even make ADRs in advance. I do have an AP so most days have to make a park reservation but that is the only planning I do. I just let the day take me where it's going to take me.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Lots of pictures during the golden hours. Take your time and get good pics

 

[Pyxie]

I never end up having time to really explore the pavilions in Epcot, but I really want to dedicate a day or so to just that one day.

 

[WWWD10]

Animal Kingdom - This park has my favorite shops, I slowly make my way and window shop the new items that have been received. I pick up a dole whip after lunch. Make the line for Feathered Friends in Flight. Take in the view at the bridge in Africa while sipping on a chai latte form Joffrey's.

Hollywood Studios - I watch every show. Start the morning with Indiana Jones and make my way to the least crowded ones until I've seen all of them, including the films. Make line at Mickey's Railway and grab lunch/dinner then show up early for decent seats at Fantasmic. I have been meaning to download the app and do the activities in the Star Wars land as well.

Magic Kingdom - Really take my time in main street. Buy a snack at the bakery, and shop about until the Dapper Dans do a show, and catch the whole thing. Then jump on the railway for a beautiful slow ride around the park and get off at Tomorrowland. Enjoy Carousel of Progress and make my way to frontier land. Catch the afternoon parade from here and then have lunch and some beignets. Go back to my hotel for a swim and come back at around 7:30pm for the fireworks.

EPCOT - Drink around the world (does not have to be alcoholic). Enjoy the films at every pavilion. People watch by the UK pavilion. Catch some of the music acts in Canada and Morocco.

Hope that helps

 

[DisDreaming4116]

Take your time when leaving a park at night. MK, EP and DHS, especially, are so beautiful at night and I'll never understand the rush to join the mass exodus of humanity leaving the park.
I enjoy finding a seat to people watch and unwind in the Disney ambiance.

 

[Oneanne]

POP is my Disney-home and I love to take the sky-liner over to EPCOT in the evenings, the ride is so calm and peaceful and beautiful at night. In EPCOT I like to sit in front of the American pavilion and listen to music if there's a show in the theater or wander thru the pavilions checking out all the details. One trip I think I saw the movie in France seven times because that is what I wanted to do. I'll be there in a couple weeks during F&G, so most of my dinners will be from the booths and I'm looking forward to exploring the Moana Journey of Water area, which wasn't open the last time I was there.

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree with all the suggestions above. I would add, look UP at the buildings and consider how they're designed and themed for their location. My favorite is the various seating pavilions near Flame Tree BBQ in AK - each pavilion is themed to a different predator-prey pair! And of course the windows along Main Street in MK, with all the tributes and references to people who played an important role in development of WDW.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I agree with all the suggestions above. I would add, look UP at the buildings and consider how they're designed and themed for their location. My favorite is the various seating pavilions near Flame Tree BBQ in AK - each pavilion is themed to a different predator-prey pair! And of course the windows along Main Street in MK, with all the tributes and references to people who played an important role in development of WDW.

Adding another to the great options above - take time to look down also. I live the way Disney themes even the walkways.

 

[UnderneathAMagicMoon]

World Showcase in the morning. It gets so packed by midday, walking around the countries with some space is awesome.

I’ve never done it but people seem to love the pick-a-pearl experience in Japan. Or, paint your own mask in Italy, have a ring carved in Mexico, or have your own glass made at Glaskunst.

On my wish list would be line up early enough to get into Trader Sam’s at the Poly. And definitely order one of the drinks that creates special effects! Not something I can do with kiddo in tow but one day when he’s older maybe.

Ride all of the b-list rides that don’t get enough love. They’re great!

 

[hes122]

Resort days are also a good way to sit back and enjoy.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Great suggestions here. If there's a festival in EPCOT, I enjoy doing the scavenger hunt through each pavilion, which "forces" me to slow down and see things I've sometimes never noticed before. You can either purchase the official map (can use AP discount) and get whatever the prize is (can collect prize without finding a single item) or just do it unofficially on your own. I also like grabbing a snack or beverage and just sitting on a bench people watching. I also often bring my Kindle in my bag and enjoy finding spots in the parks or resort lobby or lounge and reading while soaking up the atmosphere. Especially at holiday time, enjoy a monorail or skyliner tour of resorts. If you're staying in a deluxe resort, most offer poolside cabanas available for rent. I've not tried any yet but a lot of resorts offer various craft projects for a fee - generally painting - I'd like to try some of those.

 

[japanese maple]

Animal Kingdom.

Besides doing all the trails (make sure you don't miss the ones on Discovery Island near Tree of Life and when you first walk in) - really take time to experience the back story of the park through the signage. Look at the "ads" painted on the walls to learn about the hotels you can stay in or the expeditions you can go on. Read the story, look at wall paintings in the Maharajah Trek. So much detail!!!

Animal Kingdom really is the best themed park out there as far as storytelling, details, etc. I know everyone wants to say Disney Sea or Epic - while they may be fantastic looking, the story and depth of the theming in AK is just beyond it all.

 

[kylenne]

Lots of good suggestions, I would also add heading up to Rafiki's Planet Watch in AK. The train ride up there is really chill and because you can't get there any other way it's really not that crowded. I could hang out with the baby animals all day! There's also an animation class up there.

 

[holden]

Resort hop - especially easy for the monorail/skyliner resorts.

Try some different experiences like the elephant tour in AK or archery at Fort Wilderness.

Relax by the pool - take a nap, read a book, etc.

 

[FastPasser.]

Over a period spanning 22 years, I’ve had the opportunity to be in empty parks before and after closing, hundreds of times. It’s a different world, it never grew old.

Of course I’ve also spent a lot of time backstage, which may be more interesting than onstage. So I’ve smelled the roses at WDW to an extraordinary degree.

 

[zdad59]

We like to do a few things.....

• At MK, we really like to take a ride up Main St. on a car or bus. The pick up spot is at the base of the steps of the Railroad station, just after you enter MK. It will drop you off in the cirlce in front of the Castle. It's a fun ride, especially some of the looks you get. You feel like a real VIP. Be sure to practice your pageant wave before you board.
• People watch. Grab a mickey bar or a churro and find a seat. We like to play "find the funniest outfit". People are very entertaining.
• Stand in a long ride queue. Many rides have great pre shows (FoP, GotG, RotR, Tron, etc.) and sometimes in the rush and excitement to ride the ride, you don't really absorb all the little details in the queue. Don't be afraid of a line or in a hurry to get to the ride. Enjoy all the Disney magic.
• Ride the Peoplemover (WEDWAY) 3-4 times in a row. It's very relaxing. and you get to see a lot.
• Similarly, ride the Skyliner from EPCOT to HS and back, just to ride the ride. It's relaxing and fun, especially in the middle of the day, when crowds tend to be lower. In the middle of the day, chances are good you can get a car to yourself.
• Finally, always plan a break for a few hours back at your hotel. Value or Deluxe, you can find a place to grab a drink, sit in the pool or just take a "nap" in your room. It a great recharging time for an evening in the park.

 

[elvispursley]

We like to do a few things.....

• At MK, we really like to take a ride up Main St. on a car or bus. The pick up spot is at the base of the steps of the Railroad station, just after you enter MK. It will drop you off in the cirlce in front of the Castle. It's a fun ride, especially some of the looks you get. You feel like a real VIP. Be sure to practice your pageant wave before you board.
• People watch. Grab a mickey bar or a churro and find a seat. We like to play "find the funniest outfit". People are very entertaining.
• Stand in a long ride queue. Many rides have great pre shows (FoP, GotG, RotR, Tron, etc.) and sometimes in the rush and excitement to ride the ride, you don't really absorb all the little details in the queue. Don't be afraid of a line or in a hurry to get to the ride. Enjoy all the Disney magic.
• Ride the Peoplemover (WEDWAY) 3-4 times in a row. It's very relaxing. and you get to see a lot.
• Similarly, ride the Skyliner from EPCOT to HS and back, just to ride the ride. It's relaxing and fun, especially in the middle of the day, when crowds tend to be lower. In the middle of the day, chances are good you can get a car to yourself.
• Finally, always plan a break for a few hours back at your hotel. Value or Deluxe, you can find a place to grab a drink, sit in the pool or just take a "nap" in your room. It a great recharging time for an evening in the park.

Really like the idea of going through a ride queue. We’re discussing not getting LL this trip (going Aug/Sep so slower time of year). We were just talking about wanting to actually see the queues for RotR, EE and others.

 

[zdad59]

Really like the idea of going through a ride queue. We’re discussing not getting LL this trip (going Aug/Sep so slower time of year). We were just talking about wanting to actually see the queues for RotR, EE and others.

We'll be there 12-18 Sept this year. Can still get hot and have rainy afternoons, but still a good time to go we think.