Top non-ride things to do in each park?

TXAKDisneyFan

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 26, 2014
Messages
1,602
Today my DH found out that a co-worker and her family (husband, 3 yo daughter) are going to WDW for the first time next month. They're staying at AKL, they don't have any dining reservations yet, they don't have any FP+ made, and the co-worker is currently 15 weeks pregnant with twins.

I'm going to write her an email going over what rides are at each park (with height restrictions), dining recommendations, etc (although we know that it's unlikely they'll have much success booking hard to get FP+ or dining reservations at this point).

What are the top non-ride things to do in each park? We've always done rides from morning til close, so I don't have experience with things like pick-a-pearl, for example. TIA!
 
Epcot- World Showcase (each country has a 'kidcot' spot; she could sit and rest while her 3y/o did the 'activity' with the CM's at each 'kidcot' spot).
Epcot- Agent P (go on a 'mission' exploring a country in World Showcase)
Hollywood Studio- Animation Academy
MK- Laugh Floor and Philarmagic shows;
AK- trails to see Animals:-) Shows such at FOTLK and Nemo
 
Epcot : Innoventions pavillions have lots of fun, hands-on family activities.

DHS: Animation Academy - a short 'class' in drawing one of the Disney characters led by one of the Disney animators- it's a lot of fun for all ages and you get to take home your drawing; Honey I SHrunk the Kids playground.

AK: Lots of animal trails; a place where you can play on all kinds of bongos/drums; Lion King and Nemo shows, the FLights of Wonder bird show.

MK: Tom Sawyer's Island- lots of space to run around and caves to explore; Sunny Eclipse ( a giant animatronic alien who plays and sings and tells jokes at the Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland); fun playground in the Dumbo queue where you can stay and play as long as you want; Country Bear Jamboree; Philharmagic, Carousel of Progress, People Mover.

And the AKL has lots of activities for kids, they have a parade of the kids through the large lobby area every afternoon, campfire at night where the cast members tell stories and the kids all get little finger puppets, lots of cool stuff throughout the resort and of course all the animals, they give out night vision goggles to watch the nocturnal animals after dark.

Hope your friends have a great time!
OH, and don't give up on the FP+, they should be able to get some FP's even a week ahead, especially if they're not doing the big rides like the mountains.
 
Epcot: exploring Innoventions, The Seas and World Showcase
HS: Animation Academy was one of our favorite things we did all trip! We also loved the Beauty and the Beast show.
MK: Railroad, Carousel of Progress, take a ride on the Liberty Square Riverboat, meet talking Mickey at Town Hall
AK: The Maharajah Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest Trail
 

Animal Kingdom - Flights of Wonder
Epcot - strolling around World Showcase and stopping in at the Kidspot places and talking with the Cast Members there. Also, all the entertainment around World Showcase. Picking up a snack in a few countries. Taking a world map and seeing where each country is.
 
The TTA at Magic Kingdom is one of my favourite things to do- it's quick loading, shaded, and relaxing. Also very awesome for people watching.
 
/
MK:
Country Bears
Laugh Floor
Liberty River Boat
Pirate Adventure

AK
Lion King
All trails

HS:
Frozen Sing a Long
Animation Academy

Epcot
Turtle Talk
 
Also at AK: My niece (5) loved the Boneyard play area in Dinoland. We had to drag her out of there. Also, you can ride the train to Conservation Station (train station is in Africa near Safari ride). They have a little petting zoos, there are crazy bugs and reptiles on exhibit, and they often bring out birds like hawks or owls to check out. Plus you can meet Rafiki there.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions! I made a list of all the rides, attractions, and entertainment for her; and included brief descriptions (including how well liked things are).

I get the impression that the people who end up not liking their WDW vacations either didn't know the level of planning they take, or knew but just didn't take the time to plan. Hopefully she and her family will have a good time and end up loving Disney like we do.
 
Take a break in any park, find a bench and people watch. It'll occupy a good hour :rolleyes1

We've seen some really funny props, some unfortunate things, and some of the cutest kids, couple interactions, character visits....
 
I get the impression that the people who end up not liking their WDW vacations either didn't know the level of planning they take, or knew but just didn't take the time to plan.

Exactly! If going to Ocean City, MD, would you take the time to find the location of the resort closet to what you want? Or would you just book the cheapest and then go there and find you have to walk three miles to get to the center of the Boardwalk? Or maybe you don't want the Boardwalk that much but the quiet beaches away from that but you booked the expensive stuff right in the middle of things and then had to either put up with that or walk two miles to get away from it.
 
Okay doke:
Magic Kingdom: Sit at the gazebo and have a Dole Whip and people watch.
EPCOT: Wander round World Showcase but especially sit outside Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles with a strawberry tart and a cappuccino.
Disney Hollywood Studios: Animation Academy
Animal Kingdom: Flights Of Wonder
 
MK - hall of presidents, Tom Sawyer's Island, philharmagic
DHS - Animation Academy, Walt disney one man's dream, Muppet 3D vision
AK - Festival of the Lion King, Flights of wonder
Epcot - Agent P in world showcase, turtle talk with Crush, Karemell spot in Germany for caramel apples and caramel corn YUM!
 
at Epcot and AK my favorite things are non-rides! They have been named in other posts :)
 
MK - Sorcerers of the MK
EPCOT - Agent P in the WS
DHS - Characterpalooza
AK - Wilderness Explorers Program
 













Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top