Magic Insiders - Insider Info for Disney World Travel

110 Things You MUST Do at Disney World

by Chad Kennedy | Animal Kingdom , Dining , Epcot , Magic Kingdom , Parks , Resorts , Trip Planning

disney world must do things

Disney World has a ton of rides, restaurants, and entertainment options. The good news is that you’ll never run out of things to do. The bad news is that it can be hard to know where to begin.

We created this HUGE guide to use our years of experience to help you find all of Disney World’s “must do’s”. There’s info for all four parks, along with resorts and Disney Springs. It’s all in one place, so you can spend less time searching and more time having fun.

Whether you’re planning a full vacation or simply planning your afternoon, we’ve got you covered.

Magic Kingdom Must Do’s

#1. ride space mountain.

You’re doing yourself a disservice if you leave Magic Kingdom without riding on Space Mountain. It’s dark, it’s fast, and it’s a lot of fun. It’s also one of Disney’s most iconic rollercoasters and it’s definitely one you’ll want to use Lightning Lane for! Check out our Magic Kingdom FastPass guide and ride ranking to get some important tips for that.

#2. Watch Happily Ever After fireworks show

The Happily Ever After show is unlike any other fireworks show you’ve ever seen inside Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Not only are the fireworks timed perfectly with epic music, but there are intricate projections animated on the Cinderella Castle for you to enjoy. Going a step further, you can also watch projections and glittering lights on the buildings on Main Street, U.S.A during the show.

#3. Eat a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle

Ah, the legendary Dole Whip. Trust me, it’s worth the hype. It’s one of the best desserts you’ll find at Disney World and it’s a borderline crime not to have one. Getting a Dole Whip is often my first course of action when entering the park.

Tron Lightcycle / Run

#4. Ride Tron Lightcycle / Run

Tron is the stellar new ride featuring out-of-this-world technology and fun. Riders mount a futuristic motorcycle and take off at 60mph to race against the fictional lightcyclers of the TRON: Legacy movie. This is one experience we highly recommend for thrill seekers.

#5. Eat at Be Our Guest

If you can get a coveted reservation for Be Our Guest, snatch it up as quick as you can! The restaurant is modeled after the Beauty and the Beast Castle and features an outstanding French-inspired menu. It’s absolutely one of Disney’s best restaurants. Be Our Guest ranks #1 on both our list of Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants for Lunch and our list of Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants for Dinner .

#6. Ride Pirates of the Caribbean

Another great dark water ride at Magic Kingdom. The sets are intricate and interesting and the ride has just enough “thrill” to make it fun for adults but tame enough for hesitant children.

#7. Watch Country Bear Jamboree

Country Bear Jamboree oozes old-school Disney World kitsch. There’s nothing quite like watching oversized animatronic bears perform like they’re at the Grand Ol’ Opry. Consider this one a Magic Kingdom rite of passage.

#8. Eat at Cinderella’s Royal Table

It doesn’t matter who you are- it’s pretty cool to be able to eat inside Cinderella’s Castle. Cinderella’s Royal Table is expensive (it’s considered fine dining), but it’s totally worth it if you want a special experience. It’s also one of the few places that you can meet all of the princesses in one place. They’ll visit your table one-by-one as you eat.

magic kingdom haunted mansion

#9. Ride Haunted Mansion

You can’t leave Magic Kingdom without taking a spin on a doom buggy through a dark, spooky mansion. The Haunted Mansion consistently ranks as a favorite among Disney fans who love getting up close to the “happy haunts”.

#10. Get Quick Service at Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow is one of the best quick service locations in Magic Kingdom, just off Liberty Square with a beautiful view of Cinderella Castle. One of the best recommendations we have for Sleepy Hollow is getting the Fresh Fruit Waffle – filled with nutella and fresh fruit. We’ve ranked it as our number one quick service choice for Best Breakfast in Magic Kingdom – see more breakfast items in this post.

#11. Ride Thunder Mountain

Rounding out “The Three Magic Kingdom Mountains”, Thunder Mountain is another “can’t miss” coaster. You’ll twist and turn through canyons and caverns in a wild west, gold rush setting. Thunder Mountain has a lot of quick turns and it’s known for slinging riders from side to side.

magic kingdom festival of fantasy parade

#12. Watch Festival of Fantasy Parade

Another classic and fun pastime is watching the Festival of Fantasy Parade which features lots of interactive floats. Twice a day, you’ll get the chance to see everyone from Mickey and the Fab Five to Disney Princesses and Heroes. These characters parade through the crowd displayed on floats, sitting on trolleys and sometimes riding their own horses.

#13. Ride Seven Dwarves Mine Train

Seven Dwarves Mine Train is one of Magic Kingdom’s newest coasters. It’s also one of the most popular rides at the park with very long wait times to match. The ride’s advanced animatronics and speedy track make it a great use of a Fastpass.

#14. Shop on Main Street

The Main Street Emporium is one of Disney World’s best and largest shops. It spans the entire length of Main Street, U.S.A., so it’s hard to miss. On the other side of the street, you’ll find everything from an art shop, a to crystal shop, an apparel accessory shop. Everything here stays open late, so it’s a good last stop before exiting the park.

#15. Watch Enchanted Tales with Belle

When available, Enchanted Tales with Belle is an interactive storytime attraction in Fantasyland. Belle herself will tell you stories with the help of animatronic Beauty and the Beast characters. Audience members will also be picked to help with the story and each guest gets a free bookmark from Belle at the end of the show. It’s a very cool experience, especially for the kids.

#16. Ride It’s a Small World

That song. Those animatronic children. No matter how much you may want to avoid having the infamous tune stuck in your head, It’s a Small World must be ridden. This ride is as “Disney World” as it gets and you’ve got to experience it at least once, no exceptions!

#17. Watch Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Mickey’s PhilarMagic is a 3D show that features some of the most famous music and scenes from classic Disney movies. Beauty and the Beach, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid- they’re all there. It’s a really cool show that is good for all ages.

magic kingdom characters pooh tigger

#18. Take Pictures with Your Favorite Character

Whether it’s a Disney Princess like Cinderella or a Disney villain like Gaston, you’ve got a lot of character viewing options at Magic Kingdom. It can be tedious to wait in line all day to see every character in the park, so we suggest selecting a character dining restaurant or catching them in a stage show or parade.

#19. Ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is the ultimate Magic Kingdom ride for testing friendships. You’ll be pitted up against your fellow riders while you shoot your way through Zurg’s minions. Your score is tracked on a screen for you to compare at the end of the ride. It can get pretty competitive, so don’t say I didn’t warn you!

#20. Eat with Pooh & friends at The Crystal Palace

If you’re a Winnie the Pooh fan then a meal at The Crystal Palace is something you’ll really enjoy. The restaurant’s building is based on a beautiful Victorian greenhouse design. Inside, you’ll have a large buffet to choose from. Over the course of your meal, you’ll be visited by Pooh and the rest of the Hundred Acre Wood residents.

magic kingdom ice cream parlor

#21. Get Ice Cream from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is easy to spot at the end of Main Street USA. There’s usually a long line out the door, but it usually moves pretty fast, so don’t let that deter you. There are a number of sundaes to choose from, but this is also the best place in Magic Kingdom to get a delicious ice cream sandwich. If you want some ice cream tips, check out our guide to Magic Kingdom’s Best Ice Cream .

#22. Ride Jungle Cruise

The Jungle Cruise is yet another classic Magic Kingdom staple. After boarding the boat, you’ll embark on a comical voyage through a wild jungle. The real draw to the Jungle Cruise are the Skippers. They stand in the front of the boat and offer quirky, tongue-in-cheek commentary throughout the ride.

Epcot Must Do’s

#23. walk around the epcot world showcase.

The front of the park is great, but everyone knows that the World Showcase at the back is what makes Epcot so special. Situated on the World Showcase Lagoon, the World Showcase features 11 themed countries spread along the circular waterfront. There are enough entertainment, dining, and attractions to keep you busy for a long, long time. The World Showcase’s abundance of culture, food, and drinks makes it especially awesome for adults.

If you’re looking for grownup fun at Epcot, take a look at our Insider’s Guide to Epcot for Adults .

We’ve also got a great guide to our 30 Best Epcot Tips & Secrets and a standalone guide to Epcot Dining .

epcot illuminations fireworks

#24. Watch Epcot Forever

Epcot Forever is a nostalgic culmination of Epcot’s new and state-of-the-art technology and music from original attractions. It incorporates top-notch fireworks, a thrilling soundtrack, lights, lasers, pyrotechnics and more to create an amazing spectacle. If you want to guarantee a really awesome show, try to pick your viewing spot 30 minutes to an hour beforehand along any part of the World Showcase Lagoon walkway.

#25.  Ride Soarin’ Around the World

Soarin’ is one of Epcot’s most popular rides. It’s a hang glider simulator that lifts you into the air and places you in front of a gigantic screen. You’ll feel like you’re truly flying through famous locations around the world, from the Matterhorn to the Taj Mahal. Wait times are almost always long and Soarin’ is absolutely worth getting Lightning Lane.

#26.  Eat at Yorkshire County Fish Shop

Located in the UK Pavilion, the Yorkshire County Fish Shop is a simple quick-service restaurant that serves traditional English fish and chips. The fries are great and the fish is always perfectly breaded and fried. This is one of the best quick meals you can find inside a Disney park.

#27.  Ride Spaceship Earth

If you’ve ever seen Epcot’s iconic, gigantic “golf ball” then you’ve seen Spaceship Earth. Inside Spaceship Earth, there is a ride by the same name. It’s a track ride that takes you on a slow-moving journey through the history of mankind. The sets are extremely details and showcase extensive animatronic work. You can’t leave Epcot without experiencing this ride at least once.

#28.  Watch Reflections of China

Reflections of China, located in the China Pavilion, is one of Epcot’s 360-degree video experiences. It’s a short film that takes you on a journey through China’s most breathtaking urban and rural areas. You’ll see everything from the Great Wall to sprawling urban cities.

epcot le cellier

#29.  Eat at Le Cellier Steakhouse

Le Cellier is a signature restaurant in the Canada Pavilion. It’s known serving some of the best steaks at Disney World. The restaurant is a uniquely themed recreation of a Canadian chateau-style cellar. It’s very popular and seating is limited, so try to get a reservation as far in advance as possible.

#30. Ride Mission: SPACE

Many people are surprised to find out that Mission: SPACE is actually Disney World’s most intense ride. It’s a spaceship simulator that sends you on a trip to Mars. The g-forces really rip, so be careful if you get motion sickness or have claustrophobia. If you want a more timid ride experience, there is a “less intense” line that eliminates the motion aspect of the ride.

#31. Eat Pastries at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie

Les Halles is one of the best quick-service restaurants at Epcot. It’s located in the back of the France Pavilion and serves an extensive variety of pastries. You can also get small entrees here (the ham sandwiches are particularly good). If fresh beignets, eclairs, macarons, etc are up your alley, then you’re going to really like Les Halles.

#32. See Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along

This cute and short show puts a new twist on the famous tale of Beauty and the Beast. You’ll get to sit in a cozy yet elegant theater and sing all your favorite songs. The twist is that Le Fou (the lead host in this show) was actually the catalyst for Belle’s romance with the Beast. It’s an interesting take on the classic story.

#33. Get Margaritas from La Cava del Tequila (21+)

La Cava is a quick-service margarita shop inside the Mexico Pavilion’s giant pyramid. It’s so well-liked that it’s among the top-rated Tripadvisor restaurants for all of Orlando. You’ll find hundreds of tequilas and plenty of unique margaritas on the menu. It’s dark and cozy inside, perfect for escaping the heat for a while and enjoying a cold drink with some chips and guacamole.

epcot norway kringla og bakeri

#34. Eat School Bread at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe

School Bread is my favorite dessert at Epcot. It’s a legendary Disney World pastry found in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion. It’s a bread pastry, filled with cold vanilla custard and topped with coconut. School Bread is a large dessert, but it’s not so sweet that it’s hard to eat. Don’t miss this one!

#35. Watch Canada Far & Wide

Canada Far & Wide is the third country-specific movie in the World Showcase. It’s presented in the same 360-degree style as Reflections of China. This film has recently been updated and is now narrated by Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, who take you on a visual tour of Canada’s provinces.

#36. Ride Test Track

Test Track is an uber-popular ride. You’ll start by designing a car in the line queue, then you’ll move on to “testing” it out on the track. Most of the ride is indoors and the track bobs and weaves around obstacles. The ride ends with a big outdoor loop where you reach top speeds. Wait times are usually really long, so get a Fastpass if you can.

#37. Eat Pizza at Via Napoli

Via Napoli serves the best pizza at Disney World. True story. You’ll find this Neopolitan-style Italian restaurant in the back of the Italy Pavilion. It does serve things other than pizza, but the pizza is its main focus and it does an outstanding job making it. The ingredients are high-quality and the dough is perfect. You can choose from an assortment of pizzas on the menu or simply build your own. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

epcot the seas nemo

#38. Explore The Seas with Nemo and Friends

The Seas isn’t just a Nemo ride. It’s a gigantic indoor aquarium complex that’s home to what was (up until recent times) the largest saltwater tank in the world. There is an incredible amount of ocean life inside. Manatees, dolphins, sharks, turtles, fish- you get the picture. The highlight of The Seas is the glass tunnel that leads you to the middle of the aquarium and gives you a 360-degree view of your surroundings.

#39.  Eat at Biergarten

If all-you-can-eat German food with beer and live music sounds good to you, then you’re going to love Biergarten. It’s a German buffet-style restaurant that features a live polka band throughout the day. It’s a lot of fun, especially if you like beer. They serve German brews in steins the size of your head.

#40. Ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

This brand new ride is extremely fun for all ages, especially for those who love the Guardians of the Galaxy. The ride takes you on a fast-paced tour through space as you escape the villain – it even propels you backwards for the majority of the ride and the vehicles can move a full 360 degrees in rotation! The ride will also vary each time, since different tracks of Star Lord’s Awesome Mix are featured on each go around.

#41. Shop at the Mitsukoshi Department Store

The Mitsukoshi Department Store (check out our full guide to the store) is one of the coolest shops at Disney World. It’s a real Japanese department store brought over from Japan. You can find all sorts of things inside. Up front, there’s merchandise from famous animated brands like Hello Kitty, Pokemon, My Neighbor Totoro, and more. Clothing and home goods are in the middle. The back of the store has groceries, especially candy and sweets. I frequent Mitsukoshi to buy ramen noodles and other random foods.

#42. Meet Your Favorite Characters

Like the other parks, Epcot has a number of character viewing and character dining options. Anna, Elsa, Mulan, and Aladdin and Jasmine are some of the favorites. There are plenty of others like Winnie the Pooh and Alice in Wonderland scattered around, too.

epcot france ice cream

#43. Eat Ice Cream at L’Artisan des Glaces

The ice cream served at L’Artisan des Glaces is hands down the best at Disney World. It is one of the very few shops that serve handmade ice cream and it’s delicious. There is a variety of flavors of plain ice cream, along with a menu of specialty items. My personal favorite is the “Croque Glaces”. It’s a special ice cream sandwich that puts a scoop of ice cream between a piece of freshly-baked brioche bread. The bread is then toasted to lightly crisp the exterior and seal the edges. Trust me- it’s awesome. Don’t go without checking out our  Ultimate Guide to Epcot Ice Cream !

#44.  Watch The American Adventure

The American Adventure is arguably Epcot’s greatest entertainment attraction. It is a stage show that portrays American history with detailed sets and impressive animatronics. It’s definitely a special show and shouldn’t be passed over. It’s equal parts American pride and classic Epcot charm.

#45.  Get a Frozen Kirin Beer (21+)

This is an easy one to miss if you don’t know what to look for. At the front of the Japan Pavilion you’ll find a small quick-service window that serves some drinks and small food items. It’s here that you’ll find the frozen Kirin beer on draft. It’s an icy, refreshing way to drink a beer while walking around the World Showcase.

#46. Watch the Street Performers

From Chinese acrobats to Japanese drummers, you’ll find a whole host of street performers scattered around Epcot. If you spot one of the performing groups while you make your way around Epcot, take a moment to check them out. They’re all very impressive and very good.

#47. Listen to the Voices of Liberty perform inside The American Adventure rotunda

The Voices of Liberty are a very talented group of vocalists who perform traditional American songs inside The American Adventure building. You’ll find them in the building’s central rotunda. They perform right before every one of The American Adventure’s showtimes. Their patriotic a capella renditions are outstanding.

#48. Drink Your Way Around the World (21+)

Drinking Around the World is a time-honored tradition for adult Epcot guests. The goal is to band together with your buddies and drink your way around the World Showcase’s 11 countries. If you’ve spent some time at Epcot, you’ve probably seen sleepy-eyed groups of people stumbling their way around Canada or Mexico as they make their final stand.  It’s a lot of fun if it’s done right and done responsibly. We give you more details on how to Drink Around the World at Epcot in this post.

Animal Kingdom Must Do’s

#49. ride kilimanjaro safaris.

Kilimanjaro Safaris is Animal Kingdom’s best attraction. The “ride” puts you into a real, free-moving truck to transport you through the park’s Harambe Reserve wildlife area. You’ll see lions, elephants, hippos, wildebeest, crocodiles, ostriches- the list goes on and on. It’s a truly unique theme park experience and the collection of African wildlife is really impressive. Certain times of the day are best for seeing the animals and we created a guide to Kilimanjaro Safaris to give you some tips for the ride.

Also, be sure to check out our complete list of Animal Kingdom tips and secrets .

#50. Watch the Festival of the Lion King

The Festival of the Lion King is one of Animal Kingdom’s live shows. It’s a huge musical show that takes place in a circular room, so there’s not a bad seat in the house. You’ll see all of your favorite Lion King characters, along with a whole host of singers, dancers, and acrobats. I’m always impressed by the talent on display in this show.

animal kingdom expedition everest

#51. Ride Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest is, in my opinion, Disney World’s best rollercoaster. The unique thing about this coaster is that it actually goes in reverse for a portion of the ride. Overall, Expedition Everest just feels a lot “bigger” than many other Disney rollercoasters. It’s especially good at nighttime.

#52. Eat at Satu’li Canteen

The new Pandora section of Animal Kingdom added a ton of fun to the park. One of the best addition was the quick-service Satu’li Canteen. It serves a number of “bowls” that are extremely good. You pick a meat, a base (rice, potatoes, etc), and a sauce for your meal. Everything is high-quality and it’s one of the best, most unique quick-service meals at Disney.

#53. Ride Avatar Flight of Passage

Flight of Passage is the flagship ride of the new Pandora section of the park. It’s a state-of-the-art 4D experience that places you on the back of a “Banshee” to take a ride through the world of Pandora. The details are so good that it really does feel like flying. The ride’s seating is shaped kind of like a motorcycle, making you feel like you’re actually riding on the back of a Banshee. You’ll even feel it breathe during the ride.

#54. Walk the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

Spoiler alert: This is where you’ll find the gorillas. The Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail is one of Animal Kingdom’s two walkable wildlife trails. On this one, you’ll see gorillas (the highlight), hippos, and other African animals. The gorillas are usually very entertaining and you can get inches from them (separated by glass).

#55. Eat at Yak & Yeti

Yaki & Yeti is my one of my favorite park restaurants. It’s a Nepalese-themed restaurant that has a large menu of pan-Asian foods. The theme and decor is a nice changeup from what you get at most Asian restaurants and the food is very good.

animal kingdom pandora avatar

#56. Walk Around Pandora: The World of Avatar

The new Pandora section of Animal Kingdom is breathtaking. The structures, landscaping, and general theme make it a pretty spectacular sight. It’s at its best when the sun goes down, so make sure to take a stroll through when it’s dark.

#57. Eat at Tiffins

Tiffins is Animal Kingdom’s new-ish signature restaurant. Its theme celebrates the Disney Imagineers’ exploration and preparation when they were creating Animal Kingdom. The menu is one of Disney World’s best, featuring lots of upscale yet wild options.

#58. Watch Finding Nemo: The Musical

Finding Nemo: The Musical is Animal Kingdom’s other major musical stage show. The whole show is elaborate and fun. The music is great and the costumes are some of the most impressive for a Disney show.

#59. Walk the Maharajah Jungle Trek

Maharajah Jungle Trek is Animal Kingdom’s other wildlife trail. It is located in the Asia section of the park and features all sorts of Asian animals. You’ll see everything from tigers to bats to komodo dragons.

#60. Take the Train to Conservation Station

This is an incredible experience and one that guests often forget or don’t realize is available. The attraction is located near the entrance to Gorilla Falls Exploration trail and remains open from 9:30am to 5pm. Conservation Station is a great place for kids to learn about how the zookeepers and veterinarians care for the creatures at Animal Kingdom and there’s even a petting zoo and play area here.

#61. Ride Dinosaur

Dinosaur is a super bumpy ride that sends you back in time to chase down dinosaurs. It’s not overly fast, but what it lacks in speed it makes up for in general rowdiness. The vehicles rocks back and forth like crazy while dinosaurs pop up around you.

#62. Watch Up! A Great Bird Adventure

Up! A Great Bird Adventure is an entertaining stage show featuring multiple species of live birds. The show was updated recently to include Russell and Doug from Pixar’s Up movie. The show’s exotic birds give some pretty impressive performances.

animal kingdom kali river rapids

#63. Ride Kali River Rapids

If you don’t mind getting soaked, Kali River Rapids is great. It’s a standard river raft ride that lasts for a while and includes a few good drops.

#64. Ride Na’vi River Journey

The Na’vi River Journey is the second ride in the Pandora section of the park. It’s a dark water ride that takes you through the bioluminescent world of Avatar. It’s not the most thrill-inducing ride, but it has some cool details and impressive animatronics toward the end.

#65. Find DiVine

You’ve got to do some searching for this one. Divine is a live performer, on stilts and covered in foliage. She is one of Animal Kingdom’s best-kept secrets and many people walk right by her without noticing. If she’s out, you’ll likely find her on the Asia pathway, the Africa pathway, or in the Oasis (the front part) of the park.

#66. Get a Pongu Lumpia from Pongu Pongu

There’s a small window in Pandora that serves a handful of drinks and treats. One of the treats is the Pongu Lumpa. It’s a warm empanada-style dessert with cream cheese and pineapple on the inside. It’s a super good quick snack that won’t break the bank.

#67. Eat Lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue

Flame Tree Barbecue is a great quick-service lunch spot with lots of outdoor seating. The menu has plenty of meats like pulled pork, ribs, and chicken. The portions are large and the food is always good.

Hollywood Studios Must Do’s

#68. ride the twilight zone tower of terror.

It doesn’t get more “Hollywood Studios” than the Tower of Terror. It’s my favorite ride at the park and one of the most thrilling experiences at Disney. The theme, the decor, the line queue, the big drop- everything about the Tower of Terror is awesome. Don’t leave Hollywood Studios without riding it at least once!

Want tips on booking fastpasses for Hollywood Studios? Give our Hollywood Studios Fastpass Tiers a look before reserving yours!

#69. Eat at Hollywood Brown Derby

Hollywood Studios isn’t known for having an abundance of great restaurants, but Hollywood Brown Derby is a big exception. It’s the park’s signature restaurant and serves much better food. The restaurant is based on the original Brown Derby Restaurant in real life Hollywood. If you like Cobb salads, Hollywood Brown Derby’s is the most famous around.

hollywood studios fantasmic

#70. Watch Fantasmic !

Fantasmic! is an epic outdoor show that is part fireworks, part stage show, part water show, part lights show. There is so much going on during a Fantasmic performance. You’ll see tons of characters doing all sorts of different performances while fireworks, lights, and water are going off all around. It even incorporates boats that circle the stage. This is definitely Hollywood Studios’ best nighttime show.

#71. Ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster has always been a massive part of Hollywood Studios. It’s one of the most intense rollercoasters at Disney and is entirely indoors. The ride is famous for its start, a jolting 0-60 takeoff into a tunnel. Some may think it’s a little too scary – to learn more, read our post on How Scary is Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster? to determine if it’s right for you.

#72. Ride Rise of the Resistance

One of the newest and most technologically avant garde ride in Walt Disney World is Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Being so popular, it can be a challenge to find Lightning Lane passes for this one, but trust us – it is SO worth it for this amazing experience! You can also wait in a standby line for this one.

hollywood studios sci fi dine in restaurant

#73. Eat at the Sci-Fi Dine-In

Even though the Sci-Fi Dine-In’s food is good, the restaurant is really all about the experience. It’s fully indoors, but it’s designed to make you feel like you’re at an old-school drive-in theater. The tables are cars with rows of seats and counters. The big screen plays old thriller/sci-fi movies while you eat.

#74. Drink at Oga’s Cantina

A new establishment introduced with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the iconic “Star Wars Bar”. Oga’s Cantina takes direct inspiration from the first Star Wars movie, Episode IV: A New Hope, where Han Solo takes Luke into a bar on Tatooine. Your mind will be blown stepping inside for the very first time, seeing such similarities and sipping on other-wordly drinks.

#75. Ride the Millennium Falcon

Another new addition to the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge portion of Hollywood Studios is the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. The ride assigns you a position: Pilot, Engineer or Gunner. Based on the assignment you get, you’ll team up with others to make up one flight crew that guns down enemy ships, steals their cargo and returns it to the Resistance. A truly fun experience, especially for the ultimate Star Wars fans.

#76. See Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

This exciting show tells the full story of Anna and Elsa as seen in the original Frozen movie. The funny cast invites the audience to participate in telling the story and singing along, which is a great time for kids and adults alike. At the end, Elsa even shows up to sprinkle snow on the crowd.

#77. Walk through Walt Disney Presents…

This attraction used to be called “One Man’s Dream” but was recently renamed. It focuses on showing the history behind Walt Disney’s vision for the park and for the Disney company in general. At the end of the tour, you’ll enter a theater where you’ll watch a video about Walt himself. Wait times are never a problem and this is absolutely worth seeing, especially if you’re a true-blue Disney fan.

hollywood studios toy story land slinky dog dash

#78. Ride Slinky Dog Dash

Slink Dog Dash is the flagship ride for Hollywood Studios’ new Toy Story Land. It’s a rollercoaster that strikes a good balance between “thrilling” and “kid-friendly”. The ride also actually lasts for a decent amount of time, which is nice. Don’t hesitate to use a ride pass for this one- the wait times are super high. Also, try riding this one at night. It looks really cool when it’s dark.

#79. Watch Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage

Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage is a stage reenactment of the traditional Beauty and the Beast movie. It shortens the story down but still has plenty of music and performance to make it worthwhile. The costumes are particularly good with appearances from Lumiere, Cogsworth and the gang.

#80. Eat at Woody’s Lunch Box

Woody’s Lunch Box is the main quick-service restaurant in Toy Story Land. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves a simple menu with normal breakfast items in the morning and some decent sandwiches from the afternoon on. The grilled cheese is great and the “Lunch Box Tarts” (fancy homemade pop-tarts) alone make the restaurant worth visiting. If you want a sugar-high in the morning, get the S’mores Breakfast Sandwich.

Disney Springs Must Do’s

#81. eat at raglan road.

Raglan Road is my favorite Disney Springs hangout. It’s a large Irish pub with live music and dancers every night. You won’t find a more lively spot to spend an evening at Disney. The food is also very, very good. I’ve been to Raglan Road more times than I could ever count and it never gets old. For the price of dinner or drinks, you get top-notch entertainment and a great atmosphere. Raglan Road is one of our top picks on our list of the Best Disney World Restaurants for Adults .

disney springs boat ride

#82. Take an Amphicar Tour

Right next to the Boathouse restaurant, there is a launch that has amphibious cars. For a price, a captain will take you for a 25-minutes sightseeing tour around Disney Spring’s lake. It’s a pretty cool way to see Disney Springs in a new way.

#83. Shop at the Market Co-Op

The Market Co-Op is a collection of Disney shops that sell more unique items than what you’ll find in most other stores. There’s a home good section, a women’s clothing section, a dress/accessory shop, a men’s clothing section, an art section, and more. There are usually some cool finds in here.

#84. Eat Dessert at Amorette’s

Amorette’s is a bakery located right next door to the giant World of Disney store. It serves some of the best baked goods at Disney World, along with some other delicious desserts. Their cakes are works of art and they also provide custom work. This is my go-to Disney Springs dessert spot.

#85. Take a Ride in the Hot Air Balloon

One of the first things you’ll notice walking around Disney Springs is the huge hot ait ballooon routinely rising and falling. You can pay to go up in it. It’s worth the fee ($20 for adults, $15 for kids) once, just to see Disney World from 400 feet in the air.

#86. Go Bowling at Splitsville

This isn’t your rundown hometown bowling alley. Splitsville is a gigantic, upscale bowling alley/restaurant that stays pretty busy in the evenings. The food is decent and the bowling is great.

disney springs morimoto restaurant

#87. Eat at Morimoto Asia

Morimoto Asia is another one of Disney Springs’ best restaurants. Celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto is the mind behind the restaurant and he created an awesome menu for it. The restaurant’s building is also pretty incredible. It’s very modern and flashy compared to most other Disney Springs facilities. There’s a great lounge upstairs. If you don’t have a reservation, go to the lounge or go outside to the “Street Food” quick-service extension of the restaurant.

#88. Take a Picture with the Coke Bear

There is a massive Coca-Cola store right next to the Orange Garage at Disney Springs. You’ll find all kinds of Coke products inside, but the highlight is taking a picture with the 7-foot-tall Coke Bear character.

#89. Shop at World of Disney

World of Disney is the largest Disney store in the world. It’s HUGE. You’ll find different departments that carry just about everything you could think of.

#90. Eat at The Boathouse

The Boathouse is a fairly new addition to Disney Springs, but it’s quickly become a fan-favorite. It’s an upscale but casual restaurant that serves outstanding seafood, steaks, and more. It’s a beautiful spot inside and out. Whether you’re dining as a couple or dining with the whole family, this is a great option.

#91. Get Drinks at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (21+)

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is a heavily-themed bar based on Indiana Jones. There are a lot of creative drinks and the building itself is quirky and cool.

#92. Watch a Movie at the AMC Theater

The AMC theater at Disney Springs is a good place to relax for a while and escape the Disney hustle and bustle. It’s especially good if you can watch a Disney movie at Disney World.

disney springs shops

#93. SHop at Namebrand stores

There are TONS of other shops scattered around Disney Springs. There’s something for everyone, men, women, and children.

#94. Get a Sundae or a Milkshake from the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop

Chances are good that you’ll smell the chocolate scent coming from the Ghirardelli shop before you see it. It stays constantly busy, serving milkshakes and ice cream galore.

#95. Eat at D-Luxe Burger

D-Luxe Burger is a newer addition to Disney Springs. It’s a fast-casual, Disney-operated restaurant that serves some surprisingly great burgers. Lots of unique combos and some delicious homemade sauces.

#96. Get Drinks at The Edison’s lounge (21+)

The Edison is a full restaurant, but I like it better for drinks than for a meal. The food is decent, but the lounge is the really cool part. Great for late-night drinks on an adults-night-out.

Disney World Resorts Must Do’s

#97. hang out at stormalong bay at the beach & yacht club resort.

If you’re staying at the Beach Club Resort or Yacht Club Resort, you’ll have access to Stormalong Bay. It’s hands down the best pool area at Disney World. Honestly, “pool” isn’t an accurate description. Stormalong Bay is more akin to a miniature water park, with multiple pools, a big waterslide, a lazy river, lots of lounging areas, and more. While you’re there, take a walk around the Epcot Resort Area and visit some of the other nearby resorts.

#98. Eat at ‘Ohana at the Polynesian Resort

If you can get a reservation for ‘Ohana, don’t hesitate to book it. ‘Ohana is uber-popular and for good reason. The food is great and is served all-you-can-eat. You’ll also get some Hawaiin music and entertainment over the course of dinner. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served. Breakfast features Lilo and Stitch for character dining. ‘Ohana also happens to be an awesome place to watch Magic Kingdom’s fireworks in the evening.

disney world monorail crawl

#99. Do a “Monorail Crawl”

Whether you’re eating, drinking, or just sightseeing, it’s a ton of fun to simply hop on the monorail and explore. The Grand Floridian, Polynesian Resort, and Contemporary Resort are linked together via monorail, making it super easy to resort hop. Some of my favorite days at Disney have been spent doing nothing other than making my way around these resorts.

#100. Spend an evening at the Boardwalk

Disney’s Boardwalk is a full resort that features a classic Atlantic City-style boardwalk. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options up and down the boardwalk.

#101. Eat dinner and watch fireworks at California Grill

California Grill is my personal favorite restaurant at Disney World. In my opinion, there’s nothing else like it. The restaurant itself is situated on the very top of the Contemporary Resort, providing the best view of Disney World that you can find. It’s a magical place to have a meal. The restaurant has private outdoor observation decks that are the best spot to watch Magic Kingdom fireworks.

disney world trader sams

#102. Get drinks at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

Trader Sam’s is the best bar at Disney World and it’s not even close. As soon as you walk in, you’ll realize you’re not in any old bar. Trader Sam’s is an interactive indoor tiki bar that is decked out with incredible decorations and an amazing staff. The whole bar will react to your drink order, complete with effects and animatronics. The drinks are perfect and are served in special ceramic mugs available for purchase (I have too many of them.)

#103. Eat at Jiko: The Cooking Place at the Animal Kingdom Lodge

Jiko is an upscale African restaurant located inside the main Jambo House building at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The food is absolutely outstanding and the setting is cozy but elegant. I’ve never had a bad meal here. Try the Botswana Short Rib!

#104. Take a carriage ride around Port Orleans Resort

Port Orleans Resort is without a doubt my favorite Moderate resort at Disney World. The resort has Moderate-level pricing with Deluxe-level outdoor areas. One of the best ways to enjoy the Port Orleans property is to take a 25-minute horsedrawn carriage ride. The carriage will take you down paths by the river and through the middle of the resort.

#105. Eat dinner at Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian

If you’re looking for the finest fine-dining at Disney World, Victoria and Albert’s is your spot. It’s one of the most prestigious restaurants in Florida with its AAA 5 Diamond rating. A dinner here is expensive, but it’s worth it if you’re looking for an amazing experience.

disney world polynesian resort beach sunset

#106. Watch fireworks or a sunset on the Polynesian Resort beach

Every night, the Polynesian’s beaches fill with guests who want a great view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. The beaches are situated directly across the Seven Seas Lagoon from Magic Kingdom, giving you a head on view from across the water. The beach is also beautiful for sunset-watching.

#107. Get drinks or a meal at Geyser Point at The Wilderness Lodge

Geyser Point is pretty new to the Wilderness Lodge and has quickly become one of my favorite hangouts. It’s an open-air bar and grill that serves good food and good beer. The real draw though is its view of Bay Lake. It’s the perfect spot for kicking back and enjoying a sunset while you have a drink.

#108. Check out the animals at the Animal Kingdom Lodge

There’s nothing quite like having giraffes, zebras, and other African wildlife right in the middle of a resort. The Animal Kingdom Lodge has some amazing wildlife enclosures directly in the center of the resort areas, making it easy to leisurely watch the animals run around during the day. Whether you’re staying at the AKL or just stopping by for a meal, make sure to walk outside and take a look.

#109.  Hoot and Holler at the hoop-dee-doo Musical Revue

This fun, family-style dinner show gets everybody out of their seat for a good time. You’ll find it at the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. The fare is good American-style BBQ in platters big enough for your whole party. While eating, various performers will take the stage for songs and skits and will even select people to join them from the crowd.

#110. Get drinks at Jellyrolls piano bar (21+)

Jellyrolls is a popular dueling piano bar located on the Disney Boardwalk and arguably the most lively and chaotic atmosphere on Disney property. The pianists are very talented and play any tune imaginable, including your Disney favorites. They take requests and can play just about anything you throw at them. It’s a great spot for an adults-night-out, especially if you like good music.

Still in the planning phase of your vacation?

We also created a complete guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation on a Budget . It’s a highly detailed resource to help you decide where to spend your money and enjoy Disney World on any budget.

Our annual Disney World gear guide is another helpful resource for getting you ready for your trip.

Jill

This was SO helpful! I’ve been doing a lot of research for our trip, but this is first time I heard about the amphicar tours and exactly why people kept recommending Trader Sam’s. Your posts are super helpful! This might be our only trip to Disney for a long time, so we are trying to research what is worth experiencing and what is worth skipping. Thank you!

Magic Insiders

Thrilled to have helped! It can be easy to become overwhelmed by the number of things to do at Disney and we totally understand the pressure that can come with planning a trip. Especially if it’s the only one you’ll be taking for a while. It’s always our goal to cover as much as we can, because we hate to see anyone miss out on something simply because they didn’t know it existed. Hope you have an outstanding trip and please let us know if we can help with any other questions you may have!

christina

Love the idea of getting a drink at Trader Sams and watching sunset from Polynesian. Do you think we could do that and make it back to MK for fireworks? we’re going in November.

Absolutely!

From November 3rd (after the time change) on, the sun will be setting at about 5:30 PM. Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show will start at 9:00 PM, unless it’s a special event night (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party). On Christmas Party nights, the fireworks may take place somewhere between 9:00 and 9:30 PM.

Either way, you shouldn’t have any problem at all doing Trader Sam’s, a Polynesian Resort sunset, and Magic Kingdom fireworks in one fell swoop!

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Hi, I’m Chad. I’m a Disney World local, fortunate enough to be constantly up close and personal with all things Disney. Thousands of hours at parks, resorts, and restaurants have given me a special connection to the magic. I built Magic Insiders in order to share my years of experience with you.

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Things To Do In Disney World Polynesian

20 Coolest Things To Do In Disney World

September 6, 2020 //  by  Tasha Lyn Cosimo //   Leave a Comment

Things To Do In Disney World Castle at Magic Kingdom

Drink (or Eat) Around the World

Disney World is home to Epcot and Epcot is home to the one and only World Showcase ! One of the best things to do in Disney World is explore the World Showcase at Epcot and while you could quickly walk around the world, I highly recommend drinking (or eating) around the world instead!

Drinking around the world has become a fan favorite and you should definitely check out my Ultimate Guide to Drinking Around the World before you depart on your globe trotting adventure!

Drinking around the world in the Epcot World Showcase is by far one of my favorite activities in Disney World! While you can grab an alcohol drink in each country, you do not need to drink alcohol to make this super fun. Grab a bubble tea in China, a hot chocolate in Norway, or Berber Passion in Morocco .

Things To Do In Disney World Cocktail in Japan Epcot

If you do drink alcohol, my Ultimate Guide will point you to some of the best tasty beverages, but you can also just pick the coolest sounding drink from each country!

If you want to add one more item to your must do activities in Disney World – grab a drink in every Disney park too! While Magic Kingdom used to not sell alcohol, you can now find beer and alcohol in this park! Where? Check out my Guide on Where to Find Beer and Alcohol in Magic Kingdom !

If drinking is not your thing, you can switch it up and eat around the world! Every country in the World Showcase has at least one food “stall” making it super easy to get a to-go snack in each country. You can also check out one of the best Epcot Quick Service Restaurants found in the World Showcase. Grab an eggroll in China, a pastry in France, and some scrumptious queso in Mexico ! Eating around the world is by far one of the coolest things to do in Disney World that is all ages friendly!

Things To Do In DIsney World Cider in Epcot World Showcase

One of my favorite tips to track your trip around the world is to stop at Kidcot in each country after you grab your drink or snack! At Kidcot you will get a small bag to start and a card from each country! This is a great way to track your world traveling stops and its a fun free souvenir! If you are open to dropping about $13 USD – check out the World Showcase Passport which makes the list for my 26 Best Disney Souvenirs that Won’t Break the Bank .

Things To Do In Disney World Mexico Margarita Epcot

Thinking about the Disney Dining Plan? Some of the Disney Dining Plans cover alcohol and all of them cover snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. If you plan to drink and/or eat around the world, be sure to take this into consideration when e valuating whether or not you should get the Disney Dining Plan ! A well planned Disney Dining Plan purchase could save you a lot of money when drinking and eating around the world!

Trying to figure out if the Disney Dining Plan is worth it for your trip? It can be confusing so I have created this Easy and Free Disney Dining Plan Calculator to help you out!

Things To Do In Disney World Morocco Drink

Shoot Some Hoops at the NBA Experience

Disney World is not all about the parks! The NBA Experience is a new attraction located at Disney Springs and is fun for all ages. It does require a separate admission ticket purchase, but it is worth every penny and definitely one of the coolest things to do in Disney World! I am not the only person who thinks it’s one of the best things to do in Disney World so be sure to book your reservation in advance!

The NBA Experience gives everyone an opportunity to play around like a pro. It has 13 difference experiences – all of which have a little touch of Disney! You can dunk, dribble, shoot, run, draft, and play throughout the massive complex and even as a basketball nube, it was so fun!

Things To Do In Disney World NBA

Be sure to wear the right attire, you are playing a sport afterall, so sneakers and comfortable clothes should be part of your packing list for this attraction. Need a packing list for your Disney World trip? Here is the Only Disney Packing List You Will Ever Need !

After you enjoy the NBA Experience be sure to stop by the 15 Bet Disney Springs Stores You Shouldn’t Miss and stop by a meal at one of the Best Disney Springs Restaurants !

Even if you think basketball may not sound like a relaxing vacation activity, especially in Disney World, as you walk through the players tunnel to hear the crowd roar I can guarantee you will understand why this unique experience is one of the best things to do in Disney World!

Things To Do In Disney World Map Disney Springs

Resort Hop on the Monorail (and Skyliner)

You do not need to stay at every Disney World hotel to experience all of the amazing Disney World hotels. You actually don’t even need to stay on property. One of the most fun activities to do at Disney World is go resort hopping! Take advantage of the free Disney World transportation and this activity can also be totally free!

Resort Hopping is one of my absolute favorite things to do in Disney World outside the parks and it is by far one of the Best Totally Free Things to do at Disney World !

Things To Do In Disney World Skyliner

Resort hopping just means going around to the various Disney World hotels and exploring! There are some areas for guests only, like the Disney Resort pools , but all of the hotels have areas accessible for all visitors. You can check out a bar or restaurant, find a free show or activity at the hotel, take a long stroll and explore the property, and experience the fun Disney World transportation – the monorail and the skyliner!

The monorail connects Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa , and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The Skyliner connects Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation . Resort hopping is not only one of the most fun activities in Disney World, it’s also a great way to scope out the hotels for future Disney trips !

Things To Do In Disney World Beach Club

While Resort Hopping on the Monorail and Skyliner, be sure to Check out my Comparison of All of the Disney Monorail Hotels and All of the Skyliner Hotels and vote on your favorites!

If you are open to a bit more transportation time, you can also jump on any of the Disney buses and check out the other Disney hotels too! One of our favorite activities in Disney World on our “out of park days” is to explore the hotel pool bars and grab a cocktail while we people watch and enjoy the Florida sunshine!

Things To Do In Disney World Grand Floridian

Visit Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

Things To Do In Disney World Hotel Entrance

Explore Disney Springs

Disney Springs, formerly Downtown Disney, has come so far in the last ten years! Exploring Disney Springs is a full day, or multiple day, free activity in Disney World and it should not be missed. From restaurants to food carts you can find a million things to eat in Disney Springs and you can easily shop, or window shop, the day away!

Things To Do In Disney World Disney Springs

Disney Springs is definitely one of the coolest things to do in Disney World because it’s not only free, but it has something for everyone. You can check out the best restaurants in Disney Springs or for the older crowd, the best bars in Disney Springs , any day of the week. It is also a great place to grab brunch and stroll around the shops!

Disney Springs also has activities like taking a car on the water (really…you can do that) or watching the drone show after an afternoon of live music! As Disney Springs expands, Disney has done a great job making it feel more Disney than mall and I can’t wait to see what more is in store for the future of Disney Springs!

Things To Do In Disney World Disney Springs World of Disney

One of the best ways to do Disney on a budget is to find free activities and be sure you don’t try to spend every day in the parks. Disney Springs is your answer! No admission ticket and still super entertaining! If you love Disney Springs, be sure to check out the best hotels to stay close by !

Visit the Animals at the Animal Kingdom Lodge

Not sure what is cooler than getting to visit a whole lot of animals and go on a walking safari for free so visiting the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge is definitely on the top of the list for best things to do in Disney World! Jump on a bus over to the Animal Kingdom Lodget and you can explore not only the hotel, but also visit the animals!

Visiting the Animal Kingdom Lodge animals is one of the greatest free things to do in Disney World , but it seems like everyone just rushes into Animal Kingdom for a safari ride – don’t make this mistake! While exploring the Animal Kingdom Lodge and taking in the free zoo experience, feel free to ask the cast members about the animals and score some pics – most will be better than those you get on the safari attraction!

Things To Do In Disney World Animal Kingdom Lodge

Ride the Mountains

Things To Do In Disney World Space Mountain

Experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

One of the coolest things to do in Disney World is experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios! This is also currently the only place in the world you can experience this attraction. Rise of the Resistance is not just a ride, it’s not just a show, it’s more of a magical experience that takes you to another galaxy!

Things To Do In Disney World Rise of the Resistance

Check out my guide to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance for the inside scoop on what you can expect – don’t worry you can read the first half of the guide without any spoilers if you don’t want to know all of its secrets! Also this super cool thing to do in Disney World does not take Fastpass , so you will need to do a touch of planning.

While Disneyland will be getting its own Rise of the Resistance, for now, this is a Disney World only attraction! While Disney World has many rides and attractions, Rise of the Resistance deserves it’s own spot on the list of the 20 Coolest Things to do in Disney World! Jump into the virtual queue when you get to Hollywood Studios and once your boarding group is called, take off on a very special Star Wars adventure!

Things To Do In Disney World Rise of the Resistance

While you are waiting for your boarding group, be sure to check out the other Best Rides and Attractions in Hollywood Studios and take advantage of your Fastpasses , which you cannot use for Rise of the Resistance!

Rent a Boat

For another great adventure outside of the parks, a cool thing to do in Disney World is rent a boat! You can rent a motorized boat at any of the Disney World Marinas and kayaks and canoes at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Disney has plenty of options for you to pick from and prices are by the half hour.

Things To Do In Disney World Lake

To rent a motorized boat, check out one of the Disney Marinas:

  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Disney’s Beach Club Villas
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
  • The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

For a cheaper, and slightly more active option, check out the kayaks and canoes at Fort Wilderness! You can also swing by the campfire for a s’more after your ride – one of the best free things to do in Disney World !

You can also jump on a motorized boat at the Seven Seas Lagoon , right outside of Magic Kingdom , from the Boat Nook Marina. What is more fun than some time on the water with a little Disney magic around you? This activity in Disney World will for sure make life long memories and it’s a great way to spend some time outside of the parks!

Things To Do In Disney World Boat and Lake

Splash Around at a Disney Water Park

Disney World is home to two super fun water parks – Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach ! Visiting the Disney World water parks is a must do when in Disney World, especially in the hot summer months . Grab your beach towel, water sandals, and favorite swimsuit – all necessary Disney backpack items for the water parks – and take a dive into the magical world of water rides!

Things To Do In Disney World Typhoon Lagoon

Visiting the Disney Water Parks requires an admission ticket which is not included in the standard park hopper ticket so be sure to upgrade your ticket package to the Park Hopper Plus if you want to check out one, or maybe both, of the Disney water parks! Check out my Ultimate Guide to the Disney Water Parks for all of the best tips for your water park experience!

Typhoon Lagoon is the older of the two water parks at Disney with the centerpiece shrimp boat “Miss Tilly” stranded on the top of Mount Mayday.   Blizzard Beach is the newer Disney water park and is based around the time that a freak snowstorm arrived in Florida and the first ski resort was built.  Both parks have undergone recent updates and are full of rides, wave pools, restauarnts, shops, and bars!

Things To Do In Disney World Blizzard Beach

Keep in mind that the Disney water parks have free parking and they may close during the winter months ! I love both Disney water parks so I don’t think you can make a wrong decision if you pick just one, but definitely check out at least one Disney water park as they are two of the coolest things to do in Disney World!

Things To Do In Disney World Water Parks

Experience Rope Drop

One of the coolest experiences when visiting Disney World is experiencing rope drop! Disney rope drop is the term for when cast members start allowing guests into various lands. Rope drop does not mean the time when guests are first allowed into the parks. Technically, the parks open in two phases – the first is when they start allowing people through the turnstiles. The other is when they start letting people line up for attractions.

Things To Do In Disney World Rope Drop

Experiencing rope drop is not only a must do in Disney World, but it’s the best way to get the most out of your morning at Disney !

One of the best parts of rope drop is the atmosphere – there is so much excitement as the park opens for the day and you can feel it in the air! Participating in rope drop will mean you have to get up a bit earlier and I recommend grabbing your coffee on the way. Once you arrive, coffee or not, the adrenaline will kick in and you will be so ready to run to your favorite spots! It is a great way to hit up some of the best rides without a wait, or a wasted Fastpass.

If you do happen to get on a ride or attraction at rope drop which you had a later Fastpass for, be sure to use the best secret to hacking wait times and maximizing your Fastpass – the Tap and Grab Technique!

Things To Do In Disney World Rope Drop at Animal Kingdom

See the 9 Best Disney World Shows

Things To Do In Disney World Best Shows

Ride the 3 Fastest Rides at Disney World

Things To Do In Disney World Test Track

Trade Disney Pins

Things To Do In Disney World Pin Trading

Stroll Around the Disney Boardwalk

Things To Do In Disney World Boardwalk

Get a Disney Make Over

Things To Do In Disney Make Over

Enjoy a Fancy Sit Down Meal

One of the coolest things to do in Disney World is to slow down and enjoy a fancy sit down meal! If you decide to go with the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan this will be a super easy item to check off the list. If you are on another dining plan, or no plan at all, you can still enjoy a fancy sit down meal!

Things To Do In Disney World Fancy Restaurant

A great way to check out at least one of the Best Disney World Restaurants , like Teppan Edo or Be Our Guest! I am all about the Disney snacks and quick meals during the park days, because of course I want to ride everything and run around. But after long days and a lot of walking, it’s important to slow down, take a seat, and let a chef make you a delicious meal!

There are so many places you can get a fancy sit down meal since every Disney park, resort , and promenade have at least a few great restaurants to offer! Just be sure to book this one dining activity in advance because the fancy, and really scrumptious, Disney World restaurants do fill up quickly! This is also a great activity you can do in Disney World to check out some character dining !

Things To Do In Disney World Fancy Dinner

Check Out the 4 Most Classic Rides

Things To Do In Disney World Its a Small World

Take a Disney Tour

Things To Do In Disney World Tours with Ears

  • Backstage Magic
  • Behind the Seeds
  • Disney’s Family Magic Tour
  • Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour
  • Disney’s The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour
  • Private VIP Tours*
  • Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour*
  • The UnDISCOVERed Future World
  • Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour*
  • Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour*
  • Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour*
  • Up Close with Rhinos
  • Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour
  • World Showcase: DestiNations Discovered
  • Wild Africa Trek

The Disney Tours vary in time, location, cost, and involved activities so I recommend checking out a few options before you make your decision! Adding a Disney Tour to your trip is an excellent way to add a magical and unique activity to your agenda!

Things To Do In Disney World Tours

Since all Disney Tours are guided expect to pay for the tour and tip your guide ! Some of the Disney Tours are a really good way to experience more of the park, or see a bit more, even when the parks are really crowded .

Attend an After Hours Special Event

Things To Do In Disney World Christmas Party

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Must-See Attractions at Walt Disney World ® Resort

For the most up-to-date information on WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort, please visit: Welcome to a World of Magic .

Between four theme parks, two water parks, and the expansive  Disney Springs ®  dining, shopping and entertainment complex, it’s a given that you’ll want to make  Walt Disney World ® Resort  part of your Orlando travel plans. It should also come as no surprise that their parks have attractions you’ll want to ride time and again — including these fan favorites.

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  • "it’s a small world" ®
  • Haunted Mansion ®
  • Pirates of the Caribbean ®
  • Space Mountain ®
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train  

Disney’s original Orlando theme park is also the world’s most famous. What’s more, several of  Magic Kingdom Park 's attractions have been thrilling guests for more than five decades, including iconic rides that have been there since the park opened in 1971. These include Haunted Mansion ®, "it’s a small world" ® and Jungle Cruise ®.

Although it’s “only” been around since 1973, Pirates of the Caribbean ®— most recently updated in 2018 — is another one you won’t want to miss, particularly if you’re a fan of Captain Jack Sparrow. And having launched in 1975, Space Mountain ® is still one of Orlando’s most exciting experiences.

Of course, Magic Kingdom Park also has plenty of new tricks up its sleeve. For example, TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise is set to debut on April 4, 2023. Based on the Disney sci-fi film, TRON: Legacy, the attraction will invite you to pilot your very own Lightcycle as you speed across a world with no horizons in a high-stakes race.

  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Test Track ® Presented by Chevrolet®  

The enormous geodesic dome at  EPCOT ® isn’t just for show. It’s actually one of the forward-thinking theme park’s original rides, Spaceship Earth, which sends you on a tranquil journey through the history of communication. (Pro tip: It’s also a great place to beat the heat if you’re visiting during summer.)

And now, there’s an out-of-this-world reason to visit EPCOT. Part of the park’s first “other-world” pavilion, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the first Disney coaster with a reverse launch, the longest fully enclosed coaster at any Disney theme park, and the first Disney Omnicoaster, where vehicles make controlled rotations to always keep you focused on the action. Other indispensable EPCOT attractions include Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure , Soarin’ Around the World, and Test Track ® Presented by Chevrolet®.

Discover: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

For many, EPCOT’ s biggest draw is the World Showcase, which features authentic recreations of Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. This area is also where you’ll find most of the food kiosks at the EPCOT® International Food & Wine Festival, EPCOT® International Flower & Garden Festival, and similar events.

  • Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance
  • Millennium Falcon : Smugglers Run
  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ™  

When Star Tours ® : The Adventures Continue joined  Disney's Hollywood Studios ® six months after opening day in 1989, few would have guessed that Disney would one day own the entire  Star Wars  franchise. It turned out to be the first of the park's many attractions based on that galaxy far, far away, with the biggest yet —  Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge  — now inviting you to live your very own  Star Wars  story in a whole new land.

Discover: STAR WARS: Galaxy’s Edge

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is home to  Millennium Falcon : Smugglers Run, where you and your crew can take control of the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy. It also features  Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance, which is one of the most ambitious attractions ever created by Disney.

There are countless other reasons to visit this park, starting with white-knuckle thrills at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ™. Some animated new attractions have also joined the lineup as part of  Toy Story Land , based on the hit Disney-Pixar movies, including Slinky Dog Dash . For more animated fun, hitch a ride aboard Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Discover: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain ®
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris ®
  • Kali River Rapids ®  

In 2017, Disney’s Animal Kingdom ® Theme Park opened an otherworldly new land that’s still packing in crowds with no signs of slowing down: Pandora — The World of Avatar . Rides here include Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage , which are complemented with themed shopping and dining.

The success of its sci-fi offerings aside, this park’s first name continues to be its  raison d'être . This focus is particularly evident in one of its original attractions, Kilimanjaro Safaris ® , which provides an 18-minute journey to Africa right here in Orlando. For a wilder ride, check out Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain ® (look out for the Yeti) or Kali River Rapids ® .

Fans of dinosaurs will find much to love at this park, too, beginning with the aptly named DINOSAUR attraction.  Younger admirers of these prehistoric beasts will also have a blast on TriceraTop Spin.

Miss Adventure Falls is the newest reason to visit  Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park , which is set in a recently storm-tossed tropical lagoon. This family-style attraction — the longest at any Disney water park — invites you to climb into a four-person raft for a white-water adventure you won’t soon forget.

If pure relaxation is what you’re after, take a dip in Castaway Creek, a 2,000-foot-long lazy river with misty waterfalls, overhead rope bridges and a cavern-esque tunnel. Then, dive into the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool for everything from gentle ripples to massive waves.

Speaking of massive, watch the drop on Keelhaul Falls and Homunga Kowabunga. More thrills can be enjoyed on the Crush ‘n’ Gusher, Gangplank Falls and the intense Mayday Falls.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park answers the age-old question of what would happen if a snowed-in ski resort was built in Florida. The answer is a “melting” water park featuring a chairlift, bobsled- and toboggan-themed water slides, and other fun features designed to trick your eyes into thinking you’re freezing while you luxuriate in warm water and sunshine.

For aquatic thrills, check out fast rides like Toboggan Racers, Summit Plummet and Snow Stormers. Then, relax your cares away with a dip in Melt-Away Bay or a tranquil journey along the Cross Country Creek lazy river.

There are adventures for kids, too, including Ski Patrol Training Camp and Tike’s Peak. And the whole family can drift away together on a tube ride at Teamboat Springs.

Have a Magical Day at Walt Disney World ® Resort

Endless adventures await at Walt Disney World Resort — and Visit Orlando powered by BestofOrlando.com can help you save on admission to all Walt Disney World theme parks and water parks . Take advantage of our free planning tools to discover more ways to enhance your experiences in the Theme Park Capital of the World.

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places to visit at disney world

Walt Disney World 

Disney World  is a massive vacation resort with many hotels, an astonishing number of restaurants, shopping and entertainment districts, and a wealth of other features to explore.

Want more than these 10? Consider the enchanting Animal Kingdom show, "Finding Nemo: The Musical," a ride aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris, and a refreshing serving of Dole Whip, the pineapple-flavored treat that is served at Aloha Isle in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom and Capt. Cook's at Disney's Polynesian Resort.

Watch Now: Must-Dos at Disney World

Dine out at some great restaurants.

Melvyn Longhurst / Getty Images

Many Disney World visitors chow down on the same nondescript fast food typically found at traditional amusement parks. And that's a shame.

They are missing out on some fantastic restaurants in the Florida resort and an opportunity to make their vacations more memorable. Disney World's best table-service restaurants  include both high-end and more moderately priced restaurants such as Jiko, The Cooking Place at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the Flying Fish at Disney's BoardWalk.

Don't blow all your vacation dollars indulging in table-service restaurants, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for burgers and fries all the time either. The resort has some great counter-service restaurants , including Sunshine Seasons at Epcot and Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If you are looking for something sweet, Disney World has delectable snacks and desserts .

Yo Ho With Pirates of the Caribbean

After a few decades of yo-ho-ing, this ride is still one of the best in all of Disney World. Surprisingly, it was a ride before it inspired the wildly popular movie series featuring Johnny Depp. The Disney Imagineers then incorporated Depp's character, Captain Jack Sparrow, as well as other film references back into the ride.

Pirates of the Caribbean is still the crown jewel among Disney's attractions. You might also enjoy learning about the  history of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride . (For great, classic attractions, the  Haunted Mansion  is typically mentioned in the same breath as Pirates of the Caribbean.)

Head to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach

Ashley / Flickr / cc 2.0

While you may associate Disney World with Cinderella Castle, Epcot's Spaceship Earth and the Tower of Terror, you'd be remiss to overlook the famous water parks!

Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are among the most spectacular, thrilling, and downright fun water parks anywhere on the planet. However, we give the (slight) nod to Typhoon Lagoon—its evocative and whimsical seaside village theme, dense and beautiful canopy of flora, and tranquil lazy river give it the edge over Blizzard Beach. (Although the latter has the incredibly thrilling speed slide,  Summit Plummet .)

Journey to Pandora, the World of Avatar

The level of detail at the Animal Kingdom is breathtaking. Marvel at the floating mountains, gawk at the bioluminescent plants, witness a Pandoran shaman on the tranquil Na'vi River Journey, board a banshee on Avatar Flight of Passage (one of Disney's best attractions), and more in this living ode to James Cameron's film series.

Be aware, however, that since its opening in 2017, Pandora has been wildly popular. The standby wait times to board the two rides, especially Flight of Passage, often swell to two hours or more. To help avoid lines for these and other popular rides throughout Disney World, and to better manage your visit, you should learn how to make reservations and use My Disney Experience .

Experience the Tower of Terror

Paul Beattie / Flickr / CC 2.0

If you can handle the thrills (which are pretty thrilling), no trip to Disney World would be complete without a visit to the classic  The Twilight Zone -themed attraction. At its core, the Tower of Terror is a relatively basic drop tower ride, which is a staple at many amusement parks. However, the elaborate theme and effects take it to a whole different zone. The "Fourth Dimension” sequence, in which the elevator cars move horizontally, is freaky and especially wonderful.

Get Thrilled at Summit Plummet and More

Walt Disney World

Do you love the Tower of Terror for its stomach-in-your-throat moments? The Florida resort does have some other thrill rides to get your pulse racing, like Summit Plummet, Expedition Everest, and Space Mountain.

Try the Best Rides for Kids at Disney World

Gene Duncan / The Walt Disney Company

Thrills are great. But what about kids who aren't tall enough to tackle the Tower of Terror, and don't have the stomach for thrill rides? Fortunately, Disney World is loaded with wonderful rides that young children will adore, including Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, and The Sea with Nemo & Friends. Like many things at Disney World, adults will love them too, because they bring out the child in you.

Stay at One of the Disney Hotels

Dan Forer / Getty Images

Sure, you could save a few bucks by staying off the property. But you'd be robbing yourself of the full Disney World experience (as well as some nifty benefits, including complimentary ground transportation to and from the airport and exclusive ride time at the parks). Some of the best Disney World hotels include the Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Floridian.

Go to the Galaxy's Edge at Star Wars Land

While the "Star Wars" area of the park celebrated a soft launch and opening day in late May, Galaxy's Edge will officially open in August of 2019 and will continue to grow throughout the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Join the crew of the Millennium Falcon on the "Smuggler's Run" smuggling mission, an interactive ride through deep space to help everyone's favorite "Star Wars" characters with their jobs. Later, you can also join the Resistance in its battle against the First Order at the "Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance" experience.

Seek Out the Best Rides and Shows

Part of the fun of being at Disney World is to explore the park and check out as many different sights and rides as you can. "Pirates of the Caribbean" frequently takes top billing as one of the best Walt Disney World rides, but others like the "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" and "Mission: Space" are just as fun, often with smaller crowds.

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Walt Disney World Parks in Orlando Florida Complete Guide

P lanning a Disney World Vacation gets complicated for many because Walt Disney World isn’t just one place. In fact, covering over 40 sq. miles, the Disney World Parks combined is the size of San Francisco. Spanning 4 theme parks, two water parks, 30+ resorts, and a shopping center. As a result, unlike other vacations, this one is more than just buying tickets, booking a hotel and showing up. Luckily, we’re hear to break it down, so that you can understand the layout of Disney World Parks in Orlando Florida, and get a handle on how much time you need to cover it all. Consider this your complete guide to the theme parks in Disney World. 

We’re sharing the important rides, and restaurants in each park, so that you can make a plan to do all your favorite things on your next trip to the parks. As one of the major theme parks in Orlando, Florida, Walt Disney World sees about 58 million people a year. With most vacationers planning between 7-10 days per visit, there is so much to do that you typically won’t get it all in. Therefore we always recommend a few tips to help you make the best decisions when it comes to planning your vacation. 

  • Review the Disney World Event Calendar to check what events, and crowds may look like for the dates of your visit.  
  • Decide How Many Days for Disney World you’d like to plan. While it’s a huge resort, how long you stay is up to you and based mostly on what you hope to do while you’re there. 
  • If this feels overwhelming to you, consider using a Disney Travel Agent to help you create your best vacation. Authorized Disney Travel Planners offer their services for FREE and is a great resource, if you’ve never visited before. 

Walt Disney World Theme Parks

We’ve said it before, Disney theme parks in Orlando, Florida are multiple places that see millions of visitors a year. Luckily all these places are connected by complimentary Disney Transportation to help get you around Walt Disney World. Here are the places to visit on your trip. 

Theme Parks

Walt Disney World has four theme parks, each with their own theme, rides, restaurants, and shows. 

  • Magic Kingdom Park : Home to Cinderella’s Castle, Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantasyland. Disney’s most popular park with over 25 attractions. 
  • EPCOT Park : Walt Disney’s original concept for a community of tomorrow, EPCOT includes the World Showcase, Festivals, Spaceship Earth and areas honoring Nature, Technology, and Celebration. 
  • Animal Kingdom Park : Home to over 2000 animals, Animal Kingdom includes animal habitat trails, animal shows, Pandora, and rides like Expedition Everest, and Kilimanjaro Safaris. 
  • Hollywood Studios Park : Disney’s Original MGM Studios park, this park honors old Hollywood, Star Wars and Toy Story. Home to churros, light sabers and the Tower and Terror. 

Water Parks

The Water Parks at Disney World are typically open on opposite schedules throughout the year to allow for cleanings and refurbishments. The Water Parks at Disney require an additional ticket. 

  • Typhoon Lagoon : This Disney Water Park is themed as a tropical oasis with a lazy river, surf pool and water slides. However, it’s been hit by a “typhoon”, causing a bit of chaos. 
  • Blizzard Beach : Featuring a Santa Claus on vacation storyline, you can find “snow” at Blizzard Beach, a snow monster and even the snowgies from Frozen. 

Other Places at Disney World

These places at Disney are open to the public and do not require a park ticket to visit. 

  • Disney Springs:  The shopping center at Disney Springs includes stores, restaurants, and live music. It’s also home to the Splitsville bowling alley, a Movie Theater and the Cirque de Soleil show. 
  • Disney’s BoardWalk: The Boardwalk includes a variety of restaurants, beaches, and recreation. It’s also home to 3 Disney Resorts; Disney’s Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. 

Magic Kingdom Park

Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando is home to Cinderella’s Castle and opened in 1971. By far the most famous of the Walt Disney World parks, it is, however, also the smallest. Magic Kingdom includes Main Street U.S.A. inspired by Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri, and popular classic attractions like It’s a Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean. This Park consists of six themed lands combining everything old, with everything new. Featuring classic rides like the Mad Hatter Tea Party in Fantasyland alongside the newer attractions like TRON LightCycle Power Run in Tomorrowland. Magic Kingdom has the most rides of any Walt Disney World Park and even though it’s the smallest will take the longest to get through get everything offered here.

Magic Kingdom Resorts

The Disney World Magic Kingdom theme park is near several resorts that get you close to the action. If you’re looking for hotels near Magic Kingdom, you have a couple of options. Easy transportation via the Monorail allows for easy access to and from the park from the Disney Monorail Resorts. These resorts include Disney’s Contemporary Resort , The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and the Polynesian Village Resort. 

You can also grab a boat from Magic Kingdom to the nearby Wilderness resorts. Both Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are a quick boat ride to the park, and offer a nature filled alternative to a typical Disney hotel experience. 

Magic Kingdom Restaurants

Magic Kingdom is filled with restaurants. Unfortunately, restaurants at Magic Kingdom are not usually the best, and we always recommend heading to the Monorail Resort restaurants instead. However, if you’re planning to stay in the park to eat, we suggest Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, and The Crystal Palace. Home to Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest , these are some of the hardest to get Disney Dining Reservations at Walt Disney World. They are also some of the most expensive, and we don’t feel they’re worth the cost. 

If you’re looking for something easy and cheaper, you can check out the Best Quick Service Restaurants at Magic Kingdom. Again, the theme park food at Magic Kingdom is not the best, so we try to stick to things that are simple. Pinocchio’s Village Haus has flatbreads, and Friar’s Nook has great potato barrel Bowls. 

Magic Kingdom Rides

Of all the parks, you most need Disney Genie+ for Magic Kingdom because there are so many rides. And waiting in line for rides throughout the day is near impossible when crowds are typically the worst at this park. Popular Rides at Magic Kingdom include the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder Mountain . The newest ride at Magic Kingdom, TRON, requires a Lightning Lane or Virtual Queue Board Pass. Check out the Magic Kingdom Park Checklist for all the rides to plan for! 

Magic Kingdom Disney Characters

Mickey Mouse, Tinkerbell, and Disney Princesses are all available to meet at Magic Kingdom. These Disney Character Meet and Greets don’t typically have the longest lines, but if they are a priority for you, be sure to plan for them! You can also catch Donald and Daisy, Winnie the Pooh and more Disney favorites in this park. Lines are lowest for characters in the morning and between 2-4 PM. Check out the list for where to find Disney Characters in Magic Kingdom. 

Magic Kingdom Shows and Parades

Magic Kingdom is famous for its Festival of Fantasy Parade and the fireworks show, Happily Ever After . Both are Disney Must Dos at Magic Kingdom, and you should plan for it! This means a 3pm parade in the park, and an 8 or 9pm Fireworks Show to stay for in the evening. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience App, for showtimes.

Magic Kingdom Events

Best known for it’s seasonal events, you can attend parties at Magic Kingdom and Disney After Hours events. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in the fall and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in December are very popular and an excellent way to take advantage of rides with fewer guests in the park, exclusive snacks, and seasonal fun!  

EPCOT 

EPCOT combines the worlds of technology, nature, and culture, bringing life to Walt Disney’s original idea of an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. While his original idea included self-driving cars, solar-powered homes and an international marketplace, the current version of the park is changing with times. As a result, EPCOT is in the midst of several construction projects beginning to complete. Grounded in an overarching goal of creating four neighborhoods within EPCOT these themed areas further solidify the desired look and feel of each experiential land.

These four neighborhoods are World Celebration, acting as the central spine of the park, World Nature showcasing everything on the land and sea that makes up our human experience, World Discovery, featuring technology and space with a focus on innovation and World Showcase comprised of multiple countries sharing cultural experiences in each pavilion. From engineering your own vehicle at Test Track to strolling through nature in the Moana’s Journey of Water attraction, there are many things to explore in EPCOT.

EPCOT Area Resorts

Resorts near EPCOT Park can be found in the Disney Boardwalk Area. Disney’s Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk Inn are all within walking distance of the park. You can also find Disney Marriott Hotels in the EPCOT area, giving you even more options of places to stay. Disney’s Swan, Swan Reserve and Dolphin are also other hotels near EPCOT if you’re looking to stay close by. Other resorts included in this area are Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort, both accessible via the Disney Skyliner, with a station at the EPCOT International Gateway. 

EPCOT Restaurants

Restaurants at EPCOT combine a lot of different cuisines, as a result of the World Showcase. Home to signature dining experiences at Monsieur Paul and Le Cellier, you don’t have to spend a fortune for a good meal. We most like Via Napoli for the pizza, La Cantina de San Angel for the empanadas, and Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie for everything else. You can also see all the Disney Princesses at once for character dining at Akershus in Norway. Many of the restaurants here are good and you can find even more Quick Service Restaurants at EPCOT that are budget friendly. 

EPCOT Rides

Most known for Spaceship Earth at the entrance of the park, there are many popular rides in EPCOT worth riding. Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Soarin’ are favorites, and usually require a ride strategy or lightning lane pass if you’re hoping to stay out of long lines. Favorites like Test Track, and Living with the Land are also here. Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is a thrill rollercoaster that brings back to the past, with fun music. It does require a Virtual Queue Boarding Pass to snag a place in line or a Lightning Lane Pass if you’re hoping for a shorter wait. Check out the EPCOT Park Checklist for details on all the rides. 

EPCOT Disney Characters

Characters in EPCOT include Snow White in Germany, Aurora and Belle in France, Mulan in China, and Donald Duck in Mexico, among other. With more characters than you realize be sure to check out the list of EPCOT characters to make sure you have your favorites on the list. 

EPCOT Shows and Parades

EPCOT doesn’t have parades, but they do have a nighttime spectacular called, Luminous . Luminous combines music, pyrotechnics and fireworks for a nightly show featuring familiar Disney music and a message about our shared humanity. You can see this show nightly, for a dazzling display on the World Showcase Lagoon. Truly an amazing fireworks show you can even see it from the beaches of the Boardwalk and nearby hotels. 

EPCOT Festivals

Walt Disney World hosts 4 festivals at EPCOT park annually. Each festival has it’s own theme, specialty foods, shows, performances and merchandise. Here are the festivals you can see every year at Epcot. First, the International Festival of the Arts happens from January through mid-February. Second, the Flower and Garden Festival takes place from March through mid-June. Third, you can visit the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival late July- November. And Fourth, the International Festival of Holidays in December. Check out all the details on each festival at EPCOT. 

Animal Kingdom 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom covers 500 acres of landscape comprised of six areas featuring unique cultures, wilderness, and over 2000 animals. The Oasis and Discovery Island features lush landscapes, shops, and the Tree of Life as the centerpiece of the park. Bringing the lands of Africa and Asia to the forefront, Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers winding paths through the Maharajah Jungle Trek, and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. DinoLand U.S.A features the world of the past, while Pandora World of Avatar brings guests 4.4 million lightyears away. Here you’ll find Walt Disney World’s most popular ride, Avatar Flight of Passage.

Animal Kingdom Area Resorts

If you’re heading to Animal Kingdom, know that this area of the Disney World Parks, is somewhat remote. Still, there are 5 Disney Resorts in the Animal Kingdom Resorts Area. While none of them are within walking distance, and you can only travel to Animal Kingdom by Bus, here are the Animal Kingdom resorts to know. The Disney All-Stars Resorts ; including All Star Music, Movies and Sports are nearby. As are Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge . These resorts only offer Disney Bus transportation, but if you’re hoping to finding somewhere close to Animal Kingdom to stay, then it’s typically a 10-15 minute bus ride from these resorts. 

Animal Kingdom Restaurants

Offering a variety of unique cuisine, hailing from Africa, Asia and even Pandora, the food at Animal Kingdom is unique and flavorful. The Tusker House Restaurant offers character dining with Mickey and Friends in their Safari Gear, and Nomad Lounge serves some of the best drinks and appetizers to be had in the park. If you’re looking for the  Best Quick Service Restaurants at Animal Kingdom , then Satu’li Canteen offers delicious power bowls to keep you going through the day. Animal Kingdom is also great for specialties like dumplings at Mr. Kamals, and Pineapple Dole Whip Cake from Tamu Tamu. 

Animal Kingdom Rides

The most popular ride at Animal Kingdom is Pandora’s Flight of Passage . This flight simulator ride has consistently long waits, typically about 1-2 hours long. As a result this is an ideal ride to grab a Lightning Lane Pass for, or to rope drop as soon as the park opens. Due to Animal Kingdom’s shorter hours, there is less time to ride rides. However, there are a few main ones you should be sure to have on your Animal Kingdom Must do list. Kilimanjaro Safaris takes you across the savanna so you can see the animals and is a must see for many at the park. Expedition Everest gets you face to face with a Yeti, and Dinosaur is a must do for anyone eager to outrun a T-Rex, courtesy of a rickety old jeep. Get a full list of Animal Kingdom Rides in the Checklist. 

Animal Kingdom Disney Characters

Some of the most unique Disney characters can be found at Animal Kingdom Park. Moana, Pocahontas, Tarzan, Russell and Dug, and Kevin from UP! are all available for meet and greets throughout the year. Plus, you can also see Donald Duck, Launchpad McQuack and even meet Mickey and Minnie in their Adventurer outfits. Animal Kingdom characters can also be seen in flotilla boats sailing along the discovery River throughout the day. A fun treat if you’re not up for standing in line to see them close up. Check out all the Disney Characters at Animal Kingdom you can see on your next visit. 

Animal Kingdom Shows and Parades

Due to Animal Kingdom’s early closing, usually by 6pm there aren’t typically nighttime spectaculars , like the other parks. However, on nights when they are open later you can watch the Tree of Life Awakenings Show, which also offers a holiday version during December. Throughout the daytime hours, Animal Kingdom does not offer parades, but does include a steady stream of Disney Character Flotillas that sail Discovery River. Check the My Disney Experience App for showtimes. You can generally see up to 5 different character floats in a day. 

Animal Kingdom Events

Disney After Hours Events are sometimes offered at Animal Kingdom throughout the year on select dates. Giving guests the chance to see Pandora at Night, and take advantage of a nighttime safari on the savanna. You can check the Disney Website and the app for times when specialty events are available. Note, that they are in addition to your park ticket, so plan to budget extra if you’re hoping to snag a spot at a late night event. 

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios has had many names over the years, but the focus of honoring cinema has stayed the same. Featuring some of Disney’s most popular film franchises like Toy Story, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the Muppets, Hollywood Studios has rides and experiences perfect for both kids and adults. Home to popular rides like Slinky Dog Dash, Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Hollywood Studios offers a variety of fun for everyone in the family.

Hollywood Studios Area Resorts

Nearer to EPCOT Park than you realize, and actually connected by a walking path from EPCOT to Hollywood Studios, the Hollywood Studios Resort Area includes the EPCOT resort area as well. As a result, all of the BoardWalk Resorts are within walking distance of Hollywood Studios. In addition, there are a few other resorts connected to Hollywood Studios via the Disney Skyliner. These Skyliner Resorts include Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the Riviera Resort, Art of Animation and Pop Century. As Skyliner resorts guests staying at any of these 4 locations can take the skyliner to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. 

Hollywood Studios Restaurants

Dining at Hollywood Studios is much like it is at Magic Kingdom, somewhat sub-par. While Woody’s Lunch Box over in Toy Story Land is fantastic for a quick lunch, and the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge is wonderful for an upscale meal, other options inside the park are basic theme park fare. The exception my be the Ronto Wraps over at Ronto Roasters, which are a must-try Disney Snack. You can check out our Best Quick Service Restaurants at Hollywood Studios to make sure you’re only picking the best ones. 

Hollywood Studios Rides

Home to Rise of the Resistance , Mickeys Runaway Railway and Slinky Dog Dash , there are plenty of rides here that are popular and fun. Though lines do tend to be long, if you plan the busiest rides in the morning, you’ll be able to fit indoor rides, like Star Tours, and Toy Story Mania, in during the hot afternoon hours. And don’t overlook the shows; Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, Indiana Jones Stunt Show Spectacular , and Muppets 3-D are all fun additions to your Hollywood Studios Day. check out the List of Attractions at Hollywood Studios for everything to see and do while you’re there. 

Hollywood Studios Disney Characters

The main characters to see at Hollywood Studios include the Pixar Pals, Star Wars characters, and Woody, Buzz and Jessie in Toy Story Land. You can also see Mickey and Minnie at Red Carpet Dreams, if you’re looking for a Hollywood version of your favorite power couple.

Hollywood Studios Shows and Parades

While Hollywood Studios doesn’t typically have parades, you can sometimes see cavalcades, or motorcades throughout the park. You can also catch the Green Army Men and Stormtrooper March performances that are shown intermittently throughout the day. 

The main shows at Hollywood Studios are Fantasmic and Wonderful World of Animation. Fantasmic is show that takes place at the outdoor theater, complete with moat, pyrotechnics, fireworks, and storytelling as Mickey and the Disney Villains have a showdown. The Wonderful World of Animation show takes place on the facade of the Chinese Theater. Featuring memorable Disney scenes and songs, this is an honor to the animation of Disney.

Hollywood Studios Events

Events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios often include Disney After Hours, on select nights throughout the year. And during the holidays, you can catch Jollywood Nights , which is a holiday party after hours in parks. Both require additional tickets and get you access to the park after closing. 

Disney World Parks Guide

Hopefully this post has helped you get a handle on all the Disney World Parks to visit while you’re in Orlando Florida. If you looking for even more to do, be sure to check out the Disney Water Parks. In addition, visiting the Disney BoardWalk , and Disney Springs to your trip are also free and worth your time! 

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THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL

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Things to Do near Walt Disney World Resort

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  • Discover over 1,000 restaurants near Walt Disney World Resort
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Places to Relax at Disney World

As magical as Disney World may be, it can also be crowded, hectic, and exhausting. Sometimes you just need to find a peaceful place to relax.

Below we have selected the top 37 Places to Relax in Walt Disney World Resort to help you recharge. These suggestions are in no particular order other than being grouped by the theme park, resort, and elsewhere within Disney World. A few on our list are activities (not places, per se).

So take a break from the action, take a deep breath, and relax at these places around Disney World.

relax on the disney skyliner

Places to Relax at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

1. tomorrowland transit authority people mover.

Magic Kingdom is Disney’s oldest AND most popular park. You are sure to encounter crowds any time of the year. There are a few low-key and peaceful Magic Kingdom rides and attractions that will allow you some time to relax and sit down. The best example of this type of ride is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover .

The ride travels around the Tomorrowland section of Magic Kingdom where you’ll experience spectacular views from overhead. No, it’s not air-conditioned but you’ll likely encounter a  nice breeze.

PeopleMover is possibly the most relaxing ride in all of Disney World, and even the kids will enjoy the views.

2. Tomorrowland Terrace

The Tomorrowland Terrace dining location is a great place to relax and recharge while you enjoy stunning views of Cinderella Castle. A quick-service menu (courtesy of the Columbia Harbour House) offers yummy seafood items like lobster rolls and fried shrimp, as well as other favorites like chicken nuggets.

3. The Carousel of Progress

The Carousel of Progress is a rotating audio-animatronic stage show located in the back of Tomorrowland. The chairs are comfy, the show is lengthy, and the auditorium is dark and cool. This is one of the best places to relax at Magic Kingdom.

4. Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

Head over to Liberty Square and check out the open space behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe . The nicely shaded area has benches and plenty of room to recharge, stretch your legs, and get off the main walkways for a while.

5. Main Street, U.S.A.

While Main Street USA may seem like the last place on Earth for relaxation, there’s really no better place to do some quality people-watching.  So grab a hot dog at Casey’s , find a bench along Main Street, and watch the families as they round the corner and see Cinderella Castle for the first time. Plus, you can interact with the Citizens of Main Street while you’re there. 

The American Adventure at Epcot

Places to Relax at Disney’s EPCOT

6. spaceship earth.

 Epcot has plenty of great places to relax and take a break from the crowds and the heat.

One good spot to rest is   Spaceship Earth , the iconic geodesic sphere that serves as the symbol of Epcot.  Head inside the structure for a slow-moving dark ride attraction with refreshing air conditioning.

Like Carousel of Progress, this Epcot ride will give you plenty of time to recharge so you’ll be ready for more action when you’re back outside.

7. The Japan Pavilion

The courtyard of the Japan Pavilion includes a Japanese Pagoda, Japanese pools, and beautiful gardens. Look for the area between Katsura Grill and the koi ponds for a tranquil space to relax.  The areas by the ponds, waterfalls, and bridges are well-shaded and provide plenty of tranquility to put your mind at ease. Listen for the Taiko drummers in the distance.

8. The Morocco Pavilion

Morocco Pavilion has long been a World Showcase fan-favorite. With its stucco walls, arches, and mosaics, it’s a great section of the park to spend some time exploring and relaxing. 

The pavilion has 6 shops to explore and a quiet little hideaway behind Tangerine Cafe to escape the crowds for a while.

9. The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion

Another low-key area at EPCOT is The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion.  The area is themed as an underwater exploration base and features several oceanic exhibits.

The pavilion’s main selling points are a dark ride attraction ( The Seas with Nemo & Friends ), an aquarium, the Turtle Talk with Crush show, and the Coral Reef Restaurant.  Overall, it’s a peaceful oasis to relax and recharge before venturing out into the more crowded areas of the park. 

10. The Gardens around World Showcase

World Showcase is a 1.3-mile-long celebration of global culture and cuisine. In total, there are 11 pavilions (countries) with wonderful gift shops, exhibits, and dining. Although often overlooked, World Showcase is also home to some fantastic gardens.

The most notable gardens can be found in the UK Pavilion, Canada Pavilion, and, as mentioned before, the Japan Pavilion. Each of these gardens has quiet areas where you can sit down and relax for a while. 

11. American Heritage Gallery at American Adventure Pavilion

The American Heritage Gallery at the American Adventure Pavilion is spacious, air-conditioned, and situated right on the 1st floor of the building. It’s a great place to rest, use the bathrooms, cool off, and meander through the gallery. The gallery is currently exhibiting American Indian art.

Places to Relax at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

12.  walkway between pandora and africa .

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is known for its roaming animals, lush greenery, and spacious feel compared to Disney’s other parks. It’s no wonder that’s relaxation is easy to find in this park.

For a quiet and shaded area – away from the hustle and bustle – look for the secret walkway between Pandora – The World of Avatar and Africa.  It’s  shaded and tranquil (but there’s no seating).

13.   Na’vi River Journey

Na’vi River Journey attraction is perhaps the most tranquil of all Animal Kingdom rides . It moves slowly and has soothing blue lights. What a magical way to relax!

14. Tree of Life and Surrounding Trails

The Tree of Life is a 145-foot baobab tree with 325 animals carved into its truck. This iconic structure provides the perfect place to rest while you take in the beauty and craftsmanship of this sculpture. The walking trails surrounding the tree also provide a nice respite from the noise and crowds of the park.

Places to Relax at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

15. exit of tower of terror.

As you exit Tower of Terror , turn to the right and look for the brick ledge. It’s a great place to sit and relax. There’s also a good spot to rest behind the coffee cart.

16. Baby Care Centers

If you are a parent, then you should familiarize yourself with Disney’s Baby Care Centers . They can be found in Hollywood Studios and in the other three theme parks. Baby Care Centers are well-stocked with baby supplies, kitchen facilities, bathrooms, nursing/changing areas, and living room areas for everyone in the family. Rest, relax, and recharge.

17. Walt Disney Presents

The Walt Disney Presents attraction is located in Hollywood Studio’s Animation Courtyard. Here you can learn all about Walt Disney , the man who started it all. The low-key attraction includes fascinating multimedia presentations and rare artifacts. When it’s over, look for the group of benches near the exit and sit for a while.

Places to Relax at Disney World Resort Hotels

18. by the pool.

There are plenty of opportunities to rest at Disney World’s resort hotels , none more popular than spending some time at the pool.

Whether it’s taking a mid-afternoon break from the theme parks or a morning/evening swim, Disney World’s pools are all about fun and relaxation.

Most pools offer a selection of food items and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. So grab a frosty beverage, lay back in a comfortable chair, go swimming, and enjoy the pool atmosphere.

Reminder: Guests must be staying at the resort to use the pool facility.

19. Jogging Trails and Gyms

Jogging is a great way to relax at Disney World.

There are walking pathways throughout Disney World, but the majority of Disney’s resorts have dedicated jogging trails .  For example, there’s a 1-mile-long, paved jogging trail connecting  3 Disney Value Resorts – All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, and All-Star Sports. There’s also a 3.1-mile-long pathway surrounding Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, and a 1.38-mile trail near Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Additionally, all of the Disney Deluxe Resorts have fitness centers, along with one Disney Moderate Resort (Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort).  Fitness centers are free for guests staying at those resorts.

What better way to relax than indulging in a spa treatment.

Disney has several full-service luxury spas and salons so you have plenty of ways to pamper yourself while at the resort. 

Disney World’s spa locations include Disney’s Grand Floridan, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Dolphin Resort, and Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

21. Movies Under the Stars

Movies Under the Stars is a fun, family-friendly movie feature for guests staying at a select number of Disney resort hotels.

The movie event is held outdoors and is free of charge.  Days, times, and movies (often a Disney classic movie) vary nightly and are subject to favorable weather conditions .

Check with your hotel for updates. What a great way to relax!

22. Arcades

Are you – or members of your family – gamers? If so, you’ll be happy to learn that most Disney resorts feature an arcade right on hotel grounds.

If you are looking for something to do on rainy days , or just to de-stress after a long day at the parks, head over to the nearest arcade.

23. Resort Hopping

Resort-hopping is a fun way to see a variety of Disney resort hotels. You don’t have to be staying at a resort to stop by and check out the lobby, theming, dining spots, and shops.

The easiest and most popular way to resort hop is by monorail . This Magic Kingdom monorail loop makes stops at three classic resorts: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Remember: Disney World transportation is always free of charge!

24. The Lobby at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Of all the Disney hotel lobbies, none is grander than the lobby at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Sp a. It’s spacious, elegant,  and there’s often a piano player there providing some lovely background music.

T he ambiance and couches make this lobby a great place to relax. It’s also one of the most magical places at Disney World during the Christmas season .

25. Rocking Chairs at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

A visit to Wilderness Lodge Resort is always relaxing…in an outdoorsy sort of way. The beautiful lobby is worth a visit, but be sure you head up to the upper level where you’ll find a whole bunch of rocking chairs by the fireplace. This is as close to Montana as you’ll find in Central Florida!

26. Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge

Geyser Point is a low-key outdoor bar and grill at Wilderness Lodge Resort. The poolside eatery offers a walk-up window with delicious grab ‘n’ go bites where you can enjoy on the restaurant’s outdoor deck (while sitting in a lounge chair).

Geyser Point is a relaxing spot to soak up the sun and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

27. The Wooded Path between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness

Head over to the wooded path between Wilderness Lodge and the Campsites at Fort Wilderness . Here you’ll feel like you are far away from the hustle and bustle of Disney World (and more like somewhere in the Pacific Northwest).

28. Outdoor Activities at Disney’s Fort Wilderness

Sticking with Fort Wilderness, another thing guests will love about the camping-themed resort is all of the activities they offer. You can go horseback riding (ages 9+) through wooded trails, rent boats, kayaks, and canoes, try your hand at archery,  or enjoy the resort’s comedy dinner show, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. What a fun way to relax!

29. Nomad Lounge at Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom’s Nomad Lounge is known for having a lengthy cocktail menu with libations and spirits from around the globe. Furthermore, the cuisine here is wonderful and will even satisfy Disney World foodies .   

The freshly prepared menu includes items like Togarashi-spiced Tuna Nomad Bowls, Chicken Manchurian, and artisanal cheeses. What’s more, the world travel-themed lounge is nicely air-conditioned and oh-so relaxing. Adults and couples will love unwinding at Nomad Lounge.

30. Crescent Lake at the Epcot Resort Area

The Epcot Resort Area runs between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The area consists of six resorts, five of which are connected to each other via walking paths and waterways surrounding Crescent Lake.

Whether you are going for a jog, a sunset stroll, or just sitting on a bench and watching families walking by, the Crescent Lake area is a beautiful place to relax at Disney World.

rocking chairs to relax at disney world

Other Places to Relax at Walt Disney World Resort

31. disney’s water parks.

Nothing beats the summer heat like a water park. Fortunately, Disney World has two water parks — Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon .

Yes, they can get crowded, but you’ll still be able to relax on a beach chair, drifting down a lazy river, taking a private surf lesson with a certified instructor, or zooming down a steep slide and splashing down into a refreshing pool of water.

What a fun place to cool off!

32. The BoardWalk

Disney’s BoardWalk is a quarter-mile promenade filled will unique shops, energetic nightlife. and amazing dining locations.

For rest and relaxation, there’s nothing like strolling the water’s edge or sitting back and watching the street performers as the sun sets in the background. There’s fun for all ages here, but fun-loving adults will especially like the dueling piano bar Jellyroll or the nightclub atmosphere of Atlantic Dance Hall.

33. Disney Springs

Like the BoardWalk, Disney Springs is another fun and relaxing place to spend some time. The shopping, dining, and entertainment complex doesn’t require a theme park ticket or any fee to enter, and there are fun activities for the entire family.

Disney Springs has around 60 restaurants, bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, a 24-screen, dine-in AMC movie theatre , and many other activities and places to shop. 

34. The Skyliner, Monorail, or Water Taxi

Disney transportation provides scenic relaxation and gives you a chance to explore different areas of the resort without hopping in an Uber.

Whether is the monorail, Skyliner, water taxis, or buses, you can find different routes and modes of transportation. Plus, it’s 100% free to use and you don’t have to be staying at a Disney resort or even have park tickets to use it.

Recommendations: Take the monorail around to different Magic Kingdom-area resorts, ride the new Skyliner from Epcot (or Hollywood Studios) to one of the hotels along the way, or take a water taxi over to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Disney Springs. 

See our Disney World Transportation Map .

35. Fishing Holes

Fishing at Disney World? Yes, that’s right.

Any age and any ability can enjoy fishing at Disney. Grab a rod and head over to the dock at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, or participate in a guided fishing excursion at World Showcase Lagoon, Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake, or Crescent Lake. 

36. Golf Courses

Experienced and novice golfers have several choices at Disney World . There are four official golf courses on the property, as well as another course at the Four Seasons Orlando. 

Want to brush up on your swing? Guests ages 7 and older can book a golf lesson with PGA pro.

If mini-golf is more of your thing, Disney has two locations: Disney’s Fantasia Gardens and Disney’s Winter Summerland.

What a fun and relaxing way to spend your evening (or off-day) at Disney World!

Biking at Disney World is a great way to stay in shape and see the sights and sounds of the park.

For some guests, there’s nothing more relaxing than cruising along a lakefront promenade or coasting through woodland trails.

Bike rentals are available at eight different locations throughout the resort.  You can also rent a 2 or 4-person surrey bike at six different locations.

So much fun!

If you need help planning and booking your Walt Disney World vacation package, please call the The Vacationeer ! Their services are 100% free and their advice, expertise, and dedication will prove invaluable!

Be sure to check out our other articles, like Height Requirements for Rides at Disney World , Best Ways to Get from Orlando Airport to Disney World , Childcare and Babysitting Services at Disney World , Best Disney Youtubers ,  Disney Travel Agents , and Disney World Crowd Calendar .

Enjoy your trip!

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First Time Beginner’s Guide to Disney World (15 minute crash course)

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With so many Rides, Shows, and Attractions, it can be hard to know where to start at Disney World in Orlando Florida (Disneyland is in California, and offers different things!).

This is a comprehensive guide that covers all the basics about Disney World. If you’re familiar with Walt Disney World, this information is probably unnecessary. If your new to Disney, then this is the place to be.

Disney is a vacation packed full of so many options, from great rides at the four Theme Parks, to water fun at the Water Parks and Resorts, to Character Memories, fun Entertainment and Nighttime Fireworks Celebrations.

Refer to the Table of Contents below to jump around to areas you’d like to learn more about.

Does Disney World do anything Special for First Time Visitors?

Yes! Disney World offers a ‘1st Visit’ button that you can wear to celebrate that occasion and let Cast Members (the Disney Employees) know that it’s your first time.

places to visit at disney world

So let’s jump into some quick tips for first time Disney World visitors and then you can pick where you want to get started with all this information! If this is too much, simply save or share this page for later.

This post may contain affiliate links, read my full disclosure here.

Table of Contents for Disney World Guide

  • Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered

The Best Times to go to Disney World

  • How many days do you need at Disney
  • What do you need to bring to your Disney World Vacation?
  • Overview of the Parks
  • Overview of Entertainment in the Parks
  • All about Disney Resorts

Quick FAQs for Disney World

What should you do on your first visit to disney world.

You should make a Bucket List/ Cant Miss list!

Disney World is intense… there’s so much more to do and see (maybe that’s why we have so many websites and vlogs and content creators sharing the Disney fun!)

Creating a list of things you want to do will make planning much easier and make the vacation more fun . Here’s a list of Can’t Miss fun for most families , and a Can’t Miss list for little kids !

places to visit at disney world

How Much does it cost to go to Disney World?

The average vacation in 2024 is going to cost around $5000 dollars for a Family of Four to go for 5 days (this includes tickets, lodging, a food budget and souvenirs but not travel costs to get to the parks) See the full breakdown for the costs (with examples!) on how to do Disney World on a tight (yet realistic!) budget.

Having a dollar sign in mind is a good way to make sure that you stay on track with your Disney World Vacation. This is such an exciting time and you want to make sure that you make the most of it. There are many money saving tips that can help with your magical vacation.

The Best Time to go to Disney World is the time that fits with your schedule!

Disney World is ‘always’ busy now on the weekends and many times throughout the week. There is no ‘slow’ season, though the months of January and September are typically slower months than others.

Walt Disney World is such a popular resort that it can get a little crowded.  

I’ve been on some of the busiest days of the year, and while it is still magical, it’s not very fun waiting in a two hour line ! What you can do is check the best weeks to go and pick the week that works best for your family! 

Some of the Best Months to go for lower crowds are:

  • The beginning of May
  • The second week in December

Some of the best times to enjoy the Parks for lower crowds are:

  • In the Evenings- especially if they park is closing in a few hours or staying open very late
  • In the Early Morning- especially if you have early morning hours available to you when you stay on Disney World property
  • During the Week Days- it helps to look at the MyDisneyExperience App and check the wait times. While these are often inflated, they are a good predictor of crowd levels during your vacation.
  • Magic Kingdom on days that a party is planned, and the regular park closes at 6. Many people skip this day because it doesn’t include fireworks, but it’s a great option if you have a park hopper or want to get up early and spend a good 10 hours at Magic Kingdom.

⭐ What is a Touring Plan, and why is it recommended to know the crowd level when planning a touring plan?

Touring Plans are detailed lists that tell you where to go for rides and attractions at what time. These rely heavily on park hours, expected crowd levels, and what rides/attractions your party wants to do. A common Touring Plan example is to rope drop Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom as the wait time is high during the day (or to make it your last ride of the night).

What do you need to pack for your Disney vacation?

Whether it’s your first time to Disney World or your hundredth, it pays to be prepared.

But what you need for your Disney vacation really depends on each person and family (and reason for the trip!) I do recommend getting a packing list together- at least a month ahead of time, so that way you can get everything you need.

This should include the following items:

  • Number of Outfits x your vacation days + one opposite weather outfit (so a sweater if you come in the summer, or shorts if you come in the winter)
  • Two pairs of Comfortable Walking Shoes
  • Sun Protection including Hat, Sunglasses and Sunscreen
  • A Park Bag or Park FannyPack, for you to bring into the parks with you
  • Comfort Care items like lotion, lip balm, and first aid kits
  • Toiletries and Cosmetics
  • Disney Items like Mouse Ears, Signature Books, Pin Collections, Penny Collections

⭐ Does Disney World offer personal care items, clothing, or other commonly forgot items? Yes. Lots of these items are found inside the Parks. But for a full selection, head to the resorts. If you are at a Value resort and can’t find what you are looking for (And have talked to a Cast Member to confirm it’s not hiding somewhere), head to one of the Deluxe Resorts to check out there selections.

The top 3 items I recommend to everyone:

1. Portable Phone Charger – you phone WILL go dead using the MyDisney App, and some of the rides will drain your battery as your phone looks for signal. The alternative is good ole pencil and paper- just make sure you can access your plans and reservations for the day! You can also use the swappable batteries, see more about where to find those swappable battery locations at Disney here .

2. Insulated Water Bottle – It gets HOT at Disney. Even in the winter you are dealing with the sun, the wind and way too much walking. Animal Kingdom also doesn’t do straws or lids- so you need a water bottle to prevent spillage. 

3. Body Glide- This stuff is phenomenal. I use it for anywhere my skin might get irritation (like shoes in sneakers or thighs in shorts). Its only a few bucks, so better to have it and not need it- then need it and not have it!

And if your headed to Disney World for a Birthday Celebration , consider what you want to pack, versus what you want to buy when you get there.

How many days should you plan for your Disney World Trip?

Most people will find that a First Time Disney Vacation is exciting and exhausting! There’s so much to see and do, and you cannot possibly get it all done in one trip (or even two!)

Most families will benefit from 3-5 days inside the Parks.

But there’s a lot of ways to do Disney! You could do two days inside Magic Kingdom, and one day at EPCOT. You could just do two days at Magic Kingdom and make it a long weekend. You could hit up all four parks, or two days at Disney and two days at Universal.

Tips for Disney World Tickets

If you are visiting for the first time, a standard ticket would be the most appropriate versus an annual pass- you can pick how many base days you’d like to have.

Recommended time at the resort is 6 days 5 nights . This gives you 4 days in the parks, and then your arrival and departure day. Some families will benefit from a ‘no park’ day in the middle of their week to relax, and take in the amenities at the hotel (and possibly recover from sunburn or dehydration that is so prone to Disney trips!)

There are some pros and cons to only doing Magic Kingdom in one day , but most people will find that with a bucket list, their one day trip is enough!

➡️ You will need a Park Reservation for some tickets and passes. To schedule a park ticket, head over to Disney World here and secure your dates (its better to have a date/park secured and change later than not have one at all!)

What’s not recommended:

-Having a Ticket for Arrival or Departure day (there is plenty to do that doesn’t require a ticket!) Unless you are going for something specific. Most people will benefit from resting on Arrival and Departure day.

-Park Hopper Tickets if you are staying for more than 4 days. If you plan to go to all the parks anyways, there’s no need to add the Park Hopper. I would recommend this if you are doing less than 3 days. Keep in mind that hopping parks can take some time (between 45-90 minutes) that may be better spent in the parks.

-Not getting the Park Hopper if you can only come for 1-3 days. The Park Hopper here will help you take advantage of all the staggered opening and closing times to get the most out of your ticket.

-Purchasing from somewhere like eBay- I would hate for your ticket not to work when you arrived

Overview of the Disney Parks

There’s no Harry Potter, Charizard or Daffy Ducks at Disney World my friends. But we do have 6 Theme Parks (4 Main Ones and 2 Water Parks). Disney World is the size of San Francisco, or double the size of Manhattan. And its also located in Florida, in Orlando. There’s a lot going on here!

Disney also has an amazing amount of themed resorts and restaurants that I also recommend you check out! You can peek around the resorts as a guest and eat at any of the locations on property – most require a reservation but they aren’t hard to get. 

Quick Note about Transportation at Disney World

Or said better, How to get where you need to go on Vacation!

⭐ Is Disney Transportation available to all guests, including those not staying on property? Yes! Respectfully of course, but you can hop on the Skyliner, or take the Monorail, or catch a boat without needing to stay on property. This is a fun option on your ‘no-park-ticket’ day, and here’s everything you can do at Disney World without a Park Ticket.

⭐How long does Disney Transportation take? Maybe the most important question of this entire post! Transportation can be quick, kinda slow, or completely closed. You might miss reservations or get stuck for an hour waiting for a bus. While most of it is free to use, it’s a gamble on the time requirements, so plan to give yourself extra time.

Complimentary Transportation Options:

  • The Buses (available at most Disney Resorts, and will pop up if there is severe weather and you can’t take the Skyliner, Boats or Monorail)
  • The Monorail. Three lines operate at Disney World. One takes you to and from EPCOT to the Ticket and Transportation Center. One takes you straight from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom and back again. The Last Line makes 5 stops. The Transportation and Ticket Center, The Contemporary Resort, Magic Kingdom, The Grand Floridian Resort, The Polynesian Resort.
  • The Ferry Boat takes you from Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center and back.
  • The Friendship Boats operate for the Hollywood Studios/EPCOT water front resorts, Between Disney Springs and Port Orleans Resort, and for the Magic Kingdom Seven Seas Lagoon Resorts.
  • The Skyliner has three lines. One line goes from the Depot to Hollywood Studios and back (Caribbean Beach is where the depot is located). One line goes from the EPCOT Boardwalk (it’s the second EPCOT entrance called the International Gateway), to Riveria Resort to the Depot. The third line runs from Art of Animation/POP Century Resort to the Skyliner Depot.
  • Parking at Disney Springs or the Water Parks and Mini Golf locations.

Paid Transportation Options:

  • Parking at Disney World Parks. This is included if you have paid to park at a Disney World resort. There is a tram at several of the parking lots that takes you to the front.
  • Minnie Vans, which are a partnership between Lyft Rideshare and Disney World. These are Disney employees who pick you up in a red and black polka dot ‘van’.

The Parks at Disney World

Disney World has four Major Parks, two Water Parks, and then Disney Springs.

Magic Kingdom

The Iconic Cinderella Castle and Main Street U.S.A. are just two of the notable landmarks at Magic Kingdom. This is the Number One Park at Disney World and at full capacity (so really busy with lots of long lines!) it can take a Visitor almost 20 hours to complete the rides and attractions.

Magic Kingdom hosts lots of other amazing attractions like Space Mountain, Fantasy Land and Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Not to mention, Magic Kingdom is also home to lots of character meet and greets and the amazing fireworks display at the end of the night. Seeing the Castle lit up is a magical experience that the whole family can enjoy, and one of the highlights of any Disney trip. 

places to visit at disney world

Hollywood Studios 

Hollywood studios used to be considered among us Disney Goers as the ‘one day park’ because it was something that we could just hit up our favorite attractions and then catch dinner somewhere else on the resort. This is certainly not the case anymore though! 

If you follow Disney news at all, you’ll see that Hollywood Studios has been revamped lately to include Star Wars, Toy Story Land, Beauty and the Beast and the Disney Junior Characters.

places to visit at disney world

This is exciting news because it takes this park and gives it a much needed update. If you’ve never been (or it’s been a reallyyyyy long time) don’t bypass Hollywood Studios because of old reviews. This is definitely a park you want to visit for all your movie and TV needs!

Epcot is the infamous park that houses all the other countries. The park actually has two sections, Worlds Celebration, Nature and Discovery at the Front of the Park and World Showcase around the lake (it’s a giant circle). 

The World Showcase is where you’ll find many scenic views, easy going rides and of course, the eleven countries with authentic gifts and cuisine. I love to go on Date nights to “Britain” or “Japan”-  it’s so amazing that we can step into another country without leaving Disney! 

With few exceptions, the World Showcase doesn’t open up till 11 for shops and drinks, but you can catch the Shops, Attractions and Food at the front of the park when the park opens. Options like the Soarin’ ride, Finding Nemo, Mission: Space and Test Track are great ways to start the day (and Frozen in Norway plus Ratatouille in France open when the park does!)

places to visit at disney world

Epcot is also home to Festivals throughout the year. We have the Festival of the Arts to start the year, followed by the Flower and Garden Festival in the Spring and Early Summer. Then Food and Wine Festival in the Fall and The Festival of the Holidays to round out the year.

Animal Kingdom 

Animal Kingdom is where the animals are, seriously. With more than 500 acres and 1700 animals, it’s considered to be the largest theme park in the world! This makes for quite the adventure when it comes to planning your day as you won’t be able to see everything in one go. 

places to visit at disney world

There’s several sections to Animal Kingdom, the newest of which is the Pandora land based off the movie Avatar. Some of the other sections, which are called ‘lands’ include Asia, Africa, Dinoland, Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Discovery Island.

Since Animal Kingdom is so large, it’s good to plan for exactly one day here and still pick your ‘must see’ items! The Thrill rides here tend to fill up quickly, just like at the other parks (namely Avatar Flight of Passage and Everest, plus sometimes slower Family Fun rides like Navi River Journey and the Animal Safari)

Animal Kingdom generally opens earlier than most of the parks, and it’s a great park to ‘Rope Drop’ (or show up before it opens!). Then you can leave around Dinner time to another park, Disney Springs or eat at the Resort.

The Water Parks

Disney has two water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Both of these have lots of fun water activities with their own unique themes. 

Typhoon Lagoon is a tropical getaway filled with water rides the whole family can enjoy! It also features a kiddy play area and thrill rides for the older kids! 

Blizzard Beach takes a different spin on theming, think ski resort that has melted into summer water fun! Blizzard beach also has several options for everyone in the family, from kid sized water slides to one of the world’s tallest and fastest water rides!

Disney Springs 

Disney Springs was previously called Downtown Disney and if you look at old reviews or message boards it’s easy to get confused about where Downtown Disney went! 

It did get a major facelift and a new name. Most notably, it received lots of new parking, a slew of new stores (many of which are designer names) and several new restaurants.

Disney Springs is:

  • Free to Park at
  • Free to Enter
  • Normally low crowd, but crowded on Weekends, Holidays and High Crowd Park Days

Notable Entertainment Offerings at Disney World

I get this question from Disney Vacationers all the time- “What is there to do at Disney?”

There is SO MUCH to do at Disney World that you simply can’t do it all! What I wanted to do was break down the basics for you!

There’s lots of Characters at Disney

You can meet the characters a few different ways. 

  • 1.By going to the Character Meet and Greets inside the Parks, these are marked on the Map
  • 2.By Scheduling a Character Dining Experience.
  • 3. By purchasing a Special Event Ticket
  • 4. By stumbling upon an unmarked Character Meet and Greet
  • 5. By meeting Characters at the Resorts as they tour around to different locations daily

Some of the Characters you can meet in the parks are:

  • Mickey Mouse
  • Joy (Inside Out)
  • Donald Duck
  • Winnie the Pooh and Tiger
  • Tinker Bell
  • And SOOOO many more!

Character Dining is a great way to meet your favorite Pals! If you’re interested in how to meet characters without a ticket check out this helpful guide! 

places to visit at disney world

Disney LOVES parades. They have a parade for everything it seems like! They even have one when it RAINS!

Don’t forget that Disney World also has seasonal parades for Halloween and Christmas. They go all out with these, as typically they are only shown for a separate ticketed event (like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas)

Here’s some of the memorable ones you can expect at Magic Kingdom:

Main Street Trolley Show

This happens in the mornings at Magic Kingdom, kind of like their welcoming act to bring you into the park! It’s a very “Mary Poppins” themed show, and oh so cute! 

Disney Festival Of Fantasy Parade

Featured so many Favorites, catch this show on Main Street USA during the day. Typically you’ll find this show at 12 pm and 3 pm, but check the app for updated times during your trip.

FireWork and Nighttime Shows

You can find FireWorks Displays at three Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT!

At Magic Kingdom, you’ll get to see Happily Ever After, typically at 9pm. You can best see this is you can see the Castle, but I also enjoy the Fireworks without the Castle Display by hanging out in FantasyLand.

At Hollywood Studios, line up for Fantasmic, with shows typically starting at 9pm nightly. This is in a Theater, so you’ll need to head down Sunset Blvd and join the crowd to see this performance. There’s minor Fireworks during the Visual Display broadcasted on the Chinese Theater.

At EPCOT, gather around World Showcase for a fun Visual and Auditory Show that you can see all around the lake. It’s an easy watch, and generally low crowd.

Nightlife and Nighttime Activities at Disney

Some would say that I saved the best for last- and that is probably the case! If we were going to cover ALL of the options for entertainment after dark at Disney we would be here awhile. Let’s look at some of the favorites! 

Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs)

Disney is not just for kids! Especially Downtown Disney, which was built more with the adult in mind. You can shop and enjoy Dinner, then grab drinks on the water. 

You’ve got several options to choose from. One of the newest additions is The Edison, which has flapper style dancers, a DJ and music floor. The Hangar Bar has lots of games to play over drinks, and Paradiso 37 will have you dancing to Latin Music all night long! Bar hopping is another favorite, with almost 10 places to choose from it can be a fun weekend night! 

The BoardWalk

If you want to stay near the resorts, definitely check out the Disney BoardWalk. Not only is it absolutely picturesque in the evenings with live musicians and plenty of restaurants, but it also hosts some 21 and up venues. 

Jellyrolls is famous for their dueling piano competitions- truly a must see experience. Then you have a Dance Venue featuring hits from the 80s and 90s. 

Disney World Resorts

Now, let’s talk about the resorts. Disney World has 36 resort hotels on the grounds, 26 of which are owned and operated by Disney.

The Resorts are set up in a tier system. What this means is that each resort falls under one of three categories. The categories for the Walt Disney World Resorts are Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, and Deluxe. These tiers are based on the resorts sizes, amenities, transportation options and price. 

Value Resorts 

We’ll start with the Value Resorts. These are the least expensive of the Walt Disney Resorts but they don’t lack in magical experience!

They all have a dining area, stocked with various goodies (and yes, they accommodate allergies!) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the gift area sections they have the standard souvenirs like coffee cups and towels while they also have snacks and drinks. 

All of the Disney Value resorts have the usual conveniences you would expect at a Disney hotel. Mail, laundry, dry-cleaning, complimentary wi-fi, airline check-in, designated smoking areas, and ATMs. 

The Value Resorts also have some other amenities like the pools and a jogging trail. While the pools don’t have slides, they do have poolside activities that happen throughout the day. Other cool options for the value resorts are the indoor arcades and the playgrounds.

The two best perks of the Walt Disney World Resorts are the free transportation and the Extra Magic Hours. 

The transportation and extra magic hours are the main reason we stay at Disney so often even though we live right up the road! Because you really can’t go wrong with the list of amenities, the adorable themes and the perks of transportation and extra magic hours that you get by staying on-site at  the Disney World Value Resort hotels.

Moderate Resorts 

The next tier up is the Moderate Resorts and these are some of my favorites! The moderate resorts at Walt Disney World Resort provide some of the best options for the price. Plus the blend of affordability and amenities make Moderate Resorts a great options for most families.

While the Value Resorts focus more on cartoonish theming- The Moderate Resorts focus more on cultural themes. They offer all the amenities of the Value resorts with some nice additions! 

Disney’s Port Orleans offers horse-drawn carriage rides, bike rentals and catch-and-release fishing. Disney’s Caribbean Beach offers a pirates adventure cruise, bike rentals, sand volleyball and catch-and-release fishing. Disney’s Coronado Springs offers bike rentals and sand volleyball. They also have nicer themed room with queen sized beds (value resorts have the full sized beds). 

Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas

Staying at a Deluxe Resort is similar to the name, its where Disney goes above and beyond! These rooms tend to be a little bigger than most other rooms on the grounds, and they have more amenities. 

So you get all of the perks of the other tiers, with some nice additions like valet parking, higher quality dining on site and more recreation choices at the resort. This takes your Disney vacation from regular to extraordinary! 

My favorite part about staying at the Deluxe resorts is how much closer they are to the parks, and transportation also seems to move a lot faster from these resorts (maybe its in my head… but I do feel that way!). We tend to save the Deluxe Resorts for special occasions, like honeymoons, but we’ve taken the kids before and their were lots of other kids there too! 

The Deluxe Villas are similar to the resorts, but they sleep way more people! Most of these are also at a different location than the other Deluxe properties, but still full of the same amenities. 

Disney Resort Features 

So now that you have a general understanding of the what and where, let’s compare some of the basic features of all the resorts. 

The value resorts have double beds that sleep four, whereas the Moderate and Deluxe resorts have queen beds. King Sized beds can be found sprinkled throughout the resorts, you just have to hunt to find them! 

Food Options

The value and moderate resorts have food court style options- which is great for a large family of picky eaters, but the Deluxe resorts only have one quick service option that can be limiting on food choices. Both the Moderate and Deluxe have Table Dining options that help to add to the ambience of finer vacationing. Deluxe resorts also offer Signature and Character dining as part of their 5 star service.

Transportation 

For the most part, the value and moderate resorts only options are the buses. There are three moderate resorts that have the Water Taxi boat service and those are Ports Orleans Riverside, French Quarter and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. The Deluxe Resorts have several more transportation options, like the monorail, boat taxis and walking. You can also call a ‘Minnie Van’ from any of the resorts (and they come with two car seats!) You’ve got options! 

Every resort on Disney property has a pool (thank goodness, because Florida is hot!) but the types of pools differ across the tiers. 

The value pools are, well, value based (but your kids won’t mind, I promise!). They don’t have anything fancy besides some theming and poolside activities that Disney Cast members run. 

The moderate pools are absolutely a step up. Here the theming is top quality and you’ve got water slides!! 

So how can the Deluxe pools beat water slides? With even bigger water slides, of course! They also have more pool options to choose from, which limits the amount of loud rowdy teenagers you might run into on your afternoon swim. 

How far in advance should you book a Disney World trip?

As soon as possible! Disney Rooms can normally be book over a year in advance, and park reservations can be book 365 days in advance!

Is it cheaper to stay on Disney Property?

Honestly, most of the time, not really–though you can get some good deals with the value resorts, what you’re really paying for is convenience and the experience. There are definite perks, the biggest of which is being so close to the parks. You’ll have to decide what’s right for you and your family!

How much money should I bring to Disney World?

It kinda depends on your budget and how much you plan on eating at the Parks. A single person can easily spend 100 dollars on food and drink for one day at Disney World. Budgeting 150+ per person, per day for food, drinks plus a souvenir budget (like 100 per person for the trip) is reasonable.

So there you have it, folks, just about everything a beginner needs to know (and then some!) about planning their first trip to Disney World!

If you’re a first time Disney World visitor, I know it can be a little overwhelming, but remember that priority number one is to have fun! You’re not going to be able to do and see everything, so make a plan and let the good times roll!

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50 Things to Do in Orlando, Florida Beyond Disney’s Parks

places to visit at disney world

If you’re vacationing to Walt Disney World, there’s a good chance that’s all you’re doing. However, there’s a lot to do in Central Florida and Orlando outside of the Disney parks. This list takes a look at 50+ options for things to do near Walt Disney World, broken down in two categories: things at Walt Disney World that are outside of the parks, and things outside of Walt Disney World, completely.

The second half of this post consists of entirely non-Disney things to do in Central Florida. Many of these things we’ve done, while some remain on our bucket list. As we’ve been staying off-site more recently, we’ve begun to see Florida outside the parks. In so doing, we’ve realized just how many amazing things the state has to offer that we had missed out on during our past trips. We’ve started to spend time outside of Walt Disney World, but still not nearly enough.

Some of the Walt Disney World options we cover in our 1-Day No Parks Itinerary for Walt Disney World, and others are mentioned on our Free Things at Walt Disney World post. However, this time we wanted to present more options (there are several days’ worth of entertainment here, many of which are not free) without the constraints.

The current marketing might suggest otherwise with such an intense focus on the four main theme parks, but Walt Disney World is still the Vacation Kingdom of the World with myriad entertainment options outside of the parks. I don’t have any way of proving this (and I doubt you have any way of disproving it, so I guess we’re at an impasse!), but I think you could spend a few months at Walt Disney World without going to the parks, and still keeping things fresh. As far as vacation destinations go, that’s pretty impressive.

Here are some highlights–consider this a work in progress as we discover other possibilities (perhaps through your feedback?) and try to fill a full year outside of the parks! 😉

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Electrical Water Pageant — A little light parade on Bay Lake outside the Magic Kingdom that runs as follows: 9 p.m. at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, 9:15 p.m. at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, 9:30 p.m. at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, 9:45 p.m. at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, and 10 p.m. at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Fireworks — The best place to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks is from the Ticket & Transportation Center, near the ferry entrance. The Halloween and Christmas party tickets are expensive, making this is a great way to watch those shows for free. The BoardWalk is a good spot to view Epcot’s IllumiNations fireworks, too.

Miniature Golf – Winter Summerland and Fantasia Gardens are themed miniature golf courses at Walt Disney World that each have 18 holes. Not that we are mini-golf aficionados or anything, but these are the two nicest courses we’ve ever seen, with fun Disney details and obstacles, and well-maintained courses. Admission here is included with some ticket and vacation packages, but even out of pocket it’s fairly inexpensive.

Golf – Disney’s Palm, Magnolia, and Lake Buena Vista gold courses are championship-caliber 18-hole courses. Oak Trail is a 9-hole course aimed at intermediate and beginner players. Get even more out of your day by taking advantage of their (surprisingly) reasonably-priced “ Sunrise 9 ,” which includes 9 holes of golf plus breakfast and a beer.

Tennis Lessons – Several courts have clay and/or hard courts for tennis, lessons from a professional are actually available (for a fee, naturally) at the Grand Floridian.

Spa Day – From the priciest options at the Grand Floridian or Four Seasons, to more affordable options in the Wyndham, Hyatt, and other third party hotels, there are a surprising number of spa options available in and around Walt Disney World. (I guess a lot of people need some tension relief after a busy day in Magic Kingdom!)

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Monorail Bar Crawl – For us, the monorail is a great “attraction,” and riding it around the resort loop is a relaxing and fun activity…and even more fun when you’re drunk! ‘Suit up’ or dress down for a crawl of the Magic Kingdom Deluxe Resort bars & lounges, riding the Highway in the Sky between stops.

Surrey Bike Rental – Explore your resort hotel with your group by pedaling your way around on a surrey bike. These are popular around the Crescent Lake Resorts (watch out for the big hill over by Yacht Club!), but several other resorts have them as well. They are especially useful for exploring spread out areas, like the Port Orleans resorts.

Go Running – Don’t have any friends? Explore your resort by foot instead of on a surrey bike. I prefer this option, especially in the pre-sunrise hours when the weather is cool and there’s a crisp dew in the air. Most resorts having dedicated running paths (my favorites are at the Poly/Grand Floridian and Caribbean Beach).

places to visit at disney world

Water Parks – I don’t write enough posts about them, but I love Typhoon Lagoon ( here’s our guide to it ) and Blizzard Beach ( read our guide to it ). I’d go as far as to say that Typhoon Lagoon is the only park at Walt Disney World that still executes perfectly on its theme (and Blizzard Beach is still close behind). Both are must-dos, in my book. If I were a local, I think I could spend the better part of my summer in the Typhoon Lagoon wave pool and lazy river. Along those same lines…

Private Surfing – If you want more of a unique experience, try surfing at Typhoon Lagoon . There are lessons (for beginners) or private sessions (for experienced surfers) that are held prior to park opening. While pricey, these are very limited in size (12-25 people), so it’s an intimate experience.

Bass Fishing Excursions – If you’d rather spend your time on the water pulling animals out of it than being the animal in it, consider a 2-hour guided bass fishing trip. They depart from any of the resorts with a marina, and all tours include reels, bait, and beverages.

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Disney Springs – This area has made significant strides as it has transformed from Downtown Disney to Disney Springs. After Pleasure Island closed, it was a place we ignored for several years, but that has all changed in the last couple of years. New restaurants like Morimoto Asia and The Boathouse are seriously good, and other venues like the Edison and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar offer bona-fide nightlife options.

Parasailing – Ever since seeing publicity shots when I was a kid, I’ve wanted to go parasailing at Walt Disney World. Now, the idea of unique aerial photos has me even more intrigued. Waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing and personal watercraft rental are all also available at Disney’s Contemporary Resort via Sammy Duvall’s.

Art Classes — Disney’s Art of Animation Resort offers free drawing classes that are open to any Walt Disney World resort hotel guests. These classes currently occur at 11 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm.

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Horseback Riding – If you are a fan of “doing things,” Fort Wilderness is a great resort for you. The next several entries on the list are all options available there. The first of these is horseback riding, available at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch. (You can also see a free little exhibit about horses there, pictured above.)

Fort Wilderness Archery Experience – File this under “things I can’t believe they still do.” Don’t get me wrong…it sounds like an awesome activity for kids , it just seems surprising that modern day Walt Disney World would still offer something like this. Then again, there are a lot of pleasant little surprises like this at Fort Wilderness.

Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-Along – A nightly campfire show at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, and is the only free way of meeting the characters outside the parks (to our knowledge). Port Orleans Riverside and Animal Kingdom Lodge also have nightly campfires with storytellers, albeit no character.

Wilderness Back Trail Adventure – Continuing the list of “fun things to do that you might not know exist at Fort Wilderness” is this guided tour on a Segway X2 (that’s the off-road edition) through rough trails of the resort. Training comes first, presumably so you don’t Segway right into the lake or something.

Christmas Sleigh Rides – Yet another option at Fort Wilderness is a Christmas sleigh ride that offers excursions through the “ unspoiled beauty of the woodlands ” surrounding Fort Wilderness. Or, maybe you can elect to go through the unspoiled beauty of the RVs decked out in festive lights and campsites filled with majestic, inflatable Christmas decor. (Port Orleans also offers carriage rides, year-round.)

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Boat Rides — Few things are as peaceful as a Friendship boat ride around Crescent Lake or a Sassagoula River Cruise from Old Key West to Disney Springs. While these are technically transportation (just like the monorail), they are a fun and relaxing way to see Walt Disney World by water…and get from point A to point B.

Pirate Cruises – There are several pirate cruise options departing from different exotic “Ports of Call” (read: Disney hotels), and they’re all for kids aged 4-12 (no adults) and offer an opportunity to search for treasure.

Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage – We assume no adults are allowed on the pirate cruises because they are so unbelievably cheesy that no one over the age of 8 could possibly enjoy them. A good alternative might be this fireworks cruise, which is themed to pirates and offers something more entertaining for the entire family.

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IllumiNations Cruise – An alternative to that doing a private IllumiNations Cruise on a pontoon that accommodates up to 10 guests, plus a drive. The pontoon has a canopy, and drink holders…but no pirate entertainment, which is sort of a deal-breaker, in my opinion.

DVC Tour – Not for those who have trouble saying “no” or are prone to impulse buys, but we found the Disney Vacation Club tour to be very enjoyable (~2 hour tour) and nothing like other high-pressure timeshare sales pitches. To be sure, y ou absolutely should read about the pros & cons of buying DVC before taking the plunge , but it’s a fun experience…and ends with free ice cream. (We should’ve led with the free ice cream bit–what matters besides that?!)

Restaurant Tours — The restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offer free 30-minute tours focusing on the culinary selections and architecture.

Resort Tours — “The Wonders of Wilderness Lodge” tour is a free tour open to any Disney resort-hotel guest, and it details the inspiration of Wilderness Lodge and its many details. At present, tours are also offered of Animal Kingdom Lodge, BoardWalk, and perhaps other Deluxe Resorts(?). Check with your hotel front desk for times and availability.

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Signature Dining – Some of Walt Disney World’s best restaurants are in the resort hotels, including Yachtsman Steakhouse and California Grill. If you really want to TREAT YO SELF, go all out and do Victoria & Albert’s . Totally worth the money for a special occasion.

Dine with an Imagineer – The more well-known version of this occurs at the Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios every day at lunch, but on select evenings, you can dine with an Imagineer at Citricos for dinner.

Afternoon Tea – The Garden View Lounge at the Grand Floridian offers a high-brow afternoon tea service. Sarah has been keen on doing this for a while, so it’s on our shortlist of things to do soon. For kids and less sophisticated adults, the Wonderland Tea Party and My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party are also options.

Character Dining – Want to knock out something you might otherwise spend time doing in the parks on one of your non-park days? Try a character breakfast (or dinner at some spots) in the hotels! Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary, ‘Ohana at the Polynesian, Cape May Cafe at Beach Club (our favorite), and 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian are all options.

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Animal Viewing — Grab a seat on the balcony outside the lobby of Animal Kingdom Lodge or walk outside and watch the animals. Cast Members who are knowledgeable about various species can share information, and it’s a relaxing experience, especially around sunset.

Hula-tainment – The Spirit of Aloha at the Polynesian is one of two dinner show options at Walt Disney World. The other, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is far more popular (and another show I loved growing up), but it seems like half this list is things at Fort Wilderness, so it gets second billing here.

Movies Under the Stars — Most Walt Disney World resort hotels hold an outdoor screening of a Disney film each night that is free to attend if you’re a hotel guest. Weekly schedules are available at the front desk of your hotel. Disney Vacation Club members can also rent DVDs from their resort for free. Not quite as unique of an experience as Movies Under the Stars, though.

Self-Guided Yuletide Tour – The “ Self-Guided Yuletide Tour ” is something we made up as a way to kill a morning before Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (and not waste a day of park admission!), and it has been quite popular with readers wanting to do the same.

BoardWalk Entertainment – Particularly on weekends and during busier times of year, the BoardWalk comes alive with jugglers, acrobats, and other entertainment. Stroll along the BoardWalk and enjoy this entertainment after dinner (a meal of fine cupcakes at BoardWalk Bakery is as good as it gets!).

Near Walt Disney World

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Universal Orlando Resort – We’ve been visiting Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure with regularity for the past few years, and really enjoy both of these parks. Although we’ve yet to do it, Volcano Bay water park also looks pretty cool now that it’s gotten past its first-year hiccups. For first timers to Orlando, we’d (potentially) go as far as recommending either (or both) parks over a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios until Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge construction is finished.

For more tips on visiting, read our Universal Orlando Trip Planning Guide . Other popular parks, including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Legoland Florida don’t make the list because they don’t hold much interest for us, personally. (Although I’d love to revisit Busch Gardens, I’m interested in the Williamsburg version.) Also, it doesn’t make sense to have a list of things “outside the parks” include a ton of other theme parks.

Discovery Cove – With a more intimate experience than SeaWorld, Animal Kingdom, or just about anywhere else, for that matter, Discovery Cove is intriguing. Much of that intrigue is killed for us by the price (and I’d rather swim with manatees), but this remains a ‘someday’ item for us.

Bioluminescent Kayak Tours – Tired of waiting in line for Pandora’s N’avi River Journey? There’s already a bioluminescent boat ride in Central Florida. These nighttime kayak tours through Indian River Lagoon sound really fascinating (and potentially gorgeous) to us.

places to visit at disney world

Madame Tussauds Orlando – This one definitely is not for everyone. I’ll admit that I don’t really “get” the appeal of this place, but cannot deny that I know others who have had a blast here. I also cannot deny the quality of the work. Each Madame Tussauds wax figure is truly a work of art, involving teams of professional artists and sculptors who spend months on extensive research. From that perspective, I have to give props to Madame Tussauds, even if I have no desire to go back. Your mileage may vary.

Orlando Magic Game – I remember becoming a fair-weather fan of the Magic as a child in the 90s as Shaq-mania swept Florida during our vacations. I had largely forgotten about that until recently watching ESPN 30 for 30’s “This Magic Moment” (highly recommended for Disney fans, even those who don’t like the NBA–it’s streaming on Netflix).

Dinosaur World – We recently lamented the lackluster showing of dinosaurs in Walt Disney World and other theme parks. Dinosaur World Florida doesn’t do much to reverse that trend, but it is a neat low-budget place to explore and wander through a forested park.

Coca-Cola Orlando Eye – The butt of jokes when it first opened for its views of nothing in particular, the Orlando Eye “observation wheel” is nonetheless the tallest observation wheel on the East Coast of the United States.

places to visit at disney world

Disney Character Warehouse Outlets – I cannot stand outlet malls (95%+ sucker customers into thinking they are getting deals on inferior products), but the Disney Character Warehouse outlets are an exception to this in that they are actual clearance centers for items that didn’t sell in the parks at a significant discount. Some of the merchandise is there for a reason, but there are some real gems to be found, too. For reasons unknown, Derek Burgan does a monthly report on the Disney outlets that offers a glimpse of the good, bad, and ugly sold at these outlets.

Zipline – I’ve never gone ziplining, and although I’m really intrigued by the experience, I’m also worried of a “that was it?” feeling afterwards. Forever Florida’s zipline “course” that combines multiple lines along with sky bridges seems like a good way around that feeling.

Airboat on Lake Tohopekalgia – If it’s my time to go, I want it to happen during a quintessential FloridaMan experience: while my toothless airboat guide fights a gator over a can of Busch Light. This has been something I’ve wanted to do for a while–as crazy as it might seem, it also sounds pretty exhilarating.

places to visit at disney world

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort – We did our first stay at Vero Beach in January 2018, and absolutely fell in love with this tranquil seaside resort. It has all of the charm and character of the resorts built during the Disney Decade (think BoardWalk or Beach Club) plus the actual beach. It’s a real winner.

Kennedy Space Center – I was hardly deprived as a kid, as we regularly visited National Parks and Walt Disney World, but one thing I always wanted to do–but never did–was Space Camp. A recent visit to the Space Shuttle Endeavour reminded me that we still haven’t seen Kennedy Space Center as adults, which seems borderline criminal given how much we are in Florida.

Wekiwa Springs State Park – From birding to hiking 13 miles of trails to swimming in a 72-degree spring to wildlife viewing, it seems like Wekiwa Springs checks off several boxes in showcasing the natural world of Florida. After seeing so much of the developed side of things, I’m curious to see more of this.

We headed to Blue Spring State Park since it’s about half the distance of Crystal River, and we were floored by what we saw. It was a chilly day, which is the prime time for manatee-watching as the sea cows seek warmth in spring water, and there were 308 manatees counted that day. Above is the video we posted of them on our non-Disney Facebook page for TravelCaffeine.com .

With Crystal River being fairly remote (nearly 2 hours) from Walt Disney World, it’s about the farthest spot on our list of things we want to see and do in Central Florida. There are a lot of things worthwhile things to do in Florida that we’ve left off the list. For example, I still haven’t done Everglades National Park (4 hours from WDW), Dry Tortugas National Park, or Biscayne National Park. Visiting the Florida Keys would also be high on my list. And, of course, going on a Skunk Ape Hunting Expedition is something on everyone’s bucket list…right?!

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

Your Thoughts

Anything else you’d recommend doing outside of the parks at Walt Disney World or in nearby Central Florida? Anything you would recommend not doing? Do you agree or disagree with our tips? Share any questions, tips, or additional thoughts you have in the comments!

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Written by Tom Bricker

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As a native Floridian (South Florida), I really appreciate you highlighting some of the other things to do in Central Florida. I do love Disney, always have, but it’s nice for people to see that there’s more to Florida than just WDW. We have a TON to offer here. Thanks.

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The best restaurants at Disney World in 2024

Summer Hull

Editor's Note

Even surrounded by Disney magic, you've still got to eat.

At Walt Disney World , mealtime can range from quick burgers and fries to an entirely immersive experience that transports you across the globe — or even into space. It's not uncommon to spend as much time strategizing about where to eat at Disney as which attractions to ride. That's certainly our approach.

When you visit Disney World, you'll need to think of dining in two separate categories: meals at regular restaurants that serve as a way to fuel up before getting back to the action, and meals at one-of-a-kind venues that also count as entertainment, as a way to try foods from around the world or even as a way to see characters or shows without crowds.

Once your kids know they can eat in space or that Mickey, Minnie or the princesses can join them for dinner, you may have to choose between a budget-friendly meal and creating lasting memories during a pretty pricey dining excursion.

However, not all Disney food — and dining experiences — are created equal. Here are the options worth fitting into your next Disney World vacation, whether you're aiming for something affordable, upscale or full of special Disney moments.

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Best Disney restaurants

Best disney world restaurant: takumi-tei.

The best restaurant both in Epcot and at Disney World is Takumi-Tei . It wins for not only the quality of the food but the refined service, unique atmosphere and memorable experience that will leave you in disbelief that you are still in Central Florida.

There are only two options here, both of which are inspired by traditional omakase meals: a plant-based menu for $150 per person and one with meat for $250 per person. Children younger than 8 aren't allowed, and both menus take between two and three hours to enjoy, so plan accordingly and savor your brief escape to Japan.

places to visit at disney world

Related: The best Disney World hotels for your next magical stay

Best restaurant at Epcot for guests of all ages: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

Don't worry, we aren't going to only list restaurants that cost hundreds of dollars. While Takumi-Tei takes our top spot on this list, we'll add another great Epcot option that is more affordable and welcomes all guests: Via Napoli.

In the heart of the Italy section of Epcot's World Showcase, this long-standing favorite may have slipped a notch since reopening, but it still features legitimate Italian food that would pass muster in New York City's Little Italy.

The prices are reasonable by Disney standards, with most entrees costing no more than $30. Pizzas are more expensive than you might hope (the large, shown below, was $44.50), but they're good for sharing, as a large can serve a family of three or four. The Piccante Pizza with added pepperoni (which costs $24 to $50, depending on the size you pick) is a tasty choice.

places to visit at disney world

Best restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios: The Hollywood Brown Derby

This Hollywood Studios replica of the California icon has an air-conditioned dining room that's an ideal lunchtime escape from the Florida heat.

Service here isn't always fast, and the prices aren't cheap, but it is a glorious way to fill up while getting a legitimate break from the park. The Cobb salad ($25) is a classic, and you can't go wrong with the filet mignon served with horseradish cream and peppercorn sauce ($49).

places to visit at disney world

Best restaurant at the Magic Kingdom: Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen

Unless what you're after is an expensive character meal, there's no better sit-down restaurant in the Magic Kingdom than Skipper Canteen. This claim is especially true if you enjoy both the Jungle Cruise ride and slightly more adventurous eating than stereotypical theme park fare like burgers and fries.

On the lunch and dinner menus, you'll find dishes such as Falls Family Falafel ($12) and "Tastes Like Chicken" Because It Is! ($28), sweet chili-glazed fried chicken served with jasmine rice and seasonal vegetables. There's also a sustainable fish course featuring Asian flavors for $32.

If you like spicy noodle dishes, Skipper Dan's Dan Dan Noodles ($28), a noodle dish topped with crispy pork, vegetables and a spicy chili sauce, is unlike anything else you'll find in the Magic Kingdom.

places to visit at disney world

Best restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom: Tusker House Restaurant

This was a tough call, but we'll give Tusker House the slight edge over Tiffins Restaurant, another Animal Kingdom favorite, as Tusker House gives you the chance to see characters in unique, cool costumes.

Tusker House currently has a set menu for its safari-themed character dining option. It's a bit pricey at $62 per adult and $40 per child, plus taxes and tip, for lunch and dinner (or $47 per adult and $30 per child, excluding taxes and tip, for breakfast), but you get a lot of food — as in, far too much for one person.

Your meal comes with salad and bread plates (with hummus and mango chutney) as starters; a large sampler of Moroccan-spiced beef, curry shrimp, spit-roasted herb chicken and marinated pork (plus sides) for your entree; and a dessert trio platter. The shrimp-and-rice dish was easily the best of the entrees, but the entire meal was tasty.

To accompany your meal, you can enjoy an assortment of cocktails, from safari-themed drinks such as a Tikiti Punch to traditional drinks like a Moscow mule, beer, wine and cider for an extra cost.

places to visit at disney world

Best quick-service meal: Satuli Canteen

Quick service at its Disney-fied finest, this mess hall is next to Avatar Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom.

The fast-casual spot's beef, chicken and fish bowls (which cost between $13.29 and $17.99 per bowl) make for a great lunch or dinner that's quick, cheap and healthy. As an added bonus, there's also a selection of wine and beer, should you wish to wind down after the Avatar experience.

If you save room for dessert, order the spherical blueberry cream cheese mousse ($5.79). It's easily a highlight of the entire menu.

places to visit at disney world

Related: How to eat healthy at Disney World

Best really fancy meal: Victoria & Albert's

If you want to savor the best award-winning food at Disney World while celebrating a special occasion like a major anniversary, a milestone birthday or an epic celebration, head to the posh Victoria & Albert's restaurant in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa . Just don't expect to roll in straight from the parks; this is an upscale venue with a strict dress code.

Children younger than 10 aren't permitted here, and you should expect to spend several hundred dollars on a multicourse tasting meal for two — surpassing $1,000 is common if you and your dining companion decide to include wine pairings. Book the chef's table to watch the kitchen team prepare your incredible meal.

places to visit at disney world

Related: How to save money by renting Disney Vacation Club points

Best lounge meal: Nomad Lounge

If you want a nice daytime break while at Animal Kingdom, there's no better place than Nomad Lounge. In fact, it's arguably worth visiting the park on its own.

Located right before you enter Pandora — The World of Avatar, Nomad Lounge is the absolute best place for a snack if you like items that are a bit more worldly and flavorful. Though it can easily take an hour or more to have your turn come up on the walk-up waitlist, you'll be rewarded handsomely once inside (or on the patio).

Nomad Lounge favorites include the bread service from the connected Tiffins Restaurant ($16), the sliders with amazing yucca fries ($15) and the churros ($10). The menu items are all shareable, so you and your group can try several things without filling up too much in the middle of the day.

places to visit at disney world

Best street treats

While there are a bunch of excellent snacking options around the parks and resorts, if you're looking for the best street treat at Disney World, there's one that reigns supreme: the Dole Whip.

What's Dole Whip? It's a pineapple-flavored soft-serve concoction that you can add pineapple juice to ... if you're smart. On a hot day, this refreshing treat (which starts at $5.99 for a cup) is perfection.

places to visit at disney world

At Disney World, you can get your Dole Whip just beyond the Magic Kingdom's Magic Carpets of Aladdin at Aloha Isle. You can also find Dole Whip in Animal Kingdom at Tamu Tamu Refreshments — adding a shot of alcohol to the treat is an option here — and at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort just behind the main building as you head toward the pool.

If you want to change things up, Disney now offers some other flavors, including raspberry, strawberry, lime and mango. Of the newer flavors, we're big fans of the coconut version, though you can never go wrong with the original.

places to visit at disney world

Gideon's Bakehouse cookies

If you're a cookie person, the hottest thing on the Disney block is the half-pound, freshly baked cookies from Gideon's Bakehouse in Disney Springs. These cookies are massive and decadent, and they come in a variety of craveable flavors.

On the regular menu, you'll find the original chocolate chip cookie ($6) plus peanut butter crunch ($6), triple chocolate chip ($6) and a few other more exclusive, limited-time flavors that can, and do, sell out early in the day. A selection of cake slices, cookies dipped in chocolate and cold brews is available as well.

If you want one or more of these cookies (you can only purchase up to six at a time), plan on joining the virtual queue as soon as you get to Disney Springs by going to Gideon's and adding your number to the list. There's usually an hour or two of virtual waiting required before you need to wait 10 to 20 minutes in a physical line to get your goodies. The cutoff to get in the virtual queue is sometimes a few hours before closing, so you'll want to join the line before 7 p.m. to have a good shot at cookie bliss.

places to visit at disney world

If you ask us, the best food within Hollywood Studios' Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is undoubtedly a grab-and-go wrap from Ronto Roasters.

There are two versions of the tasty Ronto Wrap (both around $14), which features grilled pork sausage wrapped in a warm pita. The breakfast version (the superior option) adds eggs and cheese, while the original comes with peppercorn sauce, roasted pork and slaw. (Note that there's a vegan sausage option, too.)

places to visit at disney world

It isn't always open, but if you're hungry and see a line forming at the egg roll cart at the entrance to Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom, you'd be wise to join the queue.

Here, you can get two egg rolls in flavors such as pepperoni pizza, cheeseburger and buffalo chicken. That may sound a little weird, but each version tastes amazing. You'll pay $9.50 for your choice of two egg rolls.

places to visit at disney world

Best Disney character dining experiences

Best character meal at the magic kingdom: cinderella's royal table.

This is an expensive meal, but it is well worth the high price tag, as you and your kids will get to dine in the castle with all their favorite Disney princesses.

Breakfast here is the cheaper option, costing $69 per adult and $42 per child. Lunch and dinner are a little more expensive at $84 for adults and $49 for kids, but during these service times, you'll enjoy much better food selections, including braised chicken with fettuccine, a Castle Salad that combines romaine with Brussels sprouts and a seasonal cheesecake.

places to visit at disney world

Best character brunch: Topolino's Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera

Cinderella has a run for her slipper in the top spot because Topolino's Terrace offers an equally memorable character brunch at the top of Disney's Riviera Resort with top-notch service, delicious food and some pretty famous characters in unforgettable costumes. Plus, you don't have to pay park admission to dine here.

The breakfast at Topolino's Terrace features a pastry basket, juice, coffee and an entree from a menu geared toward adults or kids. For adults, the selection includes smoked salmon, avocado toast, sour cream waffles and a wild mushroom scramble, all of which cost $49 each. Meanwhile, kids 9 and younger can choose from $30 options such as fruit and yogurt, Mickey waffle dippers and scrambled eggs.

The food is consistently tasty, but it's the characters that really set this dining experience apart. Minnie, Mickey, Daisy and Donald don their finest Mediterranean outfits and are introduced with music that is very fun and unique to this spot.

places to visit at disney world

Best character meal at Epcot: Garden Grill Restaurant

Located in Epcot's Living with the Land Pavilion, the Garden Grill Restaurant doesn't look all that interesting or impressive at first glance. In fact, for years, we just walked right past it. However, now that we've tried it, we suggest giving it a shot, especially if you're after some relaxing time with classic characters.

Priced at $62 for adults and $40 for kids for lunch and dinner (or $47 for adults and $30 for kids for breakfast), the all-you-care-to-enjoy Chip 'n' Dale Harvest Feast features a family-style platter with options like barbecue chicken, seasonal veggies, grilled beef, salad, macaroni and cheese, bread and more. The restaurant physically rotates, and at times, you can see scenes from the Living with the Land ride, which is where some of the ingredients may have been grown.

While the food here is solid, the characters steal the show. As you dine at your booth, Chip, Dale, Mickey and Pluto make regular visits.

places to visit at disney world

Best character meal for tweens and teens: Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

One of the newer character meals at Disney World is also one of the best.

Found at Disney's Wilderness Lodge (meaning you don't need a park ticket to visit), the full three-course meal at Artist Point goes well beyond burgers and fries. Menu options include a shrimp cocktail starter, sustainably sourced fish with risotto and a truly amazing vegetarian dish with asparagus, leeks, arugula and gnocchi. Additionally, you'll have four included desserts to choose from, ranging from a "poison" apple to a cookies and cream panna cotta with chocolate gems.

The main draw, though, is the meet-and-greet with the Evil Queen herself. Keep your eyes peeled for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, too, as they're known to wander around the dining room.

places to visit at disney world

Best all-you-care-to-enjoy meal

If you're looking to indulge while on vacation but don't want to sit for a traditional character meal, then consider grabbing dinner at Ohana. An all-you-care-to-enjoy venue at the iconic Polynesian Village Resort , Ohana has been popular for a long time ... and for good reason.

At $62 for adults and $40 for kids, dinner at Ohana is an investment in both calories and cash. However, it's a must-do for any foodie, especially if you love the restaurant's Ohana noodles, signature bread, pork dumplings, bread pudding and more as much as we do.

Aim to time your meal around the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom so you can enjoy them from the dining room, which plays music set to the spectacle. Save time for a pre- or post-meal tiki cocktail at Trader Sam's for an epic (and delicious) evening outside the parks.

Pro tip: If you don't want the whole Ohana spread, you can get the noodles, pot stickers and bread pudding a la carte next to the restaurant at Tambu Lounge.

places to visit at disney world

Best outdoor meals at Disney

The boathouse.

A fantastic outdoor dining experience, this waterfront Disney Springs restaurant is an ideal spot to savor some fresh seafood.

Start your meal with the exceptional honey butter rolls (which are complimentary and worthy of the trip all on their own), then fill up on seafood dishes like crabcakes ($32.50), tuna poke ($19.75) and macaroni and cheese with shrimp and andouille ($25). If you're not into seafood, don't fret: The cheeseburger ($19) and Yacht Club club sandwich ($22), both of which come with tasty fries, are also hits.

places to visit at disney world

Related: The best restaurants for outdoor dining at Disney World

Geyser Point Bar & Grill

Overlooking Bay Lake at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, the open-air Geyser Point lounge is a walk-in spot well worth visiting, even if there's a wait to get in.

Menu items range from chicken wings in a teriyaki glaze ($15) to a bison cheeseburger topped with bacon ($23). A mix of cocktails is available, too, should you wish to imbibe after a busy day in the parks.

places to visit at disney world

Best dinner show

Hoop-dee-doo musical revue.

If you like laugh-until-your-belly-hurts kind of fun, this is the restaurant for you. If the laughing doesn't make your belly ache, then the all-you-can-enjoy fried chicken and fixings will do the trick.

This dinner show at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort is a Disney classic and a ton of fun for kids and adults, as long as you like singing along to American classics and laughing at corny jokes. The strawberry shortcake and bottomless sangria, wine and beer are additional reasons why you should check out this lively venue.

While prices vary depending on where you sit, expect to pay $66 to $74 per adult and $39 to $44 per child.

places to visit at disney world

Pro tip: If what you really want is your fix of the same fried chicken, cornbread and strawberry shortcake, you can get a full family meal deal that can feed up to four people for about $35 next door at Fort Wilderness at the Trail's End quick-service restaurant.

Honorable mentions

Roundup rodeo bbq.

If you are at Hollywood Studios and need a serious protein refuel with a side of childhood nostalgia, there's one clear winner: Roundup Rodeo BBQ.

Disney World's newest restaurant opened within Toy Story Land in the spring of 2023. It may not have character meet-and-greets or live entertainment (though there are voiceovers that occasionally yell that Andy is coming), but it's a cute addition to the park and serves a ton of mouthwatering food.

For $45 per adult and $25 per kid, you get an all-you-care-to-eat selection of meats, appetizers and desserts. On top of the beef brisket, smoked ribs, pork sausage and barbecue chicken that come standard with the meat platter, you have your choice of four can't-miss sides, such as macaroni and cheese, baked beans, loaded tater tots and fried pickles. As an added bonus, all tables get an order of homemade biscuits served with outrageously good sweet pepper jelly.

places to visit at disney world

Space 220 Restaurant

A newer addition to Epcot , Space 220 virtually transports diners 220 miles above Earth for a meal in "space."

While "dining in space," you can enjoy items like the Starry Calamari, the Galactic Miso Salmon, the Gemini Burger and the Spaceghetti & Shrimp, all of which are options within the multicourse, prix fixe menu that costs $55 at lunch and $79 at dinner for adults, and $29 for kids at either service. Extras like sides, desserts and alcoholic beverages (all with space-appropriate names) are available as well.

Although the food is solid (albeit pricey), the highlight of the experience is the feeling of blasting off and then dining above Earth. As you eat, you'll be able to spot ships and space tourists passing by the windows, an experience you won't get anywhere else at Disney World.

Pro tip: If you can't quite swing the high price or lack the time required for a multicourse meal, visit the lounge or bar to see if a walk-up spot or reservation is available. These high-demand options are a great way to get a taste of the experience for less.

places to visit at disney world

Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Yak & Yeti is both a sit-down and quick-service venue in Animal Kingdom, with the quick-service window offering a stripped-down version of the menu available inside.

Though Yak & Yeti isn't cheap, with main dishes starting at $21.49, the pan-Asian cuisine is quite good, making it one of our favorites at Animal Kingdom. The decor mimics what you'd expect to find while eating in a Nepalese market.

To keep your total check affordable, order one of the shareable plates like the ahi tuna nachos ($21.99). The portion size is plenty for two or more people.

Regal Eagle Smokehouse

Regal Eagle is a newer kid on Epcot's block.

Nestled within the American Adventure Pavilion in the space that previously housed the Liberty Inn, the eatery features a variety of barbecue plates and draft beers. However, unlike the barbecue spot in Toy Story Land, this option only offers a la carte items, which makes a meal cheaper and easier to share.

Purists hailing from barbecue meccas like central Texas won't necessarily fall in love with the fare, but the barbecue is good and a solid value (especially by Disney standards) for families, with entrees such as Kansas City Smoked Half-Chicken served with Texas Toast and a side of your choice clocking in at less than $15.

places to visit at disney world

The Crystal Palace

On the way to Adventureland from Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom, this buffet restaurant offers good food and a few characters from the Hundred Acre Wood. Some even say the food at Crystal Palace is better than what's available at Cinderella's Royal Table.

places to visit at disney world

Dishes you'll find here during lunch and dinner include seasonal salads, fried chicken covered in gravy, shrimp Creole and a dessert platter. While alcoholic drinks cost extra, all of the buffet's food is part of the set pricing of $61 per adult and $40 per child.

places to visit at disney world

To save a little money, skip the lunch and dinner service in favor of breakfast, which costs $48 per adult and $30 per child. The morning buffet features numerous breakfast staples, including yogurt, eggs, pastries and Mickey waffles, but it's known for one very special dish that you can't find anywhere else at Disney World – churro Mickey waffles. These waffles are covered in a crisp cinnamon-and-sugar coating that will have you making multiple return trips to the buffet.

places to visit at disney world

While you dine, Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eyeore will make their way to your table for photos, hugs and autographs. You'll also receive a postcard with all of their signatures to take home with you.

Oga's Cantina

Oga's Cantina, the "Star Wars"-themed bar inside Hollywood Studios' Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, is really light on actual food items. However, the experience is so over-the-top and unique we had to include it on this list.

You're not really here for the food or even the quality of the drinks. Instead, you come to see DJ R-3X spin tunes and interact with the bartenders, who are in full costume and character. The vibe will turn even the most anti-"Star Wars" person into a smiling participant.

Make a reservation if you want to visit, even if just for a drink, as this spot gets very busy. Try the Fuzzy Tauntaun ($18.50) for a fun sensation.

places to visit at disney world

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Cool and atmospheric, this restaurant is on a less-traveled walkway in Hollywood Studios. You can dine in your own "car" while watching old movies. Better yet, let your kids have their own car so you can eat in relative peace.

The menu is a la carte, ranging from hamburgers to pasta to salads. It's fairly easy to stay on budget here, especially if you share, as each entree costs $19 to $30.

The old movie clips shown aren't likely to hold your kids' attention, and the food isn't always the star of the show, but it's still a cool experience to try at least once, especially given how much the cast members really get into their roles.

places to visit at disney world

Rose & Crown Dining Room

This Epcot take on British fare serves as a convenient spot to enjoy an authentic plate of fish and chips ($28) or bangers and mash ($25) without hopping across the pond.

If you can't or don't want to sit down, there's a to-go counter next to Rose & Crown that's often open to serve the classics to those on the run. But if you aren't in a hurry, make a reservation at Rose & Crown and enjoy the ambience while noshing on pub grub.

places to visit at disney world

California Grill

If you want an upscale Disney dinner that's not quite as fancy (or expensive) as Victoria & Albert's, try California Grill.

The check-in desk is on the second floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort , but the actual dining room resides on the 15th floor. This elevated location — which enforces a dress code, though it's not as strict as Victoria & Albert's — gives patrons phenomenal views of the sunset and nightly fireworks at the Magic Kingdom and surrounding resorts.

Currently, California Grill is a multicourse dining experience that costs $89 for adults and $39 for kids. Expect fresh foods inspired by the Pacific coast, such as sushi and sashimi, goat cheese ravioli, oak-fired Angus filet and fire-roasted venison on the menu.

places to visit at disney world

Related: How much does a Disney World vacation cost?

Steakhouse 71

Newer to Walt Disney World is Steakhouse 71, another dining venue inside the Contemporary Resort . This restaurant, which replaces The Wave, ties its menu and stories back to the roots of Walt Disney and the opening of Disney World in 1971.

Menu standouts here are the sea salt-dusted potato brioche ($12), the Stack Burger with elevated touches such as lemon aioli and a brioche bun ($23), the Vegetable "Wellington" ($26), the signature chocolate cake that has 16 layers to match the 16 floors of the Contemporary ($11) and even the surprisingly delicious ambrosia ($8).

Narcoossee's

Recently redone as part of the broader renovation of the Grand Floridian, Narcoosee's is a very good Disney World restaurant for a dinner that is outside the park and not a set-price meal. The really solid menu focuses on Southern coastal cuisine such as shrimp and grits ($19), gulf shrimp bucatini ($42), sweet-and-sour Brussels sprouts with applewood bacon ($11) and an outstanding bread basket. The outside terrace that runs along the water is a prime spot to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

places to visit at disney world

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya

While not the best restaurant at Disney, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is the newest restaurant at Disney World. It's in the Japan Pavilion in Epcot and largely staffed by a crew from Japan. What's great about this option is that it feels somewhat authentic without locking you into a pricey set menu the way you'd find at nearby Takumi-Tei. Here, you can stop by for lunch or dinner and order as little as one roll if you want.

places to visit at disney world

This restaurant takes you through various seasons of the year, and while the sushi on my visit was just OK, the service was very good.

Being able to pop in for a proper sit-down and share an affordable (for Disney) item or two on a menu that goes beyond traditional options is not the worst idea. In addition to a variety of rolls and sushi options, there are options such as a Temaki Sushi Set that lets you create your own hand-rolled sushi with a variety of proteins and fillings ($32) and pan-fried grilled wagyu gyoza dumplings ($20 for three).

places to visit at disney world

Our least-favorite Disney meals

Even with all the magical pixie dust at Disney World, there are misfires. While all of these may have their followings, for us, the food is either too common or bland, too off-the-beaten-path or just too overrun.

  • Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: Character dining is a big part of the Disney experience. You might think you can save a few dollars by dining with the princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot instead of at Cinderella's Royal Table, but it's a poor substitute (unless you need a bite near the "Frozen" ride in Norway). Although your favorite princesses will join you for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the food just isn't on par with the other Disney eateries, and the types of cuisine may not be a hit with U.S.-centric families. That said, it's an easier reservation to snag than Cinderella's Royal Table, so keep it in your back pocket if you need a last-minute princess meal.
  • Teppan Edo: This spot in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot is another letdown, especially compared to the spectacular Takumi-Tei. The food here is decent, but there's not a lot of performance factor at this teppanyaki place. Frankly, we've seen better performances at a more reasonable price point in teppanyaki restaurants in strip malls closer to home. At Disney prices, there are better values for your hard-earned dollars, with themes you can't easily recreate elsewhere.
  • Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe: With a few exceptions, it's hard to find great food in the Magic Kingdom, but you should avoid the worst of the worst, which has recently been Pecos Bill. The quick-service menu looks interesting, with a mix of rice bowls, nachos, fajitas and burgers, but in the end, the service can be curt and the food a bit disappointing (and borderline inedible).
  • Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe: Another Magic Kingdom misfire is Cosmic Ray's. The menu is very limited to theme park staples such as chicken fingers, burgers and fries, which would be OK in theory if that's what you were after. In practice, Cosmic Rays can get very crowded and run behind with orders ... all for an average plate of stereotypical American fare. If you must eat here during peak times, mobile order well in advance.

Disney dining tips

  • Make your reservation well in advance, up to 60 days from the start of your trip. You can cancel or modify it if you change your mind, but it's good to have the option of being waited on in air conditioning. Services like Mouse Dining can help you keep an eye on availability if you don't want to constantly look for a spot at one of your favorites.
  • Book your Disney trip via an agent that specializes in Disney , such as our partners at Mouse Counselors , to get some professional help with snagging those hard-to-get dining reservations.
  • When ordering from a counter-service restaurant, do so via the My Disney Experience app to avoid wasting time in line waiting to order.
  • To rack up extra points, you can charge Disney meals to your room (using the app or your MagicBands ) and then earn a bonus on all your in-park meals by paying at resort checkout with a card that gives you a bonus on travel . Paying with Disney gift cards you purchased at a discount is another great way to save a bit while dining at some of Disney World's best restaurants.
  • If you have an annual pass, you can often save 10% at sit-down restaurants, so don't forget to ask for a discount.
  • If you pay for your Disney meal on the spot with a credit card, use one that gives you the best payout on dining. Most Disney World restaurants do code as dining charges, even within the parks. This means you can earn 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants with the American Express® Gold Card or 3 points per dollar spent on dining with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , among other cards that are the best for dining .

Related reading:

  • Tips for visiting Disney World in 2023: 18 ways to save money and have more fun
  • The new rides, attractions and experiences coming to Disney World in 2023
  • This affordable new Disney Springs hotel includes free hot food and 6 nightly drinks
  • How you can save hundreds of dollars by renting Disney Vacation Club points
  • How to use points for Disney tickets

Top Things to Do in Walt Disney World, FL

Places to visit in walt disney world, explore popular experiences, ways to tour walt disney world.

places to visit at disney world

Orlando Sightseeing Tour with Optional Boat Cruise

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Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney

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Walt Disney World Water Park Tickets

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Guided Helicopter Tour in Orlando

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Disney Springs Dash Scavenger Hunt

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ICONic City Tour Of Orlando

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Orlando Area Theme Parks and City Lights at Night!

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Night Helicopter Tour showing Lighted Theme Parks

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Helicopter Fireworks Tour

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30 Days Self Guided Audio Tour: Discover Orlando Local Stories

Helicopter tours.

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Top Attractions in Walt Disney World

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Theme Parks

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Outdoor Activities

Tours & sightseeing, what travellers are saying.

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  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
  • Disney Springs
  • Magic Kingdom Park
  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • Festival of the Lion King

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28 top things to do in florida (beyond disney world).

Disney World is worth a visit, but don't overlook these other unique things to do in Florida.

Top Things to Do in Florida

Sea turtle at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Courtesy of Clearwater Marine Aquarium

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is one of Florida's most special places to visit.

When it comes to planning a Florida vacation , the theme parks in Orlando are top of mind for many people (not that there's anything wrong with that). But there are so many other things to do in Florida. You'll find beautiful natural wonders with crystal-clear waters fed by springs, world-renowned beaches , culturally rich cities, historical attractions reminiscent of Old Florida, exciting festivals and events, impressive museums, and one-of-a-kind amusement parks.

If you're looking for new places to visit and fun things to do in Florida, consider these unique attractions and experiences.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex: Merritt Island

Apollo Saturn V Center, Moonscape, at Kennedy Space Center

Courtesy of Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center features five Mission Zones covering 144,000 acres with attractions, interactive exhibits and 3D simulators about all things space exploration and the history of humanity's journey into space. One of the best ways to explore this expansive complex is with an 11-hour small-group VIP experience. Guided by a space expert, you'll be treated to a behind-the-scenes tour by bus highlighting the iconic attractions, transportation to and from your hotel, and other perks. Travelers rave about the center and comment that you don't have to be a space enthusiast to enjoy the visit. For a thrill of a lifetime, plan your trip around one of the scheduled launches to see space exploration come to life before your eyes.

Address: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953

Stay at an all-inclusive resort

Pool and cabanas at Bungalows Key Largo.

Courtesy of Bungalows Key Largo

Florida has a few all-inclusive resorts , including the adults-only Bungalows Key Largo in the Florida Keys. Rates include all meals, top-shelf alcoholic (and nonalcoholic) beverages, and a variety of amenities such as water sports and yoga classes. For other all-inclusive (or nearly all-inclusive) options, the Henderson Park Inn in Destin and Little Palm Island Resort & Spa (another top-rated resort in the Keys ) are worth considering.

Visit the sponge docks at Tarpon Springs

Boat decorated with sponges docked at the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs, Florida

Getty Images

Known as the "Sponge Capital of the World," Tarpon Springs has a rich Greek heritage and a unique history. The saltwater fishing village is best known for its natural sea sponges, which were harvested by divers from the Gulf of Mexico beginning in the late 1880s. More than 500 Greek divers with 50 boats worked in the industry by 1905. While in town, visit the original sponge docks along the Anclote River and grab a traditional Greek lunch at one of the restaurants on the docks, such as Mykonos. For dessert, Hellas Bakery & Restaurant offers a tempting selection of Greek pastries like baklava, kataifi and kourabiedes. And remember to take home a local sponge as a souvenir from your visit as the industry still exists today in Tarpon Springs.

Address: 735 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Hop on a glass-bottom boat in Silver Springs State Park

Kayaking through Silver Springs State Park

Jason Frankle and Scott Wesson | Courtesy of Visit Florida

The historic glass-bottom boat tours on the Silver River in central Florida have attracted travelers since the 1870s. Visitors come to see the crystal-clear waters fed by springs, local marine life, and Spanish and Native American artifacts. You'll even catch a glimpse of old Hollywood underwater movie props at the park. There are two tour options: a 30-minute boat ride that operates throughout the day, 365 days a year, or a 90-minute excursion available Friday through Monday. Recent tourgoers enjoyed the boat ride and Silver Springs State Park, saying that it's a great choice for a local Florida experience.

Read: The Top Florida Springs to Visit

Wynwood Walls: Miami

Entrance gate for The Wynwwod Walls, the colorfully painted walls in Miami, Florida

Patrick Farrell | Courtesy of Visit Florida

Wynwood Walls is an acclaimed street art museum and urban revitalization project located in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami. The installation opened in 2009 and is continually evolving, with 35,000 square feet of walls and more than 100 featured artists from 21 countries. Explore the open-air museum's murals, street art galleries, sculptures and retail shops on your own with a general admission ticket. Visitors enjoy the art displays and are impressed by the quality of the exhibits, with some saying they make return trips every time they're in Miami. After spending time at the Wynwood Walls and nearby Museum of Graffiti – two of the top museums in Miami – check out some of the local eateries, bars, boutiques and events in the neighborhood.

Address: 2516 NW Second Ave., Miami, FL 33127

See more of Miami: Best Things to Do | Hotels

Explore Winter Park

Scenic view of Winter Park, chain of lakes

Situated just north of Orlando, Winter Park feels worlds away from the bustling city. Take a walk along the tree-lined Park Avenue district with its popular restaurants and boutiques. You'll also find two impressive museums in town: the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art and Rollins Museum of Art. There are more than 70 parks for outdoor adventure – and be sure not to miss the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour. The hourlong narrated excursion traverses three lakes in the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, offering opportunities to see local wildlife and views of the impressive estates built along the shoreline.

The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art: Sarasota

Two people looking at a large piece of art at The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art

Courtesy of The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The Ringling is an impressive museum complex in Sarasota showcasing the legacy of renowned circus owner and art collector John Ringling and his wife, Mable. The Ringling was named the official State Art Museum of Florida in 1980 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Plan an entire day to see the extensive collection of art at the museum and to visit Ca' d'Zan , the Mediterranean Revival mansion that was the winter residence of the Ringlings. Children of all ages will delight in the interactive exhibits at the Circus Museum. You can also stroll the beautiful Bayfront Gardens and visit the Historic Asolo Theater, Education Center, Kotler-Coville Glass Pavilion and more. Travelers call it a must-see when in Sarasota and rave about the museum, artwork, grounds and overall experience.

Address: 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243

See more of Sarasota: Best Things to Do | Hotels

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Tampa

Group of roller coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

If you're a thrill-seeker looking for heart-pumping rides and nonstop entertainment outside of Orlando, then plan a trip to Busch Gardens . Roller coaster fans will have plenty of exciting twists, drops and high-speed turns at the park, especially on the new Serengeti Flyer. The 135-foot-tall coaster is billed as the tallest and fastest ride of its kind in the world. For the less adventurous, head to the 65-acre Serengeti Plain for an open-air off-road tour. The 30-minute ride offers up-close safari encounters with African wildlife including zebras, giraffes, rhinos and antelopes. There are also plenty of activities at this Tampa attraction to keep children busy with rides, tours and activities designed for younger kids. Recent travelers like the concept of the theme park with the safari tours and comment that the grounds are well maintained.

Address: 10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612

See more of Tampa: Best Things to Do | Hotels

Hit the beach at Siesta Key

Coast Guard Beach house and beach, Siesta Key, Florida

This 8-mile-long barrier island of Siesta Key is famous for its powdery white sand beaches and sparkling turquoise waters along the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors to the beach call it one of the prettiest beaches in the U.S., saying they also enjoy the incredibly soft quartz sand that doesn't get too hot – even in the Florida sun. While on the island, take a ride on the complimentary Siesta Key Breeze Trolley for an overview of the area. Then, head over to Ocean Boulevard in Siesta Key Village to check out the local shopping, dining and entertainment scene.

Meet a manatee in Crystal River Preserve State Park

Manatees swimming at Homosassa Springs, Florida

Known as the "Manatee Capital of the World," Crystal River is located on Kings Bay. The bay's crystal-clear waters are fed 600 million gallons of fresh water daily by more than 70 springs. If you visit in the winter, you'll see as many as 500 to 1,000 manatees enjoying the cool spring-fed waters, whereas about 100 manatees reside there in the summer. For a one-of-a-kind experience, book a manatee tour with Crystal River Watersports, where you can swim and snorkel with one of these gentle giants. The company also offers scalloping excursions where you can hunt for your dinner and a unique chance to try out mermaid courses for all ages.

Ichetucknee River State Park

Kayaking the Ichetucknee River, Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Florida

Situated about 80 miles southwest of Jacksonville in Fort White, this nearly 2,700-acre state park is regarded as a haven for wildlife, including beavers, softshell turtles, wood ducks, limpkins and other species. You'll also find eight major springs that form the 6-mile-long Ichetucknee River, including one that's a National Natural Landmark. Travelers rave about the natural beauty and their experiences at the park. Aside from walks along the three nature trails and geo-seeking, activities here include canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, swimming or tubing on the pristine river. The state park is also part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Gatorland: Orlando

A large American alligator in the water in Orlando, Florida

Alligators are one of Florida's most notorious residents, and this educational park is one of the top things to do in Orlando with kids . Whether you're fascinated by or terrified of these predators, you can see more than 2,000 American alligators of all ages and sizes (including 14-foot giants) – at a distance – at "The Alligator Capital of the World," Gatorland . There are plenty of other thrilling things to do at the 110-acre wildlife preserve and theme park, including the 1,200-foot-high Screamin' Gator Zip Line and a Stompin' Gator Off-Road Adventure in the swamp on a monster vehicle. If you dare, reserve a spot for the behind-the-scenes tour during Adventure Hour, where you'll be up close and personal with (and even able to feed) hundreds of hungry alligators. Reviewers say they enjoyed the shows, activities and seeing all the gators, and some even wished they had planned to spend more time at the preserve and park.

Address: 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837

See more of Orlando: Best Things to Do | Hotels

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument: St. Augustine

Aerial of the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida

Castillo de San Marcos was built by Spanish colonists in the late 1600s to defend their settlement of Florida and the Atlantic trade route. The well-preserved structure is the oldest masonry fortification in the continental U.S., and it was designated as a national monument in 1924 by President Calvin Coolidge. You'll find park rangers and volunteers in period dress stationed throughout the fort to answer questions while you explore on your own. They'll also elaborate on the experiences of colonists that lived at the fort hundreds of years ago. Musket and cannon demonstrations take place at scheduled times on most weekends. Be sure to download the official Castillo park app for a self-guided tour and other information to help you make the most of your visit.

Address: 11 S. Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084

See more of St. Augustine: Best Things to Do | Hotels

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Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: Miami

Wide shot of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens with city in background

Robin Hill | Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

This 45,225-square-foot Mediterranean-style mansion – situated on Biscayne Bay in the Coconut Grove area of Miami – is home to an impressive collection of artwork, sculptures and priceless antiques. Retired millionaire and bachelor James Deering began building the property in 1914 but died in 1925, only a few years after it was completed, leaving the mansion to the children of his half-brother and sister. The family looked after the home and property and worked to make it accessible to the public. Vizcaya opened as a museum in 1953. Today, visitors can tour 34 decorated rooms (out of 54 rooms total) of The Main House, covering approximately 38,000 square feet. They can also stroll through the European-inspired gardens that are regarded as some of the most elaborately designed gardens in the U.S. Travelers praise the home and gardens and say the complimentary audio tour covers a lot of interesting information about the family.

Address: 3251 S. Miami Ave., Miami, FL 33129

Everglades National Park

Sunset in the Everglades with reflections in the water

Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. and is considered an international treasure. The park has the distinction of being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve and a Wetland of International Importance – and it's protected under the Cartagena Treaty. The National Park Service recommends visiting in the dry season, between November and April. The winter months also afford optimal opportunities to see wildlife, including endangered and rare species like the Florida panther, manatee and American crocodile. For the best experience, take a ranger-guided tour or event, an airboat tour by one of the approved operators, or a guided tour by kayak or canoe. There are also tour options for anglers and photographers as well as eco-tours.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Clearwater

Rex and Rudy dolphins at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a unique nonprofit marine rescue center and one of the top aquariums in the U.S. The facility engages in research, education, rehabilitation and release programs. Two beloved dolphins at Clearwater even garnered the attention of filmmakers: "Dolphin Tale" and "Dolphin Tale 2" share the emotional stories of Winter and Hope. Other than dolphins, visitors will find rescued sea turtles, stingrays, river otters, nurse sharks and more marine life here. You'll learn more about ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts and even meet some of the rescued animals. Reviewers say the facility is beautiful and the staff is dedicated and knowledgeable. The aquarium also offers exhibits and animal care experiences where you can meet some of the residents. To see the local marine life in their natural habitat, book one of the aquarium's guided eco-boat tours on Clearwater Bay.

Address: 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767

See more of Clearwater: Best Things to Do | Hotels

Daytona International Speedway: Daytona Beach

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - JANUARY 31: Jimmie Johnson drives during the NASCAR Project 56 Test at Daytona International Speedway on January 31, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

A trip to Daytona International Speedway is a must-do for NASCAR enthusiasts when visiting Florida. The speedway offers an hourlong speedway tour and a 2.5-hour VIP tour. The VIP experience is available once a day on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays and includes an exclusive visit to the NASCAR Archives & Research Center and Press Box. You can also plan to attend one of the races at the speedway, including the best-known event, the Daytona 500. Visitors say it's an incredible experience to go out on the track, and many rave about the quality of the tours and the museum.

Address: 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114

See more of Daytona Beach: Best Things to Do | Hotels

McKee Botanical Garden: Vero Beach

Cycas Siamensis (Cycas Panzhihuaensis) at Mckee Botanical Gardens in Vero Beach, Indian River County, Florida

The history of this property dates back to 1922, when two land developers purchased an 80-acre tract to grow citrus. However, after some consideration, they decided not to disturb the land's natural beauty and instead hired a landscape architect from the celebrated firm of Frederick Law Olmsted to design the gardens. By the 1940s, more than 100,000 tourists were visiting McKee Jungle Gardens each year to see the impressive collection of waterlilies, orchids, and other ornamental and exotic plants from around the world.

Today, guests can wander through the now 18-acre jungle that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The gardens are also regarded as a preservation project of national significance by the Garden Conservancy. If you have kids in tow on your visit, don't miss the Children's Garden here. Travelers enjoy the serenity of the gardens and comment that it's a beautiful place for photography.

Address: 350 U.S. Route 1, Vero Beach, FL 32962

See more of Vero Beach: Best Things to Do | Hotels

World Equestrian Center: Ocala

Horse statue, flags and front of the World Equestrian Center

Courtesy of MAVEN photo + film for the World Equestrian Center

The World Equestrian Center is the largest equestrian complex in the U.S., with state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor facilities that host many equestrian events and other recreational activities throughout the year. Dog lovers can attend canine events, for example, such as the national specialty dog shows. You'll also find live music at the Yellow Pony Pub & Garden, Food Truck Fridays and Grand Prix Dining Experiences. If you're looking for a wedding venue, you can get married in the on-site chapel and then have the reception in a beautiful setting under the majestic oak trees in the garden. For an extended visit to experience all the center has to offer, plan to stay a few days at The Equestrian Hotel, a luxury resort on the grounds.

Address: 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala, FL 34482

Gulf Islands National Seashore

A colorful sunset over the seaoats and dunes on Fort Pickens Beach in the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida

Situated along the sparkling emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Islands National Seashore includes coastal regions in both Florida and Mississippi. There are six areas in Florida to explore: Fort Barrancas, Fort Pickens, Naval Live Oaks, Okaloosa, Perdido Key and Santa Rosa. History buffs will appreciate the fortifications, exhibits and visitor centers at the two fort areas. At Naval Live Oaks, you can hike 7-plus miles of trails and then have a picnic along the bay. Beach lovers will enjoy spending the day at Perdido Key, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S. You can even go backcountry camping by boat at Perdido Key. And after the sun goes down, look up at the sky as this national seashore is an excellent place for stargazing.

Note: Fort Barrancas was closed to the public at the time of publication. It is expected to reopen for visitation in summer 2023. Consult the National Park Service for more information.

The Hemingway Home and Museum: Key West

Exterior and grounds of the Hemingway Home and Museum

Rob-O'Neal | Courtesy of Hemingway Home and Museum

The legendary author Ernest M. Hemingway first visited Key West in April 1928. During this trip to the Florida Keys, he finished his novel "A Farewell to Arms." He and his second wife, Pauline, fell in love with the island, and after two seasons Pauline's uncle bought a home for them on Whitehead Street. The Spanish Colonial home, built in 1851, was in disrepair when it was purchased and went through a significant restoration project in the 1930s. Today, Hemingway's home is a National Historic Landmark. Many of Hemingway's personal artifacts remain in the house. According to tourgoers, you can even see quite a few six-toed cats wandering the property, just like the six-toed tomcat that belonged to Hemingway. Guided 20- to 30-minute tours are available daily.

Address: 907 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040

See more of Key West: Best Things to Do | Hotels

South Beach: Miami Beach

Walkway and palm trees in South Beach, Miami Beach

South Beach is one of three neighborhoods located on the 9-mile-long barrier island of Miami Beach . The area runs between South Pointe Park north to 23rd Street along the Atlantic Ocean and is best known for its colorful art deco buildings lining famed Ocean Drive. You won't want to miss Lincoln Road, a popular mile-long pedestrian area with boutiques, restaurants and street performers. South Beach is also home to The Wolfsonian: This museum houses one of the most extensive American university art collections of decorative arts, design and propaganda pieces from 1850 to 1950. Before leaving town, head to Lummus Park, a beachfront park where you'll have some of the best people-watching in South Beach.

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

Boat at dock at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park in Florida

Located approximately 15 miles south of Tallahassee , Wakulla Springs takes guests back to Old Florida and gives them opportunities to glimpse deer, alligators, manatees and turtles. The 6,000-acre wildlife sanctuary has thousands of years of history and boasts one of the world's deepest and largest freshwater springs plus an ancient cypress swamp. This setting was the perfect backdrop for filming "Tarzan's Secret Treasure" (1941) and "Creature From the Black Lagoon" (1954). Take the 45- to 55-minute ranger-led glass-bottom boat tour on the Wakulla River for incredible wildlife-viewing opportunities. The spring-fed water is remarkably clear, which helped a mastodon skeleton be discovered within its depths. The ancient fossil is now on display at the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee.

Palace Saloon: Amelia Island

Exterior of Palace Saloon

Dawna Moore | Courtesy of AmeliaIsland.com

Grab a seat and tip back a cold one at the oldest continuously operating bar in the state: the Palace Saloon. Located on Centre Street in downtown Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island , the historic building was originally designed as a haberdashery in 1878. When it was purchased in 1903, the new owner enlisted the assistance of his friend – the founder of Anheuser-Busch, Adolphus Bush – to create an upscale "gentleman's establishment." The bar was so exclusive that it even attracted the wealthy Carnegie and Rockefeller families who vacationed on nearby Cumberland Island, Georgia, during that time. Local lore claims the Palace Saloon was the last bar to close in Florida during Prohibition and that it survived by selling special wines, ice cream, Texaco gasoline, 3% near-beer and cigars. Today, the interior retains much of its original charm, although the clientele has changed. When in town, stop by the saloon's new outdoor space, The Shipyard, and order a famous Pirates Punch.

Address: 117 Centre St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

The Dalí Museum: St. Petersburg

Visitors looking at artwork at the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida

Courtesy of 2023 – Salvador Dalí Museum, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL

The Dalí Museum highlights the life and work of the innovative artist Salvador Dalí. The design of the building, by architect Yann Weymouth of HOK, is the perfect introduction to the eccentric pieces of art inside. Known as the Enigma, the 18-inch hurricane-proof glass sections create a 75-foot-tall geodesic bubble in the center of the building resembling the one at his museum in Spain. Visitors can view the permanent collections at The Dalí, which include prints, paintings, objects, photographs and works on paper. You'll also find rotating exhibits from other artists, special events and classes. Reviewers comment that the exterior is as much a work of art as the collections inside and say it's better to visit when additional exhibits are on display and you can spend more time at the museum. After your visit, have dinner and watch the sunset at one of the restaurants on St. Pete Pier.

Address: 1 Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL 33701

See more of St. Petersburg: Best Things to Do | Hotels

John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park: Key Largo

Bronze Christ Statue at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park in Florida

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park encompasses 70 nautical miles, and it was the first undersea park in the U.S. You can take a glass-bottom boat tour to view the coral reefs and marine life from above, though scuba divers and snorkelers may want a closer look at the underwater habitats that are part of the Florida Keys ecosystem. In addition to colorful sponges and different species of fish, you may also see crabs, lobsters, dolphins, sea turtles and manatees. If you want to visit the famous 9-foot-tall bronze statue known as Christ of the Abyss located off the coast, you'll need to take a boat tour with a company like Silent World Dive Center in Key Largo. For an extended stay to enjoy more water-based activities like kayaking and canoeing, plan to camp overnight in the park.

See more of Key Largo: Best Things to Do | Hotels

Come for Gasparilla Season in Tampa Bay

Pirate ship at sunset for Gasparilla Season in Tampa Bay, Florida

Courtesy of Visit Tampa Bay

This two-month-long event features a massive pirate festival, named for the (likely fictitious) pirate José Gaspar of local legend. The Gasparilla Pirate Fest has been thrilling attendees since its inception in 1904. The swashbuckling fun kicks off at the end of January with the third-largest parade in the country. The 4.5-mile route features hundreds of elaborate floats with treasures to pillage, all led by the captain of Ye Mystic Krewe and his pirates. Gasparilla Season also features an outdoor music festival, a children's parade followed by a fireworks display, a film fest, an arts fest and much more. Even college football teams and their buccaneer fans get in on the parley during the Gasparilla Bowl in December. If you're ready for a yo-ho-ho good time, bring your hearties and scallywags to Tampa Bay during Gasparilla Season. Aargh.

Lion Country Safari: Loxahatchee

Zebras on the road at Lion Country Safari

Courtesy of Lion Country Safari

Lion Country Safari is a 320-acre family-friendly attraction in a rural part of Palm Beach County about 20 miles from West Palm Beach . The drive-thru concept opened in 1967 as one of the first cageless zoos in the U.S., with free-roaming lions and other animals offering a big game experience close to home. The year-round tropical climate in Florida is ideal for the large herds of animals originating from six continents, including lions, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, rhinos and chimpanzees. The safari is also involved in conservation efforts and breeding programs for threatened species.

You'll find seven main habitats across 4 miles of the safari. There's also a 55-acre adventure park with rides, a petting zoo and animal encounters, a water park, paddleboats, and other attractions. You can even take an escorted VIP tour with an expert guide that includes two up-close experiences with some of the animals. Travelers say they enjoy getting close to the animals, that it's worth a visit and a great way to spend an afternoon.

Address: 2003 Lion Country Safari Road, Loxahatchee, FL 33470

Read: The Top Zoos in the U.S.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi is an avid travel adventurer and culinary explorer who has covered the Southeast and coastal and central regions of Florida since 2009. She is a resident of Amelia Island, Florida. She frequently visits other parts of the state to explore the lesser-known areas and unique destinations that many travelers miss when visiting Orlando. She writes about the travel and culinary industries, specializing in cruises, for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

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Thousands Adhere to Disney’s Urgent Advisory to Remain Home, Park Now Vacant

in Disney Parks , Walt Disney World

places to visit at disney world

Recent crowds and uncharged prices at Walt Disney World Resort have made it clear that if you are choosing to visit the most magical place on earth during spring break, you should expect high crowds and high prices. However, there has been a break in the jam-packed system.

Magic Kingdom entrance at Disney World

Typically, during spring break, summer break, the Christmas holidays, and other holidays when kids and parents are out of school and work, Disney World is more busy than usual. Right now, we are entering the era of spring break in Orlando, where massive crowds are starting to form. We have seen Disney take advantage of this as they have raised their date-based ticket pricing as well as the cost of Disney Genie+. This month, Disney Genie+ has already hit a 2024 high of $35 per person for Magic Kingdom.

It is good to remember that at that cost, Disney Genie+ still only guarantees Lightning Lane access for 2-3 attractions that day.

The high crowds have also been confirmed by Orlando International Airport, which predicted that over 7 million guests would be traveling to Orlando alone this month.

Frontierland at Magic Kingdom

As reported by Disney fan site Disney Tips, “Orlando International Airport (MCO) has issued a warning anticipating a hectic spring break season, extending until April 7, 2024, with an estimated 7.6 million passengers expected to pass through its terminals. Terminal C, Terminal A, and Terminal B will all have high traffic throughout today and during spring break.”

The publication continued, “The Orlando Airport has been advised by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority about the impending crowds arriving to MCO airport today through April 1. Airlines like Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines all have plans in place for this type of crowd surge.”

Even Orlando International Airport (@MCO) has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to advise guests should arrive three hours prior to travel.

It’s another busy #SpringBreak weekend! For smooth travels, follow the 3-2-1 travel rule: 3⃣ Be at the ticket counter at least 3 hours before your flight 2⃣ Be at security 2 hours prior to departure time 1⃣ Be at the gate 1 hour prior to departure time
It's another busy #SpringBreak weekend! For smooth travels, follow the 3-2-1 travel rule: 3⃣ Be at the ticket counter at least 3 hours before your flight 2⃣ Be at security 2 hours prior to departure time 1⃣ Be at the gate 1 hour prior to departure time pic.twitter.com/Baoqkm4TkI — Orlando International Airport (@MCO) March 15, 2024

While these large crowds are being predicted and expected, Disney World sat quite empty yesterday.

Disney fan Drew (@DrewDisneyDude) shared what looked to be an empty Magic Kingdom.

It’s a beautiful day at Magic Kingdom Park, and Main Street, U.S.A. is EMPTY. This is the quietest I’ve seen the park in as long as I can remember.
It’s a beautiful day at Magic Kingdom Park, and Main Street, U.S.A. is EMPTY. This is the quietest I’ve seen the park in as long as I can remember. pic.twitter.com/gb8cL4NnjJ — Drew (@DrewDisneyDude) March 18, 2024

The account Original Orange Bird (@ogorangebird) shared photos of Magic Kingdom’s wait times as well, which had a majority of the attractions under a 15-minute wait. While Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was the longest wait at 70 minutes, Big Thunder Mountain was only 15 minutes and Space Mountain was only 30 minutes — which are very low times for any time of year, and shocking during spring break.

This checks out….😳 https://t.co/KSNfpUHA7U pic.twitter.com/RKT1v7Bzxq — Original Orange Bird (@ogorangebird) March 18, 2024

So why is this happening?

One of the likely reasons that the parks went from shoulder-to-shoulder crowds to a much more sparse look, as we can see above, is due to Annual Passholder block-out dates. At the moment, only Incredi-Pass Annual Passholders are able to enter Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The Pixie Pass, Pirate Pass, and Sorcerer Pass are all blocked out , reducing the amount of guests in the park by thousands.

Mickey and friends inside of Disney's Animal Kingdom Park.

In addition to this, spring break varies in terms of when it takes place across America, so there will be an influx on certain weeks in March. On top of that, some guests actively choose to stay away during “peak” season, and as Disney has been raising the prices and alerting guests that they know there is a high demand, that warning has likely been received by some. 

Overall, it seems that if you are looking to visit the theme parks this week, it would not be a bad time to snag a selfie with Mickey Mouse or Cinderella Castle.

What do you think of these low Disney crowds? When is the best time to visit the parks? 

DisneyLists.com

NEWS: Disney Springs Announces New Drone Show for Summer 2024

places to visit at disney world

This summer is going to be a fantastic time to visit Walt Disney World. Disney has announced a new Drone show that will take place at Disney Springs! Catch the details below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Mallory Heinz Ledet:

At  Disney Springs , drones take to the skies above Lake Buena Vista with “Disney Dreams That Soar,” a summertime experience that will be a late-night perk for visitors. “You can fly” takes on a whole new meaning as we showcase Disney stories celebrating the joy of flight with state-of-the-art drones choreographed to create designs in the sky and paired with a “soaring” musical score (see what I did there?) and memorable movie quotes. After spending a day delighting in shopping, discovering fun activities and savoring diverse flavors at Disney Springs, turn your eyes to the skies above the West Side with a show amongst the stars. “Disney Dreams That Soar” will run nightly from May 24 through Sept. 2 !

places to visit at disney world

RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Reasons We Love Disney Springs

Disney Springs is such a fun place with a lot of great energy!  You have the movie theater, shopping, dining and so much more.  There is just a never-ending pool of things to do!  If you haven’t been, here are the top ten reasons why we love Disney Springs:

10 – Admission is free.

We don’t get to say that about many of the experiences at Disney, but going to Disney Springs actually is free. You will likely pay for whatever you want to do while in Disney Springs, but to get into the area itself is actually free! So, if you have a day without a park ticket, it is a great place to still be immersed in the Disney Magic without paying admission, plus there is a lot to see and do while there!

9 – There is something there for everyone.

There really is! There are so many shops with all kinds of themes and merchandise that there is definitely something that will appeal to everyone in your party. There are also tons of different restaurants that represent a wide array of cuisines, so you will be able to find something that appeals to your taste buds, too! It is a great grouping of a lot of different interests to appeal to the masses.

8 – Cirque du Soleil

If you haven’t had the opportunity to go, Drawn to Life , the Cirque du Soleil is an amazing show! There is a parking garage right by it, too, so it is very easy to access. The tickets can be a little pricey, but it is well worth it and unlike any other show out there. Definitely add this one to your Disney bucket list.

places to visit at disney world

7 – Lots of great entertainment spread all over.

There are all kinds of musical entertainment and performers scattered all over Disney Springs. There are different musical styles and instruments represented, too. The performers are phenomenal and bring a lot of energy to the area. It is especially lively in the evenings when the nightlife is at the highest and the adults take over Disney Springs!

6 – Tons of great dining options.

There are so many different dining options that you could have dinner at Disney Springs for a couple of weeks and not repeat locations, let alone trying everything that you want to try at each place. It is wonderful to have so many options. Plus, this increases the likelihood that you can find a great place to eat even last minute and without reservations. There are tons of different options, too. You can get Cuban, Japanese, seafood, Italian, Irish, and so much more.

5 – Aerophile – Characters in Flight.

How does a helium balloon ride above Disney Springs sound? Pretty awesome, right?  Aerophile  is definitely a ton of fun and gives you one of the best views of all of Disney World and surrounding areas. The balloon ride has a charge per person to ride, but it is well worth it. You can’t miss the huge balloon when you are in the Disney Springs area, so you will know exactly where to find it.

4 – Bars and lounges make for great nightlife.

Jock Lindsey’s …. need I say more? If nothing else, you have to walk in this bar just to look around, especially if you are an Indiana Jones fan. There are also bars at all of the restaurants and several other drink spots scattered around. It is a great opportunity to have delicious drinks, unwind, and enjoy all of the entertainment that is all around. The area stays open until around 2 AM on most nights, so if you are a night owl, this is the place for you.

3 – Shopping, shopping, shopping.

There are tons and tons of different shops. The best part is that you have a wide variety of Disney-themed shops, but you also have tons of non-Disney shops from popular high-end brands that we all know and love. There are even special chocolate shops, a cigar store, a Ron John Surf Shop store, and so much more. You won’t believe all of the different shopping that is there. If you love to shop, you should probably start saving up your money early!

2 – Splitsville

Splitsville  is a phenomenal bowling alley at Disney Springs! The lanes are extremely high-tech, and you even get to bowl with Mickey and Minnie bowling balls! It is a fun place to hang out and have fun with the family outside of being at the theme parks the entire time. Even better, there is also a great restaurant and a great bar area there, so you really can have it all and make an evening out of hanging out here. The food is delicious, too, and one of our recommended spots to eat!

1 – Great freebies and experiences.

You do have a ton of great music and entertainment that is all free to enjoy. There are also various spots around Disney Springs where you can get some great freebies while you are there. Here are examples of a few: you can get stickers and buttons from Guest Relations, you can go to Goofy’s Candy Co. and enjoy free samples of the slushies, you can do free hand scrubs at Basin, and other items and experiences around the area. Be sure to pay attention to what the stores may be doing or offering! Also, bring your camera! There are  ten great photo spots  you don’t want to miss!

For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.

Chad & Cindy Nykamp

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Jason Kelce and Wife Kylie Kelce Have the Happiest Day at Disney World With 3 Daughters

Eagles' Jason Kelce and Wife Kylie Kelce Have the Happiest Day at Disney World With 3 Daughters

Jason Kelce didn’t need to win the Super Bowl this year to take his family to Disney World.

The Philadelphia Eagles center, 36, and wife Kylie Kelce traveled to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, February 2. During the outing to the Happiest Place on Earth, the Kelce family got to pose with Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters.

Jason, dressed in a Mickey T-shirt and shorts, held eldest daughters Wyatt, 4, and Elliotte, 2, who wore matching pink outfits and Disney-themed headbands. They also snacked on churros and soft pretzels during the photo session.

Kylie, 31, held daughter Bennett, 11 months, in the pic. Bennett, who was born weeks after Jason lost to brother Travis Kelce in the 2023 Super Bowl, matched her big sisters in bright pink.

Jason Kelce, Wife Kylie Have Their Hands Full With 3 Kids: Everything They've Said About Parenting

Related: Everything Jason Kelce and Wife Kylie Have Said About Parenting 3 Kids

Jason and Kylie traveled to Florida for the pro football player’s seventh NFL Pro Bowl, where they made sure to factor in time to explore Magic Kingdom Park and meet Frozen characters Elsa and Anna at EPCOT.

“I don’t even know what you do in the Pro Bowl anymore. But it’s down in Orlando so I get to take my kids to Walt Disney World,” Jason quipped to sports reporter Zach Berman on Wednesday, January 31. “[It’s] not off-the-Super Bowl Walt Disney World, but as long as Wyatt gets to see Elsa, I don’t think it really matters.”

Eagles' Jason Kelce and Wife Kylie Kelce Have the Happiest Day at Disney World With 3 Daughters

Many Super Bowl champs film a Disney ad after clinching the Lombardi trophy and proclaim that the amusement park is the first place that they will visit after the big game.

Jason, who won the 2017 Super Bowl with the Eagles, is currently out of contention to win Super Bowl LVIII after appearing in the February 2023 championship. The Kansas City Chiefs, including Jason’s brother Travis, will face off against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, February 11, at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

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Donna Kelce Sweetest Grandparent Moments With Son Jason Kelce 3 Daughters

Related: Grandma Donna Kelce's Sweetest Moments With Son Jason Kelce's Daughters

Jason and Kylie have been supporting Travis’ team in the playoffs, attending January games against the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens after the Eagles season ended earlier that month. The married couple sat in private suites with the brothers’ parents, Donna and Ed Kelce, and Travis’ girlfriend, Taylor Swift .

After the Chiefs won the AFC championship on January 28, Jason went onto the field with Swift, 34, and his parents to celebrate with Travis.

“I know it wasn’t easy. I know it was a hard year,” Jason said while hugging Travis . “You guys f–king stayed true. Finish it for me. Finish this motherf–ker.”

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Jason Kelce Smiles Directly at Camera wearing Black T-Shirt that Reads "Football Is A Family Story." in green font

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Magnolia Jackson Visits Disney Parks

106-Year-Old Disney Adult Celebrates Birthday With First Visit To The Most Magical Place On Earth

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Walt Disney World Resort made wishes come true Wednesday for Magnolia Jackson, a long-time Florida resident who visited The Most Magical Place on Earth for the first time ever to celebrate her 106th birthday.

Magnolia Jackson Visits Disney Parks

Source: Bennett Stoops / Disney

Jackson, whose actual birthday is Thursday (March 14), attended the Florida Classic college football game in Orlando last fall and saw Mickey Mouse perform on the field in his drum major outfit. She said that ignited her love for all things Disney and fueled her desire to celebrate her birthday at Walt Disney World.

On Wednesday, her vision became reality as Jackson was greeted at the Magic Kingdom by cheering Disney cast members and corporate executives, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, happy birthday signs, celebratory music, colorful balloons and, of course, a huge birthday cake.

Magnolia Jackson Visits Disney Parks

It was indeed a special moment for Jackson, who lives near Gainesville, Florida and is the oldest living graduate of Bethune-Cookman University in nearby Daytona Beach. She “came to play’’ at Disney along with a host of family and friends.

After the celebratory moment, she toured the Magic Kingdom and spent some time with Princess Tiana ahead of the summer opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure attraction at Magic Kingdom. After that, she was off to EPCOT where she embraced her life-long love of gardening by attending the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Disney gave her a special tour of the festival, which features extraordinary gardens, Disney-themed topiary and delicious culinary offerings through May 27.

1. Magnolia Jackson Visits Walt Disney World Parks

Magnolia Jackson Visits Disney Parks

Jackson was greeted at the Magic Kingdom by cheering Disney cast members and corporate executives, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, happy birthday signs, celebratory music, colorful balloons and, of course, a huge birthday cake.

2. Magnolia Jackson Meets Mickey Mouse And Minnie Mouse

Magnolia Jackson Visits Disney Parks

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse enjoy a celebratory moment with Magnolia Jackson on Wednesday during a Walt Disney World Resort celebration of Jackson’s 106th birthday in Lake Buena Vista Fla. 

3. Birthday Cake With Mickey

Magnolia Jackson Visits Disney Parks

The festivities included dozens of Disney cast members, executives, colorful balloons and a huge birthday cake. 

4. Magnolia Jackson Visits Disney Parks

Magnolia Jackson Visits Disney Parks

 Afterward, Magnolia toured the Disney theme parks, including embracing her life-long love of gardening by attending the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. 

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COMMENTS

  1. Things to Do in Walt Disney World

    12. Disney's Boardwalk. 2,827. Disney Parks & Activities. "Disney's BoardWalk area contains more than 90,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and nightclubs. It encompasses Crescent Lake and is ""a village on the water"" near many Disney Resort hotels in Walt Disney World Resort. This quarter-mile entertainment, dining and shopping area is ...

  2. 110 Things You MUST Do at Disney World

    It's one of the best desserts you'll find at Disney World and it's a borderline crime not to have one. Getting a Dole Whip is often my first course of action when entering the park. #4. Ride Tron Lightcycle / Run. Tron is the stellar new ride featuring out-of-this-world technology and fun.

  3. Parks & Destinations

    Visit Disney.com. For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time.

  4. 26 Best Things to Do at Disney World: Must Do Rides in Each Park

    7) Avatar Flight of Passage. Avatar Flight of Passage is one of the best things to do at Disney World. Avatar Flight of Passage is by far the most popular ride at Animal Kingdom and this unique experience is a Disney must do. It's best ridden during Early Entry as lines are long most of the day.

  5. 20 Coolest Things To Do In Disney World

    Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain can be found in Animal Kingdom and it is by far the most thrilling of the mountains! Hiking mountains is cool and all, but Disney World stepped it up a notch so we can ride the mountains earns these attractions a spot on my 20 Coolest Things To Do In Disney World!

  6. Explore a World of Fun at 4 Theme Parks

    Parks & Tickets. Places to Stay. Things to Do. Shop. Help & Rules. Cart. My Disney Experience. Visit all 4 magical theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort: Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney's Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and Magic Kingdom Park.

  7. Disney World Attractions & Rides

    For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. View all rides and attractions featured ...

  8. 17 Best Attractions at Disney World

    Expedition Everest is the fourth and most recently-built "mountain coaster" at Walt Disney World, the others being Splash, Thunder, and Space mountains, which are also on this list. Everest towers 200 feet high in Animal Kingdom and is a fun thrill ride, with a scream-inducing reversal of direction and a plummeting grand finale.

  9. Must-See Top Attractions in Orlando

    Save on discount tickets: WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort. TOP 5 ATTRACTIONS AT MAGIC KINGDOM® PARK. "it's a small world"®. Haunted Mansion®. Pirates of the Caribbean®. Space Mountain®. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. MAGIC KINGDOM ® Park at WALT DISNEY WORLD ® Resort in Orlando (©Disney) Disney's original Orlando theme park is also the world's ...

  10. The 10 Best Things to Do at Disney World

    Disney World is a massive vacation resort with many hotels, an astonishing number of restaurants, shopping and entertainment districts, and a wealth of other features to explore.. Want more than these 10? Consider the enchanting Animal Kingdom show, "Finding Nemo: The Musical," a ride aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris, and a refreshing serving of Dole Whip, the pineapple-flavored treat that is served ...

  11. 35 Things to Do at Disney World in 2024 (By a Local Expert)

    Get pampered at the most magical place on earth. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (407) 824-3039 | Website. After a few days of non-stop fun at the theme parks, it is nice to relax and unwind. Disney World currently has two spas (The Grand Floridian Spa and the Mandara Spa at Swan & Dolphin) for guests to visit.

  12. How to plan a trip to Disney World in 2024

    Of course, weekdays typically see lower crowds than weekends and school breaks. Or, if you are planning a Disney World vacation on a budget, opt for midweek dates in August and September 2024, when prices start at $109 for a one-day ticket. Read our full guide on the best times to visit Walt Disney World.

  13. Which Disney World Park Should You Choose? We're Here to Help!

    About Undercover Tourist. Undercover Tourist is the leading supplier of online discount tickets to Orlando, Florida-area attractions, including Walt Disney World ® Resort, Universal Orlando Resort™, SeaWorld® Orlando, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort and more. With four theme parks, it's hard to decide which Disney World park is best to visit.

  14. Walt Disney World Parks in Orlando Florida Complete Guide

    Planning a Disney World Vacation gets complicated for many because Walt Disney World isn't just one place. In fact, covering over 40 sq. miles, the Disney World Parks combined is the size of San ...

  15. Top 10 Things to Do in Walt Disney World, Orlando

    I first visited i drive in 2006 and we stayed in a hotel on the drive. It was a fabulous place for family. Plenty of places to see, eat, play etc when I visited and stayed again in 2017 I could see it had changed. We went again in 2023 and its not as nice. Some Shops closed and we didn't stay there because disney onside is better.

  16. Visiting Every Park at Walt Disney World with Kids: A 5-Day Itinerary

    Spending five days at Walt Disney World with kids is a marathon, not a sprint. A Disney vacation that hits all four Orlando parks--Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios--inevitably meets our four Es: exciting, exhausting, entertaining, and Excedrin (or whatever your preferred pain medicine brand).

  17. Things to Do near Walt Disney World Resort

    1530 E Buena Vista Dr Town Center, Orlando, FL 32830-8431. 2.9 miles from Walt Disney World Resort. Tree of Life. 2,409 Reviews. 2901 Osceola Pkwy Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Orlando, FL 32830. 2.5 miles from Walt Disney World Resort. Experiences from $375. See 4 Experiences. Cinderella Castle.

  18. Places to Relax at Disney World [37 Best Spots to Rest]

    Other Places to Relax at Walt Disney World Resort 31. Disney's Water Parks. Nothing beats the summer heat like a water park. Fortunately, Disney World has two water parks — Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. Yes, they can get crowded, but you'll still be able to relax on a beach chair, drifting down a lazy river, taking a private surf lesson with a certified instructor, or ...

  19. First Time Beginner's Guide to Disney World (15 minute crash course)

    Tips for Disney World Tickets. If you are visiting for the first time, a standard ticket would be the most appropriate versus an annual pass- you can pick how many base days you'd like to have. Recommended time at the resort is 6 days 5 nights. This gives you 4 days in the parks, and then your arrival and departure day.

  20. 50 Things to Do in Orlando, Florida Beyond Disney's Parks

    Waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing and personal watercraft rental are all also available at Disney's Contemporary Resort via Sammy Duvall's. Art Classes — Disney's Art of Animation Resort offers free drawing classes that are open to any Walt Disney World resort hotel guests. These classes currently occur at 11 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm.

  21. Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida

    For assistance with your Walt Disney World vacation, including resort/package bookings and tickets, please call (407) 939-5277. For Walt Disney World dining, please book your reservation online. 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Welcome to Walt Disney World.

  22. The best restaurants in Disney World in 2024

    Best quick-service meal: Satuli Canteen. Quick service at its Disney-fied finest, this mess hall is next to Avatar Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom. The fast-casual spot's beef, chicken and fish bowls (which cost between $13.29 and $17.99 per bowl) make for a great lunch or dinner that's quick, cheap and healthy.

  23. 4 New Experiences to Celebrate Summer at Walt Disney World

    Summertime at The Most Magical Place On Earth is going to be extra magical this year!Not only will you be able to join the party in The Big Easy when Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens at Magic Kingdom, I'm also here to tell you that there will be four new, limited-time summer celebrations happening across the resort!. At Disney Springs, drones take to the skies above Lake Buena Vista with ...

  24. Places to Visit in Walt Disney World

    Admission tickets from ₹13,330. By JP-in-MD. It is a multimedia nighttime show with lights, water, fire and live action. 2023. 9. Avatar Flight of Passage. 1,950. Disney Parks & Activities.

  25. 28 Top Things to Do in Florida (Beyond Disney World)

    Disney World is worth a visit, but don't overlook these other unique things to do in Florida. By Gwen Pratesi. |. May 11, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Top Things to Do in Florida. Courtesy of Clearwater ...

  26. What It's Like to Revisit Walt Disney World as a Young Adult

    The first time I visited Disney World, midway through the doldrums of elementary school in the mid-2000s, it looked very, very different. Countless rides and experiences were frozen in amber in my ...

  27. Thousands Adhere to Disney's Urgent Advisory to Remain Home, Park Now

    Recent crowds and uncharged prices at Walt Disney World Resort have made it clear that if you are choosing to visit the most magical place on earth during spring break, you should expect high ...

  28. NEWS: Disney Springs Announces New Drone Show for Summer 2024

    This summer is going to be a fantastic time to visit Walt Disney World. Disney has announced a new Drone show that will take place at Disney Springs! Catch the details below. Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Mallory Heinz Ledet: At Disney Springs, drones take to the skies above Lake Buena …

  29. Jason Kelce and Kylie Kelce Visit Disney World With Kids

    The Philadelphia Eagles center, 36, and wife Kylie Kelce traveled to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, February 2. During the outing to the Happiest Place on Earth, the ...

  30. Magnolia Jackson Visits Walt Disney World For 106 Birthday

    Magnolia Jackson visited Walt Disney World parks in Florida for the first time to celebrate her 106th birthday on March 14. ... 106-Year-Old Disney Adult Celebrates Birthday With First Visit To The Most Magical Place On Earth. Written by Janeé Bolden. Published on March 18, 2024 Share. Share the post Share this link via. Or copy link.