What do you like to do at Walt Disney World besides just going to the theme parks?

Question

Our next vacation to Walt Disney World is in July for 10 days and 11 nights. We're on the Platinum Plan and all recreation and tours are included in the package. I know there's all kinds of recreation and stuff to do at Walt Disney World besides just going to the theme parks. There's golf, mini golf, boat rentals, bike rentals, horseback riding, carriage/wagon rides, etc. What else do you like to do during your vacation? What's been fun, what would you recommend or not recommend? Have you done any of the different tours at the theme parks? Any shops you love to go to while at the parks or resorts? Any restaurants or kiosks you always go to, maybe for a specific item?

I want any suggestions of things to do and things to try within Walt Disney World, not off property.

Thank you!

I'm only 19, so any place that requires you to be 21 is out of the question, I guess. And I don't plan on leaving Disney property because I'm on the Platinum Plan and I'm only going to be there fro 11 days. It takes me minimum of two weeks to do everything I want, and I didn't spend $15,000 on our Disney Package to spend more money outside of Disney.

Yep, love Downtown Disney. I already know I'm going to be there at least one whole day. We're having lunch at Bongos Cuban Cafe and dinner at Fulton's Crab House, most likely, and then we're going to see Cirque Du Soleil: La Nouba. We're going to the Rainforest Cafe at the Animal Kingdom Park.

Anybody actually do any of the recreational activities?

Answer 1

I have to say of all the post I read or the replys that are posted, you obviously are the best source of knowledge on WDW.

Now saying that, and we have only been there 3 times and we always find new things that we missed before. Plus the new features that they are alway coming up with.

I always say I appreciate it more after we leave to come home and I have a chance to reflect on the great time we had.

It may take away a little bit of the mystery and fantasy but my suggestion to you is grab the back lot tours and really see how it all come together.

I hope you have a great time and if your not thinking about it already, become a true member and get a place in the workings of WDW.

From what you posted I think you would be what Walt himself had in mind as the people to maintain and carry on his dreams.

Answer 2

My family loves to rent the SeaRaycers from the Grand Flo and explore Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay lake. It's a great way to get out of the paks for an hour or so - but still be close by.

I've been on the Mickey's Magical Milestones tour, and it was a lot of fun. I went with my 12 year old daughter - there's no minimun age limit. Informative - without spoiling the magic. I have read that the Behind the Steam Trains tour is really good, too. You go back behind Toontown to see where the trains are housed, then get to ride around to the front of the park for opening. The Keys to the Kigndom tour is suposed to be great, too. You get to go down into the Utilidors for a bit. I have friends who have done this - and they loved every minute of it.

Sounds like you've got a great trip to look forward to. I didn't know they offered the Platinum Plan anymore.

Answer 3

Try the Segway tour in Epcot. It takes about 2 hours. The first hour you are indoors and they give you training and you practice riding. The second hour you go "around the world". It is really cool because you go to the World Showcase before that part of the park is open, so there is virtually no one there. I just did this in Sept. and we had a blast.

There is also parasailing from in back of the Contemporary Resort. (I am pretty sure that is where it was)

I would love to do one of the "behind the scenes" tours.

How about the International Dessert Gala and Illuminations viewing at Epcot?

Answer 4

Sea World is in Orlando. So is the Wet n' Wild water park. Legoland is about 45 minutes away. Tampa is about 90 minutes away and has Busch Gardens. The Kennedy Space Center certainly isn't a theme park, but it's a pretty cool place to visit. It's about 60 minutes away from Orlando.

Answer 5

The place that the first guy was talking about is Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk, unfortunately you can't enter though (don't worry I can't either, I also am only 19), but I have heard from plenty of friends that is is so much fun so keep that in mind for 2 years in advance.
Pleasure Island is so much fun especially on Thursday nights when it is Cast Member night and plenty of CP's (college interns) go have fun. You can enter most of the clubs, trust me I go all the time, but on certain nights you have to be 21+, Motions is one that you can enter at all times and they play top 40 music.
If you have never ate at Planet Hollywood or Rain Forest Cafe, I suggest trying it at least once. The food isn't the best (not horrible though), but the atmosphere is so much fun. If you don't want to eat there just walk inside and look around (you are allowed to).
At MGM I would suggest eating at either 50's Prime Time or Sci-Fi Diner, of course both are a bit on the pricey side though. At 50'sPT your server is "your mom" from back in the 50's and they play the part extremely well. They go as far as telling you to eat all your veggies before you can leave the table. This is a huge hit for celebs to go to. Sci-Fi just the theme is cool, you sit in a old school car at a drive in watching old sci-fi clips. If you eat here look at all the license plates and you'll notice each is different, that's because each is the initials of the imagineers who helped design it. Food gets mixed reviews though, except for their dessert which is great.

There is just so much to do at WDW. Either way I hope you have fun!!!

Answer 6

You can go to Downtown Disney, there are shops and restaurants there and like the other person said the Rainforest Cafe is Great, but you will need to spend money there. There is quite a bit of nightlife there as well, but you need to be 21 to go into the clubs.

Answer 7

If your old enough, Disney has something called Pleasure Island which is an area full of night clubs and bars. Theres also the Disney Boardwalk, which has an ESPN restauarant, Piano bar etc. If you go there you have to go to the Piano bar one night, they have two guys playing pianos but the songs they play are chosen by people in the audience. They can play anything. ANYTHING. Its a good time. If you have access to all of Disney definitely try and go to as many as possible. It's a really good time.

I know you said nothing off property but if your going to be in the area you might as well go do Orlando too. There's a lot of funm family friendly stuff there too...

Answer 8

I love going to downtown disney at night after going to the theme parks. It is close enough to walk from most of the local disney hotels. it is one huge outside shopping mall with great restaurants. ( I recommend the rainforest Cafe), there is also an bunch of night clubs. Plenty of legos and fun stuff to do for any young ones that come with you on the trip.
Good luck...have fun and tell Mickey I said Hi!

Answer 9

Try the Pirates tour in Caribbean beach resort or the Florida Resort. I´ll do my pirate trip on december.
Stay in the hotel and relax. Enjoy the swimming pool. Try not to go outside as much, because every time you go out, so is your money....