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Experiences Any Disney Fan Has to Have Once at Walt Disney World

Disney World Christmas

Walt Disney World is home to myriad opportunities to try new things, experience new cuisines, and explore different entertainment options.  Returning guests to Disney World are quick to return to their favorite attractions, restaurants, and resorts, but doing so puts them at risk at missing some unique experiences around the resort. Here is our list of ten experiences any Disney fan must have at least once at Walt Disney World!

  

10. Miniature Golf

Walt Disney World is home to two miniature golf courses both with two 18-hole courses. Winter Summerland is located at Blizzard Beach and is your traditional miniature golf course with obstacles, hazards, and a colorful story. Guests looking for a less campy version should check out the Fantasia Gardens course located near the Boardwalk. Guests here have the choice between a more traditional golf course or a course feature characters from Fantasia. Either of the courses are excellent choices and wonderful experiences to have on your next vacation!

Fantasia Gardens

9. Dinner with a Show

We are huge proponents of taking in one of the three specialty dinners on property that treat guests to a fantastic meal and amazing entertainment.  Guests have their choice of either the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue or Mickey’s Backyard BBQ at Fort Wilderness or the Spirit of Aloha dinner at the Polynesian Village Resort.  It is important to know that guests must have reservations for any of these experiences and that you also must prepay for the experience, but any of these experiences are great additions to your itinerary!

8. Boardwalk Entertainment

In addition to Disney Springs, guests have access to another entertainment district at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. Here, guests can dine at several different restaurants, dance the night away at the Atlantic Dance Hall, or visit a piano bar at Jellyrolls. There are also kiosks where guests can grab unique snacks and tasty drinks! And the best part of all, guests do not need a ticket to enter the Boardwalk area!

boardwalk-street-performers

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7. Resort Hop

If your vacation is long enough and you have a free day, we recommend spending a portion of it hopping between resorts.  Guests will be able to experience the immersive themes of these resorts, shop in unique gift shops, and dine at inventive restaurants and lounges.  You may even discover a resort you’ll want to stay at the next time you visit Walt Disney World!

6. Holiday Event

Magic Kingdom plays host to two annual holiday events: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. These separate hard-ticket events offer guests admission to Magic Kingdom, free snacks and candy, as well as interaction with specialty characters, unique entertainment and parades, in addition to standard attractions at the Magic Kingdom. If you are visiting between the beginning of September and the end of the year, you may want to consider adding one of these parties to your itinerary!

Halloween October

5. runDisney

Four times a year, Walt Disney World is home to runDisney events.  Guests can register for 5Ks all the way up to a full marathon.  Race courses take guests through the parks and back stage areas and is truly a unique experience for any Disney fan — runner or not! Currently, guests can run in January during Marathon Weekend, February during Princess Half Marathon Weekend, April during the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon Weekend, or during November during the Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend!

4. Park Activity

Guests visiting the theme parks have the ability to participate in specialty activities to enhance their park experience. At the Magic Kingdom, guests can either battle dark forces in the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom or search Adventureland for treasure in the Pirate’s Adventure – the Treasure of the Seven Seas. Guests visiting Epcot and Animal Kingdom have similar experiences. Guests will enjoy these activities since they don’t require any additional money and can be played for as long or as short as guests choose!

3. Water Park

Central Florida is hot, so it is no wonder that Disney has two fully-themed water parks in addition to the pools scattered throughout the resort hotels.  If you are visiting during a hot time of the year, we would highly recommend buying a ticket to either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach.  Both are home to fantastically themed waterslides, lazy rivers, and other water attractions.  There are lockers available to rent for guests to stow their personal belongings and some great dining options, so guests can enjoy their entire day at the park!

2. Close a Park

It is a unique experience to close a park down. Depending on the time of year that you visit, this could mean staying until the end of Extra Magic Hours at 1 or 2 in the morning. When you close a park, guests can climb aboard one of their favorite attractions for the final ride or enjoy a quiet walk along deserted streets and grab once-in-a-lifetime photos of the parks. Our favorite park to close out is Epcot since you can take your time exploring the nooks of the various pavilions in World Showcase!

1. Camp Out

Disney is home to Fort Wilderness Campgrounds that allow guests to bring a RV, rent a cabin, or camp.  The experience at Fort Wilderness is completely different than any other resort as guests create a community within in the resort by decorating their RVs or campsites.  Guests who don’t own an RV don’t have to worry – there are rental services that will deliver the RV to site and set it up.  Guests will also enjoy the dining and entertainment options at this resort!

Fort Wilderness Campground

Have you had any of these experiences at Walt Disney World?  What is the next one on your bucket list?

About Tyler

Tyler is a lawyer living in South Florida who visits Disney World at least once a month. He enjoys re-living classic Disney experiences and discovering new things about the parks when he visits. Friends and family always ask him to plan their trip for maximum Disney magic!

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