A trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is something that many people will have on their travel bucket lists. It’s a chance to spend quality time with loved ones and make some magical memories that will last a lifetime.
It’s not just incredible attractions, unforgettable Disney Character meet and greets, and spectacular Broadway-style shows. There are also quite a few hidden gems and quirky experiences that you can only do at Walt Disney World Resort.
Read on to find out more about these unique must-dos and add some to your Walt Disney World Resort list.
Summary – 13 unique things to do at Walt Disney World Resort
- Take a Walt Disney World Resort tour
- Go on safari
- Get a haircut at Harmony Barber Shop
- Write your letter to Santa
- Try the grey stuff, it’s delicious!
- Ride a wave
- Decorate a cake at Disney Springs
- Go on an around the world bar crawl
- Saddle up and go horse riding
- Scuba dive at EPCOT
- Rent a Surrey bike
- Visit the Cinderella Wishing Well
- Build your own lightsaber
1. Take a Walt Disney World Resort tour
Did you know you can go behind the scenes at Walt Disney World Resort? Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour is a five-hour walking tour where you learn more about how the park was created and its growth over the years. You’ll discover little-known facts and trivia – you might also hear about more unique things to do that you can add to your list!
Another Walt Disney World Resort fact for you – did you know there’s a series of underground tunnels beneath Magic Kingdom Park where Cast Members and deliveries can be moved around the park without being seen by guests? Called the Utilidor? You’ll even get to walk through these tunnels during the tour.
2. Go on safari
Did you know you can find a taste of the Serengeti in the heart of Orlando? At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you’ll find four lush savannahs with over 200 animals and birds, including giraffes, gazelle, and zebra.
If you love animals, there’s no better place to stay than a savannah view room at this hotel. Set an alarm and wake up early to look out from your balcony and see wildlife grazing. There’s even a Wildlife Field Guide in your room to help you identify the various different species.
But what you may not know is that you don’t need to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to enjoy the animals here. You can visit for a walk around, grab a coffee or a meal at one of the restaurants, or book one of the Starlight Safaris to see the animals at night.
And it’s not just Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge where you can see magnificent animals. Head to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and jump on Kilimanjaro Safaris for a guided tour in an open-air vehicle. Spot elephants, hippos, giraffes, and more.
Top tip: Take the safari either early in the morning or later on in the day to see the animals at their most active.
3. Get a haircut at Harmony Barber Shop
It might surprise you to learn there’s a real-life working barber shop at Walt Disney World Resort! Harmony Barber Shop is located near the entrance to Magic Kingdom Park and is a traditional barber shop that wouldn’t look out of place in 1900s America.
If you’re a spur-of-the-moment kind of person, then you can pop in for a quick trim or a full shave. You can also book an appointment online in advance to avoid disappointment.
If you’re travelling with small children, why not make this the place they go for their very first haircut? It’s a memory you’ll treasure forever.
4. Write your letter to Santa
Writing a letter to the big man letting him know what you’d like to find under the tree on the 25th is a fun thing to do at Walt Disney World Resort during Christmas…or at any other time for that matter!
At Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom Park, children (and adults!) can send a letter to Santa every day of the year for free. When you’ve put together your wish list, just pop it in Santa’s mailbox, and it will be on its way to the North Pole.
5. Try the grey stuff, it’s delicious!
If you’ve seen Beauty and the Beast, then you’ll be familiar with the Be Our Guest song, and you might recognise the Lumière lyric, “Try the grey stuff, it’s delicious!” Well, you can actually try the “grey stuff” at the Be Our Guest Restaurant in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park.
The “grey stuff” is a sweet treat on the menu that anyone can order. Be Our Guest is a very popular restaurant, so be sure to make a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment. You can make dinner reservations up to 60 days before your visit.
6. Ride a wave
Although Walt Disney World Resort is about an hour’s drive from the nearest beach, there’s actually no need to head for the coast to surf. You can head to a surf session at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park instead.
Surf sessions take place in the outdoor wave pool, which just so happens to be the largest one in North America. Choose from Open Surf, where you share the pool with others or book a Private Surf session, where it’s just you and your friends or family.
7. Decorate a cake at Disney Springs
Fancy yourself as this week’s star baker? At Disney Springs, the entertainment complex at Walt Disney World Resort, you can decorate a Character Dome Cake. This 90-minute lesson is led by a talented Disney pastry artist and teaches you the culinary techniques involved in decorating the signature Character Dome Cakes from Amorette’s Patisserie.
Refreshments like speciality coffees, teas, water, and selected alcoholic beverages are included, and at the end of the class, you can take your cake home to share with family and friends…or not!
8. Go on an around-the-world bar crawl
At World Showcase in EPCOT, you can visit 11 countries in just one place! If you’re looking for things to do at Walt Disney World Resort other than rides, we can highly recommend a visit here to discover more about the various cultures…and do a bar crawl!
A “drinking around the world” bar crawl has become a bit of a sensation on social media over the past few years. You pick up a drink at each country’s pavilion to give you a taste of that country. And it’s not just alcohol, there are soft drinks, too. Here are some great ideas to get you started:
Country | Alcoholic drink | Non-alcoholic drink |
United Kingdom | Pimm’s Cup | Twinings tea |
France | Champagne | Coffee |
Italy | Pinot Grigio | Naufrago (gelato float) |
Norway | Viking Coffee (featuring Baileys and coffee liqueur) | Ice coffee |
Mexico | La Paloma (featuring tequila and fresh lime) | Jarriots |
If you are drinking alcohol, be sure to stay hydrated in the Floridian heat by drinking plenty of water and be aware of your limits. It’s a good idea to pick up some of the food from the different countries in World Showcase too! Our favourites include fish and chips in the UK (a taste of home!), sushi in Japan, and tacos in Mexico.
9. Saddle up and go horse riding
At The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, you’ll find the Tri-Circle-D Ranch, home to over 90 horses. You can stroll through and say howdy to the ponies or book a trail ride through the idyllic woodland surrounding the ranch.
Keep your eyes peeled for deer, ducks, armadillos, and rabbits on this 45-minute steady hack. The ride is suitable for both beginner and intermediate riders, and it’s a lovely way to discover a more tranquil side of Orlando, away from the fun of the theme parks.
Wagon rides are also available to book, and younger children can enjoy guided pony rides.
10. Scuba dive at EPCOT
If you’re a certified diver, you can take a trip underwater at The Seas with Nemo & Friends in EPCOT. During this two-hour tour, you’ll dive into the 5.7 million-gallon saltwater aquarium to see thousands of marine animals, including turtles, rays, and sharks.
There are no currents here, so you can clearly see the sea creatures that call the tank home. Afterwards, you’ll head backstage to discover the behind-the-scenes workings of this huge aquarium.
11. Rent a Surrey bike
“What’s a Surrey bike?” we hear you ask. It’s a two or four-person vehicle that’s pedalled like a bicycle but steered with a wheel, just like a car – and it’s a lot of fun! During your downtime from the theme parks, pootling around on one of these is perfect for exploring more of Walt Disney World Resort.
You can rent a Surrey bike from:
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
12. Visit the Cinderella Wishing Well
The Cinderella Wishing Well is an elusive sight in Magic Kingdom Park. It doesn’t appear on park maps, and it’s easy to walk straight past it if you’re not on the lookout for it. It’s situated in between Cinderella Castle and Tomorrowland and gives you a spectacular view of the castle across the water.
Because of its beautiful view, the Cinderella Wishing Well is a romantic spot for proposals. It’s also just a fantastic photo opportunity!
13. Build your own lightsaber
For the Star Wars fans amongst us, this is an experience that is not to be missed, and it’s one of the most unique things to do at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Savi’s Workshop is a secret workshop that must be booked in advance.
One of Savi’s Gatherers will guide you through the process, and you must choose a hilt theme and select the kyber crystal, which is the heart of your lightsaber. Then it’s time to build the hilt before it’s connected to a lightsaber blade – ready for an intergalactic battle!
The whole experience is really theatrical, and you get to take your lightsaber home with you as a keepsake.
So, there you have it – our list of 13 unique experiences to have at Walt Disney World Resort. Whether it’s your first trip or your 100th, there’s always something new to discover. Start planning your Walt Disney World Resort holiday today.
