10 Things NOT To Do at Walt Disney World, Part 2
We get asked our opinions of some of the really magic things to do when our friends visit Walt Disney World, but never get asked what NOT to do. So we thought that we would give you 10 things that you SHOULD NOT to do on your next trip to the most magical place on earth!
On Tuesday, we looked at #10-6… Today we will look at #5-1!
5- Don’t Take Advantage of the Great Things to Do for Free – Disney offers several great opportunities that don’t even cost a dime! Many of the Disney Resorts offer entertainment for young and old. You can take part in a resort scavenger hunt or learn to make lays and hula. You can also take tours of a resort lodge and even roast marshmallows while you watch a Disney movie. Many of the resorts offer some really cool experience; you just need to ask the concierge or at the front desk to find out everything that the resort has to offer. Disney also has several extra-magical experiences inside the parks for its guests: the Kim Possible Adventure at World Showcase in Epcot, Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom (think petting zoo), and the new Sorcerers of the Kingdom game at the Magic Kingdom just to name a few, and they are all FREE! Our favorite: Yehaa Bob, a 3 hour cabaret and sing-a-long for young AND old, at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort.
4- Don’t resort hop. – Everyone who comes to Disney usually visits because of the amazing theme park experiences and to capture some Disney magic. But many visitors to “Walt’s playground” forget that the resorts located throughout Walt Disney World are more than glorified hotels. They are extremely well themed pockets of magic in and of themselves. Where else, but at Disney World, can you visit the Polynesian isles, and ultra sleek and post-modern marvel, and a Victorian age resort and spa? And that’s just the 3 resorts connected via the Monorail! Where else can you visit a traditional American Boardwalk, and great African tribal house, an Aztec inspired pyramid, and a 40 foot dalmatian? Yep, only at Walt Disney World Resort. On your next trip, take some time and visit some of these resorts, you don’t have to be staying at them to enjoy their beauty and creativity, and many have stellar restaurants to enjoy the flavors of the places the resorts represent!
3- Don’t look up when your are in a store or restaurant. We LOVE the Disney Imagineers! And we love the small, subtle things those Imagineers include in everything that they dream up at Walt Disney World. One lesson we learned a long time ago was to simply just LOOK UP when you visit a new store, restaurant, or attraction. The creative elements included in the theme are not restricted to JUST the walls, often times, the ceilings carry the theme and can often surprise you with amusing sights that you did not expect to see. Favorite ceilings: Tren-D and the World of Disney Store; BOTH located at Downtown Disney Marketplace!
2- Don’t book a character dining experience…even if you don’t have kids. I admit that when I am at Disney World, I am a 12 year old. And I LOVE to meet and greet characters. (My favorite is Stitch) And there is something amazing about having a great meal and being interrupted by Mickey Mouse or Winnie the Pooh. So even if you don’t have kids, I would HIGHLY encourage you to take the time to book yourself a Character meal. There are SEVERAL throughout “The World,” so you have lots to choose from. Our favorites: Cape May Cafe (Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto) and Crystal Palace (Winnie the Pooh and all his friends).
1- Don’t take a day off…rush through as much as you can! This last one is counter-intuitive, we suggest that you schedule one FULL day off from going to any theme parks per trip. Here is why: as awesome as all the parks are, with the long lines everywhere you go, and the stress of dealing with those lines, and the often grumpy people that accompany them, along with the challenge of getting to and from the parks, many times you need a vacation from your vacation. That is why we suggest taking a full day and do NOTHING. Hit the pool, chill and read a book, walk around the lovely resort and experience all it has to offer. Even the Value Resorts have several ways to create memories and never leave the comfort of your resort. With food, pools, and entertainment included, many of the resorts can offer a vacation oasis that is there for the taking. The parks will be there the next day and you may find that when you take a day off from the parks, that is when your memories will begin!!
We hope that these Top Ten DONT”S help make your next Walt Disney World trip even more magical, and we would LOVE to hear your suggestions on some of the things NOT to do at Walt Disney World! Until then, we look forward to NOT doing some things at Disney World together, really soon!!
