20 Hidden Things to Do at Walt Disney World

If you’ve never visited Disney World before, you may not realize there is a vast array of activities available on Disney property in addition to its famed theme park attractions.

There may be times during your vacation when you need a break from the park environment or simply want to mix things up a bit.

Disney has you covered with a variety of unique experiences you can factor into your trip, and some of them won’t even cost you any extra money!

Secret Things to Do at Disney World

With so many exciting possibilities to explore, there’s no way to do everything at once, which is why some of us keep coming back to the most magical place on Earth time after time. No two trips are the same, and we want to do it all! Here are just a few of the surprising things you probably didn’t know you could do at Walt Disney World.

Ride a Horse/Pony

Fort Wilderness Campground is a prime location for activities outside the parks at Walt Disney World, and you’ll find more than one item on our list involves a visit to this laid-back rustic outdoor resort. One of my family’s favorite Disney memories is taking each of our kids for a pony ride at Fort Wilderness’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch.

For just $8, your young ones can saddle up on a petite pony for a parent/guardian led ride around the pristine Disney stables. Considering this is the same fee we paid for my son to ride back in 2012, this is quite a bargain. Be sure to build in time afterwards to take a tour of the stalls and see the majestic Main Street horses along with some interesting relics of Disney’s past. Pony rides are walk-up only, so no reservations are required.

Horseback riding (guests 9 years and older) and carriage rides along the picturesque, wooded trails through Fort Wilderness are also available here, and although walk-ins are accepted based upon availability, advance reservations are highly recommended.

Attend a Mardi Gras Parade 

Laissez les bon temps rouler at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside Resorts! Each year, teams of cast members from every department decorate golf carts to create themed floats for a Mardi Gras parade that processes through both Port Orleans resorts. Cast member led events like themed recreation activities and an evening party round out the festivities to make guests feel as if they’ve been transported into the heart of the Big Easy.

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In addition, this year’s celebration featured a Sassagoula River Boat ride “down the Bayou” from Riverside to French Quarter on a vessel specially decorated for the occasion. A commemorative Port Orleans Mardi Gras pin is available for purchase, and the parade itself provides an opportunity for guests to collect some free souvenirs – all the Mardi Gras beads they can catch!

Get a Haircut

Did you know Main Street, U.S.A. is home to an old-fashioned barber shop? During your visit to the Magic Kingdom, look for the classic striped pole near the park entrance and pop on over for a cut and style or even a beard trim with some special Disney touches at an extremely reasonable price. Harmony Barber Shop also offers first hair cut packages for littles, including a commemorative Mickey ear hat, certificate, and keepsake lock of hair. Appointments are first-come, first-served, and reservations are recommended.

Go on a Nighttime Safari

You don't have to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom park to view a savanna full of exotic animals. Consider visiting the nearby Animal Kingdom Lodge, where you can find giraffes, zebras, okapi, gazelles, flamingos, African crowned cranes, and so many other fascinating species of birds and mammals. There are four savannas at this Disney World resort, and its original lodge, Jambo House, shares the largest (the Sunset Savanna) with its Disney Vacation Club counterpart, Kidani Village. Printed field guides are available at the front desk, and public viewing areas are open for exploration at both areas of the resort. Cast Members employed through a cultural exchange program typically act as safari guides along these trails.

During the early evening hours, you can use night vision goggles to view the animals at Arusha Rock outside Jambo House, free of charge! Helpful safari guides will often go above and beyond to assist you in observing nighttime animal behavior and identifying species of interest. You may have to share the equipment with other guests, but seeing these magnificent creatures in the dark is worth waiting for your turn.

If you're interested in getting a closer look at the residents of Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can also reserve the one hour Starlight Safari aboard an open-sided all-terrain vehicle, for which each guest will be provided with a night vision device. Unfortunately, this experience is not free and runs $75.65-$89 per person.

Pedal a Surrey Bike Along a Scenic Path

If you’re looking for a physical activity to enjoy as a group, you can pedal a charming covered quadracycle along green fairways, canals, boardwalks, or other waterfront walkways at several different Walt Disney World resort locations. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West, Port Orleans Riverside, and Saratoga Springs all offer 2-4 person surrey rentals as well as individual bicycles.

Meet Characters Outside the Parks

Back in the woods of Fort Wilderness Resort, you can meet classic Disney characters at the Meadow Trading Post without ever setting foot in a theme park. Chip ‘n' Dale's Campfire Sing Along is a low-key way to get hugs, autographs, and photos with the chipmunk duo while roasting marshmallows over one of two large fire pits. Start the night off by joining in on some old-timey camp songs led by a cowboy-costumed cast member on guitar, and if you don't know the words, just enjoy the free concert. Don't worry about trying to line up to meet Chip ‘n' Dale— they will usually start making the rounds during the set.

You can bring your own marshmallows for roasting (recommended) and chocolate and graham crackers to make s'mores, or you can purchase them at the Chuck Wagon Snack Bar. There are also hamburgers, hotdogs, popcorn, soda, coffee, beer, and other refreshments available here.

After the sing along portion of the event wraps up, you can stick around for a Disney movie under the stars on a large outdoor screen. Seating for the movie is available on the bleachers or on surrounding benches, but there is also room to set up your own camping chairs or spread a blanket on the ground in front of the screen.

Enjoy Boardwalk Entertainment

Inspired by the heyday of Atlantic City and places like it, Disney's Boardwalk is a quarter mile promenade beside the banks of Crescent Lake with pristine views and a relaxing atmosphere. This little corner of Walt Disney World is home to distinctive shops, midway-style carnival games, and dining locations as well as nightly opportunities to enjoy free entertainment along the boards. Jugglers, comedians, magicians, and more bring the authentic feel of Disney's Boardwalk to life with their street performances. While these impromptu shows are free to watch, tipping is, of course, customary, and artists will generally make a subtle suggestion that you do so at the end of a set.

If you happen to be hanging out on the water's edge when EPCOT's closing time rolls around, you might want to make your way over to the small bridge that connects the Boardwalk to Disney's Yacht and Beach Club. This spot and the World Showcase entrance area at the end of the Boardwalk are some of the best places to view the fireworks from EPCOT's nighttime spectacular without actually being inside the park itself.

You can find more details about transportation to the Crescent Lake area, restaurants, resorts, shops, activities, and more in our 2023 guide to Disney's Boardwalk.

Learn to Surf at Typhoon Lagoon

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon waterpark is the home to North America's largest outdoor wave pool, and guests who want to take advantage of the opportunity to surf the 6 foot swells can reserve an Open Surf or a Private Surf event before or after general park hours. These events are three hour sessions with 100 waves each, and during Open Surf, each surfer is guaranteed to ride at least 10 waves. Private sessions allow up to 25 people, and if you book this event, you can even enjoy listening to your own playlist over the loud speakers while you hang ten. Note that Typhoon Lagoon does not supply surf boards, so guests are responsible for bringing their own.

Ride in a Vintage Car on Water!

The BOATHOUSE at Disney Springs is not only the top spot at Disney World for upscale surf-and-turf dining on the waterfront, but you can also book a tour here aboard one of the location's rare vintage amphicars. This 20-minute, captain-piloted cruise begins on land and splashes down into Lake Buena Vista for a scenic “drive” around Disney Springs at a premium cost of $125 per car.

Take an Archery Lesson

Channel your inner Merida or Robin Hood on your Disney World trip by booking the 75-minute Archery Experience at the Bike Barn at Fort Wilderness. Each session includes instruction on how to fire a compound bow, followed by target practice. Since class sizes are limited to 10 people (age 7 and over), archers will receive plenty of personalized guidance to help them hone their skills with the bow and sharpen their shots on the range targets.

Go on a Fishing Excursion

There are multiple lakes, lagoons, and waterways located on Walt Disney World property. On your choice of a pontoon boat or bass fishing boat, you can head out on these bodies of water to enjoy a guided fishing excursion. These excursions include an experienced guide, rod and reel, tackle, artificial and/or live bait, and assorted Coca-Cola beverages. (Guests 21 years or older may bring alcoholic beverages with them.)

When booking, you’ll have the option to choose whether you’d like a 2-hour or 4-hour excursion. You’ll also be able to choose where you’d like to fish. Excursions take place on Bay Lake, Seven Seas Lagoon, Village Lake, Crescent Lake, and World Showcase Lagoon. Depending on where you’d like to fish, your excursion will begin at a marina located at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Caribbean Beach Resort, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West, Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Wilderness Lodge, or Yacht Club Resort.

A total of 3-5 Guests can take part in an excursion, depending on which boat you choose. If you wish to fish on your own, afternoon excursions are available at a reduced rate for solo anglers. However, keep in mind that you’ll have better results in the morning. My father frequently takes these fishing excursions on his own, but still chooses to book in the morning when the fish are more likely to bite.

Advanced reservations are not required for guided fishing excursions at Walt Disney World. However, they are highly recommended. To book your reservation, call (407) 939-3474.

Scuba Dive

During visits to the SeaBase at EPCOT, you may have seen scuba divers in the 5.7 million gallon aquarium. On occasion, lucky Guests have even seen Mickey taking a dive here too! If swimming with over 2,000 aquatic animals in this gigantic tank is a dream of yours, that dream can become a reality!

By participating in the EPCOT DiveQuest, you’ll be able to swim through clear, calm waters and gain amazing up close views of sea turtles, sharks, reef fish, and stingrays. DiveQuest also includes a backstage tour, which gives you an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes at the aquarium. The entire experience lasts approximately 2 hours, with 40 of those minutes being your dive time.

Guests ages 10 years and older are able to participate in DiveQuest. Those who are ages 16 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult. While only paying Guests are able to take part in the tour and the dive, other members of your travel party can watch your dive from the giant windows of the aquarium.

The price to participate in the EPCOT DiveQuest is $229-$249 per person. Advanced reservations can be made online or on the My Disney Experience app.

Have a Private Photo Shoot

Whether you want to capture special images to mark an important occasion, or you simply want to have great shots at your favorite Walt Disney World locations, a Capture Your Moment photo shoot will give you exactly what you’re looking for. When you book a Capture Your moment photo shoot, you receive a 20-minute private photo session with an experienced Disney PhotoPass photographer. If you wish to have more time, you can book two sessions back to back.

After your shoot, all of your pictures will be uploaded to your My Disney Experience app, where you can view and purchase your favorite images. If you’ve already purchased Memory Maker, all of the photos from your private photo session will be yours at no additional charge.

Capture Your Moment is currently available at Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Batuu, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom. When you first meet with your photographer, let them know if there are certain locations or poses that you would like taken and they’ll make the magic happen!

Your private photo session must be booked in advance. You can make your reservation online or on the My Disney Experience app. Each Capture Your Moment photo session costs $99. Remember, you’ll also need to pay for each image that you want from your session unless you’ve already purchased Memory Maker.

Mini Golf

If you have a day set aside to relax on your vacation, or if you’re looking for something to do on your travel days, consider going mini golfing! Walt Disney World has two miniature golf courses on property – Fantasia Gardens & Fairways Miniature Golf Course and Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course. Each location has two different 18-hole courses that offer unique challenges along with fun theming.

The price to golf is $12 per child (Ages 3-9) and $19 per adult (Ages 10+). Advanced reservations can be made by calling (407) 939-7529. However, walk ups are also welcome!

Learn How to Taste Wine with a Master Sommelier

George Miliotes, the owner of Wine Bar George at Disney Springs, is one out of only 279 Master Sommeliers in the entire world. George offers 90-minute blind tasting events where he teaches Guests how to properly taste wine. At the tasting, 6 different wines that George hand-selected, himself, are explored.

During the event, you will learn about the different characteristics of the wine, such as their provenance, grape variety, vintage, and more. You will also learn additional facts and hear unparalleled stories as George discusses what it’s like to be a Master Sommelier and talks about different aspects of the wine world.

Cheese and charcuterie are also available for Guests to snack on.

Advanced reservations are required for this event and all Guests in attendance must be 21 years of age or older. (Valid ID will need to be presented in order to verify age.) The wine tasting is only available on select days at specific times. Click here to check availability.

Bowl

When you’re ready to enjoy a fun, light-hearted game, head over to Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Disney Springs to play a game of bowling. The venue has two floors filled with 10-pin bowling lanes. During your game, enjoy some tasty offerings from the menu like pizza, burgers, and sushi. Drinks are also available. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get a Splitsville Luxury Lanes bowling pin souvenir cup!

Besides bowling, you’ll also have the opportunity to play pool, enjoy live music, watch the latest on flat-screen TVs, and hang out at the bar.

Reservations are not required, but are a good idea if you wish to bowl at a guaranteed time on a certain day. You can make your reservation online or by calling (407) 938-7467. If you don’t have a certain date in mind, that’s ok! Head to Splitsville when you get to Disney Springs and add your name to the walk-up list. My family and I have always had success getting a time to bowl without making reservations in advance.

Get a Princess or Knight Makeover

Children ages 3-12 can head to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to get a royal makeover with the help of Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices. A variety of hairstyles, costumes, and accessories are available for little Knights and Princesses to choose from. Whether they wish to wear an elegant gown and tiara or suit up with a sword and shield, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is the place where their royal dreams can come true.

Multiple services and packages are available at the boutique, providing affordable options for all Guests. If you’re looking for ways to cut on costs at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, consider bringing a gown along with you!

This experience is very popular, so we highly recommend that you make a reservation in advance. When making your plans, expect that your little one’s royal makeover will take about 90 minutes.

Decorate a Cake

Amorette’s Patisserie, in Disney Springs, offers a small-group cake decorating class that gives Guests the opportunity to decorate one of the shop’s classic character dome cakes. This 90-minute lesson is led by a Disney pastry artist. Depending on the date, you will be decorating a Mickey Mouse Dome Cake, Minnie Mouse Dome Cake, or Amorette’s Choice Dome Cake. The Mickey Mouse Dome Cake is made up of Chocolate Chiffon Cake, Milk Chocolate Mousse, and Orange Pate De Fruit Jelly. The Minnie Mouse Dome Cake is made up of Lemon Chiffon Cake, White Chocolate Mousse, and Strawberry Pate De Fruit Jelly.

This cake decorating class is $199 per reservation, which allows for up to two Guests. If you would like to add a second cake to your reservation, there will be an additional charge of $50. Reservations are required for this experience. Cake decorating classes take place at 9:15am on select dates, prior to Amorette’s Patisserie opening up to the public for the day.

Go on a Segway Adventure

For a beautiful, scenic tour, visit Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground to take part in the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure. This is a 2-hour tour that loops around Disney’s Fort Wilderness and includes stops at Tri-Circle-D Ranch and Bay Lake. During your adventure, you will learn from your experienced Cast Member who will be guiding you via headset.

Your method of transportation for the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure is a Segway X2. This is an all-terrain Segway that’s made to easily maneuver across the paths and woodland trails that you will be encountering on your adventure. If you’ve never ridden a Segway before, don’t worry! Cast Members will ensure that you’re comfortable with your Segway prior to your adventure beginning. There’s even 30 minutes set aside at the beginning of each tour to allow for practice time.

The cost of the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure is $90-$99 per person.

Take an Art Class

At Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, there are multiple art classes available where you can let your creativity soar. Currently, there are two different art experiences that you can take part in. One is a master-led painting class while the other provides the opportunity to create Disney-themed Spanish Mosaic Art. Both experiences are two hours long, with advanced reservations being highly recommended. The painting class is $45 per person while the Spanish Mosaic Art workshop is $30 per person.

Disney’s Coronado Springs is both peaceful and beautiful, which makes it the perfect home for these artistic experiences.

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