I’m sure you all know about Disney World’s amazing theme parks,
but are you familiar with the myriad of fascinating activities
for children offered throughout Walt Disney World that are
either complimentary or offered for a reasonable fee to Disney
resort guests? Here are some of the best:
• Snag a Bass On a Kid’s Fishing Excursion. - 1-hour angling
trips just for children are available from the resort marinas of
Disney’s Contemporary, Polynesian, Yacht and Beach Club, and
Boardwalk Inn and Villas. For miles of shore fishing head over
to Disney’s Ft. Wilderness where cane poles and rods and reels
may be rented at the Bike Barn in the Meadow Recreation Area.
Fishing excursions are approximately $25 per child. Call
407-WDW-PLAY for reservations. • Enjoy the Old West. - Hayrides
depart each evening from Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness for a
45-minute trip. Very tame, cowboy-guided trail rides are also
offered, or younger children can opt for a $2 pony ride at the
Fort Wilderness Petting Farm. Hayrides are $8 per adult and $4
per child; no reservations taken. Trail rides are $30 per
person; reservations are required and may be made up to two
weeks in advance by calling 407-WDW-PLAY. • Sing-Along in Front
of the Campfire. - Families gather round the campfire each
evening at Ft. Wilderness for a sing-along, marshmallow roast,
and a Disney animated movie. Complimentary to all Walt Disney
World resort guests. • Watch the Electrical Water Pageant
Parade. - Nightly on the Seven Seas Lagoon is a delightful
1000-foot string of illuminated barges featuring King Neptune
and his court of whales, sea serpents, and other deep-sea
creatures. The free show can be seen from the beaches of
Disney’s Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and
Wilderness Lodge Resorts. • Ride Up Front with the Monorail
Driver. - Simply ask the Cast Member on duty. They will be happy
to oblige as long as the front car is empty.
• Take a Spin on a Watermouse Boat. - Rent one of these
two-seater mini-power boats and zip around one of Disney’s lakes
at 22 miles per hour. Kids love them, particularly because they
need only be 12 years or older and at least 5 feet tall to drive
one without adult supervision. Available at the Contemporary,
Polynesian, Grand Floridian, the Yacht and Beach Club, Downtown
Disney, and the Wilderness Lodge. Approximately $22 per
half-hour. • Dive into One of Disney’s Fabulous Themed Pools. -
You can’t do much better than a dip in one of Disney’s wonderful
swimming pools. Children’s favorites: the Volcano Pool at
Disney’s Polynesian Resort featuring a smoking volcano slide,
underwater music, and sparkling waterfall, all with a superb
view of the Seven Seas Lagoon; the Wilderness Lodge’s
boulder-lined pool featuring waterfalls, rocky overlooks, water
slide, and a nearby geyser; the eye-popping Stormalong Bay, a
mini-water park complex that meanders between the Yacht and
Beach Club, offering three acres of winding, watery delight
including sandy bottom pools, a giant “shipwreck” waterslide, a
tidal whirlpool, bubbling hot tubs, a kiddie pool with its own
slide next to the beach, and enough length to float lazily in
inner tubes to your heart’s delight. • Search for Buried
Treasure on a Pirate’s Cruise. - Every Monday, Wednesday, and
Thursday, children ages 3-10 sail from the dock of Disney’s
Grand Floridian Resort on a 2-hour supervised trip to a deserted
island. $28 fee includes snacks, bandanas, and treasure. Call
407-WDW-DINE for reservations. • Attend a Children's Tea Party.
- A “Wonderland Tea Party” happens Mon-Fri at 1:30 P.M. in 1900
Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Hosted by
characters from Alice in Wonderland, the little ones play games,
listen to stories, and drink apple “tea”. $28. Strictly for
children ages 3-10. Call 407-WDW-DINE for reservations.
• Take in a Character Meal. - These extremely popular dining
opportunities, offered at both the Disney theme parks and resort
hotels, are a perfect way for your children to spend extra time
with favorite Disney characters. Meals are offered in three ways
depending on the restaurant: buffet-style, family-style, or
pre-plated meals; regardless, it’s essentially all-you-can-eat.
Characters work the room, stopping at each table to interact
with guests, pose for photos, and sign autographs. Book priority
seating early, particularly for Cinderella’s Royal Table,
Epcot’s Princess Breakfast in Norway, and Chef Mickey’s by
calling 407-WDW-DINE. Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury
Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best
Disney Has to Offer available at 800-247-6553,
www.luxurydisneyguide.com, Amazon.com, or your local bookstore.
Visit her at www.luxurydisneyguide.com.
Mailto:info@luxurydisneyguide.com
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