What are the best things to do at Disney and Universal, other than visiting theme parks?
When the parks get crowded, experienced Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando visitors know that they can find much more to do at those resorts than just go to their theme parks.
Whenever I visit Disney World, I love to get a boat and drive around the waterways between Port Orleans and Downtown Disney. Maybe it's the old Tom Sawyer Island raft driver in me, but I could happily spend an entire day doing nothing but riding and driving watercraft around the Walt Disney World Resort.
Other visitors like to supplement their theme park visits with rounds of golf, fine dining at resort hotels, or -- going in the other direction -- gathering around a campfire for a roasted s'mores dessert. Last week, I asked Theme Park Insider's Twitter followers for their recommendations on what to do at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando resorts, other than visiting the parks. Here are some of their responses:
@themepark playing golf at the Magnolia course, mini golf at any of the WDW locations, and hanging out at Pat O'Briens at City Walk.
— Brandon Glover (@madh4773r) April 4, 2013
@themepark sitting on thebalcony underneath the monorail entrance at the Contemporary overlooking the Magic Kingdom at sunset.
— Dawn Ellis (@driandye) April 4, 2013
@themepark Visiting the Whopper Bar at Universal's City Walk is always enjoyable!
— Natalie Johnson (@natjohnson20) April 4, 2013
@themepark Golf of all sizes - from "regular" to miniature. The Magnolia & Fantasia Gardens are my favorites.
— Allison Hughes (@iamhughes) April 4, 2013
@themepark Boating on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. Visiting WDW resorts for snacks, eg Beaches & Cream.
— One Day Older (@m3nt4lwr3ck) April 4, 2013
@themepark If you have kids, I am a big fan of the nightly campfire and sing-along with Chip 'n Dale at WDW's Fort Wilderness. Fun & free!
— Catherine M Williams (@Dis_Catherine) April 4, 2013
@themepark enjoyingStormalongBay at theYachtClub,mini golf at FantasiaGardens,+watching the electrical water pageant from Fort Wilderness
— Addy (@Dec1983agirl) April 4, 2013
@themepark Resort hopping! I love to check out the dining & lounge options at Disney.
— KJ_PlustheMagic (@plusthemagic) April 4, 2013
@themepark I love hanging around CityWalk or Downtown Disney. Especially when a bunch of my pals don't have passes, it's fun!
— Mary Liz Hicks (@xPhantomRed) April 4, 2013
@themepark now that I live here, it's nice to find a spot in a park and just watch everyone experience the magic!
— Lisa Rubin Faber (@maleficent4801) April 5, 2013
What's your favorite thing to outside of visiting the parks when you go to Orlando? Please share your secret tips, in the comments.
Replies (9)
If staying in Bay Lake Tower, watching the fireworks at the magic kingdom from the viewing area on the roof.
we've been saying we were going to rent on of the little speedboats, but have never gotten around to doing that.
Hollywood Drive-In Golf at Citywalk at night. AWESOME!!!! Plus, walking around the resorts and taking the water taxis.
Traveling to the various hotels around Disney World is one of my favourite activities. This can give you ideas of where to stay and eat for future trips. It's also fun to experience the various transportation modes around Magic Kingdom. I love riding the boats to and from the Wilderness Resort to MK.
When staying at a Disney property, we enjoy resort-hopping for sight-seeing and dining options as well as renting the boats on the various lagoons.
At Universal, we like to take some time away from the parks in order to see a movie or walk around CityWalk. Exploring the different resorts or strolling along the water taxi trail is also relaxing and fun to do when it's not scorching hot outside!
One of my favorite things to do at Universal is to take the water taxis to other resorts! The Hard Rock Hotel has a large selection of rock n' roll artifacts, and is great to check out. It's also fun to go eat at one of the resorts for another point of view. Finally, all the resorts are great for taking pictures. Feel like going to Italy? Try the Portofino! Maybe the Caribbean? Go to Royal Pacific for some great photo ops.
Robert, how come your wife is wearing a life vest and you are not? For shame!
Every time that we are at Walt Disney World we go to Downtown Disney and walk around and check out the stores. Also we usually eat at at least one restaurant at one of the Disney Hotels. One of the many things that I love about WDW is that there is so much to do, other then the theme parks and water parks.
I agree with Brandon- I love going round various resorts to get a feel for which I might like to stay in. I have been known to abandon a day at EPCOT for a few hours so tha tI can visit the hotels on the Boardwalk. I've always found the staff really helpful and more than happy to show me around
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After 6 days of intense fun and sun, in the last and seventh day, I just want to stay in the room and watch television.