Disney World has a huge following of dedicated and passionate fans. Many visitors enjoy this “magical” destination as an escape from reality. After all, what’s not to enjoy? World-class ride attractions, delicious restaurants and some of the best fireworks shows ever. But we understand that not everyone is a fan of Disney. To many people, they think of an overpriced, expensive vacation in the unbearable humidity of Florida. “Why spend a ton of money to stand in line for hours? Why do you pretend some guy in a costume is a talking mouse?” But as we discuss below, there are plenty of things to do at Disney World for non-Disney people!
Maybe you’re planning a trip with someone who doesn’t get it. Or you need to convince someone to go with you. Even if they’re not into fairy tales, musicals or Star Wars, there’s plenty of things to see and do. Across the entire Walt Disney World Resort which is the size of San Francisco, there truly is something for everyone. Here are some ideas and things to do and why it’s still worth a visit even if you or someone you know doesn’t quite understand the hype.
- Get your adrenaline flowing on a thrill ride. You’re not going to find as many roller coasters at Disney World like you would at Cedar Point or Six Flags. But that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of exciting attractions available. There is the classic “Mountain” trio of rides at Magic Kingdom. Space Mountain is a great roller coaster through the dark that makes the rider feel like they’re whizzing through the stars. Big Thunder Mountain is a classic mine train roller coaster, while the famous Splash Mountain takes you down a thrilling drop. Since all these rides are very popular, a good time for someone who doesn’t care much about characters or the “magical” aspects of Disney is to ride them during parades and fireworks shows. The lines will be significantly shorter during those times.
Some of our other thrill ride favorites include Expedition Everest (go forward and backward on this coaster) at Animal Kingdom, and Rock ’N Roller Coaster (0 – 57 mph in less than 3 seconds with 2 loops and a corkscrew!) and Tower of Terror (a randomized drop ride) at Hollywood Studios. If your visit is primarily around certain rides, consider getting a Park Hopper ticket if there are not enough attractions to fill your day in one park.
- Experience unique and innovative attractions. In addition to the rides mentioned above, there are plenty of others that may not be thrilling like a roller coaster. But they are incredible technological marvels that need to be experienced in person. Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom is a perfect example of this. In this Avatar-themed ride, you fly on the back of a Banshee and experience all the motions, 3D visuals and more in a truly immersive ride. It’s one of those rides that you get off and go, “How did they do that?” Karen wasn’t a fan of the Avatar movie, but even she thought it was one of the best rides ever.
Another favorite ride we’d include in this category is Soarin’ in Epcot. This attraction flies you over famous world landmarks with gentle motions, scents and wind. And we can’t forget about Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios. This 4D shooting game and ride combination is fun for all as you compete for the high score. While we’re in Hollywood Studios, we have to mention Galaxy’s Edge. The new Star Wars-themed attractions like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance demonstrate how far ride technology has come. But enough about rides…
- Eat and drink your way around Epcot. This theme park is the first one we’d recommend especially for adults who are skeptical of Disney World. In the World Showcase area of the park, there are 11 countries you can visit. These include Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, United Kingdom and the United States. Some countries have rides while others may have a 360-degree theater.
But what they all have in common is dining. Enjoy a variety of international cuisine at both table service and quick service restaurant options. Another popular adult activity is “drinking around the world”. Each country has a selection of beer, wine and/or cocktails to refresh you on your international journey. Remember to be safe and responsible!
- Eat and drink on the BoardWalk. Located just outside Epcot’s World Showcase, the BoardWalk is another great area to hang out. And best of all, it doesn’t require a park ticket to visit! If you’re staying in a BoardWalk area resort, well, you’re already set. But there are many ways to get here. Take a bus from a park or Disney Springs to either the BoardWalk Resort, Yacht Club Resort or Beach Club Resort. Ride the Skyliner to the Epcot station. Take a Friendship boat from Hollywood Studios. Or if you’re already at Epcot, you can take a boat or just walk over from the International Gateway entrance.
The BoardWalk has something for everyone. There’s Big River Grille & Brewing Works for craft beer fans. BoardWalk Deli if you want a good sandwich. Jellyrolls for a date night out with live music. Flying Fish for fancy dining. And there’s many other restaurants, bars and treats to check out as well!
- Check out the shopping, dining and entertainment at Disney Springs. There could be a separate blog post just for this one. This outdoor mall has high-end stores for shopaholics, as well as our favorite stores: The LEGO Store and World of Disney. There are a plethora of dining choices from quick to fancy and everything in between. And don’t forget all the entertainment! There’s standard options like bowling, a movie theater and live music. But there’s unique things to do as well, such as a balloon ride and cruising across the water in an amphicar.
- Visit other hotels and their restaurants. It’s easy to forget that there’s delicious restaurant options across the Disney hotel portfolio as well! Do you want African food? Check out Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Want all-you-can-eat Pacific flavors? Head over to ‘Ohana at the Polynesian. Craving some seafood? Cape May Cafe at Yacht Club is calling your name. Want a burger and beer? Plenty of choices at Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge. This is just a tiny sampling of what’s available. And you don’t have to be a guest at a hotel to eat at their restaurants! Just be sure to get a dining reservation to secure your spot.
- Hook a big one. Disney World has a variety of fishing experiences available. If you want a pricier guided excursion, you can fish from several notable locations, including Bay Lake, Seven Seas Lagoon or the World Showcase Lagoon. For a more budget-friendly option, check out dockside fishing at Port Orleans Riverside.
- Hop in a boat. If you love spending time on the water but you’re not into fishing, Disney offers several boat rental options. Paddle in a canoe, zip around in a Sea Raycer or cruise along in a pontoon boat. You’ll have no problem finding a boat that fits your budget and preference. Want to just go along for a ride? There is plenty of free boat transportation throughout Disney World between the hotels, theme parks and Disney Springs. Or if you want a unique experience, go for a Amphicar tour. These vehicles go on both land and water while you get a guided tour of Disney Springs landmarks.
- Go camping. Planning a Disney trip with an outdoors lover? Consider camping at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Whether you bring a tent, an RV or rent a cabin, this is definitely a unique way to stay at Disney World! And don’t worry. These campsites are fully equipped with water, electrical hookups and more. In addition to a pool, Fort Wilderness also has unique activities available such as archery, canoeing and horseback riding.
There are also websites that let you rent RVs from owners, and you can even coordinate it to be delivered and parked at your campsite upon your arrival. We’ve never used any of these services, so we cannot provide any reviews. But as non-RV owners, we have definitely considered this as a fun future trip option!
- Hit the links. We’re not golfers, but we know many people enjoy playing this sport. Disney World has several award-winning golf courses: Disney’s Palm Golf Course, Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course. Check out more information about the courses and how to reserve a tee time here.
- Cool off at a waterpark. Everyone loves lounging around at the pool. But take it a step further and check out the waterparks at Disney World! If you or a travel companion is not a big theme park person, perhaps a waterpark would be more up your alley. There are two to choose from: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. In other words, there’s no shortage of waterslides and pool-based fun!
So as you can see, there’s plenty of things to do at Disney World for non-Disney people. It’s not all princesses, cartoon animals and sing-a-longs. The most important thing you can do if you’re putting together a trip for or with a non-Disney person is to plan well! Disney World vacations require a little more extra planning than other trips to ensure a smooth vacation. This means take the time to secure your FastPass+ and dining reservations so you’re not spending more time in lines. Also, pick a hotel that has a theme that appeals to everyone and best fits your itinerary. If you’re going to spend most of your time in the parks or outside your hotel, you probably don’t need to splurge on a deluxe resort. But if you are planning to hang out a lot at the hotel, pick a resort that offers more amenities and activities.
Disney World can be a fun destination for everyone, even the most skeptical. Karen had never been before until we went together as adults. She was a cautious skeptic and didn’t get why everyone kept saying it was a magical place. Fortunately, it only took a day for her to understand and we’ve enjoyed several trips here since. Have you ever had to convince a non-Disney person to go to Disney World with you? Leave us your tips below in the comments!
Thanks for reading and check out our other Disney World posts.