Main Street Dreamers

When most people think of Walt Disney World, they think of Space Mountain, meeting Mickey Mouse, or watching the fireworks. However, did you know there’s a whole world of hidden experiences you may have never heard of? Here are five unique things you probably didn’t know you could do at Disney World.

1. Fishing

If you have a member in your party who enjoys fishing, there are a few ways they could get their fix while at Disney World. Some select Disney World resorts offer fishing right at the resort. These include;

• Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside resort
• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

However, if you would enjoy more of a guided experience, you can enjoy a guided bass fishing excursion from the marinas at many Disney World resorts. These include;

• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Yacht club

This is a more expensive option, with a 2 hour excursion costing $270, and a 4 hour excursion costing $455. Note: This is a price per boat, not per guest. This would be perfect for those in your family wanting a few hours of peace and quiet without having to worry about bringing all the equipment. For this price, all you need will be supplied for you.

2. Boat rentals

Speaking of the water, if you are not a keen fisherman but still enjoy a boat ride on the water, there are many marinas around Disney World that offer self-drive pontoon boat rentals. These are on a first come first serve basis which means that it’s a good idea to try earlier in the day. You can find these at;

• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian and spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Yacht and Beach club resorts
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

These will set you back around $50 for 30 minutes for a maximum of 10 people, which is a very reasonable deal if sharing with friends or family.

3. Private fireworks cruise

Here we get to a more expensive option on the water. However, this lines up as one of the best experiences we have had at Disney World. We can all agree that lining up for the fireworks can feel overwhelming with people all around you trying to find the best spot. By choosing this option, you take all the stress out of this experience.

You can choose either Magic Kingdom or an Epcot fireworks cruise and are able to choose a marina at the resort of your choice in either the Magic Kingdom or Epcot area.

You board your boat 90 minutes before the fireworks time, which gives you more than enough time to tour Bay Lake and hear all the interesting facts from your captain. You receive complimentary soft drinks and snacks to enjoy during your experience also. At the fireworks time, your boat will park up on Bay Lake in front of the Cinderella castle view for the best view of the fireworks. The music is also piped into the boat so you miss absolutely nothing. We can honestly say that this is the best way to experience fireworks at Walt Disney World.

A wonderful experience like this comes at a price. These cruises start at $449, which is of course a major cost. However, if you are travelling with friends or a large family group, it could be an option. The cost is per boat, and can accommodate up to 10 guests.

NOTE: If you are travelling during this Summer, call or check on the app, as the Magic Kingdom area fireworks cruise was unavailable in July.

4. Hoop dee Doo musical revue

Many friends of ours speak about Cirque de Soleil over at Disney Springs but are unaware that there is another show that is a great night out for families. Over at Fort Wilderness resort, you will find the Hoop dee doo musical revue. This is a night of great food, drinks and entertainment that is sure to entertain people of all ages. All you care to enjoy dinner includes fried chicken, cornbread and strawberry shortcake among many other dishes.

This show is one of Walt Disney World’s longest running and most beloved dinner shows, that keeps people coming back for more. Expect to be entertained by 6 energetic “Pioneer players” who sing, dance and banter their way through an old-fashioned revue. The show began all the way back in 1974, and keeps audiences coming back for more, more than 50 years on.

This dinner show has three ticket options. Category 1 on the main floor will set you back around $78 per adult. Category 2 which you will find at the rear of the main floor or up on the balcony will set you back around $74. Category 3 tickets on the balcony may be around $70. Note: These ticket prices include all tax and gratuities. When remembering this, this dinner show becomes quite a good deal for the whole family.

5. Background tours

Many people who visit Disney World never want to see how the magic is made. However, for those who know their way around Disney very well and are curious of how things run, these backstage tours can be a great idea. These tours offer a special, behind-the-scenes experience that let you see how the magic is created for Disney World guests. They’re very different from a normal park day. This is less about rides, and more about Disney history, storytelling and operations.

No matter your interests, be it animals, history or anything inbetween, there is a tour for you. Some popular tours include;

• Keys to the Kingdom (Magic Kingdom park) – A 5 hour walking tour that explores Main Street USA history, hidden details, and the famous utilidor tunnels beneath the park.
• Behind the seeds (Epcot park) – A short, hour long tour around the greenhouse inside the Land pavilion, showcasing innovative farming. This is the greenhouse you will see during your Living with the Land ride.
• Caring for giants (Animal Kingdom park) – An hour long tour guided by Disney’s elephant experts. Here, they will focus on conservation and an up-close viewing area of these beautiful animals.

The beauty of these tours are that you can choose one that fits your budget. You can choose one as reasonable or as luxury as you want, but each one offers something unique and different to your Disney World day.

Have we forgotten any important Disney World hidden gems? Let us know in the comments!

• The sisters behind Main Street dreamers