Five Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to Do That Make Disney Even More Magical

Posted:  Guest Blogger Tips Trip Reports

What comes to mind when you think of Walt Disney World? Rides, characters, and fireworks? Probably not bird surgery. But hear me out! During our most recent trip to Disney World, my family of five rented points from David’s Vacation Club Rentals and stayed at the nostalgic, charming Boardwalk Villas. From there, we went on some off-the-beaten-path adventures I highly recommend!

The colorful buildings of Disney’s BoardWalk Villas are seen from across the water of Crescent Lake at sunrise. The lights of the BoardWalk are still lit and birds are seen flying in the hazy sky.

In no particular order:

1. Watching veterinarians operate on animals at Animal Kingdom

At the Conservation Station in Rafiki’s Planet Watch, just a five-minute ride on the Wildlife Express train tucked in the back of Animal Kingdom, we watched veterinarians operate on a bird that had an egg lodged in her system. My kids were mesmerized by how the doctors cared for Lily, the bird, and at the end, the surgeon came out to answer questions. It was an unexpected educational experience that we are all likely to remember forever, and it gave extra meaning to our visit to Animal Kingdom.

An X-ray of a bird skeleton is seen displayed on a monitor screen.

Guests view a medical procedure being performed on a bird through a glass window. In the operating room, the Disney team working on the animal are seen performing and observing the procedure amidst surgical and medical equipment.

Also recommended is watching Cast Members prepare pounds of vegetables for animals at the Nutrition Center. They’re also happy to answer questions!

A Cast Member prepares food including placing vegetables and grains into Tupperware containers for different animals at Animal Kingdom.

 

2. Chatting with cast members from around the world at Epcot

World Showcase is bursting with architecture, snacks, and souvenirs from 11 countries. But its true treasures, I’d argue, are the nationals staffing each country. We stopped at a few Kidcot stations and chatted with the cast members from France and Japan. We learned about what their hometowns were like, what food they ate at home and their favorite things about America. There aren’t too many other places where you can get to know people around the world so quickly (while munching on a baguette). 

A Cast Member from the Italy pavilion sits with children who are coloring at the Kidcot spot in EPCOT. There are many colorful masks displayed on the wall surrounding an Italian painting.)

The exterior of the “Der TeddyBar” shop at the Germany pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase is seen. The fairytale-style building is brown with red, turquoise, and yellow accents, and is decorated with flower boxes with red blooms.

 

3. Fishing Epcot before the park opens

Speaking of Epcot, did you know you can fish in the World Showcase Lagoon before the park opens? My husband loves to fish, and booked a guided bass fishing tour through Disney. He and a guide enjoyed a relaxing pontoon boat ride while fishing in the Crescent Lake area and into Epcot. It’s just one of many fishing opportunities at Disney World; you can also dock fish from some resorts and fish Bay Lake. Take note– you can’t keep your fish, but you can keep the memories!

Part of a boat and fishing equipment are seen as the boat sails towards EPCOT. The moon can be seen in the hazy dawn sky, and the lights of Disney’s Beach Club Villas are seen in the distance.

The deck of a fishing boat and a net are seen in the waters of World Showcase lagoon at dawn. The sky is still a dark blue and the lights on Spaceship Earth can be seen in the distance along with the lights of the World Showcase country pavilions.

 

4. Following Kylo Ren and Stormtroopers

There are so many characters in Disney World, but probably none as nefarious as Kylo Ren and his Stormtroopers. Every hour, the First Order searches for the Resistance in Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios. One of my kids was obsessed with following them around as they searched the crowd. Sometimes, Kylo will stop and investigate a suspected rebel. He and his crew are so intense that, for a moment, I actually thought I was on the planet Batuu!

Guests interact with Stormtroopers and Kylo Ren in Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park

2 Stormtroopers in their iconic white suits stand behind a ride vehicle in the Rise of the Resistance attraction. The vehicle and room are grey, and the bot at the front of the ride vehicle is red and black.

 

5. Participate in a juggling show on Disney’s BoardWalk

This was our first time staying at one of the Crescent Lake-area resorts (David’s Vacation Club Rentals rents points at Boardwalk Villas and Beach Club Villas!). We enjoyed the chill, fun ambiance of the BoardWalk. You can rent surrey bikes or eat a corn dog, but we most enjoyed watching the energetic performance of a juggling duo. They asked for participants– one of our kids participated in spinning plates with the performers! It’s a delightful way to finish the night (especially if you get a sundae while watching!)

A performer balances on a platform at sunset at Disney’s BoardWalk. Resort buildings can be seen in the background, as well as juggling equipment and hoola hoops on a black table.

Disney’s BoardWalk Villas is seen at night from across the waters of Crescent Lake. The white lights strung up along the BoardWalk shimmer on the water under a clear night sky as a boat makes its way to the resort dock.

 

What’s your favorite (possibly underrated) thing to do at Disney World?

Cinderella Castle is seen from the side. The castle’s reflection is seen in the water under a sunny sky, and there is green foliage on either side of the water.

 

~Evelyn

About the Author: I’m Evelyn, a mom of three from Minnesota. My favorite part of Disney World is the attention to detail– from the bear claw scratches on the floor at Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom to the forest sounds of Pandora at Animal Kingdom. Pro tip: the crème brûlée croissant at Gaston’s Tavern in Magic Kingdom will change your life. 

Guest blogger Evelyn Wong smiles as she holds up two cups of DOLE Whip soft serve at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.

 

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