So, we’ve explored dining and night life, but what if you have a rest day built into your vacation schedule? What is there to do outside of the theme parks? Well, there is a TON! Besides the pools and water parks, Disney has stocked their resort with an abundance of non-park fun for practically every interest. If you are into sports, then you’ll want to check out Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Here you can catch a game; sign up to take a high speed stock car race around a professional NASCAR track or maybe even catch a glimpse of your sports idol. No one in my family has been to WWS, so we can not tell you how awesome it really is, but it looks really cool! You can find out more information at:
If you love golf, the Walt Disney World resort boasts not one, but five golf courses. Four of the courses are championship winning greens: Disney’s Magnolia golf course and Palm golf course are so amazing they are game locations for the PGA Tour. Our father is a golfer and has played both courses. He highly recommends either. Make sure you make a tee time reservation in advance though, especially for peak season. Important tid-bit both golf courses are NON-METAL spike facilities, so please plan accordingly. Anyone who likes the idea of golf, but doesn’t want to commit to a full day on the green, Disney’s Fantasia Garden’s Mini-golf is located near the Boardwalk hotel; super fun for both kids and adults. You can find all the information you need on golf (both adult and mini-style) at:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/golf/
Want to have something just as fun, but a bit more high energy? Then take the time to stop by the marina on either Bay Lake or the Seven Seas Lagoon. Here you can book speedboats, go parasailing, water skiing, or even book a party boat to go out on the water during the fireworks. Like most recreation at Disney, children need to be accompanied by an adult, but a boating license is not necessary. There are also spots to go fishing (catch and release, guys) too.
If you are like me and you are not into sports, or you have no interest in spending anymore time in yet another Disney themed souvenir shop and you really just need some “Me” time, then you should investigate one of the spas on prem. Technically there are 3 spas to choose from: The Grand Floridian Spa and Health Club; Mandara Spa; and The Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs. The spa and health club at the GF is closed until mid-2013 for refurbishment, but the other two spas are open and full of business. I am a frequenter of spas and salons at home and have everything from facials to waxings on a regular basis. The experiences I have had at the Disney spas are some of the best and absolutely worth every penny. The facilities are immaculately clean; the staff is friendly and professional and to be quite honest, the prices aren’t really all that bad, especially for a resort. I highly recommend taking the time to experience a massage or facial at one of these facilities.
All of the deluxe hotels are equipped with fitness centers and a few of them including The Grand Floridian and the Yacht and Beach Club are also homes to full service salons. So if you are in desperate need of a pedicure, no worries, just call concierge and they will help you make an appointment.
Are you inquisitive? Do you want to know HOW Disney works? Want to see behind the scenes? Then book one of the many Behind the Scenes tours. Two of my favorites are: The Behind the Seeds tour at the Land Pavillion in EPCOT and the Backstage Safari offered at the Animal Kingdom. My father has been on the Keys to the Kingdom tour and loved it! Investigate these options either through the Disney website, or with your concierge. There may be age requirements for each tour as well as special certifications: e.g. SCUBA. These tours can be pricey too, so make sure you can incorporate them into your budget before you tell your kids about them. I plan on taking the Wild Africa Trek on my next trip in the fall.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/
You can find all of this information and more on the Disney Recreation website at:
So there you have it! WDW is so much more than the rides and you can experience it all!
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