When you think of American vacation spots and destinations, there are few places as iconic as the Magic Kingdom. Disney World opened in 1971 in Florida, captivating the hearts of millions of Americans. Now, 50 years later, it’s become the most visited vacation resort in the world, with over 58 million annual guests.
If you’re one of those planning on visiting Florida this year, we’re here to help you get the most out of your Disney World trip. Read on to learn the five best things to do at Disney World for both kids and adults.
1. Explore The World at Epcot’s World Showcase
Just because Disney World is in the middle of Florida doesn’t mean that you can’t explore the rest of the world. In the Epcot center, you can enjoy stores and food from 11 countries representing six continents. There are live shows as well that represent the different cultures you’ll experience.
This is a great opportunity for children and adults to learn more about people from different cultures. They’ll also get a greater appreciation of diversity. You can either pick a few of your favorite countries to check out or spend an entire day browsing each locale. There’s enough entertainment in this one area to make the trip worthwhile!
2. Take a Trip Through Time
At Epcot, you can take a trip through time to see the history of humanity play out. You’ll experience amazingly detailed sets that cover everything from the burning of the Alexandria Library to the founding of America.
The ride takes place inside of the legendary Epcot Center ball and is a great opportunity to excite kids about history. An underrated benefit of this ride is that it’s indoors, which will make everyone happy during those long Florida Summers.
3. Check out Africa’s Wildlife
It would be a mistake to take a Disney World trip without visiting Animal Kingdom. You can have once-in-a-lifetime experiences with animals, getting closer to them than you probably would at any other time in your life. There are gorillas you can see from inches away, with only you and thin glass between you. You’ll also see massive hippos, curious meerkats, beautiful exotic birds, and more.
You and your family will experience the beauty of Africa on this self-guided tour through the Pangani Forest. It’s a great way to unwind after a busy day touring the parks while giving your family a deeper appreciation of all nature offers.
4. Take Part in the Disney Pin Trading Tradition
Pin trading has become one of the most popular activities at Disney World, and for good reason. Pin trading is like trading stamps or baseball cards. There are different levels of traders. Some people only care about getting pins with their favorite characters. Others always look for value and will only trade pins if they think they’re getting a good deal.
These professional traders will often sell their stock on sites like eBay. Sometimes, you’ll see regular guests walking around with boards or books of pins. If they offer you a trade, be wary. There’s a good chance that they want your pin because of its value, and they’ll rarely offer you a fair deal. Often, they’ll look for casual traders because they hope they can pawn off their least valuable pins on them.
Most visitors prefer to trade with cast members. You’ll see both characters and cast members carrying either lanyards with pins on them or pin sheets. You can ask any of them to see their pins, and if you see one you like, you can ask to trade. Cast members can never say no to trading unless you offer them one they already have.
It’s also important to note that a green lanyard or pin sheet is for children only, so you can’t trade with team members carrying them.
Buy a starter pin set, explore the park, and see which Disney characters you can get by trading!
5. Explore Some of the Unique Places To Stay
When visiting Disney World, one of the best ways to explore the parks is by staying in one of their themed hotels or Disney Vacation Club properties.
Disney’s Riviera Resort is the newest property built by Disney. It’s a luxury hotel with four restaurants, include one on the building’s rooftop. You’ll also have access to two pools and a splash pad, along with easy access to the East Skyliner gondola. The primary drawback to this property is that it doesn’t really feel like Disney. If you’re looking for a once-a-year luxury experience, the Riviera is perfect, but if you want the quintessential Disney experience, there are other options.
One such option is the Polynesian Village Resort. You’ll experience a tropical atmosphere with bungalows over the water, sandy beaches, and the famous volcano water slide. This Summer, you’ll also get to experience the new Moana theme that they’ve worked on for the past year.
There are some amazing restaurants and places to relax, such as Sam’s Grog Grotto, and you and the family can dine with Lilo and Stitch. You’d be hard-pressed to find another place like the Polynesian anywhere.
You can also stay at a Disney Vacation Club property like the Animal Kingdom Villas. If you aren’t a member of the DVC, you can find great deals on places to stay on this Disney Blog. Whether you stay at a resort or a DVC property, you’ll enjoy a magical experience at the magic kingdom!
The Best Things to Do at Disney World Are Free
This list of the best things to do at Disney World wouldn’t be complete without talking about the best part of a vacation at the Magic Kingdom: the memories. When you take your family on a Disney World trip, you’ll build memories that will last you a lifetime.
If you’re looking for more great travel advice, be sure to check out our blog. From planning your next trip to finding great budget deals, we’ll help you get the most out of your next vacation!
