What less popular experiences should we seek out in the parks?

[MelissaBee]

OK, all you WDW Veterans! What are your lesser known, often overlooked, or smaller magical experiences at WDW, especially in the parks?
Some background on us...DD10 and I will be visiting WDW for one week this July. We are Disney park junkies and have been to 11 of the 12 global parks (only missing Shanghai!), so we’ve done all the main castle park attractions many times. We are major Disney nerds and love things like CoP and TTA. DD even loves the World Showcase movies, lol. We haven’t been to WDW since 2016, so Avatar, SWGE, and Toy Story Land will be new for us and are clear must-dos. But for this trip, we really want to focus on just being in the Disney bubble and doing things we’ve never done before in our typical haste to ride the major rides and make all our ADRs.
So for all of you who’ve explored every inch of the parks—what experiences should we make sure to seek out?

 

[DWillowBay]

There will be 2 new Showcase movies in China and in Canada when you visit. That will be fun to see as a "new" thing. By then, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway will be open in HS. Again, new and fun. Love things like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom and the Pirate Adventure, which isn't new, but each game is different, so ....sort of. Riding the Skyway will be new to WDW for you. Star Wars (if that's an important thing for you) will be new to you. Love riding the Mark Twain. Love Country Bears (easily overlooked)...I even love the shooting range. And Tiki Room is a non-negotiable for me! But that's just me. I hope you have a great trip...new or familiar, it's always great!

 

[MelissaBee]

There will be 2 new Showcase movies in China and in Canada when you visit. That will be fun to see as a "new" thing. By then, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway will be open in HS. Again, new and fun. Love things like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom and the Pirate Adventure, which isn't new, but each game is different, so ....sort of. Riding the Skyway will be new to WDW for you. Star Wars (if that's an important thing for you) will be new to you. Love riding the Mark Twain. Love Country Bears (easily overlooked)...I even love the shooting range. And Tiki Room is a non-negotiable for me! But that's just me. I hope you have a great trip...new or familiar, it's always great!

Thank you! There has been such a building boom since our last trip! The sky liners will be a must ride, as we are suckers for free Disney transportation, even if we aren’t really trying to get anywhere. We’ve been known to just ride the monorail for fun . We love the Tiki Room, too! And we will be sure to hit up country bears.

 

[mickey765]

sorcerers of the magic kingdom!!

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I second Pirate Adventure. It’s amazing to see the props hidden in plain sight. The Duck Tales Adventure May be open in Epcot when you go too. It’s like Agent P but DT themed.

 

[disny_luvr]

I second Pirate Adventure. It’s amazing to see the props hidden in plain sight. The Duck Tales Adventure May be open in Epcot when you go too. It’s like Agent P but DT themed.

Where do you go for the Pirate Adventure? Is it a game?

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Where do you go for the Pirate Adventure? Is it a game?

It's more like a scavenger hunt. You have to follow clues on a map to find different locations in Adventureland where a prop will do something interesting and give you the next location. It tells a story. There are 5 different ones and you get an FP for completing two of them. There's a small building on the left as you go from Adventureland to Frontierland where you get your map, souvenir cards for completing an adventure, and the FPs.

 

[Carol_]

Philharmagic, Tiki Room
Jedi Training (up to 12 years old): sign up in the morning at HS next to Indiana Jones.
Star Tours
Find the Dapper Dans and listen/watch/swoon

 

[Lizgistix]

Seconding the Pirate Adventure. It's so fun and most of the places you're looking for are hiding in plain sight and look like it's just part of the decor/theming.

Although one we did had a stop just outside the exit of Pirates in the gift shop so trying to go against the crowd was an experience. Still worth it.

Also, in the Play Disney Parks app, some rides have a pin you can buy after getting a ride achievement and you have to show you earned the achievement before you can purchase it, so if you collect pins, that's fun to add to your collection.

 

[Canoook]

The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. Super fun, especially if you a) like Indiana Jones and b) get someone from your group in the show (just scream and jump and point when they ask)

 

[CarolynFH]

Walk down MK Main Street and look UP at the windows. Google the names there if you don’t recognize them. Is your DD old enough for one of the backstage tours?

 

[a742246]

Don't forget to walk around Disney Springs, it has changed a lot since the last time you went.

 

[yorkieteacher]

People Mover at night!

 

[Mome Rath]

At MK; flag retreat ceremony, get a silhouette made, go grab a treat from Starbucks or the Confectionery and go sit up on the train station platform and people watch, grab a drink or an ice cream treat when you need a rest and go to the "Art Festival" nook on Main Street (by the Crystal arts shop) to find out of the way tables and chairs and sit and listen to the sounds floating down from the windows above...

 

[Quellman]

Tom Sawyer Island is often overlooked, as is Hall of Presidents and Country Bears. Some of the animal trails around the treee of life are also missed by many people.

 

[Miffy]

If you're into animals, there are two great experiences at DAK--Caring for Giants, which is a behind-the-scenes look at the elephants; and Up Close with Rhinos, which is an even more behind-the-scenes look at rhinos, including being able to pet one! If you're interested in the rhino tour, book it as far ahead as possible, since it's a tough get. There's only 1 tour per day, with a limit of 14 people.

Also overlooked at DAK--if you're into animals--are the walking trail with the gorillas, naked mole rats, hippos, zebras, etc., just after you get off the safari and the Maharajah Jungle Trek (main feature: tigers), also a walking tour, and it's just past KRR.

And, since you haven't been to WDW since 2016, you haven't experienced DAK at night. Just amazing. Pandora is extra beautiful at night and the Tree of Life Awakenings are lovely.

This isn't an overlooked thing at all, but if you want to ride Rise of the Resistance in SWGE, make sure to stay current on the information about getting access to the ride. Right now there are no FP+s for RotR but it's impossible to predict what the situation will be during your trip. Keep an eye on the threads here for advice. To me, RotR and Avatar Flight of Passage are the two most significant must-do attractions for your trip.

Have fun!

And that is so cool that you've been to all those Disney parks!

 

[nfouey]

Tom Sawyer island is on our to do list! Did it many years ago, but never with kids!

 

[Tangled Pink]

If we are at Epcot and not in a hurry, we usually wind up listening to one of the bands along the World Showcase. It seems like the rock band in Canada is playing most the time we walk by there. My favorite is listing to the Beetle's band in the United Kingdom pavilion . It's so peaceful sitting in the gardens and having a bite to eat while they are playing. The setting is so breathtaking-I will go sit on a bench and take in the serenity of the place even if they are not playing. It's a nice little get away for me!

 

[nfouey]

Another thing we did years ago was the bus game. Left a park in the early evening and let someone in our party call out a random number. Then got on that corresponding resort bus. Explored the resort, grabbed dinner, walked though the shops. Made us go outside our normal routine!

 

[MickeyWaffles]

At MK, we love to enjoy things like ..
- watching the piano player at Casey’s
- the Hoedown Happening in Frontierland
- watching the glassblowing demonstration at Crystal Arts

AK
The animation experience at Conservation Station might be fun for you guys if your daughter has an interest in animation. I’m not sure how popular it is most days but it’s definitely something I would have loved to do at 10 (it’s not extra cost or anything).

Epcot
When I was a kid, my parents gave me Disney dollars to use in World Showcase to buy little mementos, candies to try from different countries, etc. It was fun exploring the countries and picking up little things along the way (more expensive to do this now, though!)

HS
I think you’ll be busy with all the new attractions here!