Did you know that Disney World is more than just a park full of rides and characters? It's a magical place where you can turn back time and walk the streets of 1900s Main Street, U.S.A., explore the world's jungles, relive your childhood by attending school, and even visit the ocean without leaving Central Florida! With so much to see and do at Disney World, it can be tricky to figure out what you should focus on during your trip. Sure, there are plenty of fast-paced attractions that test your courage and leave you screaming like a banshee; but if you want to make sure your trip is well-rounded, consider adding these activities to your itinerary.
Meet Mickey Mouse: While meeting Mickey is always an option at Disney World, there are never any guarantees. The easiest way to meet Mickey is by visiting Mickey's Philharmagic at Disney's Hollywood Studios. You'll be treated to a 3D show where Mickey appears to fly over the audience. After the show, you'll have the opportunity to meet Mickey and the other characters. If the weather is warm and the park isn't busy, you can also try to meet Mickey at his Sorcerer Hat at the park entrance. The line here is usually very short, and you may be lucky enough to have him greet you personally. If you're lucky enough to visit during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you can meet him in a Halloween costume.
Ride a Splash-Ride: There are plenty of rides at Disney that are sure to leave you screaming, but few are as thrilling as the water rides. At Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park and Typhoon Lagoon, you can go on a variety of splash rides, like Gator Drop, the Hydro-Spinning Rapids, and the Surf Pool. You may be sprinkled with water, soaked, or even fully submerged as you ride. So, make sure you're prepared for the possibility of getting a little wet. While there are different types of splash rides to choose from, the one thing they have in common is that they are not for the faint-hearted.
Take a Train Ride and See the Endearing Animals: There are many reasons to visit Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, but one of the best ways to experience the park is by taking a Wildlife Express Train ride. On this ride, you'll travel through the park and see many animals, including exotic birds, reptiles, and mammals. The train ride is delightful when the baby animals are out. But, no matter what, the experience is always magical. Another fun way to experience the animals is by watching the rotating version of "The Wild About You" show at the Oasis. If you want to see the animals up close, you can visit The Wilds, where many of the animals walk around freely and can be fed.
Disney World is filled with various types of themes, but one place where it truly shines is the Beauty and the Beast section of the Hollywood Studios Park. Here, you can visit the Enchanted Forest, go to the Beast's Library, wander through the Storybook Gardens, and visit Gaston's Tavern to enjoy a nice meal. You can also go to the Magical Christmas Celebration if you're visiting during the Christmas season. This is a unique event that occurs each day at 2 p.m. Another great themed area is the Pirates of the Caribbean section of the Magic Kingdom. Here, you can explore the Caribbean and go on a ride through the swamps of Captain Jack Sparrow. If you're visiting during the Halloween season, you can also go on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride during the special Festival of the Dead.