I go to Disney World at least once a month. Tourists keep missing out on these 5 underrated things.
Megan duBois
- I go to Disney World at least once a month, and I've found underrated things most tourists miss.
- On days when I'm not going to the theme parks, I love playing mini golf with family and friends.
I've been going to Disney World for over 30 years, and as an adult, I visit at least once a month.
The company is putting $60 billion into its global theme parks and cruise lines — including significant additions and renovations across the Disney World parks — so there's more to do every visit.
But with all the expansion, most tourists probably miss the underrated activities I've discovered across the property.
Here are some of my favorites.
Playing pickleball is a great way to start the day.
Most people look forward to character breakfasts or getting on their first rides in the morning, but I love hitting the pickleball courts.
There are courts at the Contemporary Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Inn, Fort Wilderness Resort, Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort, Yacht Club Resort, and Beach Club Resort.
Hotel guests can check out equipment for free, so I never have to bring paddles or balls in my suitcase.
Another sporty activity I love is playing mini golf at one of the four Disney courses.
Mini golf is a classic vacation activity in my family, and the four courses at Disney World are filled with whimsical touches.
Two courses, Fantasia Gardens and Fantasia Fairways, are located near Disney's Swan and Dolphin hotels. The former is full of larger-than-life decor with fun twists and turns, and Fairways is set up more like a real golf course.
The other mini-golf complex, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, is next to Blizzard Beach Water Park. One side is Christmas-themed, and the other is Santa's summer break.
I prefer Winter Summerland because of its nostalgic, kitschy vibes.
Wine-tasting classes can be fun and educational for adults.
My favorite restaurant at Disney World is Wine Bar George at Disney Springs. A few days a month, owner and master sommelier George Miliotes holds a 90-minute blind wine tasting.
Throughout the class, participants learn how to taste wine like a sommelier, and Miliotes has been able to answer just about any wine question I've ever had.
On a recent tasting, I blindly compared a $15 bottle of Argentine white wine to a $300 bottle of French white wine — I liked the cheaper one better.
A day of pampering at the spa is a great mid-trip break.
Until a few years ago, I never realized Disney had full-service spas on its property. Trust me when I say taking a break in the middle of a theme-park vacation is usually greatly needed.
I've been to the Grand Floridian Spa for a leg massage after a long weekend of organized races around the parks via runDisney.
I loved choosing a rock from the indoor crystal garden to inspire the music, lighting, and scents of my treatment room.
Spending the day at the spa inside the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is also a treat.
During my visit to the Disney-affiliated hotel, I had access to an indoor and outdoor relaxation area, a steam room, and a solarium before and after my treatment.
I love going behind the scenes of an iconic Epcot attraction.
One of my favorite Epcot attractions is Living With the Land. The quiet boat ride takes guests through various nature scenes before sailing through working greenhouses.
The ride itself is fun, but I also love taking the Behind the Seeds walking tour.
The one-hour tour isn't included in theme-park admission, but it takes people through the ins and outs of the greenhouses. I've caught an up-close look at the massive fruits and veggies and peered into the fish farm from the edge of the tanks.
You can reserve a spot on the tour online, but I've never had any problems booking it at the park. There's a small booth in the Land Pavilion near the attraction's exit.
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