Beyond the Rides: The Ultimate Disney Park Guide to the Most Magical Family Experiences! Budget the Magic

Not only is Disney World a magical experience filled with thrilling rides, shows, and entertainment, but it also provides families with those unforgettable moments. There is so much more to discover–Beyond the Rides! This is your Ultimate Disney Park Guide to the Most Magical Family Experiences.

On every trip to Disney World, my family always finds time for our favorite rides. However, we also enjoy relaxing and discovering new experiences around the parks and resorts. Disney is so much more than just rides. In fact, you might be surprised by how much more it offers to guests. From hidden Mickeys to one-of-a-kind adventures, there is an experience for everyone.

Resort Amenities & Themed Character Dining

All Disney World Resorts provide guests with a variety of amenities. Enjoy themed pools, dining options, and activities for those relaxing non-park days. For instance, Disney perfectly designs their resorts to ensure guests feel every bit of the magic—even when they’re not in the parks.

Disney Resorts Experiences

Disney offers three categories of resorts: Deluxe, Moderate, and Value. While each resort category provides different levels of amenities, they all share common features that enhance your experience. In fact, Disney resorts have large themed pools, a variety of dining options, arts & crafts, arcades, playgrounds, themed photo spots, and even movies under the stars.

Deluxe and Moderate resorts provide a little bit of that extra magic. Enjoy bike rentals, fishing, marina rentals, full activity programs, and even spa and fitness centers. But these do come at an additional cost to your stay.

For example, my family loves staying at the Fort Wilderness Resort . The fort offers unique activities like horseback riding, archery, and the Campfire Sing-Along with Chip and Dale.

Did you know all Disney resort guests can resort hop? Yes, that’s right, enjoy a day exploring other Disney Resorts. Hop on the Monorail or Skyliner for a resort visit or just for the fun of the ride!

Some people even enjoy a fun ‘monorail crawl’ through the Magic Kingdom Resort Area. For instance, you can have a character breakfast with Lilo and Stitch at ‘Ohana in the Polynesian Resort. Then, make your way to the Grand Floridian to admire the vintage Florida vibes. Stop in for a park day at Magic Kingdom. Finally, end your day with a relaxing rooftop drink at the Contemporary Resort. This is a great way to soak in magical views of the park and the fireworks.

Explore Ways to Stay at the Disney Resort Collection.

Themed Character Dining

Character Dining is another great family Disney experience that will create lasting memories. Moreover, it’s a great way to avoid those long wait times for character meet and greets. Instead of waiting in lines, you can enjoy a delicious meal while meeting your favorite Disney characters. Don’t forget to get those must-have autographs.

Where to Go to Experience Character Dining

There are lots of places at Disney World to enjoy character dining around the Disney Resorts and Parks. Here are some of our favorite character dining options:

Chef Mickey’s at Contemporary (meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, & Pluto).
O’hana at Polynesian Resort (meet Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, & Pluto).
1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian Resort (meet Aladdin, Princess Tiana, Cinderella, & Mirable).
Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom (meet Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, & Eyeore).
Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom (meet Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine, & Snow White).
Tusker House at Animal Kingdom (meet Donald Duck, Mickey, Daisy, and Minnie).
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at Epcot Norway pavilion (meet Belle, Areil, Aurora, Snow White, and Cinderella).
The Garden Grill at Epcot Land pavilion (features Chip n Dale).

Good to Know for Booking Those Dining Reservations

Disney Dining Reservations can be made 60 days in advance of your stay through your MyDisney Experience Account. Because of this, I highly recommend booking early because spots fill up fast. Personally, my top two favorites are ‘Ohana’s family-style breakfast and Crystal Palace’s buffet breakfast—the food is absolutely delicious.

Meanwhile, my kids have always enjoyed Tusker House, mainly because it includes frequent dance parties where the characters come out and dance with the guests.

Pixie Dust Tip: My family prefers a breakfast character dining over a lunch or dinner reservation. It’s the perfect way to get our magical day started. One added benefit to a morning dining reservation—especially if it’s inside the parks—is that it allows you even earlier park access. As a result, you’ll be in a great position for attraction openings and can get a head start on the day’s fun. If you have the Disney Dining Plan use it for those must-do character meals.

Magic Kingdom Experiences

Magic Kingdom offers a variety of fun activities throughout the park. To start, enjoy musical entertainment on Main Street, U.S.A. from the Dapper Dans and Casey’s Corner Pianist. Then, head to the castle, to watch Mickey’s Magical Friendship Fair. This is a fun-filled stage show with singing and dancing featuring everybody’s favorite princesses and Mickey & friends.

Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station is a fun water play area where preschoolers can cool off. Located outdoors in Storybook Circus, this spot is perfect for younger kids looking to take a break and splash around. Pixie Dust Tip: be sure to bring a swimsuit or a change of clothes for the kiddos.

The Country Bear Jamboree is another fan favorite, and it’s newly refurbished. Not only that, it’s a great place to sit down, relax, and enjoy some air-conditioning with the kids. Inside Grizzly Hall, this entertaining musical features animatronic bears singing and dancing to rockabilly, bluegrass, pop-country, and popular Disney tunes—making it a fun and refreshing break during your park day.

Another little hidden gem on Main Street U.S.A for the kids is the Magic Kingdom Fire Station. it is called engine co. 71. The station is open for guests to walk through and explore.

Fun Kid Makeovers

Did you know kids can get a first haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop located on Main Street U.S.A or transform into princesses and knights at The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique? Both of these require a reservation and may cost a bit over your budget, but is a fun experience with the kids.

Epcot Experiences

Although, EPCOT might not have as many thrilling rides as the other parks, it is immersed in fun educational experiences for guests to explore. In fact, it showcases various lands and worlds that bring all the Disney magic to life.

To be honest, EPCOT wasn’t always a must-do park for my family. In fact, it used to be a “get in and get out” half-day park for us. However, now that my kids have gotten older, it’s a totally different experience—one we actually enjoy hopping back and forth to throughout our trip.

Epcot’s World Showcase

The World Showcase might be a fan favorite for adults, but it is not always for kids. However, it does offer diverse cultural experiences that can be engaging for kids. Overall, it’s a wonderful place to discover great shows, exhibits, shopping, delicious food, and refreshing drinks.

Kidcot Fun Stops at EPCOT offer a fun educational experience for kids as they explore the World Showcase. These interactive stations are located in each of the 11 showcase world pavilions, providing young visitors with opportunities to engage in cultural activities, collect stamps, and create souvenirs.

Scvenger Hunts and Turtle Talks

EPCOT offers a variety of interactive play areas throughout the park that help keep kiddos busy exploring. And besides, these areas are a perfect way for kids to burn off extra energy while you get a chance to relax for a bit!

At the Seas Pavilion with Nemo and Friends, kids can get an up-close look at marine life in a massive aquarium. In addition to that, there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy. For example, kids can help Dory find her way to her friends on a scavenger hunt by solving clues and collecting stickers.

Another fun adventure in the Seas Pavilion is Turtle Talk with Crush. This is where kids can have a live conversation with Crush the Turtle. These two adventures are sure to entertain the little ones.

Other Interactive Play Areas

The Advanced Training Lab, located in World Discovery, is an exciting and interactive experience for kids of all ages. They will absolutely love pretending to be real astronauts on a mission to Mars. It features a high-tech play area where kids can race against another player or create and send fun video postcards.

That “big ball” in the front of EPCOT, yes that’s Spaceship Earth. It is not just a journey through time, but once you exit the ride, you can enjoy an interactive play area filled with games and hands-on activities.

In Journey Into Imagination with Figment, the play area has always been one of my kids’ favorites over the years. When they were younger, they especially loved jumping on the light-up pads and playing the musical instruments with motion sensors.

One of the newest and coolest experiences at EPCOT is the Journey of Water featuring Moana. This is an outdoor walk-though experience that allows guests to explore the water cycle in fun and interactive ways.

Alright, alright—I know that Test Track is currently closed for re-imagining, but it has always included a fun and interactive area for families to explore. In the past, guests could design their own cars and engage with hands-on exhibits. With that in mind, I’m hopeful that the re-imagining will bring some exciting new features and even more innovative fun!

Animal Kingdom Experiences

Most people consider Animal Kingdom a slower-paced park, which it definitely is. However, did you know it also offers a surprising number of fun and exciting adventures? In fact, you won’t believe some of the incredible experiences offered. From close-up animal encounters to hidden trails, Animal Kingdom is full of unexpected fun.

Hop aboard the Wildlife Express Trail to Conservation Station, where you can meet Timon and Rafiki. Here, you can explore habitats from around the globe, get snuggly with friendly animals at the Affection Section petting zoo, and experience beautiful butterflies fluttering nearby. In addition, peek into the veterinary clinic. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a live procedure in progress—how exciting!

The Animation Experience at Conservation Station is where you can uncover how the Disney Animators create those Disney characters, in fact, you can join in with a 25 minute class.

Another must-see experience is The Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe—some of the best entertainment that my crazy family absolutely loves. All ages are welcome to dance to the drums of the Congo. Best of all, you might even be invited to join in on the fun—yes, my family has freely volunteered more than once!

Trails & Treks

Wilderness Explorers is a fun nature-theme of challenges where kids can engage in self-guided activities to try and collect over 25 badges.

Explore the Maharajah Jungle Trek. This is a self-guided walking trail to discovering Asian tigers, along with gibbons, deer, kimono dragons, water buffalo, and 50 species of birds.

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail is another self-guided walking trail. Here you will encounter African animal like meerkats, zebras, and of course gorillas.

Hollywood Studios Experiences

Next, let your family get immersed in the magic of Hollywood glamour. Hollywood Studios offers those classic Hollywood vibes that transport you back to the golden age of film.

Sing-a-longs

Hollywood offers some of the best family fun. Your family can join in on a Frozen Sing-a-long celebration, or soon experience the two new Hollywood musical coming this summer: Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and the The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, both debuting May 27, 2025.

Enjoy the Disney Junior Play and Dance or a live Beauty and the Beast stage show or night time shows like Wonderful World of Animation and the must-see Fantasmic! I highly recommend getting to Fantasmic early or booking the dining package to guarantee a seat.

Building Experiences

A Star Wars fan like my family? Then, build your own lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop or your own droid at Droid Depot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Choose your path and assemble your lightsaber or assemble a custom Astromech Unit. These do require a reservation and come at a steep price of $249.99 per lightsaber, plus tax and $119.99 per astromech droid unit, plus tax. Visit the link for more details.

Have a meet and greet with Darth Vader too!

Interactive Adventures Around the Parks

Not only does Disney have great rides and entertaining shows, but it also provides guests with cutting edge interactive experiences.

Interactive Exeriences for Kids

So, what do kids love the most? Playing on their phones, of course. Well, parents, you’re in luck! Kids of all ages can easily download the Play Disney Parks App to their phones. This app allows them to play interactive games, trivia, music, and other features, which add a new layer of interactivity to their park visit. In fact, it’s designed to turn wait times into play time.

Smellephants on Parade is an interactive adventure starting at the ticket booth in front of big top souvenirs in Storybook Circus in Magic Kingdom. Kids can pick up an interactive map with sticker sheets and find all 8 Smellephant statues scattered around Storybook Circus.

Interactive Experiences for Teens

A fun adventure to keep the kids occupied is Pirate’s Adventure at the Crow’s Nest, located near the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in Magic Kingdom. Best of all, this is a free activity where participants choose a talisman using their MagicBand to begin the quest. From there, they set off on a 5-mission, 20-minute treasure hunt through Adventureland, making it an exciting way to explore the park with a purpose.

Tron Identity Program at Magic Kingdom is where teens can create an action figure or program that sounds just like them. Please note, the purchase of your program is required at a cost of $89.99. While no reservation is needed, payment is due upon arrival. However, there’s no need to wait for your figure or program—you can enjoy the park and pick it up at the end of your day.

Disney Fab 50 Quest takes place over the 4 Disney Parks. This is a search for 50 gold sculptures around the parks. Have the right magic band and enjoy an interactive experience. Earn achievements when you find them all.

Disney World Parades

The Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom is a must-see event that features Mickey, Minnie, and many beloved Disney characters riding on beautifully themed floats. Let your kids sing and dance with friends during the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade Parade too!

To get the best view, make sure to line up on Main Street early to claim a good spot. Alternatively, I recommend watching the parade from Frontierland, as it tends to be less crowded and still offers a great view of all the magic.

The nightly fireworks show of course is a must! But be on the look out too for Disney’s new Starlight Nighttime Parade. This will be an exciting addition coming to the park. In this dazzling show, you’ll see beloved characters from Moana, Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, Pinocchio. Looking ahead, this magical parade is set to debut in summer 2025—so be sure to keep it on your Disney must-do list!

Behind the Scenes Tours

Disney World offers a variety of behind the scenes tours that are extra magical experiences, but they come at a price. If you can swing it, it might be worth the extra money. Explore the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, Amorette’s Patisserie Cake Decorating Experience, Caring for Giants, Colors of Coronado Painting Experience, and so much more. To learn more about all the special types of experiences visit the Disney’s Special Events & Tours. These events require reservations, up-front payment, and vary by age.

Other Beyond the Rides Experiences

Miniature Golf: Disney has two miniature golf courses that are great for all ages.
- Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf at the Epcot Resort area and Winter Summerland Miniature Golf at the Animal Kingdom Resort area. $19 per Adult, $12 per Child (Ages 3–9) (tax not included).
Collectible Medallions are special keepsakes found throughout the Magic Kingdom park with your favorite characters. prices for one is $6.00 (cash only) or 4 for $20.00 (cash, card or tap to pay).
- locations:
  - Main Street, U.S.A. – Emporium
  - Main Street, U.S.A. – Walt Disney World Railroad Train Station
  - Adventureland – Pirates of the Caribbean
  - Adventureland – Island Breezeway
  - Frontierland – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Coin pressed penny machines can be found all around the Disney parks, resorts, water parks, and Disney Springs area. To view machine locations click here on the Disney Pressed Penny Locations.
Disney Springs outing: there is so much for families to do at Disney Springs; shop, dine, and enjoy entertainment in a vibrant, themed shopping and dining area.
Disney Water Parks: Disney offers two great water park experiences, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Disney is offering a free water park day on the first day of your resort reservation for 2025 & 2026.
Disney’s After Hours Events: these events are available at an additional ticketed price. They take place on select dates, during which Disney keeps a specific park open after regular closing hours. During these events, guests can enjoy popular attractions with significantly shorter wait times, as well as various dance and musical activities throughout the park.

Want to learn more tips, tricks, and budget-friendly savings for Disney World? Check out our posts below.

Beyond the Rides: The Ultimate Disney Park Guide to the Most Magical Family Experiences!