Ten
Best Children's Activities at WDW
By guest writer Cara Goldsbury
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Children enjoy most
everything at Walt Disney World, but that doesn't mean that
they will not appreciate special experiences even more than
commonplace ones.
Author Cara Goldsbury
suggests ten sure fire winners for children in this article.
For still more suggestions about what to see, read her book,
The Luxury
Guide to Walt Disney World.
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I'm sure you all know about
Disney World's amazing theme parks, but are you familiar with
the myriad of fascinating activities for children offered
throughout Walt Disney World that are either complimentary or
offered for a reasonable fee to Disney resort guests?
Here are some of the best :
Snag a
Bass On a Kid's Fishing Excursion. 1-hour angling
trips just for children are available from the resort marinas of
Disney's Contemporary, Polynesian, Yacht and Beach Club, and
Boardwalk Inn and Villas. For miles of shore fishing head over
to Disney's Ft. Wilderness where cane poles and rods and reels
may be rented at the Bike Barn in the Meadow Recreation Area.
Fishing excursions are
approximately $25 per child. Call 407-WDW-PLAY for reservations.
Enjoy
the Old West. Hayrides depart each evening from
Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness for a 45-minute trip. Very tame,
cowboy-guided trail rides are also offered, or younger children
can opt for a $2 pony ride at the Fort Wilderness Petting Farm.
Hayrides are $8 per adult and
$4 per child; no reservations taken. Trail rides are $30
per person; reservations are required and may be made up to two
weeks in advance by calling 407-WDW-PLAY.
Sing-Along in Front of the Campfire. Families gather
round the campfire each evening at Ft. Wilderness for a
sing-along, marshmallow roast, and a Disney animated movie.
Complimentary to all Walt
Disney World resort guests.
Watch
the Electrical Water Pageant Parade. Nightly on the
Seven Seas Lagoon is a delightful 1000-foot string of
illuminated barges featuring King Neptune and his court of
whales, sea serpents, and other deep-sea creatures. The free
show can be seen from the beaches of Disney's Polynesian, Grand
Floridian, Contemporary, and Wilderness Lodge Resorts.
Ride Up
Front with the Monorail Driver. Simply ask the Cast
Member on duty. They will be happy to oblige as long as the
front car is empty.
Take a
Spin on a Watermouse Boat. Rent one of these
two-seater mini-power boats and zip around one of Disney's lakes
at 22 miles per hour. Kids love them, particularly because they
need only be 12 years or older and at least 5 feet tall to drive
one without adult supervision. Available at the Contemporary,
Polynesian, Grand Floridian, the Yacht and Beach Club, Downtown
Disney, and the Wilderness Lodge.
Approximately $22 per
half-hour.
Dive
into One of Disney's Fabulous Themed Pools. You can't
do much better than a dip in one of Disney's wonderful swimming
pools. Children's favorites: the Volcano Pool at Disney's
Polynesian Resort featuring a smoking volcano slide, underwater
music, and sparkling waterfall, all with a superb view of the
Seven Seas Lagoon; the Wilderness Lodge's boulder-lined pool
featuring waterfalls, rocky overlooks, water slide, and a nearby
geyser; the eye-popping Stormalong Bay, a mini-water park
complex that meanders between the Yacht and Beach Club, offering
three acres of winding, watery delight including sandy bottom
pools, a giant "shipwreck" waterslide, a tidal whirlpool,
bubbling hot tubs, a kiddie pool with its own slide next to the
beach, and enough length to float lazily in inner tubes to your
heart's delight.
Search
for Buried Treasure on a Pirate's Cruise. Every
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, children ages 3-10 sail from
the dock of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort on a 2-hour
supervised trip to a deserted island.
$28 fee includes snacks,
bandanas, and treasure. Call 407-WDW-DINE for reservations.
Attend a
Children's Tea Party. A "Wonderland Tea Party"
happens Mon-Fri at 1:30 P.M. in 1900 Park Fare at Disney's Grand
Floridian Resort. Hosted by characters from Alice in Wonderland,
the little ones play games, listen to stories, and drink apple
"tea".
$28. Strictly for children
ages 3-10. Call 407-WDW-DINE for reservations.
Take in
a Character Meal. These extremely popular dining
opportunities, offered at both the Disney theme parks and resort
hotels, are a perfect way for your children to spend extra time
with favorite Disney characters. Meals are offered in three ways
depending on the restaurant: buffet-style, family-style, or
pre-plated meals; regardless, it's essentially all-you-can-eat.
Characters work the room, stopping at each table to interact
with guests, pose for photos, and sign autographs.
Book priority seating early,
particularly for Cinderella's Royal Table, Epcot's Princess
Breakfast in Norway, and Chef Mickey's by calling 407-WDW-DINE.
Related Articles, etc
Cara Goldsbury is the
author of
The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney
World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer,
available at 800-247-6553,
www.luxurydisneyguide.com,
Amazon.com, or your local bookstore. For more
information visit her online at
www.luxurydisneyguide.com.
Originally published
1 Feb 2004
You may freely reproduce or distribute this article for noncommercial purposes as long as you give credit to
Cara Goldsbury as original writer.
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