Something for Everyone…

So as hopefully you’re starting to come to realize, Walt Disney World is a very, very, very big place, and one of the benefits to be enjoyed of having such a vast canvas to work with is really in its ability to become so many different things to different kinds of people. Whether you’re a theme park junkie, a foodie, an unwavering fan of Mickey Mouse and everything Disney that comes into this world, or even just a guy looking to kick back for a week of rest and relaxation – Disney World is a place that has a little something for everyone.

Seriously, if you can’t manage to find yourself a good time at this place, there’s a good chance you might just be a complete and total sourpuss, and at that point I’m not sure if there’s anything I can do to help you!

But for the rest, here are a few ideas I thought I’d toss out of things to do around Walt Disney World that might appeal to all sorts of non-sourpuss people in the crowd…

The Shopaholics
As if gifts shops at the exit of pretty much every single attraction aren’t enough, shopping fans will have a blast exploring the myriad of unique shops along the expanse that makes up Downtown Disney’s West Side, Pleasure Island, and Marketplace areas. Disney devotees will also no doubt geek out at the World of Disney, which at 50,000 sq. feet is the largest Disney store in the world!

The Romantics
Looking for a little quiet time with the one you adore? Restaurants like Epcot’s Bistro de Paris, the Contemporary Resort’s California Grill, and Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jiko - among others – offer an elegant dining experience unlike what you might expect at a theme park. A secluded fireworks viewing spot or a nice, evening walk through some of the resort grounds could also help to put you in the mood… 

The Thrill Seekers
They may not be insane, but rides like Space Mountain, the Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster, the Tower of Terror, and Expedition Everest still do a decent job of making the hair stand on the back of my neck! Also check out The Sum of All Thrills at Epcot or Cyber Space Mountain at DisneyQuest for a chance to design and ride your own roller coaster … can’t do that at Six Flags, now can you?!

The Young and the Young at Heart
Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom is pretty much a perfect fit for anyone looking to create or recreate that magical childhood moment – just pick an elephant and leave the flying to Dumbo! Also great, though, are all of the character interactions at their designed meet ‘n greet areas in each park, not to mention character meals and even just randomly walking around the park…

The Geek Squad
Science and technology are held high throughout Future World at Epcot, especially throughout the two Innoventions halls that feature all kinds of cool interactive games and demonstrations about the world of tomorrow. For a trip to the past, you might also enjoy the bevvy of classic arcade games to be found within the DisneyQuest complex at Downtown Disney … Donkey Kong 4 Life!

The Film Fanatics
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is an obvious choice for movie fans to get up close and personal with their favorite movies of yesterday and today, including franchises like Indiana Jones and Star Wars and even my beloved Muppets! Also be sure to set aside a couple of hours to catch a show down at AMC’s Dine-In Theatre at Downtown Disney – uber-comfortable theaters, and a great meal while you watch…

The Animal Lovers
The Animal Kingdom’s trails and shows like the Maharajah Jungle Trek and Flights of Wonder offer great opportunities to view and interact with the park’s animals, and you can even take it a step further with the Wild Africa Trek and Backstage Safari private tours for a unique look at how over 1,000 exotic animals are cared for by Disney cast members behind the scenes…

The Sportsmen
Believe it or not, sports are surprisingly abundant around Walt Disney World – play a few holes on one of Disney’s 5 4-star golf courses, catch a meal while you watch your favorite team on the big screens at the ESPN Club on Disney’s Boardwalk, or even head over to the ESPN Wide World of Sports to watch spring training games, youth championship competitions, and more!

The Foodies
With more restaurants than every other Disney park combined, Epcot is the clear winner for grade-A dining, including 13 ethnic varieties around the World Showcase alone. Also a must-see is the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival each fall, which features snack-sized samples of food & wine pairings from over 20 countries around the world – makes my mouth water just thinking about it…

The Ones in Search of Nightlife
Admittedly this one’s grown a little sparse with the closing of Pleasure Island’s nightclubs, but the shops and restaurants and street performers still make Downtown Disney a fun place gather once the sun goes down. Dancing can be found at Jellyrolls (a dueling piano bar) and the Atlantic Dance Hall – both on Disney’s Boardwalk, as well as at a full schedule of live concerts at Downtown Disney’s House of Blues.

The Ones Who Just Wanna Get Wet
Splash Mountain and the Kali River Rapids are a sure bet for a quick dose inside the parks … or take the full plunge and spend a day at Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon water parks for water slides and wave pools galore! And for the best resort pool – period, the Beach Club’s Storm-a-Long Bay is an incredible 3 acres of variable-depth, sand-bottom pools that makes relaxing like child’s play!

The Ones Who Are In Desperate Need of a Hammock
And speaking of relaxing, for those just looking for a little peace and quiet … may I recommend the waterside hammocks at Disney’s Polynesian, Caribbean Beach, and Coronado Springs Resorts, maybe a private fishing trip on one of the Resort’s waterways, or even a bit of serene personal time at the Saratoga Springs or Grand Floridian Resorts’ private spas. Relax and enjoy…