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The Best Disney World Resort Activities for Kids

by Lily on April 25, 2013 6

One of the most amazing things about the Walt Disney World Resorts is just how much fun stuff there is to see and do! Yes, there are practical reasons to stay on Disney property, but in my tadpole opinion, the number of FUN activities for kids is THE BIGGEST REASON to stay on property.

Best resort activities for kids

Without further ado, here are my favorites. (Be sure to tell me what yours are in comments below!)

Disney's Pirate Adventure

Disney's Pirate AdventureMost. Fun. Ever! Pirates-in-training (ages 4 to 12) can hit the "high seas"  and visit tropical "ports-of-call" (aka Disney's marinas), listening to pirate tales -- perhaps the legend of Jean Lafitte or Gasparilla -- and looking for clues to treasures. These kids-only excursions take place 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at a few different resort locations.

Tri-Circle-D Ranch

Pony rideHead over to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground to get an up-close look at Cinderella's ponies and the horses seen in Magic Kingdom® Park. You can take a 45-minute guided trail ride—on horseback or by carriage—through the scenic natural woodlands of Central Florida. If you'd rather have both feet on the ground, just take your time exploring the stables. Me? I want to ride the ponies! It's called Trots for Tots, and it's for kids 2 and older and under 45 inches.

Chip 'n Dale's Campfire Sing-a-long

Chip and Dale's Campfire Sing-a-longAlso at Disney's Fort Wilderness is another one of my favorite hotel activities, and it's a perfect way to spend a night away from the parks. The fun starts around the campfire when we roast marshmallows, eat hot dogs, and sing and dance with Chip 'n Dale. Then everyone gets to watch a classic Disney movie under the stars.

TIPS: 1.) Bring your own blankets and towels. 2.) If you don't want to purchase 'Smore supplies, you can bring your own. 3.) Don't forget your camera and autograph books. 4.)You don't have to be a guest at Disney's Fort Wilderness to participate, but you do have to be a Disney resort guest. 5.) The Sing-a-long usually begins around 7:30 p.m.

Character Dining

OhanaI'm a huge fan of Character Dining wherever it is, but it's especially nice at the Disney resorts. Tad and I really love the tropical setting of 'Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort , where you can meet Lilo and Stitch! Ask your mom or dad to make reservations as far in advance as possible (up to 180 days) and visit on a day when you aren't going to the theme parks, since character breakfasts will generally mean a later start to the day, and we all know that getting to the theme park before opening is the SECRET to avoiding Disney World CROWDS.

Arcades

You probably didn't know that every resort at Walt Disney World has its very own arcade, and at a few of the resorts, you can trade in tickets you've won for cool prizes! While I'm still a little too young to fully appreciate the arcades, I do like watching Tad play -- especially when he shares his prize with me! Parents can rest easy because the games are appropriate for all ages.

Bike Riding

Surrey BikesThe whole family can take a ride together aboard a surrey bike (that's a large bicycle that seats 2, 4 and 6 people) or go it solo on regular bikes that are available for rent at a number of resorts. Cruise along the Sassagoula River at Disney's Port Orleans--Riverside or tour the piney pathways at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

Pool Time!!!

Stormalong BayI'm going to end with this one, because it's my all-time favorite Disney resort activity, in no small part because each of the pools is themed to match the resort.  My very favorite pool is Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht (&|&|and) Beach Club Resorts, which is more like its very own water park! While Tad loves floating down the lazy river and zipping down the slide of the life-sized ship that's been wrecked along the sandy shore, I love the sandy-bottomed section of the pool that's not too deep for a young tadpole like me!

What's your favorite Walt Disney World Resort activity?

Related: Why the Frog Family Stays on Property

Related: Taking Walt Disney World (By, In or Near) Water

Love, 

Keep hopping, Lily!
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Jun 17, 2018 at 3:15 a.m. Mike Says...

Are there any character drawing classes offered at the resorts? We LOVED the drawing classes at Hollywood Studios and would really enjoy getting to do something like that again.

Reply
Jun 19, 2018 at 12:17 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Mike!

Art of Animation offers drawing classes, which you can read more about here.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jul 23, 2013 at 2:32 p.m. Our 10 Favorite Things to Do at Disney World in the Summertime Says...

[...] Related: Best Disney World Resort Activities for Kids [...]

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Apr 26, 2013 at 7 a.m. Parks News: Behind the Scenes of SeaWorld’s Antarctica, Disney Announces Monstrous Summer Says...

[...] but not least, Lily took us on a tour of sorts yesterday of her favorite the best kids’ resort activities. Yep, there’s always a ton to do at the Walt Disney World Resort — which is why we love [...]

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Apr 25, 2013 at 4:44 p.m. BrennaR Says...

Do you have to be a guest of Disney's resorts to visit the ponies, or can you just tell an attendant that you're just visiting?

Reply
Apr 25, 2013 at 6:49 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Brenna,

You do not have to be a guest at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, but you do have to be staying at one of the Disney resorts!

Best,

Lily

Reply
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