When you think of a Walt Disney World vacation, you likely think of the famous rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, or the Tower of Terror. Or maybe you think of the iconic snacks like Mickey-shaped ice cream bars and Dole Whip. Whether your mind goes straight to classic snacks, exhilarating rides, Cinderella Castle, or the Fab 5 themselves, it’s worth knowing that there are a ton of other unusual things to do at Disney World you should add to your itinerary!
Believe it or not, there’s some pretty wild stuff you can do at the Most Magical Place on Earth and we’ve covered them all. Without further adieu, here are the most unusual things to do at Disney World:
Watch a Kiss Goodnight
If you’ve ever been curious as to what happens after Magic Kingdom closes, then stay 30 minutes past “closing” to witness the Kiss Goodnight.
The Kiss Goodnight is Disney’s way of officially closing the park down to guests at the end of the night. In other words, it’s Disney’s very magical way of saying “Go back to your resort.”
During this two-minute show, Cinderella Castle will turn different colors and twinkle, while a narration plays in the park bidding guests farewell for the evening.
Here’s what you’ll hear:
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, on behalf of everyone here at the Magic Kingdom, we thank you for joining us today for a magical gathering of family, friends, fun, and fantasy. We hope your magical journey with us created wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.
Walt Disney said that the Magic Kingdom is a world of imagination, hopes, and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, magic and make-believe are reborn. Fairytales come true. The Magic Kingdom is a place for the young and the young at heart. A special place where when you wish upon a star, your dreams can come true.
Until we see you again, have a safe trip home. Thank you and goodnight.”
After the narration wraps up, Mickey Mouse will say goodnight and When You Wish Upon a Star will play. Once it does, the castle will go dark and the park will be considered officially closed.
This nighttime show is sporadic. This schedule is most likely when crowd levels are high and lots of people are in the park after the first closing. If you can catch this on your next trip, try and watch it because it’s very beautiful. It makes me emotional every time!
Become a Bounty Hunter
Becoming a bounty hunter is one of the newer additions to Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios. To play, all you need is a MagicBand+ and access to the Play Disney Parks app, available on both Apple and Android smartphones. You will need both to become a Bounty Hunter, but the good news is that the app is free to download!
Once your gear is on, head on over to the Black Spire station and find your bounty board. Press the button on your Magicband+ to get your first assignment. The app is interactive and will pick up your location and give you a map of the area so you know where to go next. As you get closer to a bounty, your MagicBand+ will turn green. Once you get really close and lock in on your target, it’ll turn purple and you can launch your thermal viewer.
Think of Batuu Bounty Hunters like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. It’s the same kind of vibe. Once you’ve collected all your bounties, you’ll head to the Guildmaster's Hideout near Ronto Roasters to collect your credits.
Don’t get me wrong, there is so much to see and do while visiting Batuu, but this can add some adventure to your time there to make it all the more interactive.
Meet Grogu
While we’re already visiting Batuu, why not take some time to meet Grogu? As the cutest “baby” in the universe, Grogu and his pal, Din Djarin, make daily appearances at Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Like the other characters that roam around Galaxy’s Edge, this isn’t a typical or scheduled meet-and-greet. Instead, the duo appear for about 15 -20 minutes every hour from late morning to late afternoon. However, keep in mind that this time frame can vary, as sometimes they do walk around longer than that. It’s going to depend on crowd levels that day.
To see them, you’ll have to time it just right. In most cases, they appear in and near Ronto Roasters and the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace. If you’re worried about missing them, just look for the giant crowd and follow it. They attract large guests, so once you locate this crowd, it won’t be hard to miss them.
Read more: How to Meet Grogu in Disney World
Become a Wilderness Explorer
If you’ve ever wanted to be like Russell from Disney Pixar’s UP, then now’s your chance! Animal Kingdom offers up several fun challenges for anyone eager to earn their Wilderness Explorer badge. These challenges include everything from testing your knowledge to completing a scavenger hunt.
To partake in these nature-themed challenges, just head on over to the headquarters located on the bridge connecting Discovery Island and the Oasis. Or, visit any Wilderness Explorer Troop Leader scattered around the park in Pandora - The World of Avatar, Asia, Africa, Dinoland U.S.A., and Rafiki’s Planet Watch to pick up your exploration handbook.
There are over 30 kiosks to visit, so get explorin’!
Drive From Land to Sea
Next time you’re visiting Disney Springs, take a ride on one of the vintage amphicars at the Boathouse. The vintage amphicar tour is 20 minutes long and you’ll experience the freakiness of driving from land and plunging into the sea - or rather, Lake Buena Vista. Tours are offered daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (weather permitting) and cost $125 per car. Each car can fit up to four passengers, so if you can find some friends, you’ll be able to cut back on costs.
Best of all, these tours don’t have to be booked in advance. Walk-up reservations are taken. This is one of the more unusual things to do at Disney World. Is it worth doing more than once? Probably not. But, it’s recommended to experience it at least once during your trip.
Explore the Skies in a Hot Air Balloon
Staying at Disney Springs, let’s leave The Landing and head on over to the West Side where we’ll find Aerophile - The World Leader in Balloon Flight.
Of all the unusual things to do at Disney World, taking a hot air balloon ride is up there. No, literally - you’ll be 400 feet up there in the air with stunning views of downtown Orlando and Spaceship Earth.
Tickets are $20 per child and $25 per adult (10 years and older). Each trip carries 29 people and was custom-built for Disney! If you can - and feel comfortable - I recommend doing this at night when everything is lit up. It’s pure magic. Just don’t look down.
Swim With Dolphins
If you’ve ever wanted to swim with dolphins, take a trip over to Epcot and visit The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion.
During this 2-hour experience, you’ll get to spend 30 minutes with dolphins in waist-deep water and for the rest of the time, learn about their dolphin care program, marine mammal research, and more.
This experience is pricy at $199 per person, but it’s a must-do for any aquatic mammal lover. It allows you to take a peak behind the curtain. Advanced reservations are recommended and you can do so conveniently through the My Disney Experience app.
Read more: 20 Epcot Must Do’s
Get Pixiedusted
Everyone knows that pixie dust is magic. While on Neverland, it may be used to make you fly, in Magic Kingdom, it’ll make you feel like a kid again.
Next time you’re at the Magic Kingdom, stop in Sir Mickey’s located right behind Cinderella Castle, and ask a Cast Member if there is any pixie dust left over. Of course, you can also just ask to be pixie-dusted if you don’t feel comfortable playing along.
After asking, the Cast Member will ask you to bow your head, close your eyes, and make a wish (ugh, swoon) and while you are, they will shake some magical pixie dust over your head. Be warned - the pixie dust is glitter, so you may be sparkling for the rest of your day at the parks!
This is a free experience that has only recently begun gaining traction. It’s fun for the guests and the Cast Members always seem to get a kick out of it, too.
Get Married
Sure, Disney World is a theme park, but it also doubles as one of the most magical places on Earth to get married!
Disney’s Fairytale Weddings and Honeymoons offers 46 venus for couples to choose from on property. These include but are not limited to the four theme parks, as well as several other notable areas including Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Ballrooms, Crescent Cove at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort, and the famous Disney Wedding Pavillion at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Prices and packages vary based on the location, number of guests, and whether it’s going to be a full wedding, or just a ceremony or reception. My husband and I utilized Disney’s Fairytale Weddings and Honeymoons to elope back in 2018, and they really went out of their way to create something magical but within our budget.
Here's a photo from our magical day:
