Disney World is full of SO many things to see and do that it can be overwhelming.

There are amazing hotels and restaurants, PLUS you’ve got four theme parks with all kinds of rides, restaurants, entertainment, activities, and so much more. Well, prepare to be even more overwhelmed because we’ve put together a list of even MORE stuff you can do in Disney World that you may not know about.

We’ll warn you now that this isn’t even an exhaustive list, but we wanted to let you know about those rare things you can do in Disney World. So if you’ve felt like you’ve seen and done it all, or if you want to do something unique, these could be some great opportunities to go OUTSIDE the regular Disney World box.

Get your silhouette cut out of paper

You’ve probably walked by a Silhouette Portrait Studio in Magic Kingdom TONS of times without even realizing it was there. If so, you’re missing out on one of the most unique and inexpensive souvenirs in Disney World. Here, you can pose for a talented artist, who will literally cut your silhouette out of paper.

These artists just freehand it, too — that’s how talented they are. Individual silhouettes start at $14. There are two locations in Magic Kingdom — one on Center Street (off of Main Street, U.S.A. right outside the Crystal Arts shop) and one in Liberty Square. There’s also one in Disney Springs in The Marketplace area, and at EPCOT in the France Pavilion.

Get a good old-fashioned Pixie Dusting

While kids can enjoy royal makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, both kids AND adults can get pixie dusted in Magic Kingdom. It’s a whole THING, too. A Cast Member will wave a magic wand over your head and you will be doused in pixie dust. It’s magical and although you may be finding glitter in your hair FOR DAYS, it’s worth it. Plus, it’s free!

You can ask to get pixie dusted at Sir Mickey’s gift shop in Fantasyland — it’s right behind Cinderella Castle. You can also ask to get pixie dusted at Bonjour Village Gifts near Gaston’s Tavern.

See the Kiss Goodnight

Have you ever heard of the Kiss Goodnight? Maybe you’ve heard of it, but you’re not sure what it is. Well, this is something you’ll want to stick around for in Magic Kingdom. It usually happens every 30 minutes after Magic Kingdom closes, so don’t make a beeline for your resort bus after the fireworks. If you stick around, you’ll see Cinderella Castle twinkling as “When You Wish Upon A Star” plays. 

Note that it doesn’t happen on nights when there are After Hours events, so if you want to see it, be sure to check the Disney World calendar.

Learn how to draw a Disney character

Did you know you could take a lesson from a Disney animator on how to draw a Disney character? Well, you can! You’ll find The Animation Experience at Conservation Station at Rafiki’s Planet Watch in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You’ll want to take the Wildlife Express train to get there. Once there, you’ll see a building and inside is where you can take a drawing lesson.

The class is 100% free, and you’ll spend 20 minutes learning to draw characters like Simba, Judy Hopps, Timon, and more! Paper, a pencil, and a clipboard are provided, and when you’re done, you have a unique piece of art to take home that you created.

See a Mardi Gras parade

If you can’t make it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras (or if you just can’t deal with the crowds), you can celebrate in Disney World with a secret Mardi Gras parade. You’ll find a Mardi Gras celebration happening at, appropriately enough, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter.

Not only is there the Port Orleans Mardi Gras Pargo Parade, but there’s also Arts & Crafts and a Mardi Gras Party. You  might even happen upon a live jazz band in the process. Now this celebration only happens on one day each year, so you’ll have to keep an eye out for it.

Rent a Surrey bike

Wouldn’t it be fun to go biking around Disney World with friends or family? Well, YOU CAN! You can rent a Surrey bike at five of Disney World’s hotels: Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.

You can choose a bike that seats 2 or 4 people. What a unique way to see more of Disney World, right? You can also rent regular bikes around Disney World, too, if that’s more your style.

Take a Segway tour

Another fun activity you can do is take the Wilderness Backtrail Adventure, a two-hour Segway Tour around Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. You’ll learn to navigate a Segway on a tour that includes stops at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch, Bay Lake, and more.

Meanwhile, a Cast Member will lead you through the tour with all kinds of trivia, anecdotes, details, and more. If you’ve never been on a Segway before, don’t worry — you’ll get a 30-minute crash course on how to maneuver it. You’ll also get a safety helmet and an electronic earpiece so you can hear your tour guide.

Get a haircut

Another thing you’ve probably walked right by in Magic Kingdom is the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, U.S.A. Or maybe you’ve seen it, but didn’t realize that it’s a real barber shop. Yes, it’s REAL and you can get a haircut there. 

Although you can get a special My First Haircut experience for your kids, the barber shop is open to all ages. They do take walk-ins, but you’re probably going to want to get a reservation through the My Disney Experience app.

Go fishing

If you’ve got a hankering to go fishing, well, you can do that in Disney World! Fishing excursions are available at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

You can also indulge in some dockside fishing at the Fishin’ Hole at Ol’ Man Island at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and the Bike Barn at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Go Horseback riding

If you visit the Tri-Circle-D Ranch, not only do you get to see the horses there, but you can go for a 45-minute horseback ride on a special trail. The trail rides are available for Disney World visitors ages 9 and up.

You’ll also get to see some of the wildlife around Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Advance reservations are highly recommended, although some walk-ins and same-day reservations may be accepted if there’s availability.

Get your face on a cup of coffee

Have you ever wanted to sip on a cup of coffee with your face on it? Maybe not, but now that you know about it, you might decide you want to try it out! If you visit Joffrey’s in Disney Springs, you can get all kinds of cool latte art on your coffee, but the coolest art you can get is YOUR FACE.

Basically, it works like this. You’ll use an app either on your phone or a provided tablet to upload a photo of yourself or take a selfie. You’ll give your number to the barista, who will then turn your face into a piece of coffee art.

Turn yourself into a Lego minifigure

If you’re not done turning yourself into art, you can head on over to the Lego Store, which is also in Disney Springs, to turn yourself into a minifigure. There’s a station set up in the store where you can customize your minifigure on a tablet — you can choose from selections already available or even draw your own design.

You can customize everything from the figure’s clothes to its accessories, and then you’ll get a Lego minifigure that looks like you.

Play miniature golf

You probably know that Disney World has several world-class golf courses, but did you know it also has two miniature golf courses? First, there’s the the Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf Course, which has a Fantasia theme. That one is near Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The other course is the Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course, which is themed as an off-season retreat for Santa and his elves. You’ll find that course close to Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park.

Learn archery

Tap into your inner Merida and learn how to use a bow (or booooooowww, as Merida says) at The Fort Wilderness Archery Experience. This activity is great for ages seven and up — you’ll learn how to hold and fire a compound bow. You’ll even get some target practice.

Yes, you’ll learn to shoot for your own hand (sorry, the Brave references are EVERYWHERE) in this 75-minute activity. Class sizes are limited to 10, so you’ll want to make reservations to make sure you get in.

Take a holiday sleigh ride

There is SO much to do at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort that you could just visit that resort and not even go to the parks — and have a great time. During the holidays, something SUPER unique is available: holiday sleigh rides! You’ll enjoy a nice scenic 25-minute ride from Tri-Circle-D Ranch through Fort Wilderness in a sleigh pulled by horses.

As with a lot of these other activities, you’ll want to make sure to make reservations in advance. Sleigh rides are generally available through the month of December. 

Ride in a tethered helium-filled balloon

Not every attraction is in the theme parks. If you visit Disney Springs, you’ve probably see that gigantic hot air balloon that’s docked there. Well, you might not know it, but you can actually take a short ride up and over Disney Springs in the Aerophile balloon. 

Note that the balloon still stays tethered, so there’s no chance of you flying off and ending up in Oz (sorry), but it’s still an 8-minute thrill ride all the same. Balloon rides may not be available on windy days or when there’s stormy weather.

Ride in a car on the water

Disney Springs is also home to the Amphicars, which are classic cars that are also…well…boats. You’ll glide out onto Lake Buena Vista for a 20-minute guided tour.

You’ll find this unique activity near The BOATHOUSE Restaurant.

Learn to decorate a cake

You can have a Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs. You’ll learn how to create your own signature Mickey Dome Cake and then be able to take it back to your hotel to enjoy later. YUM.

This is a 90-minute, small group session where you’ll get a chance to learn from the Pastry Chefs at Amorette’s. The experience also includes beverages, including alcoholic options.

Go surfing

It’s time for a surfing safari! You can take surf lessons at Typhoon Lagoon and learn to hang ten, or if you already know how to surf, you can show off your skills in North America’s largest wave pool before the water park opens or after it closes.

Each session is three hours with 100 waves broken into sets of 25. You can also even take private surf sessions where you choose the direction of your waves. DUDE!

See a once-a-year Hidden Mickey

A very special thing happens on Mickey and Minnie’s birthday. On November 18th, every year, a hidden Mickey appears for 15 minutes in the Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid queue.  You’ll have to catch it at just the right time, and once it’s gone, it won’t be visible for another year.

We think this is just another example of how ingenious Imagineers are! Anyway, the hidden Mickey appears at around noon on November 18th each year. Oh, you’ll also see a Hidden Minnie, too! BONUS!

Go scuba diving in EPCOT’s Aquarium

Have you ever looked at the aquarium at The Seas with Nemo and Friends and wished you could go scuba diving in there? Well, believe it or not, you can! With EPCOT Seas Adventure — Divequest, you can dive into EPCOT’s 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium and mingle with the THOUSANDS of sea creatures that live there.

This experience also includes a backstage tour of the aquarium, so you’ll get some behind-the-scenes details, too. The entire experience takes two hours.

Break the rules

Have you ever noticed a rope in Disney’s Hollywood Studios near the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular? The rope very specifically has a sign telling you not to pull it. Well, we’re going to be rebels and tell you to pull it.

Trust us — that’s what Imagineers designed it for. You’ll get a nice surprise when you yank on that rope.

Spray people on Kali River Rapids

Those people riding Kali River Rapids have already signed up to get very wet, right? Well, you can help them out. Have you ever seen those elephants that shoot water near the ride’s exit? Well, there’s a bridge above the ride with green buttons that you can push to make those elephants spray that water. Yes, that’s controlled by other Disney World visitors.

Yep! You can deliberately spray water on unsuspecting folks on Kali River Rapids. It’s sneaky — and fun! Mwahahaha!

Build your own dino

Okay, so we’re not the biggest fans of T-Rex in Disney Springs, but there is a fun experience to be had there. Build-A-Bear has a special station where instead of bears, you can build your own dinosaur.

The experience works just like Build-A-Bear. You can assemble a custom dinosaur, get it stuffed, and then buy cute clothes to dress it up in. You can even add recorded messages to your dino creation.

Spend $100,000 on a crystal Spaceship Earth

You’re probably familiar with the gorgeous crystal Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom at Crystal Arts by Arribas Bros. But in EPCOT, you can get a crystal Spaceship Earth Beacon of Magic Statue. To say this thing is gorgeous is an understatement.

The going rate for this, though? Well, it’s one-of-a-kind, so you’ll have to fork over $99,000 to buy it. But that’s a small price to pay for something so beautiful, right?

Attend Sangria University

Do you love Sangria? Have you ever wanted to know more about it? Well, you need to sign up for Sangria University at Disney’s Coronado Springs. This afternoon course will teach you all about the history of sangria and give you details about the recipes used to make the 4 in-house sangrias served at Three Bridges Bar and Grill.

Your lesson is followed by a tasting of the four sangrias, along with a light appetizer. Food and wine? We’re in!

See two of Walt Disney’s Train Cars

If you visit Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, be sure to make your way to the Carolwood Pacific Railroad Room. There, you can see a train collection that came from Walt Disney’s personal collection. Yes, Walt loved trains, and now two of the train cars he collected are on display in Disney World.

The collection includes a perfectly preserved cattle car, gondola, and a piece of track from Walt’s original set. You’ll also find some additional train memorabilia here.

See? There’s so much more to see and do in Disney World that has nothing to do with rides and theme parks. So when you visit next, take some time to check out some of these more unique activities.

Stay tuned to DFB for more!

49 Free Things To Do in Disney World in 2024

Have you done any of these things in Disney World? Have more to add to the list? Let us know in the comments!