Walt Disney World is a thrill seekers dream! There are many exciting and adventurous attractions to get that adrenaline pumping! But what if you don’t like roller coasters? Will there be anything for you to do? Should you even go to Walt Disney World? My answer without a doubt is YES! There are so many magical opportunities for those who don’t like the fast and furious rides. Honestly, you could go to Walt Disney World and not strap into a single thrill ride and still have a fantastic time!
Passive Rides
Not only does Walt Disney World specialize in rides that will take your breath away, but Imagineers also do a fantastic job of creating entertaining passive rides. A passive ride is one in which you are enjoying a storyline or an atmosphere, but you do not have to worry about the speed of the ride, sudden drops, or going upside down. These rides are all about the experience, not the thrill. Some of these attractions may include the iconic Soarin’ Around the World, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Na’vi River Journey, and Toy Story Midway Mania! These rides are incredibly popular with even the biggest adrenaline junkies (like me) and they will not let you down! There are multiple passive rides in each park so there will be something for you no matter which park you explore.
Intermediate Rides
There are a few rides at Walt Disney World that may be labeled as a “thrill ride” but some of the more tentative guests may still love! My brother hates (and I mean HATES) roller coasters for the most part. He will not set foot on one even if you offer him a Dole Whip as a prize, BUT he loves Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain! I would highly encourage you (even if you have never liked a roller coaster in your life!) to give these two rides (and maybe some others like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Slinky Dog Dash?!) a try! If you don’t like them you never have to ride them again, but you never know!
Shows
Every park has either a live performance or a theater show for you to enjoy. These are super fun for adults and kids alike. These shows include but are not limited to Festival of the Lion King in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Oh Canada in Epcot’s World Showcase Pavilion, and Mickey’s PhilharMagic in Magic Kingdom Park. These shows are very well done and will be an entertaining way to get out of the sun and take a load off your feet! Some shows are currently suspended due to covid. Disney is currently phasing them back in as they see fit!
Parades
Each Park (especially Magic Kingdom Park) also has parades or character interactions for you to enjoy. Magic Kingdom Park has the Festival of Fantasy and the Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party. In Epcot, they don’t have a true parade, but as you walk around the World Pavilion you may be able to see a trio of Mariachi players in Mexico or a live concert going on in the America Gardens Theatre. In Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park as you walk around you may see an African band: The Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe playing the drums (and they may even let your kids try out hitting a drum; super fun for them!) or you might see the Bollywood Beats (an Indian Dance group) showing off their moves! At Disney’s Hollywood Studios make sure you head back to Galaxy’s Edge where you can see Storm Troopers and other Star Wars characters putting on a (very realistic) show. These are different than typical shows as you will not have a seat or even really a certain time they will happen. They perform at various times throughout the day and you can just walk up and watch! Again, parades are currently suspended. Instead Disney has implemented character cavalcades (kind of like a parade, but with no set time to discourage large groups of people.) Cavalcades are actually a great way to see some of your favorite characters!
Food
Food in Walt Disney World is incredible. There are multiple blogs and Instagram accounts dedicated to just the food. That’s how popular and loved the snacks and meals are here! If you are a person who loves to try new things (or even some good old classics) Walt Disney World is a great place for you! They have incredible snacks all over the park (such as the famous Dole Whip) as well as meals that will fit the needs of any type of eater! You can enjoy fine-dining if that suits you, you can maximize your time in the park with quick service meals, or you can really make eating an experience with character or themed dining like Cinderella’s Royal Table or Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (where you eat in a car while watching B movies in a drive-in theater!) No matter who you are or what you like, you will find food for you!
Festivals
Depending on what time of year it is you may luck out and be able to attend a festival at Epcot. There are various events throughout the year and you may happen upon the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, or the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. All of these festivals are wonderful. I could wander around for hours looking at the scenery, listening to music, or trying fun foods. (The foods that Epcot offers at these festivals are appetizer style, so you can try more than one while saving room for a sweet treat later!)
Scenery
Walt Disney World is a beautiful place where you can almost see the magic in the air. When I go to Walt Disney World I like to take some time to just look at my surroundings. Whether I’m on Main Street, U.S.A. staring up at Cinderella castle, in Pandora—The World of Avatar at night taking in the glowing blue environment surrounding me, staring across the water of Mexico all the way to Morocco in Epcot, or walking down Hollywood Avenue in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there is always something to admire.
Family Time
Whether you are visiting Walt Disney World with family (or with friends that almost feel like family!) I can assure you that you will be spending a great amount of time laughing, smiling, and making memories together that will last a lifetime.
Characters
Who doesn’t want to see their favorite Disney character standing right in front of them?? Whether you are an adult or a child there is a chance for you to see (and maybe get a picture with) your most loved Disney friends! (Currently due to covid character meet and greets are socially distanced.)
Nighttime Shows and Fireworks
Walt Disney World has a nighttime show or fireworks at almost every park. At Magic Kingdom Park you can watch Happily, Ever After (a fireworks show with projections on the castle.) Happily, Ever After is the most stunning display of magic I have ever seen. (Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!) Trust me, you do not want to miss it! Epcot also has a fireworks show coming soon called HarmonioUS that you can view over the lagoon (bonus points if you can score a seat at a World Showcase restaurant with a view!) Disney’s Hollywood Studios has Fantasmic!, a spectacular nighttime shows over water. Honestly, any (or all!) of these fireworks shows are awe-inspiring choices that will not leave you disappointed! (Animal Kingdom does not have fireworks so they don’t scare the animals!) Fireworks shows are currently unavailable due to Covid, but will hopefully return soon!
Disney Springs
Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney) offers shops, dining, and entertainment. The best part about Disney Springs is that you don’t have to have a park ticket to visit! There are some incredible restaurants with top of the line chefs, shops that you know and love (including the Disney Store and the Lego store), as well as live music.
Other parks
People typically just think of the four main theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot) when they are visiting Disney World, but there are actually a few more! Disney has two water parks (open seasonally) Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach! Another fun option is ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. If you time your trip right (around spring break) you can even catch a MLB spring training game!
As you can see Walt Disney World has so much to offer everyone! I hope you were able to find something that appealed to you! I can say without a doubt in my mind that Walt Disney World will be a wonderful experience whether you want to ride a roller coaster or not!