The 26 best things to do with a Disney Annual Pass

Join the Boatride Club

Disney fan podcast Might Men of Mouse recently made local twitter celebrities Josh Gonz and Eric Laycock’s Boat Ride Club famous and now there’s even a hashtag for those who attempt to join (#WDWCruiseCup). Much like the Mile High Club the Boat Club involves riding every single boat ride at WDW in a single day (OK, so nothing like the Mile High Club). Everything from the various boats to resorts to things like Splash Mountain and Living With the Land is part of it. It takes plenty of planning, coordination and a full day to do but at the end of the day you’ll be part of a rare club. There’s around 21 boat rides at WDW but the jury is still out on if Peter Pan counts.
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High-five guests on passing PeopleMover

Unlike newer rides with the envelope of safety, the PeopleMover comes from a simpler time where sticking your hand out of a moving ride could mean losing it. There are a few times, like just before entering Space Mountain, where the cars pass each other just close enough that sticking your hand out could get you a high-five from other guests. The simple joy of a high-five during the middle of a slow ride is surprisingly satisfying.
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Visit Animal Kingdom after dark
Until Avatar opens in 2156 (that’s just an estimate) Animal Kingdom is more of a daytime park but with Rivers of Light coming there’s hope it will be opened later. Stick around until sunset to truly enjoy this park. With lush foliage and unique lighting all around Animal Kingdom is like a completely different place once the sun goes down.

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Eat in some of the less popular Magic Kingdom sit down restaurants

Magic Kingdom has some of the hardest to get reservations in all of Central Florida but skip Crystal Palace, Royal Table and Be Our Guest and go try some of the other sit down options. There’re plenty of other options like The Plaza and Liberty Tree Tavern that are still fine choices for a theme park meal. They might not have characters but tourists watching is fun enough on its own.
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Watch the Main Street Electrical Parade over dinner at Tony’s Town Square

While Tony’s has a bad reputation for its food (and one that it doesn’t completely deserve) this is still a great place to grab the Electrical Parade. Make a reservation for at least 30-45 mins before the parade (they usually take a while to seat you even with a reservation) then plan your meal around the parade. There’s some great 2 seat tables right at the front of the porch overlooking the street. While they usually won’t guarantee you an outdoor table it never hurts to ask (stating that it’s cold inside usually helps as well). The porch is a bit elevated so you’ll have a great view right over everyone’s head and what better way to take in a parade than over a giant helping of lasagna.
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Get evac’d from a ride

One of the good things about WDW not having the same level of quality as some of its counterparts, like Japan, is that you have a better chance of being evacuated off of a ride sooner or later here. It’s hard to plan this one but if you go enough you’ll surely have it happen. After sitting there stuck for a few minutes, a cast member will come over and take you off. You’ll then get to see rarely seen backstage areas of the ride. Some rides are much more fun to be evac’d off of (like Splash Mountain or Dinosaur) than others (like the PeopleMover or the Speedway).
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Spend a day at a park and not do any ride

Disney parks have a level of detail that few other places in the world can achieve. Often times all those small details are overlooked as you run from one ride to the next. Take a day to just walk around enjoying the sights, smells (well besides the smelly tourists) and sounds of Disney. Animal Kingdom is a great park for a relaxing day like this but really every Disney park can be.
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Join the Mountain Club

Much like the Boatride Club but older and easier is the Mountain Club. While many achieve the Magic Kingdom portion (Big Thunder Mtn, Space Mtn and Splash) of it with a simple day at the park to truly be the elite Mountain Club you also have to grab rides Everest at Animal Kingdom plus rides of each of the water park mountains (Mount Gushmore and Mount Mayday). Much like Peter Pan with the Boat Club the Mountain Club has some debate within it over if the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train should be counted or not but you could grab a ride on it just to be safe.
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Drink around the world at Epcot

Sure this one of those things that’s pretty popular but sometimes things are popular because they’re fun and that’s the case here. For an extra ‘fun’ time do your drinking do Food and Wine or Flower and Garden for even more booze. If you have little kiddies in the group they can join in the fun by buying a candy from each country.
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Drink around the world at Animal Kingdom

Why should Epcot get all the booze credit? Animal Kingdom has seen two new bars open in the past 6 months alone with even more on the way. The new Thirsty River Bar in the former Everest Fastpass kiosk is just the latest in a long line of new bars popping up at Animal Kingdom. Make sure to try the Starr of Harambe rum and mango puree drink in the new Harambe Market.
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Stay for the Kiss Goodnight at Magic Kingdom

This is one of those special touches that’s part of the Disney difference. At the closure of each evening (except on nights with a special event after closing) there’s a unique goodbye, typically about 30 minutes after the official closing time. As the audio bids a farewell to guests the real show here is the cool lighting effects on the castle. The empty park mixed with the special light and audio show is the perfect way to end a day at Magic Kingdom.
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Visit DisneyQuest

With rumors saying that the NBA has pulled out, it looks like there might be a bit longer to enjoy this early 2000s relic. DisneyQuest is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon. With retro games, some decent VR-based rides and an odd assortment of other distractions it’s not worth the single day price tag but if you have it as part of your AP make sure to at least stop by and take all of its untouched, 1990s Disney glory. It also makes for a fun Throwback Thursday.
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Do the 24 hr day

About once a year Disney World will have a day where a specific park, almost always Magic Kingdom, is open for a full 24 hour period. The day typically last 6 AM until 6 AM. Characters are typically in special ‘pajama’ costumes and unique dance parties always take place. Near the end of the 24 period everyone is beyond tired but still having a great time. What can be more fun than Haunted Mansion at 4 AM? If you’re lucky you’ll get a DJ who is equally as tired. A few years back during it the Castle DJ was towards the end of an extra-long set when he accidentally dropped the F-bomb, having it broadcast throughout all of the hub. It’s fun for the whole family.
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Try Beverly

You haven’t truly experienced Epcot until you’ve tried the odd, disgusting Beverly beverage at Club Cool. The Italian soda will make you question why it ever should exist and how this can still be a thing even while other sodas have failed.
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Spend time in the museum galleries of Epcot

While Disney fanboys fight over how Epcot has lost its soul there are a few places where you can still take in the Edutainment offerings that once filled the park. Most of the pavilions offer small museum style halls where temporary exhibits are displayed. The American Adventure andJapan have two of the best but Mexico, China and Morocco also shouldn’t be missed. The educational aspect of the exhibits also means that most tourists stay far away making these great places to escape the crowds and cool down in the A.C.
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Enjoy an evening at the Boardwalk Resort

Disney Springs gets all the attention these days but the Boardwalk has some great options too. From the Big River Grille craft brewery (the only such brewery on Walt Disney property) to not one but two nightclub style venues the Boardwalk is a surprisingly happening place that few locals rarely visit.
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Actually stop and listen to the music acts

Disney World has plenty of live entertainment and it always seems to be changing. This entertainment is usually some of the best in the industry and often time features world-class entertainers. While those who are here on a once in a decade trip don’t have the time to enjoy the live entertainment APers do. Stop and take in the entertainment. Burudika in Animal Kingdom and Yehaa Bob at Port Orleans are not to be missed.
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Try the lesser known snacks

Most people are well aware of the more popular treats like Dole Whips and the Butterbeer knockoff known as LeFou’s Brew but WDW has plenty of other treats. Skip the Mickey Pretzel and instead explore some of the lesser known snacks. Try one of the boerewors sausage curried corn dogs in Harambe Market, a Zebra Dome, the Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake at the 50’s Prime Time Café, and not to be missed is the hot pressed Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich at L’Glaces de Artisan at Epcot.
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Catch the Magic Kingdom opening ceremony

This one involves pretending to be a tourist for a morning but show up extra early to the Magic Kingdom one morning to catch the opening ceremony. All the classic Disney characters ride in on the train while dancers get the crowd excited. The Mayor of Main Street is there with a special family chosen each day to welcome all the guests. The show ends with a few small fireworks being shot off and with that the park is officially open.
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Hunt for Hidden Mickeys

Throughout Disney World there’re thousands of hidden mickeys. As an APer, you can get tired of riding the same rides over and over. Search for hidden mickeys on them to help keep you entertained and if that gets old there’s always hidden penises to find (on the left during the Aladdin scene in Philharmagic).
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