Let’s be real. Disney World is not the vacation you take to relax. I need to carve out a week of recovery after our Disney trips. But Disney Friends, it doesn’t have to be GO GO GO all day! To fully enjoy a Disney parks vacation, you need to carve out time to take it slow. I have a list of 5 unique, free and dare I say RELAXING things to do inside the Disney parks to take you out of the hustle mode. Get in touch with me or one of our many other talented agents at Kingdom and Cruise Travel. We will provide you a plan to balance the thrills with chill-outs.
1. Take a Ride on the Main Street Vehicles!
We have all seen these go past us on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. The old fire engine, the jitney, the horse drawn carriage… My bet is you’re like me and just try not to get hit by one of these. I finally took my FIRST ride on a Main Street Vehicle (it only took me 4 decades of Disney trips)! I was shocked at how much I LOVED this experience. It was unique, relaxing and felt so nice to have a different perspective of Main Street USA. My favorite part was our driver honking all the way and watching people dodge us.
2. Watch the Flag Retreat Ceremony in Town Square
This is truly a stirring experience that most people don’t realize happens every single day in the Magic Kingdom! The flag in Town Square is lowered as trumpets play. The ceremony starts with the Pledge of Allegiance, trumpets sound Retreat and play the Star Spangled Banner. A veteran guest and their family is honored and they assist with the retirement of the flag for the day. Witnessing this takes you out of the hustle mode for sure and gives you a moment to be grateful and reflect. Thank you to all our service people!
3. Get a Haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street
Another Main Street USA thing?!? I guess it really is the place to relax! This one is not free, BUT it is so inexpensive and something you need to do anyway, it’s almost like Disney is paying YOU to get a haircut!
The Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street USA offers yet another element of nostalgia and old-timey pure fun – haircuts for ALL ages! My son’s haircut was $20 and was the BEST haircut he has had in years. Get in touch and we can help you reserve your time slot 60 days prior to your visit! They offer a baby’s-first-haircut package that comes with a sweet Mouseketeer hat and certificate. At these prices, you’d be foolish not to book a Disney trip every time you need a haircut.
4. Wilderness Explorers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Caw! Caw! Roar! This experience will bring you right back to your scouting days. Inspired by Russell’s character from the movie Up, this unique, relaxing experience lets you collect 25 badges as you learn about animals and their habitats at various Wilderness Explorer stations throughout Animal Kingdom. We really enjoyed talking to the “Troop Leaders” at their posts, going through all their educational materials like photos and maps, and adding “badges” to our colorful and informative handbook. Don’t let this be another thing to cause you to run around! Keep your day low-stress and stop at a few of these stations throughout the day.
5. The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
Here is another relaxing, low-stress experience in Animal Kingdom that allows you to sit, unwind and flex your art skills! You don’t realize you can draw until you take this animation class and sketch your very own beloved Disney character. Take the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch at least 40 minutes before the start time of the scheduled 25-minute experience. You will receive step-by-step instructions and everyone creates a masterpiece. “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.” That’s a Bob Ross quote, not Walt Disney, but a good thing to keep in mind while you’re there.
What experience sounds like the most fun to you? Let me know in the comments! Better yet, call me or one of my fellow agents at Kingdom and Cruise Travel and we will help you plan for a magical vacation where you get to try ALL of these wonderful relaxing, unique and FREE experiences at the Disney Parks.
- By KCT agent Alli Matthews