Unique Resort Experiences Free & Paid

[tetera]

Our kids are nature lovers as well and we usually stay at Fort Wilderness...here's a general list of things (we made the list several years ago and we continue to update it though it's possible that some prices/times may not be completely up to date):

Fort Wilderness Activities:


Pool with waterslide, pool without waterslide (included when staying at the Fort)

Dog Park (Waggin’ Trails): Free, also has small dog park for under 30 lbs, has water fountain)

Lots of playgrounds

Tetherball courts

Internal buses/shuttles

Tri-Circle-D Ranch: Free to visit horses/see exhibits, listen to calliope

Archery Experience: Ages 7 and up, $45 pp/75 minute session (usually at 11:30AM and 2:45PM every day)

Horseback Trail rides: $55 pp/45 minute ride (usually 8AM, 9:30AM, 11AM, 12:30PM & 2PM)
(Must be at least 9 years old, over 48 inches and under 250 lbs)

Canoe/Kayak rental: $13 per hour, no reservations

Fishing: $8 pole rental, bait available at Bike Barn

Singalong and campfire: free except s’mores materials

Movies under the stars: free

Watch fireworks/electrical water pageant from beach: free

Boat rides to/from Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary Resort (catch monorail from MK or CR to Epcot for Skyliner or walk to BW from there): Free

Pickleball, tennis, various sports equipment: Free when staying on site

Bikes/Bike Barn: $ (includes helmets, can bring your own)

Golf Cart rental: ~$67/day from 1pm-11AM

Wild animals: Deer, rabbits, turkeys, armadillos, owls, and more

Hoop-de-doo-revue: $$$, reservations required

Carriage/Sleigh Ride

Wagon Ride, 25 minutes, 6:00PM and 8:30PM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, $12 for 10+, $8 for 3 to 9 years (sometimes 7:15PM as well)


(Also here is the link for the fishing excursion info since you seemed interested in that: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/fishing/ )

 

[tetera]

And for the future if you are at Epcot - highly recommend the Behind the Seeds Tour (1 hr, $35pp)
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/behind-the-seeds/

(The Starlight Safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge is also really cool for a non-park day Resort activity https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/enchanting-extras-collection/night-safari/ but can be really difficult to book and I honestly think our family enjoyed Behind the Seeds even more!)

 

[tseitel]

You can also do the guided fishing tour from Fort Wilderness....

In my head I was lumping that in with the MK resorts, should have been more specific.
Thanks for clarifying

 

[mikeuno]

I second the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot!

 

[BeachMouse1]

The Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom is awesome. They take you back way thru the safari in a special vehicle. You get strapped in and watch them feed hippos right at the edge of a cliff looking down at their pool then you walk across a broken bridge over the savanna and and other guests riding by in their vehicles. The tour ends at the lookout on the savanna with food and drink. They take tons of photos and give you a link and you can download them. The time you get in the vehicle they answer a lot of questions and stop often close to animals for some time with the guide to answer questions and close up photos

 

[baler31]

Would that be at Fort Wilderness?

We have done both Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon and Crescent Lake. We prefer Bay Lake by far. We were picked up at Grand Floridian for Bay Lake and Yacht Club for Crescent Lake. I believe they pick up at most of the deluxe marinas, I am not sure about Fort Wilderness.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

You are all wonderful! Thank you for the fantastic ideas!