Many visitors think a Disney vacation is about rope-dropping the theme parks, staying all the way until park close, and only returning to their resort for a place to lay their heads at night. While this can be the perfect vacation for some people, it can also be very exhausting. You know, the kind of vacation that ultimately makes you feel like you need a vacation from your vacation. Sticking around the resorts and exploring what they have to offer can be an excellent way to stay entertained while avoiding some of the overstimulation from constant theme park action.
So, are you looking for fun things to do at Walt Disney World beyond just visiting the theme parks? If so, you’ll want to check out the monthly recreation calendars listing the activities available at each resort. Certain activities can be found at all of the Disney resorts (examples include poolside games, nightly campfires, and Mickey tie dye). Many resorts also offer unique experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s important to note that some resort activities are complimentary, but others require a fee to participate.
One of the MouseHouseNews.net team‘s favorite free activities at Disney resorts is the character scavenger hunt. This activity is available at many of the resorts.
Participating is simple. First, find out which “friend” you will be searching for at a given resort. There will be a sign in the lobby alerting you to which Disney character is hidden somewhere in the lobby area or main building of the resort. Each participating resort features a unique character that often goes along with the resort’s theming. Some examples of the characters MouseHouseNews.net has seen are:
- Chip ‘n’ Dale at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Edna Mode at Disney’s Contemporary
- Pumbaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House
- Sebastian at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Max at Disney’s Yacht Club
- Flounder at Disney’s Beach Club
- Ray at Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside
Once you know who you are looking for, simply keep your eyes peeled! When you spot the character photo prop, snap a picture of it (take a selfie if you’re feeling extra adventurous!). At most resorts, you will be directed to show the photo to a Cast Member at the resort’s check-in desk. However, some resorts may direct you to a different location (the Resort Recreation Activity Guide will tell you where to go). The photo is your “proof” that you found where the character was hiding for that day.
The first time you take a picture, you’ll receive a resort button. The Cast Member will place a sticker on it to represent finding the character. Note: the characters are moved around each day, so expect a new hiding spot on subsequent days. From personal experience, I’ll tell you some days it’s much easier to find them than others! Each time you find the character, take another picture and you’ll get another sticker for your button. Once your button is full of the stickers, your quest is complete. You now have a fun, free souvenir from your visit!
You can do this activity at any participating resort, and you don’t have to be a guest staying there to play along. Character scavenger hunts are fun ways to explore your own resort as well as an entertaining activity to do while resort hopping.
If you’re a fan of scavenger hunts and prizes, you may want to also check out the (paid) scavenger hunts that can be found at the EPCOT festivals. Whether it’s searching for Spike the Bee as part of Spike’s Pollen-Nation Exploration during the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, finding Remy hidden throughout the park for Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, or looking for decorated pumpkins during the month of October in Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, you’ve got a lot of opportunities to look high and low in search of entertainment. Stay tuned to MouseHouseNews.net for more ideas of activities you can do around Walt Disney World and the resorts. See ya real soon!
