• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About/Hire Me
    • About Me
    • Hire Me
    • Contact
    • Family
    • Faith
    • FAQ
    • My Running Story
    • Recipes
  • Disney
  • Fitness
    • runDisney Information Page
    • Fitness
    • Races
  • Parenting
  • Travel

Through Heather's Looking Glass

  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • family
  • About Me

Beyond the Parks Part 2

January 11, 2012 | Disney, family, running, Uncategorized

 

In my last installment of beyond the parks of Disney world, we discussed golf, working out/spa, waterparks, water craft, afternoon tea, and bike rentals. Today I will discuss a few more of the hidden fun things to do while vacationing in Disney World beyond the standard theme park rides (which are still great by the way!)

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex:

I wouldn’t have known this existed if I wasn’t a runner. This is where Disney holds the expos for their races. There are plenty of events held here such as Pre-season training for the Atlanta Braves and the Tampa Bay Bucs. SO, depending on the time of year, you could hit up one of different sporting events! WWOS is also home to the Playstation Pavilion. They have 17 PS3 systems, wi fi, and more. It costs $5 to play for thirty minutes.

Characters in Flight: This hot air balloon located in Downtown Disney will take you a soaring 400 feet above the ground (tethered to it, of course!) for the best views of Walt Disney world. You get to enjoy your view for 8-10 minutes flying high in the sky. Weather permitting, hours of operation are 10:00 am to midnight.

(source)

Fireworks Cruise:

You can board a boat for the Wishes or Illuminations fireworks in Walt Disney World. Price of the wishes cruises includes snacks, and you can even have Private dining whip you something uo to eat onboard. What a great way to enjoy the show from the 7 seas lagoon!

For the illuminations cruise, you can also have private dining have food for you, as you cruise around the water in EPCOT watching the show.

Another option is the Grand 1 Yacht at the Grand Floridian. It is a 45 foot boat staffed with a captain and deckhand. Ride the lagoon in Grand style as you enjoy the Magic Kingdom Fireworks.

Lastly, there is the Pirates and Pals Fireworks voyage. You are provided snacks before your voyage, where you can watch the electrical water pageant and Wishes fireworks. Captain Hook and mr. Smee may show up for photos, before you sail the lagoon, docking nearby to watch the fireworks. You may even get to see Peter Pan as the voyage concludes.

Horse drawn carriage rides:

At Fort Wilderness, you can take an old fashioned horse drawn carriage ride, first come first served. The ride lasts 45 minutes and departs from Pioneer hall twice nightly. During Halloween, you can book a haunted 25 minute carriage ride through the woods. Spooky! There are also Holiday “sleigh rides” that you can book in advance.

There are also regular25 minute carriage rides at Fort Wilderness and Port Orleans Resort.

———————————-

These are just a sampling of the many, many fun things to do in WDW. This is one reason we keep going back. We do new fun things every single trip, and have a blast! If you would like more information on any of the things I mentioned above, please contact me at heather@travelwiththemagic.com and I would be more than happy to help you plan your vacation AT NO COST. Our services are free for our clients!

Be sure to click on the Free Disney Travel Quote tab on my menu bar for more info and current offers!

———————————-

I ran 3 miles in the treadmill last night. my first three miles since the injury! It was really hard (and slow) but I did it! Next run on Thursday I will go for 3.5. Movin on up, yall! Thanks again for all the support and encouragement!

QOTD: If you had Disney world to yourself for a whole day what would you do?

Like this:

Like Loading...

Sign up for my newsletter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tara Burner says

    January 11, 2012 at 8:06 am

    I miss disney…
    hmmm one day to myself…not sure…
    I know I would NOT go on splash mountain or space mountain lol

  2. LifeisaRun says

    January 11, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    Yay for your first 3 miles since the injury! If we had one day to ourself at Disney World we’d go to Harry Potter World!! Totally want to do that when we are out there for the Princess Half!

    • Heather says

      January 11, 2012 at 12:44 pm

      ROFL! Harry potter is at Universal Sudios…our direct competitor!hhehe!

      • LifeisaRun says

        January 11, 2012 at 1:01 pm

        HAHAHAHA, shows how much I know! I’ve only been to Florida once….and not in the Orlando vicinity so the Princess Half will be my first experience there period!

  3. Lisa Fine says

    January 11, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Oooh, tough question.

    I would definitely ride my favorite attractions numerous times in a row…like Expedition Everest, Splash Mountain, Rock and Roller Coaster, and few others. I’d also love to go on some of the backstage tours. While I’d hate for them to ruin the magic, they’d also probably be fascinating.

    Glad you’re back into running!

  4. Robin Johnson says

    January 11, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    I would go on all the roller coasters and then spend the rest of the day shopping and people watching. http://www.dashingdiva.net

  5. Robin says

    January 11, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    I highly recommend the Chip N Dale campfire at Fort Wilderness as a free character thing you can do. We love Fort Wilderness. Do you ever see discounts besides Annual Pass and AAA discounts for Fort Wilderness?

    • Heather says

      January 11, 2012 at 2:45 pm

      yes! check out the current offers/deals under my free disney travel quote tab!

Trackbacks

  1. Tips for an Adults Only Disney Trip - Through Heather's Looking Glass says:
    April 26, 2016 at 1:11 am

    […] 3.) Beyond the Theme Parks: Since you have a couple of “free days” with no park tickets, take time to explore some of the lesser known Disney fun such as Disney Springs, miniature golf, water parks, going fishing or parasailing, or enjoy tea at the Grand Floridian. I actually wrote two blog posts a while back about things to do beyond the theme parks. You can check them out here and here. […]

Primary Sidebar

I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

Please, no guest post requests. 🙂

More about me

Privacy Policy

You can also find me here:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Protecting Your Kids’ Eyes In the Digital Age
  • Late Spring Events Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
  • 6 Ways to Make Mother’s Day Special This Year
  • Exciting News: Allegiant Air Launches New Knoxville to Gulf Shores Nonstop Flight
  • 8 Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Activities that are Perfect for a Family Spring Break

 

Search

How to Start a Blog

How to start a blog
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Family
🚢 There are some things I never pictured doing 🚢 There are some things I never pictured doing on a cruise, but here we are! 

@virginvoyages is so unique in its offerings, it truly feels like they are listening to what their “sailors” want. (No Nickel and Dime-ing… tips, Wifi, Group Fitness Classes, Essential Bevvies, Dining, and entertainment - always included on these adult by design voyages!) 

Which of these things do you want to do on your next cruise? 

👉🏻Check out the 🔗 in my bio for up to $200 in onboard credit towards your voyage + their best discount of the year: 
75% off the second Sailor + up to $500 in Instant Savings!! 🎉

#virginvoyages #valiantlady #cruisevacation #cruiseshiplife #travelcreator
No time for the gym? Same. 🙋‍♀️ (ad) That No time for the gym? Same. 🙋‍♀️ (ad)
That’s why the Yesoul R1M Plus Rowing Machine is my new go-to for fun, full-body workouts at home — with zero guilt. 💪🏼✨

✅ Foldable & compact for small spaces
✅ Stream YouTube/Netflix etc. or Spotify while you row (hello, multitasking magic)
✅ No mandatory subscription — just mirror your screen & go!
✅ Built for all fitness levels, so you can start where you are

Mamas, this is your moment to prioritize YOU — without sacrificing your schedule (or your living room).

🛒 Grab yours here: https://bit.ly/3SkLjrM (🔗 in bio)
Use code Heather for $100 off across their G1M series bikes, T1M treadmills, R1M rowing machines, and J1M recumbent bikes! 🙌

Check out: @yesoulfitness.official
#funcardio #yesoul #hometraining #fitnessmotivation #herstrength #mothersdayideas
Here is a look behind the scenes of when we travel Here is a look behind the scenes of when we travel for work. There’s a lot going on that you don’t see on my reels. 🤪

Super glamorous, right? 😬

#behindthescenes #contentcreatorlife #contentcreator2025
🔥 The 5-Minute Smashdown is ON! 🔥 No thawing 🔥 The 5-Minute Smashdown is ON! 🔥
No thawing. No smashing. No mess. Just juicy, crispy, caramelized perfection—straight from freezer to bun in 5 minutes flat. (Ad)

These @omahasteaks Smash Burgers are Built for the Grill™, and right now, you can get 16 FREE with your order. Yes… SIXTEEN.

Ready to taste the burger that’s flipping the script on dinner? Making it easier to grill even on those busy nights where you feel overwhelmed? 

👉 Tap the link in my bio to claim your burgers. 

#OmahaSteaks #SmashBurgers #5MinuteSmashdown #BuiltForTheGrill
Just got back from the cutest cabin in Pigeon Forg Just got back from the cutest cabin in Pigeon Forge and had to share a travel hack for all my fellow moms planning summer getaways. 💡(ad)

We booked with @savvy_stay, which means no third-party fees, no fluff — just direct access to professional hosts and more room in the budget for fun. 🙌🏼 

They even have a price comparison tool on their site so you can see what you WOULD be paying if you went with “the other guys.”

Think: mountain views, family memories, and extra savings that actually make a difference. If Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge is on your list, do yourself a favor and check out Savvy first!

🏔️☀️ #FamilyTravelTips #MomLifeHacks #SummerVacationPlanning #SavvyTravel #PigeonForgeCabin #GatlinburgGetaway #TravelSmarter #staysmarter #savvy #traveltips #saveontravel
First @dollywood day of the season photo dump. 🦋 

Pro tip: Visit now. Between Easter and Memorial Day is the perfect time to go. We arrived at 4:30 and every ride was a walk on and we stayed until closing! Perfect weather, great memories, and many more to come. 💙

Cheers to 40 years, Dollywood! 🎢 

#dollywood #dollywoodthemepark #themepark #pigeonforge #dollywood2025 #dollywoodthemepark
Money doesn’t grow on trees, GF. 💰 🏀 

👉🏻Share with someone who understands and has a little broke sports loving bestie! 

#aaubasketball #sportsmom #sportsmomlife #girlsbasketball #basketballmeme #travelball #travelballparents

Copyright © 2025 · Through Heather's Looking Glass · Theme by Bella Creative Studio

%d