I'm as single as a pringle, but I'm a hopeless romantic. My friends have told me that I'd make an excellent boyfriend. I work at Disney World and I couldn't help but thinking of a bunch of cute, no-extra-cost date ideas. So here they are for all you cute couples out there.
1. Have a picnic
Not only does this idea not cost you anything; it actually saves you money. You're welcome. Contrary to popular belief, you actually are allowed to bring food into the parks. So, do something special! Here are a few of my favorite places for picnics:
Tom Sawyer Island (Magic Kingdom)
If anyone ever asks me, my favorite place in all of the Disney parks is Tom Sawyer Island. In all the rushing around of tourists trying to cram as much as possible into their vacations, this hideaway is often forgotten. I certainly never took the time to visit it until I had unlimited access to the parks. The island has cute little picnic tables in the shade and a "back porch" kind of place with lots of tables and rocking chairs that are under an awning. I go there all the time to journal, read books, work on projects or edit my YouTube videos. It's romantic and freaking adorable and somebody needs to go on a date there.
The Hub (Magic Kingdom)
AKA "in front of the castle." The hub was recently reimagined and features two main grassy areas that are usually pretty empty. These areas are used for fastpass+ viewing of the fireworks at night, but are open to all during the day. Very few people stop to go to these areas and since they're fenced, you won't have to worry about random people walking through your picnic. You also will have a beautiful view of the castle! The only downside to this is that there is no shade and no actual chairs. You'll have to bring a blanket or something (or not. The grass is Disney-perfect.)
United Kingdom (Epcot)
There are two nice picnic places located in the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot:
1. Pretend you're going to meet Winnie the Pooh. Or, better yet, actually go meet him and Tigger because they are wonderful. On your way to "Christopher Robin's Room" there are some nice quiet benches out of the way where you can chill.
2. For a less secluded but more scenic setting, go toward the Rose and Crown pub. Right outside, there are shaded tables with a great view of the World Showcase Lagoon.
Flame Tree Barbecue (Animal Kingdom)
You don't have to buy food there to be able to use the nice little tables they've got outside. Not necessarily the most romantic, but it will suffice if for some reason you can only picnic at Animal Kingdom.
Echo Lake (Hollywood Studios)
Look for a big dinosaur in the water or look for the entrance to the Indiana Jones stunt show and you'll be nearby. There are lots of little tables around the area by Echo Lake.
Tom Sawyer Island (Magic Kingdom)
If anyone ever asks me, my favorite place in all of the Disney parks is Tom Sawyer Island. In all the rushing around of tourists trying to cram as much as possible into their vacations, this hideaway is often forgotten. I certainly never took the time to visit it until I had unlimited access to the parks. The island has cute little picnic tables in the shade and a "back porch" kind of place with lots of tables and rocking chairs that are under an awning. I go there all the time to journal, read books, work on projects or edit my YouTube videos. It's romantic and freaking adorable and somebody needs to go on a date there.
The Hub (Magic Kingdom)
AKA "in front of the castle." The hub was recently reimagined and features two main grassy areas that are usually pretty empty. These areas are used for fastpass+ viewing of the fireworks at night, but are open to all during the day. Very few people stop to go to these areas and since they're fenced, you won't have to worry about random people walking through your picnic. You also will have a beautiful view of the castle! The only downside to this is that there is no shade and no actual chairs. You'll have to bring a blanket or something (or not. The grass is Disney-perfect.)
United Kingdom (Epcot)
There are two nice picnic places located in the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot:
1. Pretend you're going to meet Winnie the Pooh. Or, better yet, actually go meet him and Tigger because they are wonderful. On your way to "Christopher Robin's Room" there are some nice quiet benches out of the way where you can chill.
2. For a less secluded but more scenic setting, go toward the Rose and Crown pub. Right outside, there are shaded tables with a great view of the World Showcase Lagoon.
Flame Tree Barbecue (Animal Kingdom)
You don't have to buy food there to be able to use the nice little tables they've got outside. Not necessarily the most romantic, but it will suffice if for some reason you can only picnic at Animal Kingdom.
Echo Lake (Hollywood Studios)
Look for a big dinosaur in the water or look for the entrance to the Indiana Jones stunt show and you'll be nearby. There are lots of little tables around the area by Echo Lake.
2. Become Wilderness Explorers!
You don't really know someone until you've earned Wilderness Explorer patches with them. This is a great way to have some extra fun at Animal Kingdom and make some unique, silly memories. When you enter the park and you're looking at the big tree, after you've first crossed the big bridge, there will be a Wilderness Explorer headquarter location on your right. Pick up a free activity book and start collecting badges! Once you've collected a bunch, go join Russel and Dug from Up to celebrate! You can find them at Discovery Island next to It's Tough to be a Bug.
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| My brother, Jonathan and his girlfriend at the time (now his wife!), Samantha are proud Wilderness Explorers. |
3. Hunt for Pirate Treasure
I freaking love pirates. Go have a piratey adventure of yer own in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom! To get the adventure started, stop by the Pirates Adventure kiosk located right outside of the Pirates of the Caribbean gift shop. If you're entering Adventureland from Fronteirland, it'll be the first thing you see on your right. If you're entering Adventureland from Main Street, you'll have to walk through pretty much all of adventure land to get to it. You'll be given instructions and everything you need to get started on your quest!
4. Disneybound
By far, one of the best things you can do as a couple at Disney World is to Disneybound together. In case you're unfamiliar with this term, it's basically this: vaguely dress like disney characters without wearing costumes. It doesn't have to be anything super fancy; just intentional. Think of what colors certain characters wear, and wear outfits inspired by those characters. If you can, try to meet the characters that you're dressed as. They'll love it!
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| My beautiful friend Jillian and her prince, Jacob Disneybound as Jasmine and Aladdin for Dapper Day |
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| Tigger and Pooh meet Jillian and Jacob in their adorable hundred-acre wood disneybound! |
5. Come up with cute poses on rides
You're riding rides together anyway, might as well do a cute pose! Maybe make a heart with your hands or make silly faces. You can easily google and find out where the cameras are on different rides so that you know when to pose for the pictures. Even if you don't have Memory Maker or you don't want to purchase the photos, you can still have fun coming up with unique things to do!
6. Travel the World (Showcase) Together
Many couples want to travel together. Who wouldn't want to go to Tokyo or Paris with their loved one? Well, at Epcot you can go to 11 countries all in one day! Take selfies at all of the landmarks (in front of the Eiffel tower, etc.) and see all the sights! For added fun, try doing the Agent P. World Showcase challenge (get info at the booth on the bridge from Future World to the World Showcase) or doing Kid-cot with your own personalized Duffy that you get to color and collect stamps from each country!
Many couples want to travel together. Who wouldn't want to go to Tokyo or Paris with their loved one? Well, at Epcot you can go to 11 countries all in one day! Take selfies at all of the landmarks (in front of the Eiffel tower, etc.) and see all the sights! For added fun, try doing the Agent P. World Showcase challenge (get info at the booth on the bridge from Future World to the World Showcase) or doing Kid-cot with your own personalized Duffy that you get to color and collect stamps from each country!
7. Get Buttons
Disney gives out celebration buttons for all sorts of things; be it your birthday, a family reunion, anniversary, engagement, etc. They also have generic buttons that say "happily ever after" or "I'm celebrating!" come up with some reason to celebrate and ask any cast member where you can get a button. They're free!
Disney gives out celebration buttons for all sorts of things; be it your birthday, a family reunion, anniversary, engagement, etc. They also have generic buttons that say "happily ever after" or "I'm celebrating!" come up with some reason to celebrate and ask any cast member where you can get a button. They're free!
8. Go to a Dance Party
Later in the afternoon/evening, you'll find dance party events happening around the parks. At these dance parties, special characters come out to bust a move with you and a great live DJ. The current one that happens the most reguarly is the Incredibles Dance Party in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom featuring Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and Frozone. Get down with your bad selves and a bunch of children and cartoon characters for a night you won't forget.
9. Slow Down
It can be tempting to want to try to get as much done as you possibly can while you're at Walt Disney World; after all, it cost a lot to be here and you only have so much time. There are so many things to do! As someone who has been going to the parks pretty much every day for months, let me give you some advice: you will literally never be able to do it all. While it's good to have a game plan and try to get things done, don't let yourself be in such a rush that you forget to enjoy where you are. Take a slow walk holding hands down Main Street, USA and smell the vanilla-scented air. Stop and watch a small child run into the fluffy arms of a character. Look at the person you're there with and enjoy just being with them. Don't let your time here just be a checklist of rides to ride and things to see. Enjoy moments and cherrish the small things. Make memories that last.
10. Ask a Cast Member
While I hope that these tips have been helpful, I'm just one cast member (and a baby one at that. I've only worked here for like 3 months). There are so many amazing people who work at Disney World that have much better advice than I do. Take the time to stop and talk to some cast members. Custodial cast members are some of the coolest people ever and will know lots of tips such as the best places to view the fireworks, and shows. They also carry around free stickers in their pockets. If you simply take the time to talk to some cast members, you'll be amazed at what magic we can work for you.
While I hope that these tips have been helpful, I'm just one cast member (and a baby one at that. I've only worked here for like 3 months). There are so many amazing people who work at Disney World that have much better advice than I do. Take the time to stop and talk to some cast members. Custodial cast members are some of the coolest people ever and will know lots of tips such as the best places to view the fireworks, and shows. They also carry around free stickers in their pockets. If you simply take the time to talk to some cast members, you'll be amazed at what magic we can work for you.
Lots of love,
Suzanna
I know this really cool guy named Dave. Maybe someday we'll have a date in Disney World! ;)
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