Many of you have been to Disney World and maybe even Disneyland several times. You are a Disney pro.

Perhaps you’ve visited so many times that it’s starting to become old hat.  Maybe your trips have lost a little bit of the magic of Disney.

If this is the case for you, I have five suggestions to try something a little different for your next Disney vacation.

5. Visit the other coast

If you live in the eastern United States, you probably tend to visit Disney World, and if you’re a west coast native, you’ve likely visited Disneyland many times. Walt knew this, and that’s why he built parks on both coasts.

In any case, why not try visiting the park that you’ve either never been to or have been to fewer times?

Many of you have never been to Disneyland. It’s true that Disney World has more to offer when it comes to the number of attractions, resorts, and activities, but Disneyland is Walt’s home. Although he planned Magic Kingdom, he never actually walked in the park or even saw it completed.

Disneyland, on the other hand, is rich in history. Walt walked Main Street, visited the lands, designed the attractions, and was involved in every aspect of the design and operation of the park. You can experience opening day attractions, California Adventure, and the Disneyland Resorts. Many of these things are totally unique to Disneyland.

Are you a Disney World visitor? Consider trying Disneyland.
Are you a Disney World visitor? Consider trying Disneyland.

4. runDisney

For all you runners out there, why not try a runDisney event? There’s something for everyone no matter your age or ability, so even if you’re not a runner, you can be a walker! runDisney encourages living healthy, staying fit, and having fun doing it. Many runners dress in costume, and there are a ton of characters available for photo ops.

See Disney in a whole new way by participating in a runDisney event.
See Disney in a whole new way by participating in a runDisney event.

3. Challenge yourself

There are some different activities that don’t cost as much as visiting Disneyland or running a marathon.  Some are even free with your vacation. Challenge yourself or compete with family members in these fun experiences.

Can you visit all four parks- Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios- in one day? How about riding all of the mountains- Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad- in 24 hours? Who can find the most hidden Mickeys? How many characters can you meet in one day? How many pressed pennies can you collect in one day? How many times can you ride one attraction in a day? Can you drink around the world in World Showcase? Any of these things would be fun to try! Remember to get photo evidence especially if you’re competing with family or friends.

Give yourself a Disney challenge, like visiting all the parks in one day.
Give yourself a Disney challenge, like visiting all the parks in one day.

2. Do something new

It’s almost impossible to see and do everything in Disney World even if you’ve visited several times. We tend to find things we like and do those things over and over.

Do you always eat in the same restaurant? Try a different one. Have you always walked past the Country Bear Jamboree because you thought it was boring or stupid? Check it out this time! Maybe you’ve always been afraid to ride Expedition Everest. Conquer your fear and face the yeti!

There’s also mini golf at Winter Summerland and Fantasia Gardens, the water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, tours, bike rentals, fishing, campfires, archery, and parasailing. Make this vacation memorable by trying something you’ve never done before!

1. Unplan your vacation

With all of the planning tools Disney provides, we’re encouraged to plan more of our vacation than ever before, and this trend will probably continue. We schedule Advanced Dining Reservations 180 days in advance and FastPass+ reservations 60 days ahead of time. Some people even plan down to the minute and schedule bathroom breaks! This may take vacation planning to the extreme, and defeat the purpose of a vacation. After all, you’re goal is to relax and de-stress from your real world responsibilities.

Why not skip all this planning and take your Disney days as they come?

Try a vacation with less planning - you may just discover some new favorites!
Try a vacation with less planning – you may just discover some new favorites!

I know, some of you are having heart palpitations at the thought of this, but hear me out. Get a good night’s sleep and have a good breakfast so you’re rested and nourished for whatever the day brings. Get to the bus stop whenever you’re ready, and hop on the first bus that arrives- that’s the park you’re visiting today! Flip a coin to choose the first ride, eat at whatever restaurant is closest when you get hungry, skip attractions that have long waits, and take fun pictures along the way. You might be surprised at how much fun you can have when you don’t plan every minute of your vacation!

Are you a Disney World Pro?  What new activity would you like to try on your next trip?