I have been going to Disney World for as long as I can remember. Most of my childhood spring breaks, and honestly many of my adult vacations, have been spent wandering Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM... does that age me?) and Animal Kingdom.

Here's the part that surprises people:

I don't like rides.

Roller coasters? Nope. Log flumes? Absolutely not. Anything that spins? Hard pass. So the question I've heard my entire life is: "If you don't like rides...why do you keep going to Disney?"

The answer is simple. Disney is so much more than rides.

Disney Is One Giant Restaurant (And I'm Not Complaining)

This one might seem obvious, but Disney has incredible food. Sure, you'll find churros, pretzels, hot dogs, and my beloved cheeseburger spring rolls (shameless plug: go check out my Instagram, @wanderhearttravel, if you want to make those at home).

But Disney dining goes far beyond typical theme park food.

You can enjoy award-winning restaurants at the resorts, incredible meals inside the parks, and even dine at the world's only Michelin-starred restaurant located within a theme park: Victoria & Albert's.

*My dad at Citricos Restaurant - Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa*

As a culinary school graduate, I take Disney food very seriously.

Because rides aren't my priority, dining is. I make my reservations the moment they become available because planning where I'm eating is just as exciting as planning where I'm staying.

Here are a few of my can't-miss favorites:

Sanaa – Animal Kingdom Lodge
Jiko – Animal Kingdom Lodge
Morimoto Asia – Disney Springs
Citricos – Grand Floridian
Tiffins – Animal Kingdom
Nomad Lounge – Animal Kingdom
Spice Road Table – EPCOT
Via Napoli – EPCOT
La Cava del Tequila – EPCOT
Monsieur Paul – EPCOT
California Grill – Contemporary Resort
Yachtsman Steakhouse – Yacht & Beach Club

Long story short... Disney is a foodie's dream.

They even dedicate an entire festival to food every fall with the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. If rides aren't your thing, you can genuinely spend days eating and drinking your way around Disney, and I promise you won't regret it

Disney Springs, Downdown Disney and Shopping Galore

Shopping might seem like another obvious suggestion, but Disney really does it well.

Whether you're exploring Disney Springs in Florida, Downtown Disney in California, or the shops throughout the parks, there's something unique around every corner.

One of my favorite traditions growing up was stopping in the Guerlain boutique in EPCOT’s France Pavilion.

*Guerlain products can be found in the France Pavilion in Epcot*

Every year, I'd stock up on perfume and makeup while my poor mom patiently waited outside. My dad paid. Sorry, Dad.

Back then, it was one of the only places in the United States with such an incredible selection of Guerlain products. Even though that's changed over the years, I still stop every time I visit.

It's one of those little Disney traditions that has nothing to do with rides, but everything to do with the memories.

Go Global!

This suggestion might sound a little unhinged, but hear me out.

Disney isn't just in the United States anymore, and hasn’t been for quite some time. Today, you can visit Disney destinations in Japan, France, Hong Kong, China, and soon the United Arab Emirates.

If you love Disney but also love traveling, why not combine both?

Imagine spending a few days exploring Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea before heading off to experience the rest of Japan. I've heard the food is incredible, the parks are beautiful, and everything is surprisingly affordable compared to Walt Disney World.

*Tokyo DisneySea via* *https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tds/attraction.html*

This trip is very high on my bucket list, and trust me, you'll all hear about it when I finally make it happen.

Seasonal Events and Festivals!

Disney is constantly creating new reasons to visit that have absolutely nothing to do with rides.

In the fall alone, you have the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and Jollywood Nights. In the spring you have the beautiful Flower & Garden Festival in EPCOT.

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Food & Wine is easily my favorite.

Beyond the incredible food booths, there are free concerts included with park admission, and Disney brings in some genuinely great performers every year.

If you can plan around it, visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday. The crowds are lighter, the food lines are shorter, and you'll have a much more relaxed experience. I'd also avoid the weeks immediately before Thanksgiving and Christmas if possible.

And if you've never experienced Magic Kingdom during the holidays (really any holiday!)...Even as someone who doesn't care much about rides, I can honestly say it's one of the most magical places I've ever been.

Accidentally Walking a Half Marathon

Okay... don't scroll past this one even though you might be tempted to do so.

Disney might actually be one of my favorite places to exercise. Simply walking around the parks can easily get you over 20,000 steps in a day.

*An easy 21,000 steps in EPCOT - Dec. 2024*

When I visited EPCOT recently, I accidentally walked the equivalent of a half marathon without even realizing it.

If you're a runner, Disney also hosts RunDisney events throughout the year, including 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, full marathons, and multi-race challenges. They're themed, incredibly fun, and definitely not races where you'll be chasing a personal record.

Many of the resorts also have beautiful walking trails and well-equipped fitness centers, making Disney a surprisingly great destination for active travelers.

The Best Things at Disney Aren't Even Rides

One of my favorite things about Disney is discovering experiences that have nothing to do with attractions.

You can:

Build a lightsaber
Take an animation class
Enjoy afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian
Get a caricature drawn
Have beautiful henna artwork done in Morocco
Tour the Living with the Land greenhouses on the Behind the Seeds tour or take a Safari at the Animal Kingdom
Go horseback riding at the Wilderness Lodge campsites
Take cooking or cake decorating classes (these are often family friendly)
Paint your own pottery at select resorts
Spend the day at the pool if you’re staying at a Disney resort

*A Pina Colada by the pool at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa*

One year, my family even participated in a wine tasting through Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It ended up being so memorable and it taught me some new great wines and cheeses!

**So… I Don’t Hate EVERY Ride**

To be fair, I'm not completely anti-ride.

I'll happily ride Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan's Flight, It's a Small World (yes, I said it), Haunted Mansion (my absolute favorite thing of all time), The People Mover, Living with the Land, Toy Story Mania!, and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin every single trip.

*The best ride of all time - The Haunted Mansion*

For me, Disney has never been about riding everything. It's about combining those classic attractions with incredible food, beautiful resorts, hidden experiences, festivals, and time spent with the people I love.

Not being a ride person has never made Disney feel any less magical.

It simply helped me discover a different kind of magic, my own kind of magic, and maybe it'll help you discover yours too.