Departure Day Activities to Get the Most Out of Your Disney Vacation
Walt Disney World is packed full of exciting entertainment possibilities around the resort. But what do you do with those last couple of hours before you head back home to reality? What's the best way to squeeze in a little more fun? I talked to Disney fans across the Internet to find out their favorite ways to optimize departure day.
Sleep in and Relax
Sleep In: Not the most exciting choice but for many adults that have snuck away for their escape, sleeping in is a luxury that day to day life just doesn't afford them. If you couldn't wait to bring on the night, your last morning could be filled with relaxation. You can even add to the luxury and order some room service! You can take your time packing up your gear. Just remember to be out by 11:00!
Leisurely Breakfast: Room service, Table service or a Character Buffet going out for a fantastic final meal is a great way to punctuate your holiday. Gather together your group and spend some time chatting about all the fun you've had and what you're most looking forward to on your next trip! My favorite is the Cape May Cafe Character Breakfast at Beach Club, but there's probably a gem close by at your resort too!
One Last Monorail Ride
One Last Monorail Ride: If you just aren't ready to say good-bye take some time in the morning for one last monorail ride. It doesn't matter if you circle the Seven Seas Lagoon or take the Epcot line, quietly sliding by above it all is a great way to seal the landscape into your memory until you say hello again.
Downtown Disney: This is especially a favorite of guests who have driven to the Walt Disney World Resort. You might enjoy a walk along the lake, counting the Legos in the lagoon monster, shopping the unique stores and grabbing a sandwich with the Earl. Downtown Disney is the perfect spot to make the magic linger and be sure to pick up any souvenirs you may have forgotten.
Just a Little More Magic Before You Say Good-Bye
Park Time: Hard core Disney fans book the latest flight possible in order to squeeze in that one last day of park time. We suggest that you pack up the night before and chose the park closest to your resort to ensure the longest ride time possible. If you're driving, that extra park time is even easier, just be sure you can stay up for the drive home!
No matter how you decide to spend your last few hours at Walt Disney World remember to stop for a moment and take it all in. Fill your lungs with that last breath of pixie dust and promise yourself that you'll be back soon. What's your departure day strategy? Leave a note below to let me know!
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Poppet wrote on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 17:16:
We try to sleep in, sit down for a nice breakfast, then head out to DTD for last shopping trip and eat a late lunch at T-Rex.
Debbie wrote on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 17:45:
Depends on our flight time. I try to get a late afternoon flight. Then we can sleep in, lounge at the pool and have lunch before we leave. Our favorite "last stops" for breakfast or lunch are Olivia's, Cape May, or Pepper Market.
Diana wrote on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 19:17:
Ours is always a late flight back to the UK, since we stay at SSR it always over to downtown Disney for lunch and last look around, then we board Magical Express to the airport, then I cry.
JoAnn C wrote on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 23:45:
The last two years, I was in WDW Friday to Friday and my friends stayed Sunday to Saturday. On Friday morning, I would get up early, check in for my flight and drop off my carry-on bag in my friends' room. After breakfast we head out to a park. After lunch, we'd head back to Pop and hang by the pool until it was my departure time.
Deborah G wrote on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 01:36:
We drive from Jacksonville, FL so we always go to Downtown Disney on the way out of town AFTER we sleep in. So magical and relaxing.....:-)
Melissa Sue wrote on Tue, 01/31/2012 - 01:24:
Count me among those who book the latest flight possible and spend an extra day in the Parks. Hello, Annual Pass.
On the rare occasion that I do not have an AP, I usually get up around 6, have a great big meal, then go back to bed for a nap before getting out of dodge. I know that’s weird. But I like to eat, and I like to eat and then take a nap even more.
fitmom0f2 wrote on Thu, 05/10/2012 - 16:57:
Love this article... I have a breakfast booked at Kona so we will have the wonderful breakfast/monorail ride to look forward to before saying "see ya real soon!"
DelCowell wrote on Mon, 06/04/2012 - 21:48:
We always go to Downtown Disney to have one last mooch around the shops and get and amazing lunch before we have to leave to go to the airport. Last year we went to Wolfgang Puck and I can definitely say that we'll be going there again next time!! The food in there was amazing :D
Pluto's Mom wrote on Sat, 02/22/2014 - 03:27:
We always stay in a camper at Fort Wilderness and the morning we are leaving we do all of the work of packing and hooking up. And when it is all done and we are ready to leave we head over instead to the Trail's End Restaurant. We have a nice relaxing buffet breakfast and enjoy our last hour at the park. The food is terrific and we always ask for Big "D" to be our server. He is a big huggable bear of a man and sweet as can be. Then we head out that long lonely highway.
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