Unique DVC Experiences Near EPCOT

A Disney Vacation Club membership lasts for decades. You’ll spend most of your life visiting the various Disney theme parks and the nearby hotels. That’s especially true of your Home Resort(s) and favorite properties.

So, we’re highlighting a few things you can do at each resort that you probably never realized. Here are some of the best unique experiences you’ll find at DVC resorts in the EPCOT area.

Unique Beach Club Experiences

Due to its proximity to EPCOT’s International Gateway, Beach Club is a resort where you’ve likely focused on a single amenity: Stormalong Bay. However, the resort hosts several less hyped amenities, some of which are free.

For instance, you can hang out at a campfire at Shipwreck Beach each night from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. You roast marshmallows, which Disney hands out for free, or you buy S’mores kits for a nominal fee. Of course, when you time your visit right, this event is hard to miss. 

So, let’s focus on some experiences you may not know are available. A good one is the character hunt. Cast Members hide Flounder and Max throughout the resort. When you find either one of them, take a picture. Then, show it to the Cast Member at the front desk. They’ll reward you for your successful search!

Another free activity is the daily trivia quiz. You’ll find a series of questions on a board near the entrance to Beach Club Marketplace. Again, a Cast Member will reward you for your knowledge if you can provide all the correct answers.

You may not realize this, but you can also participate in Cast Member pin trading at Beach Club. Similarly, you can ask for free trading cards when you ride the bus or boat here. These cards display facts about the various forms of Disney transportation. Over time, you might even collect all 33 cards to complete the set. Since they’re free, you might as well try, right?

Martha’s Vineyard also hosts a paid activity on Fridays at 4 p.m. You can take a painting class led by a master artist. You’ll find other forms of artistic expression akin to the ones we’ve mentioned for other resorts as well. For instance, you can participate in creating Mickey Tie-Dyes and painting seashells. These activities are available for a small fee, and you’re making a keepsake for yourself! Kids delight in these creative outlets.

Here Are Unique BoardWalk Experiences

This resort does something a bit different in that most of the experiences under discussion cater to children. At Luna Park Pool Deck, the bingo crowd can get in the act a couple of times a week. 

You’ll find Bingo games available on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. At the same time on Sundays and Thursdays, the pool hosts BoardWalk Trivia. Cast Members also offer other interactive activities at 1 p.m. daily. So, this is a fun hangout spot on hot Florida afternoons in lieu of standing in line at the parks. 

When you want something more creative, head to Village Green Lawn on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3-4 p.m. Here, you’ll find BoardWalk Beads, another artistic activity wherein you create a necklace or bracelet comprised of the charms you choose. It’s another permanent memento from your trip.

Finally, the wellness crowd should always prioritize BoardWalk visits. The hotel offers two options for healthy living. 

During the Crescent Lake Wellness Challenge, you’ll explore “nearly 1 mile of pathways” while savoring gorgeous lake views. Then, on Wednesdays at 9 a.m., you can participate in Family Wellness Yoga, which includes Disney storytime. So, it’s fun for all ages!

Here Are Unique Old Key West Experiences

Over the years, DVC officials have homed in on experiences that all members enjoy. That’s why you’ll find an Orange Bird hunt at Old Key West. 

This activity is nearly identical to the Max and Flounder searches at Beach Club, but now you’re looking for the beloved Disney character from decades of Florida/Orange County ads. When you take a picture of the Orange Bird and show it to a Cast Member, you earn a reward. 

Then, we have the wellness opportunities here as well. Old Key West also Disney Fit Yoga, which occurs on Sundays at 9 a.m. Then, on Tuesdays at 9 a.m., you can participate in aquatic exercises during Disney Fit Aqua Fitness. Finally, you can attend the Pickleball Clinic on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. at the tennis courts near Hospitality House.

On the paid experiences front, I reiterate my passion for the bike rentals here, especially the surrey bikes. You can rent them for a relatively modest price, and since you’re unlikely to do it at home, it’s extremely touristy. You’ll also find campfire activities here and Mickey Tie-Die shirt creation here. So, when you find an activity you like at a DVC resort, there’s a good chance you can recreate it elsewhere.