If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, it’s easy to focus most of your time and energy on the parks – but the resorts have so many fun extras that are often overlooked, like scavenger hunts.
They’re not heavily advertised, so they can be easy to miss, but they often end up being such a highlight of the trip. They’re a fun (and free!) way to keep kids entertained without stepping foot in a park, and they also double as a great way to explore the resorts.
They’re perfect for rest days, arrival days, or even just a more relaxed morning or afternoon when you need a little break from the parks.
Resort Scavenger Hunts at Walt Disney World
Disney’s Riviera Resort Signature Art Collection Search
At Disney’s Riviera Resort, you’ll find an impressive art collection featuring more than 40 original pieces inspired by European storytelling and classic Disney characters. To get started with Riviera’s Signature Art Collection Search, stop by the Disney Vacation Club desk in the lobby and ask for a clue guide, map, and stickers. As you explore the resort, you’ll search for 10 different pieces of artwork and track your progress along the way. Once you’ve completed the hunt, head back to the DVC desk for a complimentary piece of Disney art as your reward.
Resort Mascot Scavenger Hunts
Each Walt Disney World Resort hotel has its own mascot character that is used for a daily character scavenger hunt. Every morning a large cut-out of that character is moved to a new hiding spot somewhere around the property. Your mission is to find it, take a photo, and show a Cast Member at the front desk to receive a souvenir button. Look every day throughout your stay for the character’s new hiding spot to collect additional stickers to fill in your button.
The mascot characters to keep an eye out for are:
- Orange Bird at Old Key West
- Pascal at Riviera Resort
- Pumbaa (Jambo House) and Timon (Kidani Village) at Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Maximus from Tangled at Saratoga Springs
- Sebastian from The Little Mermaid at Caribbean Beach
- Chip and Dale at Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge
- Goofy at Pop Century, BoardWalk Inn, and the All-Star Resorts
- Nala at Art of Animation
- Flounder at Beach Club
- Prince Eric’s dog, Max, at Yacht Club
- Ray at Port Orleans – Riverside
- Louis at Port Orleans – French Quarter
- Edna Mode at Contemporary
- Bruno at Coronado Springs
- A Mary Poppins penguin at Grand Floridian
- Hei Hei at Polynesian Village Resort
All-Star Resorts Wellness Scavenger Hunt
At the All-Star Resorts, you’ll find a movement-based scavenger hunt that gets kids up and active while exploring all three properties.
Along the way, you’ll complete fun fitness challenges. And once you’re finished, you can stop by any of the All-Star gift shops to receive a small prize.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Scavenger Hunts
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn actually offers two different scavenger hunt experiences! You can try your hand at fitness challenges around Crescent Lake with the Crescent Lake Family Wellness Adventure, or explore the resort while following clues in the Sea the Shore Scavenger Hunt. Both are great options if you’re spending time in the BoardWalk area.
Hidden Mickey Scavenger Hunts
When Epcot first opened in 1982, it was the only park not to feature Disney characters. This inspired Imagineers to hide images of Mickey Mouse all across the park. Since then, Hidden Mickeys have become a staple all throughout Disneyland and Walt Disney World – and they can now be found just about everywhere, including the Resort hotels.
At places like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you can pick up a clue sheet and turn your visit into a fun Hidden Mickey hunt. (This hunt is a personal favorite of mine!)
Disney Skyliner Rally Scavenger Hunt
The Disney Skyliner Rally Scavenger Hunt is a fantastic way to explore and experience the Walt Disney World resorts connected by the Disney Skyliner. You’ll enjoy stops at Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century Resort, Art of Animation Resort, Yacht and Beach Club, and BoardWalk Inn. Stop by any of the Skyliner resorts to pick up your packet of clues, and enjoy your time visiting these amazing Value, Moderate, and Deluxe properties.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Photo Scavenger Hunt
At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you’ll find a photo-based scavenger hunt that takes you around different areas of the resort.
You’ll solve clues and snap a selfie at each location before moving on to the next stop – a neat mix of exploring and memory-making!
Saratoga Springs and Coronado Springs Scavenger Hunts
Both Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort also offer their own scavenger hunts. Pick up clue sheets at the front desk of either resort, and as you explore, you’ll follow clues around the property. At Coronado Springs, you’ll even learn a bit about the resort’s history and theming along the way.
Whether you’re enjoying some time away from the parks, waiting for a dining reservation at a “new-to-you” resort, or just looking for something a little different to do, these scavenger hunts are a really fun and easy way to add a little extra magic to your trip.
And who knows – you might just discover your next favorite Disney World resort along the way!
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