Call me crazy (you have before!), but I like downtime at Walt Disney World. I didn’t used to be that way. The first few times my family visited Walt Disney World, we pushed ourselves to the limits, trying to do everything we possibly could. Every moment that wasn’t spent sleeping was devoted to park time. And it led to many miserable days—we refer to them as Grumpy days—when everyone’s on edge and the Disney magic is more annoying than it is uplifting. That’s when we started searching out some hidden ways to get the Disney experience without wearing ourselves thin. What we discovered is that at Walt Disney World, even the mundane is pixie-dusted.

Did you know there are fishin’ holes on property? Grab your rod and reel (or rent them on site) and kick up your heels for some old-fashioned, dockside fishing in the well-stocked waters of Fort Wilderness Campgrounds & Cabins (at the Bike Barn) or do some cane-pole fishing at Port Orleans Riverside’s Old Man Island. If that’s a little too down downtime and it just doesn’t reel you in, you can venture out on the water for a guided excursion.

Walt Disney World Guests can experience bass fishing at its finest all year round with guided fishing excursions on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon, Village Lake, Crescent Lake, and World Showcase Lagoon. Whether you’re a veteran angler or an amateur hobbyist, you’ll enjoy these options. Choose from Guided Bass Fishing on a 21-foot Tracker pontoon with up to five Guests and Bass Nitro Fishing on a Nitro Bass boat for one or two people. Two- and four-hour excursions are offered, and when available, an extra hour may be added at the Marina. Solo fishermen may book an afternoon excursion at a reduced rate.

Fishing excursions are available at: