The Disney Magic Kingdom park is the face of Disney. The castle, the mouse, the characters parade, they all have been engraved in our minds from childhood. However, a visit to Disney doesn't mean being overwhelmed by the famous mouse or getting stuck riding the tea cup ride over and over again.

When Latin Post explored Disney World in Orlando, Florida earlier this week, we looked for things that would take visitors outside of the Disney box without actually having to leave it.

Check out our thoughts on what the famous theme park has to offer those looking for a unique and unexpected experience.

1. Plenty of Shopping

When you think Disney you associate it with a pair of mouse ears. So of course shopping at Disney would mean various stores full of Mickey Mouse, his pals and every type of Disney princess merchandise you can think of. While that is true, a walk down the expanding Disney Springs changes that concept and gives visitors access to variety of shops, goods and restaurants that make this park more of a destination mall than a theme park.

Pros: Disney Springs' neighborhoods cater to high fashion with upcoming shops like Kate Spade and Uniqlo, unique cuisines and weekend entertainment like bowling, boat rides and an AMC movie theater. It's a destination perfect for families, date nights or hanging out with friends.

Cons: Be prepared to spend. Like anything Disney, the experience won't come cheap. After all, the more than 30 shops that will be opening and dinner, no matter how good, will both make a dent in your wallet. Also don't head over there just yet or you're going to end up staring at walls shielding construction work. Wait for mid-May when Town Center is supposed to be complete.

2. From China to Mexico

Diversity in Disney films, shows and its iconic characters is always a hot topic. Why? Well, because it's quite limited. A look at most of the Disney brand's merchandise is proof enough. While the Disney brand has been working on inclusion--with race and ethnicity in film's like "The Princess And The Frog" and the upcoming "Moana," an altogether different hair color, style and accent for a princess in "Brave," and a Latina princess getting her own show and doll--it's still pretty much a work in progress.

However, Epcot and Animal Kingdom are filled with opportunities to explore diverse cultures. And by culture we don't mean a group of random employees reciting the traditional customs of China or yelling out "Buenos Dias" repeatedly as you pass by.

Pros: The stunning designs of each country highlighted in Epcot, which features locations like China and Mexico, was expected, after all Disney does set standards. However, more important was to see that the people that worked and ran these areas were of that culture themselves. The music played by the performers from these cultural attractions was also much appreciated.

Cons: An expansion of each of these attractions would have given visitors more to explore. The locations feel small and leave a desire for more. The Mariachi group and Mexican Folk Art gallery, which was closed when Latin Post got a chance to explore Epcot, were a good touch but not enough.

3. Food, Lots of Food

When it comes to food, Mickey-shaped sweets are what you expect to see and diner meals are pretty common. After all, what do American families love more than burger and fries? However, in an effort to appeal to their culturally diverse customers the park has Morimoto Asia, Bongos Cuban Cafe, Paradiso 37, Splitsville or The Boathouse in Disney Springs to offer a diverse choice of food that is quite a surprise on the palette.

Pros: A classic burger, Asian-inspired seafood plates or award-winning dishes are all accessible, as are sweets with plenty of candy shops and bakeries throughout the four parks. For our readers who love their tacos and sweets, Sprinkles Cupcakes and Mexican restaurant Tablas Fronteras will soon open at Disney Springs.

Cons: Walking gets you hungry and there will be plenty of walking! Make sure you have plenty of money for meals and snacks along the way. If you're on a budget, you're not going to want to sit at a pricey restaurant more than once or twice and you can only eat from one of the slightly less expensive food trucks so many times without getting bored. Disney wasn't made for small budgets.

4. When The Lights Go Out

When it gets dark at Hollywood Studios or at Magic Kingdom that's when the parks really come alive. Actually, the parks may actually be at their peak when it comes to their night time attractions. This means no Florida sun to make standing around unbearable and plenty of Instagram-worthy photo possibilities. Between the Hollywood Studios "Star Wars" fireworks display, the Tree of Life, the Safari tour as the sun sets and the upcoming Rivers of Light show, there is plenty to see.

Pros: Most amusement parks are a day time thing but you feel like you're getting your money's worth by staying later.

Cons: You may be exhausted and overwhelmed after spending all day at the park. There's only so much "magic" you can take in one day, so planning a break would make sense or else you might not withstand another few hours of attractions

Watch the Tree of Life come to life at night:

5. Theater And Performances

Cirque du Soleil has been performing at Disney for years now, but a lot of people don't know that and don't associate their shows with the Disney franchise. An exclusive look at their new acts reveals a fantasy theme that differs very much from the world of Disney but fits right into the Disney branding of a dream-like experience.

With a "Star Wars" stage show in Hollywood Studios and another live show, called Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire, at Magic Kingdom planned, Disney is looking to cater to visitors of all ages though performance art.

Pro: With the Cirque du Soleil theater located in Disney Springs, you can spend the day shopping, go have dinner and then catch the show. The feeling is like being in New York City, where theater takes center stage. Our favorite part of the new acts? The fact that there is a Puerto Rican B-boy in the mix.

Cons: There really aren't any complaints here. Cirque du Soleil is great in general.

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