Walt Disney World Activities for Non-Park Days

Whether you have an extra rest day built in to your Disney vacation or you arrived early on check-in day and you want something to do, there are lots of options around the Walt Disney World Resort without needing a park ticket! Some are free, others have a small cost! If you’d like to add any of these on to your vacation, I’d love to help!

Disney Springs
Disney Springs is probably the #1 place to go on non-park days and for great reasons! There are 103 shops, 65 places to dine, and 25 attractions, shows, or events. Let’s break it down!

• My favorite store at Disney Springs is definitely World of Disney, the world’s largest Disney collection! Whether you want to shop for Disney merchandise, trading pins, or enjoy a trip to Lilly Pulitzer, you will find so many great stores at Disney Springs!
• From food trucks to table service restaurants, you’ll find it all at Disney Springs. Amorette’s Patisserie, Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew, Gideon’s Bakehouse, Sprinkles, The Ganachery, Ghiradelli, and Vivoli il Gelato are my favorite stops for a sweet treat! Standouts for table service restaurants are Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Frontera Cocina, Jaleo, Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, The Boathouse, and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill. They are all amazing! My favorite quick service (and always first stop at Disney Springs) is Earl of Sandwich! Trust me, if you love a good sandwich there’s nothing better!
• For experiences, Disney Springs doesn’t disappoint. You can ride in the Aerophile, a hot air balloon, watch a movie at AMC Disney Springs 24 Dine-In Theatre, watch Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney, enjoy river dancing at Raglan Road Patio Stage, bowl at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, ride in the Vintage Amphicar, or let your little ones ride the Marketplace Carousel or Train Express.
• My favorite kid-approved stores to mention are the LEGO Store or Build-a-Dino by Build-a-Bear Workshop.
• The Star Wars Trading Post will have all the amazing Star Wars merchandise without being in the parks.
• Be sure to check if Disney Springs is offering any seasonal activities or special food!
• Visit the Coca-Cola Store Rooftop Beverage Bar!
• Personalize your own M&M’s at the M&M Store.

Resorts

• Many resorts have their own playground and arcade. This is huge for me as a mom and makes for an easy resort activity.
• Rent a bike at Caribbean Beach Resort.
• Rent a surrey bike at Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Port Orleans Riverside, and Caribbean Beach Resorts.
• Enjoy a campfire at Wilderness Lodge.
• Rent a canoe at Wilderness Lodge.
• Take a carriage ride at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness or Port Orleans Riverside.
• Play golf at the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, Oak Trail Golf Course, or Palm Golf Course.
• Play Mini Golf at Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland (and if you booked a WDW Package including Resort & Tickets, you can actually get a round for free)
• Go fishing at the Campsites at Fort Wilderness.
• Fort Wilderness Archery Experience at the Campsites at Fort Wilderness.
• Take a horse drawn excursion – wagon ride at the Campsites at Fort Wilderness.
• Horseback riding at the Campsites at Fort Wilderness.
• Rent a kayak at the Campsites at Fort Wilderness.
• Rent a boat at the Campsites at Fort Wilderness.
• Watch a movie under the stars at your resort, just check the daily activities calendar.
• Go on a pony ride at the Campsites at Fort Wilderness.
• Enjoy a pool day at your resort! All pools are heated. And a perk to staying at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort would be the waterslides at your pool!
• Go for a run on the running trails at All-Star Resorts, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Coronado Springs, BoardWalk Inn, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Caribbean Beach, Fort Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Art of Animation, Pop Century, Port Orleans, Old Key West, or Saratoga Springs Resort.
• Play tennis at the Campsites at Fort Wilderness, Saratoga Springs, Yacht Club, Contemporary, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk, and Old Key West Resorts.
• Play beach volleyball at Caribbean Beach Resort.
• Rent a golf cart at Fort Wilderness.

Activities

• Check your resort for daily activities by the Recreation Cast Members!
• Book a fireworks cruise for up to 10 people.
• Ride the Skyliner! Seriously, my kids would ride this all day and not realize its not a real ride!
• Ride the monorail and explore the Monorail Resorts – Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary Resorts!
• Get a Dole Whip from Pineapple Lanai at the Polynesian Resort and enjoy it on the beach.
• Enjoy a Character Dining meal at Chef Mickey’s, Topolino’s Terrace, or Story Book Dining. These are all located at resorts so you can drive right up or take transportation there.
• Explore the Boardwalk!
• Have a karaoke night at Kimonos at the Swan Resort or dance the night away at the Atlantic Dance Hall at the BoardWalk.
• Play pool at Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Villages, Beach Club, Caribbean Beach, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resorts.
• Watch the Electrical Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon.
• Get into pin trading and trade at resorts or Disney Springs!
• Hunt for hidden Mickeys throughout the WDW Resort!
• Seasonal activities will be available as well depending on when you’re visiting Walt Disney World!