Planning what to do each day during your Walt Disney World Vacation is so much fun. You find yourself daydreaming about the magical memories you’ll create, including seeing the smiles on your children’s faces as they meet their favorite characters, ride their favorite attractions, and more. And your best day ever is topped off with a dazzling theme park fireworks display.
But, running from ride to ride at Walt Disney World can be exhausting. Have you ever considered taking a day off to explore the possibilities beyond the theme parks? Walt Disney World encompasses 47 square miles of magic including lakes, wilderness, shopping, dining, recreation, entertainment, spas, and even a wedding chapel!
Our good friends at Small World Vacations have come up with some suggestions for what to do on your day off from the theme parks. They’ve been to Walt Disney World countless times and can be your best resource when planning a Walt Disney World Vacation. Their goal is to get the Magic started for you!
These are just a few ideas for how to spend a non-park day during your Disney World vacation! They would make a great addition to your plans for the first or last day of your vacation or when you just need a break from the parks.
Disney Springs
There is SO much to do at Disney Springs including activities like Star Warsâ„¢: Secrets of the Empire by ILMxLAB and The VOID, bowling and dinner at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, AMC Dine-In Theater, Characters in Flight, and a makeover for the kiddos at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
Dining in Disney Springs is always an adventure when you can choose from locations including Food Trucks, Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, Paddlefish, Planet Hollywood, The Boathouse, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, STK Orlando, Frontera Cocina, The Polite Pig, Morimoto Asia, The Edison, Maria and Enzo’s, and more!
Another fun way to spend your time in Disney Springs is shopping! You’ll find all kinds of great merchandise at shops including World of Disney, Zara, Anthropologie, Free People, Tumi, Harley Davidson, Pandora Jewelry, LEGO, Basin, and more!
And don’t forget about the live entertainment and other activities like the Amphicar at The Boathouse!
The BoardWalk
Another great spot for dining and entertainment is The BoardWalk! Dine at Flying Fish, Trattoria al Forno, Big River Grille, or the ESPN Club!
If you’re looking for grownup fun, check out Jellyrolls or the Atlantic Dance Hall!
Fun at the Hotels and Beyond
There’s so much to do at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels that you could spend your entire non-park day hanging out by the pool, riding bikes, enjoying the running trails, enjoying a fishing excursion, and more!
Other fun activities include golf, mini golf (at Winter Summerland or Fantasia Garden), watersports at select hotels, carriage rides at either Port Orleans Riverside or Fort Wilderness, and more.
Speaking of Fort Wilderness, you could spend a day hanging out at this hotel enjoying some good, old fashioned fun including horseback riding, pony rides, a petting farm, archery, canoes, kayaks, bike rentals, tennis, the super fun Chip and Dale Campfire Sing-A-Long, and even the Hoop Dee Doo Revue!
For even MORE tips on how to spend a day off from the theme parks check out this page!
There are so many unique and magical ways to create memories at Walt Disney World without going through a turnstile!
Get the Magic started and complete a request for a price quote. An agent will review your travel preferences and provide you with a no-obligation quote along with their phone number so you can talk with them.
Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise.
(Why should you use a travel agent when you go to Disney? See what we think here! Or click here for a no obligation price quote today! And tell them DFB Sent You!
Contact Small World Vacations for a price quote today!
Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise.
Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you — they’ve literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They’re DFB’s recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!)
So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you 🙂
Essie says
There are some great ideas here. I always love catching a monorail ride and visiting the shops at the Contemporary etc. I enjoy Typhoon Lagoon with its lazy river and there is all kinds of fun along the boardwalk, like the Creamery. lol
Sharon says
My dream trip to Disney – going to see the resorts at Christmas – finally happened last year. We spent 3 days during the week following Thanksgiving at DW and only went into the park once: to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. It took some planning but we had an absolute blast! We splurged and stayed at Wilderness Lodge. The day we arrived, we enjoyed the pool & got a drink at the bar on the water while watching the boats; then later, we had a silly time dining at Whispering Canyon Cafe. I stayed up at night and read a book by the fireplace, while enjoying the beautiful traditional Christmas carols, white lights twinkling. A truly sublime experience. The next morning, we took the hour historical tour & saw parts of the lodge which we’d never seen before. We then rode our bikes out to Fort Wilderness and rode around to see the RVs decorated for Christmas & checked out the carriage/horses in the stable. We spent the rest of the day at the Grand Floridian. My DD and I had afternoon tea together, then watched Cinderella and the prince come down the staircase. A spa appointment followed and then we checked out all the really cool shops and ogled the AMAZING Christmas decor. A light dinner, a stroll around the lagoon to the Polynesian, and the electrical water parade closed out our day. Wednesday was spent playing putt-putt at the FUN Fantasia Gardens course which is themed around the movie Fantasia. Toured the Yacht Club and the Beach Club next door to enjoy their over-the-top Christmas decor followed by lunch & ice cream at my DD’s fav place anywhere: Beaches & Cream. We moved on to Animal Kingdom Lodge in the afternoon where my husband & I enjoyed the wine and cheese party and the free food tour of Jiko’s kitchen. We thoroughly enjoyed animal watching then had dinner at Sanaa. Next day, our family slept in and partied at Magic Kingdom’s MVMCP. Best Disney Trip EVER!
Jeff says
I just got back from a 12 night vacation at Disney World. Spent only four days in the theme parks, leaving tons of time for all the other things you mentioned.
Best vacation ever!
So glad my “commando” days are over.