21 Things to do at Disney World Without a Park Ticket
When planning a Disney World vacation, I always recommend adding a rest/exploration day to your schedule. There’s more to do at Disney World than spend all day in the theme parks. If you limit yourself to only spending time inside the parks, you may miss out on some truly unique experiences.
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There’s much more to experience at Walt Disney World than visiting the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Scheduling a rest day allows you to discover the Disney resorts, enjoy time by the pool, and recharge for your park days. Don’t worry about being bored—you’ll find plenty of fun things to do without stepping foot in the parks!
Why Plan a Rest Day at Disney World
A vacation at Disney World can be exciting but also exhausting. Planning a rest day during your trip offers several benefits, including recovery from walking, standing, and the Florida heat, while providing a break from the parks’ constant stimulation. Consider your family’s needs and trip length when deciding to include a rest day, especially if traveling with young children or older adults.
Planning a rest day doesn’t mean idleness—you can enjoy a variety of activities outside the parks, both free and paid. Once you have a rest day in your itinerary, tailor it to what your family enjoys.
25 Things to Do at Disney World Without a Park Ticket
1. Spend Time at Your Resort Pool
Enjoy the amenities of your Disney World Resort hotel, like the pool. My kids love spending a day at the pool.
Walt Disney World resorts have amazing pools with activities for the whole family. It’s a great opportunity for your kids to play freely, burn off energy and get a break from the Florida heat.
2. Ride the Monorail
Anyone can ride the Monorail at Disney World. You don’t have to be staying at on of the hotels or visiting the Magic Kingdom.
My kids love to ride the Magic Kingdom Monorail loop and explore the different resorts along the way.
The Monorail Resort Loop connects the Magic Kingdom, Contemporary Resort, Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), Polynesian Resort, and Grand Floridian Resort.
3. Plan a Character Meal
A rest day is the perfect time to make reservations for a character meal at one of the Disney World Resort hotels.
You can book a breakfast, lunch or dinner at select restaurants that offer character interactions. Consult with your travel agent to find out which characters meet at each location and during which meals.
When booking a meal at a hotel different than the one where you are staying give yourself extra time to navigate the Disney transportation.
4. Shop at Disney Spring
You can buy souvenirs in the parks and even in your hotel gift shop, but you’ll want to explore Disney Springs if you like shopping.
In addition to Disney-themed stores, Disney Springs also has high-end retailers, restaurants, entertainment, and fun activities for the whole family.
5. Play Mini Golf
Did you know that Walt Disney World has two Mini-Golf courses? Disney’s Fantasia Gardens, themed to 1940’s Disney film, Fantasia is located in the Epcot Resort Area.
Disney’s Winter Summerland is located near Disney’s Blizzard Beach Waterpark. Both mini-golf courses are open year-round and are fun activities for a rest day at Walt Disney World.
6. Go Bowling
If your family likes bowling, check out Splitsville retro-style bowling alley at Disney Springs. Splitsville has a restaurant, music and family-friendly bowling.
7. Participate in Daily Resort Activities
Your Disney World Resort hotel has daily activities led by cast members throughout the day. Some of the activities include dance contests, trivia games, challenges, and tie-dyes. Many of the activities are free, but some do require an additional fee.
You can find the activity schedule for the week at your resort.
8. See Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life
Located at Disney Springs, Cirue du Soleil Drawn to Life is a new show based on Disney classics. Performances are available on select nights and tickets can be purchase online at Cirque du Soleil.
9. Ride the Disney Skyliner
The Disney Skyliner is one of the transportation options for guest at the Walt Disney World resort.
This gondola system takes guests from multiple hotels to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. It is an efficient way to get from the resorts to the parks. The Skyliner runs from Pop Century, Art of Animation, Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, and Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
Anyone can ride the Skyliner and visit the resorts on the route.
10. Go Fishing
There are many lakes throughout Disney World that are ideal for fishing. Several of the resorts that are located on lakes offer fishing excursions for an additional fee.
11. Ride Horses
Did you know Disney trail rides and carriage rides? At Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort you will find Tri Cricle D Ranch, Disney’s working horse farm. Animal lovers can visit the ranch to see a variety of breeds including Appaloosas, Arabians, Belgians, Clydesdales, Percherons and Quarter Horses, plus Shetland Ponies.
Carriage rides and pony rides are also available for an additional fee. Walk-ins are offered however, advanced reservations are recommended.
12. Watch a Movie Under the Stars
A part of the weekly activity schedule at your Disney Resort hotel is Movies Under the Stars. Each resort has set nights when they offer outdoor movies, weather permitting.
13. Chip n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long
The Campsites at Fort Wilderness Lodge has one of the opportunities to meet Disney characters without purchasing a park ticket or booking a dining reservation. Chip n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long is a time to sing, dance and hang out with the beloved doe. Guests can purchase a S’mores kit and roast marshmallows.
14. Electric Water Pagent Parade
The Electric Water Pagent Parade runs nightly on Seven Seas Lagoon. The best place to watch the parade is at one of the Monorail resorts.
15. Watch the Fireworks
You can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks without going into the park. Book advanced dining reservations at restaurants like Narcoossee’s and California Grill for amazing views of the fireworks.
Additionally, you can view the fireworks from one of the hotels on the monorail line. Guests can also book a private charter fireworks cruises for up to 10 people for an intimate viewing experience. Fireworks Cruises include onboard music, soft drinks, snacks, and celebratory decorations.
16. Ride a Ferry Boat
Ferry boats are one of the many transportation options at Walt Disney World. You can take the large ferry boat from the Magic Kingdom resorts like the Polynesian, Grand Floridian or Wilderness Lodge. There are also boats at Disney Springs that will take you to the Port Orleans resort.
17. Visit Animal Kingdom Lodge
Even if you aren’t staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, it’s worth visiting to see the animals. The resort offers multiple overlooks of the Savannah, where you may see giraffes or zebras.
You may even want to make a dining reservation at one of the table service restaurants like Boma or Sanaa.
18. Complete a Scavenger Hunt
Many of the resorts offer a scavenger hunt throughout the property at no additional cost. Stop by the front desk to ask for details about the resort’s scavenger hunt. You may win a small prize!
19. Pin Trading
Disney Pin Trading is an exciting, interactive experience where our Guests can trade Disney pins with our Disney Cast Members and other Guests. It’s fun for the whole family! Start a new collection or exchange pins for the ones you’ve always wanted. Pin boards can often be found at the front desk or merchandise shops.
20. Pamper Yourself
There are a few spas located at Disney World, including the Grand Floridian Spa, which offers an array of revitalizing therapies and services.
21. Play Golf
Disney World features four championship golf courses renowned for their exceptional design and service. Book a tee time to experience the magic of Walt Disney World® Golf.
These are just a few ways to spend your rest day at Walt Disney World.
Are you Feeling Overwhelmed?
I know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed while researching a trip online. Don’t worry! I can help you plan your dream Disney vacation without the stress. Start with my guide, “How to Plan a Disney World Trip” These steps will keep you organized and ensure that everything is taken care of for your best trip ever.
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