My Top Seven Favorite Things to Do at Disney Without a Park Ticket

Mar 8

Disney World has four theme parks, two water parks, a shopping district, and more. It can be overwhelming, and sometimes you need a break from the parks, and sometimes your resort pool may be a little crowded. So today, I will discuss my favorite things to do around Walt Disney World that do not require a park ticket!

Resort Hop

Walt Disney World is home to 30 unique hotels, from Fort Wilderness to Port Orleans to the Beach Club; they are unique and magical. Each has its offerings, specialties, and twists.

Here are some great things to do at some Disney resorts:

Check out the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Grab a beignet at Port Orleans French Quarter
Explore the resorts around Magic Kingdom on the Monorail
Explore the resorts on Disney’s Skyliner
Go horseback riding at Fort Wilderness
Visit the Geyser at Wilderness Lodge

I have visited every resort on property (I have not stayed at all of them yet), and I can honestly say I still haven’t explored them all thoroughly. This is a great way to take a break from the parks or hide away from the rain while discovering something new at Disney.

Pin Trade

Quick summary of pin trading: You buy a Disney pin that you may not love and trade it for one you do. You can trade with cast members or fellow guests as long as it is a Disney pin (it has to have the Disney copyright logo on the back of it).

Each resort has pinboards at its merchandise location, recreation location, and sometimes at its front desk. You can even combine this with resort hopping! It is a great activity on a non-park day.

Explore Disney Springs

Over the years, the Disney Marketplace, Downtown Disney, and now Disney Springs have changed a lot. Disney Springs is Walt Disney World’s entertainment area. There is bowling, shopping (both Disney merchandise locations and luxury shopping like Kate Spade and Sephora), live music, Cirque Du Soleil, restaurants, and more. There is plenty to do in Disney Springs to keep you occupied for a full day!

I recommend trying Wine Bar George while you are there, as their wine slushies and mac and cheese bites are incredible! Also, grab a cookie if the line for Gideon’s is not 6 HOURS long. Their coffee cake one is fantastic and worth an hour’s wait!

Brunch at Wine Bar George in Disney Springs

Play Mini Golf

You may think you can play mini-golf anywhere, but this is mini-golf with a sprinkle of Disney magic!

Walt Disney World is home to two mini golf courses, Fantasia Mini Golf, and Winter Summerland. Fantasia Mini Golf is located near the Swan Reserve hotel and is themed on the movie Fantasia. Winter Summerland is over by Blizzard Beach and features two courses, Winter and Summer (with a Christmas-y twist). Both courses are fun for the whole family to enjoy and are a great way to spend an afternoon (unless it is the summer, then go when it gets dark or you may get overheated).

Watch the Fireworks

Okay, I know you can do this inside the park, but if you happen to be going to Disney and not going to the theme parks, you can still enjoy Disney fireworks.

There are a few places you can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks:

Top of the World Lounge - Contemporary (only available to DVC members)
Balcony / Staircases at the Contemporary
Beach at the Polynesian Resort
Boat Dock at the Grand Floridian

Except for the staircases, these locations pipe in the music for the fireworks, so you can enjoy the experience without being at the parks.

The bridge between Beach Club and the BoardWalk is my favorite place to watch the Epcot fireworks. They do not pipe the music here, but you can still see the fireworks from this vantage point.

Other places to watch fireworks include Topolino’s Terrace, California Grill, and Toledo’s, but these require dining reservations to view the fireworks. The above locations are all free to get to.

Fireworks from Polynesian Village Resort

Visit the BoardWalk

This may be biased as I worked at the BoardWalk, where I am getting married later this year, but hear me out.

The BoardWalk has an ice cream store, a deli, a magician-themed bar, several restaurants, and Boardwalk-style games. And at night, it comes alive. Some night performers perform magic, comedy, tricks, and more! And at night, the dueling piano bar, Jellyrolls, and the “night club,” Atlantic Dance Hall, open up. I highly recommend exploring everything the BoardWalk offers at night if you have never been. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Resort Activities

Resorts usually have recreation activities throughout the day, and you can check out the schedule at your resort. Still, the activities range from campfires to Mickey tie-dye t-shirts to trivia and more! If you are relaxing by the pool or exploring your resort, these are great activities to participate in!

Interested in a Walt Disney World Vacation but need help figuring out where to start? Let us help get you there! We will help you find the perfect resort and plan a custom itinerary.

Frances Sherlock

Shoreline Destinations Disney World contributor

Blog by: Frances Sherlock

Frances is an Orlando local who visits the Disney Parks weekly. She is a Disney College Program alum and a former Disney Store Cast Member. Frances is also an avid Disney pin trader and she and her fiancé enjoy trying new restaurants on Disney properties.

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