What To Do On Your Non-Park Days At Walt Disney World
- Nicki
- Apr 25
- 6 min read
When you don't have a park ticket, there is still plenty to explore around Walt Disney World
When people hear that I'm traveling to Walt Disney World, they assume I'll be park hopping and in the parks from open to close. While this is true for most days of my trips, I do love my days away from the hustle and bustle of the four main parks. There's nothing wrong with having an adventure outside of the parks and enjoying those non-park days.
Treat Yourself To Some Relaxation
With all of us getting our steps in and logging our miles of walking each day in the parks, I have learned that splurging for some rest and relaxation is a great way to end a week at Walt Disney World. I started going here as a way to treat myself post runDisney 1/2 Marathon Days. I mean, who doesn't want a pedicure after all that running? It has now become a fun addition to my trips as a way to splurge every once in a while.
Located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the resort's spa is a rejuvenating retreat where you can escape and spend the day. I found myself enjoying the hour prior to my massage in their relaxation room with refreshments, calming music and a good book. As a Disney Cruise enthusiast, I have found that the Senses Spa on the Disney Cruise Line Ships is an amazing place to retreat, offering several similar amenities.
The Grand Floridian Spa is an Enchanting Extra that I like to add to my trips every now and then. For those interested in in park Enchanting Extras, check out Ruth's Blog on splurges in the parks: Walt Disney World's Enchanting Extras
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resort Hopping
As Walt Disney World fans, many of us have likely resort hopped to scout out our next resort stays or sample different dining options. I like to dial my resort hopping up a notch by booking Disney Vacation Club Resort Tours - it never hurts to know your options for buying into DVC.
While I have yet to pull the trigger of buying into DVC, I do like to be aware of the options, sales and current seasonal discounts while on my trips. One of these days, there may be a discount or opportunity that works for me.
That being said, the best way to learn about opportunities and see the amazing Disney Vacation Club Rooms, is to book a tour and it's also becomes a fun filler on my non-park days. Here is what I enjoy about the DVC tours:
If you're staying on site, you don't have to figure out your transportation. They will send a DVC van to pick you up and bring you back to your home resort at the end of the tour. I once had a tour where they picked me up at Pop Century, brought me to Resort Rivera for my Tour, offered to drive me to the Polynesian for my Dinner Reservation and then took me back to Pop once I was done with dinner. Now that's magical service there.
Sure, you're there to learn more about DVC and I really do care about the information, but I also never feel pressured to buy. It's usually a very causal conversation and educational. I learned a lot on my last trip about how DVC worked with the Disney Cruise Line.
As an added bonus you may walk away with some adorable souvenirs. I am a Disney Art collector and I've been given some really cute Disney prints from my DVC tour guide as a thank you for coming out with them. I love this added personal touch.
There are lots of ways to resort hop on your non-park days, this has just become one of my favorite ways to do it. You can book your next tour online or in person at any of the Walt Disney World Resort DVC Kiosks.
A Disney Springs Day
Disney Springs is more than just a place to pick up your Disney souvenirs. It's an amazing location for foodies and unique adventures. Typically, the day I fly into Orlando is a non-park day. I hate feeling rushed by having to get from the airport, to a park to maximize my park ticket investment. Instead, I book a late dinner at a Disney Springs location I have never been to. I'm hoping to make it to Wine Bar George on my 2025 trip, and then spend the rest of the afternoon on a Disney Springs Adventure.
I pepper in my shopping but try to eat my way around Disney Springs for lunch, giving me the opportunity to try out several new places. On a previous trip I have:
Started with coffee at Everglazed Donuts. I really love their Purple Reign Cold Brew and it's a great pick-me-up after a day of traveling.
Moved onto snacks at The Polite Pig. They have some great, entrée options here, but I love ordering a variety of sides.
Enjoyed drinks and chips from the Daily Poutine. The Arendelle Aqua Punch and Buffalo Chicken Poutine were a big hit for me.
Treated myself to dessert at Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC. As a gluten free individual, this is my go-to spot as the entire bakery is gluten free.
Indulged myself with a second Dessert at Sprinkles Cupcakes. Okay, when at Walt Disney World, it's okay to double down on dessert. I usually grab something to go to take back to my resort. On my last trip, it was some cupcakes from Sprinkles.
Again, I pair my eating around Disney Springs with some shopping and an activity. My favorite activity at Disney Springs has been the Vintage Amphicar Tour. My parents and I had dinner at The Boathouse and then used our receipt to get a $25 discount on the tour. We had a great meal and a great experience.
Raglan Road also provides amazing live entertainment and is a great way to grab dinner with a show.
On my coming trip, I hope to try the Drawn to Life Cirque du Soleil show or the blown glass Arribas Brothers Experience. I don't think you'll catch me taking the Aerophile Balloon Flight, but you never know on a Disney Springs Adventure Day.
Dive Into The Waterpark
While participating in the Monorail Bar Crawl is acceptable, pool hopping is not. Disney does not allow for you to spend pool days at a resort you're not a guest at.
Thankfully, Walt Disney World does offer the water park experience for some elevated pool time.
Water parks are traditionally an added charge to a trip, but I noticed that both my 2025 trips come with a free water park day! Maybe, this has always been a thing and I've never noticed it before, but both my 2025 trips came with a Splash Into Water Park Fun All Day option. My reservations say to "Enjoy water park admission on your check-in-day at no additional charge." Score!
While I haven't been to one of the water parks in years, we are talking that I was not tall enough to ride Summit Plummet the last time I was there, so this might be a fun new way to spend my non-Park travel day to Walt Disney World. While my trips won't overlap with the H2O Glow After Hours Event, I look forward to seeing what Blizzard Beach will have in store on my next vacation. Pool days make for a great way to spend those non-park days and I'm sure a trip to the waterpark will amp up the relaxation on the water even more.
The Wilderness Must Be Explored
Of course, a great way to spend a non-park day is to take in all the resort amenities and activities offered at your home-away-from-home. As a frequent camper at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, I love taking our golf cart out for rides around the resort as there is always so much to see. It even has some amazing outdoor rentals, like Kayaks, Fishing Gear and Paddle Boats. You can also go horseback riding on Circle D Ranch.
If you're not staying at this resort and are looking for outdoor adventures, you could book your ride share or hop on a bus to the Magic Kingdom in order to take the boat to Fort Wilderness. You can even make a whole day of it, with dinner at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review. I highly recommend a Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground adventure day as a fun way to explore the great outdoors on a non-park day.
Other unique resort activities include Colors of Coronado Painting Experience, Sangria University, and Spanish Mosaic Art all at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. Many of the Disney resorts even offer a camp fire experience where you can roast marshmallows and eat s'mores around the campfire.
This is how I spend my non-park days. How do you spend yours?
Photos: Walt Disney World Adults Only
Someday I’ll try horseback riding at Fort Wilderness.
We like to go to the Disney mini golf on a non-park day. It's lots of fun and a lovely relaxing time
I loved Drawn to Life, I hope you enjoy it. I cannot bring myself to spend Deluxe hotel prices unless I have planned non-park time to enjoy it.