5 Things To Do on Your Non-Park Days

Walt Disney World gets all of the (totally justified!) hype around its parks, but what do you do if you're not in the parks?

Disney Springs

First of all, this means you likely took my advice and purposefully scheduled a non-park day! Disney is non-stop, and sometimes we all need a breather. Non-park days are also a great alternative to arrival and departure days so that you aren't burning a park ticket on a partial day.

#1 - Disney Springs
Disney Springs is the most logical non-park day locale. Disney Springs is a massive shopping, dining, and entertainment district on Walt Disney World property. (Columbus friends: it's Easton on steroids.) I could spend 5 hours going on and on about where to eat, where to drink, where to shop, and where to play. Do yourself a favor and at minimum head there for dinner one night.

*Pro tip: Disney Springs is still much more busy on weekends than weekdays. If you're hesitant about being around big crowds, save this one for a weekday.

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#2 - Resort Day
One of the best parts about staying on Disney property is your fabulous hotel! Disney Resort hotels have incredible themed pools, fantastic shopping, delectable dining choices, and fun for the whole family. Rent a boat or surrey bike or check out the arcade. Many Resorts have walking/running paths, and select Resorts even have full-service spas! Your Resort pool will have daily activities (weather permitting), and your resort will have some other entertainment as well. I happen to know from experience that Wilderness Lodge has a fantastic Hidden Mickey hunt. Be on  the lookout for characters, too...they've been known to swing by the hotels for a visit! (My recommended 2021 resorts can be found here!)

Yours truly participating in a pool game.

#3 - Monorail Crawl (or Skyliner Crawl!)
You don't have to use the Monorail or Skyliner just to get to the parks! These are also an excellent way to visit other resorts for a crawl! Adults can (responsibly!) enjoy an adult beverage at each stop, and adults and kids can enjoy a cupcake crawl! The Monorail will stop at Grand Floridian, the Contemporary, and Polynesian* Resorts, while the Skyliner will take you to the Riviera, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and Art of Animation Resorts. (It also stops at the International Gateway, making it a very easy walk to the BoardWalk and Yacht & Beach Club Resorts!) This is a fun way to check out different resorts and have a ton of fun!

*The Polynesian's Monorail station is currently under refurbishment. In its place, I recommend using boat transportation or even taking the boat over to Wilderness Lodge for a bonus stop!

A stop at the Tambu Lounge at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

 #4 - Mini-Golf (or Actual Golf!)
​Did you know that Walt Disney World is home to FOUR golf courses? If you have a golfer in the family, this is a must-do! If your family isn't into actual golf, then mini-golf will do just fine! There are multiple miniature golf courses on Disney property, as well!

#5 - Water Parks
Disney is home to two waterparks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. These parks have something for everyone: thrill-seekers, little ones, sun-bathers, and even family raft rides! These are typically closed during the chillier winter months, but Blizzard Beach will be reopening March 7th! Typhoon Lagoon does not yet have a reopening date.

Have you experienced any of the activities on this list? Tell me in the comments! Looking forward to these experiences on your next trip? Contact me to get started!