Top 7 Tips and Secrets from a Walt Disney World Expert

3. Great (and Sometimes Free) Experiences Outside the Parks

Who says you have to go into the Disney World parks to experience the magic? There's plenty of fun things to do outside of the four parks, if you're willing to look for it.

For example, you can do a little "resort hopping" by riding the resort monorail around the Seven Seas Lagoon and making stops at each resort—the Polynesian, the Grand Floridian, and the Contemporary—along the way. This is especially fun to do during the holidays when they're all decked out in yuletide decor.

You can also hop over to Disney Springs and simply enjoy the ambiance as you walk around looking at all the shops.