As mentioned in our Six Steps Planning process, there are numerous activities to keep you busy in Disney World without ever setting foot inside the parks. We’ve put together three potential non-park day outlines below, just to get your mind dreaming. Mix and match as you see fit, and don’t forget to make Advanced Dining Reservations for the venues that you choose.
Schedule 1: Wilderness Day
1. Breakfast
Whispering Canyon Cafe for a hearty breakfast full of sass.
2. Morning
Explore Wilderness Lodge. Free tour starts at 9:00 in the lobby. Hidden Mickey sheets are available at the front desk. Or just wander around and enjoy the amazing architecture, scenery, and of course, geyser eruption (top of every hour). In the late morning, hike over to Fort Wilderness Campground.
3. Lunch
Grab some quick service lunch – there are multiple options at Fort Wilderness. Use MDE app to help locate if necessary.
4. Afternoon
Have fun in the campground. Options include horseback riding, boat rentals, fishing, tetherball, playgrounds, archery, wagon rides, and more. Some recreation is free, others will be an extra charge.
5. Dinner
Mickey’s Backyard BBQ or Hoop-Dee-Do Musical Revue (You should be able to use the Comfort Stations at the campground to shower before dinner if you wish. If you have any trouble, just see a cast member who will gladly help you out, especially when you mention a dinner reservation.)
6. Evening
Chip ’n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-a-long and Movie Under the Stars
Schedule 2: Princess Day
1. Breakfast
Have a light breakfast at your resort. Room service might be in order so the princess can have her beauty sleep. (Plus, we’re saving room for an early lunch and afternoon tea.)
2. Morning
Princess Makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Disney Springs or a morning at the spa for more “mature” princesses. Mandara Spa is located at the Dolphin Hotel or Senses Spa is located at the Grand Floridian. If you choose Senses, you may want to arrive early for the Floridian Express tour, an informative tour of the resort with a small, insider feel ($15, call for reservations).
3. Lunch
Some early, light counter service. (Wolfgang Puck Express has a great spread of salads if you’re at Disney Springs.) Options are plentiful.
4. Afternoon
Afternoon tea at the Garden View Tea Room in the Grand Floridian. Note that this is not the famed Princess Tea (which is another great option for the morning, if you’re willing to spend the extra money). If you have time to kill, hop on the resort ferry for a delightful roundtrip boat ride (for free!).
5. Dinner
1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian for Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner. Adult princesses may feel more pampered with a dinner at the exclusive Victoria and Alberts.
6. Evening
A round at Fantasia Gardens mini golf may be just the thing to wear out the most wiggly princesses. Or for adult princesses, hop on the monorail for cocktails in the Contemporary with a view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
Schedule 3: Disney Springs and Boardwalk
1. Breakfast
Grab breakfast at your resort, maybe swim a little in your pool.
2. Morning
Disney Springs opens at 10:00. Do some shopping and wandering. Check out the Lego store for kids. Do early bird bowling at Splitsville. Sample sodas from around the world at the Coca-Cola Rooftop Beverage Bar. There’s always plenty to do.
3. Lunch
Take your pick of fast or fancy foods at Disney Springs. Opportunities abound, depending on your taste and ambiance preferences.
4. Afternoon
Take in a matinee movie if you need a break. Or head over to the Boardwalk and rent a surrey bike.
5. Dinner
Take your pick from the many options available at the Boardwalk. Table service and quick service options are both absolutely excellent. I’m partial to quick service, to save room for dessert later on.
6. Evening
Catch some live performers, do some light shopping, wander into the piano bar, do some dancing, walk over the Beaches and Cream (at the Beach Club). There’s plenty to do! Finish the night with a round trip ride on the Friendship to catch a view of the fireworks over either Hollywood Studios or Epcot.
Other Options:
- Don’t forget the Waterparks! They’re awesome. Morning and Blizzard Beach, afternoon at Typhoon Lagoon, evening at Disney Springs—makes for a wonderful day.
- Although the amenities at Disney resorts are available to non-guests, the parking isn’t guaranteed unless you have some sort of reservation. Just another reason why making an ADR is a good idea on non-park days.
- If water sports are your thing, check out Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre – so much fun!
- Animal Kingdom Lodge is another great place to spend time. There are free tours, animal sightings, nightly campfires, and more.
However, you choose to schedule it, have a magical non-park Disney World day!