Walt Disney World property in Orlando, Florida, spans over 27,000 acres, with four theme parks, two water parks, along with dozens of resorts, restaurants, retail stores, and more. Most guests travel to central Florida to experience the first in class Disney World theme parks. However, as an annual passholder and frequent visitor to Disney World, it is easy to see how much more there is to do at Disney World! Better yet, there are many things to do that are either free or very low cost, making days spent outside the parks both budget-friendly and fun for the whole family.

Walt Disney World resorts offer perks like free on-site transportation, early access into the theme parks every morning, access into the parks after hours for deluxe hotels, plus the immersive quality of staying inside the Walt Disney World bubble. Disney World resort guests also have the option to book Lightning Lane reservations up to seven days in advance, which gives them the best advantage over any other guests.

Some of our favorite Disney World activities include the extra amenities that come with staying at a Disney World resort. From the amazing pool areas, restaurants, gift shops, and recreational activities, it is easy to find plenty of things to do to fill your day. Below we will break down our top ten ways to enjoy Disney World beyond just the theme parks!

1. Enjoy a Day at the Pool

All of the Disney World resorts have multiple pool areas for guests to enjoy! There is always one large pool area which is typically located near the main lobby of the resort. This area usually includes an outdoor bar which serves drinks and light snacks. Some Disney resort pools even have a water slide and hot tubs for guests to enjoy! There is also often one or more smaller pool areas which typically attract adults who want to enjoy a more private and quiet pool experience.

Disney resorts often have pool activities for guests to enjoy throughout the day as well! In the past I have seen cast members hosting fun trivia games for kids (and adults) to play while they are in the pool. There is typically music playing throughout the day and it makes for a fun pool experience for the whole family.

Resort pools are only accessible to guests of the resort, which is a big reason why many guests opt to choose a Disney resort to enjoy their amazing pools when they are not visiting the theme parks. For value resorts, I recommend the Pop Century Resort pool for it's fun theming and unique water features. If you want to stay at a moderate resort, I highly recommend the Coronado Springs resort for it's 123-foot long waterslide, dig site, and various leisure pools. For deluxe resorts, the best pool area is shared between guests of Beach Club Villas and Yacht Club Villas. Known as Stormalong Bay, this three acre water wonderland consists of one of the highest resort pool waterslides, lazy river, kiddie pools, and hot tubs.

Regardless of where you stay, be sure to check out your resort's pool area for tons of fun without needing to visit one of the Disney World theme parks.

2. Recreational Activities

Another great perk of staying at a Disney World resort is the various recreational activities you can enjoy during your stay. Guests can check out which amenities their resort offers by visiting either the front desk, Community Hall, or simply walking around the resort.

For little to no cost, guests of various Disney World resorts can enjoy the following activities:

• Bike Rentals
• Canoe Rentals
• Fishing Excursions
• Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
• Horseback Riding
• Playgrounds
• Pool tables
• Ping Pong tables
• Arcades
• Running trails
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Basketball courts

For the best recreational activities, I recommend The Campsites at Fort Wilderness Resort. They offer the most activities including horseback riding, kayak and canoe rentals, an archery experience, basketball and volleyball courts, an arcade, and much more. However, any Disney World resort is sure to have tons of recreational activities that families can enjoy during their stay without the need to visit a theme park!

3. Arts and Crafts

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During a recent stay at Saratoga Springs resort, I stumbled across a $20 Animator Class being hosted in the resort's Community Hall. I was also excited to learn that the price included an exclusive pin featuring Rapunzel! During this 90 minute class, we were taught how to draw two Disney characters (we drew Oswald and Anxiety from Inside Out 2). This class was similar to the Animation Experience you can find at Animal Kingdom. This was a really fun and convenient activity to do with family without having to leave the comforts of our Disney World resort. Usually these experiences have limited capacity, so I recommend making reservations in advance.

In addition to classes like this, all Disney resorts have various arts and craft activities throughout the week. There is usually a sign posted outside the pool or lobby with a list of the week's activities. Other activities I've seen include making tie-dye Mickey shirts or make your own Mickey ears.

These arts and crafts activities are usually very low cost and is another way guests can enjoy Disney World without paying for a theme park ticket.

4. Health and Wellness Activities

In addition to the recreational activities guests can enjoy during their Disney World stay, all Disney resorts have health and wellness activities to stay Zen and grounded during your trip. Especially for adults, Disney vacations can sometimes become quite stressful, and therefore it may be necessary to let off some steam in the resort gyms or take a walk or jog around the running trails available.

In addition to the gym and running trails, some resorts offer a yoga class! These class schedules can be found on signs near the lobby, or you can simply ask a resort cast member for a schedule.

If exercising isn't quite your thing, there are also incredible spas at several Disney World resorts. You do not need to be a resort guest to enjoy their spas, however, reservations are always recommended. Currently, the only open spa is The Grand Floridian Spa at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa which includes a full-service spa, salon, and health club reminiscent of a serene Florida garden.

5. Unique Dining Experiences

 

Disney World resorts are home to some of the absolute best restaurants in all of Disney World property! Not only is the food always great, but some restaurants have unique and interactive dining experiences. Some of our favorite character dining restaurants are located inside Disney resorts! Out of all the resort character dining, I highly recommend Cape May Café at Beach Club Resort (check out our full review of Cape May here).

In addition to amazing character dining experiences, there are also a ton of cool restaurants throughout Disney World property. One of my favorites is the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue which takes place at the Fort Wilderness Lodge Resort. This hilarious, high-spirited dinner show features the Pioneer Hall Players and includes two hours of rousing Wild West dancing, singing and vaudeville comedy. The menu includes all-you-care-to-enjoy fried chicken and smoked BBQ pork ribs, as well as a tossed green salad, baked beans, fresh-baked cornbread and strawberry shortcake. There are also vegetarian, vegan, or pescatarian meal options available. Unlimited draft beer, wine and sangria are included for Guests 21 years of age. Prices range from $66 to $74 per adult and $39 to $44 for children ages 3-9, and prepayment is required.

Disney Wine Tasting

 

Another fun experience for guests 21 and over is Sangria University which takes place at Coronado Springs Resort. This experience at the Three Bridges Bar and Grill is held every Saturday and Sunday afternoon and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Although guests under 21 years old or non-drinkers can also enjoy this experience, it costs the same price. The price for Sangria University ranges between $69 to $79, plus tax and gratuity. Led by sangria professionals, guests will learn a history of sangria and reveal the recipes used to make the several in-house varieties served at Three Bridges Bar and Grill. The lesson is followed by a tasting of the four sangria offerings and will be accompanied by a light appetizer, usually chips and guacamole.

There are so many amazing restaurants within Disney World resorts – be sure to check out our favorite Disney World resort restaurants here!

6. Fun Nighttime Activities

 

Disney World resorts offer amazing nighttime activities such as roasting s'mores over a campfire and movies under the stars! I usually love watching Disney movies or cartoons in my resort room when I stay at a Disney resort. However, it's even more fun to watch a Disney movie on a big screen outside! My favorite resort for movies under the stars is the Boardwalk Inn, because you can also take in beautiful views of the BoardWalk at night during the movie.

Another incredible but little known nighttime activity is offered at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Whether or not you are staying at the resort or just visiting, you can have amazing views of animals just outside the hotel! Additionally Animal Kingdom offers a Starlight Safari tour for approximately $75-$89 per person. After the sun sets, guests are provided with night vision devices to view zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and more. Although you may not see as many animals, usually the front desk will provide you with the night vision devices to use for free as well!

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7. Watch Fireworks from Your Resort

Guests don't have to be inside a theme park to enjoy a beautiful fireworks display! In fact, many resorts such as the Contemporary Resort and Polynesian Resort even pipe music into certain viewing areas for guests to enjoy.

For those looking for a more upscale fireworks dining experience, Celebration at the Top – Sip, Savor, and Sparkle is a great option. This experience takes place at the Contemporary Resort. The price of this experience costs $129 per person plus tax and gratuity. Guests will enjoy a lively cocktail party with fine food, shimmering sips, and music atop of the Contemporary Resort. Shortly before the start of the Happily Ever After fireworks, guests will step out onto a private observation deck to enjoy the show with an incredible view. After the show, guests will head back inside the California Grill restaurant to enjoy a spread of petit four desserts, cordials, and coffee. Since this is a more upscale experience, guests are expected to adhere to a “sophisticated and upscale aesthetic” dress code.

8. Take Advantage of Disney World's Free and Convenient Transportation System

Most Disney World resort guests love taking the various modes of free transportation to the theme parks, including the buses, monorail, boats, and Skyliner. However, you can also use these methods of free transportation to visit other areas of Disney World property as well. If I am staying at a Disney World resort I often like to visit other resorts to visit their gift shops, restaurants, or just to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the Disney buses do not take guests between resorts (for example, you can't take a bus from the Contemporary Resort to Pop Century Resort). However, you are able to take buses to any of the theme parks or Disney Springs, which in turn have transportation between all of the Disney World resorts. Check out the best Disney World resorts based on convenient transportation here.

Another area I love to visit if I am staying at a Disney resort is the BoardWalk. The BoardWalk is one of my favorite areas to hang out and has several great restaurants, shops, lounges, a piano bar, and sometimes you can even watch street performers. Guests can take the Skyliner, buses, boats, or monorail to EPCOT (depending on where you are coming from) and then easily walk to the BoardWalk from the EPCOT Skyliner station.

Although Disney World property is massive, they make it easy to visit the various parts of Disney World, including several fun destinations outside of the theme parks.

9. Enjoy Unique Bars and Lounges

Another reason I love staying at Disney World resorts is because of the unique bars and lounges inside several of the resorts. Even if you are not staying at the resort, you are free to visit their bars and restaurants. My personal favorite bar is Trader Sam's located inside the Polynesian Resort due to its theming and delicious drinks, however it's often very busy with a long wait if you do not arrive early.

Other great lounges to visit at the various resorts include but are not limited to:

• Enchanted Rose Lounge at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, which is a Beauty and the Beast inspired cocktail lounge
• Victoria Falls Lounge at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which offers an assortment of African wines and delicious cocktails in a beautiful African-themed lounge
• Dahlia Lounge at Coronado Springs Resort, an eclectic roof-top lounge
• Ale & Compass Lounge at Disney's Yacht Club Resort, a coastal-inspired lounge

10. Shop and Dine at Disney Springs

I always say no Disney World vacation is complete without at least a few hours at Disney Springs, which is a huge outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment area. Parking at Disney Springs is completely free to all guests. Additionally, resort guests can either take a bus or boat to Disney Springs depending on which resort they are staying.

Disney Springs truly has it all- from a movie theater, restaurants, bowling alley, and unique retail stores. There are also a ton of unique desserts to try at Disney Springs – check out our favorites here! What I love about Disney Springs is that they have more shops than just Disney-focused gift shops, such as Vera Bradley, Colombia, Lululemon, UNIQLO, Zara, Pandora, Lovepop, and many others! Therefore, we definitely recommend enjoying what Disney Springs has to offer during your next trip!

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