What to Do at Disney on Non-Park Days

Not sure what to do at Disney on a non-park day?

With so many beautifully themed resorts, a variety of dining options, and many unique activities, there’s no reason to spend your non-park day at Disney World in your room.

Staying in your room all day would be a waste of money. A single park ticket costs around the same as a value resort room—if you’re at a moderate or deluxe, it’s costing you more than that park ticket. So, make sure you’re still getting your money’s worth on your non-park day at Disney World too. Take advantage of all the free things to do around Disney World. Some of the best theming and luxury aren’t in the parks—they’re in the resorts.

Should you do a Disney rest day?

Yes. Park days are long, especially if you’re rope-dropping and staying until close. The kids are going to need a day to decompress, and honestly, so will you. A non-park day helps you avoid burnout so that you’re not too tired to enjoy your park days. And the resorts? They’ve got plenty to help you relax.

Still deciding which resort to book?

My guide to the 8 Best Disney Resorts to Stay At can help—including which ones I recommend if you want to get the most out of your resort days. You can also check out my Split Stays post with a sample itinerary to help you maximize your time at Disney.

Want that deluxe resort feel without paying that $500+ price tag? Look into renting DVC points through David’s Vacation Club Rentals– where you can get a $550/night value season room for as low as $320.

Whether you’re planning a full no-park Disney trip or just need to fill up some rest days, here’s what to do at Disney on a non-park day for adults, couples, and families.

Tips for What to Do at Disney on Non-Park Days

Sleep in
Relax in the lobby in the early mornings (before the rush hits)
Have a slow breakfast—even a mobile order taken back to your room can feel like a treat when you’re not rushing
Get a resort refillable mug (they work at any resort’s quick service)
Walk around your resort and look for hidden gems
Get photos in the quieter areas with great backdrops
Nap or unwind with a show in the room
Let the kids have extra screen time
Do a load of laundry if needed
Restock essentials (groceries, toiletries, etc.)
Review and adjust your plans for upcoming park days
Don’t overplan—leave room to actually rest
Go to bed early

What to Pack for a Resort Day

There are a few things you’ll want to have on hand to make the most of your resort day:

Travel journal – great time to jot down trip highlights
Headphones and your favorite playlist downloaded
A good book

Things to keep the kids busy:

Craft kits
Travel art sets
Coloring books
Sticker books
Busy boards
Sand toys for beach play
Bubble wands (buy now, skip the park markup later)

Check out my Disney Day Bag Packing List for a complete list of what you need for park days, resort days, or resort hopping.

Spend the Morning at Disney Springs

Disney Springs is Disney’s shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Start your resort day here—it’s way less crowded in the morning.

There are several Disney-owned stores (perfect for grabbing souvenirs without wasting park time), plus the LEGO Store, M&M’s World, Coca-Cola, and more. Dining includes popular spots like The Boathouse, STK Orlando, and Morimoto Asia. Entertainment options range from Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil to live music and the AMC Dine-In Theatre. You’ll also find unique extras like the Amphicar Tours and the Aerophile balloon ride. And there are plenty of free things to do while you’re there too.

Resort Activities

There are so many things to do at Disney World without a park ticket. Every Disney resort has its own set of daily activities. To see what each one offers, check out the full list of Things to Do at Disney Resorts.

Activities can include:

Campfires and marshmallow roasting
Movies Under the Stars
Scavenger hunts
Trivia, bingo, and family games
Dance, glow, or pajama parties
Fitness classes and family yoga
Giant games like Jenga and Connect 4
Sports courts
Lawn games
Arts and crafts
Arcades
Playgrounds

Resort Hopping

Resort hopping is one of my favorite things to do at Disney on non-park days.

You get to experience the different atmospheres and theming at each resort—from the fun retro theming and bright colors at Pop Century to the luxury of the Grand Floridian. Kids love seeing their favorite characters in the larger-than-life displays at All-Star Movies or Art of Animation. It’s an easy way to add more dining and activity options to your Disney rest day. In the evening, bus to Magic Kingdom, then monorail to a resort to watch the fireworks or Electrical Water Pageant.

If you’re planning to spend some time resort hopping but aren’t sure where to start, read my full Disney Resort Hopping Guide, plus tips for Resort Hopping with Kids, the 8 Best Disney Resort Hopping Itineraries, and my Ultimate Disney Resort Hopping Itinerary to see every resort in five days.

Visit Animal Kingdom Lodge

If you’re looking beyond your own resort for what to do at Disney on non-park days, but don’t want a full resort hopping day,spending a few hours at Animal Kingdom Lodge is a simpler plan.

It feels more like a visit to a museum and zoo with its stunning lobby, African art, and multiple animal viewing areas. You’ll see giraffes, zebras, and more. It’s also home to some of the best food on property and has “String of Memories” activities throughout the day for kids. If you’re up for something special, book the Starlight Safari, an after-dark animal tour (extra cost).

Visit Fort Wilderness

Fort Wilderness is another resort worth visiting on its own. It’s loaded with unique activities for both guests and day visitors. It’s also where you’ll find the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, a dinner show with live music and comedy. If you’re looking for what to do at Disney on non-park days for couples, try the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure (Segway tour) or horseback riding for a great date night.

Other Fort Wilderness activities include:

Archery
Kayak and canoe rentals
Dockside fishing
Horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides
Pony rides
Bike rentals
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long

Table Service Dining on Resort Days

Resort days give you the chance to truly enjoy Disney’s table service restaurants. It’s the best time to slow down and book a spot you’d normally skip on a park day. Save the quick service options for park days when you’re short on time.

Some top options include:

California Grill at Contemporary: rooftop views of Magic Kingdom fireworks
Topolino’s Terrace at Riviera: views of EPCOT fireworks
Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge: views of the savanna
Whispering Canyon Café at Wilderness Lodge: rowdy, themed fun
Victoria & Albert’s at Grand Floridian: AAA five-diamond dining for serious foodies

Character Dining Without the Parks

Another great addition to your Disney rest day activities is character dining. It’s much more enjoyable when you’re not rushing to get to your next ride.

Here are the 6 places offering character dining at the resorts:

Chef Mickey’s at Contemporary: breakfast and dinner buffet with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto
‘Ohana at Polynesian: breakfast with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto
1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian: breakfast or dinner buffet with Aladdin, Cinderella, Mirabel, and Princess Tiana
Story Book Dining at Wilderness Lodge: dinner with Snow White, Grumpy, Dopey, and the Evil Queen
Topolino’s Terrace at Riviera: breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and Donald
Cape May Café at Beach Club: breakfast with Minnie, Donald Duck, Daisy, and Goofy

Community Halls

Some Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resorts have Community Halls open to everyone (even if you’re not a guest of that resort). These are great for downtime with kids- offering video games, crafts, board games, and more.

You can read all about them in my full post on Disney Resort Community Halls.

Have a Pool Day

When it comes to what to do at Disney on non-park days, having a pool day is an obvious choice.

Value resort pools are basic—just the pool—but they still have great Disney theming. Moderate and deluxe resorts step it up with water slides and hot tubs. Some resorts also have splash pads or water playgrounds too.

For the best pool on property, look at the Beach Club and Yacht Club. They share Stormalong Bay, a mini water park with a sand-bottomed pool, lazy river, and shipwreck waterslide. Rooms start around $600/night during value season (or about $320 through DVCR) so it’s a good choice for the second half of a split stay.

Hang Out at the Beach

A great addition to a pool day is spending some time at the beach. Perfect if you’re looking for things to do on off days at Disney World for adults. The Disney resort beaches have hammocks, swings, or lounge chairs—great for relaxing. You can’t swim in the lakes, but you can bring sand toys and let the kids play while you enjoy the view.

To see which resort beaches are worth your time, check out my Disney Resort Beaches post.

Play Mini Golf

Disney’s two mini golf locations are great additions to the list of things to do at Disney World without a park ticket. Both are open from 10 am to 10 pm, so they’re flexible options you can easily fit into any Disney rest day.

Fantasia Gardens is near the BoardWalk/Swan & Dolphin, and has two courses—one easier (Garden) and one more challenging (Fairways). Winter Summerland is close to Blizzard Beach, and has two Christmas-themed courses (Summer and Winter), both fun and easy for all ages.

Disney Water Parks

If you have the Park Hopper Plus ticket, you get free admission to the water parks. You can also get in for free on your check-in day, which makes it a smart way to spend a transfer day during a split stay. Both Typhoon Lagoon (tropical island theme) and Blizzard Beach (ski resort theme) have wave pools, lazy rivers, several slides, and kids’ areas. Usually, only one is open at a time, but both are running this summer.

End the day at Disney’s BoardWalk

The BoardWalk has a fun, carnival-style vibe. You can rent Surrey bikes, browse the shops, or play classic carnival games. But it really comes alive at night—with great views, street performers (on select nights), and bars like Jellyrolls (a dueling piano bar), Atlantic Dance Hall (a dance club), and AbracadaBar (a magic-themed cocktail lounge). If you’re looking for things to do on off days at Disney World for adults, this is a great option.

From relaxing mornings and poolside afternoons to dinner with characters and fireworks on the beach, planning what to do at Disney on non-park days is easy. Whether you want a slow day to recover or you’re trying to get the most out of your resort stay, there’s plenty to do without setting foot in the parks.

Use your off days to explore, relax, and enjoy the parts of Disney most people overlook.

Looking for tips on where to stay? Check out my recommendations:

The 8 Best Disney Resorts to Stay At

Need ideas for a day at the resorts? Don’t miss these:

Planning to do some resort hopping? Check these out:

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