You don’t have to be inside the parks to experience that Disney magic. Whether you’re building in a rest day, skipping a park to save some budget, or just looking for something new—there’s so much to do outside the parks that still feels 100% Disney.
Here’s your guide to the best non-park fun that’s actually worth your time (and in some cases, already included in your package 👀).
✨ Chill at the BoardWalk
Yes, it’s a resort- but it’s also a whole experience. Ride a Surrey Bike (prepare for giggles and sore legs), grab a cocktail or slice of cake, and watch the nighttime street performers. It’s free to visit and seriously underrated.
💦 Make a Splash at the Water Parks
Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are theme parks in their own right- just with more slides and fewer lines. The best part? Your 2025 Disney vacation packages include a FREE water park day, so you might already have it on your reservation and not even know it. Blizzard Beach edges out as our fave, thanks to the family raft ride and mountain-style layout.
⛳ Go Mini Golfing
Disney has two mini golf courses- Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland and they’re both adorable and wildly underrated. Bonus: most packages come with free mini golf vouchers, so it’s often already covered. Just don’t go at high noon unless you enjoy sweating through your socks.
⚽ Try Foot Golf at Oak Trail
Yes, this is a real sport and yes, Disney offers it. Foot golf is what happens when soccer meets golf. You’ll kick a soccer ball across a real golf course, aiming for oversized holes. It’s active, easy to learn, and a blast for families or groups. You can book a tee time at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course and it’s usually way less crowded than the mini golf spots.
🛍 Spend a Day at Disney Springs
Would I leave Magic Kingdom for it? No. But on a rest day? Absolutely. The shopping is top-tier, the food is incredible (The Boathouse, Wine Bar George, Chicken Guy: choose your vibe), and the live music at night is the cherry on top. Don’t miss the World of Disney store for the ultimate souvenir haul.
🍹 Adults: Monorail Crawl + Trader Sam’s
Looking for grown-up fun? Hop the monorail and explore the lounges at the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Polynesian. Cap the night off with a stop at Trader Sam’s for tiki drinks, inside jokes, and unpredictable surprises. It’s basically an attraction for adults.
🚡 Families: Skyliner Resort Crawl
This one’s a hit with kids and tired parents. Board the Skyliner at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios and hop from resort to resort like pros. Stop at Riviera for pastries and lawn games, or let the kids run wild at the playground at Caribbean Beach while you sip a frozen drink from Banana Cabana.
🏕 Try Recreation at Fort Wilderness
If you’ve got a full day and want something totally different, Fort Wilderness is packed with outdoorsy fun: pony rides, archery, kayaking, canoeing, fishing- you name it. Getting there takes a bit of effort, but once you arrive, it’s giving summer camp nostalgia in the best way.
Disney magic isn’t limited to castle selfies and rope drop sprints. Some of the best memories happen outside the parks, when you’re relaxed, recharged, and just exploring for fun. So if your gut says to slow down or try something new… trust it. The magic’s still there. Just maybe in a lazy river or a Skyliner cabin.
Want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your package (including that free water park day)? Message me-I’ll help you plan it all out. ✨