Say the words “Disney World” and you’re bound to get one of two reactions: total excitement or a mixture of fear and dread. As anyone who has ever taken a Disney vacation will tell you, spending a week navigating four different theme parks is enough to make you need another vacation when you get back.
But here’s the thing: You can take a Disney vacation and not set foot inside one of the theme parks; in fact, there are enough things to do while you are in Orlando that you could probably spend several weeks at a Disney resort without going to the parks, and even the kids would be happy.
Meet the Characters
The first thing you might think of when you consider a park-free Disney vacation is “What about Mickey?” Don’t worry — you don’t have to go in the parks to see the characters. You can meet Mickey and the gang at many of the Disney hotels. Simply book a character meal, in which the characters visit each table to mingle, and you’ll capture the coveted Mickey autograph and photo.
Get Active
Choosing to forgo the parks doesn’t mean you’re limited to sitting in your hotel room. There are many ways to get active in Disney World, and since so many visitors are focused on the parks, they are usually far less crowded. Golfers can book a tee time at one of Disney’s five golf courses; resort guests get preferred times. Most of the resorts offer bike rentals, and guests can explore miles of trails and paths. If a vacation just isn’t a vacation without doing something on the water, you can book a specialty cruise on Seven Seas Lagoon, where you’ll get a front row seat to the Magic Kingdom fireworks, or rent a watercraft from Sammy Duvall Watersports at the Contemporary Resort. At Sammy Duvall’s, you can also sign up for a parasailing adventure; from a few hundred feet above the lake, you’ll have unparalleled views of Cinderella’s Castle and the area surrounding Disney World.
Shopping and Dining
Character meals aren’t the only options for dining outside of the parks. While many of Disney’s restaurants are located within the parks, some of the best-rated dining spots are in the hotels. For example, Victoria and Albert’s is the only AAA Five Diamond–rated restaurant in Orlando and is located in the Grand Floridian hotel. Other non-park hotspots include the Flying Fish Café, a favorite of locals, and California Grill, which offers diners an observation deck overlooking the Magic Kingdom.
The best shopping in the world is also outside of the parks. The Downtown Disney area is a large shopping complex that doesn’t require a ticket. Here you’ll find the world’s largest Disney Store, as well as specialty shops selling all manner of both Disney and non-Disney-themed merchandise. Downtown Disney is also where you’ll find Disney Quest, a multilevel arcade experience, and the permanent Cirque du Soleil Show, “La Nouba.”
Other Activities
Vacationers looking to relax can get pampered at one of several spas on Disney property; the spa at the Saratoga Springs resort is highly rated. Even your little princess can get pampered at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Downtown Disney, where she’ll leave transformed into her favorite princess. Of course, if you’re looking to save some cash, you can explore the free activities Disney has to offer. Visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge hotel, for example, to view animals on a re-creation of the African savannah, or head over to the Fort Wilderness campground in the evening for a free campfire and outdoor movie. Learn to hula dance at the Polynesian Resort, or simply relax at your resort’s pool.
These are just a few of the things that you can do to fill your time at Disney World without going to the parks. While you might miss taking a ride on Space Mountain or catching a performance of the Country Bears, chances are you’ll have a relaxing vacation — and save some money in the process.
Author: Annalisa Drake has visited Disney World more than a dozen times — and has only visited the parks on half of those trips. She loves watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian Resort.