by Marvel Diva
I’d like to confess something: I am not a pool rat. I understand the need (or desire) to have a non-park day during your Disney vacation, but I’ve never been the type to want to spend that time poolside. My mom is the same way! Whenever she would visit me in Florida I would plan activities that didn’t always involve a park visit, but still involved plenty of Disney magic. There are plenty of activities around Disney property with lots of fun for all
Selfies at Winter Summerland!
ages!
Start your morning with mini golf!
Mini golf is always a good time and it’s especially fun at Disney! I suggest starting your day with mini-golf because pro tip: it gets pretty hot for mini golf in the middle of the day with the Florida
Fun surprises at Winter Summerland!
heat! Mini-golf is definitely best to open or close the day. You can read Disney Magic Diva’s review of Fantasia Mini Golf here.
Disney Springs
Okay, this one seems a little obvious – but hear me out! My mom and I have a *ton* of allergies and depending on our tastes, it’s not always easy for us to find a full meal at Disney Springs. We loved our stay at Port Orleans (both Riverside and French Quarter) and so we routinely take the ferry from Disney Springs to Port Orleans to grab lunch. The boat ride is lovely and quiet and sometimes we even make a few friends along the way. Word of warning: there aren’t many places to sit while waiting for the boat except the ground.
Resort Hopping
Mickey is great, but I’m a big Donald fan too!
The resort plans activities, but I’ve always been a bit like Russell from Up! – the Disney wilderness must be explored! My family has had a ton of fun riding the monorail around on the resort line and touring the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. This was great for when we eventually stayed at the Contemporary and Grand Floridian – we already knew our way around! There are lots of niche shops in the Deluxe resorts and if you’re a pin hunter, sometimes pins are easier to find in shops at resorts because they see less foot traffic than Disney Springs or the Emporium in Magic Kingdom. Plus there are loads of fun places to eat. Chef Mickey’s was a lot of fun on my most recent trip. (Check out Fairy Diva’s review here.)
Not rushing off to a park after Chef Mickey’s meant we had plenty of time to meander. I’ve asked cast members for hints on hidden mickeys and even had fun photo shoots. Plus, I’m a sucker for theming. Getting lost in a resort experience that an Imagineer carefully designed just feels like a new way to express my gratitude. Bonus: the Polynesian even has dole whip!
Posing outside the Contemporary!
Evening Activities
There are a handful of resort spots where you can still catch the evening shows without being in the parks. The Polynesian, Contemporary, and Grand Floridian all have great spots for catching bits of Wishes. You can catch some of Illuminations from The Boardwalk and I’ve even heard some of the music from Fantasmic while playing mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens. Plus at the Polynesian, Contemporary, and Grand Floridian you can catch the Electrical Water Pageant!
Want help planning your trip in and out of the parks? Contact Patricia at All 4 Dreams Travel today.
