While it’s tempting to just go, go, go on your Disney vacation, it’s a good idea to take a day {or morning or evening} to rest so that you can recharge yourself and your family. Or, you may not want to go into the parks the day you arrive or the day you leave, but you need something to do. Here are 10 fun yet relaxing things you can do to fill your time, whether you have just a few hours or an entire day. And (excepting the last one), they don’t require park tickets, so are cost effective ways to add value to your trip!
- Swim at your resort pool – it’s there for a reason, use it! Chances are if you have little kids, this could be their favorite part of the vacation.
- Explore your resort – Do you ever take time just to walk around and see all that your resort has to offer? We’ve made some fun discoveries on our explorations, like ping-pong or great places to sit and people watch.
- Watch a movie together: Most Disney resorts have “Movie Under The Stars” nights on property. Plan on staying in one evening, lounging around and watching a Disney movie together, in Disney! See your Resort concierge for details.
- Get ice cream – Ice cream is available in all resorts in one way or another. Grab a scoop or a bar or a cup, find a fun spot and talk about your favorite part of the day. Our fave non-park spots? Beaches and Cream at Beach Club, and the Dole Whip station at Polynesian. (Bonus: Combine this with #3 and it’s even better!)
- Resort Hop – Ever wanted to see what Animal Kingdom Lodge is like? Or maybe you have never stepped into the Grand Floridian and want to see what all the fuss is about? Take part of a day and resort hop! It’s fun to wander around other resorts and maybe even plan your next trip. Make a meal of it and eat at one of the restaurants or grab a soda or drink in the bar. Our favorite resort hopping “line” is the Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Polynesian, because you get to…
- Ride the Monorail – With 3 great resorts on the Magic Kingdom line, this can be a fun trip. Get off and look around, eat, shop in the gift shops {each of these resorts have more than one!} and enjoy the ride. You can transfer over to the Epcot line and ride that back and forth too – it’s a scenic trip!
- Disney Springs – Tons of shops, tons of places to eat, tons of activities, what’s not to love? Buy your souvenirs, eat in one of the dozens of sit downs or counter services, watch your kids faces when they walk into Once upon a Toy or the Lego Center!
- Rent a bike – A few resorts offer single or surrey bike rentals. This is a fun and inexpensive way to see a resort or area! You can find rentals at the Boardwalk, Fort Wilderness, Port Orleans, Caribbean Beach, Saratoga and Old Key West.
- Arcade – If you have kids, they will probably want to visit your resort arcade at some point in the trip. Doing this on a non-park day gives them a little something fun to look forward too!
- Water Parks – OK, yes these are technically parks, but much more laid back than the others. Why not spend a warm afternoon relaxing on a lazy river at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach? Take a dip in the pool, ride some waves, have some family fun on the family-themed water slides, let the kids jump and squirt and play while you rest on a chair and read or nap in the shade. Yes the crowds can be big here too, but arrive early to beat them, or late after they go home. Make it a point to slow down, and you will leave feeling refreshed!
Enjoy your day “off” and have fun while still experiencing the magic Disney has to offer!
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Tina works full time as a school counselor in an elementary school and considers herself a Disney “fanatic”: once her family is finished one trip, she is already planning their next one. Tina loves to find the best deals, even in the busy seasons (she can only go when schools are off!) and loves sharing those deals & tips with anyone and everyone! What Tina loves most is the magic of WDW, it makes her feel like a kid again. She hopes that every family has the opportunity go to the World and experience the magic for themselves because it has a way of reminding its visitors that dreams do indeed come true!
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