One of the great things about visiting Walt Disney World – and especially about staying at a Disney resort – is the many fun things there are to do! There are so many activities at the hotels that you could easily plan several days out of your Disney vacation where you just stay at your resort (or visit a different one) and never go to a park! And since many of the things to do are free or nearly so….you’re saving some money on park tickets too! Bonus! From tours to games to movie nights there is literally something for everyone at the Disney resorts, no park ticket needed.
But what if you’re looking for sports and recreational activities? Yup, Disney’s got those too! Let’s check them out:
Jogging/walking trails abound at Disney. The Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground path is approximately 2.5 miles. Paths from the Swan and Dolphin complex can take your jog up to 4 miles. Other trail lengths in Walt Disney World range from slightly less than one mile to 1.7 miles. Most trails connect with a resort hotel or two, giving you the chance to also check out décor and amenities of other Disney properties while doing your running or walking.
Fitness centers at the Disney resorts provide an option for an indoor (read – air conditioned) workout. Guests must be at least 14 to use exercise facilities and age 17 without an adult present. Fitness centers are available at no charge to guests staying at the center’s resort or reciprocal hotels (e.g. Beach Club guests may use the Yacht Club facility, and guests at the Polynesian can take advantage of the health club section of Senses Spa at the Grand Floridian). Day and full stay passes may be available for an extra fee for those not staying at the properties with fitness centers (generally the Deluxe or Deluxe Villa resorts).
Volleyball – 8 sand courts can be found at Walt Disney World. Guests of any Disney resort hotel may rent equipment for a fee (no charge for Disney Vacation Club [DVC] members).
Tennis – Seven Disney properties offer tennis courts on a first come-first served basis. As with volleyball, equipment may be rented by any Disney resort guest; no fee for DVC members. Tennis lessons may also be arranged.
Basketball – Shoot hoops at six basketball courts, ranging from quarter to full size. Courts are available to guests staying at select Disney resorts at no charge.
Water Fun – Have fun with canoe or kayak rentals, or try out the pedal boats. Boat rentals are great options for family exercise too! Or do you prefer high octane water fun? Try water skiing, parasailing, tubing or wake boarding. Rentals available at Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre, located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Or catch a wave with surfing lessons at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.
Bicycles – finally – exercise on two or four wheels with bike or surrey bike rentals.
The Walt Disney World resorts offer other fun options as well – golf, horseback riding, fishing, mini golf and more. With all of these choices you are guaranteed to have a blast on your Disney vacation even if you never visit a theme park!
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Amy works as a college administrator and instructor in the Philadelphia area, where she lives with her husband and two children. She visited Walt Disney World for the first time as an adult for a conference. But Amy truly caught the “Disneybug” when she traveled with her young daughter. Amy loves all things travel and especially enjoys trip preparation and strategy: trying to find the best deals, exploring new resorts and restaurants, and planning an extra something special for each trip.
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